INQUIRY METHODOLOGY: AN IN DEPTH REVIEW
This research presents the findings of an in depth review of literature related to inquiry methodology in the areas of law enforcement and management. The objective of this research is the development of a position concerning the appropriate inquiry methodology for a study examining the "Effects of Law Enforcement Officers Associations Upon Their Members and Agencies." The findings of this research are presented in three principal discussions data collection procedures and techniques, data analysis procedures and techniques, and the recommended inquiry methodology for a study examining the "Effects of Law Enforcement Officers Associations Upon Their Members and Agencies."
Data Collection Procedures and Techniques
Data collection for inquiry studies may rely on either secondary data information already developed and archived by others, or original information may be developed through the data collection process (Mitroff and Kilmann, 1978, pp. 3 7). Contemporary studies in the field of criminal justice and law enforcement were reviewed in relation to the application of these two approaches to data collection.
Of the 15 contemporary studies reviewed, seven relied exclusively on the use of secondary data (Minor and Hartmann, 1992, pp. 30 35; Roy, 1993, pp. 48 53; Chaloupka, Saffer, and Grossman, 1993, pp. 161 186; Kelly and Ekland Olson, 1991, pp. 601 620; Pate and Hamilton, 1992, pp. 691 697; Berk, Campbell,
Klap, and Western, 1992, pp. 698 708; Theoharis, 1992, pp. 101 122), while one study relied on a combination of primary and secondary data (Mackenzie, Shaw, and Souryal, 1992, pp. 437 454). The use of secondary data was found to be appropriate for comparisons of programs, and for the relating of known outcomes to policy alternatives. The combined use of primary and secondary data was found to be useful in a situation where data related to certain intervening variables was ...