1.Read the article: "Guns, gangs, and gossip"(Zimmerman et al., 2004). Using concepts from chapters 1-7 as the basis for your analysis, in a narrative format of 750 or more words, identify:
(a) the research problem,
(b) research design,
(c) data-gathering strategy,
(d) any hypotheses,
(e) dependent and independent variable(s),
(f) how key dependent and independent variables were operationalized,
(g) how qualitative data from participant observation, interviews, case studies, focus groups and other qualitative methods were coded and quantified for analysis, and
(h) summarize the key findings and/or policy issues.
- What are some distinctive advantages of a qualitative strategy for data gathering, such as participant observation, over more quantitative approaches? Be detailed in your response and give an example from your occupation where participant observation would be the best way to collect data on a given phenomenon, issue, or research question.
3.What are some distinct disadvantages and dangers of participant observation as a research methodology? What steps can be taken to mitigate these disadvantages? Give specific examples.
4.Search the Web for information on focus groups (previous, upcoming, or ongoing) involving victims, offenders, fear of crime, crime prevention, police subculture, or another criminological topic. List the Web sites you found most useful and write a paragraph about the purpose of each focus group and the sample involved. How might these focus groups be used to influence public policy? As the Chief/Sheriff/Warden of your agency, cite an example of when you would use a focus group to address an agency issue or crime issue. Explain your rationale and what you hope to accomplish. Minimum word count is 300 words.
Full Answer Section
(b) Research design
The researchers used a qualitative research design to explore the perspectives of youth on the causes of youth violence. They collected data from 391 middle school students in a diverse urban school district using a variety of methods, including essays, interviews, and focus groups.
(c) Data-gathering strategy
The data-gathering strategy used in the study was a mixed-methods approach. The researchers collected quantitative data from student essays, which were analyzed using content analysis software. The researchers also collected qualitative data from interviews and focus groups, which were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.
(d) Hypotheses
The researchers did not have any specific hypotheses about the causes of youth violence. Instead, they were interested in exploring the perspectives of youth on this issue.
(e) Dependent and independent variable(s)
The dependent variable in the study was youth violence. The researchers did not have any specific independent variables in mind. Instead, they were interested in exploring the factors that youth identified as contributing to youth violence.
(f) How key dependent and independent variables were operationalized
The dependent variable of youth violence was operationalized as the number of times that students mentioned violence in their essays, interviews, and focus groups. The researchers did not operationalize any independent variables, as they were interested in exploring the factors that youth identified as contributing to youth violence.
(g) How qualitative data from participant observation, interviews, case studies, focus groups and other qualitative methods were coded and quantified for analysis
The researchers used a thematic analysis approach to code and quantify the qualitative data. They first identified the main themes that emerged from the data. Once the themes were identified, the researchers coded each piece of data according to the theme(s) it represented. The researchers then used descriptive statistics to summarize the data for each theme.
(h) Summarize the key findings and/or policy issues
The key findings of the study were that youth identified a variety of factors as contributing to youth violence, including individual factors (e.g., lack of anger management skills, need for acceptance), peer factors (e.g., gang membership, gossip), family factors (e.g., parenting practices, lack of positive role models), and societal factors (e.g., media violence, easy access to guns).
The authors of the study argue that their findings have important implications for policy and practice. They argue that interventions to reduce youth violence should be comprehensive and address all of the factors that contribute to youth violence. They also argue that interventions should be youth-centered and should empower youth to be part of the solution.
Policy issues
The findings of the study have a number of implications for policy and practice. For example, the findings suggest that interventions to reduce youth violence should be comprehensive and address all of the factors that contribute to youth violence, including individual, peer, family, and societal factors. The findings also suggest that interventions should be youth-centered and should empower youth to be part of the solution.
Specifically, the findings of the study suggest that policymakers and practitioners should focus on the following areas:
- Individual factors: Providing youth with access to programs and services that can help them develop anger management skills, problem-solving skills, and other coping skills.
- Peer factors: Providing youth with access to positive role models and mentors. Creating programs and activities that can help youth develop positive relationships with their peers.
- Family factors: Providing parents with education and support on how to effectively parent their children. Creating programs and services that can help families in crisis.
- Societal factors: Reducing media violence. Making it more difficult for youth to access guns.
In addition to the above policy areas, the findings of the study also suggest that it is important to involve youth in the development and implementation of interventions to reduce youth violence. Youth have unique perspectives on the issue of youth violence and can play a valuable role in identifying and addressing the root causes of the problem.
Overall, the study by Zimmerman et al. (2004) provides valuable insights into the perspectives of youth on the causes of youth violence. The findings of the study have important implications for policy and practice.
Sample Answer
The research problem addressed in the article "Guns, gangs, and gossip" by Zimmerman et al. (2004) is the lack of understanding of the perspectives of youth on the causes of youth violence. The researchers argue that previous research on youth violence has been largely quantitative and has focused on individual-level risk factors, such as poverty and exposure to violence. However, the researchers argue that these factors do not fully explain the complex phenomenon of youth violence.