Research methods in criminological research

• Lab study- Loftus and Palmer (car drama)

  Field experiment- Yarmey
• Yarmey:

  • Based in town centre
  • Opportunity sampling
  • Asked people if they had seen lost jewellery/ directions (mundane realism)
  • 2 mins or 4 hours later asked them to fill in a questionnaire (quantitive data- more reliable)
• Field experiments:

  • Elements of control (Yarmey: procedure, Q, time)- reliability
  • Natural environment- ecological validity
  • Yarmey- procedural validity- being asked for directions is normal
  • Yarmey: Questionnaire creates reliable data, not valid
  • Yarmey: Ppt initially atleast dont know they are ppts, so dont try to remember- reduces demand characteristics
  • No informed consent (but will be debrief)
• Piliavin- field experiment:

  • Underground
  • Victim who collapsed- blood pellet
  • Some F.E can cause distress as being an EW is distressing- Valid, but creates ethical issues
  • Can impact recall