M3D1: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Upon successful completion of this activity, students will be able to: 1. Explain the concept of social deviance and provide examples of deviant behavior in

M3D1: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

Upon successful completion of this activity, students will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of social deviance and provide examples of deviant behavior in social context.5. Assess contemporary literature in the field of criminal justice (Criminal Justice Major Outcome 4).6. Identify ethical problems faced by individuals or communities and propose reasonable solutions (General Education Outcome 5).

As you read Part III of your text and the Instructor’s Notes, think about questions you have started to develop about deviant behavior and imagine how these kinds of data could provide answers to your questions. Imagine that you are a social scientist with a large grant to carry out a research project. Think about what could be gained from each kind of data, as well as what could be lost.

After reading Chapter 14, “Researching Dealers and Smugglers,” (pp. 132-147) in Adler & Adler, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of conducting this kind of research as a participant observer (as Adler did). Discuss which questions this project attempts to answer. Could these questions have been answered through official statistics or survey data? If so, how? What would be gained by using one of these approaches? What would be lost?

Evaluation Criteria

o          Note: Please contribute one original post in response to each discussion question.  Response should be 2-3 paragraphs or at least 400 words and include citations and references in APA format. As always be mindful of plagiarism.