Research Design and Ethical Issues on Criminal Justice Research

Research Design and Ethical Issues on Criminal Justice Research

Research models that can be used in criminal justice research

The main research models that can be used in criminal justice research include the symbolic interactionist, theoretical, mechanical, and mathematical models. According to Carter & Montes Alvarado (2019), the extended interactionist model interprets the meaning people give to the symbols they encounter or use. This model mainly examines how people interact in a social setting. Theoretical models focus on a set of assumptions about a system or concept. The theories are created, developed, and classified based on the analogy between a system or object being described and a different object or system. Mechanical models focus on natural sciences concepts to provide analogues to social behaviour. Mathematical models use mathematical equations to demonstrate relationships between variables or the behaviour of groups, persons, communities, nations, and cultural groups.

The most compatible type of research model

The theoretical model is most compatible because it enables the researcher to make assumptions that can be used to develop hypotheses to be tested. For example, when researching the impact of corrective measures such as rehabilitation on crime prevention, a researcher may assume that rehabilitation enhances crime prevention by isolating criminals in a place where they can not engage in criminal activities. Criminal justice researchers may also develop theories based on the duo process and crime control models to determine why people commit crimes. According to Baldan (2018), the duo process model emphasizes having a fair and just criminal justice system that protects people’s legal rights. In contrast, the crime control model emphasizes establishing an efficient system aimed at controlling and suppressing crime to enhance safety in society and create public order.

Why ethics are important in criminal justice research

Ethics are important in criminal justice research because the research involves human subjects who must be protected from harm. Criminal justice research is broad and connects many subjects within the criminal justice sector, such as forensics, law, and the correctional system. Therefore, researchers need to ensure that the research participants participate in the research voluntarily within a safe environment. Ethics in criminal justice research is also important because it influences the application of research findings in the criminal justice sector. The aim of criminal justice research includes finding solutions that can be used to improve the criminal justice system, such as crime reduction and recidivism, community policing, and the effectiveness of existing crime control strategies. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that ethical research requirements gather information.

Informed consent and confidentiality and why they are important

Informed consent allows potential research participants to participate freely and voluntarily without undue coaching or threat. It focuses on protecting the welfare of every research participant by ensuring that the participants understand the aim of the study, the benefits and risks of participating in the research, and the terms of voluntary participation. Confidentiality focuses on protecting the privacy of every research participant, building trust and rapport with the research participants, and maintaining the integrity of the research process and ethical standards. Informed consent and confidentiality are important because they facilitate the development of truth between the research participants and researcher, thus increasing the reliability of the information gathered. For example, when interviewing a group of inmates to determine the conditions of prison facilities, informed consent guarantees voluntary participation. In contrast, confidentiality protects their identity, thus creating the likelihood of gathering reliable information.

Capital punishment ethical concerns and how they might be addressed

Capital punishment is a criminal justice system topic that raises ethical concerns. According to Powe (2018), capital punishment is a government-sanctioned practice that includes sentencing a person to death as punishment for a crime. Those who defend capital punishment argue that society has a moral obligation to safeguard the welfare and safety of citizens, hence the need to eliminate individuals who threaten people’s safety and welfare. The ethical concern might be addressed by choosing alternative punishment methods, such as life sentencing, to isolate criminals from society so they do not commit crimes.

References

Baldan, É. L. (2018). The due process and crime control models of criminal justice. Revista De Direito De Polícia Judiciária, 2(3), 61. https://doi.org/10.31412/rdpj.v2i1.561

Carter, M. J., & Montes Alvarado, A. (2019). Symbolic Interactionism as a methodological framework. Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences, 169–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5251-4_62

Powe, L. A. (2018). Capital punishment. America’s Lone Star Constitution. https://doi.org/10.1525/california/9780520297807.003.0013

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Describe research models that can be used in criminal justice research.
Identify which type of research model you feel is most compatible. Provide an example to support your choice.
Explain why ethics are important in criminal justice research. Provide examples.
Explain informed consent and confidentiality. Why are they important? Include examples.
Identify and discuss a criminal justice topic, program, or process with ethical concerns. Recommend how the ethical considerations might be addressed.