Professor's Question:

We've been learning about our options for conducting social science (including criminal justice, economic crime, and cybercrime) research.

The straightforward approach is to select and use the single most appropriate research design, but a usually preferable approach is to use multiple research designs (and multiple measures of key variables). Why is this?

Propose multi-method approaches to testing major criminogical hypotheses and evaluating the effectiveness of criminal justice policies and practices.

My reply to the question:

In social science, there are different approaches which are best in doing research. Triangulation is one of the best methods used because it involves using different research methods to test the same finding. Triangulation is one of the best methods used in social sciences research, although different research methods do have both advantages and disadvantage.

Before an individual is able to present the result of a hypothesis, it is recommended that they prove that the results are quality and original. An example of this situation is where different students do handle a mathematical differently, but do still arrive at the same answer. Data accuracy is very important because that is what makes the study to be credible and valuable.

In football the team management may decide to use different algorithms to evaluate and chose the best player to represent the team. Despite using different methods to select player the best players in the team will still be the same regardless of the method used. Different research methods do have their weaknesses and strengths, therefore, it is important to make sure that the research that is being done can be proven in one way or another.

In criminology theories, an individual has to be careful when testing hypothesis because at times the data found can be screwed or biased this can affect the results. Consequently, using triangulation is the best research method that can help in remove inappropriate data and remain with important data which will be critical and valuable for the research

Discussion 1 : Reply to Diondre's reply to my post ( 200 words)

Diondre's reply:

I can definitely relate to your post because of your mention of football and I think you're absolutely right. Scouting players can be seen as a type of research.

Players are evaluated on the same things but often times certain "researchers" rate players differently even when it comes to the same skill. I'm sure that scouts have different ways to evaluate players and not just one way and that would be a perfect example of triangulation.

When a team decides to draft a player and their production in certain areas doesn't match what the scouting report predicted then that would be a good time to reevaluate the research method for that particular skill, especially if that method leads to multiple players who don't live up to what researchers thought they would. Obviously all this ties into triangulation which is all about multiple approaches. Nice work.

Discussion 2: Reply to Ryan's answer to the professor's question.

As the directions for this discussion noted, we have spent the last several weeks looking about various options for conducting social science research.

Thus far we have focused on a straightforward approach by selecting a research strategy which seems to best work for the research we are looking at, or research we are looking at conducting.

While this is not necessarily unsound, using a triangulation approach, where the researcher uses multiple research strategies and multiple measures of key variables is better. Using triangulation allows the researcher to gain a better holistic understanding of their topic.

One thing a majority of us have agreed on over the last several weeks is that there is not a one-size fits all theory and that one specific strategy is not always the best at attempting to identify the "why" of something.

Triangulation allows the researcher to use qualitative and quantitative research methods to look at an event and use the strengths of the multiple methods in a quest to find an answer to our research question(s).

Additionally, by including multiple dependent variables a research can answer additional questions which could be of importance in the research.

Combining dependent variables can create a multi-response measure which can be more reliable than a single-response measure. Including multiple dependent variables allows a research to answer additional research questions without much additional work and without having to conduct additional, and separate, research.

For this week's discussion post I will be proposing a multi-method approach to the Differential Association theory. This theory essentially suggests that criminal and delinquency behavior is directly related to an individual's inappropriate behavior that they engage in with other people. This theory seeks to understand if criminal behavior is learned through our interactions with others.

The proposed multi-method approach I am suggesting is that the researcher conduct are observations, conducting personal interviews, and the use of surveys of youth in a set area and that are within a specified age range. The research should also conduct review and meta-analysis of data which has already been published.

The research could focus on if the differential association theory is valid and seek to learn at what age(s) it seems most youth begin to engage in delinquent and/or criminal behavior.

There are currently diversion and after-school programs, among others, which are attempting to promote positive interactions and positive peer cultures.

Part of the review and meta-analysis portion of the research should focus on data which have already explored these programs and analyzed if these programs are providing any benefit in reducing juvenile delinquency and crime. These answers would further help the molding of current and future policies and practices.

References :

Saylor Academy. (2012). Principles of Sociological Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. 5.3 Triangulation.