Research Process and Terminology free essay sample

Research Process and Terminology Laytoya Wilson CJA/334 26 June 2011 University of Phoenix Research involves the study of something to discover facts and maybe even apply the findings in order to change something. There are two types of research, there is basic or pure research and then there is applied research, in which you really don’t need both in order to complete a study but in most cases is a good idea. Researchers have their own language, like doctors and police officers, researchers use researchese in order to understand the terminology used by scientist so that they are able to properly conduct research. The question is how will acknowledging and understanding these terms in a research study help analyze the data collected? The research process involves steps that must be taken in order to get an accurate collection of factual information. As defined at (dictionary. com, 2011), â€Å"research is diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, application, etc. We will write a custom essay sample on Research Process and Terminology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first step in the research process is the problem formulation in which the overlook of what is being investigated or studied. For example, if a large prison was conducting a study that involved male inmates with a high risk factor of returning to prison for the same crime like armed robbery and car theft. The first step is the most important because it gives the researcher purpose for the study as well as a guide to what is needed. The next step is the design of research to be done. The research design according to (Hagan,2010), is the type of experimental or non-experimental approach, studies of a group (or groups) at one time or over a period of time, and use of control groups, (p. 19). Then there is the collection of data, this is the third step in the research process. The method of which data is collected could be by observing a particular person, place, or thing as well as the reanalysis of any past data, questionnaires that may come in the U. S. post or by person to person interviews. For example, neighborhoods watch that is conducted by a local police department, gathering information from the citizens within the community by mailing out infamous questionnaires with paid return postage, to gain a vast amount of information in order to apply what is needed in the neighborhood to bring down break-ins within a certain area. The step in the research process is the analyzing and presentation of the finding or summarizing, reporting, and statistically analyzing where appropriate and presenting findings, (Hagan, 2010, p. 19). Then there is the conclusions, this just the end of the research process with what the researcher thinks is the basis of the research is as well as what is said by conducting this research and gathering the facts. In following these five steps the process of research the outcome could be basic in which it is just for informative facts or whether it is a basis of change behind the study. Why is the terminology used by researchers important for them to know and understand? Terminology used by researchers is a language of their own for them to understand in the field of work just like police jargon and medical terminology used by doctors. For example, the use of the words replication and verification, too many replications can mean the copy of something and verification means the confirmation of facts. Whereas in a criminal justice scientific research project or the study of something to gain knowledge; the word replication means â€Å"the repetition of experiments or studies utilizing the methodology† (Hagan, 2010, p. 6). What is methodology? I would say maybe the way that factual information is accurate or just the â€Å"what is† and the why. These terms prove helpful in a career of criminal justice research as they apply to real life concepts and situations. They can also prove incompetence to those who may not grasp the full knowledge and understanding of the research language. In knowing what the terms mean in a research study can be a huge asset in evaluating and analyzing research studies or data. For example in using the term basic research and applied research, without knowing the difference between the two one may become confused in the research and what is needed from it. With basic or pure research, the gain of facts is the basis of the study, whereas with applied research the fact findings are applied in order for a change to occur like in a drug ridden neighborhood. For instance, two police departments in the inner city conduct a study on neighborhoods with high drug trafficking rates and apply the facts of the study like what area is the most affect and can be done according to the study in order to reduce the problem. In conclusion the discussion of how to conduct an accurate and sufficient research process as well as the steps to take. I also spoke of research terminology as it will apply to a career in criminal justice. The knowledge of knowing the proper terminology, and how it affects criminal justice research, as well as how it is an asset in evaluating, and analyzing research studies or data. Many of the terms used are also used in day to day conversations and may have a different meaning to researchers as it would to say a person in the medical field or the financial field. All in all this is a small sample of what the process of research takes and the outcome of the facts gathered by the researchers. References EBOOK COLLECTION:  Hagan, F. E. (2010). Research methods in criminal justice and criminology (8th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://dictionary. reference. com/browser/research. dictionary. com. June 26, 2011.