Research Proposal

Research Proposal Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name May 4, 2024 Ramakers, A., Nieuwbeerta, P., Van Wilsem, J., & Dirkzwager, A. (2017). Not Just Any Job Will Do A Study on Employment Characteristics and Recidivism Risks After Release. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(16), 1795–1818. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X16636141 Research Design This study utilizes a robust longitudinal quasi-experimental design, leveraging data collected from the Prison Project. This project involved interviews with Dutch prisoners at two critical junctures: shortly after entering pre-trial detention and six months post-release. The researchers aimed to analyze the impact of various post-release employment characteristics on the recidivism rates of these ex-prisoners. Employing both bivariate and multivariate analysis techniques, the study rigorously tests the hypothesis that stable and quality employment can significantly mitigate the risks of recidivism. Sampling Design The sample for this study is multi-stage sampling. Notably, the sample population was drawn from a larger pool of 3,983 male prisoners, with the final cohort consisting of 714 participants who met the inclusion criteria—Dutch nationality, aged between 18 and 65, and not suffering from severe psychological disorders. These participants were interviewed during and after incarceration, ensuring the sample represented the initial targeted group. The response rate at baseline was approximately 48%, providing a solid foundation for the longitudinal analysis. Independent Variable (IV) For the study, employment status, degree of job security, and occupational level are considered independent variables. Each person's employment status is counted numerically, classifying people into an employed or unemployed group for a year. Job stability, which is determined by the probability of being employed or not, if the measured simply as retained or not retained, is also nominal, but if it includes the nominal/ordinal or the interval/ratio depending on the specificity of the duration data. Job level is an ordinal scale by which job positions are arranged in descending order, starting from the minimum level of the job based on responsibility or risks to the maximum level based on the skill level or charge. Dependent Variable (DV) Recidivism is the dependent variable, defined as any newly registered crime within six months post-release. It is operationalized as a binary outcome—whether or not the ex-prisoner reoffended. This data was meticulously gathered from the General Documentation Files of the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice, providing a reliable measure of post-release criminal activity. Ricciardelli, R., & Mooney, T. (2018). The decision to disclose: Employment after prison. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 57(6), 343-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2018.1510866 Research Design The research design used in the article is a Quasi-Experimental design. Notably, the study utilized longitudinal, qualitative research design and in-depth, semi-structured interviews to determine how healthcare has been applied and how it impacted job search outcomes long after the record was disclosed. Interviews were done in multiple rounds, separated chronologically into three years. This enables the scientists to capture and learn how the participants arise and their employment status over time. The former was extremely helpful in understanding how such individuals manage their stigmatized identities vis-a-vis employment status over the longitudinal analysis. Sampling Design The sampling technique was purposive; individuals on probation who enrolled in the day reporting center employment support program were targeted. This method allowed the participants to gain experience communicating their criminal records to employers during their job search. Furthermore, such recruitment through this program meant that all the participants had some idea about returning to the workforce, and how they handled their disclosure strategies was also influenced by how employers welcomed them. Independent Variable (IV) The independent variables include demographic characteristics like age and race, pre-release preparation f...