The research question in the instant article relates to whether the decision to eliminate a potential jury member by the prosecution is affected by the race of the potential juror. The method used is quantitative research where different groups are asked to pretend to be prosecutors and decide on a potentially problematic juror. The control in the experiment lies in the potential juror being presented as black and white respectively but the other characteristics remaining constant. The results showed that the mock prosecutors reacted differently to the same set of prerequisites when they existed in a white juror on the one hand and a black one on the other. The conclusion was that race had a psychological effect on the minds of prosecutors when picking juries.
Critique of the Article
Appropriateness of the Methodology
The methodology relied upon fits the concept of the research question and is capable of providing a means of conclusively investigating it. However, the manner in which the experiment was conducted shows that the researchers were more geared towards confirming a presupposition than investigating phenomenon. The research does not seem to investigate whether racial bias exists but rather confirm that racial bias exists against black jurors. Juror one had a potential prejudice more likely in a black person than a white with juror two having a prejudice that is either neutral or more prone towards black jurors. This creates a potential trend even before the experiment begins thus reducing credibility and reliability of the eventual conclusion.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Appropriateness of the Conclusions
In spite of the flaws in the methodology, the discussion session of the experiment is extremely thorough and accurate. The researchers are also careful to outline both the strengths and weaknesses of the research so that the two can be factored in the discussion and eventual conclusion. The results from the research and the discussion made lead directly to the conclusion thus confirming its appropriateness. Further, the conclusion admits that there’s room for more research more so from the perspective of psychology and how race affects the mind. The understanding of the limitations of the conclusion further enhances it.
How to Improve the Study
The study already involved an issue that would be more common among potential black jurors. This issue properly investigated bias against black jurors. To have a complete racial profile, the second question would have included an issue that a prosecutor would have an issue against a white juror and see if positive bias would be present. This would have created more balance and enhanced credibility and reliability.
One Strength of the Study
A variety of the test sample is among the major strengths of the instant study and a reason to commend the researchers. The sample involved includes a group of ordinary college students, a group of higher level law students and a group of practicing attorneys. This created a wide variety of opinion based on academics, age, and professional affiliation respectively. The fact that the three exponentially different opinion groups showed similar trends augmented the veracity of the results and therefore the credibility of the research. This is because the variety eliminated secondary bias on the sample group through diversity. Whatever secondary bias would be available in one sample group could not contemporaneously exist in the other two and vice versa.
Question Arising From the Study
With the America population headed towards domination by colored communities leading to having a white minority within the 21 st century, how will this transition affect racial bias in criminal procedure?
