Re assignment

1-What are similarities and differences between qualitative and quantitative research? Which one has a more significant role in criminological research? Why?

Quantitative is a research method where one end up with data being reduced to numbers, which are analyzed using statistics (McBurney, 2003). In most cases, quantitative research is used in support or expansion of the theory that is prevalent. Qualitative research on the other, hand, does not end up with numbers. Rather, it explains and investigates a phenomenon using words. Occasionally qualitative research is used to develop new hypothesis that did not exist before. (McBurney, 2003).

One similarity that exist between qualitative and quantities research is that fresh data is eventually qualitative. Although numbers are unbiased, the researcher has to select some numbers and ignore others. Despite numbers being objective, the process of deciding and justifying, why some numbers are more significant than others is qualitative (McBurney, 2003).

Since qualitative, tend to research on observations, descriptions, of behavior, motivation and notes. It looks at the “how” and “why”, therefore, it plays a significant role in criminal justice roles. In order to fully acquire a comprehensive research, a good researcher requires combining both methods. Armed with both qualitative and quantitative, methods one will be in a good position to make evidence based on decisions in criminal justice (McBurney, 2003).

Reference

McBurney, D T. L. White (2003). Research Methods. Belmont Wadsworth.

2.  What scientific advantages are found in experimentation as a research technique? What are its limitations? Can any investigative process, including the scientific process, produce absolutely certain results or conclusions? Why or why not?

The experimental scientific method is a kind of research where data collected is tested to prove a hypothesis by use of independent variable or dependent variable. Kent, 2006 asserts that experimental method is tremendously helpful because it enables the sort of accuracy in the making and repeated testing of predictions that he recommend. Due to its precision in generating scientific results, researchers’ can be more certain as their hypothesis can be tested scientifically. (Kent, 2006).

The laboratory experiment is important since it assist in replication as long as the specific nature of the experiment is recorded. Moreover, other researchers are in a position to falsify or confirm the earlier results acquired. This is vital to make certain that all the scientific results are dependable (Kent, 2006).

Experimental research entails several limitations as well as expectation. The chief limitation is that its outcome may not be appropriate to outside of the experimental setting. The real world might cater for the controlled setting as the experiment since there are other external factors like human succinctness that must be taken care of hence the results may possess weak or unidentified validity (Kent, 2006).

Experiments are still the valid excellent methods to be used when conducting scientific studies, due to their accuracy compared to other methods. To counter the weaknesses of the experiments, researchers should come up with other strategies, such as combining their experimental method with other qualitative and quantitative methods. These methods can be used as prerequisite, or carried out concurrently to add validity to the research (Kent, 2006).

Reference

Kent, J. (2006, January).

The Impact of the Scientific Revolution: A Brief History of the Experimental Method in the 17th Century.

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