Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology (Advanced) Training Course

Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology (Advanced) Training Course

Introduction

Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology (Advanced) Training Course is a high-level program designed for criminologists, law enforcement professionals, policy analysts, and academic researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of qualitative methodologies in crime and justice studies. In today's complex criminal justice environment, the demand for data-driven policy decisions and contextual analysis is increasing. This course explores cutting-edge techniques such as ethnography, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, participatory research, and discourse analysis, all tailored for real-world criminological applications.

Participants will be equipped with practical fieldwork skills, enhanced analytical capabilities, and advanced tools for understanding criminal behavior, institutional practices, and social justice concerns. Through immersive modules and detailed case studies, learners will gain proficiency in conducting ethical, rigorous, and impactful qualitative research that contributes to evidence-based policing, restorative justice initiatives, violence prevention, and criminal justice reform.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the role of qualitative research in evidence-based criminology.
2. Apply ethnographic techniques in criminal justice fieldwork.
3. Conduct interviews and focus groups for criminological inquiry.
4. Utilize grounded theory to generate crime-related theories.
5. Analyze narratives and life histories of offenders and victims.
6. Design case study research in crime and justice settings.
7. Apply discourse and content analysis in media and court data.
8. Navigate ethics in criminological field research.
9. Use coding and thematic analysis with qualitative software.
10. Integrate community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods.
11. Critically assess criminological literature using qualitative lenses.
12. Interpret cultural and institutional influences on crime through qualitative data.
13. Develop and present policy recommendations from qualitative findings.

Target Audience

1. Criminologists and criminal justice researchers
2. Law enforcement professionals and investigators
3. Correctional officers and prison staff
4. Social justice advocates and reformists
5. Policy analysts and lawmakers
6. Forensic psychologists and counselors
7. Graduate students in criminology and sociology
8. NGO and community-based crime prevention workers

Course Duration: 10 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Qualitative Research in Criminology

• Overview of qualitative paradigms
• Differences between qualitative and quantitative methods
• Key criminological research questions
• The importance of context in crime studies
• Overview of qualitative design strategies
• Case Study: Exploring gang culture through ethnographic immersion

Module 2: Ethnography and Participant Observation

• Fieldwork planning and design
• Immersive techniques in criminological environments
• Managing field roles and researcher identity
• Capturing fieldnotes and reflexivity
• Dealing with access and trust in criminal settings
• Case Study: Undercover observation in high-risk neighborhoods

Module 3: In-depth Interviews and Focus Groups

• Structuring criminological interviews
• Conducting offender and victim interviews
• Recording and transcription protocols
• Moderating sensitive discussions in focus groups
• Building rapport with vulnerable populations
• Case Study: Focus group with formerly incarcerated youth

Module 4: Grounded Theory and Theoretical Sampling

• Basics of grounded theory in criminology
• Theoretical vs purposive sampling
• Constant comparative method
• Memo writing and theoretical coding
• Emergence of mid-range criminological theories
• Case Study: Developing a theory of youth radicalization

Module 5: Narrative and Life History Research

• Understanding life stories in criminology
• Timeline construction and memory recall
• Biographical disruptions and trauma
• Analyzing offender life courses
• Connecting micro-narratives to social structures
• Case Study: Life history of a reformed serial offender

Module 6: Discourse and Content Analysis

• Identifying discursive practices in legal texts
• Media framing of crime
• Coding and categorizing language use
• Examining police reports and court transcripts
• Power and ideology in criminal narratives
• Case Study: Media discourse analysis of domestic terrorism

Module 7: Case Study Design in Criminology

• Selecting bounded units of analysis
• Triangulation of qualitative evidence
• Thick description and contextual depth
• Cross-case analysis
• Limitations and generalizability
• Case Study: Case study of wrongful conviction appeals

Module 8: Participatory and Action-Oriented Methods

• Community engagement principles
• Collaborative knowledge production
• Role of the researcher as facilitator
• Data co-creation with marginalized communities
• Evaluating intervention outcomes
• Case Study: Participatory research with prison reform groups

Module 9: Ethics and Reflexivity in Criminological Research

• Informed consent and legal risks
• Researcher safety and trauma care
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Navigating dual roles and bias
• Institutional review board processes
• Case Study: Ethical dilemmas in research with sex offenders

Module 10: Coding and Thematic Analysis

• Manual vs software-assisted coding
• Developing a coding framework
• Generating themes and subthemes
• Visualization of qualitative findings
• Tools like NVivo and Atlas.ti
• Case Study: Thematic analysis of prison narratives

Module 11: Policy-Oriented Criminological Research

• Translating findings into policy
• Stakeholder engagement and lobbying
• Policy briefs and impact evaluation
• Evidence-informed crime prevention strategies
• Communicating complexity to non-experts
• Case Study: Policy reform from domestic abuse research

Module 12: Cultural and Institutional Qualitative Analysis

• Symbolism and rituals in criminal subcultures
• Institutional ethnography
• Power structures in corrections and policing
• Analyzing organizational culture
• Impact of policy and bureaucracy
• Case Study: Institutional ethnography of juvenile detention

Module 13: Comparative and Global Qualitative Criminology

• Cross-cultural research design
• Challenges in translation and interpretation
• Transnational criminal phenomena
• Global justice systems comparison
• Local context in international research
• Case Study: Comparative study on youth gang recruitment in Kenya and the UK

Module 14: Communicating Qualitative Research

• Academic vs public writing
• Visual storytelling and digital tools
• Presenting to criminal justice stakeholders
• Ethics of dissemination
• Writing qualitative research reports
• Case Study: Creating a digital story from victim interviews

Module 15: Capstone Project and Presentation

• Proposal development
• Data collection in a selected field
• Full data analysis and write-up
• Peer review and feedback
• Final presentation to expert panel
• Case Study: Original student-led qualitative criminology project

Training Methodology

• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Field-based qualitative data collection exercises
• Group work and collaborative analysis
• Hands-on coding practice using software tools
• Reflective journaling and peer review sessions
• Real-life case study integration for each topic

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.