INQUIRY METHODOLOGY

INQUIRY METHODOLOGY: AN INDEPTH REVIEW

This research presents the findings of an indepth 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 discussionsdata 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 datainformation already developed and archived by others, or original information may be developed through the data collection process (Mitroff and Kilmann, 1978, pp. 37). 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. 3035; Roy, 1993, pp. 4853; Chaloupka, Saffer, and Grossman, 1993, pp. 161186; Kelly and EklandOlson, 1991, pp. 601620; Pate and Hamilton, 1992, pp. 691697; Berk, Ca

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e 0.90 or higher in order for a psychological measurement to be considered reliable. In some instances, however, psychological tests are considered reliable, if their reliability coefficients are 0.70 or higher. In formulating questions for the instrument, it is also necessary to decide whether to disguise the study objectives (Emory, 1988, p. 217). Disguising study objectives is a common practice used to minimize the introduction of distortions in responses. The use of primary data in inquiry research is a requirement where data relating to one or more of the variables of interest are not otherwise available. This requirement is particularly relevant in the measurement of intent, perceptions, and psychological characteristics. Data Analysis Procedures and Techniques Data analysis procedures and techniques may be either qualitative or quantitative in character (Bodgan and Taylor, 1975, pp. 38; Keppel, 1973, pp. 49). Only one of the 15 contemporary studies reviewed relied on qualitative analysis (Theoharis, 1992, pp. 101122). This study employed a case study approach to evaluate bureaucratic behavior in relation to an organizational function. A variety of quantitative analytical procedures were employed in the remainin

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