Broken Families and Peer Influence - Research Paper Example

Methodology Hypothesis One (H1): Broken families and peer influence contributes to delinquent behavior Null Hypothesis (H0): Broken families and peer influence does not contribute to the development of deviant behavior Research method: Quantitative study to be used to obtain data on the actual cause and effect of the delinquent behavior due to broken families and peer influence by the means of statistical data. Quantitative study is critical in this research since it is more objective and reliable owing to the use statistics. Moreover, the statistics helps in generalizing findings and testing theories. This research method examines the relationship between variables thereby reducing the restructuring complexities. Sample population technique: Purposive sampling will be used in this research since it centers on specific characteristics of a population thus helping in answering research question. The sample population will be 30 respondents; we chose this number since huge sample will results to huge data. Huge amount of data will be difficult to analyse and its time consuming. In essence, we shall be specific on the characteristic of the sample population we will be conducting our research. Accessing large population can be difficult and time consuming. Moreover, this technique will generate in-depth data on the particular study. This research will base respondents on their family history of single parents/ broken family/parental history of crime/ friends of children with deviant behavior. The age group of the children will be between 11-15 years. Independent and dependent variables: peer group, family history of crimes, previous history of deviant behavior, involvement in truancy are the independent variables and delinquent behavior is the dependent variable. Coding: Gender: Male (1) Female (2) Race: White (1) Black (2) Hispanic (3) Age: 10-15 (1) The questionnaire is self-structured 25 questions with yes/ no answers. The questions addressing previous history of crime, whether the student was involved in any gangs Yes (1) No (2) Reliability and validity of instruments: Validity is the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure. We shall identify and generalize the contributing factors like broken families and peer influence. Therefore, external validity is measured on the degree to which the sample measures a particular population. Content validity may be measured by checking the representative questions related to delinquency from areas of both broken families and peer influence. Reliability is the consistency of the instrument. In this hypothesis, reliability may be measured by administering the questions to the raters and check the consistency of the answers to each question. Data Collection and Methods: Primary data method will be used to generate the factual data for the easiness of reporting. Age, gender, residence are the standard variables used. Questions will be covering details like habits, hobbies, friends, knowledge regarding the crime systems Sample question along with codes 1. Have you witnessed your friends in a crime scene? Yes (1)/ no (2) 2. Have you witnessed crime like gunshots at school? Yes (1)/no (2) Data will be collected by administering questionnaires to the respondents and a prior permission will be obtained from the authorities. Informed consent will be obtained from each participant along with consent from students parents. The questions will cover a period of 45 minutes to reduce any bias that may occur through discussions or any distractions. The use of questionnaires increases the ease to the researcher to conduct the study; data will be obtained precisely to the questions that need to be answered. Hypothesis Two: School disengagement contributes to delinquent behavior Null Hypothesis 2: School disengagement does not contribute to delinquent behavior Research method: we shall use the survey research since it is inexpensive, efficient, versatile, and easy to generalize. Sample Population and Technique: The sample population includes 50 participants and purposive sampling technique will be used. Purposive sampling generates in depth data on the particular study, as most of the participants selected will be based on their deviant behaviors at school, previously involved in crime, had disciplinary action in school. The age group of the children will be between 11-15 years. Independent and dependent variables: previous history of deviant behavior, involvement in truancy, is the independent variables and delinquent behavior is the dependent variable. Coding: Gender: Male (1) Female (2) Race: White (1) Black (2) Hispanic (3) Age: 10-15 (0) The questionnaire includes 30 questions, which will be arranged based on likert scale. The questions will address the students’ involvement in crime and emotional status during a disciplinary action at school. Strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), agree (3), strongly agree (4) Reliability and validity of instruments: We shall identify and generalize the contributing factors like school disengagement. Moderation of marks and the procedures will help in reducing reliability challenges. Moreover, we shall use simple terms and wordings in our questionnaire to enhance reliability of information collected. Therefore, for external validity, is measured on the degree to which the sample measures a particular population. Here 50 participants represent the population. Content validity may be measured by checking the representative questions related to delinquency from areas of disciplinary action from school. Reliability is the consistency of the instrument. In this hypothesis, reliability may be measured by administering the questions to the raters and check the consistency of the answers to each question. Data Collection and Methods: both primary and secondary sources of data will be essential. Quantitative data is used to generate the factual data for the easiness of reporting. Age, gender, residence are the standard variables used. Questions will cover details like involvement in crimes, emotional status during disciplinary action Sample Question: 1. Have you ever felt to destroy a school property following a disciplinary action? Strongly disagree (1) disagree (2) agree (3) strongly disagree (4) 2. Have you felt to hurt the teacher who implemented the disciplinary action? Strongly disagree (1) disagree (2) agree (3) strongly disagree (4) Data will be collected by administering questionnaires to the participants. Prior permission will be obtained from the authorities. Informed consent will be obtained from each participant along with consent from students parents. The questions cover a period of 45 minutes to avoid any bias that may occur through discussions or any distractions. The use of questionnaires increases the ease to the researcher to conduct the study; source of data is precisely on the questions answered. Confidentially is essential and will be by coding the participants in sample numbers. Hypothesis Three: Violent Video games contribute to delinquent behavior Null hypothesis (H0): Violent Video games will not lead to delinquent behaviors Research Method: The research utilized a qualitative method, where the paper will present facts concerning the causes of delinquency on adolescence. The study described the events and conditions based on the impressions on reactions of the respondents of the research. Qualitative study will be used since it provides in-depth information on the particular subject along with perception of the participants in the subject. Qualitative data provides the actual perception of the participants rather than factual responses. However, qualitative data are subjective to change based on the situations and circumstances. Sample population and technique: sample population will involve 20 participants. With 10 participants children and the rest 10 parents of the students. Random sampling will be done as it provides equal chance of every subject to fall into the study. The age group of the respondents will be between 5-8 yrs (1), 10-12 yrs (2), 13-15 yrs (3), and 16-18 yrs (4) and that of parents will be between 35-40 years. Independent and dependent variables: video games are the independent variables and delinquent behavior is the dependent variable. Coding: Gender: Male (1) Female (2) Race: White (1) Black (2) Hispanic (3) Validity and relativity of instruments in qualitative studies is not precise. However, content validity may be checked by ensuring the representation of content specific to the topic to be discussed. Sample questions: i. Do you engage in violent games? Yes (1) or No (2) ii. What is your perception on violent gaming? Very bad (1), Bad (2), fairly good (3), fair (3), good (4) iii. Does violent game improve children development? Yes (1), Not sure (2), No (3) Data collection methods: Interview and questionnaires will be administered to source for information for our research. Notably, we shall focus on two groups, where one group involves 10 student participants and the other 10 parent participants. Total three sessions will be conducted for 30 minutes once in a week for three weeks. The sessions will be conducted in the respective school. Focus group is the most reliable method for data collection. Researcher can obtain massive information quickly. The questions that are planned to discuss in the focus group. 1. Does playing video games cause aggressive behavior? 2. Should video games be selected based on the content of the games? 3. Should video games that promote violence encouraged? 4. Which age do you think is most appropriate for playing video games? Reliability: An interview plays a critical role in sourcing for data and a control measure to reliability of information. This will increase reliability since the interviewer will observe nonverbal cues. This will help to generate more response from the group with more data. The responses from the participants will be recorded using a digital tape recorder and then transcribed. Field notes will be taken for the more accuracy of data collected. Based on the data collected, themes will be generated. 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