Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
While research may be initiated on the basis of curiosity, it traditionally aims to solve a particular problem. Crime rates have always been a highly serious social issue, and multiple studies have already been organized to examine factors that affect crimes for their prevention. That is why I would like to organize a study dedicated to the impact on crime rates if I had time and resources for it to contribute to responsive measures. In particular, I want to focus on the link between poverty and crime. Thus, my formal research question would be: how does poverty affect crime rates?
On the basis of this research question, the study could be organized and conducted to prove the following hypothesis when poverty increases, crime rates increase as well. According to multiple pieces of evidence, low income or an absence of any forces people to commit crimes (Quednau, 2021). In this case, this research may employ the rational choice theory that supports my hypothesis. Generally, this theory is a framework for modeling and understanding peoples economic and social behavior. According to it, aggregate social behavior results from the behavior of individual actors, each of whom is making their individual decisions (Quednau, 2021, p. 8). Focusing on methodological individualism that refers to the individual choices determinants, the rational choice theory presupposes the availability of choice and an individuals action on the basis of his preferences.
In relation to criminology and this research topic, the rational choice theory states that people committing crimes as rational actors make this choice for the higher marginal benefits that crimes provide. Regardless of the risk of being caught, individuals perceive the net benefits of crimes as positive. In general, poverty is created by a lack of economic opportunities, low income, and unemployment caused by poor education or a challenging economic situation in the country or globally. The probability that high poverty leads to increased crime rates is justified by the rational choice theory as criminals will benefit more from committing a crime than working a low, unstable income job, spend time and money on education or stay without an income at all (Quednau, 2021, p. 8). In turn, committing a crime, such as a robbery, may bring more money in one night than in a year. Moreover, poverty may even mitigate risks connected with crimes and make any outcome positive. For instance, successful robbery is beneficial for extremely poor criminals who do not have money for accommodation and food. At the same time, if they are caught, this is beneficial for them too, as in the prison, they receive shelter, food, and water.
My research would be quantitative and descriptive using empirical methodology as this approach may be regarded as more appropriate for the establishment of the connection between two variables. The independent variable of this study is poverty, while the dependent variable is crime rates. First, I would collect existing data related to crime rates, employment rates, housing process, education, and average salaries from statistics of several cities within the last five years. In addition, I could identify cities with low and high crime rates and see how the factors of poverty are presented in them. Finally, I would use a regression model to create a linear equation that would demonstrate the link between poverty and crime.
Reference
Quednau, J. (2021). How are violent crime rates in U.S. cities affected by poverty? The Park Place Economist, 28(1), 1-24.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.