NCJ Number
110383
Date Published
1988
Length
252 pages
Annotation
This text is designed for use as either a textbook for criminal justice students studying research methods or as a basic research manual for the criminal justice practitioner.
Abstract
An overview explains the nature and principles of research and defines terms such as correlations, reliability and validity, models, and typologies. The use of literature reviews is explained in terms of its purposes and scope, common errors made in the review phase, strategies, the evaluation of resources, and primary and secondary information sources. Further chapters explain how to locate and use books, research involving government publications, researching periodicals and dissertations, and the nature of legal research. Guidance on data collection and analysis focuses on research methodologies, historical research, descriptive research, analytical research, experimental research, the research plan, the use of surveys, and the use of statistics in research. Advice also covers the writing of research reports and proposals, computer research, ethical issues, and research related to forecasting. Glossary, index, 100 references, and appended sample grant proposal and list of governmental depository libraries.