Free Essay

Gathering Research

In:

Submitted By shontel
Words 1027
Pages 5
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. Many individual’s feel that if they do not carry on the family tradition they will be looked down upon. Another reason the editor mentions why people become officers is for personal justice (A, Nicole, 2007). If something terrible has happened towards a loved one or close friend it has been found that they join the force for personal justice. Trying to deter the crimes that have caused the grief within their lives is their primary focus. It has also been noted by Nicole (2007) that some like the adrenaline rush that comes with the job. To begin the telephone interview the conversation will be with Sergeant Samuel Massey with the Oak Island Police Department in North Carolina. A common question in which many have is “why become an officer, and what career choice would they have done otherwise?” Sergeant Massey responds by stating “he has grown up only knowing law enforcement.” “His father was an officer for many years’s before the family started their own private investigating company.” “Still involved with the family business I also wanted to do a little more with law enforcement and became an officer over twenty-years ago.” The interview proceeded by asking what is his favorite part of his job that he desires the most? Per Sergeant Massey his answer was short but to the point with a response of “serving and protecting our community.” Some may wonder what an officer feels may be their most challenging part of their job what would your answer be? “There are many challenges that come with this job but as an officer you must accept these challenges and move on.” On this note the interview proceeded by asking him what is feared most by an officer? Per Sergeant Massey “there are many fearful things’ that come with the job however, if I had to define one thing it would be the life of an innocent person being taken due being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” “This has happened within our county already and it not only strongly affects the officer involved but all officers within.” The interview proceed by asking if he felt officer’s today have proper training to be a successful officer? “I do believe the training in which the State of North Carolina requires and the follow-up continuing education credits needed to keep up-to-date on skills is exceptional.” “I do not feel that change is necessary at this time.” “I can’t speak for all areas but I can speak for this particular state.” With the above questioned asked there were many other questions that prevailed but Sergeant Massey needed to leave out for a call. With these answer’s it clearly allows many to understand where an officer comes from when it comes to why they choose the career in which they do.
Qualitative versus Quantitative Research When it comes to the distinction in regards to qualitative research versus quantitative research is that qualitative creates a hypothesis and quantitative tests the hypotheses (Hagan, 2010, Ch 1 p.15). Qualitative research provides solid information that is designed for individual’s who are observing on different levels. Qualitative research generally will depend on the following methods in regards to how the information is attained; participant observation, non-participant observation, field notes, reflexive journals, structured interviews, semi-structured interviews, unstructured interviews, and an analysis of the material and documents obtained (Marshall, 2006). When analyzing this method it is evident that within the criminal justice system this method is applied.
Confidentiality
In the criminal justice system confidentiality is extremely important in many areas including the conduction of research. Many times when research requires the interview of an individual the guarantee that the information will remain confidential is imperative. Most of the time confidentiality may not just be viewed as ethical but in fact it is the governing law.
Conclusion
Having the knowledge as to where officer’s stands, in regards as to why they choose the careers in which they do has been attained through basic research within this essay. Many questions were asked in regards to their career through the process of research and the interview process with Sergeant Samuel Massey. It is evident that research is imperative and as long as research is kept within the parameters of the law, the information that is obtained will be justifiable to use later if necessary.

References
A, Nicole. Reasons Why People Become Police Officers (2007). Retrieved October 12, 2010 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/143523/reasons_why_people_become_police_officers.html
Hagan, F. Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology (2010). Retrieved October 12, 2010 from Ch 1 p15
Marshall. Data Collection Methods (2006). Retrieved October 12, 2010 from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/10985_Chapter_4.pdf

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Gathering Research Data

...Gathering Research Data CJA/334 February 23, 2015 Gathering Research Data Law enforcement employees face work-related hazards on a daily basis such as exposure to blood and other bodily fluids, dangerous criminals, and traffic hazards. They have one the most dangerous jobs in America. The summary below explains the purpose of law enforcement job hazard research, the type of questions asked and structure type, the advantages of quantitative data-gathering, and finally, the importance of consent and confidentially. Police Hazards The number one hazard police officers fear commonly relates to injuries from a knife or gunshot, which leads to a disability or death. In addition, police officers face other hazards such as foot pursuits, vehicle pursuits, work stress, traffic control, heat stress, and making traffic stops. Foot pursuit proves to be unpredictable and challenging because it often happens suddenly. According to (Schonely, 2005), the most hazardous situations occur at night when visibility is at its lowest. During a pursuit, suspect run through alleys, backyards, and across dangerous roads. Several officers encounter clotheslines, aggressive dogs, empty swimming pool, and barbed wire fencing. A mishap with any of those can potentially put an officer out of work for an extended period. Exposure the elements pose a very dangerous hazard because officers encounter rain, high temperature, and extreme cold. For example, Las Vegas police officers face...

