CCJS300 Book Notes Chapter 8 Unobtrusive Measures Secondary Analysis and the Uses of Official Statistics Unobtrusive Measures nonreactive methods of gathering data means of obtaining information in which subjects are not aware of being studied Sanders The Sociologist as Detective example of unobtrusive measures through Sherlock Holmes Webb Unobtrusive Measures nonreactive research in the social sciences describe these techniques as nonreactive methods in which undisturbed subjects are observed in natural or manipulated settings Stooge effects the reaction to being studied some behaviors may change Major Types of Unobtrusive Methods Physical Trace Analysis Type of unobtrusive measurement that involves the analysis of deposits accretion of matter and other indirect substances produced by previous human interaction Ex Crime scene investigation The hatching chick exihibit Chicago Museum of Science and Industry the erosion of floor tiles replacement rate could serve as a rough index of visitor interest o Tiles were replaced from the hatching chick exhibit every 6 weeks Many variations in attendance due to trash left behind Archival Existing Data and Autobiographies Secondary Analysis reanalysis of data that were fathered for other purposes o Ex UCR consists both primary and secondary records o Primary records provide insight into events or research issues long after they have occurred o Use both of these to support a statement or make a hypothesis Autobiographies o Thomas and Znaniecki The polish Peasant in Europe and America Diaries kept by subjects are a good source of information o The Autobiography of an LA Gang Member violent life as a crip in south central LA o Henry Tufts Autobiography of a Criminal his description of his career as a thief imposter indian doctor revolutionary soldier and swindler Historical and Archival Data o People view historical data as part myth allegory and fiction o Simple Observation Disguised Observation Researchers participation with the subjects is kept at a minimum and the investigator carefully records activities Analyst covertly studies groups or individuals by temporarily misrepresenting his or her role Confederates research assistants who pose as subjects in a study Simulation Situation or game that attempts to mimic key features of reality Debriefing after completion of a study particularly one involving deception reassurance of subjects and explanation of the purposes of the research Limitations on Official Data Data was collected for agency purposes might not have the degree of accuracy or operationalization that the researcher desires Data can be literately changed to give a certain impression of an agency Changes in the record keeping procedures can provide changes to data Variables may not have been measured in the way the researcher hoped Cross national statistics are out of date or inconsistent Content Analysis systematic classification of analysis of data such as the content of mass media Basic Procedure in content analysis 1 The selection of categories and subjects to be analyzed 2 The rigorous establishment of criteria for inclusion a feature which ensures that the study can be replicated by others 3 Carefully following the pre established classification scheme 4 Statistically analyzing the results Researchers have done content analysis of the following 1 Newspaper reports of gang activity 2 Popular articles about marijuana using them to measure the effectiveness of propaganda campaigns designed to assist in the passage of stricter drug laws Jokes comic strips and popular culture regarding mental illness and insanity 3 4 The history of the stereotype of assassins and hashish usage Wolfgang Figlio and Thornbery use this By Computer DataEase Ethnograph Filemaker Pro HyperQual HyperResearch etc Meta Analysis Statistical analysis of data from many different studies dealing with the same research question in order to determine general findings Quantitative reviewing Steps in Meta Analysis 1 Conceptualizing and specifying clearly the content of the research problem and its basic terms 2 Searching the literature and selecting a representative set of studies relevant to the review 3 Building a base of relevant data for the review by summarizing describing and coding the features of separate studies and translating them into comparable categories and terms 4 Analyzing the database of studies for patterns of significant effects and for theoretically meaningful correlations 5 Providing a summary description of the results and some evaluation Advantages of Unobtrusive Measures NONREACTIVITY behavior is more natural because they don t realize they Audio and Visual Mechanical aids can enhance the data gathering process are being studied because it increases accuracy Archival records enable the study to be over time Observation allows you to gain the information first hand Collection of evidence is inconspicuous and grants anonymity Researchers can employ accomplices so a large scale study is done quickly and inexpensively Disadvantages groups Privacy Invasion They may be atypical and therefore not generalizable to larger or similar Can be very time consuming and can be affected by observer bias Chapter 9 Validity Reliability and Triangulated Strategies Error In Research Validity accuracy of measurement does the instrument in fact measure that which it purports to measure Reliability consistency and or stability of a measuring instrument Reasons for Lack of Validation Studies in Criminal Justice National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals Descriptions of proposed research designs should include in at least rudimentary form a comparison of the selected design with possible alternatives and where applicable an indication of the methods to be used to overcome the inherent weaknesses of the selected design Reasons for the lack of validation studies in criminal justice Little professional esteem in replication o Less professional prestige is assigned to replication studies Lack of complexity in technique o Harder to replicate not concrete facts trends in crime etc Design faults in original study o Exact replications are unlikely o Unfavorable climate o Due to the human nature of organizational findings o Most organizations have little interest in objective findings that may shed negative light on the agency Interjurisdictional disputes o Very large Tradition o Researchers tend not to view the need to carefully outline their