Purchase Solution

Methodology and Research Design

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Based on the chosen study, "Parental Incarceration and the Academic Outcomes for Children", what would you suggest would be an approach to these areas of research? This is a hypothetical study and general input is needed for guidance to insure that I am on the right track with the research process.

Assess the appropriateness of the theoretical framework and choice of methodology in light of identified gaps.

Evaluate how well the choice of methodology and research design is supported by the methodological and related research literature.

Evaluate the population, sample, and sampling procedures and the appropriateness of the data collection process.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Methodology and research design is examined. The expert evaluates how well the choice of methodology and research design is supported by the methodological and related research literature.

Solution Preview

Theoretical Framework Review

A theoretical framework is not just one theory or is singularly focused on theory. A framework is a structure, a foundation. In scientific research, it is the core of thought and discourse, the paradigm of perspectives that the research hinges on. A good theoretical framework will guide the research and hopefully ensure it achieves its aim. This particular study is an investigation of the effects of incarceration of parents upon their children. It is focused on the academic outcomes and life chances of children of incarcerated parents and would investigate how parental incarceration affects the children psychologically, emotionally and socially to understand the detriment that parental incarceration poses in their development. For this particular study, I have looked through a variety of previously published materials and many have driven me to focus on the negative element because of the urgency of the social issue that it has evolved into. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) via it's Children's Bureau (2012) warned, "Parental incarceration and the disruption of family relationships can produce negative outcomes for children, including poverty, poor academic performance, aggression, depression, delinquency, and substance abuse. Incarcerated mothers and fathers are unable to work on parenting skills that may be necessary for reunification, and separation interferes with the ability of parent and child to form or maintain a strong attachment." A study that I have reviewed for the purpose of laying down the groundwork for this study was that of Eric Rossen (2012) who reported that, "Approximately 1.7 million children, or 2.3% of the entire US population of children under age 18 years, have a parent in state or federal prison. Approximately half of all minor children with parents in prison are between the ages of 10 and 17 years, and more than a third will reach age 18 years while their parent remains incarcerated." Our field, the social sciences, studies and investigates the issues in society so that, via the use of scientific approaches, solutions can be formulated to resolve the problems. This particular study will be of interest to criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, social work professionals and justice professionals as their expert concerns and specializations will affect and will be affected by research in this area of study.

Theoretically, there are a host of ways to study the phenomenon, but I have decided to approach the problem from an ethnographic/qualitative viewpoint. Although the study will be predominantly ...

Solution provided by:
Education
  • MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
  • BA, University of the Philippines
Recent Feedback
  • "Thank you!:)"
  • "Excellent, thank you!:)"
  • "Thank you for your timely help. I have submitted another posting (656038) and assigned it directly to you. Please help."
  • "Thank you so much for your timely help. Much appreciated."
  • "Thanks so much for your support."
Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Research Methods for Data Collection

This quiz is designed for students to help them gain a better understanding of the different types of research and when to appropriately use them.

Sociology: Socialization & Social Groups

A refresher quiz on socialization.