Premium Essay

Cja 334 Research Process

In:

Submitted By emsjeremy
Words 1253
Pages 6
Research Process and Terminology

CJA 334

University of Phoenix HOPE TYEHIMBA

Different research methods used today play a very important role in the criminal justice system. Using effective methods gives people the ability to open and close cases. People interested in the criminal justice field have the ability to use wide ranges of research methods at their disposal.

Research Process and Terminology I.

The research process consists of multiple steps and sub-steps for an effective outcome.
For an accurate result, one must try to avoid biases and pursue accuracy in his or her research to produce an accurate result. The research process begins with a theory. According to Hagan (2010), theories “are usually general or broad statements regarding the relationship between variables. A theory does not necessarily have to have proof to back it up, following steps in the research process can give credence to a theory and may be able to prove the theory to be fact. A theory can transition into a hypothesis, which according to Hagan (2010), “are specific statements regarding the relationship between variables and are derived from more general theories”. The next steps in the research process are research design and data gathering (Hagan, 2010). A researcher can choose between an experimental and a non-experimental approach, whether to examine individuals or groups of people, and the amount of time dedicated to examining them. Before evaluating groups or individuals, one must determine the sampling available to him or her. A person conducting research on who likes the color red may use a convenience sampling of participants by simply asking people he or she meets directly “do you like the color red?” A researcher can also study each participant

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Research Process

...Research Process and Terminology Paper Name CJA/334 - RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Date Instructor Research Process and Terminology When I hear the word research, I usually think of scientists in a lab wearing white lab gowns but, this is not always the case in the Criminal Justice field. Research can be used to fight crime, prove evidence in court or even help improve police response without the city. There are many terminology’s that has to be known to be successful when working in the field. How will this new terminology and knowledge apply to a career in criminal justice? There are hundreds of jobs within the criminal justice field. This new terminology will help throughout the research and will and aid in whichever branch or specialty the person is undertaking. The Terminology will help the person understand the different performances of the research and how it can be applied to his or her performance in job duties. This will give anyone a better understanding for research and how it should be carried out to assist them How will not knowing the proper terminology affect you as you conduct criminal justice research? Anyone that works in the criminal justice field knows that at any time people rely on the system to help them when needed. The system basically has control of all our lives and can determine what may happen next. Not knowing the proper terminology can have a huge effect on someone’s life, safety, and can even death...

Words: 1106 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

How Can Knowing Terminology Terms Be an Asset When Evaloating and Analyzing Research Studies or Data.

...The Research Process Cheryl Hall CJA/334 September 22, 2014 Sharon Taylor The Research Process This paper is going to explain some of the terminology used in criminal justice. As you read this paper you will start to understand some of the research that is done to keep up with the terminology that will aid in helping us enter into whichever branch or specialty of police work we might be interested in. The research process is a step-by-step process of developing a research paper, as you go from one step to the other it is usually necessary to backup, revise, add additional material or even change your topic completely. The research process itself involves locating, assessing, analyzing, and then developing and expressing your ideas. This is the same skills you will need outside the academic world when you write a report for criminal justice. Secondary source is usually studies by other researchers, they describe, analyze, and/or evaluate information found in primary sources. Primary sources are original works; these sources represent original thinking, report on discoveries or share new information. Usually these represent the first formal appearance of original resource. The new terminology will help throughout the research and will aid in whichever branch or specialty of police work you want to enter. It is important to know the terminology in any field you want to go into. If you want to be a doctor you have to know medical terminology, for criminal justice you have...

Words: 336 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Research Proposal

...Research Proposal, Part 1 Team A CJA/334 February 18, 2013 Susan Wind Research Proposal The issue Team A will be examining is the education of officers, why they decided on that career choice, what motivated them and what was needed to fulfill that goal. The significance of this issue is to develop an idea of what is needed of an individual to become an officer. In general terms the proposed study is the psychology that lies behind the mindset of a career in law enforcement. When understanding the theory behind a career in law enforcement a prediction in direction of future events can help develop, organize, and explain the pragmatic angles inside the criminal justice system. Each angle can support and aim at developing the needed funding to support the training and opportunities individuals seek out to obtain their career in law enforcement. Scientific knowledge behind the paradigm structure of why and how may bring a different theoretical and methodological idea of the criminology career. Funding for careers come from the physical, social, and development of research and can improve on the quality and direction of an individual. In theory that quality of development may need to focus on problems that may arise, such as the demand in small communities compared to larger ones, is there funding and scholarships for minorities and females within each area and what motivates women in the direction of law enforcement. Issues on the background...

