The study of research methodologies can be daunting to many students due to complex terminology, mathematical formulas, and lack of practical examples. Now in its second edition, Criminal Justice Research Methods: Theory and Practice continues its tradition of offering a straightforward, easy-to-understand text that clarifies this complex subject matter, keeping perplexing research language and associated complexities to a minimum and ensuring that students get a practical grasp of this essential topic. New in the Second Edition: Updated examples Reworked exercises Additional discussion points New research-in-action sections After an illuminating introduction, the authors describe research design, the strategic plan that guides a research study. They present the basic principles of statistics that students of research need to know and they describe the measurement of data and how its validity and reliability are determined. They explain the differences between analytical and experimental research and describe survey research methods and sampling. Chapters on participant observation and case studies, different types of data analysis, and the complex issues surrounding ethics in research give students real-world exposure to the issues they are likely to confront in practice. The final chapters discuss the development of research plans, explain how to write research reports, provide tips on program evaluation and policy research, and offer advice on grant proposals. Defining a clear approach to the study of research, the book enables student experiencing their initial exposure to this subject to be fundamentally prepared to be proficient researchers in criminal justice and criminology.