Reseach (criminology) - Essay Example

ARE MEN MORE CRIMINAL THAN WOMEN BY Introduction The present study investigates whether men are more criminal than women. The basic aim of the study is look at the different theories and perspectives offered by previous authors regarding the subject. Furthermore, to study the extensive literature on the subject and analyze the data provided by British Crime Survey. The significance of the present study is that it gives an insight to the fact that men are expected to be found guilty of violent and sexual offences, theft and robbery, vandalism and motoring crimes.

On the other hand, women are expected to be the victims of certain kinds of offense such as mistreatment and violence (Campbell 1981).2. Literature ReviewCampbell (1981) suggested that males were expected to be prosecuted, whereas females are overlooked. Pollak (1961) indicated that females’ offences were hidden and guilty offenders signified only a small fraction of female crime. Heidensohn (1985) suggests that:Women are limited in their chances to commit crime due to their domestic roles.

They are restricted by terror of male abuse especially rape or sexual harassment.They are controlled at work.They are restricted by the fear and idea of the actual happening of abuse so they restrict their actions. 3. MethodologyA qualitative research design was used in the study. The reason for not using a quantitative research design is that it involves extensive surveys and field researches, which was beyond the scope of the present study. For this paper, extensive research of the available literature on the subject was carried out.

Widely representative samples of journals related to the topic were selected. Furthermore, recent data from the British Crime Survey was also used in the study. Secondary data in form of fifty journals and recent facts and figures from the British Crime Survey was used as a research method in the study. The reason for this was that the authors of the journals used in the study had already carried out extensive empirical researches on the matter and their findings could be analyzed to get a comprehensive view of the area under study.

Also, the British Crime Survey provided an overall view of the number of crimes committed by men and women. The data collected for the research was both valid and reliable as empirical research had already been carried out by the authors of the journals selected in the research. Moreover, the British Crime Survey is a reliable source of data. Once the journals had been carefully selected, a careful content analysis of the articles was carried out using the Nvivo software which is a valuable tool in interpreting unstructured qualitative data (QSR international 2010).

The ethical concerns that could be encountered during the research might be related to using another individual’s work and not providing with appropriate referencing. The limitations of the research are that firstly, the British Crime Survey only provides reported crimes. This means that the there could be variance in the data if the unreported crimes were also included in the survey. Secondly, the use of secondary data in form of journals is also a limitation as it limits the scope of the study.

If surveys and interviews had been used for data collection, then the study could offer greater insight of the present situation regarding the research.4. Research TimetableFirstly, the required number of journals would be collected along with the data from the British Crime Survey. This would take approximately two weeks. Once all the relevant information is collected, the research would proceed with the introduction of the research in which the topic would be clearly explained along with its aims, objectives and significance.

Different theories regarding the subject would be provided. After the completion of the introduction, the literature review which would include the journal selected for the research would be done. Both the introduction and the literature review might take two to three more weeks. After this, the methodology would be undertaken, which would explain the research design, data collection methods, instruments used, etc. This should not take more than a week. Then the data collected would be analyzed and interpreted using personal findings and in relation to past researches.

This would further take one to two weeks. Lastly, the ethical concerns and limitations of the study would be discussed which would take only a couple of days.REFERENCESCampbell, A. (1981) ‘Girl delinquents’, Available at: http://www.marcialise.com/female_ offenders.pdf (Accessed 10 February 2010)Heidensohn, F. (1985) ‘Women and Crime’, Available at: http://www.britsoccrim.org/volume2/ 001.pdf (Accessed 10 February 2010)Pollak, O. (1961) ‘The criminality of women’, Available at: http://www.

marcialise.com/female _offenders.pdf (Accessed 10 February 2010)QSR international (2010). ‘Nvivo software’, Available at: http://www.qsrinternational.com/ (Accessed 10 February 2010)