The target population for the research study will primarily be homicide-convicted criminals in the prison system. An in-depth look at the American judicial system, wherein women are largely under-represented, will provide insight into gender-based sentencing disparity (Geppert, 2022). Incarcerated offenders will be divided according to the time spent, ranging from recently convicted to those serving current sentences, and if possible, subject to capital punishment. 1200 subjects will be chosen from 6 male and 6 female prisons using simple random sampling to provide an accurate population representation. Moreover, the plan is especially resourceful due to the large prison population.
In this case, individuals are the main units of analysis since the research aims to reveal gender-based differences in homicide sentences. Units of analysis are the focus of the research and frame the entity being studied (Trochim, 2022). The men and women incarcerated in the system will be the ultimate determinant of the study’s results. Each prison sentence will be compared based on the sex of the individual, making it the requisite unit of analysis.
Data collection falls into either qualitative or quantitative format, depending on whether the format is numeric or expressive. Secondary research of judicial crime statistics between 2010 and 2022 will determine the number of homicide-convicted females and males. Researchers will collect, summarize, and synthesize current numeric data outlining the trends in incarcerated individuals paying keen attention to whether they were paroled or the length of their sentence. This method is effective primarily because a plethora of reports and similar documentation provide the information required to conduct the research (Mora, 2022). Furthermore, alternate methods such as questionnaires or interviews with the subject risk mental and physical harm to the researchers.
The data will be measured, collected, and analyzed according to an action research design since the study directly affects society. It is a cyclical protocol intended to deepen people’s understanding of prison sentencing and the underlying factors that affect gender (“Organizing academic research papers,” 2022). First, the research problem will be clearly stated, followed by a literature review of the relevant research data. Further, hypotheses regarding the population will be presented, and a description of the methods of analysis to utilize.
The gender of the offender is the study’s independent variable, whereas the sentence duration and type are the dependent variables. In effect, the independent variable controls the outcome of the dependent (Gupta, 2020). Conceptually, gender is divided into either men or women; this will be the definition utilized in the study. Operationally, the research will define males and females as adults above 18 years in both genders and not exceeding 65 years to filter out juveniles and outliers. Alternatively, the conceptual definition of sentencing is any amount of time spent in the prison system. However, operationally, the research encompasses paroled subjects, criminals with 5 to 10-year records, and capital punishment victims. Homicide is the study’s control variable since it is similar across all groups and entails acts of murder or killing one human by another.
There have been multiple published articles on male and female incarceration rates over the past decades, presenting a consistent source highlighting disparity in the system. The studies are conducted periodically by qualified professionals and peer-reviewed by experienced scholars countrywide. These aspects communicate the reliability and validity of the data collected (Middleton, 2022). The data is accurate according to year, gender, and state type, thus providing enough data to test the hypotheses.
In conclusion, the research study vitally aims to identify if male and female criminals are sentenced differently if both parties have committed homicidal crimes. The target population for research is convicted criminals in the American prison system utilizing 12 prisons and 1200 subjects. In addition, individuals are the units of analysis, and their statistical data will be collected through secondary research of published articles. Identifying patterns of gender-based behavior in the correctional system will help stakeholders in the judicial system deliver their promise of equitable justice.
References
Geppert, K. (2022). Explaining the gender gap in the criminal justice system: How family-based gender roles shape perceptions of defendants in criminal court. Inquiries Journal: Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, 14(2), 1–1. Web.
Gupta, R. (2020). What are dependent, Independent & controlled variables? Sciencing. Web.
Middleton, F. (2022). Reliability vs. validity in research: Difference, types, and examples. Scribbr. Web.
Mora, M. (2022). Secondary research advantages, limitations, and sources. Relevant Insights. Web.
Organizing academic research papers: Types of research designs. Research Guides. Web.
Trochim, P. W. M. K. (2022). Unit of analysis. Research Methods Knowledge Base. Web.