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Journal Article Assignment 2
What is the primary research question asked in this article?
The primary research question answered in this article is the difference between various kinds of prisoners living in the prison facility. There are usually two types of inmates living in the jail facilities, one is the gang members and the others are the common inmates that do not belong to any specific group or gang.
The researcher also discusses about the difference in effects of the presence of the members belonging to a gang and the inmates who had committed the crimes independently. Along with this, the researcher also takes into the account the mental illness of various jail inmates; how the mental illnesses of the inmates effects the safety and security of the other jail inmates.
The researchers draw a nationally representative, random sample in this study. Why is a nationally representative, random sample important for generalizability (be sure to define generalizability in your answer)?
In this study, the author has made use of a random sample that can be nationally represented. A random sample is very much necessary in order to increase the generalizability of the study. It increases the validity of the study and the research results can be applied in any kind of settings.
The generalizability of a study means that to what extent a study is valid if is applied to any other settings apart from those in which it was originally conducted. A good research study or research is extensively generalizable .Its results can be applied anywhere and in any kind of settings no matter what the circumstances are, a study stands out to be externally valid if it describes the true state of affairs outside its original settngs. In broader terms, the generalizability of the study depends upon what is being studied and what are the inferences being required of the study.
Explain the researchers’ sampling methodology step-by-step. In your explanation, identify the study’s population, elements, sampling frame, and sampling units.
The researcher adopted the method of random sampling, the sample selected in this respect was the “special needs” jail populations, including persons with mental illness, gang members, repeat offenders, and long-term inmates. With the exception of six states that had integrated state jail systems, all states were included in the sample. A random sample of jails was completed, choosing facilities listed in the American Jail Association’s (2003) Who’s Who in Jail Management. (Ruddell).
They chose the method of survey to collect the data and then inferred the results from them. Random sampling method is an excellent method to collect data from a large source of people and a large number of individuals participate in the data collection process.
The researchers, first of all, contacted the jail administrators personally so that the response rate could be better. The administrators assured complete corporation in this respect, for the purpose of the research and development.
After that, the second step was the distribution of the surveys or the questionnaire. The surveys were mailed and faxed to the inmates or the jail facilities. The researchers found this way of distribution to be very effective as they got maximum responses back. The response to the surveys sent via fax was much quicker as compared to the surveys distributed via e-mails or mail.
What were the shortcomings of this sampling strategy? How might have they affected the results?
Although Random sampling is a very effective and useful way of sampling, it may bring multiple shortcomings and drawbacks with it. Firstly, Random sampling is not a very successful method to gather data. The sample is just randomly picked and everyone has a chance of getting selected, which may also pose any incompetent person to participate in the study (Bachman). One the other hand, this sampling strategy does not pick specific sample for the study; as it choses any random person to participate in the study, it may damage the quality of results and the generalizability of the study. One of the biggest issue that may arise in this sort of sampling is the size of population; the size of population should be large enough so that a small sample can be drawn out of it for research.
Works Cited
Bachman, Ronet D., and Russell K. Schutt. Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice. Sage Publications, 2016.
Ruddell, Rick, Scott H. Decker, and Arlen Egley Jr. "Gang interventions in jails: A national analysis." Criminal Justice Review 31.1 (2006): 33-46.
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