Research Method, Morality, and Criminology
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0000
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Abstract
This chapter explores the under-researched area of adult, career, and "serious" criminals in their natural environments. It critiques criminology textbooks for their discouragement of field research and emphasizes the necessity of sociological methods to uncover discrepancies between law-breaking and law enforcement. Furthermore, the chapter challenges the traditional alignment of criminology with social-work orientations and calls for a shift towards rigorous scientific investigation of criminal subcultures and their relation to larger societal processes.
Description
The chapter delves into various approaches to criminological research, including the limitations of reliance on official crime statistics and the benefits of direct fieldwork with adult criminals. It examines halfway methodologies like Sutherland's white-collar crime research and contemporary survey techniques, advocating for comprehensive, sociologically rich studies of criminal lifestyles.
Keywords
Criminology, Sociology, Research Methods, Adult Criminals, Career Criminals, Field Research