Qualitative Research in Criminology: Cutting-Edge Methods

Description

This volume introduces innovative and inspired qualitative methods through topics on crime commission, victimisation and crime control. It highlights how qualitative methods offer significant insights that frame our understanding of the narratives, events, theoretical perspectives, and realities of the social world. This book includes chapters discussing cutting-edge methods, which demonstrate how qualitative research can expand beyond traditional approaches. It offers diversity in research, including gender, race, and geographic sensitivities. The volume addresses a multitude of approaches for using qualitative methodologies, including innovative uses of  technology mediums―such as social media, participatory videos, Zoom interviewing, and photographic visual methods―as means of collecting and co-producing relevant data on meaning. Ultimately, this book illustrates how qualitative criminology allows for deeper and more nuanced understandings of local and regional specificities in a globalized world, and how social interactions are influenced by individual interpretations, social interactions, and collective decision making. This volume is an essential read for graduate students and researchers in criminology and other social science disciplines interested in qualitative empirical research and informed policy making.   Introduction Contents About the Editors Part I: Adapting to a New World Overview References Chapter 1: Photo-Based Research with Vulnerable Groups: Breaking Frames for Researchers, Participants, and Audiences Photo-Based Research with Vulnerable Groups: Breaking Frames for Researchers, Participants, and Audiences Using Photography in Research Contextualizing Breaking Frames Through Photo-Based Research Breaking Frames and Shaping Narratives Researcher Frame Breaks Participant Frame Breaks Audience Frame Breaks Conclusion References Chapter 2: Breaking the Shackles of Academic Capitalism: Academic Life, Liberation and Ethnographic Innovation Gap in the Market Our Current Context: Academic Capitalism More Gaps in the Market Breaking the Shackles from the Spanish Inquisition…I Mean the Spanish Institution Freedom and Ethnographic Innovation In the City Shadows: Drug Addiction and Violence Between the Nooks and Crannies of Western Democracy: The Plight of Europe’s Swelling Refugee Population Cultural Underbelly: Working in a Luxury Brothel Discussion. Broken Shackles and Ethnographic Freedom References Chapter 3: Mixed Methods: A Justification, Explication, and Example Why Use Mixed Methods? A Concurrent Nested Design Example An Unexpected Disruption: The Global COVID-19 Pandemic Discussion References Part II: The Growing Relevance of the Online World Overview Chapter 4: Smart Researching in Criminology: Virtual Ethnography at the Edge Introduction The Criminological Relevance of Social Media in Virtual Ethnography Some Notes on Researching Deviance Online Criminological Verstehen Within Italian Trap Culture Interacting Through Instagram Conclusion References Chapter 5: Researching Political Corruption and White-Collar Crime on the Internet Researching on the Internet Medical Fraud Political Corruption Financial Fraud: The Savings and Loan Crisis Corruption and White-Collar Crime in China White-Collar Delinquency Conclusion References Chapter 6: Online Methods in Qualitative Criminology Introduction Phenomenon and Method Online as a Phenomenon Online as a Method Using Qualitative Online Methods in Criminology Online Interview (Synchronous and Asynchronous) Online Focus Group Online Questionnaires and Surveys Online Participant Observation and Ethnography Mobile and App-Based Methods Video, Photo or Audio Elicitation and Diaries Advantages for Criminologists in the Use of Online Methods Asynchronous Possibilities Recruitment, Costs and Logistics Accessibility Disadvantages for Criminologists in the Use of Online Methods Ethics and Consent Transferability Methodological and Technical Challenges Concluding Comments References Part III: Methodological Innovations Overview References Chapter 7: Trigger Warnings, Feeling Rules and Other Lessons from the Inside: The Emotional Labour of Qualitative Prison Research Introduction Convict Criminology and the Value of Inclusive Prison Research The Emotional Labour of Qualitative Prison Studies Reflexive Account of Working on ‘Feeling the Carceral’ Strategies of Coping with the Emotions of Doing Critical Prison Research Conclusion References Chapter 8: Sensory “Heteroglossia” and Social Control: Sensory Methodology and Method Introduction Ontological Questioning Epistemological Grounding Methodological Inquiry Conclusions References Chapter 9: Towards Visual and Sensory Methodologies in Green Cultural Criminology Introduction A Visual and Sensory Approach for Green (Cultural) Criminology Interviews-with-Visual-Materials Beyond the Visual: A Sensory Criminology? Itinerant Soliloquies as a Sensory Methodology Understanding Communities and Cultures That Base Their Relationship with Nature on Sensory Experiences ‘Ways of Sensing’: Sensory Methods and Indigenous Cultures Conclusion References Part IV: The Connecting Power of Languages Overview References Chapter 10: How to Deal with “Doing Social Inequality” by “Doing Criminological (Qualitative) Research” Introduction Introducing the Concepts of Social Inequality, Doing Social Problems, and Reconstructive Sociology Social Inequality Doing Social Problems The Sociology of Knowledge Reconstructive Sociology How Specific Criminological Knowledge Is Produced Conclusion: The Need to Strive for a Sensitive Approach – And Work on Our Limitations References Chapter 11: Shooting Poachers on Site: Reflections on the Use of Photography in Active Offender Research Introduction Context: Researching Illegal Hunting in Uganda Using Photography in Active-Offender Research Our Uses of Photography Example 1: The King’s Palace and the Trappings of Royalty Example 2: Growing Up in a Hunting Culture Example 3: Social Dynamics Ethical Reflections on Using Photography in Active Offender Research Developing an Ethical Framework for Managing the Risk of ‘Group Harm’ Conclusions References Chapter 12: Language Matters: Doing Systematic (Critical) Discourse Analysis Introduction Criminology’s Murky Relationship with (Critical) Discourse Analysis Systematic, Rigorous, and Credible Analysis Concluding Thoughts References Part V: Praxis: Pondering and Publishing Overview References Chapter 13: The Future Is Already Here: Covid-19, Criminology, and Crime Introduction: The Game Changer Lockdown and the Ideological Merger of All Social Institutions New Hope or Old Futures in Disguise? Ripped, Torn, Then Shredded: Tensions in the ‘New Normal’ Taboo Topics: Spiralling Inequality, Social Harm, and the Resulting Parallel Collateral Damage Social Science Judgement Day References Chapter 14: “Being” Ethical in Research Ethics: Is It Worth Reading About It – Again? Cutting-Edge Methods and Ethical Dilemmas “Being” Ethical in Criminological Research Ethical Considerations in Contemporary Crises References Chapter 15: What Now and How? Publishing the Qualitative Journal Article Tips for the Tenacious Researcher Information That Seems Inconsequential Is Imperative Conclusion: Revisions and Rejections References Index