There are two approaches to research, from which one will be selected for this study. The first approach to research is experimental. Experimental research is applicable in a case where the researcher has the ability of manipulating and controlling the predictor variable as well as subjects in order to identify the cause and effect relationship (Reio Jr & Reio Jr, 2016). In most cases, such research approach is done within a laboratory where one group is normally put in an experimental group for manipulation. Another group is put in a placebo group and it remains non-manipulated in the whole course of the study. Non-experimental research approach, on the other hand, is done when the researcher has no control over or cannot manipulate the predictor variable or the subjects (Tumlinson, Sass & Cano, 2014). Therefore, the researcher only depends on the interpretation of the observations or interactions present to come up with inferences and conclusions. The implication of a non-experimental approach to research is that the researcher relies on correlations, surveys or the case studies to come up with conclusions. This kind of research tends to have a high level of external validity hence it can be generalized to the entire population logically.
It is important to understand what a predictor variable is before stating the specific approach that will be selected for this study. A predictor variable refers to the part of the subjects that has the effect on the outcome being investigated (Tumlinson, Sass & Cano, 2014). It is the causative agent in a study. It is also referred to as the independent variable. It normally has impact on the dependent variable.
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Considering the nature of this particular study, the non-experimental approach will be selected for research activity. The purpose of the study is to establish the cause of criminal behavior among the youths with a view of suggesting effective solutions. It is factual that the predictor variables such as peer-pressure, technology, social media, movies, unemployment and lack of parental care cannot be manipulated or altered by the researcher (Tumlinson, Sass & Cano, 2014). Therefore, the whole study must be based only on real observations of the correlation among these factors and criminal behavior of the youths. The study also must rely on the surveys already carried out by other researchers and case studies to come up the logical inferences and conclusions regarding the causes of criminal behavior among the youths.
Furthermore, this particular study will involve making general conclusions about the causes of criminal behavior among all youths based on the findings made from the ones observed as subjects of the study. It is only the non-experimental approach top research that enables logical generalizations of the findings made to the whole population. Additionally, it is difficult to randomly assign the subjects to conditions in this kind of study. It is also obvious that the research questions applicable in this specific study about criminal behavior among the youths will be broad and exploratory. These features of the proposed study make the non-experimental approach the suitable one. If the experimental approach is selected then only the internal validity will be achieved from the findings and conclusions made. However, the essence of the proposed research is to draw external validity.
It has been noted in existing literature that natural aspects such as lack of parental care lead to criminal behavior among the youths. A youth can lose all or one of the parents through death. This situation is beyond the control of the researcher doing the proposed study. Therefore, such a researcher can only carry out observations and make rational conclusions after the research is done and findings made. Therefore, non-experimental approach remains the appropriate way of doing the proposed study on cause of criminal behavior among the young people.
References
Reio Jr, T. G., & Reio Jr, T. G. (2016). Nonexperimental research: strengths, weaknesses and issues of precision. European Journal of Training and Development , 40 (8/9), 676-690.
Tumlinson, S. E., Sass, D. A., & Cano, S. M. (2014). The search for causal inferences: Using propensity scores post hoc to reduce estimation error with non-experimental research. Journal of pediatric psychology , 39 (2), 246-257.
