Alcohol Use and Sex Crimes

Social science researchers can use either qualitative or quantitative strategies to develop informed and timely answers to their research questions, but these two approaches involve analyzing fundamentally different data sets. On the one hand, qualitative researchers can use various methods such as case studies, ethnographic studies, phenomenological studies, grounded theory, narrative and/or content analyses (Neuman, 2009). On the other hand, social science researchers can use quantitative strategies such as observational studies, correlational research, experimental, quasi-experimental and survey designs (Neuman, 2009). While both qualitative and quantitative research questions seek to gain new insights into a given phenomenon, there are also basic differences between the types of data that are used.

By definition, quantitative research involves the analysis of numeric data in some form while qualitative research uses words, graphics and other data to formulate answers to guiding research questions (Neuman, 2009). These differences mean that designing a research question from a qualitative and quantitative perspective requires shaping the question accordingly. In the case of a research question such as, "What role does alcohol play as a factor in being a victim of a sex crime?" involves identifying quantifiable aspects of the question for quantitative research while the lived experiences of victims of sex crimes would be more appropriate for a qualitative study.

These types of research questions are important today because of the well documented relationship between alcohol and sex crimes. For instance, Kelley and Lewis (2009) report that, "Alcohol use has been found to have a strong relationship with sexual offenses, including rape and pedophilia. Approximately 40% to 50% of sex offenders have reported that they were drinking at the time they committed the offense, and about 50% were considered to have abused alcohol" (p. 68). Moreover, there is clear evidence that more college-aged students are using alcohol today compared to years past (Devarics, 2006). These findings clearly underscore the importance of developing a better understanding of the relationship between alcohol use and sex crimes.

Framing a qualitative research question concerning the relationship between alcohol use and sex crimes requires using information other than numeric or otherwise quantifiable data. In this context, a viable qualitative research question for this topic would be, "How does alcohol use affect the propensity to commit sex crimes?" In the alternative, another qualitative research question concerning this issue would be, "How does alcohol affect risk-taking behaviors such as sex crimes?"

Conversely, a quantitative approach to this topic would posit a research question such as, "How many sex crimes in the United States during the period from 1990 through 2017 involved alcohol?" Likewise, another quantitative research question that could be used to investigate this issue would be, "How many adolescents commit sex crimes due to alcohol use?" In sum, the qualitative questions would seek to gain new insights concerning the use of alcohol in the commission of sex crimes while the quantitative question would try to develop statistical data concerning this issue.

While it is reasonable to suggest that there is an inextricable correlation between alcohol use and sex crimes, identifying relevant antecedents and variables in this analysis requires asking the right questions of the right people. Social science researcher can use quantifiable methodologies to determine the extent of the problem or they can use qualitative methodologies to gain new insights concerning the factors that contribute to the problem. Finally, it is also important to note that many social science researchers employ both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in order to overcome the constraints that are involved with both research strategies (Neuman, 2009).

References

Dervarics, C. (2006, November 16). Crime creeping higher on campuses: Hate crimes are down, but federal reports may not be the best indicator. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 23(20), 12-13.

Kelley, S. M. & Lewis, K. (2009, April). The impact of risk factors on the treatment of adolescent sex offenders. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 24(2), 67-70.

Neuman, W. L. (2009). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. New York: Allyn & Bacon.