NCJ Number
174727
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 1997 Pages: 181-199
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The emphasis on quantitative over qualitative criminal justice research in criminal justice doctoral education programs is examined, and course requirements in quantitative methods relative to qualitative methods are explored.
Abstract
Information was obtained on doctoral degree requirements and course descriptions from 22 criminal justice doctoral education programs in the United States. The programs were divided into three categories: (1) explicitly designated criminal justice programs; (2) criminology programs; and (3) programs that had a secondary relationship to criminal justice. The author found support for the claim that doctoral criminal justice education has gone beyond mere emphasis on quantitative methods, and this has become a detrimental preoccupation. In addition to criticizing the quantitative emphasis, he considers the possibility of moderating it. Specifically, the author recommends potential resources of resistance to the quantitative emphasis must be assessed, suggests that criminal justice doctoral students may be receptive to moderation of the quantitative emphasis, and discusses possible curriculum reforms. An appendix lists categories and titles of methods courses require in criminal justice doctoral education programs. 36 references, 13 footnotes, and 1 table