Innovative Qualitative Methods for Criminology: An Introduction to Dissertation Research

Innovative Qualitative Methods for Criminology showcases how lesser-known qualitative methods in social science can be used in dissertations researching sensitive and complex criminological topics.

This book addresses the limitations of traditional qualitative methods and introduces innovative research approaches for criminology students. Each chapter focuses on a single underutilised method including visual methods, walking methodologies, observational research, news media analysis, case studies, archival research, literature-based approaches and socio-legal methods. These methods help criminology students choose the right data collection techniques to research their chosen topics, ensuring their ethical application and demonstrating how to use these methods via real-world examples and practical suggestions.

Transferable across disciplines, the innovative methods in this book will be useful for students and educators of criminology and anyone seeking to support student engagement with less mainstream methods in social science.

Ruth Penfold-Mounce is a Professor and Deputy Head of the Sociology Department, University of York, UK, and a Senior Fellow and National Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Silvia Falcetta is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of York, UK, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.