Criminology & Criminal Justice: Research Design on Alcohol Crime

This criminology report addresses the critical issue of alcohol-related violence, particularly in Australia, where it significantly affects the youth population. The study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing a longitudinal approach to assess the impact of government policies, such as CCTV camera installations in public areas, on reducing violent crime. Data collection focuses on analyzing recorded incidents to determine the effectiveness of these measures, with a control group critically evaluating the changes observed. The research timeline spans fourteen months, involving participant orientation, trial runs, and meticulous data analysis, while also considering external variables that may influence the research outcomes. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, are paramount throughout the study to ensure the integrity and reliability of the findings, which aim to inform and improve strategies for preventing alcohol-related violence.

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Introduction
Violence that is related to alcohol has been a critical issue that has affected most of the
countries and especially those whose population mainly comprises the youth. Australia as a
country has also been affected greatly when it comes to alcohol related violence. There has been
a significant rise in the number of reported cases that involve violence caused by alcoholism over
the last few years. Alcohol abuse is common among the youth for both the employed ones and
the non-employed ones. A recent study revealed that the number of violence reported was higher
among the youth who were unemployed than the employed ones.( Bachman, &
Paternoster,2016).This is basically due to the fact that these youths engage in alcohol abuse for
most part of the day and thus it reaches a pit that there are completely intoxicated and therefore
engage in fights and other violence related activities. They end up committing crime using
violence which causes great harm to them and my eventually lead to death sometimes. It is
estimated that about 22% of people that are over 14 years of age have at least experienced an
incident of alcohol violence.furthermoer,1 of 4 people have suffered abuse due to the influence
of alcohol while in terms of cost, it is estimated that $124m can be attributed to the loss of life
occasioned by alcohol related violent crime. (Blomberg, Brancale, Beaver,& Bales,2016)
There are specific areas in the country that are more prone to violence related to alcohol
such as premises that are fully certified to conduct businesses. This is such one area in which the
youth meet in large numbers and thus the chances of violence occurring are high. There are a
number of measures which have tried to be put in place in order to reduce or completely do away
with the vice. This has included both actions by the individual people in the community who feel
the need to protect their loved ones from being affected by the alcohol violence and that of the
government. There have been several polices that have been formulated to ensure that the

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
country deals firmly with the situation and thus prevent the various harm that can be brought by
this action. These policies have developed strict regulations that prescribe tough measures to be
taken to those engaging in violence after consuming alcohol. (Bynum, & Huebner,2016)
Recent research’s done have tried to establish an effective approach which can be used
to try and discourage the occurrence of violence due to alcohol. The approaches have focused
mainly on the security are which is very critical when I comes to violence. The success of this
approach depends on the kind of security measure that is in place and how this is firmly
implemented in order to achieve the desired results. This research will look at the best way in
dealing with this vice and thus avoid the harm that may be brought by it. We will look at the
better method of collecting data and also if the research design is longitudinal or cross sectional.
The research design will also explain on how the research has been carried out with a detailed
explanation of the steps taken and also the ethical considerations that have been considered in the
process.( Dantzker, Hunter,& Quinn,2016)
Research design
The research on the violence related activities will be done and analyzed through the data
collection method. The method that will be chosen for this purpose will be the quantitative data
as it provides a more accurate result of the research variable in question. This will enables us to
know of the exact figures that are present when it comes to alcohol related violence and thus a
more accurate statistic can be generated form the data collected. The research will look into the
government policy of installing CCTV cameras at the public places in which people consume
alcohol and also the nearby streets and alleys that are notorious for violent crime.( Davies,&
Francis,2018).We will carry out a survey of the number of the cameras that are working

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
effectively and the statistics of the number of cases that have been prevented or those that the
cameras have assisted in apprehending the perpetrators of these crimes. In doing so, the research
will take the longitudinal way of research design as we will be observing the same sample of
people over a period of time. This is important as we will be able to compare the results of the
sample in different times and thus be able to determine the level of change that has occurred in
the space of the different time in which the research has been done.( Gau,2018)
The research will focus on a number of buildings that have the cameras installed ad
which will be chosen randomly in order to not have a predetermined outcome. In this research, it
is important to have a team of people that will be involved with the actual research and also have
another team that will be tasked with the analyzing of the results from the data collected. This
group known as the control group is crucial as it will critically analyze and compare the changes
that are there in the sample observed and thus give a more accurate solution than if only one
team was involved in the whole process. The research will involve actual visitation of the sites
in which the sample is located in order to have a data that is highly reliable and which will give a
more detailed and conclusive findings and recommendations form the research work. This will
also allow us to have first-hand information on the actual variable and this provides more
efficiency in terms of conducting research. (Joyce,2018)
Also, it is important that we analyze and carefully consider the kind of external variables
that may affect the final outcome or compromise the quality of the research work that is being
done. This may include the behavior of the people who engage in alcohol related activities,
weather and other natural unforeseen circumstances. These are very crucial factors which should
be properly assessed when it comes to research work and thus prevent the accuracy and
reliability of the findings from the research.

