This criminal justice and criminology research methods text brings together thorough and balanced coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods, including deeper coverage of the mixed-methods approach than any other text. ESSENTIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY RESEARCH METHODS, 1/e showcases the field's most relevant and important research, helping students understand both the significance and relevance of criminal justice and criminology research. This text is designed to keep readers engaged through user-friendly writing, outstanding student research projects, and many hands-on exercises. It is also rigorous, logically coherent, and comprehensive - providing everything students need to become critical consumers and competent producers of research-based knowledge.