Identifying Independent And Dependent Variables In Criminology

Criminal justice scholars and criminologist conduct research on crimes to understand why the individual commit the crimes and risk factors that are associated with the crime. Gathering statistics to study any patterns and trends in the behaviors of criminals. After studying and carefully examining the data collected the criminologist develop theories to help other professionals understand the criminology world. Criminology develop theories with in law enforcement tactics, forensics, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and law reform. Working from a statistical and analytical standpoint to conduct the research to show the nature of crimes and research findings. The statistic the criminologist collect are used to assist in adopting or modifying law, starting crime prevention initiatives and reform policies. Collecting demographics on who commits the crime, who is likely to commit the crime, and location of majority of crimes. Even collecting how the justice systems effects the criminals, and likelihood of relapses in
deviant behavior from previous offenders. The research that the criminologist conduct is often published in criminology journals or other publications and the report are used in real life problems in different areas of criminal justice.
Researching the phenomena interest for criminologist also include adult criminality and victimization with both as individuals and aggregate levels. Other interest in criminology research would include a few ideas in police practices and effectiveness, dynamics of criminal processing, sentencing discrimination, inmate violence and correctional program effectiveness.
Why criminologist and criminal justice scholars research is to band a normal behavior and proper observation. The need to understand components of criminal justice, how all the research comes together to figure out best ways to understand crime.
Types of research that scientist conduct are replication which is the repetition of experiments or studies utilizing the same methodology. Verification is confirmation of the accuracy of finding or attainment of greater certitude in conclusions through additional observations. (Hagan, 2012). Pure basic research is concern of the sake of science of development of the field. Applied research is solving immediate policy problems. There are two types of groups that the criminal justice has issues with which are the applied practitioner and nonapplied academic. An applied practitioner is mostly interested in applied research that speak on policy issues. As if the pure researchers have no immediate applicability but contributes to knowledge base and scientific development of the discipline (Hagan, 2012).
Other types of research that is conducted are qualitative and quantitative research. Quantitative research is concepts are viewed as assign numerical value. Qualitative research are concepts that view sensitizing ideas or terms that enhance our understanding. Social science in criminal justice research methods have two philosophical traditions. Research shock a sense of disorientation experienced by a person when suddenly confront with an unfamiliar style of presentation and research language (Hagan, 2012). Concepts the beginning of scientific actions. Operationalization is how actions will be measured. Variables are concepts that have been operationalize, can be vary and take on different values of a quantitative nature.
Identifying independent and dependent variables has been oversimplified for heuristic purposes.
(Hagan, 2012). Dependent variables are the outcome of a variable to predict outcomes of certain concepts of crime and recidivism. Dependent variables are usually the subject of one’s study. Independent or also known as predictor variable which have the concepts of causes, determines, or precedes in time of the dependent variable. Independent variable is usually a demographic variable or treatment. Theories are described as attempts to develop plausible explanation of reality. It is usually a broad and general statement that is regarding relationships between variables. Hypotheses are specific statements regarding the relationship between two variable and derived from more general theories. To approach research involved formulation of hypotheses, operationalization or measurement of variables and testing of bringing evidence to be brought upon
us.
Examples of research process would be recidivism among juvenile’s offenders and experimenting with a correctional program call salvation house. Those who are scheduled for incarceration are sent to this new community based treatment and have a higher chance of rehabilitation in a community rather than in prison. Research on sex trafficking, the demographics, age, race, ethnicity would be another example of research conducted by criminologist. Trafficking of human beings, drug markets, sexual violence all research that can be conducted and gather statistical data about the topic. Understanding the problem and possibly create policies for the areas researched.
Social desirability is a report that is answered in a way that society can accept rather than the actual truth. This is trouble for criminal justice because the information they obtain through their research not many people want to know the truth, so that leads to answers not being fully answered. Society does not want to see the truth about crime and the demographics that come along with the research. Statistical data are conducted on crime rates and when the data are released, everyone questions the criminal justice system how it is helping with rehabilitation and treatment for those in the system. If people agree with the findings of the research they consider it obvious, but if they were to disagree on the findings they would view it as unscientific because of common sense (Hagan, 2012)