1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

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