Words: 1220 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Process and Terminology

...Research Process and Terminology Paper 334 CJA June 13, 2011 Research Process and Terminology Terminology in any profession is key to understanding what is being done and why. Many professions have their own way or methods of research. Not knowing the proper terminology can affect one’s job. One’s that know the terminology and methods have a wide range throughout their job when evaluating and analyzing research. Research is the process of collecting and analyzing information, and includes any gathering of data, information, and facts for the advancement of knowledge. Once the professional has become familiar with the terminology used in the research process, the professional will be able to provide technical reports, academic concepts, and provide the discoveries of his or her research. When does research process begin? It begins with problem formulation. Problem formulation is to review, selection, and specification of the area to be investigated. Researchers organize research by formulating and defining a research problem, which is the main issue of the research in most cases. Before attempting to solve a problem, researchers must first define the problem as in any problem. The more difficult it is to define the problem, the harder he or she has to try. Once the problem formulation is complete, researchers can stay focused on the research process. Second is research design. Research designs are the type of experimental or non-experimental...

Words: 819 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Research Process Terminology

...Research Process and Terminology Paper TerryAnn Powell-Joyner CJA 334 February 12, 2012 Stacey L. Callaway, Esq. What is research? Research has any different definitions, but basically research is the investigation and gathering of information, data, and facts to gain knowledge on a specific subject. Research takes diligence, and where the information is found plays a big part on the credibility of the research. The research process involves ways and strategies that enable researchers to analyze and understand the researched information. The research process involves a dedicated system of scientific methodology that can be used by researchers to arrive at the right conclusions. Some terminology learned in this week’s reading includes statistics, population, census, sample, subjects, variables, margin of error, and bias. Statistics has many uses, but perhaps its most important purpose is to help us make good decisions about issues that involve uncertainty. Speaking of statistics, some may ask what statistics are. The meaning of statistics in singular form is the science that helps bring meaning and understanding to the collection, organization, and interpreting of data. When speaking of statistics in plural form it is the actual data that is used to describe the information. In the language of statistics, population refers to the statistical study of the entirety of the characteristic that the study is focused on. While population is usually seen as a group...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Research Process and Terminology

...Research Process and Terminology December 15, 2013 CJA 334 Working in the Criminal Justice System requires one to have a well versed knowledge and understanding in not only the Criminal Justice field, but also in the language and terminology. To be successful in the Criminal Justice department proficiency in terminology is a must, however even more important than proficiency in the terminology is having a greater proficiency in the understanding of the terminology and research process. The main source from which new terminology was learned was from the textbook: Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology by Frank E. Hagan. Knowing these terms will be an asset to one when evaluating and analyzing research studies or data because one will have a capability of sharing what is being evaluated or analyzed using the terminology that is shared among others in the criminal justice field. Reading the various chapters from the Hagan’s book as led to a new understanding of criminology and that specific actions of research and theory are labeled with specific words to maintain a level of differentiation from other fields. A majority of the terms used in regular everyday conversation have originated from research in social science (Hagan, 2010). Hagan describes terminology fairly new in topics of qualitative and quantitative research. According to Hagan (2010), science is more over the scientific method that places a greater amount of emphasis on observation, measurement...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Gathering Research Data Paper

...Name CJA 334 Date Gathering Research Data Paper I am interested in gathering information and learning about officers and their jobs in the criminal justice field. Something specific that I am wondering about is, how many police officers are actually divorced or in the middle of one because of the career path that they have chosen. I have heard in the past, and read, that a higher percentage of divorced individuals were police officers. So, I am curious: do many police officers end up being divorced? And if so, are those divorces due to their particular career choice, or other reasons? The type of interview structure that I would use would be open-ended, leaving anyone I were to interview with the opportunity to feel free to answer as freely and openly as necessary. When interviewing, I would also be organized as far as what questions to ask and what sort of order the questions would be asked. I feel that this sort of structure would create a comfortable setting for the interviewees, as well as a setting that gave off a professional vibe. The questions would be thought out ahead of time, prior to any interview, and if I were to interview more than one person, I would ask the same questions to each individual. Some of the questions I may ask an interviewee would include questions that would allow me to receive information about his or her position in the force, what type of job duties they have, how long they have been a part of law enforcement, what sort of education...

