Research Papers

Wrongful Convictions Research Methods

The purpose of this research is to identify why policymaking fails to regulate wrongful conviction. I am studying the failure of policymaking to understand the systematic imbalances in the criminal justice system, in order to develop a holistic perspective on the shortcomings of the policies for my reader. Furthermore, I am a criminal law student, which influences this study due to the drive I possess to deconstruct and highlights potential policy failures. Similarly, my research will include lawyers-prosecution and defense-judiciary, and convicts who have suffered from wrongful conviction.

Purpose of Research
The purpose of the research is to understand the structural factors due to which policy is unable to regulate wrongful conviction. According to Booth et al. (1995), it is essential to form the significance of the research question, as failure to do so negatively affect the successful completion of research and forming insightful conclusions. Similarly, this research will highlight all potential aspects that policy fails to regulate. Its significance will be paramount, as it will give new insights and perspective on the topic.

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Why Results Matter
The results of the study are significant. It will allow all stakeholders to understand this issue from a fresh perspective. Inherent biases in human psychology prevent one to objectively analyze the situation they themselves live in. This is applicable in most cases. This research will provide outside opinions and conclusions, which are value-neutral. Consequentially, they will hold practical value for the evolution of the criminal justice system.

Access to Participants & Recruitment
In my individual capacity, I do not have access; however, my father can connect me with a state judge who went to school with him. This will help me get preliminary access. From there I will try to convince participants on my own. Furthermore, I do have the time and a resource, as the final project’s significance gives me no choice. Finally, participants will be recruited based on sample considerations. According to Urban & Van (2017), a good sample is representative of the target population accurately. Similarly, an equal proportion of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and convicts will be sampled, based on age, experience, gender, and ethnicity. This will make the study objective.

Getting Consent
Most participants in the study are professionals with little time to spare. To get their attention and time, a two-fold strategy will be used. First, a rational appeal will be made to highlight the significance of the study. Second, an emotional appeal will be made to convince them of our need to collect data. Which appeal will be most effective at which instance will be decided upon pragmatic considerations.

Explaining Participation is Voluntary
All participants will be explained during the initial engagement that their participation is voluntary. This will be highlighted before they give consent to ensure that they are convinced to change their mind if they are not willing beforehand.

Getting Permission
Participants will be provided a dossier which will ask for permission to record. It will also clarify how all information will be kept confidential and the liabilities that we incur for recording the information they provided.

Steps to Keep Identity Private
Privacy is an integral component of any research. In this context, the sensitivity of the topic makes it necessary to ensure that participants are provided absolute discretion. A number of steps will be taken to ensure that their privacy is protected. First, only last names will be recorded for record-keeping purposes. Furthermore, the designated position of the participant will be utilized to identify the participant. For instance, the data will state: a state prosecutor highlights this policy shortfall. Second, no designated geographical jurisdictions will be highlighted. This is to ensure that the circle of the sample remains as wide and vivid as possible. For instance, if it is stated that a state prosecutor in a certain state highlights a certain fact, this will make identification of the participant easier. Third, all personal information will be deleted after results are compiled. This is to ensure no traceable evidence exists which can implicate the participants. Finally, all these steps will be highlighted in the dossier that participants will be provided initially. This will address all their issues in an orderly manner, making them comfortable to participate in the research process.

How will Identity be Protected in the Final Paper
The final paper will ensure that no individual response or person is highlighted. It will be based on data analysis and the conclusions reached. For instance, it will focus on not quoting individual participants. This cannot be eliminated fully, as some quotes may be too powerful not to use, however, the paper will focus on significant conclusions. Similarly, the paper will also use the three steps in the previous sections to ensure that privacy is protected dearly.

Ethical Issues
The nature of the research will cause issues. First, a conflict of interest will rise. Second, sensitive questions from convicts will be asked, which may be strong and offensive, in order to judge the objectivity of the situation.

Data Collection
Data will be collected from three techniques. First, personal interviews will be conducted. Second, surveys will be filled. Third: participant-observation of court cases to understand potential gaps.

Copy of Informed Consent Form
This study is conducted to determine possible policy failures responsible for wrongful conviction. By agreeing to the terms and conditions, your responses will be subject to use in our research. The study will include interviews, survey, and participant-observation methods. Your privacy and identity will be kept confidential at all costs.

Copy of Interview Questions
The following are the list of questions:
Do you believe the criminal justice system has the capacity to wrongfully convict?
If yes, what are the reasons?
Which branch of the system is most responsible?
Is it policy, or its implementation that is more influential on shortcomings?
What methods do you suggest to improve the policy-making framework?

References
Booth, W, et al. (1995). The Craft of Research (3rd ed.).
Urban, J. B., & van, E. B. M. (2017). Designing and proposing your research project.
Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com Created from sfsu on 2019-03-08 01:30:37.

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