Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Chapter 11 The Nature of Qualitative Research 1

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Key Differences: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Distinct steps (Linear process) Deductive reasoning Goal is precise quantification Objectivity Hard Data QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Flexible steps (non-linear process) Inductive reasoning Goal is to accurately capture meaning Subjectivity Soft Data 2

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Differences of Data Soft Data Data that come in the form of impressions, words, photographs, etc. (qualitative). Hard Data Data that comes in the form of numbers (quantitative). 3

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Quantitative Research Test hypothesis that the researcher begins with. Concepts are in the form of distinct variables. Measures are systematically created before data collection and are standardized. Data are in the form of number from precise measurement. Theory is largely causal and is deductive. Procedures are standard, and replication is frequent. Analysis proceeds by using statistics, tables, or charts and relating to hypotheses. 4

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Qualitative Research Capture meaning once immersed in the data. Concepts are in the form of themes, motifs, etc. Measures are contextual and developed ad hoc. Data are in the form of words, images, documents, etc. Theory can be causal or non-causal and is often inductive. Research procedures are particular, and replication is very rare. Analysis proceeds by extracting themes, or generalizations from evidence and organization data to present a coherent, consistent picture. 5

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Qualitative Design Features 1.Grounded theory 2.The context is critical 3.Bricolage: Improvising by drawing on diverse materials that are lying about and using them in creative ways to accomplish a pragmatic task. 4.The case and process 5.Interpretation: To explain the meaning of something. 6

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Orders of Interpretation First-order Interpretation: Interpretations from the point of view of the people being studied. Second-order Interpretation: Interpretation that involves the researcher’s point of view, eliciting an underlying coherence or sense of meaning in the data. Third-order Interpretation: Interpretation where the researcher links the second-order interpretation to general theories and larger social/cultural/historical contexts. 7

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) Qualitative Document Analysis: (QDA) A research method that involves collecting and analyzing interpretively a systematically selected set of documents, including text and/or visual images, in an effort to uncover their meaning, themes, and cultural and social significance revolving. Semiotics: A form of analysis that concentrates on comprehending and deciphering the meaning found in language and images, in the form of signs, as well as their complex interrelationships. 8

Criminal Justice and Criminology Research Methods, Second Edition Kraska / Neuman © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved How to Carry out QDA 1.Select topic and focus the question. 2.Design study. 3.Collect data. 4.Analysis and Interpretation of the data. 5.Inform others. 9