Examples of Descriptive Research and Explanatory Research
School shootings in American have been a common occurrence and an issue of great concern among the public. Descriptive studies seek to provide the reader with a description of the state of an issue. As a result, they have created an image that schools particularly the public ones are unsafe for children in the community. Since the 1990s, the number of school shootings has been at astonishing rates where multiple students have died and more have sustained injuries. This information is provided by the Leary, Kowalski, Smith and Phillips (2003) through multiple. The study shows the experiences of the student perpetrators before they engage in this destructive behavior. In light of this, the article is an example of descriptive research. Research by Borum, Cornell, Modzeleski and Jimerson (2010) described that the shootings in Columbine High School in Colorado showed distinct signs of rejection as a primary factor causing the incident. This article is a clear case of an explanatory research as it identifies the events of the shootings and attempts to provide significant cause for it.
Investigation of School Shootings
There are various ways of conducting further investigations on the school shootings using research based techniques. Each of the methods available has benefits and limitations in its use. Furthermore, there are certain techniques of research that are more effective in studying the issue compared to others. In this regard, the survey method of study is appropriate when identifying cases of school shootings. The researcher may provide questionnaires to students in various areas to identify how such cases arise and the effect it has on them. Alternatively, the issue may be investigated using smaller groups where researchers seek to create focus groups that enable effective observation and difference in impact of school shootings as it may be presented among high school or campus students. Field research on student behavior is an important technique towards appropriately describing situations that may lead to school shootings and proposing ways they can be avoided all together. The study could also identify various complaints teachers or police receive of violent threats made in a particular school district. The data received may effectively bring about red flags for potential school shootings.
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Exploration, Description, Explanation, or Application & Lessons
Through an exploration the researcher looks into data on school shootings that will help make comparisons when changes are made. Despite the numerous studies on the issue at hand, little is known about events that led up to it. An exploratory study will provide data on the cases of bullying, complaints from parents, targets of violent threats in terms of gender differences or sexual orientation. In the case of a descriptive study, the researcher describes the scope of school shootings. This research focuses on recording the reported number cases and the frequency giving a preliminary understanding of the shootings. An explanatory study seeks to decode the data received from a descriptive study. In this regard, the research reports why more schools located in areas where gangs are present are more likely to experience school shootings as opposed to those in more affluent neighborhoods. Finally, in an application type of research, the official looks into significant areas of the issue in two forms evaluation and problem analysis. The former looks at the intent of a program to reduce school shootings while the latter form identifies whether a certain program is effective in curbing the issue.
CHAPTER 2: The Concentric Zone Theory
1. Describe this theory/model
The theory of Park and Burgess notes that gives an appropriate explanation of how social groups are distributed within urban areas. The theorist described this distribution from observations of the rapid growth observed in Chicago. Concentric circles would form around the city and each designating particular areas where individuals lived. At the center is the central business district where there are no residential areas only commerce. The next ring was the zone of transition that is the least desirable due to poor infrastructure and high crime. Majority of those living here pay rent. The working class zone follows where families that are stable and working live. This residential area consists of modest infrastructure despite the fact that they are old hence may be referred to as the inner suburbs. The zone of better housing clearly indicates residential areas further away from the city. This zone may consist of the middle class families with well-educated individuals. Very few are likely to be rentals. The final zone is the commuters where members of the upper class in the society. It represents individuals who are able to afford the high cost of transport into the city either for entertainment or pleasure.
Model for NYC and Difference from the Parks and Burgess Model
Transition
In New York City, the distribution of social groups is somewhat different from that of the Parks and Burgess model. The most affluent members of the community are found in the more central areas of the city. The middle class and working class are further out of the city. The main factor causing this difference is the large gap in wealth. The fifth richest individuals in the city earn nearly 40 times more than the lowest fifth. It is the only state in the country to experience more than $100,000 per capita income with nearly a quarter of the 400 richest people in the US residing in the area.
References
Borum, R., Cornell, D. G., Modzeleski, W., & Jimerson, S. R. (2010). What can be done about school shootings? A review of the evidence. Educational Researcher , 39(1), 27-37.
Leary, M. R., Kowalski, R. M., Smith, L., & Phillips, S. (2003). Teasing, rejection, and violence: Case studies of the school shootings. Aggressive behavior , 29(3), 202-214.
