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CJ490M4: Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Module 4 Worksheet
Student Name: _______________________________________________________
Data Collection Methods
There are three main ways to collect data: asking questions, making observations, or using existing data (Maxfield & Babbie, 2016). But a fourth way, using a combination, is also often utilized. The data collection methods include:
· Survey research (asking questions)
· Field research (making observations)
· Existing data (secondary data analysis)
· Combination of methods (triangulation)
Using the four data collection method options listed above, complete the following for each of the scenarios below:
1. Identify and describe the
one best
method to collect information for the scenarios. (Choices cannot be used more than once.)
2. Justify your reasoning for selecting this data collection method by evaluating the method and why it is the best choice out of the four.
Scenario 1: Describe police officer perceptions of the effectiveness of wearing body cameras.
Identify the data collection method: ______________________________________
Describe how the data would be collected. ___________________________________________________________________
Why would this data collection method be most appropriate? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Scenario 2: Conduct a hot-spot analysis on 911 calls for domestic violence.
Identify the data collection method: ______________________________________
Describe how the data would be collected. ___________________________________________________________________
Why would this data collection method be most appropriate? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Scenario 3: Describe the prevalence of stalking in a small Midwest city.
Identify the data collection method: ______________________________________
Describe how the data would be collected. ___________________________________________________________________
Why would this data collection method be most appropriate? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Scenario 4: Describe the nature and scope of prostitution at truck stops along I-95.
Identify the data collection method: ______________________________________
Describe how the data would be collected. ___________________________________________________________________
Why would this data collection method be most appropriate? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