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Cja 334 Wk1

...Research and Terminology Paper Damon Walton CJA/334 June 15, 2015 Sharon Taylor Research and Terminology Paper The cornerstone to any discipline or field of study is the ability to conduct research in a competent manner. The criminal justice practioners needs a sound foundation in the research process and terminology to be effective. According to the Merriam-Webster, research is the studious inquiry or examination; especially :  investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws ("Definition of Research", 2015). The research process is a strategy to solve a problem or to answer a basic question. The methodology being used must be accurate and verifiable so the results can be trusted. The terminology culled from this week reading was theory, objectivity, methodology, pure research, applied research and confidentiality. According to Hagan (2010), theory is the attempt to classify and organize events, and see a trend where events may occur, and to understand the underlying causality of these events. In the field of criminal justice a theory is a good starting block to understand the why and what of something especially when it involves crime. Theories being in used in this field can be fine tuned or even replaced as more information becomes available to the researcher. An example of this is the prevailing theory...

Words: 939 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Cja334

...Research Process and Terminology Jensen Tabisola CJA/334 02/13/16 Jeffrey Ahn The Criminal Justice system is comprised of many different areas, each with it’s own responsibility, function, and purpose. For example, most criminal justice systems contain five components including law enforcement, courts, prosecution, defense attorneys, and corrections. How efficient these sections are ran is dependent on the individuals put in place to do so. So what does it take for one to be in such a position to assist with the duties of an area? A key and major part of this contributes to training in their perspective area. The type and length of training will vary dependent on the needs of the position. For example, the training of a judge would be a lot longer and more extensive than someone who issues parking citations because of the fact that a judge has the power to not only take someone’s freedom, but potentially sentence a person to death. To figure out the type of training necessary for any and every position within the criminal justice career field requires extensive research. One must figure out what duties are involved in each position and what would qualify a person to be in that position to fulfill those duties. In order for research in criminal justice to be done properly, one must know the research process and the language or terminology involved. Just as in any career, for a person to be successful involves knowledge of that particular career and familiarization...

Words: 1055 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Gathering Research

...Gathering Research Data Paper CJA/334 University of Phoenix Gathering Research Data Paper Looked upon as honorable individual’s who protect the community from harms way are those who fulfill the position of being a law enforcement official. Police officer’s dedicate themselves to striving in protecting and representing their community with the service in which they provide. Putting their lives at risk during the hours of work and aside from the career life these individual’s live like any other person. Much of their time is spent out on the streets patrolling and when they are not they find themselves in court being pressed for information from lawyers regarding cases. Emphases of this paper is to provide some of the data information on why people choose to become a law enforcement official. Why a Law Enforcement Official? Many may believe that officer’s take on the career to follow another family member’s foot steps. To specifically conclude on this matter the information in which will need to be attained will be through the process of intense researching online and via telephone interviewing. The first thought in which must be received is defining why individual’s choose the career of becoming a police officer. According to Nicole A. (2007) it has been noted that many officer’s become involved in law enforcement due to family tradition. Having the desire to follow parent’s footsteps in the same career path has been noted as being a huge reason...

Words: 1027 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Read Me First

...First INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Introduction This course introduces the student to concepts of research in criminal justice. In this section, we explore the basics of what research is and what it can do in the criminal justice system. This week, the student is exposed to a variety of new terminology relating to research and meet the following objectives. • Explore the scientific approach to criminal justice research. • Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research. • Differentiate between pure and applied research. • Specify the various functions of the research process. • Summarize the meaning of research ethics and examine the codes of ethics in criminal justice research. • Assess the nature and diversity of ethical dilemmas in criminological research. • Explore the meaning of statistics and the basic ideas behind any statistical study. This Week in Relation to the Course CJA/334 addresses various questions and problems of various components of the criminal justice system. As with other disciplines, criminal justice is sometimes difficult to define, as it involves issues that involve cross-discipline issues from psychology and public administration to sociology and law. Criminal justice research addresses all aspects from police, courts, corrections, criminal procedures, juveniles, and a host of other mundane problems faced by stakeholders. Heffner (2004) states that research is the foundation of...

