criminological research in theory building

PART I: SHORT RESPONSE

Directions: Answer the questions below.  Your response to each should be at least one paragraph in length.

1.      What is the role of criminological research in theory building?

2.      How can theories help us to understand criminal behavior or to design strategies intended to control such behavior?

3.      What role do research and experimentation play in theory building in criminology?  How might a good research design be diagrammed?  What kinds of threats to the validity of research designs can you identify?  How can such threats be controlled or eliminated?

4.      What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative methods in the social sciences?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

5.      What are some of the ethical considerations involved in conducting criminological research?  How can researchers make sure that such considerations are met?

6.      How do criminological research and experimental criminology impact social policy?

7.      What sections might a typical research report contain?  Where are research findings in criminology published?

PART II: ESSAY

Directions: Chose a crime from the list below.  Find statistics for this crime in your hometown and in one other city of similar population size.  As part of your research, examine the four key demographic factors in the collection of crime data.  Write a one page report comparing statistics from different cities.  Be sure to address the following questions:

(1) What are the differences?
(2) How might they be different?
(3) How have the statistics changed over time?

Personal/Violent Crimes
Murder
Forcible Rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault

Property Crimes
Burglary
Larceny
Motor Vehicle Theft
Arson