Research Methods

Overall, both quantitative and qualitative studies are necessary for this topic. Research on the topic of domestic violence will consist of comparative, correlational and longitudinal studies. The majority of studies designed for domestic violence are based on finding risk factors within society to help explain why people commit this crime. Researchers look for commonalities in people that are abusers. Researcher examine demographics, past history, criminal record, or even medical records, any personal information that could link aggression to all perpetrators. A researchers would benefit from a longitudinal study when researching the effects of domestic violence of children. The researcher questions children that have witnessed domestic violence at a young age. The research will survey the same group of participants years later to distinguish whether or not the abuse had any long term effects on the children psychologically.

In Asgeirsdottir et. al. (2011), the researchers conducted a cross sectional national survey with high school students regarding the prevalence of family conflict and violence in relation to mood. The researchers further researched the moods of these students to find whether the majority of the students were experiencing feelings of anger or depression. Findings conclude, that students with experience with family conflict had higher levels than students without experience. The students that were feeling depressed had higher rates of self harm while the students that had more feelings of anger were more likely to begin substance abuse.

A qualitative, self report study was performed by Pennell et. al. (2013). The researchers were looking find connections between the ultimate goals of fathers to understand risk factors of family conflict, specifically child protection (4). Men were asked to to recite in their own words the intentions and goals that he had set for himself and for his family. These self reports were then compared to assessments of child protective findings. The study used a qualitative comparative analysis to find commonalities between a father’s relationship with children and his spouse, as well as the goals that he has for his life and the records of child protection records.

Asgeirsdottir, B.B., Sigfusdottir, I.D., Gudjonsson, G.H. & Sugurdsson, J.F. “Associations between Sexual Abuse and Family Conflict/violence Self-injurious Behavior, and Substance use: the Mediating Role of Depressed Mood and Anger.” Child Abuse & Neglect. 35 (2011): 210-219.

Pennell,, Joan, Rikard, R.V. & Tia Sanders-Rice. “Family Violence: Fathers assessing and managing their risk to children and women.” Children and Youth Services Review. 11 (2013):1-9.