NCJ Number
156913
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1995) Pages: 119-136
Date Published
1995
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and structural impediments to the development and practice of a team research approach, involving inmates and outside academics, to correctional research.
Abstract
The proposed methodology would be advantageous in that it would provide a more balanced view of life, allow insights into previously restricted areas of researchers' interests, uncover more valid data, avoid procedural obstacles, and overcome the inherent constraints of penological research by using triangulation techniques. However, this methodology has the disadvantages of possibly excluding one of the researchers from phases of data collection, raising the need to compensate for differences in training and experience between researchers, and disrupting dissemination of information between researchers. The greatest structural problem faced by inside and outside researchers is restricted communication; other obstacles include the difficulties posed by restricted access, controlled data, and security concerns. 5 notes and 66 references