Criminological Skills and Research for Beginners is a comprehensive and engaging guide to research methods in Criminology, and the skills required for academic success. Written specifically for undergraduate students and novice researchers, this book has been designed as a lively and accessible guide to planning, conducting and reporting research in the subject. It emphasises practical skills required in studying Criminology, the importance of criminological research, and places related methodology firmly in the context of students’ broader study of the discipline, before moving on to provide a detailed guide to the actual processes of research. It is common for Criminology undergraduates to feel intimidated at the prospect of conducting their own research, and these students typically struggle to see the relevance of research methods to their own studies. This book speaks directly to the needs of such students, and includes contemporary examples and case studies that bring a topic that is often thought of as dry to life, providing a thorough and accessible practical guide that students can return to at each stage of their research, all the way through to their dissertation. This book covers: an examination of the theoretical, political and ethical debates in criminological research; a complete guide to planning criminological research, assisting student researchers in identifying their research questions, choosing their research methods and critiquing the available literature; guidance on the practicalities and processes of collecting data; a discussion of the process of analysing data and writing up research. New to the second edition is a brand new section on research skills in Criminology, including detailed coverage of writing skills, referencing, dissertations and research reports, presentation skills and revision. The book also offers additional coverage of the politics of criminological research and the presentation of official crime statistics. Including an extensive glossary and an integrated companion website with extra examples, exercises and videos to further develop students’ understanding, this book is essential reading for any undergraduate on a Criminological Research Methods or Research Skills course, or for anyone in need of practical guidance on any or all of the various stages involved in conducting thorough and effective criminological research.

The new edition of this best-selling study skills book provides a practical guide for success for individuals at every level of their criminology and criminal justice degree. The new edition of this best-selling study skills book is a practical guide to success for individuals at every level of their criminology and criminal justice degree. Fully revised to reflect changes in the curriculum, the book continues to provide students with practical and relevant information for their degree, including topics on choosing modules, sourcing and researching, applying theory to practice, writing essays, presentation skills, revision, taking exams and careers after your degree. New to the second edition: a chapter on plagiarism developments in virtual learning environments and e-resources expanded coverage of internet and e-learning skills advice on moving from A-level to university. Maintaining its student-friendly approach and useful pedagogy - tips, activities, glossary, key terms and issues - Study Skills for Criminology is an essential purchase for any student of criminology or criminal justice looking to excel in their degree. John Harrison, formerly of Teesside University Mark Simpson is Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Law at Teesside University. Olwen Harrison, formerly of Teesside University. Emma Martin is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Teesside University. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips, quizzes and videos on study success!

Criminological Research for Beginners is a comprehensive and engaging guide to research methods in Criminology. Written specifically for undergraduate students and novice researchers, this book has been designed as a practical guide to planning, conducting, and reporting research in the subject. By first inviting readers to consider the importance of criminological research, the book places related methodology firmly in the context of students’ broader study of Criminology, before moving on to provide a detailed guide to the practical processes of research. It is common for Criminology undergraduates to feel intimidated at the prospect of conducting their own research, and these students typically struggle to see the relevance of research methods to their own studies. This book speaks directly to the needs of such students, and includes contemporary examples and case studies that bring a topic that is often thought of as dry to life, providing a thorough and accessible practical guide that students can return to at each stage of their research, all the way through to their dissertation. This book covers: an examination of the theoretical, political, and ethical debates in criminological research; a complete guide to planning criminological research, assisting student researchers in identifying their research questions, choosing their research methods, and critiquing the available literature; guidance on the practicalities and processes of collecting data, a discussion of the process of analysing data and writing up research, Including an extensive glossary and an integrated companion website with extra examples, exercises, and videos to further develop students’ understanding, this book is essential reading for any undergraduate on a Criminological Research Methods course, or for anyone in need of practical guidance on any or every of the various stages involved in conducting thorough and effective 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, designing a research study, accounting for the role of the researcher and writing up and presenting research findings. o A thorough account of the development of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and data analysis within the field of criminology. o Relevant and up-to-date case studies, drawn from internationally published criminological research sources. o Clear and accessible chapter content supported by helpful introductions, concise summaries, self-study questions and suggestions for further reading. Understanding Criminological Research: A Guide to Data Analysis in invaluable reading for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in criminology and criminal justice.

