Fundamentals of Criminological and Criminal Justice Inquiry

'Mears and Cochran have hit it out of the park again. This is more than a book on how to follow a research design. The authors thoroughly review the reasons why a research design matters and how to go about implementing one. Certain to have broad appeal, every criminologist will benefit from a careful reading of this book.' Scott H. Decker, Arizona State University
'Professors Mears and Cochran have produced a personable, engaging, and insightful book on what is often a really challenging area of study for students. Their anecdotes and myth-busting throughout meant that I managed to read it from cover to cover within a few days. This quite simply is an outstanding methods textbook - I cannot recommend it highly enough.' Kerry Clamp, University of Nottingham
'Mears and Cochran provide an invaluable service to criminology and criminal justice by describing how students can go from passive consumers to active producers of knowledge. This book is flexible in that it can be used in both undergraduate and graduate classrooms, and for scholars or practitioners. This well-written book is a must-read for any student of crime or justice.' Scott Wolfe, Michigan State University
'Criminal justice is increasingly evidence-based, and students need to learn to integrate theory and high-quality methods to tackle policy-relevant dilemmas in the field. Mears and Cochran's Fundamentals of Criminological and Criminal Justice Inquiry is an outstanding guidebook for navigating these challenges. The book would be especially valuable in research methods-oriented upper-level undergraduate courses and beginning graduate courses in criminology and criminal justice.' Jeffery T. Ulmer, Pennsylvania State University
'Good research requires a delicate balance between art and science. But how to achieve this balance? In accessible language and using real-world examples, Mears and Cochran tell us, explaining the nuts-and-bolts of the research enterprise. Along the way, readers develop a 'researcher sensibility' to think more critically - and creatively - about research.' Charis E. Kubrin, University of California, Irvine
'In the tradition of Becker and Mills, Mears and Cochran have written a modern classic on how to think about and how to do research in crime and justice. Accessible, inspirational, and policy- relevant, Fundamentals of Criminological and Criminal Justice Inquiry is our field's definitive guide to research.' Brandon C. Welsh, Director of the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study, Northeastern University, Massachusetts
'A key feature of modern criminal justice is the use of data and scientific research evidence to enhance strategic decision-making. Mears and Cochran do the field a service by explaining clearly how scientific research can inform and improve criminal justice policy and practice.' Ed Maguire, Arizona State University
'… an engaging and important contribution to an increasingly crowded field in criminological and criminal justice (CCJ) research.' Lorana Bartels, Economic Record