Unveiling Marginalized Voices: Qualitative Research on Race/Ethnicity and the Criminal Legal System

• In Event: Interrogating the Meaning of “Rigorous” Research: How Qualitative Methods Are Essential to Criminological Understandings

Abstract

This paper examines the unique contributions of qualitative methods in understanding marginalized individuals’ and communities’ experiences with the criminal legal system. Unlike quantitative methods, which may simplify complex social dynamics, qualitative approaches capture the nuanced lived experiences of individuals impacted by systemic inequalities. Through interviews, ethnographies, and case studies, qualitative research can uncover the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of justice that are often invisible in statistical data. The author examines specific instances where qualitative methods provide insights that would be missed by quantitative approaches alone, such as the intricacies of racial profiling, institutional bias, and community responses to legal interventions. Furthermore, it highlights key considerations for researchers using qualitative methods to study race, ethnicity, and justice, emphasizing the importance of reflexivity, cultural competence, and ethical sensitivity. Researchers must be mindful of power dynamics, the risk of retraumatization, and the need for diverse perspectives to ensure their findings accurately reflect the experiences of marginalized populations. The author argues for the essential role of qualitative methods in revealing the complex realities of racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system.

Author

• Miltonette Olivia Craig, Sam Houston State University