Research Methods
Task 1
Human beings define the socialization process. It is generally an elaborate arrangement of social, economic, social and economic factors that affect how people rely on each other and create meaning out of their interactions and interaction with their ecosystem. In many cases, various issues may crop up and hinder the achievement of the association. Such issues may prove problematic for human beings to reach a certain desired goal within a specified time (Moon and Blackman, 2017). To understand the problem, researchers conduct various studies. Simply illustrated, research is a simple call to action that informs on various arrangements.
The research comes in handy to prove a theory. Generally, research can be termed as a systemic arrangement of functions around a phenomenon that critically compels people to develop knowledge around the aspect’s existence. It subsequently caters to learning and provides the basis for a theory or speculative thinking. Research takes place through various stages. Understanding the values of these stages helps create a meaningful outlook into the process, thus creating more appreciation for the study of raw data to create meaningful information. As Moon and Blackman (2017) highlight, conducting a research project can be daunting, especially when searching for a meaningful solution to a problem. The first process in creating an environment suitable for research is defining certain terms critical within the systemic research process.
Ontology, as a methodological terminology, examines the nature of being. That is things as they are on the ground, or factors that contribute to the problem. It critically examines the nature of reality, identifying that there can be one of three realities, i.e., there can be only one reality. There is the possibility for many realities. Third, the reality is continually chattered by our actions (Moon and Blackman, 2017). According to researchers, ontology asks very important questions: whether social entities should be perceived objectively or subjectively (Bryman 2012). That is either subject to the social factors that affect their perception of reality or whether social factors do not play an important role in defining social entities and their activities.
Epistemology is the study that examines the parameters under which an individual can examine their reality. It sets the ground rules on the various ways an individual can adequately examine their reality. Epistemology addresses how an individual perceives their action, among others. Moon and Blackman (2017) identify that epistemology addresses how individuals can gain knowledge of their reality of being (nature of reality). Reality is embedded by knowledge. Defining the knowledge subjectively or objectively is key in understanding how reality is shaped. Within a research project, epistemology defines reality in three critical category approach:
• Objectivist: Here, an individual may assume reality exists outside the individual mind and conceptual process. As such, the externalities inform an individual action. This implies that there can be only one truth, and the knowledge that defines the truth can be defined (positivism).
• Constructivist: Here, the idea of truth behind reality is formulated out of the experience. There can be no single truth but multiple sense of truth (constructivism believe it is important to interpret the nature of being to define a sense of reality)
• Subjectivist: the idea of truth is intrinsic to the individual. It is further defined and reinforced within the socialization process and dependent on the individual environment and experiences that keep changing from time to time, and from one society/ community to another. There should be the best standard tool to define truth/ knowledge (an individual is constantly negotiating pragmatists reality)
Respective to Objectivity, constructivist, and subjectivity, Pretorius (2018) identifies that epistemology defines reality by proposing that knowledge is assured, the reality is interpreted or according to the subjectivist view, reality should be examined the use of the best available tools. A combination of ontology and epistemology allows a researcher to gain an all-inclusive view on how knowledge should be understood. Epistemology and ontology together formulate the research paradigm.
Establishing the research paradigm allows an individual to shape the best methodology suitable for examining reality. The methodology is how a research process should proceed and how it is done. Therefore, methodology becomes the central validation of adopting a certain research process (USC Libraries, 2020). For example, within the psychoanalytic and trait theory by Freud Sigmund, it can be established that an individual’s criminality later in life is affected by their upbringing. Researchers may decide to conduct a survey on criminals that establishes, through a questionnaire, that their childhood was immensely troublesome. Here the methodology is the parameters that point the researcher to choose criminals as their sample study (Phenomenology), rather than young children who have not yet committed a crime to be the central pillar (Grounding Theory). Researchers identify that under methodology identification is impactful into the methods used in the research process (Brookshier, 2018). Some of the examples of methodology used include:
• Phenomenology which evaluates the lived experience of the participant (Brookshier, 2018). By highlighting the subjective output of an individual phenomenon, an inquiry into this specific phenomenon manifests.
• Ethnography explores the social impacts on participants. It creates an inquiry into how socialization process plays a role into a phenomenon.
• Participatory: here participants are viewed as active researcher with an objective (Brookshier, 2018).
• Grounding theory takes the inquiry form the start. Brookshier (2018) identifies that it makes the assumption of a blank plate and begins research from a clean account.
Methods of the study include surveys, experiments, observational tactics, source existing data, and conduction of interviews, to provide insight into a theory. The method is the tool used to establish the data used for the research. It complements the methodology by creating avenues under which the data needed under a methodology should be sought. The researcher uses the modes of inquiry to establish an ideal data set (USC Libraries, 2020). All this work hand in hand to establish research.
Task 2
An interview schedule is a subsequent impact on understanding crime. The research will identify 150 participants, of male and female gender in equal proportions. The preferred participants’ age will be between 18 and 27, preferably those out of jail on parole. The participants will not be targeted based on race or class. The requirement in this regard will be to verbally reply to a psychoanalysis interview that will remain anonymous with a variety of questions that they can either answer freely or skip. Each participant will be contacted by phone and allocated five minutes’ interview at a public hall. The call will be recorded on audio. The interview can only happen if they voluntarily agree to it. Their responses must be informal and lengthy, not just one word, “yes” or “no” reply. The questions will cover their upbringing, availability of both parents, the reason for the lack of one of their other, whether the absentee parent was male or female. The more the response rates, the higher, the more accurate the research. Some key parameters to be established within the interview cover the following sentences.
