Chapter 2 - Basic Elements of Criminal Justice Research

Question 1

Quantitative Analysis

Answer 1

Deals with numbers and statistical analysis

Question 2

Qualitative Analysis

Answer 2

Deals with words and descriptions drawn from interviews, direct observations, and documents

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

Ideas and concepts about the nature of crime.

Question 4

Theories define ________ _________.

Answer 4

Scientific questions

Question 5

Theories provide a means for selecting _________ and _________.

Answer 5

Variables and measures

Question 6

Theories make possible the _______________ of _________.

Answer 6

Interpretations of results

Question 7

Concept

Answer 7

Abstraction that is not directly observable but that the researcher wishes to measure

Question 8

Variable

Answer 8

Designed to measure an attribute.

Question 9

Variables usually have more than _____ possible value.

Answer 9

One

Question 10

Operational Defintion

Answer 10

the measurement of a variable must be clearly specified.

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

Stated int he form of a relationship between variables.

Question 12

Independent Variable (X)

Answer 12

Produces an effect or impact upon the dependent variable

Question 13

Dependent Variable (Y)

Answer 13

May change due to the presence of the independent variable

Question 14

Directional Hypothesis

Answer 14

The independent variable is expected to influence the dependent variable in a certain manner

Question 15

Null Hypothesis

Answer 15

A theoretical statement of no relationship or no difference between the independent and dependent variables.

Question 16

We always test for the ______ hypothesis

Answer 16

Null

Question 17

Classical Experiment

Answer 17

Involves the assignment of subjects to the experimental and control groups via random selection

Question 18

Random Selection

Answer 18

Provides every member of the target population with an equal chance of being selected for the experimental group and ensures that the selection of one subject does not affect the chance that any other member of the target population is selected and ensures that the members of the experimental and control groups are alike in every respect.

Question 19

Quasi-Experimental Design

Answer 19

Follows the same basic pattern of the classical experiment; comparison group is selected in some other way than random selection

Question 20

Matching

Answer 20

Under the quasi-experimental design, the comparison group can be established by matching the socio-demographic characteristics of the experimental group with other program eligibles

Question 21

Random Sampling

Answer 21

Ensures taht the sample is an accurate representation of the population from which it was drawn

Question 22

Program Evaluation

Answer 22

Addresses the ability of a program or policy to accomplish its goals (action-oriented designed to guide decision making)

Question 23

Level of Measurement

Answer 23

Involves converting the concepts to numerical data

Question 24

Nominal Level Measurement

Answer 24

Numbers are substitutes for names and serve as numerical labels

Question 25

Frequency Distribution

Answer 25

Table or count that displays the number of times that a data value is obtained in a sample of scores

Question 26

Ordinal Level Measurement

Answer 26

Categories are ranked but we cannot say anything about the distance between the categories on the scale

Question 27

Internal Level Measurement

Answer 27

Assumes that all items on the scale have equal units of measurement between them and have a commonly recognized meaning

Question 28

Ratio Level Measurement

Answer 28

Has a true zero point; the zero point makes it possible to consider the manner in which the points ont he scale stand in relation to one another via ratios (Twice as great)

Question 29

Transitivity

Answer 29

For items on a scale, if A > B and B < C, A must be greater than C

Question 30

Discrete Variables are ___________.

Answer 30

Categorical

Question 31

A discrete variable assumes a __________ number of values between ______ ___________.

Answer 31

A discrete variable assumes a finite number of values between two points.

Question 32

Continuous Variables can take an _________ number of values between points

Answer 32

Infinite

Question 33

Example of Continuous Variable

Answer 33

Age