Understanding Criminological Research

Criminological research lies at the heart of criminological theory, influences social policy development, as well as informs criminal justice practice. The ability to collect, analyse and present empirical data is a core skill every student of criminology must learn. Written as an engaging step-by-step guide and illustrated by detailed case studies, this book guides the reader in how to analyse criminological data. Key features of the book include: o Guidance on how to identify a research topic and question, design a research study, account for the role of the researcher within the research process, as well as write up and present research findings. o A thorough account of the development of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies within the emergence of criminology as an academic discipline; including experimental research design, survey research, qualitative approaches and mixed methods. o Detailed coverage of different forms of qualitative and quantitative data analysis used by criminologists and other social scientists; including grounded theory, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics. o Relevant and up-to-date case studies, drawn from internationally published criminological research sources, to illustrate how to conduct different types of data analysis. o Clear and accessible chapter content supported by helpful introductions, concise summaries, self-study questions and suggestions for further reading.