Crime Trends within the Aboriginal Community - Research Proposal Example

Name: xxxxxxxxxxx Course: xxxxxxxxxxx Institution: xxxxxxxxxxx Title: Research Proposal Date: xxxxxxxxxxx @ 2010 Research proposal on crime trends within the Aboriginal community Abstract This research proposal seeks to provide a systematic framework for a research study that will investigate the crime trends within the Aboriginal community. The purpose of this research is to investigate, create knowledge and find solutions for of the increasing trends of crime in the Aboriginal community. This research will be an analytical research study that will incorporate a qualitative research approach. The methodologies used will include both phenomenological and positivistic approaches. Positivistic methodologies that will be incorporated in this research study include surveys, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. On the other hand, the phenomenological methodologies that will be incorporated in this research study include case studies and action research. The data collected will be analyzed through a systematic framework that is in reference to academic conventions (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight 1998). Introduction A number of propositions in this research study will be based on the review of particular literatures that revolve around crime trends in the Aboriginal community. Key among the literatures reviewed include, “Conflict, politics and crime: Aboriginal communities and the police” by Chris Cunneen and “Crime, Aboriginality and the Decolonization of Justice” by Harry Blagg. The aim of this research study lies in, Investigating crime trends in the Aboriginal community Identifying factors that contribute to the increasing crime trends in the community Unmasking the stereotypic beliefs regarding crimes in the Aboriginal community Providing recommendations of reducing the rates of crime within the Aboriginal community The hypothesis of this research study revolves around the following questions What crimes are the people within the Aboriginal community prone to? What are the main causes of these crime trends? How can the increasing trends of crimes in the Aboriginal community be reduced or averted? (Cunneen 2001). Methodology Methodological tools that will be used in this research study include phenomenological approaches such as case studies and action research. An in-depth analysis of case studies revolving around crime trends within the Aboriginal community will be used to formulate theories and gather information regarding the subject at hand. Researchers involved in this research study will embark on an action research that introduces new techniques that are geared towards reducing crime trends within the Aboriginal community. Subsequently, the results of the newly introduced techniques will be monitored (Denscombe 2002). Furthermore, positivistic methodologies such as surveys, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies will be incorporated in this research study. The survey that is to be conducted will involve selecting a group of individuals from the Aboriginal community and collecting information from this specific group. This research will integrate both longitudinal and cross sectional, the research will be conducted over a period of time thus allowing time to make observation on whether the introduced techniques of reducing crimes within the Aboriginal community are effective. However, based on the time scale of this research study that is somewhat short, primary data from community organization and governmental agencies such as the Australian criminal and justice systems will be used to analyse various elements in this research study. Cross- sectional methodologies incorporated in this research study involves a study directed towards a particular group of people within the Aboriginal community. This study will involve a close analysis of the lives of convicted individuals within this community, thereafter conclusions will be drawn. Questionnaire and interviews will be incorporated as data collection methodologies in this research study. A group of individuals from the Aboriginal community will be randomly selected questionnaires will then be distributed to these groups of people. This questionnaire will comprise of the hypothesis questions that seek to investigate crime trends in the Aboriginal community, factors that contribute to the increasing crime trends and possible solutions for countering the increasing trends of crime. Alternatively, a number of people within the various spheres of the Aboriginal community will be interviewed regarded the increasing trends of crimes within the Aboriginal community. For instance, victims and perpetrators of crime within the Aboriginal community can be interviewed. Moreover, personnel within the Aboriginal criminal and justices systems will be interviewed. Prior to the interviews the respondents will be informed on the aims of this research study. The identity, contribution in the research findings and physical contact of the respondents will be kept confidential unless it is their will that these aspects should be revealed (Denscombe 2002). The review and critical analysis of certain literature will be incorporated as methodological tools in this research study. The literature to be analysed and reviewed in this research study include, “Conflict, politics and crime: Aboriginal communities and the police” by Chris Cunneen and “Crime, Aboriginality and the Decolonization of Justice” by Harry Blagg. These literatures were particularly selected due to the fact