SOS 492 TESU Research Methods in Social Science Presentaion

This is a RESEARCH PROPOSAL that goes along with the previous paper:The issue of wrongful convictions in America has been a prevalent and persistent problem affecting the criminal justice system for decades. This issue is particularly concerning because it often results in the incarceration of innocent people, which can have devastating effects on their lives and the lives of their families. The puzzle that this research seeks to explore is the disproportionate prevalence of wrongful convictions in urban areas and communities with less economic resources. An antecedent variable that may play a role in wrongful convictions is prior arrests or criminality. Intervening variables that could be significant include socioeconomic status and demographics. Socioeconomic status is relevant because it may affect an individual’s access to quality legal representation, while demographics may impact the degree of systemic bias that an individual may encounter in the criminal justice system. By examining these variables in conjunction with race, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to wrongful convictions in urban areas and communities with less economic resources.This research shall seek to answer the research question: “Why are there more incidents of wrongful convictions in urban areas and communities with fewer economic resources?” Wrongful convictions are a widespread problem that disproportionately affects people of color. In areas with lower socioeconomic status, fewer resources are available to fight these injustices, so they continue without consequence. This problem may be exacerbated by the prior arrests and criminality of the accused, as well as the presence of systemic bias within the criminal justice system. Critical race theory (CRT) is the best framework for understanding the prevalence of wrongful convictions in America. CRT argues that racial inequality is ingrained in the legal system, and this inequality is perpetuated through the policies and practices of the criminal justice system. This theory suggests that the overrepresentation of people of color among wrongful convictions is not a result of individual bias or error but rather a systemic issue. Therefore, understanding how economic resources and prior criminality intersect with race in the criminal justice system is crucial to addressing this problem.