Scientific Method Of Inquiry

Research is essential for advancement in almost any field of academics or job, especially when it comes to the field of criminal justice. Research is really about the generation of information that is both accurate and objective for the purpose of guiding decision making. Without research, we have no knowledge about crime: What it is, where it happens, how it happens, and why it happens (Vito, Tewksbury, & Kunselman, 2008, p. 3). Through researching and using the scientific methods of inquiry, problems facing those in the criminal justice field can be solved or issues relating to problems can be addressed in innovative ways that may have not been thought about before. “Research methods consist of a number of techniques that have been established over time in many disciplines” (Vito, Tewksbury, & Kunselman, 2008, p.
(Osterburg & Ward, 2010, p. 299). It’s important that these methods are explained in detail. For this paper, the use of the scientific method of inquiry will revolve around community policing and whether it would be a potential solution. The scenario is that the Chief of Police in charge of several police districts presiding over several large communities, has been receiving complaints from residence about high crime in the area and at the same time, police officers have been complaining about treatment and the lack of cooperation of community members when trying to address the different crimes. For this scenario, the problem statement or question would be; does community policing have a positive effect on crime in communities? The problem statement is simple and right to the point. “The emphasis here is on the logical analysis of problems and devising the appropriate method to obtain evidence” (Vito, Tewksbury, & Kunselman, 2008, p.