Chapter 3: Research Method
Introduction
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore and understand how law enforcement officers determine or evaluate the credibility of sexual assault victims during investigations. The primary focus is on the implications that guide the decision of law enforcement officers during a sexual assault investigation, how the sexual assault investigators view the alleged victims, how the alleged victims view the sexual assault investigator, law enforcement officer’s decision-making process, and how they form victim’s credibility, the training initiatives in the state of Georgia, and the impacts of police subcultures and how they influence sexual assault investigations. This study will involve law enforcement officers in Dougherty County, Georgia, United States.
Research Design and Rationale
The three research questions that will be answered using a qualitative vignette-based design:
RQ1: What are underlying implications that guide the decision of law enforcement officers during a sexual assault investigation?
RQ2: How does training, police sub-culture, and other factors shape/influence police perceptions of victims of sexual assault?
For this qualitative study, ….
Role of the Researcher
Methodology
Participant Selection Logic
Instrumentation
Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection
Data Analysis Plan
Issues of Trustworthiness
Credibility
Transferability
Dependability
Confirmability
Ethical Procedures
Summary