Interview Overview
1. What will be the size of the participant in the interview?
2. How long will a session take place? Define the period or number of sessions?
3. What is the demographic requirement of the participants?
4. What role will the interviewer adopt? A direct role where they actively inquire or a perceived role where they observe the participant?
5. What will be the setting of the interview?
6. How will the interviewee gauge the response of the participants, and how will they verify them?
7. What method will be applied to derive data from the interview?
Task 3
This research covers the accuracy of psychoanalytic and trait theory and how they influence crime. Sigmund Freud offers a very interesting approach to human development. Freud identifies that the body and the mind are viewed as two separate entities that reinforce individuality and their personality’s general characteristic (Macionis and Gerber, 2018, p. 12). From when a person is born, various factors affect how they grow up until their early teens. It also affects how they define the society around them. Within the mind, the conscious and subconscious aspect drives the individual perception of being (Schram and Tibbetts, 2018, p. 8). This research aims to establish how the Id, Ego and Superego, associate, and help construct personality. The questionnaire will ask some of the following questions.
1. Could you describe your personality? How would you describe yourself?
2. Why did you get arrested?
3. What is your view on crime? Has it changed over the years?
4. How do you relate to your father? How often do you speak, and what do you speak about?
5. How do you relate to your mother? How often do you speak, and what do you speak about?
6. Are any of your parents abusive? Are any of your friends abusive?
7. How many of your friends have been arrested? And why?
8. What is your view on society? What do you despise, and who do you despise?
9. How old are you and how old were you when you first got into crime?
Task 4
Part 1
Completing the task portfolio has been an eye-opening experience that gave more insight into how intensive the research should be. The research process is a holistic field that evaluates how people interact with problems. It also works to establish a systemic manner in which most of the problems could be addressed. This is embedded within several ideals and procedures, all of which are needed and remain central within the research process. Ontology is one of the tasks identified, is critical to research. It remains central in creating a foundation in which people can understand each other. In this regard, it allows researchers to see they create certainty on the nature of being. By focusing on ontological implications, researchers can better contextualize a problem and identify a critical factor in viewing the problem. When someone does not recognize a problem, finding a solution becomes even harder as they will not understand the factors that drive the mode of conflict within their immediate environment. The research process categorically provides room for all these factors to be realized and considered.
Ccompleting the above portfolio gave an elaborate overview of why research is important within the social context. Within the social organization, there is a multiplicity of factors that play a role in defining how the socialization process develops and is propagated from time to time and between various people. Society plays a larger role in defining these values, but at the same time, the individual being harbors a constant role within the process. When a problem arises that compromises organization, the different perspectives also arise. All these perspectives may be true or harbor no truth in them. It is up to society to formulate a working procedure that evaluates them and gives people answers. Research is critical in creating a standard opinion that can be backed up and supported. It provides a keen and standard sense of reality that can be proved or observed. The research process should be elaborate and inclusive for it to be adopted and idealized within society.
Research is an important mental activity that inquires into the process of research and defines its importance. The research process takes a look at a subject matter and objectively evaluates the variety of processes that manifest to perpetuate a problem. Similarly, after the research, there is a need to take time and objectively create meaning of the process that materialized and informed on the research. Reflection on the research process allows people to fundamentally engage with the research and offer a thought-filled analysis of the problem. In the above text, various factors have been established to play a key role in explaining the meaning of life and propagating a certain ideal. The first task specifically takes a look at the methodological terminologies that instruct individual understanding of research. Since the research process is lengthy and elaborate, it will be important to understand the terms that define the process. They are critical in creating an objective outlook on a problem.
Part 2
Planning the research process can make all the difference in the final result of the research. Planning the research allows an individual to create wide-ranging view that inquires into an article problem and defines the characteristic solution that will be most fruitful. Similarly, evaluating the end result could be very helpful in engaging with the result material. Assessment of the process create an understanding into the mind of the researcher. It allows one to create Reflection is a cognitive practice that allows people to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. The research process creates an intentional inquiry into a phenomenon. It also allows a researcher to understand their world. This is because research identifies some very important questions into what creates the problem. It is important to consider that the inquiry process is key in creating and organizing the world. As already established, there are a variety of ways used in objectively defining problems. Research categorizes them into their agencies and further identifies their motivation creating a need for hierarchy. It provides adequate knowledge for social development. Reflection on research identifies the researcher’s conditioned though process and allows one to obtain their perspective. Researchers have an ethical responsibility to create research objectified view on life. In this regard, the inquiry into the process allows an outsider to gain an insight into the researcher’s mental perspective. It allows one to critically evaluate the research’s authenticity and provide its major advantages and failure. In so doing, it creates further discourse on the topic.
References
Bryman, A. 2012 Social Research Methods 4th edition, Oxford University Press
Brookshier, K., 2020. Method Vs. Methodology: Understanding The Difference. [online] Medium. Available at:
Macionis, J., & Gerber, L. 2018. Sociology (9th ed.).
Moon, K. and Blackman, D., 2017. A Guide To Ontology, Epistemology, And Philosophical Perspectives For Interdisciplinary Researchers. [online] Integration and Implementation Insights. Available at:
Pretorius, L., 2018. Ontology, Epistemology And Research Paradigm. [online] Available at:
Schram, P., & Tibbetts, S. (2018). Introduction to criminology.Pdf.
USC Libraries, 2020. Research Guides: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Glossary Of Research Terms. [online] Libguides.usc.edu. Available at:
