Name:

Degree(s):

Bachelors Psychology

Title/Position:

P. Investigator

Program:

Masters Psychology

Physical Address:

MyCampus Email:

elvis.imes@mycampus.apus.edu

SECTION B: Research Information

Curtailing Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a crime according to US law. The criminal act can range from a misdemeanor to a felony offense depending on the action, intent, and severity. Domestic violence can be defined as abusive behavior in which one family member gains power over another family member. Domestic violence can be categorized into three main groups. The first group is intimate partner violence and it involves physical or sexual violence, stalking, and physical aggression by either current or former intimate partners. The second group is child abuse and it involves the neglect, emotional abuse, physical harming, and sexual assaulting of a child under the age of 18 by a custodian, parent, or family member. The third group is elder abuse and it involves the neglecting or intentional harming of an elder by a family member or a custodian.

Surprisingly, domestic violence has been on the rise despite sensitization against it and despite there being legislation against it. The rise in domestic violence has raised concerns as regards the justice system. In an attempt to understand why domestic violence is on the rise, a study will be conducted. The study’s thesis statement is that domestic violence stems from the desire of partners to gain power and control over their intimate powers.

In researching the topic of domestic violence in criminal justice, four main questions will guide the research.

RQ1: Who are the parties that are primarily involved in domestic violence; who are primarily the victims and who are the culprits?

RQ2: why does domestic violence happen?

The second question is interested in unearthing the factors that lead to domestic violence. The third question centers on the measures that can be taken to reduce domestic violence.

RQ3: How is the justice system ensuring that victims of domestic violence get justice?

RQ4: What are the measures in place from law enforcement and the criminal justice system to discourage domestic violence?

A literature review will be conducted. The literature review will help in the collection of data as regards domestic violence. The literature review will focus on studies and articles on domestic violence. Special emphasis will be placed on knowing the causes and effects of domestic violence and how the justice system works in discouraging domestic violence and ensuring that victims of the vice get justice.

The research will employ the use of the qualitative approach. The study will utilize two qualitative data collection methods. The first method that will be used is the interview method that will utilize open-ended questions. Open-ended interviews allow a researcher to seek for clarification in case there is a need. The second data collection method is the case study method. To collect information for the study a minimum of three cases on domestic violence will be reviewed. The cases that will be studied will contain medical reports of both the culprits and victims of domestic violence. Also, the case studies will detail the legal proceedings of the domestic violence cases from start to end.

The proposed research has the potential to reveal the causes of domestic violence as well as the measures in place to discourage and prevent the vice. Furthermore, the research might offer crucial information on the measures the criminal justice might employ to further prevent domestic violence. The proposed research offers a solution to a societal issue that needs to be done away with.

SECTION C: Review Type

SECTION D: Project Purpose/ Research Question/ Objectives

In non-technical language, address the following:

1)The rise in domestic violence has raised concerns as regards the justice system. In an attempt to understand, why domestic violence is on the rise, a study will be conducted. The study’s thesis statement is that domestic violence stems from the desire of partners to gain power and control over their intimate powers.

2)  In researching the topic of domestic violence in criminal justice, four main questions will guide the research.

RQ1: Who are the parties that are primarily involved in domestic violence; who are primarily the victims and who are the culprits?
RQ2: why does domestic violence happen?
The second question is interested in unearthing the factors that lead to domestic violence. The third question centers on the measures that can be taken to reduce domestic violence.
RQ3: How is the justice system ensuring that victims of domestic violence get justice?
RQ4: What are the measures in place from law enforcement and the criminal justice system to discourage domestic violence?

3)  The proposed research has the potential to reveal the causes of domestic violence as well as the measures in place to discourage and prevent the vice. Furthermore, the research might offer crucial information on the measures the criminal justice might employ to further prevent domestic violence. The proposed research offers a solution to a societal issue that needs to be done away with.

SECTION E: Participant Population and Recruitment

E1. In non-technical language, address the following:

1) Who will the participants be? How many participants? What ages will the participants be?

2) What is the inclusion/exclusion criteria for participants?

3) Where and how participants will be recruited?

1)  The research will employ the use of the qualitative approach. The study will utilize two qualitative data collection methods. The first method that will be used is the interview method that will utilize open-ended questions. Open-ended interviews allow a researcher to seek for clarification in case there is a need. Four groups of people will be interviewed; victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

2)  victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

The researcher will approach known victims of domestic violence, friends of domestic violence victims and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law and enquire of their willingness to participate in the study.

3)  The researcher will approach known victims of domestic violence, friends of domestic violence victims and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law and enquire of their willingness to participate in the study.

SECTION F: Research Design

1) State the study activities in chronological order. Describe both the activities conducted by members of the research team and the activities of research participants. (e.g., screening, survey, taking a test, answering questions in an interview, completing a specific task, tasks on a computer, running on a treadmill, debriefing, etc.) If videotaping, photographs, or audio-taping will take place, explain how and why recording will occur.

2) Explain how the data will be analyzed or studied; that is, indicate the quantitative or qualitative data analysis methods you will use.

3) Explain how the data will be reported in order to maintain the confidentiality or anonymity of participants (i.e. aggregated, anonymously, names used with consent, participants only identified by professional role, etc.).

