I significantly revised my research paper to make sure I included all of the important elements that influence how juvenile offenders perceive their experiences. I've observed that the field is very dynamic, with ongoing improvements made to how juvenile offenders are treated and how well prisons do their jobs. The complexity of the aforementioned area of study was highlighted by Zahn et al. (2009). Therefore, it is necessary to rephrase the study question and broaden the coverage of particular areas. In order to gain more understanding of the research, I decided to include gender and cognitive-behavioral factors in my questions. For instance, I will incorporate masculinity and mental status of the juvenile offender in my interview questions to strengthen the findings in the research paper. Notably, adding the stated concerns will enable me to disentangle actual experiences which correlate with other external factors such as policy frameworks (Blaxter, 2010). I have also reconsidered involving expert assistance in the research planning process which includes more time to discuss the appropriate research design.
Problems
One of the problems I am facing is finding adequate and relevant study participants (Clarke & Braum, 2013). Juvenile delinquency is part of the history that most adults do not like to share. Moreover, obtaining the appropriate data from the penal institutions involves significant barriers due to the nature of demanded information and its sensitivity (Krosnick et al., 2015). In most cases, there are bureaucratic procedures that will consume many resources being both time and money especially in the penal facilities. Parents who are ex-juvenile offenders may avoid sharing their experience to remain role models to their children especially when the interview is to be conducted in places that are accessible to family members. The skills that I have gained in research methodologies will enable me to extract the needed information when given an opportunity. I will be presentable and formal while exercising useful communication skills, especially during interviews. Meanwhile, I have a limited network which is likely to compromise the extensiveness of my research (Blaxter, 2010). Making connections that will facilitate a relationship with penal institution and ex-offenders is part of the skills that I still require to access the information successfully.
Plans
I am already building up a team which includes experts who will offer valuable guidance on the necessary attempts and help me in conducting the research. As stated above, the juvenile justice control system is vast with multiple intervention systems (Lipsey, 2009). It makes the nature of required data relatively complex. Given fact implies that there will be great differences between the variables that explain general level of practice and individual-specific experience. Therefore, I will invite specialists from various fields to gain advice on the approach designs of the interview and the overall research trends. Moreover, I am ready to meet the rejection that will provide adequate resilience and preparedness. I already understand the difficulties that will be associated with accessing information from the correctional facilities as well as ex-offenders (Maschi et al., 2008). Therefore, I am working on strategies to make relationships with the required sources of information. I will continue to prompt both institutions and the ex-offenders to understand the importance of my study in contributing to the general well-being of the community. Besides my efforts, I am also ready to request for help in cases when it is impossible for me to reach the intended subjects with my personal efforts.
References
Blaxter, L. (2010). How to research. UK: McGraw-Hill Education.
Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120-123.
Krosnick, J. A., Presser, S., Fealing, K. H., Ruggles, S., & Vannette, D. (2015). The future of survey research: Challenges and opportunities. The National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Subcommittee on Advancing SBE Survey Research. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/AC_Materials/The_Future_of_Survey_Research.pdf
Lipsey, M. W. (2009). The primary factors that characterize effective interventions with juvenile offenders: A meta-analytic overview. Victims and Offenders, 4(2), 124-147.
Maschi, T., Hatcher, S. S., Schwalbe, C. S., & Rosato, N. S. (2008). Mapping the social service pathways of youth to and through the juvenile justice system: A comprehensive review. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(12), 1376-1385.
Zahn, M. A., Day, J. C., Mihalic, S. F., & Tichavsky, L. (2009). Determining what works for girls in the juvenile justice system: A summary of evaluation evidence. Crime & Delinquency, 55(2), 266-293.