Words: 1080 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Methods

...Research Methods and Terminology Candy Burtle CJA/334 Philip Russo March 13, 2014 Introduction An effective research method in the criminal justice system is essential and using these methods gives the ability to successfully open and close cases. People who work in criminal justice system have a wide selection of research methods and tools at their disposal. Throughout this paper we will discuss various research methods that are used within the criminal justice system as well as the terminology associated with the research. We will discuss the importance of knowing the proper terminology for research in the criminal justice system and how not knowing the proper terminology affects you as you conduct criminal justice research. We will also look at the benefits of knowing the terminology when evaluating and analyzing research. Research Process In order to properly grasp the importance of research and the terminology within the criminal justice system we must first ask, what is research? Research is the systematic investigation into the study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions (Press, 2010). The process of research can vary significantly, but there are five steps generally followed when conducting research. Formulation is the first step and this is when the selection and specification of an area to be investigated. The second step in the research process is research design this...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Process and Terminology Paper

...Research Process and Terminology Paper Tomanika Nicholson December 12, 2012 CJA/334 Christopher Franks Research Process and Terminology Paper Introduction This essay will discuss four main topics, which are terminology I learned for the reading, how will the terminology and knowledge apply to a career in criminal justice, how can the knowing proper terminology affect me as I conduct criminal justice research and how will knowing these terms be an asset to me when evaluating and analyzing research studies. Terminology I learned from reading I will include terms for chapter one and chapter two. I will define what the terms I learned mean and how I perceived them. I will define the terms that I learned from chapter one first. There were many terms that was new to me that I have never heard before, however, I will only define three terms form chapter one. The first word I will define is “Historicism,” which means a theory that events are determined or influenced by conditions and inherent processes beyond the control of humans (thefreedictictionary, 2012). My belief of this meaning is that something takes place out of the human control such as ghost or the supernatural. The second word is “Scientism,” which means, the belief that the assumptions, methods of research, of the physical and biological sciences are equally appropriate and essential to all other disciplines, including the humanities and the social sciences (dictionary.reference, 2012). My belief of this meaning...

Words: 1071 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Process and Terminology

...Research Process and Terminology CJA/334 May 10, 2012 Research Process and Terminology The year is 3022, individuals travel through the solar system at the speed of light. Every planet in the solar system contains communities governed under the Federation of Space Expedition. Individuals are free to live throughout the galaxy, without the regulations of the past. Does this scenario sounds too good to be true, individuals who inhabited the planet thousands of years ago would disagree probably. Today, however a scientific advantage allows aircrafts to travel back and forth into space, space stations, and the moon. Astronauts are assigned missions that gather materials from space, conduct experiments, and maintain equipment for future use. The methods of understanding research processes, and terminology, begins with a basic understanding of the fields themselves. The quest to fulfill the requirement of research starts with the principles of why the research is need in the first place. Recent studies involving medicine, environmental changes that cause global warming, and earth’s atmosphere, have revealed that drastic changes are need to preserve natural resources, and cure diseases. Research methodology requires an individual dedication to the process, and unwavering commitment toward the accomplishment of the mission. Research methodologists continue to examine aspects of studies, involving theories, fact finding elements, and final resolutions (Hagan, 2010)...

Words: 1057 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Process and Terminology

...Research Process and Terminology Patty Bishop CJA/334 11/2/2015 Gregory Koehle Research Process and Terminology When you discuss doing research, it usually conjures up images of scientist in a laboratory or someone with piles of books in front of them spending hours reading. The truth is that research is done every day by a multitude of people, most of whom never even think of what they are doing as research. People who are looking to buy a home, may investigate several real estate agencies before choosing one, then when they see properties they ask various questions to decide which house is right for them. When a group decides to have a party as a restaurant, they most likely have a few choices which they narrow down in various ways. These processes are all types of research. The focus of this paper however is the process and terminology of research in the criminal justice field. While still a relatively young science criminal justice research has come a long way, much of which has been absorbed into common language and so is no longer considered to be research related, but simple common sense. Criminal justice research often faces criticism from those who think that it is obscure jargon or academic intimidation, an elaborate explanation of what some see as common sense (Hagan, 2010). There are various methods used in criminal justice research, most employ collecting, analyzing and reporting data which can entail many complex details, the same as any other research discipline...

Words: 1128 - Pages: 5