CRIM321 - Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology

Assignment Task

Introduction

With Canada's recent legalization of marijuana, public opinion on this policy change has become a focal point for understanding societal attitudes towards drug use, regulation, and associated social, economic, and health implications. Public opinion is a critical aspect of understanding the broader implications of such policies on society. This proposal outlines a research project aimed at examining the nuances of public perceptions regarding marijuana legalization, utilizing qualitative research methods to delve into the complexities of societal viewpoints.

Research Question

The central research question investigates how the public's perceptions align or diverge from legislative frameworks and what this reveal about broader societal norms and values concerning drug use, regulation, and criminal justice policy.

How has the legalization of marijuana affected public perceptions in Canada, and what are the predominant themes in public discourse surrounding this issue?

By focusing on this question, the research aims to uncover the multifaceted views held by the Canadian public, shedding light on societal attitudes towards marijuana use, regulation, and its integration into the legal and social fabric of the country.

Justification as a Social Research Project

This project is a significant exploration of societal attitudes towards a contentious policy issue, offering insights into how public opinion expressed on social media platforms and is shaped by policy changes. It explores how this change reflects broader social attitudes towards drug use, government policy, and the shifting landscape of legal and health considerations. This analysis provides insights into societal norms, values, and the collective response to a contentious issue, contributing to our understanding of the social fabric of Canada. It sheds light on the social world by revealing patterns of acceptance, resistance, and dialogue surrounding marijuana legalization, providing a nuanced view of contemporary social issues from a criminological perspective.

Qualitative Research Methodology

Method: Qualitative Content Analysis of Social Media Comments

The methodology chosen for this research is qualitative content analysis, focusing specifically on social media comments related to news articles about marijuana legalization in Canada, aiming to capture the intricate public sentiment and societal attitudes towards this significant policy evolution. By analyzing social media comments for thematic patterns, emotional tones, and discourse framing, the study meticulously categorizes sentiments, concerns, and positions on legalization, providing a nuanced understanding of public opinions. The methodology leverages systematic sampling from diverse social media platforms to ensure varied viewpoints are represented, thereby enriching the analysis with a broad spectrum of societal perspectives. This approach integrates criminological insights and qualitative research techniques to assess the impact of marijuana legalization on public opinion, policy discussions, and social norms in Canada, offering a detailed exploration of the interplay between public sentiment and marijuana regulation.

Data Collection Sources and Strategy

The primary data source for this research will be comments from YouTube videos related to marijuana policy and legalization. The selection strategy involves searching YouTube with terms like "Legalization of Marijuana in Canada" to identify the first 10 relevant videos with 10 or more comments. This approach ensures a diverse range of opinions by focusing on videos that have engaged audiences on the topic. Data will be collected manually from the first 10 comments of each selected video, aiming for a total of 100 comments. Data will be collected manually to ensure accuracy and adherence to ethical standards. Each comment will be documented with its content, posting date, and any available engagement metrics (e.g., likes, replies). This method ensures a comprehensive dataset reflective of current public sentiment towards marijuana legalization, focusing on substantive insights into public opinions.

Sampling Method and Size Justification

In aligning with qualitative research methodologies, the sampling strategy for this project is meticulously designed to ensure a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of public sentiment regarding marijuana legalization in Canada, as expressed through YouTube comments. The decision to focus on 100 comments stems from the need to balance depth of analysis with the practical constraints of manual data collection. This sample size is derived from the first 10 comments on each of the first 10 videos identified using the search term "marijuana in Canada" that have a minimum of 10 comments, ensuring a broad yet manageable dataset for detailed qualitative analysis.

This approach is strategic, allowing for the exploration of diverse perspectives within the public discourse, while also maintaining a focused scope that facilitates thorough examination of each comment. The selection of videos based on engagement and comment volume serves to capture the most relevant and active discussions, providing rich data for identifying themes, patterns, and sentiments related to marijuana legalization. This methodical selection and sampling process not only enhances the representativeness of the dataset but also adheres to qualitative research principles by prioritizing the depth of insight over breadth.

By systematically analyzing the content, context, and sentiment of these comments, the project aims to uncover the nuanced views and arguments present in the public debate. This qualitative analysis will employ coding techniques to categorize comments, thematic analysis to identify patterns, and interpretive methods to understand the implications of these sentiments. This detailed approach ensures that the study captures a wide range of insights, contributing to a richer, more nuanced understanding of public perceptions and contributing valuable insights to the discourse on marijuana policy in Canada.

Feasibility

The project's feasibility is significantly enhanced by the use of publicly accessible data from YouTube, eliminating the need for direct participant interaction. Collecting 100 comments from the first 10 relevant YouTube videos identified through a specific search strategy is both time-efficient and accessible. This analysis, involving coding and thematic evaluation of the comments, is expected to take 40-50 hours, fitting well within the academic semester's timeframe. This methodology ensures a detailed analysis can be conducted without the logistical challenges associated with more invasive research methods (interviews or ethnographic fieldwork).

Ethical Considerations

Adhering to ethical guidelines is paramount, especially given the public nature of the data. While the data is publicly accessible, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality in the presentation of findings is crucial. There is minimal risk to participants as the data is publicly available and will be used in a way that does not allow for the identification of individual commenters. The research will avoid the use of identifiable information, focusing on the content of comments rather than the individuals who made them. This approach minimizes potential harm and respects the privacy of individuals, aligning with the principles of minimal risk research as outlined by the UFV Human Research Ethics Board.

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