Pages: 5

We have extensive personal, social, and professional experiences. We also have access to information about almost everything around the world. From the research perspective, information, opinions, and experiences are only a starting point. An experience, interaction, and observation may also raise curiosity to study an issue or topic. However, we need to develop a scientific temperament and use research tools to study any topic systematically, objectively, and empirically. Many may feel nervous about taking a research methods course because they may have heard that it is all about math and statistics. Some may feel that they do not need to know about research methods as they will not be doing any research themselves. For starters, leave all such preset notions about research at the start of the semester.

Pages: 25

This chapter begins with a discussion of the importance of research in criminology, criminal justice, and sociology. It explains the main types of research including descriptive, explanatory, generative, and evaluative. It then explains common mistakes that researchers may make at any stage of research and why it is important to guard against them. Some of the common mistakes explained in this chapter are overgeneralization, illogical reasoning, hypothesis myopia, confirmation bias, normalcy bias, and so on. It is followed by a discussion on causal validity and measurement validity. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion on authenticity, longitudinal research, and cross-sectional research. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: The types of social science research The common mistakes that researchers make Generalization, causal validity, and measurement validity Authenticity in social science research Longitudinal and cross-sectional research approaches

Pages: 31

This chapter begins with an overview of research methods for quantitative and qualitative data, known more commonly as quantitative and qualitative research methods. The chapter explains the research process, including what makes for a good research question, and how to go about finding answers to research questions. The chapter gives an overview of how to search databases, find relevant sources, and conduct a literature review. It explains step by step the inductive and deductive research strategies and how and when to use them, data collection, analysis, and findings. In explaining the research process, the chapter introduces the research concepts of hypothesis, theory, grounded theory, and independent and dependent variables in applied social science research. It concludes with a discussion on good planning, willingness to learn, and enjoying the research process. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain all key aspects of the research process: Developing a research question Searching databases, finding relevant sources, and conducting a literature review Selecting the relevant research strategy – inductive and deductive Understanding the research concepts of theory, hypothesis, and independent and dependent variables Collecting and analyzing data

Pages: 20

This chapter provides a brief history of ethics in social science research. It explains the key ethical guidelines such as ensuring voluntary participation, causing no harm to subjects, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity, disclosing the researcher's identity, and ensuring that the benefits of the research outweigh the risks. It also explores challenges while conducting research abroad or in unfamiliar settings, the problem of helicopter researchers, ethics of funding, and so on. The chapter explains dilemmas and challenges in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: The role of ethics in research Ethical guidelines for researchers Ethical issues when collecting data in foreign settings Ethics concerning digital data

Pages: 11

This chapter explains the process of defining abstract concepts and identifying measurable indicators for the same. It explains the difference between measurement validity and reliability, and levels of measurement for different types of variables. After completing this chapter, students will be able to: Define abstract and multidimensional concepts Identify dimensions, variables, and indicators Understand the importance of selecting the most suitable method for the research question and setting Understand different levels of measurement for qualitative and quantitative variables

Pages: 22

This chapter explains the significance, purpose, and methods of taking a sample from a population or a setting that the researcher wants to study. It begins with discussing the basic steps and issues to consider before deciding on which sampling method to use. The chapter walks the reader through the process of drawing samples using probability methods of simple, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling. Among the non-probability sampling methods, the chapter explains the significance and process of availability, quota, purposive, snowball, and theoretical sampling methods. The reader will not only learn the steps involved in using these sampling methods but also when and why to use which method. The chapter concludes with a note on sampling error and the need to keep doing research. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: The purpose and process of taking a sample Meaning and types of probability sampling methods Meaning and types of non-probability sampling methods Generalizability and sampling error

Pages: 24

This chapter explains the quantitative research method of designing and using surveys. It explains different types of survey research methods, the preconditions or settings where they can be used, and the strengths and limitations of each type of survey. It also explains the key considerations while developing survey questions. The chapter explains survey research methods with reference to validity, generalizability, and ethics. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: Uses of survey research Types of survey research Validity and generalizability in survey research Ethical considerations in survey research

Pages: 21

This chapter explains the quantitative research method of designing and using experiments. It explains classical and quasi-experiments, the potential preconditions or settings where they could be used, and the strengths and limitations of each experimental design. The chapter explains criteria for causal explanation, and experimental research methods with reference to validity, generalizability, and ethics. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain Why experimental research Types of experiments Validity and generalizability in experimental research Ethical considerations in experimental research

Pages: 27

This chapter explains the qualitative research methods of designing and using focus groups, observation, and intensive interviews. It explains different qualitative methods, the preconditions or settings where they could be used, and the strengths and limitations of each method. The chapter explains issues of validity, generalizability, and ethics in relation to each qualitative method. It concludes with a quick note on qualitative research and digital data, particularly focusing on visual digital data. After this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: Why do qualitative research? Types of qualitative methods Validity and generalizability in qualitative research Ethical considerations in qualitative research Qualitative research and visual digital data

Pages: 16

This chapter explains data organization, data analysis, and data ethics. It includes a brief discussion on data manipulation through images, graphs, colors, and so on. The chapter explains the step-by-step process of report writing and presentation. At the completion of this chapter, students will be able to understand and explain: How to organize data Descriptive and Inferential statistics Data ethics Report writing and presentation