Words: 1228 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Gathering Data Research

...Gathering Data Research David Thompson CJA/334 Research Methods in Criminal Justice Dr. Lane Roos July 19, 2012 Gathering Data Research Prosecutions, Convictions, Acquittal’s and all forms of legal action in between play a critical role in the courts. However, none of what the attorneys do can be done without first having a firm grasp on each and every case set before them, the judge and the jury that will be making its judgment. But before they can make an informed decision there must have been a gathering of information, or data to support both sides of the case. The gathering of information or data is vital to the case and perhaps even more so to the individual/s that are on trial as their lives can and often do hang in the balance. No matter what profession one may have within the judicial system, researching information is something that at one time or another must be done. The ineffective of data gathering, research and analysis in often one of the primary factors behind an innocent man/woman going to jail and the guilty going free, therefore, the emphases placed on the gathering of information cannot and must not be understated. The goal of this paper The goal of this paper and my research is to define an officer’s duty, to discuss the importance of research and to address the kind of interview/s structures I would choose to use, the particular questioning style to use during the...

Words: 1363 - Pages: 6

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

Free Essay

Gathering Research in Criminal Justice

...Gathering Research in Criminal Justice Law enforcement officers and officials have a very strenuous job and even life style. Many things go into being a police officer and even more behind it. Research plays a crucial role in criminal justice in statistics, measuring crime rates, and on the job hazards or satisfaction. There are indeed many areas to look into but I believe that an officers job hazards would be the main focus in my research. The goal of researching law enforcement hazards would be to identify the risks of the job and in doing this, weighing those options with possible options to reduce risk or to just be aware of it and be mindful of what these risks can pertain. For example before you take a trip to the beach, researching the weather and knowing of any possible conditions that can occur before you travel would give you a better idea of the trip and if it's worth going or needing to be postponed. There are different types of interviews and the interview structure involved needs to be catered to the audience selected and the type of information needing to be gathered. Interviews from an actual police officer are an ideal method of gathering information needed concerning police job hazards. An officer would be able to give his or her first hand experience and knowledge. Interviews can be informal with the purpose being learning about the industry, company, people, skills required, cultural fit, and perhaps generating additional avenues of research...

Words: 1110 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Gathering Research Data Paper

...If I were to conduct research on police officers and their jobs the information I would look into researching on this topic would be how do police officers handle the long work hours as some departments require officers to work rotating shifts as well as 10 or 12 hour work days. How does this tend to affect the relationships with their family and friends? Does it create for more stress within the family as well as within the work environment? There is the fact that they will not be able to go out with friends as much who work a normal work schedule as well as the fact that the husband or wife will not be around for many holidays as well as working on some of the birthdays of their child. The goal of this research is to determine if working these longer hours in conjunction with working in a hazards and stressful work environment has cause for a higher rate of divorce for police officers in comparison to those who work a regular 9 to 5 pm job and don’t have to deal with hazardous and stressful work environment. The type of interview structure I would use is the depth interview structure. As this is a more intensive and detailed interview, and is particularly useful in life histories or case studies. It is also beneficial in that I would have a general list of topics to be explored, but have the ability to exercise whatever discretion and flexibility when it comes to the direction of questioning I would want to take. Some of the questions I would ask would definitely focus...

Words: 955 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Gathering Information and Writing a Research Paper

...Gathering Information and Writing a Research Paper Writing a research paper for the first time can be a difficult task if not given the proper instruction to complete such an assignment. Breaking a research paper down into separate tasks and sections might ease frustrations for the researcher and give them some fundamental tools for future research projects. A good question to ask your self is “Where do I begin my research?” Some students that are tasked with writing a research paper for the first time might struggle with the topic that they will choose depending on the writing assignment given to them by the instructor. Generally, one main topic can be concentrated on is based off of a research question the student must be able to answer or expound upon described in the course syllabus. Within the syllabus the instructor should have provided several topics to begin the research. Also the instructor should point out what format he or she is requiring, according to a rubric within the syllabus, to be turned in such as APA, MLA or Chicago. Once an individual has selected a topic that he or she would like to discuss, it’s time to begin looking for the facts. There are numerous resources at your disposal when you conduct your research such as the library, The Internet, and. You have to decide which source is likely to be most useful to you. For example, if you are searching for information on a historical event the library is an reliable place to find a book that...

