What Is Research

a.
What is research
a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to

develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition
constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported
under a program which is considered research for other purposes.
b. What is criminological research
Criminological research is known to be the foundation of criminological theory. In order for

criminologist to effectively study crime, they must have the ability to collect criminal data and
carefully analyze it in order to study it from a social perspective. The data that that is gathered by
criminologist is used as an attempt to help them get a better understanding on what motivates a
criminal to act in a criminal manner. By studying crime and criminal data, criminologist have the
ability to get to the root of the crime and come up with effective ways to eliminate it. They are
also known to find associations between crimes that are committed, the criminal who committed
the crime, and how the law defines the crime.
c. Why study criminological research
Because of the wide range of topics studied within criminology, researchers have required a
variety of different methods to address various topics. At the outset, it is important to establish
that there is no single, best method for studying crime and the criminal justice system in all its
various dimensions. Rather, as the discussion herein explains, the type of method used should
be the one best suited to answer the research question.
d. Values of research
Research is what propels humanity forward. It’s fueled by curiosity: we get curious, ask
questions, and immerse ourselves in discovering everything there is to know. Learning is
thriving. Without curiosity and research, progress would slow to a halt, and our lives as we
know them would be completely different.
e. Research Characteristics
1. Validity is the strength with which we can make research conclusions, assumptions or
propositions true or false. It determines the applicability of the research. Validity of the
research instrument can be defined as the suitability of the research instrument to the
research problem or how accurately the instrument measures the problem.
2. Accuracy means that each process in the research has been undertaken accurately. It is
also the degree to which each research process, instrument, and tool is related to each
other. Accuracy also measures whether research tools have been selected in best
possible manner and research procedures suits the research problem or not.
3. Credibility comes with the use of the best source of information and best procedures in
research. If you are using second-hand information in your research due to any reason
your research might complete in less time but its credibility will be at stake because
secondary data has been manipulated by human beings and is therefore not very valid
to use in research. A certain percentage of secondary data can be used if the primary
source is not available but basing a research completely on secondary data when
primary data can be gathered is least credible. When researcher gives accurate
references in the research the credibility of the research increases but fake references
also decrease the credibility of the research.
4. Generalizability is the extent to which a research finding can be applied to larger
population. When a researcher conducts a study, he/she chooses a target population
and from this population he takes a small sample to conduct the research. This sample is
representative of the whole population so the findings should also be representative of
the whole population. If research findings can be applied to any sample from the
population and the same results are obtained, the results of the research are said to be
generalizable.
5. Systematic, every research follows an approach or paradigm of research but regardless
of any paradigm the research should have one main approach, i-e, systematic approach
to research. This systematic approach helps the researcher understand the steps to be
taken and in what order to take each step. There are set of procedures that have been
tested over a period of time and are thus suitable to use in research. Each research,
therefore, should follow a procedure.
6. Controlled, in real life experience there are many factors that affect an outcome and a
single event is often a result of several factors. When similar event is tested in research,
due to the broader nature of factors that effect that event, some factors are taken as
controlled factors while others are tested for a possible effect. The controlled factors or
variables should have to be controlled rigorously.
In pure sciences, it is very easy to control such elements because experiments are
conducted in the laboratory but in social sciences it becomes difficult to control these
factors because of the nature of research. In social science the experiments and
observations are done in real life settings. To control external factors that might affect
the research is difficult in social science research. However, there are tools that can help
the researcher in achieving some control over how the research goes on.
f. Qualities and Characteristics of the Researcher
•He should be sensitive in his nature.

• He should be problem-minded.
• He should have mastery on the area and should have specialization in the field
studied.
• He should have a scientific outlook about the area.
• He should have deep insight into the educational process.
• He should be able to think reflectively on the field studied.
• He should have tolerance and patience.
• He should be interested in the field studied.
• He should be honest and devotee to his work.
• He should have the curiosity to find out something new or to answer some questions
which are still to be answered.
g. Types of Research
1. Quantitative Research
2. Qualitative Research
3. Descriptive Research
4. Analytical Research
5. Applied Research
6. Fundamental Research
7. Exploratory Research
8. Conclusive Research
h. Classification of Research
Empirical: Based on data gathered by original experiments or observations.
Theoretical: Analyzes and makes connections between empirical studies to define or advance a
theoretical position.
i. Steps in Scientific Method of Research
1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.
j. Scientific Methods of Research
The scientific method is the process of objectively establishing facts through testing and
experimentation. The basic process involves making an observation, forming a hypothesis,
making a prediction, conducting an experiment and finally analyzing the results. The principals
of the scientific method can be applied in many areas, including scientific research, business
and technology.

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a.

a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to

b. What is criminological research

Criminological research is known to be the foundation of criminological theory. In order for

c. Why study criminological research

f. Qualities and Characteristics of the Researcher

•He should be sensitive in his nature.

Empirical: Based on data gathered by original experiments or observations.

j. Scientific Methods of Research

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