Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi California State University, Fresno The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance VICTIMOLOGICAL RESEARCH July 19, 2011 THE 11TH ASIAN POSTGRADUATE COURSE ON VICTIMOLOGY AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi California State University, Fresno

Victimological Research Empirical—Production of knowledge based on experience or observation No assumptions or thoughts Scientific—Scientists have certain criteria to be met An assertion must have both logical and empirical support Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Why Victimological Research? 1. Exploration Explore the nature or frequency of a problem or policy Might also collect data on some measure to serve as a baseline for later comparisons Also appropriate when some type of policy change is being considered Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Why Victimological Research? 2. Description Describe the scope of a problem or policy response Make more accurate and formal observations Develop a preliminary understanding Following exploration, we want to know the problem’s frequency/prevalence/degree Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Why Victimological Research? 3. Explanation Explain things—answer “Why?” Why have we seen a certain change in scope? Why does a certain problem exist? Example: Why do victims of domestic violence not leave the abusive husband? Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

The Cycle Theory of Violence Tension building Acute explosion Honeymoon Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Why Victimological Research? 4. Application Applied research is based on a need for specific facts and findings—with implications for policy Two major types of applied research: Evaluation research—comparing program goals to results Policy analysis—prospective; anticipate future consequences of alternative actions Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Research Methods Views of knowledge Assumptions Identifying a research problem Reviewing the literature Identifying a purpose and stating questions Views of knowledge Assumptions Collecting data Analyzing and interpreting data Reporting and evaluating the study Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

How to Design a Research Project Beginning points for a line of research e.g., interests, ideas, theories, new programs Why does something occur? Why is this how it is? What about this possible program? These questions may lead to others you might like to explore Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Getting Started Find out what research has been done Read newspaper stories, journal articles, check out the Internet, talk to relevant people Figure out your objective and intended audience Generally, your purpose for undertaking research can be expressed in a report Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Conceptualization What do you mean by the concept being studied? If you are going to study fear of violent crime in your community What is considered “violent crime”? What is considered “fear”? You need to specify ALL the concepts that you wish to study Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Choice of Research Method A variety of methods are available, each with strengths and weaknesses; choose one after considering the specific concept you want to study Interviews, surveys, field research, content analysis, official records The best studies utilize more than one research method Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Zimbardo Experiment (1971) Stanford prison experiment A study of the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or a prison guard 24 undergraduate students played a role The prison environment was created in the basement and the experiment continued for 6 days There is a famous experimental study called the Stanford prison experiment that was conducted by a Stanford professor. The goal of the study was to assess the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or a prison guard. In the experiment, 24 undergraduate students were randomly selected from 70 candidates and randomly assigned to be either a prisoner or a prison guard. The prison environment was created in a basement at Stanford University, and the experiment was planned for 14 days but it had to be terminated after 6 days.

Operationalization Create concrete ways of actually measuring your concept Fear and violent crime: Questionnaire item: “How safe do you feel in your house, downtown at night, etc.?” Official records of violent crime incidents in that neighborhood, downtown, etc. Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Population and Sampling Exactly who or what will you study? Population—group (e.g., of people) about whom we want to be able to draw conclusions Because it is generally not feasible to study ALL members of that population, how will you take a representative sample? Fear and violent crime: will you include the elderly? Teenagers and kids? A particular race or gender? Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Observations Collect the empirical data Qualitative Quantitative Non-numerical data Established through observation and interviews Open-ended questions, Interview data Text and image analysis Quantitative Numerical data Based on data obtained from measurements, survey findings and scales Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Application Utilize the research you’ve conducted and the conclusions you’ve reached Make your findings known to others Develop policy to address your findings Determine what mistakes were made that could be corrected in the future Determine how your research might feed into future research Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Official Data vs. Survey Data Crime reported to police Uniform Crime Report in the United States Victimization Survey Data International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey Include unreported crime Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Why Victimization Surveys Are Performed To describe more precisely the reality of victimization and victim characteristics Relationship Frequency Severity Dark Figure Reported crime minus unreported crime Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

eported to police. Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Validity and Reliability Measurement approximates a true value Reliability Consistency of your measurement Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

The baby’s motion introduces random errors The scale reads 1.2 pounds too high when empty, which makes all measurements 1.2 pounds too high Validity problem The baby’s motion introduces random errors Reliability problem Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Association NOT Causation Ice cream consumption and the crime rate are associated with each other Ice cream consumption does not create crime nor does crime create ice cream consumption

Program Evaluation Answer the question: Is your program successful? Improve your program Discover unintended side effects Provide program accountability Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

The Logic of a Well-Designed Program Goals Is there consensus on clearly stated and realistic program goals? Objectives What are the immediate practical effects? Activities Do program activities reflect the implementation of program goals? Measures Are processes and outcomes measurable and likely to result from program activities Do measures reflect program goals? Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Goals General statements that summarize the ultimate impact that the social program is supposed to have on client problems Example: You are going to create a shelter program for abused women. Goal: Women who complete the program will have increased their ability to protect themselves and their children Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Objectives Fit within the scope of stated goals. Immediate, practical effects that you want your services to have on the problem. Realistic and attainable Measurable and specific Example: 90% of the women who completed our program will be able to name four or more safety resources available to them in their community. Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Linking the Process to Evaluation Process evaluation Are policies being implemented as planned? Impact assessment Are policies/programs achieving their intended goals? Often conducted together Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance

Thank you for your participation. Q & A Dr. Yoshiko Takahashi The 11th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance