Formulating a Research Question

Conclusion

In conclusion, the forensic mental health professional is very much a part of the research landscape within the field as it is essential to stay up to date on the most recent tests and evidence-based treatment. Moreover, the most relevant area of research in the field is the issue of recidivism, which includes addressing how to reduce repeat offending as well as identifying individuals who are most likely to engage in repeat criminal behavior. While criminal behavior will likely never end, it remains important to investigate the reasons for it and the treatment of it in the hopes of reducing its occurrence.

Research in this area must utilize the scientific method in order to engage in a meticulous procedure for gathering new data and gleaning conclusions from it. An important part of this process includes making observations about phenomena based on the current literature, which is best obtained from peer-reviewed journals since they are the best type of scholarly source for information. After observations are made, the next step is to formulate a well-crafted research question to shape into a meaningful hypothesis that can be tested. Although your major project in this class does not involve conducting actual research, it is important to understand how the process of experimentation occurs, including the steps leading up to it in order to appreciate the process by which the important findings in the forensic mental health field have been obtained. Each module in this course will prepare you to do so.