Summary of the research questions, methodology, and main findings
In their research report titled ‘Looking Deathworthy: Perceived Stereotypicality of Black Defendants Predicts Capital-Sentencing Outcomes,’ Jennifer L. Eberhard, Paul G. Davies, Valerie J. Purdie-Vaughns and Sheri Lynn Johnson set out to investigate the relationship between the capital sentence and the racial background of either the victim or defendant. In this regard, the researchers were chiefly concerned about how race influenced the nature of prison sentences in the United States (U.S) criminal correction system. The principle research question was; how does race influence the likelihood of death sentences in the U.S? The scholars employed a quantitative research approach in which they explored over 600 death-eligible cases from Philadelphia. At the end of the research undertaking, the researchers concluded that in the U.S judicial and criminal correction system, in a case involving a white victim, the more stereotypically black the defendant is deemed to be, the more likely that he or she will be sentenced to death.
Critique of the article
In this study, the methodology employed is the most suited and apt for a research study on such a sensitive matter as the death sentence. For instance, as opposed to a qualitative research approach, quantitative research methodology is useful in generalizing results from a larger sample, such as in this case. Likewise, the approach was valuable in formulating facts and establishing patterns with regard to the link between physical traits as a determinant of ‘stereotypicality’ of black defendants and their ‘deathworthiness.’ Also besides being clear and explicit, the quantitative methodology is more efficient. Moreover, qualitative research methodologies suffer drawbacks with regard to inductiveness, clarity of the hypotheses, holistic observations, reliability, and validity. Thus, the methodology employed in the study was appropriate.
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Given the study results, the conclusions drawn by the authors were appropriate. This is because the data collected indicated that where a white and black offender were accused of the same capital crime, a white offender was more likely to receive a lighter sentence while a black offender would be imprisoned for life on account of his or her “deathworthiness.” Similarly, the conclusions drawn were in line with those reached in previous studies. Thus, the article shared treasured information and substantially enlightenment of the society about the racially prejudiced judicial system. However, the study can be improved by further exploring the reasons behind the identified judicial biasedness. For instance, could it be that the judicial system is used to fuel some form of social control or is it that racially biased policies drive the entire system? A comprehensive exploration of these questions would significantly improve the study as well as inform the society. This would be vital in informing the counter-strategies.
Strength of the article
One key strength of the article is the nature of the research question. For instance, numerous studies had focussed on the sensitive issue of death sentencing. However, very few had sought to establish the link between physical appearance and the likelihood of receiving the death sentence. Thus, the study significantly strengthened the previous studies. Moreover the article’s title “looking deathworthy” perfectly summarizes its gist and draws the reader.
Discussion question based on the article
A discussion question based on the findings in this article would be; how genuine are the verdicts given in most courts in the U.S, especially those directed at the black offenders? Given this article’s revelations, it could be true that a considerable number of inmates do not deserve to be in prison, or were given the wrong sentences. This is because racial discrimination plays a key role in the sentencing, in the process adulterating the idea of justice in the U.S.
