Methods in Context

Clearly link the method to a specific content in crime mentioned in item
Use item, and expand on the points they have made - as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the content you are studying e.g. courts are easily accessible, but time consuming to watch all trials.
Lab experiment - hawthorne effect, reliable, artifical (generalisation)
Field experiment - cant control all variables, more valid (in natural setting)
Natural experiment
Participant observation - time, access(refuse), sociologist different to criminals or deviants so difficult to act this way (stand out),
Non-participant observation
Overt Observation - hawthorne effect, lack validity,
Covert Observation - ethics, only method to study crime and deviance?
Structured interview - reliable,
Unstructured interview - find meanings, higher validity,
Questionnaire - wording - linked to age,
Had: victims of crime - unstructured interviews, police attitudes - overt pp observation, prisoners experiences - questionnaires, court procedings - covert pp observation, domestic violence - unstructured interviews

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Methods in Context (2)

Official Statistics - different definitions, representative, not valid - domestic violence not reported, accessable, quick, reliable, may not have the statistics for what you're studying
Diaries, personal records
How you would go about studying the context, but then whats useful and not useful

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