Evidence Based
built on scientific findings, especially practices and policies founded upon the results of randomized, controlled experiments
Hypothesis
a tentative explanation accounting for a set of facts that can be tested by further investigation
testable statement (2 or more variables or proposed explanation)
Theory
thought-out explanation for observations of the natural world that has been constructed using the scientific method
Research
the use of standardized, systematic procedures in the search for knowledge
Applied Research
research based on scientific inquiry that is designed and carried out with practical applications in mind
Pure Research
research undertaken simply for the sake of advancing scientific knowledge
Primary Reasearch
research characterized by original and direct investigation
Secondary Research
research based on new evaluations of existing information that has been collected by other researchers
also referred to as secondary analysis
Variable
a concept that can undergo measurable changes
Operationaliization
the process by which concepts are made measurable
Research Design
the logic and structure inherent in an approach to data gathering
Confounding Effect
a rival explanation or competing hypothesis that is a threat to the internal or external validity of a research design
Internal Validity
the certainty that experimental interventions did indeed cause the changes observed in the study group
External Validity
the ability to generalize research findings to other settings
Controlled Experiment
an experiment that attempts to hold conditions (other than the intentionally introduced experimental intervention) constant
Quasi-experimental Design
an approach to research that, although less powerful than experimental designs, is deemed worthy of use when better designs are not feasible
Control Group
a group of experimental subjects that, although the subject of measurement and observation, is not exposed to the experimental intervention
Randomization
the process whereby individuals are assigned to study groups without biases or differences resulting from selection
Survey Research
research using a social science data-gathering technique that involves the use of questionnaires
Case Study
a form of research that employs detailed analysis of a person, group, or situation - often over a period of time
Participant Observation
a data gathering strategy in which the researcher observes a group by participating, to varying degrees, in the activities of the group
Self-report
a test or measure about one own's behavior, feelings, or other personal knowledge and characteristics
intersubjectivity
a scientific principle that requires that independent observers see the same thing under the same circumstances for observations to be regarded as valid
Replicability
a scientific principle that holds that valid observations made at one time can be made again later if all other conditions are the same
Descriptive Statistics
statistics that describe, summarize, or highlight the relationships within data that have been gathered
Inferential Statistics
statistics that specify how likely findings are to be true for other populations or in other locales
Correlation
a casual, complementary, or reciprocal relationship between two measurable variables
Test of Significance
a statistical technique intended to provide researchers with confidence that their results are, in fact, true and not the result of sampling error
Quantitative Method
a research technique that produces measurable results
Qualitative Method
a research technique that produces subjective results, or results that are difficult to quantify
Verstehen
the kind of subjective understanding that can be achieved by criminologists who immerse themselves in the everyday world of the criminals they study
Data Confidentiality
the ethical requirement of social scientific research to protect the confidentiality of individual research participants while preserving justified research access to the information participants provide
Informed Consent
the ethical requirement of social scientific research that research subjects be informed about the nature of the research to be conducted, their anticipated role in it, and the uses to which the data they provide will be put
Meta-analysis
a study that combines the results of other studies about a particular topic of interest
also a comprehensive and systematic review of other studies