Question: M6D1: Unobtrusive Research Method

We will discuss unobtrusive research methods

1. In the text, you read about three unobtrusive research methods; content analysis, analyzing existing statistics and comparative and historical research. Could any of these methods be applied to your research proposal? Based upon your research question/hypothesis, what do you think might be the most appropriate method(s) of conducting unobtrusive research if you were to choose one, and why? What benefits would this bring to your research? What would be the drawbacks of utilizing unobtrusive research methods in your project?

My topic proposal is:

Crime and Mental Illness.

Hypothesis

• A relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior, violence, and recidivism

• The link between victimization that is violent on the mentally ill with the violent offending

• The significance of over-presentation of mentally ill individuals in the system of criminal justice

M6D2: Evaluation Research

We will discuss the potential problems of evaluation research if applied to your research topic.

2. Evaluation research, because it occurs within real life, has special problems. If evaluation research was to be applied to your research topic, what might be some of the problems that could arise?

My research topic is:

Crime and Mental Illness. What can be learned about how mental illness influences whether or not someone is likely to commit crimes? Are certain mental illnesses more prone to criminal behavior?