Forensic psychology report
The government is concerned that, while homophobic attitudes appear to be reducing, there is still widespread evidence of discrimination and reported attacks on LGBTQI people. You have been commissioned as an expert to write a report on why this difference between reported prejudice and actual discrimination might exist. Using materials from Week 14, and additional, independently sourced research, identify two methods and the worldviews that relate to these methods and explain: • how different methods can produce different evidence on the phenomenon • the advantages and disadvantages of each of the chosen research methods • the difficulties in making decisions based on that evidence. Your critical evaluation of the research methods used should be informed by your understanding of the related worldview. You should also consider the knowledge that is generated from the methods you have selected and whether this knowledge is reflecting the real-world situation described in the scenario. That is, your report should address the implications of this in the context of the differences between reported prejudice and actual acts of discrimination. Note, it is possible that your two methods will come from the same worldview. You may also decide to look for additional sources that reflect on different ways to carry out research into attitudes. Structuring your report 3000 words +10 You should structure your report as below. Executive summary- This provides an overview of the report and, although it goes at the front of the report, it should be written last. It needs to clearly outline the purpose of the report, the method(s) addressed, what you found out, your conclusions and any recommendations. The executive summary should be approximately 150–200 words Table of contents- This should list the sections, headings and subheadings, which should be clearly numbered. This allows a busy reader to identify briefly what information is in the report and locate it with ease. Page numbers should be included. Introduction- This explains the terms of reference for the report, the brief, the method(s) used and any relevant general background to the report and should be approximately 8-10% of the overall word count. The introduction could also include: • The aim – What is the report trying to achieve? • The scope – What is the report going to look at? What different aspects of the topic will be explored? Is there anything that won’t be covered? Body of the report- This section should include all the essential information you have identified, laid out in a logical manner, with appropriate and meaningful headings and subheadings that signpost the narrative of the report. At the start of each section and subsection, make your point clearly then support your argument, avoiding burying the message in the middle of the section. Conclusions – What have you concluded from the analysis of the information? Make sure that you clearly state how the brief has been answered: link your findings back to that brief. Recommendations. -This is where you use your expertise to synthesise the information. Be clear, creative and action- or solution-focused when making recommendations. Don’t make too many – be guided by the terms of the brief. (Too many recommendations are also less likely to be acted upon.) References -As well as providing in-text references, you must include a reference list at the end of your report that complies with the Cite Them Right guidance. (This reference list is not included in the word count.) Appendices Any other supporting evidence that structurally/stylistically does not fit in the main body of the report. Remember, the appendices are part of the word count.
Sample Solution
The government’s concern that, while homophobic attitudes may be declining, there is still evidence of discrimination against LGBTQI people requires further examination. To better understand why this discrepancy might exist two research methods can be used in tandem namely survey research and interviews (Kaur & Thiara, 2019). These two approaches differ significantly in terms of their worldviews yet both have advantages and disadvantages which must be taken into consideration when making decisions based on the resulting data.
Surveys are typically based on a positivist worldview as they rely upon objective measurements to quantify phenomena such as homophobic attitudes. This method is relatively inexpensive and provides an efficient way to collect large amounts of data about a wide range of topics within a short period of time. However it does not allow for much depth or nuance since respondents tend to answer with what they think is the ‘correct’ response rather than really providing insight into how they feel (Creswell, 2013). As such it can often produce unreliable results which do not accurately reflect reality.
In contrast, interviews take more of a postpositivist approach where subectivity and context play an important role in understanding phenomena by allowing for more freedom for participants to express themselves openly (Giddens et al., 2017). While costlier than surveys due to their lengthy nature, interviews offer valuable qualitative data which can provide deeper insights into problematic issues such as discrimination faced by LGBTQI people. However researchers must remain cognizant that this type of open-ended questioning may lead to bias depending upon how questions are worded or interpreted by those conducting them (Berg & Lune, 2012).
In conclusion then, surveys and interviews each represent different worldviews when it comes to collecting data about homophobia and discrimination towards LGBTQI individuals. Each has its own advantages but also potential pitfalls which lend difficulty in making decisions based on the generated evidence alone; caution should always be used regardless of what approach is adopted.