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Data collection
The data collection method that will be employed in this research will be that of
quantitative. This is due to the simpler reason that we require the right kind of information that is
accurate and reliable within a short period of time. The data collection method comes in handy as
it does not requires a lot of time for it to be analyzed and the relevant findings made.the fact that
it is a longitudinal type of research design makes it quite easy to undertake the research and
come up with conclusive results. Data retrieved from the sample will be stored and may be
referred to incase of any queries that may arise out of the results that will have been submitted.(
Maxfield,2015).The method will record all the violent activities that will have been captured by
the available cameras on a routine basis. This is important as it will enable us to know of the
specific changes that may have occurred over the period of time. This method of data collection
will require the support of the owners of the buildings and the relevant government agencies in
retrieving of the crucial information that will have been recorded by the cameras.it will also
require that great care is taken to ensure that none of the recordings are tampered with in order to
provide the researchers with the correct analysis of the data retrieved.
Furthermore, the method is more accurate as compared to other methods of data
collection.it is important to note that this process involves the high and detailed scrutiny of the
data collected and thus the findings that are produced from the research are ones that will greatly
change the implementation of the solutions to the issue of alcohol related violence. The statistics
will be there for a long time and may be used even in the future when it comes to the analyzing
of the same issue by different researchers. There are normally different ways in which the
alcohol related violence occurs and this will be completely captured through the data collection
method. The incidents of violence may be either single or multiple kind of violence. A single

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
incident is one that involves two persons while the multiple incidents is one that may involve
several number of people committing the violence. This information is crucial as it will give a
clearer analysis of the kind of violence that is more common and this will be portrayed better by
the quantitative analysis. Also, it is critical as the research will be focusing on the type and
number of incidents that are occurring and how best to prevent them and also prevent the harm
that may arise out of the incidents. Therefore the quantitative technique best suit the kind of
research work that we will be undertaking.( Pakes,2017)
Timeline and plan
The period of the research work is expected to cover around fourteen months. During this
period, there will be extensive observation and assessment of data generated in order to give out
the correct information. The period will be divided into several parts with each part getting the
allocation of the kind of work that is supposed to have been completed by the end of the said
period. This will ensure that a proper time line is followed and also prevent the overlapping of
duties and time due to the lack of a proper definition of what time each work should take.
(Reid,2015).The research will involve participants who are highly motivated to undertake the
work and who will be able to sit for a long time and observe and analyze the data. The purpose
for tis is to ensure that the reliability of the data collected is not compromised by the mere fact of
the people involved terminating their employment or simply by the relocation of the people. This
will therefore call for people who will be fully committed until the end of the research. This
assessment for the suitable people to carry out the research will form mainly the first stage of the
research work.

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The next stage will be to orient the participants on the kind of research work that we will
be doing. This is an important step as it enables everyone to know the kind of output that they
will be required to produce and thus save time when it comes to the actual work. This stage will
also ensure that the people involved in the research are fully aware of the parameters that they
are required to observe as they go about their work. The fact that the data collected will be
source from the installed cameras means that the principle of informed consent needs to be
applied. This will imply that the people doing the research will be comfortable once they are
ensured that this has been obtained in order to avoid the implications that may follow if this
ignored.( Roberts,2018)
The research will also use about 3 months of the whole timeframe to conduct a trial of the
research work to be done. This is important as it enables the researcher to know of the various
issues that are critical to the success of the research and thus be able to incorporate them before
the actual work begin. This stage is also useful as it enables the system to be tested in order to
ascertain its capabilities in carrying out an efficient research. The next plan will be the collection
and analysis of data and the submission of the same t the control group. The team involved in
collection of data will carry out their work and hand over the data to the control team which will
assess and do a critical analysis. They will come up with the relevant findings that will be
important in dealing with the alcohol related violence and he harm it poses.
The final stage or plan will be the evaluation of the research work in order to determine
the strengths and the weakness that were witnessed during the research work. This is a very
crucial step as t gives the people undertaking the research the knowledge of how the process can
be improved further and also list any form of hindrance that may have affected the research
work. Also, there is an analysis of whether the recommendations of the search have been

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
published in order for them to contribute to the prevention of alcohol related violence and
whether it has made any significant input in the fight against the vice in the country. (Walker,&
Maddan, 2019)
Additional ethical considerations
There are several ethical issues that have to be considered as we undertake this research
work.it is important for the participants to be aware that no form of harm may befall them as they
go on doing their work. One of the principles of research is to ensure that the participant does not
suffer by the mere fact that he has only taken place in the research work. In case this is not
upheld, there will be no participant who will be willing to get involved in any form of research.
( Weisburd,2015)
Also, the use of cameras is a sensitive issue as the evidence retrieved form the CCTV
may affect the level of violence that is already present due to influence of alcohol. The kind of
information that is depicted there may influence a rise in violence. Although the people in charge
of the research do not envision this, it is something that they need to consider ethically as it may
greatly impact the research work. The rise in violence will defeat the purpose of the research
which was to find a way of dealing with the alcohol related violence and its harm. Therefore, if
the videos form the cameras lead to more violence, then the research work need to be suspended
or terminated in totality. (White,Haines,& Asquith,2017)
To add to this, the research has to consider the issue of voluntary participation. This is an
important ethical issue as the people who are involved in research have to do so on their own
wanting and not to be forced by anyone. This ensures that the information given out is accurate
and more reliable as the person giving it is more comfortable.

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Conclusion
Alcohol related violence is a vice that needs to be urgently dealt with due to the number
of casualties that are reported every day. The research has tried to come up with a way in which
the violence can be critically looked into and ways formulated that will see its reduction.
Therefore, it will be important if the suggestions form the research could be adopted in order to
deal with this issue. The fact that we used a quantitative form of data collection which is more
accurate and reliable should ensure that the types of recommendations that come out of the
research work are more reliable.
Also, the use of the longitudinal design was very clever as it gave the research the much
needed accuracy that it deserves as the people involved were only able to deal with the same
observation with the time of the observation only changing. This is more advantageous as
compared to other form of designs in which they are several variables that are changing which
makes the work done to be tedious and complex. This reduces the chances of obtaining high
accurate results as compared to the use of the longitudinal design. Ethical considerations are an
important aspect of any research and thus the factoring of ethics I the research work goes a long
way in contributing to the success of the research work. (Wortley,& Townsley,2016)

Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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Running head: CRIMONOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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