Fundamentals of Criminological and Criminal Justice Inquiry The Science and Art of Conducting, Evaluating, and Using Research

How to think about, conduct, and evaluate research is fundamental to the study and understanding of criminology and criminal justice. Students take methods, statistics, theory, and topic-specific classes, but they struggle to integrate what they learn and to see how it fits within the broader field of criminology and criminal justice research. This book directly tackles this problem by helping students to develop a 'researcher sensibility', and demonstrates how the 'nuts and bolts' of criminal justice research - including research design, theory, data, and analysis - are and can be combined. Relying on numerous real-world examples and illustrations, this book reveals how anyone can 'think like a researcher'. It reveals, too, why that ability is critical for being a savvy producer or consumer of criminological and criminal justice research.

About the authors; Preface; Part I. Criminological and Criminal Justice Research: 1. Introduction; 2. Science and criminological and criminal justice research; 3. The science and art of conducting, evaluating, and using research: initial observations; Part II. Essential Research Ingredients: Theory, Data, and Analysis: 4. The role of theory in research; 5. The role of data in research; 6. The role of analysis in research; Part III. Types of Criminological and Criminal Justice Research: 7. Basic (science-focused) vs. applied (policy-focused) research; 8. Identifying causal effects; 9. Criminological and criminal justice research areas and topics; Part IV. Chefs in the Kitchen: 10. Criteria for conducting, evaluating, and using research; 11. The science and art of conducting, evaluating, and using research: practical steps; References; Index.

Daniel P. Mears is the Mark C. Stafford Professor of Criminology at Florida State University and a fellow of the American Society of Criminology. He has published over 120 articles, 15 chapters, and several books, including the award-winning American Criminal Justice Policy (Cambridge, 2010) and, most recently, Out-of-Control Criminal Justice (Cambridge, 2017). His frequently cited research and funded projects have been covered in major media outlets and examine a diverse range of crime and justice topics and policies. He served as a senior research associate at the Urban Institute, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a program manager and counselor working with delinquent adolescents.
Joshua C. Cochran is Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of Cincinnati. His award-winning research appears in leading criminology and policy journals and in Prisoner Reentry in the Era of Mass Incarceration (2015). He is a recipient of the American Society of Criminology's Division on Corrections and Sentencing Dissertation Award and its Distinguished New Scholar Award. He is also the recipient of the New Scholar Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Dr Cochran teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on punishment, criminal justice, theory, and policy.