Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology

by Michael G. Maxfield, Earl R. Babbie

A brief text based on Maxfield/Babbie's best-selling, RESEARCH METHODS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY, Fourth Edition, this "basics edition" combines accessibility and a conversational writing-style with Michael G. Maxfield's expertise in criminology and criminal justice. In just 12 chapters the text features criminal justice examples of methodology in the field and utilizes real data. This basics edition also includes coverage of ethics, causation, validity, and research design, especially in the discussion of field research.

Genres: Nonfiction

361 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Christopher Sedelmaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been using this book for several years as my primary text in my undergraduate research methods course at UNH (actually, the version pictured here is the first edition - the third edition is forthcoming). Granted, I'm a touch biased; the full version of the text was my graduate research methods text book, and Dr. Maxfield was my professor (at Rutgers at the time).

This text is very accessible, and includes plenty of examples of research in action to illustrate the various methods of gathering data and conducting criminal justice research. It's a great introduction to research methods, and has been helpful in combating the "why do I have to take this course?" attitude that we often face in research methods and statistics courses in the social sciences.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview to doing research in criminology.

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best intro to basic statistics I've read. Very clear and plenty of detail to help you sort through the differences in various techniques.