Questions and inquiry methods in academic research

¶ … Criminal Justice

When would you use content analysis to conduct research?

Content analysis is the method of analyzing existing data through the systematic analysis and selective classification of the contents of mass communication. Content analysis is used in many aspects of conducting research. The procedure for this analysis begins with selection of categories and subjects that are being analyzed. The system of exact criterion is essential for establishing a means for duplicated procedure for others to follow and emulate. The procedure must follow pre-established classification schemes, and finally statistically analyzing the results.

The most significant benefit to content analysis is its potential and ability in usefulness in regards to replication. Stated simply; content analysis provides a method by which previously used methods, and their successful outcomes, can be utilized in the imperative beginnings of research.

Content analysis is effective in accumulating statistical information pertinent to crime or law-breaking-trends in specific areas. In conducting research, content analysis is best and most used in the terms of such desired information gathering. The most common methods of content analysis in relation to conducting research are within the confines of the mass media. The mass media - relating to public communicative measures - involves areas directly correlated to crime and other illegal propaganda. These areas are found in newspaper media, certain television media, magazine publications, mainstream music and audio media, and other areas of mass audience. Researchers have done content analysis of newspaper reports of gang activity, popular articles pertaining to drug use or promotion, various aspects of popular culture including art and print, and other mainstream media avenues.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of complete participant observation?

Participant observation refers to a variety of strategies in which the researcher studies a group in its natural setting by observing its activities and, to varying degrees, participating in its activities.

Complete participation observation takes place when the researcher not only joins in, but actually begins to manipulate the direction of, group activity. This type of activity is commonly in violation of essential elements of any variation of good participation observation. Complete participation observation, in this regard, influences the behavior and attitudes of the subjects under study. Therefore, it eliminates the opportunity of accurate findings and conclusions as the matter of determination is corrupted.

There is however, two methods by which complete observation can be conducted- qualitative and quantitative, or participant as observer and observer as participant. Objectivity in research is imperative to each, but disadvantages and advantages exist in altogether. In complete participation, the advantage of first-hand accumulation and derivation of study material is utterly attainable. Such approaches of complete participation observation allow for more of a natural and more flexible than other artificial means of data gathering. Such an approach allows determinations of fewer prejudgments, and is less disturbing to respondents than experiments.

However, the disadvantages arise in the probability and possibility of corrupted subject, which essentially deprives the outcome in its entire accuracy.

Complete participation observation is very time-consuming. It requires commitments that measure months or even years. In all consideration, as many aspects of this type of study require disguise and complete life-modification, it is assumed to be the most rigorous and cumbersome method of study for the observer and study partakers.

3. Explain the following statement:

Lamda, the correlation coefficient used for nominal variables provides only the strength of the relationship between two variables unlike gamma, spearman's rho, and Pearson's correlation coefficients."

Nominal level variables are representations of the simplest level of measurement. Demographic variables such as sex, race, religion, and city are examples of nominal variables. Values can be distinguishingly assigned to nominal variables. Considering religion, the values can be numbered according to each sect; number of Christian, number of Buddhist, etc. These numbers merely assist in categorizing qualitative distinctions.

Many variables are necessary to be associated and categorized according to the higher scale value that they hold. Understanding this level of measure and categorization is essential in the comprehensive understanding of the previous quoted statement.