1)  The research will employ the use of the qualitative approach. The study will utilize two qualitative data collection methods. The first method that will be used is the interview method that will utilize open-ended questions. Open-ended interviews allow a researcher to seek for clarification in case there is a need. Four groups of people will be interviewed; victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

The second data collection method is the case study method. To collect information for the study a minimum of three cases on domestic violence will be reviewed. The cases that will be studied will contain medical reports of both the culprits and victims of domestic violence. Also, the case studies will detail the legal proceedings of the domestic violence cases from start to end. Through the case study method, it will be possible to identify the effects and the causes of domestic violence. Furthermore, it will be possible to identify the measures in place by law enforcement and the criminal justice systems to prevent and discourage domestic violence.

2)  The collected data will be analyzed through a thematic analysis where common themes will be identified with the intent to provide information on the causes of domestic violence and the handling of domestic violence by the criminal justice system. Once themes have been identified, the findings will be reported via tables. The tables will group the identified themes and their impact on domestic violence. Based on the findings, a conclusion will be made in the study. The study will either confirm or dispel the study’s thesis statement; domestic violence stems from the desire of partners to gain power and control over their intimate powers.

3)  The data will be reported anonymously. All the participants will be assigned random letters that will be used to identify them to the research team only.

SECTION G: Data Collection

SECTION D: Project Purpose/ Research Question/ Objectives

In non-technical language, address the following:

1)The rise in domestic violence has raised concerns as regards the justice system. In an attempt to understand, why domestic violence is on the rise, a study will be conducted. The study’s thesis statement is that domestic violence stems from the desire of partners to gain power and control over their intimate powers.

2)  In researching the topic of domestic violence in criminal justice, four main questions will guide the research.

RQ1: Who are the parties that are primarily involved in domestic violence; who are primarily the victims and who are the culprits?
RQ2: why does domestic violence happen?
The second question is interested in unearthing the factors that lead to domestic violence. The third question centers on the measures that can be taken to reduce domestic violence.
RQ3: How is the justice system ensuring that victims of domestic violence get justice?
RQ4: What are the measures in place from law enforcement and the criminal justice system to discourage domestic violence?

3)  The proposed research has the potential to reveal the causes of domestic violence as well as the measures in place to discourage and prevent the vice. Furthermore, the research might offer crucial information on the measures the criminal justice might employ to further prevent domestic violence. The proposed research offers a solution to a societal issue that needs to be done away with.

SECTION E: Participant Population and Recruitment

E1. In non-technical language, address the following:

1) Who will the participants be? How many participants? What ages will the participants be?

2) What is the inclusion/exclusion criteria for participants?

3) Where and how participants will be recruited?

1)  The research will employ the use of the qualitative approach. The study will utilize two qualitative data collection methods. The first method that will be used is the interview method that will utilize open-ended questions. Open-ended interviews allow a researcher to seek for clarification in case there is a need. Four groups of people will be interviewed; victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

2)  victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

The researcher will approach known victims of domestic violence, friends of domestic violence victims and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law and enquire of their willingness to participate in the study.

3)  The researcher will approach known victims of domestic violence, friends of domestic violence victims and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law and enquire of their willingness to participate in the study.

SECTION F: Research Design

1) State the study activities in chronological order. Describe both the activities conducted by members of the research team and the activities of research participants. (e.g., screening, survey, taking a test, answering questions in an interview, completing a specific task, tasks on a computer, running on a treadmill, debriefing, etc.) If videotaping, photographs, or audio-taping will take place, explain how and why recording will occur.

2) Explain how the data will be analyzed or studied; that is, indicate the quantitative or qualitative data analysis methods you will use.

3) Explain how the data will be reported in order to maintain the confidentiality or anonymity of participants (i.e. aggregated, anonymously, names used with consent, participants only identified by professional role, etc.).

1)  The research will employ the use of the qualitative approach. The study will utilize two qualitative data collection methods. The first method that will be used is the interview method that will utilize open-ended questions. Open-ended interviews allow a researcher to seek for clarification in case there is a need. Four groups of people will be interviewed; victims of domestic violence, family members, and friends of domestic violence and reformed perpetrators of domestic violence, and attorneys that have majored in family law.

The second data collection method is the case study method. To collect information for the study a minimum of three cases on domestic violence will be reviewed. The cases that will be studied will contain medical reports of both the culprits and victims of domestic violence. Also, the case studies will detail the legal proceedings of the domestic violence cases from start to end. Through the case study method, it will be possible to identify the effects and the causes of domestic violence. Furthermore, it will be possible to identify the measures in place by law enforcement and the criminal justice systems to prevent and discourage domestic violence.

2)  The collected data will be analyzed through a thematic analysis where common themes will be identified with the intent to provide information on the causes of domestic violence and the handling of domestic violence by the criminal justice system. Once themes have been identified, the findings will be reported via tables. The tables will group the identified themes and their impact on domestic violence. Based on the findings, a conclusion will be made in the study. The study will either confirm or dispel the study’s thesis statement; domestic violence stems from the desire of partners to gain power and control over their intimate powers.

