Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice

What are criminal justice and criminological research? Why conduct this research? And, how is this research completed? Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice answers these questions by clearly explaining the basics of social science research using a simple and easy-to-understand approach. The essentials to a foundational understanding of criminal justice research methods are all there, including scientific theory, research language, and research design. The Fourth Edition features updated case studies and numerous revisions to topics such as sampling, research design, quantitative and qualitative research studies, data collection, and data analysis. Conducting research should not be a daunting chore. Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice makes the task of learning how to conduct research understandable, enjoyable, and applicable to the criminal justice topics students are most interested in.

Mark L. Dantzker is a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Dantzker is a widely published author in the criminal justice and criminology fields. Dr. Dantzker earned his Ph.D. in Administration from the Institute of Urban Studies at the University of Texas-Arlington, and has close to twenty years of experience in criminal justice, policing, and criminology.

Ronald D. Hunter,PhD,is Professor of Criminal Justice/Criminology at Georgia Gwinnett College, School of Liberal Arts. He received his PhD in Criminology from The Florida State University. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Hunter was a Sergeant with the Tallahassee (FL) Police Department. He has presented numerous papers at regional, national, and international criminology/criminal justice meetings. Police-Community Relations and the Administration of Justice; Crime and Criminality: Causes and Consequences; Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice: A Primer; Police Systems and Practices: An Introduction; and, The Effects of Environmental Factors Upon Convenience Store Robbery in Florida are among the criminal justice text books that Dr. Hunter has authored or co-authored. He has published many articles and book chapters dealing with crime prevention, policing, research methods, and criminological theory. Dr. Hunter has received awards and recognitions from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences; the Southern Criminal Justice Association; Western Carolina University; Jacksonville State University, Florida State University; and, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” He is a former President of the Southern Criminal Justice Association and of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

Susan T. Quinn is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice/Criminology at Georgia Gwinnett College. Prior to becoming part of the GGC faculty, she was a senior data analyst with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Dr. Quinn earned her PhD in Criminology from Florida State University in 2010.