The Role of Mixed Methods Research in Criminal Justice – Strategies and Implementation

The Role of Mixed Methods Research in Criminal Justice – Strategies and Implementation

Mixed methods is a research approach that strategically integrates quantitative and qualitative research techniques so that it can draw on the strengths of each. Subsequently, this approach enables researchers to utilize a diversity of techniques that combine both inductive and deductive thinking and offset the limitations of exclusively quantitative and qualitative research. This is done through a complementary methodology, which takes full advantage of the advantages of each data type, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the issues being researched (Maruna, 2010).

One of the main reasons why the mixed-method research approach is important to criminal justice agencies is triangulation. Essentially, triangulation involves utilizing several approaches, working hypotheses, researchers, or data sources to study a particular issue. The main objective of triangulation is to cross-verify and validate all the findings, which increases the credibility and robustness of the results. Triangulation eliminates the impact of biases and limitations brought about by personal perspectives, which guarantees that conclusions are not dependent on a single technique or angle (Maruna, 2010). Correspondingly, by integrating different methods, researchers in criminal justice agencies can cross-verify data, identify consistencies or discrepancies, and achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem. Further, by offsetting the biases and limitations inherent in single-method studies, triangulation strengthens the overall quality and reliability of the research.

The best-suited mixed-method research strategy for criminal justice agencies is the hybrid design. Maruna (2010) argues that this is the most accurate mixed-method research approach, which incorporates different approaches at various phases within a single study. One common hybrid design example is the quantification of qualitative data, which begins with qualitative data collection techniques but concurrently evaluates the data qualitatively and quantitatively, leading to more informed conclusions. Mixed methods research can be applied in criminal justice agencies to identify the research question, such as the association between mental illness and criminal behavior. Secondly, Brent et al. (2023) also note that it can be applied in data collection regarding the research question, in analyzing the collected qualitative and quantitative data, and in integrating the findings from both qualitative and quantitative analyses.

References

Brent, J. J., Kraska, P., & Skeen, J. (2023). Mixed Methods Research in Criminology. Oxford University Press.

Maruna, S. (2010). Mixed method research in criminology: Why not go both ways?. Handbook of quantitative criminology, 123-140.

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The Role of Mixed Methods Research in Criminal Justice – Strategies and Implementation

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