The Impact of Criminal Background Checks on Ex-Offender Employment Opportunities

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between the conduct of a criminal background check and the negative results of the employment of ex-offenders.

Hypothesis

The alternate hypothesis (H1) that will be tested as a result of this study is that checking an employer’s criminal background creates fewer opportunities for successful employment for ex-offenders. At the same time, the null hypothesis (H0) is that a criminal background check creates more employment opportunities.

Methodology

Participants

The study participants are ex-offenders who are looking for work. Gender, age, race, and other demographic characteristics will not be considered when selecting participants as they are not relevant to the purpose of the study. The only essential criterion is the presence of a criminal record and criminal records about a person.

Measures

The primary independent variable for this study is conducting criminal background checks on the candidates. The main dependent variable is the employment outcomes of offenders, which depend on the verification of their criminal records.

Procedure

Data will be collected based on surveys among study participants. Questions will cover topics such as the types of jobs being applied for, whether there are any background checks, and the results of their job applications. The survey will be conducted in several formats, including emailing questions, posting printed questionnaires to community organizations and re-entry centers, and using a telephone interview format.

Analysis of Approach

Collected data will be analyzed using correlational methodology to help determine the relationships between variables. Since the opinions of different researchers on this topic are divided, there is a need to assess the actual relationship between study variables (Doleac & Hansen, 2020; Minor et al., 2018). This approach helps to assess the data most accurately to confirm or refute the research hypothesis. Moreover, the chosen approach to collecting data can provide access to a broader audience and collect more data for analysis. The survey will be conducted with respect to the confidentiality and protection of the participants’ personal information.

Reference

Doleac, J. L., & Hansen, B. (2020). The unintended consequences of “ban the box”: Statistical discrimination and employment outcomes when criminal histories are hidden. Journal of Labor Economics, 38(2), 321-374. Web.

Minor, D., Persico, N., & Weis, D. M. (2018). Criminal background and job performance. Journal of Labor policy, 7(8), 1-49. Web.