The research study selected for analysis is “Assessing the Mental Health Status of Youth in Juvenile Justice Settings” by Wasserman et al. (2004). This research examines and evaluates the problem of psychological disorders among youth in the juvenile justice system. The psychological setup in juvenile justice is such that the individual will refrain from filing a complaint. All detective agencies regard as one of their main aims the settling of psychological disorder cases without publicity.
The research study is based on literature review and diagnostic interviewing. The research involves “this Bulletin reports the results of a study that used a computerized, for 296 youth (94 in Illinois and 202 in New Jersey), reflecting a response rate of more than 92 percent for youth approached in both sites” (Wasserman et al. 2004). The research identifies such factors as age, race/ ethnicity, school grade, admission date, number of prior offenses, and current offense. The analysis pays attention to the majority of attempted crimes reported when material damage is lacking, and a fair excuse can be found for the fragmentary act having a fragmentary meaning. Offenses committed on inmates of closed institutions do not often reach the knowledge of the outer world.
The research methodology is based on: “a family of highly structured psychiatric interviews designed to assess more than 25 different mental disorders in children and adolescents, the DISC incorporates the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM–IV) and is African American (tables 1 and 2)” (Wasserman et al. 2004). Through probes, follow-up questions, and attention to cues, the researcher is able to enhance the data collected through interviews. The data are valid to the extent the researcher is able efficiently to execute these tasks. Limitations to validity exist, as with other qualitative methods, when the subjective bias of the interviewer affects the interpretation of the data in ways that misrepresent the subjects’ actuality. These invalidations may be more likely with the interview than with the structured one. Interviewing can be made a more valid technique in several ways. First, when structured, the questions can be checked against the objectives of the study. Second, a high level of interviewer training increases validity. Third, having several interviewers randomly assigned to subjects reduces error by spreading bias throughout the sample. Fourth, checking for consistency across subjects increases reliability, which adds to validity Fifth, debriefing the interviewers after data collection also can help increase validity. In this process, the researcher is able to check for interviewer bias and consider its effects on the interviewer’s findings. “Consideration of four basic differences in instrumentation and sample characteristics between the present study and the previous investigations puts the differences in the results into context: separation anxiety disorder. This decision may have caused the rates for overall anxiety disorders observed in the present study to be somewhat” (Wasserman et al. 2004).
The research reveals that hundreds of thousands of operations are performed in the course of one year; look at the infinitesimal number of prosecutions and convictions. Counterfeiters like to dispose of their money in houses of ill fame. The customer to whom the house passed the bill either would not notice it or, if he objected, would be told to see the police and to tell them where he had received the note in change. “Ringing the changes,” that is, the systematic giving of short change has yielded cashiers or waiters small fortunes. It can always be excused as a mistake and, if successful, leaves no provable trace. This estimate does not include the numerous crimes that are left unconsidered and the equally large, if not larger, a number of crimes committed but unknown to the police. The economic problems presented by crime are of a diverse nature. In many offenses, a loss occurs by which a private person suffers injury. In order to prevent this damage from being imposed upon the individual and to prevent delinquency as a whole, the Federal government, the states, and the communities have built up agencies for the prosecution, conviction, and punishment of possible offenders. They are permanent institutions, demanding numerous personnel, and they cost money. In addition to the protections afforded by society, there are other protective measures and services. Much of the money we use to combat crime is not well used. This deficit should be stressed in order to strengthen our efforts to overcome the serious shortcomings of our theory and practice. To save money should be as strong an incentive as that to make money. The trouble lies in the difference between collective saving and individual goals (Scott and Steinberg 2000).
The research is based on valid methods which meet the main objectives and aims of the research. One understanding of validity has to do with its ability to predict and explain underlying constructs. Once interview data have been collected, one can determine how well the interview explains certain underlying constructs related to the purpose of the interview. If one has hypotheses or assumptions to start with, the data can be used to see if these assumptions are verified (predicted) or contradicted. Based on these new findings, either the theory is supported and new assumptions formed, or new directions for future research are suggested, or both. As is apparent from this discussion, the validity of qualitative methods frequently is increased by using what are considered to be traditional quantitative methods. From our perspective, this fact adds strength to the argument that the qualitative-quantitative dichotomy is false and supports the holistic concept of an interactive continuum (Scott and Steinberg 2000).
Following the research study, the investigators generalize from the descriptions to other researches. Generalization is consistent neither with the purpose of the study nor with the underlying assumptions of the specific research methods. If one were to generalize, the generalization would be criticized as inappropriate and in violation of the assumptions. The continuum assumes that the research question dictates the methodology. If the researcher uses methods consistent with his or her purpose, the conclusions likely will be consistent with the underlying assumptions of those methods. Accepting the continuum implies accepting that, consistent with the central place of theory, all other components must coexist in an appropriate relationship to it. Adopting the model and planning research within its structure permits research to be carried out consistently and, thus, with optimal validity. To conceptualize the logic in applying the interactive continuum, we suggest three phases that flow naturally from what has just been presented. In the first phase, the continuum assumes consistency between question and method. In the second phase, one evaluates the extent to which there is consistency. And in the third phase, each study can be examined closely for issues of design validity. “Assessments should be based on reliable and valid instruments. Use of a common assessment “language” eliminates uncertainty about the criteria used to determine diagnoses and enables comparison across studies and facilities” (Wasserman et al., 2004). To estimate the applicability of this study, one needs deep descriptors to clearly define the characteristics of the sample. The description is not of sufficient detail to have a clear sense of socioeconomic status, culture, and so on. There is no indication that the interpretation is context-free. On the contrary, there is a good possibility that it is context-specific. The concepts that the authors apply are basically Gestalt, and the interpretations are all from this perspective, as is the investigator’s training and predisposition. The purpose of this study is to identify the potential effectiveness of a statistical approach in helping juveniles who may be suffering from the trauma of a classmate’s suicide. In light of the above factors, or validity criteria, used in evaluating qualitative research, we have limited information and are skeptical about the true value of this study as it relates to making a strong statement that Gestalt therapy is a viable intervention approach in these situations (Scott and Steinberg 2000).
The research does not require another structure or methodology as it will not reflect and meet the established objectives. The research study is appealing in that it is well-written, intuitive, and deals with some obvious truths about the need to be sensitive to children who have experienced suicide. Reporting more thoroughly on all factors of methods and improving on those that are omitted would strengthen its potential impact on knowledge about intervention strategies. A future research study may want to take these considerations into account when designing a new study. The themes that emerge from the research study could then be used to evaluate treatment effectiveness while controlling for such variables as sex to increase the ability of the tests to determine any effect due to prediction methods alone. A mix of qualitative and quantitative factors is not in itself a problem, but their study might have been enhanced had they elaborated upon this mixture and had they submitted variables developed by the case study to an investigation. A strength of this research is that it sensitizes individuals to an important topic. The research study also may have heuristic value in that it may lead to further study.
References
- Scott, E., Steinberg, L. (2008). Rethinking Juvenile Justice. Harvard University Press.
- Wasserman, G. A., Ko, S. J. and McReynolds, L. S. (2004). Assessing the Mental Health Status of Youth in Juvenile A Message From OJJDP. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. pp. 1-7.