CCJS 300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Polygraph

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Course: CCJS 300
• Professor: Alan Lehman

Document Summary

Surveys record either expressed attitude or claimed behavior and seldom the behavior itself. Clearly formatting the research problem and the data required to speak directly to the research problem. Variables list: a list of variables being measured keyed to the question number in the questionnaire which are designed to measure each variable. Dummy tables: preliminary blank tables constructed prior to data gathering that suggest the type of data needed, as well as the type of data analysis. Language must be geared to the target population. Care must be taken to identify clearly who should answer the questions. Avoid assuming prior information on the part of the respondent. Avoid asking more than you need to know. Avoid response set patterns by using reversal questions. Decide whether open-ended or close-ended questions are best. Do not assume that the respondents have all the information necessary to make a meaningful or informed decision.