CRJ 400 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology

This course will consider the primary characteristics of scientific inquiry and how these principles are applied to the study of crime and delinquency. The central focus of the course will be how to conduct empirical research. The research process will be examined including such issues as validity, reliability, causation, and operationalization. After considering the fundamental issues of research design, various observational techniques utilized most frequently in criminal justice research will be reviewed and discussed. At the conclusion of the course, the student will produce an original research project under the direction of the instructor.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: CRJ 205. Criminal Justice major or permission of department chair required.