Covering all the key skills a criminology student needs to know, this text includes topics on finding and using sources such as legislation, thinking critically about criminological theory, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, preparing for exams, planning a research project and ethical considerations.

The new edition of this bestselling textbook brings criminological research alive for students. It introduces the processes and practicalities of preparing, doing, experiencing and reflecting upon criminological research. The success of the First Edition has been its ability to contextualize research accessibly within real-life examples of crime, criminology and criminal justice– doing interviews with offenders in prison, undertaking evaluation on crime related projects, using questionnaires to measure fear. Its strength continues to lie in its ability to span the process of doing criminological research, helping students to understand the journey of the researcher.

Statistics for Criminal Justice and Criminology in Practice and Research—by Jack Fitzgerald and Jerry Fitzgerald—is an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the study of basic statistics for students pursuing careers as practitioners or researchers in both Criminal Justice and Criminology programs. This student-friendly text shows how to calculate a variety of descriptive and inferential statistics, recognize which statistics are appropriate for particular data analysis situations, and perform hypothesis tests using inferential statistics. But it is much more than a "cook book." It encourages readers to think critically about the strengths and limitations of the statistics they are calculating, as well as how they may be misapplied and misleading. Examples of statistics and statistical analyses are drawn from the worlds of the practitioner as well as the policymaker and researcher. Students will also gain a clear understanding of major ethical issues in conducting statistical analyses and reporting results, as well as insight into the realities of the life of researchers and practitioners as they use statistics and statistical analyses in their day-to-day activities.

Conducting research into crime and criminal justice carries unique challenges. This Handbook focuses on the application of ′methods′ to address the core substantive questions that currently motivate contemporary criminological research. It maps a canon of methods that are more elaborated than in most other fields of social science, and the intellectual terrain of research problems with which criminologists are routinely confronted. Drawing on exemplary studies, chapters in each section illustrate the techniques (qualitative and quantitative) that are commonly applied in empirical studies, as well as the logic of criminological enquiry. Organized into five sections, each prefaced by an editorial introduction, the Handbook covers: • Crime and Criminals • Contextualizing Crimes in Space and Time: Networks, Communities and Culture • Perceptual Dimensions of Crime • Criminal Justice Systems: Organizations and Institutions • Preventing Crime and Improving Justice Edited by leaders in the field of criminological research, and with contributions from internationally renowned experts, The SAGE Handbook of Criminological Research Methods is set to become the definitive resource for postgraduates, researchers and academics in criminology, criminal justice, policing, law, and sociology. David Gadd is Professor of Criminology at Manchester University School of Law where he is also Director of the Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice. Susanne Karstedt has a Chair in Criminology and Criminological Justice at the University of Leeds. Steven F. Messner is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York.

Immerse your students in contemporary and classic scholarly research and readings from the major branches of the criminal justice system This text/reader is a comprehensive, cutting-edge overview of the main research methods used in the fields of criminology and criminal justice. Snapshots of Research offers a wide range of modern research examples, as well as several classic articles, including a broad range of readings from the four major branches of the criminal justice system—policing, courts/law, juvenile justice, and corrections—that are relevant to career paths students may be interested in pursuing.

The Encyclopedia of RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE The most comprehensive reference work on research designs and methods in criminology and criminal justice This Encyclopedia of Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a comprehensive survey of research methodologies and statistical techniques that are popular in criminology and criminal justice systems across the globe. With contributions from leading scholars and practitioners in the field, it offers a clear insight into the techniques that are currently in use to answer the pressing questions in criminology and criminal justice. The Encyclopedia contains essential information from a diverse pool of authors about research designs grounded in both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It includes information on popular datasets and leading resources of government statistics. In addition, the contributors cover a wide range of topics such as: the most current research on the link between guns and crime, rational choice theory, and the use of technology like geospatial mapping as a crime reduction tool. This invaluable reference work: Offers a comprehensive survey of international research designs, methods, and statistical techniques Includes contributions from leading figures in the field Contains data on criminology and criminal justice from Cambridge to Chicago Presents information on capital punishment, domestic violence, crime science, and much more Helps us to better understand, explain, and prevent crime Written for undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers, The Encyclopedia of Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice is the first reference work of its kind to offer a comprehensive review of this important topic.