Research Methods: Survey, Experimental and Quasi-experimental, Qualitative, and Content Analysis

To demonstrate my understanding of these methods, I'd like to use the analogy of a crime scene or criminal case to elaborate.

Survey Research: much like questionnaires used to poll potential jurors in a criminal case, some questions are restricted to certain answers while others may be open ended. They are all used in an effort to weed out those who might already be biased toward the trial. However, sometimes the questions themselves are asked with tone or inflection that creates the 'feel of an alliance' which could potentially inspire a biased response. All potential juror survey responses, those asked by the prosecutor, defense, and judge are all combined help to determine if one is eligible to serve on that particular jury. The bias is balanced by the removal of candidates for no reason, an equal number each for the prosecutor and defense. The judge also has to power based upon survey results or open-ended responses that may conflict with a fair and equitable jury decision.

Experimental and Quasi-experimental: ______________________________.


Qualitative: the researcher is the eyewitness to the crime, even taking notes to ensure all details are captured to their fullest - all while possibly influencing the crime, actions or reactions of those involved. It could also be the law enforcement who arrives on the scene to interview the eyewitnesses, keeping track of all details in the handy little notebook including not only what witnesses say but their body language and other behaviors indicative of added meaning; this little notebook becomes part of the legal record should those charged go to trial. Especially ironic that more than one group of 12 is used "...because of the serious danger that a single group of 12 people will be too limited to offer any general insights or conclusions" (de Groot, 2012, Introduction to Research Methods Frequently Used in LIS Research) yet 12 is the single group size of the deciding group in our judicial system in the United States - determining a possible criminal's fate.

Content Analysis: the handwriting expert who can decipher the psyche of the criminal, past history, and likelihood of potential victims used in order to catch the criminal.