"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" -Albert Szent- Gyorgyi
Without research we would not understand what is truly significant. Research is searching, comprehending, and exposing minds to new possibilities. Research is crucial in order to change our past actions and to comprehend possibilities on changing the future. Research aids society in its development. There are many intricacies that are solved through the understanding and expediting of research. Paul Leedy (2010) explains the hypothesis of certain research in his ninth edition to the book Practical Research, “It may direct your thinking to possible sources of information that will aid in resolving more subproblems and, in the process, the principle research problem” (p. 4). Research has a set structure, which helps minimize the possibility of error. Following specific guidelines allows the researcher to more fully answer the problem and helps those more effusively understand the results. The problems of society can only be solved if a person is willing to research, and if that research is expedited appropriately and efficiently.
In “Chaos in the Courtroom Reconsidered: Emotional Bias and Juror Nullification” Horowitz effectively researches the perceptual predisposition jurors can have in the court room, and the effect predisposition has on the overall outcome of trials. The article was found in JSTOR database in the academic journal Law and Human Behavior . The article was reviewed by researchers in sociology as well as by Horowitz who has a doctorate in sociology. The article was then published by Springer one of the top scientific publishing companies. Horowitz’s research question was whether or not the jury’s perceptual predisposition would have an effect over the overall outcome of the trial (p. 163). The article describes new data through a simulated trial online to decide significant expressive reactions. Organizationally Horowitz’s data was uncomplicated. His research was effective and allowed me to easily comprehend how he performed his simulated trial, and the significance of his research.
Horowitz was not reluctant to help those who were subsequent to him in his research understand his research stages. Horowitz began with his Research question and hypothesis. He stated that there indeed would be an effect on jurors through emotional bias (p. 163). He described the chaos theory as “unpredictable and mean spirited verdicts” (177). He also incorporated in his research the diverse assortments of prejudice that a juror could have, while explaining past research on fairness and ethics and how it has been proven in the past to cause too much passion (167). He goes on to draw a model of his research, and in detail explaining his exact research method and design. To look for error he controls his variables. Horowitz then compares it to other verdicts from the past and precedent research showing that jury instruction does not have an effect on outcomes of trials (p. 176). In the conclusion Horowitz finds (dissimilar to precedent research) that jury instruction can cause disorder in the courtroom making jury members additionally disposed to emotional reaction and changing their verdicts (179). I would agree with interpretation of results because Horowitz had much strength to his argument, and he also controlled for errors. He saw how emotional jurors got over instructions and how it often had a counteraction, and caused the jury to return different verdicts.
“Chaos in the Courtroom Reconsidered: Emotional Bias and Juror Nullification” is adequate to my definition of research because it examines knowledge that is crucial for us to know in order to improve our trial process in society. Horowitz also expedites his research with a set structure. He made sure to state his restrictions, and minimizes as much error as possible. He aided us in understanding the results, and it is because of him that we can have the knowledge of the effect of juror instructions. Without this knowledge, we are not capable of fighting for a change.
As a researcher and writer my strengths are that I am able to choose a subject and become involved in that subject. I am a very emotional writer, which to my advantage helps me get more involved in what I am researching. At the same time being an emotional writer can have an effect on your writing. Sometimes, I can carry on too much, or get off track. I will leverage my emotional writing and research, and try to use it to my benefit, instead of getting too involved, I will let the research take its course, and comprehend it to a fuller extent.
Horowitz, I., Kerr, N., Park, E., & Gockel, C. (2006). Chaos in The Courtroom Reconsidered: Emotional Bias and Juror Nullification. Law and Human Behavior, 30(2), 163-81. http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/4499467?seq=1
Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. (2010). Practical Research: Planning and Design (9 ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
NUI Maynooth South Campus Russell Library. (2006, January 19). NUI Maynooth - Welcome. Retrieved August 26, 2010, from http://www.nuim.ie/location/tour/south_10.shtml
Excellent entry, Marta! You demonstrate critical thinking and excellent attention to assignment details. Hopefully, we’ll be able to really build on your strengths, as well as work on your self-identified weaknesses as a writer/researcher during this semester! Well done!
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