In Module 5, we considered the third in our three-part series on research design. Specifically, the focus was on the longitudinal studies, in which the researcher explicitly accounts for change over time in order to understand specific effects. Also, as with the prior week, this module’s assigned readings provided a bit of historical context for the debate between scholars who argue that criminology/criminal justice research either should or should not incorporate longitudinal designs, for various reasons.

In this week’s discussion, select any topic of your choice within criminology/criminal justice — it could be a specific theory, policy, justice system response, etc. — and explain to your classmates how that example either would or would not benefit from longidutinal study. But wait! Don’t JUST tell us that example XYZ might change over time, and therefore it should be studied with longitudinal designs. Instead, explain WHY change over time might matter in your example. Is it because of generational effects between GenX and Millenials? Is it because of technology or some other external factor? Is it because society sees certain problems differently? Explain why and justify your points. You don’t necessarily need to fetch journal articles to help, but if you wish to cite published evidence, that’s okay too.