CJ 380 & CJ 382: Research Methods - Unit Two Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering sampling strategies, qualitative paradigms, grounded theory, ethnography, field roles, interview techniques, survey measurement, and secondary data analysis from Unit Two of CJ 380/382.

Population

The full group of interest that a researcher seeks to study and draw conclusions about.

Sample

A smaller, measurable subset of a population used to draw conclusions about that entire population.

Sampling Frame

The accessible operational boundary of a population from which sample members are selected, such as a complete roster of police officers.

Simple Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique where cases are chosen purely at random from a complete population list.

Systematic Random Sampling

A probability sampling method that selects cases using a random starting point and a fixed interval across a sampling frame.

Stratified Sampling

A probability sampling design that intentionally samples important subgroups (such as women, minorities, or rural versus urban officers) and applies statistical weighting when needed.

Cluster Sampling

A probability sampling method that selects groups based on geographic or organizational areas to capture variation across locations or departments.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling method that recruits readily accessible participants, prioritizing low cost and ease over representativeness.

Purposive or Quota Sampling

A non-probability sampling method that deliberately recruits participants who possess specified characteristics or fill predetermined demographic proportions.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique that utilizes participant referrals to identify and reach populations that lack a defined sampling frame.

Idiographic Approach

A qualitative orientation that seeks a rich, deep understanding of a particular case and prioritizes meaning over generalizability.

Nomothetic Approach

A research approach that focuses on discovering broad patterns and achieving generalizability across cases rather than individual depth.

Naturalistic Assumption

A foundational premise in qualitative research asserting that individuals should typically be observed and studied within their authentic, natural environments rather than controlled laboratory settings.

Interpretation

The qualitative process of uncovering the meaning of an event, action, or behavior from the participant's perspective rather than seeking an objective truth.

Grounded Theory

A bottom-up qualitative methodology developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) that constructs theory directly from observational data through repeated iterations and open coding.

Theoretical Saturation

The phase in grounded theory data collection where additional observations and sampling produce no new insights or categories.

Ethnography

A qualitative research approach focused on obtaining a deep, interpretive understanding of how meaning emerges from culture and group interactions in natural settings.

Observer-as-Participant

A field research role in which the researcher openly observes participants in their natural setting (such as following police officers) but makes no effort to participate in their work.

Participant-as-Observer

A field research role in which the researcher actively participates in group duties (such as assisting police officers with citizen interactions) while openly acknowledged as a researcher.

Complete Observer

A field observation role where the researcher observes events (such as court proceedings) from a distance without participating or revealing their researcher identity.

Cross-Sectional Research

A research design that takes a "snapshot" of an issue or population at a single point in time rather than tracking it across time.

Longitudinal Research

A research design that gathers several measures of an issue spread out across an extended period of time.

Likert Scale

A standardized survey format that measures attitudes by assigning numerical values to ordered response options.

Guttman Scale

An attitudinal survey scale that uses ordered, cumulative, or visual response options.

Structured Interview

A highly standardized interview format using a predetermined set of questions asked in an identical order to ensure high reliability and consistency.

Semi-Structured Interview

An interview approach that begins with a general plan and core topics but allows flexibility for follow-up questions to explore unexpected leads as they develop.

Unstructured Interview

An open-ended, conversational interview method where the interviewee directs the discussion and the researcher follows their lead without a rigid agenda.

Interview-Guided Style

An unstructured interview technique that allows conversational flexibility while establishing specific boundary topics beforehand to keep the dialogue focused.

Conversational Guided Interview

An unstructured interview style resembling a casual conversation informed by specific themes, where the researcher opens broadly to let the participant share freely.

Insider-Outsider Distinction

The conceptual boundary between a researcher and study participants that influences trust, rapport, reciprocity, and openness during qualitative data collection.

Secondary Data Analysis

An observational research method that repurposes existing datasets collected by other entities to address a new research question.

Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)

An official government crime data source that measures crime rates using official counts of offenses reported directly to law enforcement agencies.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

A national survey that measures crime by asking sample participants directly about their individual experiences with victimization.

Dark Figure of Crime

The amount of unrecorded or unreported criminal activity that is uncovered when comparing victim surveys like the NCVS against official police records like the UCR.

Historical Research

A qualitative methodology that examines both primary and secondary sources to explain how an issue has progressed over time and establish its broader context.

Generalizability

The degree to which study findings apply to populations or settings beyond the immediate sample, often recognized as a primary limitation of qualitative research.