Module 3 Check Your Understanding 1

Running head: Module 3 Check Your Understanding

Module 3 Check Your Understanding

Andrew Uhlenkamp
Allied American University

Author Note
This paper was prepared for CRJ 499: Senior Capstone, Module 3 Check Your
Understanding taught by Daniel Chauvin.

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CRJ 499: Senior Capstone

Module 3 Check Your Understanding
Directions: Answer each of the following questions in 1-2 paragraphs, using examples from the
Internet or text to support your work. Your responses should be a minimum of 3-5 sentences (per
paragraph) and should utilize APA format for citations.

1.

What is sampling and what are the various types? When would it be appropriate to use
sampling in research?

In most experiments, it is unreasonable to observe an entire population. Therefore,

representative samples of the population are necessary. It is important that these samples be an
accurate representation of the population as a whole. The types of sampling are broken into two
categories- probability and nonprobability (Hagan, 2014). In the probability category the types of
sampling are referred to as simple random, stratified random, cluster, and systematic. In the
nonprobability category there are also four types. These are quota, accidental, purposive, and
snowball. Sampling is appropriate in research when the exact population size is unknown, or
when it is too large to reasonably study in its entirety.
2.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to surveys? What are some ways that
researchers can improve responses to surveys to get an accurate response?

In the course of obtaining data on a personal level, researchers have several options. One
of these is the survey, which can be implemented in a number of different ways. The most
popular methods are internet, mail, and telephone self-surveys. In these, the subject offers their
own responses to questions, rather than an interviewer recording information.
One of the primary advantages to surveys is that they are filled out and submitted by the

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subjects themselves. This requires far less resources on the part of researchers, who do not have
to utilize interviewers to approach the subjects individually. Subjects are more likely to feel safe
from judgment in submitting their answers and feel like their information is more secure, since
they arent reporting their answers to a person, but rather filling out answers and submitting them
remotely.
The primary disadvantage of surveys, however, is the rate of attrition. A 20% return rate
on surveys is considered better than average. Another answer is the subjectivity of the answers. If
a person is answering questions about themselves on a survey, they are more likely to embellish
answers in their favor rather than be bluntly honest.
There are several tactics that can be used to improve survey responses and their accuracy.
In order to improve a return rate, researchers may offer some type of remuneration to the subjects
for their participation. The survey itself may also be designed to be aesthetically pleasing. In
order to improve accurate responses to questions, it might be helpful to repeat questions
throughout the survey in different forms so that a more accurate answer can be divulged. Finally,
more honest answers might be attained if the survey does not ask for surveyors to submit their
names or personal information, so they feel like their answers will be anonymous.
3.

What is the importance of case studies in criminal justice research?

Case studies provide an in-depth review of a case that might shed some light to help
researchers develop an accurate hypothesis for their study based on similar studies. Case studies
can be broad or narrow, covering a single individual or an entire broad category. These allow
qualitative observations compared to quantitative measurements. This can sometimes be called
anecdotal evidence, but with more case studies revealing similar data, it can become more

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accurate.
4.

What are the types of participant observation? What are specific considerations
observers should be aware of when studying in field settings?

Participant observation can be broken down into four types- complete participation,
participant as observer, observer as participant, and complete observation. One major factor to
consider in any study is the influence that an observer can have over the results of the
experiment. It is almost always considered to be harmful to the accuracy of the data if the
researcher has any kind of personal influence over the other subjects being observed and
obscures the data. At the same time, measures must be taken to maintain accuracy and
impartiality.
References1.

Hagan, Frank. 2014. Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Ninth
Edition.
Education, Inc.

Prentice Hall. Pearson