Conducting Criminological Research in Resource-Constrained Settings: Lessons From Ghana’s Participation in ISRD4 Study
Conducting field research in resource-constrained settings presents unique challenges for new and experienced researchers. These challenges are amplified in the context of comparative research where adherence to standard protocol and procedures are required to obtain valid results. This paper draws...
| Authors: | ; ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Journal of contemporary criminal justice
Year: 2025, Volume: 41, Issue: 4, Pages: 679-694 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | Conducting field research in resource-constrained settings presents unique challenges for new and experienced researchers. These challenges are amplified in the context of comparative research where adherence to standard protocol and procedures are required to obtain valid results. This paper draws on Ghana’s first participation in the fourth wave of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD4) to examine such challenges in situ. We reflect critically on issues related to funding limitations, validity and reliability of measurement instrument, ethical approvals, bureaucratic delays, school access, technological constraints, and unforeseen disruptions that demanded adaptive and innovative responses. These experiences reveal the limitations of rigid methodological prescriptions and underscore the value of embracing uncertainty, improvisation, and reflexive research skills when working in complex environments. By integrating practical lessons with methodological reflection, this study contributes to the literature on field research in resource-constrained settings and offers recommendations for researchers, educators, and policymakers engaged in similar contexts. |
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| ISSN: | 1552-5406 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10439862251388939 |
