Research Methods Assignment: Critique of Quantitative Methods on Crime

This assignment critically examines the use of quantitative research methods, specifically questionnaires, in analyzing media representations of crime. The paper begins by highlighting the perceived benefits of questionnaires, such as their economical nature and ability to reach a diverse population, allowing researchers to gather various viewpoints. However, the paper then critiques the effectiveness of questionnaires, citing concerns about potential misinterpretations, incomplete responses, and the inability to conduct in-depth studies. The analysis contrasts questionnaires with alternative qualitative methods, such as interviews, which are considered more effective due to their capacity for clarifying responses and establishing rapport with respondents. The paper references several academic sources to support its arguments, ultimately concluding that while questionnaires have their place, they may be limited in their ability to capture the complexities of crime representations in media compared to methods offering more detailed and nuanced data collection.

RESEARCH METHODS

Table of Contents
CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS..............................................................................1
Usefulness of questionnaires on media representations of crime...............................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

CRITIQUE OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS
Usefulness of questionnaires on media representations of crime
In the modern era crime seems as topic of fascination. According to Edwards and et.al,
(2016) It has been found that media such as TV, radio, social media portray image of persons
whose who are involved in the crime. It is analysed that questionnaire is the great tool of
qualitative studies in which media representatives can gather information about crime from
potential respondents such as population of United Kingdom. Researcher can send the prepared
questions through mail to respective persons thus, it is economical beneficial method. In this tool
scholar can cover diversify people and can know their point of view. As per the view of Bjorner
and et.al, (2014) Validity of questionnaire is high as compare to other qualitative methods
because in interview of observation reliability depends upon the way in which investigator has
recorded the data.
On contrary to that Bryman and Bell, (2015) has argued that questionnaire on the subject
matter of media representation on crime is not that much effective because this information is not
that much reliable. If respondents misinterprets questions then it may affect overall study as well.
It might be possible that answers do not fill the form completely and here possibilities of
manipulation is high. Media representatives can not conduct in depth studies on crime with the
help of questionnaire thus, it is not that much effective as compare to other methods such as
interview or observation (Rensen and et.al., 2017).
As per the view of Bevan, (2014) it has been found that interview is more effective
method as compare to questionnaire because in this, easy correction of speech is possible in this
method. It develops relationship with respondents so they can share their real feeling wit h the
scholar by this way it can be analysed that whether media impact on viewers mind or not.
According to Janghorban, Roudsari and Taghipour, (2014) in the interview method investigator
selects only suitable limited candidate so authentic information can be gathered by researcher.
On contrary Ho, (2014) has argued that interview is time consuming process and biases of
interviewer can create problem in collecting related information about media representation of
crime.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bevan, M. T., 2014. A method of phenomenological interviewing. Qualitative health
research. 24(1). pp.136-144.
Bjorner, J. B. and et..al., 2014. Method of administration of PROMIS scales did not significantly
impact score level, reliability, or validity. Journal of clinical epidemiology. 67(1). pp.108-
113.
Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2015. Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.
Edwards, L. and et.al., 2016. Increasing follow-up questionnaire response rates in a randomized
controlled trial of telehealth for depression: three embedded controlled
studies. Trials. 17(1). pp.107.
Ho, J. K. K., 2014. A Research Note on Facebook-based questionnaire survey for academic
research in business studies. European Academic Research. 2(7). pp.9243-9257.
Janghorban, R., Roudsari, R. L. and Taghipour, A., 2014. Skype interviewing: The new
generation of online synchronous interview in qualitative research.International journal of
qualitative studies on health and well-being. 9.
Rensen, Y. C. and et.al., 2017. Personal semantic and episodic autobiographical memories in
Korsakoff syndrome: A comparison of interview methods.Journal of clinical and
experimental neuropsychology. 39(6). pp.534-546.
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