3)  The data will be reported anonymously. All the participants will be assigned random letters that will be used to identify them to the research team only.

SECTION G: Data Collection

SECTION I: Risks to Subjects

IRBs must evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of proposed human subject research. In approving a protocol, IRBs must determine that the benefits outweigh the risks and that risks to subjects are minimized.

Research risk is the probability of harm occurring as a result of participation in research. In non-technical language, address the following:

1) The types of risks (e.g., physical, psychological, social, economic, legal, etc.) the subject may
reasonably
encounter. Include any likelihood that questions may be sensitive or stressful to the participants.

2) Estimate the frequency/likelihood and magnitude of those risks (cite relevant literature, if available).

3) Describe the procedures/process which will be used to reduce or minimize risks:

a. How the data will be safeguarded (e.g., data is anonymous, assigning pseudonyms, aggregate reporting, etc.).

b. How will subjects be explicitly informed if data will NOT be anonymous (Put “N/A” if using anonymous data)

c. What actions would you take if a participant gets hurt or upset?

1) The risks that the subject might encounter are psychological and social risks during the interview when collected necessary data for the study. The psychological risk would occur on the issue of domestic violence because it is a matter of people who were close before, especially the victims that would feel the pain of remembering what transpired during the incident. Social risks are also another challenge during the interview and focus groups especially for the perpetrators of the violence that agree to take part in the study after reforms. The perpetrators would feel guilty and gets the challenge of socializing with people thinking that they might hurt someone close to them. There is a likelihood that the questions in the research interview would be especially sensitive, raising the emotional mood.

2) The frequency for the likelihood for the risk is 3:4 (Bonomi et al., 2016)

3) The risks would be minimized through subjecting the participants to consultative discussion and assure them that their information is relevant in order to change society. The participants are also informed to share information or answer questions that they are comfortable with because the process is voluntary. The participants are also assured for their privacy when necessary.

a) The data is safeguarded through assigning pseudonyms to make sure the information is not attached to any participant.

b) In a scenario where the data in question is considered anonymous the subjects are informed before the interview that they should respond with a not applicable N/B for the interviewer to move to the next question.

c)The immediate action after the participant feeling upset is to cheer them up by engaging in positive discussion, informing them that their participation would help to prevent this type of domestic violence in the future where the information would create societal awareness. In addition, I would apologize by reminding them about the past and console with them that sharing the issue would assist them in healing.

SECTION J: Deception/Incomplete Disclosure

If you cannot adequately state the true purpose of the study to the subject in the informed consent, deception/ incomplete disclosure is involved.

1) Describe the deception/incomplete disclosure of information to the subjects.

2) Explain why such deception/incomplete disclosure is necessary.

3) Explain the debriefing process, or explain why there will not be a debriefing process.

1) There would be incomplete disclosure to the participants about the study processes and procedures specifically for the other participants that engage in the data collection process to make sure they share accurate data.

2) Incomplete disclosure is a necessary to make sure that the participant avoid biasness especially when they learn that the perpetrators of domestic violence also participated in the study and might interfere with the decision to volunteer or give credible information.

3) There would be no debriefing process even though this is considered [art of consent but it may affect the victims of domestic violence negatively knowing that they were betrayed during the interview. There is a need to just let the participants remain with the partial disclosure of the necessary information for the consent and avoid other additional disclosure that might be detrimental rather that beneficial.

SECTION K: Benefits

Describe any direct benefits participants could potentially receive (excluding compensation for participation). If there are no direct benefits, explain what other potential benefits are gained from the research (benefits to society). This cannot be left blank.

There would be no compensation for the participants since the process is fully voluntary and the main objective of engaging them in the study is to create an awareness and education to the society using the research information. The society would benefit in understanding the causes and factors contributing domestic violence and rectify them transforming the society for the good.

SECTION L: Subject Incentives/Compensations

SECTION M: Additional Information

Each participant of the research is interviewed independently to make sure that issues of bias on their feedback is avoided.

SECTION N: Investigator Assurances

As a PI or Co-PI, I certify the following:

· I have reviewed this protocol submission and acknowledge my responsibilities as Principal Investigator.

· The information in this submission accurately reflects the proposed research.

· I will not initiate this study until I receive written approval from the IRB.

· I will promptly report to the IRB any unanticipated problems and adverse events, as well as any findings during the course of the study that may affect the risks and benefits to the subjects.

· I will obtain prior written approval for modifications (amendments) to this protocol including, but not limited to, changes in procedures and/or changes in personnel.

· I have completed the CITI Social and Behavioral Investigator Training Module and have read the Belmont Report.

· All research personnel involved in the study have been appropriately trained in human subjects’ protection. I accept responsibility for assuring adherence to applicable Federal and State research regulations and APUS polices relative to the protection of the rights and welfare of the subjects enrolled in this study.

· I have obtained, or will obtain, all necessary permissions from study sites.

· Unless given Exempt Status, I understand that this study is subject to continuing review and approval by the IRB which will occur at least yearly.

I will promptly report to the IRB any unanticipated problems and adverse events, as well as any findings during the study that may affect the risks and benefits to the subjects.