Experimental and Control Group
In sociological research, one of the hardest aspects of a research process is arriving at an experimental and control groups since the research subjects are human beings living natural lives. This is as opposed to medical research where a placebo can be used. The Auglaize County Transition (ACT) Program begins when prisoners arrive at the prison and continue long after they have left the establishment. The experimental group needs to be prisoners who have been placed in the program and run the entire program process during incarceration and release. Selecting the experimental group will be easy because this group will fall under the program and will thus retain contact with prison authorities even upon release. Fewer considerations will be made when selecting the experimental group, key among them being randomization and cooperation.
The control group is, however, a bit of a complication. It will be easy to monitor a group of prisoners for as long as they are in prison even without their cooperation. Lack of their cooperation is indeed critical to the research. The best way to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ACT is through an observatory qualitative research. Convicts tend to be sensitive when it comes to authority and having the knowledge that they are being observed will affect their character, thus fudging the research findings. The best way to have a proper control group is having a group that is unaware that special attention is being paid to them. This can easily be done during the incarceration as all prisoners are assessed and evaluated. The problem will come about when the prisoner is finally released, since communicating to the ex-prisoners about the assessment will greatly affect their conduct thus fudging the results. Further, information about an individual cannot be collected unless either they consent or they forfeit their right to consent. To solve the problem, the entire research can be based on individuals who will undergo an elongated period of probation after the end of their sentences. The experimental group can be made up of such prisoners who are also in the ACT program while the control group can be made up of those who are not.
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Random Assignment
Whereas every human being is unique, from a sociological perspective, several aspects of congruence will exist between different people. A common example cited is that of psychiatrists and physicians. These are such specialized professions that its members cannot be considered as members of the general public. If a sociological research about a city is based on studying the psychologists, lawyers cannot be considered as representative of the population of that city. It is on this basis that random assignment is necessary and critical for all sociological research. By definition, the random assignment can be considered as selecting members of a research group without following a specific trend, plan or program. This ensures that the members selected are picked by mere chance and are thus representative of the larger population being tested. Within the instant qualitative research, the research population may include convicts who have been incarcerated and also have variations. For instance, some are married, others educated, some having vocational training and other prerequisites. Random assignment will ensure that the selected groups are representative of the larger research population thus the results can be considered as a reflection of the larger population.
Assessment of Posttest Variables
Posttest is the period after the manipulation that forms the experimental process. In this scenario, the experimental process relates to the ACT program that inter alia involves the Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). It is worthy of notice that the instant research is about outcomes and not processes. It, therefore, investigates what happens to the individuals after the process is completed. To establish means of assessment of posttest variables, it is critical to arrive at what the expected outcomes are. Based on the MRT segment, the first outcomes can relate to attitude towards the self and towards others, making for the first anticipated outcome. The second outcome relates to committing repeat crimes such as the one convicted for or otherwise. The third outcome relates to substance abuse whether or not there is a history of the same. The final outcome is productivity and relates to whether or not the ex-prisoner finds a stable means of contributing towards nation-building.
The first outcome can be assessed by reviewing the interviews conducted by the probation officer upon the ex-prisoner and those close to the ex-prisoner such as family and co-workers. More importantly, interviewing the probation officer about the prisoner is critical. The variable assessed relates to whether the individual has developed a more positive outlook on the self and the general society. The second outcome relating to recidivism is more straightforward as if, and when it happens, a proper record of the same will be available. Among the assessed variables include the nature of the crime committed and the duration between the date of release and an initial instance of brush with the law. The third outcome closely relates to the second one as substance abuse for an ex-convict is taken seriously and proper records will be available over the same. The assessed variables will include whether or not there are instances of substance abuse and how serious they are, if at all. Finally, the last outcome relates to not only finding a job but also maintaining it. The variable assessed in this perspective relates to the extent of rehabilitation when it comes to interacting with other people, making an honest living and finding acceptance within the community. Information about this will be available in the probation office records. The totality of the four outcomes will clearly reflect the success or otherwise of the ACT program.