that they give a comprehensive and incisive outlook on the crime trends within the Aboriginal community. The authors of these books have explored the factors that have largely contributed to the increasing crime trends within the Aboriginal community. In addition they have given suggestions that are research based that can be used to reduce and avert crimes within the Aboriginal community (Blagg 2008). This research study will also incorporate sampling as a methodology. Sampling in this case will involve selecting a group of people within the Aboriginal community from a particular location to represent the community as a whole. Through the selected groups of people data collection methods such as questionnaires and face to face interviews will be used to gather information that will be interpreted and regarded as the presentation of the findings of the subject at hand. Data Analysis In this research study data analysis will entail scrutinizing and modelling the gathered data with the aim of highlighting crucial information, proposing conclusions that will lead to quality decision making. Given the fact that this is a qualitative research study, an exploratory and confirmatory data analysis will be conducted. The initial stage of data analysis entails data integration this process involves putting together the collected data. Thereafter, the integrated data will be inspected, the errors detected are corrected this process in considered as data cleaning. In the course of this process subjective decisions are avoided as this might hamper the effectiveness of this research study. Subsequent to the process of data cleaning the findings from the questionnaires, face to face interview, case studies and action research studies will be critical analysed thereafter conclusions will be drawn (Silverman 1993). Strategies of reducing biasness and increasing research validity It is apparent that in the course of research studies certain discrepancies can take place that can render the findings of the research invalid. It is therefore imperative that certain strategies should be put into place so as to reduce biasness and increase the validity of the research findings. In this research study systematic errors that are bound to occur especially when sampling or conducting surveys will be reduced or averted by increasing the sample size. By increasing the sample size, more accurate data is bound to be actualised. In this case accuracy of the data collected can be actualised by increasing the number of individuals within the Aboriginal people who are going to be interviewed or given questionnaires. The enhancement of data storage methods can play a great role in increasing the validity of the research findings. By keeping records or having back up storage for data discrepancies in the research finding can be avoided. For instance, when carrying out interviews, the interviewer can record the information given by the respondent either by putting the information into writing or using a video tape to record the conversation. In a case whereby the information that was put into writing proves to be inefficient the record on the video tape can be referred to (Collis & Hussey 2003). Randomizations during surveys or sampling activities can help to reduce biasness in the course of research studies. Groups of people to be interviewed or given questionnaires should be picked at random. Different views or perception from the respondents should be equally put into account. Ethical considerations A key ethical consideration in this research study revolves around confidentiality. Due to the fact that that the area of study is quite sensitive and may involve legal issues that may put the lives or well being of the respondents at risk confidentiality should be upheld. By upholding confidentiality the interest of the respondents will be safeguarded without compromising the standards of the research (Gill & Johnson 1997). Another ethical consideration that should be put into account during this research study involves the nature of participation, respondents should be allowed to give contributions on a voluntary basis. The respondents have a right to withdraw from the process as they wish moreover, the respondents have a right to choose their area of contribution. Time scale This research study will take place within 6 months. The first 4 months will involve data collection. The remaining 2 months will be used for data analysis, interpretation and recommendation. Disseminations of research outcomes The findings of this research study will be disseminated to the public through publications. The findings will be published, printed in booklets and thereafter distributed. Additionally, a documentary highlighting the findings of this research study can be produced. Bibliography Blagg, H, 2008, Crime, Aboriginality and the Decolonization of Justice, Hawkins Press, New York. Blaxter, L, Hughes, C. & Tight, M, 1998, How to Research, Open University Press, Buckingham. Collis, J. & Hussey, R, 2003, Business Research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students, second edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. Cunneen, C, 2001, Conflict, politics and crime: Aboriginal communities and the police, Allen & Unwin Publishers, Sydney. Denscombe, M, 2002, Ground Rules for Good Research, Open University Press, Maidenhead. Gill, J. & Johnson, P, 1997, Research Methods for Managers, 2nd edition, Paul Chapman, London. Silverman, D, 1993, Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analyzing Talk, Text and Interaction, Sage Publishers, London. Read More