AK 8/7

Evaluating the consistency of data collection techniques with other aspects such as the problem, purpose, research question, and research design contributes to generalizability and validity of research. Within forensic psychology, such consistency makes research efforts cohesive and directed toward one goal/aim. For example, one of the assessments is whether the problem is assessable. If the problem has nothing to do with justice or social injustice, or it is clear that the problem does not need exploration any further, it does not assess proper alignment. However, once the problem and purpose clear and aligned with each other, the research questions emerge from the problem and purpose as what needs to be explored and determined. The assessments of proper alignment will determine whether qualitative or quantitative measures are needed (quantitative to test a hypothesis/relationship, qualitative to assess human experience), and once determined, the data collection methods provide insight into how qualitative may need interviews or focus groups, and how quantitative may require a rubric or assessment of records and scores (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Ravitch & Carl, 2021). a response with references