Words: 1669 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Gathering Research Data Paper

...Gathering Research Data Paper Hayley Lacy CJA/334 April 11, 2016 Rhonda Grant Gathering Research Data Paper     Police officers are viewed by the masses of Americans that they are sworn to protect as the men and women in blue. They have sworn to protect the innocent and keep them from harm’s way and in turn do much more than that for their community. It takes an extraordinaire person to be a police officer. They are someone who is willing to dedicate their lives, health and safety in order to protect those who depend on them. In this paper we will attempt to address and research an interest that has been voiced concerning police officers and their jobs. In this paper we will state the purpose behind our proposed research. We will inform you of the interview structure we will use and we will inform you as to some of the questions that we would ask. We will give distinct advantages of a qualitative data-gathering strategy, such as participant observation, over more qualitative approaches. We will inform you when conducting survey research the importance of informed consent and confidentiality. It is a common conception that police officers choose their particular career path simply because they are inheriting a family member’s desire. They choose to be an officer because their father or their mother or a relative was an officer. It is a common conception that officers are not chosen they are inherited and expected to be from family. This area of interest is something...

Words: 1302 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Gathering Research Data

...Gathering Research Data Gathering research within the criminal justice field can take time in regards to how certain information must be obtained and measured. When conducting research concerning police officers and their jobs, obtain statistics based on job satisfaction or job hazards can require an approach while using different ways to do so. So far, the quantitative approach can be used, but the qualitative approach must be used to gain a clear answer to this type of research. As of now, based on this type of criminal justice research and specifically in regards to what research method is appropriate, there could be different ways to complete this research. Goal or Purpose behind Proposed Research Today, the goal of research is to gather information concerning police officers and their jobs in regards to job satisfaction or job hazards. For the purpose of this research, job hazards for police officers are already known, but what about their job satisfaction? Obtaining research on these findings will be important because if police officers are not satisfied with their jobs, they will not have complete motivation to get things done or operate properly, which will affect their ability to work effectively. Now, if police officers can’t work effectively due to limited satisfaction, other issues can arise because of that issue alone. The issues that arise include affected work relationships, and mistakes made while on duty due to confidence levels, which will cause bad relations...

Words: 1246 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Gathering Research Data

...Gathering Research Data Stormy Magiera CJA 334 08/13/2012 Jody Pennington Gathering Research Data There are many data gathering research methods that can be used in criminal justice. For the purpose of this paper, I have chosen the e-mail survey method. The researched proposed is job satisfaction among police officers, specifically patrol officers. Patrol officers are often overlooked and it is forgotten that patrol is the backbone of the police department. The goal is to target what most dissatisfies a patrol officer during the work week in regards to human resources. The type of interview structure used will be an email questionnaire multiple choice survey. This will ensure every patrolman participates and multiple choices will provide graphical results. Patrol officers are the beginning and often the end to every criminal case in America. From the start of making the criminal offense report, to making the arrest and then to testifying in court, the patrolman handles almost every case from start to finish. Yes, detectives play a role in most cases, but without the patrolman working the street; it is unlikely crime reduction would occur. It is important to know and understand what makes the patrolman satisfied and dissatisfied while on the job. If the majority of patrolmen are dissatisfied at work, crime reduction suffers. Not many are willing to work while unhappy yet alone risk their life for unhappiness. It is the responsibility of the department...

Words: 1170 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Bsa 375 Week 2 Individual Assignment

...system. Prepare a 4- to 6-page paper that accomplishes the following: • What key stakeholders in Riordan Manufacturing would you gather requirements from? • Describe the information-gathering techniques and systems analysis tools you would propose for the project. • Identify the key factors that help ensure the information required for the project is gathered successfully. • Explain what project scope is and why it is important. Describe the areas of project feasibility that are examined in the analysis phase of the SCLC. • Cite and discuss 2 to 3 references, in addition to the required readings, that are relevant to the assignment. Include citations and references formatted consistent with APA guidelines. Submit Section 1 of the final paper. Week 2 Individual Assignement The Riordan Manufacturing Company has submitted a service request to analyze the human resources department. The goal of this analysis is to integrate the variety of tools already in use by the company into one system for the whole company to utilize. The system development life cycle will be used to complete the request and the goal of Riordan Manufacturing. The first portion of this paper will focus on the scope and feasibility of the project, as well as describe the information gathering techniques and design methods for the service request. The...

Words: 1219 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Science Related Articles

...treatments consisted of 2tbsp of glycerine and 10 milliliters of water. The components for every treatment were mixed, stirred and then poured on the paper wax and then sundried. Afterwards, different methods were used to test the effectiveness of Aloe Vera as bio-plastic gauze. This study proved that Aloe Vera is a promising raw material for making bio-plastic gauze. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY RESEARCH DESIGN Experimental design was employed in this study. Several treatments were done applying various amounts of the main material to test its effectiveness which is measured in terms of the physical properties of the product such as clarity, flexibility, durability and texture. Data were gathered from the respondents, were tabulated and interpreted. PARTICIPANTS The participants in this study were 20 students who tested the effectiveness of Aloe Vera as bio-plastic gauze. RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS The research instruments used were questionnaire in the gathering of data needed in determining the right raw material that is best in making biodegradable plastic gauze. DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES The raw materials...

Words: 355 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Analytic Competitors

...of accumulating data, organizing and analyzing it into meaningful information, and following through with business decisions and activities informed by that information. An uninformed layperson may assume most businesses operate as an analytic competitor. This, however, may not be so. Many time business decisions are made through anecdotal or subjective non-quantitative means. An example of this might be a person wanting to open up a restaurant in town. He sees there are no 24 hour diners in the town, so he figures that since he likes diner food, other people must also and without competition he will have a good chance to succeed. It is very possible that he will succeed, but his chances of success might improve if he were to do some research beforehand. Perhaps he could gather data that informed him more about his potential customer base. How interested are they in diner food? Do the town’s people engage in night time activity that would have them out of the house during the night and early morning hours? Buy collecting data and analyzing it the restaurateur can better plan his offerings and hours of operations. While being an analytic competitor does not guarantee success, it will raise his chances of success. We have been taught in American society that if one builds a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to their door. Perhaps once it was this simple; today not so. While there is value in having a better product to sell than the competitors, it is not a guaranteed...

Words: 1588 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Do, Docx, Pdf, Wps, Rtf, Odt

...Chapter 3 Methodology This chapter shows the research procedure that were used the study and conduct of the research. These are showed in the following sections (a) research design (b) respondent of the study (c) research instruments (d) administration of the instruments and (e) statistical treatment of the data. Research Design The study were used the descriptive method of research to collect and gathered some useful and important ideas and information about the topic which is related to the present situation and conditions. The purpose of this research is to know and verify formulated hypothesis which refers to the present situations. This method of research is easy, fast and practical when it comes on financial aspects. This study used a flexible approach in order to have a further investigations during the conduct of the said research. The researcher was chose and decided to use this type of research to show and explain the nature and conditions of the present situations. The researcher was able to get flexible data. The researcher was given to use two options ( qualitative or quantitative ) in choosing the instrument for data gathering. The researcher aimed to know and determined how the children spending times with their friends and peers and how it may affect with their relationship with other. The researcher conducted as well the study about the children study habit. How do they develop their...

Words: 671 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Computerized Grading System

...3.0 Data Gathering Procedures and Output In gathering data or information, the proponent conducted a research and interview about the laboratory for the implementation of the proposed system. Since the proponents are only allowed to choose a client in STI College Cotabato they research a system that is new for the school. The school has a Physics and Chemistry laboratory but it still using manual inventory system in monitoring and storing information of the laboratory apparatus and equipments. The proponents chose to design and develop a module for enhancing the inventory system of the school. From manual inventory system it will become a computerized laboratory inventory system. In order to gather a data, on July 27, 2012, the proponents conducted an interview to their client, Mrs. Joy Ann Duran-Gaboro. Mrs. Gaboro is a Physics and Chemistry instructor and the person in charge in the Physics and Chemistry Laboratory. Through the interview, the proponent gathered the information about the existing system of the laboratory and how to enhance the system to make it convenient to the user and to the school. Some of the information gathered are the following: the information about the STI College Cotabato, the benefits and the beneficiaries of their laboratory, the number of apparatus and equipments involved in Physics and Chemistry laboratory, the rules and policies in borrowing and returning of the apparatus and equipments, the person in-charge suggestion for conducting the module...

Words: 305 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Week 2 - *Individual - Service Request Sr-Rm-022

...it into the HR departments in the different Riordan Manufacturing locations. This service request will highlight several topics. The main topics that will be discussed are, who are the company’s stakeholders that information will be gathered from for requirements. What type of information-gathering techniques and systems analysis tools are to be used and or proposed to aid in the completion of the project request. Key Stakeholders Mr. Hugh McCauley the COO initiated the service request and he should be the first individual to ask and gather information about his idea of the service request and of what he is looking for about what system requirements for a new Information System for HR. The Director of Human Resources, who is Yvonne McMillan should also be interviewed for her requirements and how does she see what is needed for connectivity to all other business locations using a new Information System. Asking any and all employees who use the current system the company has and what improvements can be done. All of these individuals information is a way of gathering information for this service request. Information Gathering Techniques The primary information gathering technique will be as a proposal to use the Use Case method. A use case is a methodology used in system analysis to identify, clarify, and organize system requirements. The use case is made up of a set of possible sequences of interactions between systems and users in a particular environment...

Words: 1089 - Pages: 5