Article Analysis of Saving Children, Controlling Families: Punishment, Redistribution, and Child Protection by Frank Edward (Essay Example)

Overview: Please specify the title and author(s) of the research report you are evaluating. Provide an overview of the social problem or issue being addressed by the researcher(s).

The article I am evaluating in this essay is, Saving Children, Controlling Families: Punishment, Redistribution, and Child Protection by Frank Edward. In this study it talks about how children are taken from their homes most commonly in states with harsher criminal justice systems than those that are more relaxed, and offer better welfare programs. The researcher uses multiple data sources to solidify his case and provide accurate findings. 

Sample: Who did the researcher(s) sample for the study? Does the sample represent the population it claims to represent? Why or why not? Discuss/assess the size of the sample. Was the sample sufficiently randomized?

The researcher samples children in the foster system using data which is already available.  The sources he used for this data are, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System or AFCARS, and the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (Edward, pg. 591).  The other group the researcher samples is the amount of people incarcerated to the amount of children in the foster system. This sample undoubtedly represents the population it claims. On page 589 there are graphs showing how foster care entry rate increases as harsh policing does. Also, it shows entries decreasing with better welfare programs available.

Method: Which of the following method(s) were used to gather the data: survey, content analysis, observation, case study, or secondary analysis? What is your assessment of the choice of the method(s) used? Do the conclusions drawn fit the method(s) used? Explain.

Frank Edward uses secondary data analysis as his choice of method in his research. In my opinion, this method was the best one to choose from. It uses a very wide variety of data that is hard to get using a different method such as observation or case studies. This method allows quick access to the information needed. One of the data he shows is a map of the United States and an approximation of each point (incarceration rate, foster care entries, etc.).  The conclusion is, when states have tough policing and worse welfare benefits it usually has the most child protection service intervention (Edward, pg.590).  Which is exactly what Frank Edward is trying to prove with this study. 

Findings: Provide a summary of the primary finding/results of the research. Does this study provide a new outlook or perspective on the topic, or does it support the findings of previous studies? Explain. 

The researcher’s findings clearly show a correlation between states with children in the foster system, higher institutionalization, and inferior welfare benefits. This study assuredly provides a new outlook on the topic. Frank Edward does state that there have been similar studies done like this one, however not one that directly points a finger at the police regime. (Edward, pg. 590). 

Overall Assessment: Do you agree with the researcher(s)’ findings? Why or why not? Based on your evaluation of the sociological research, how would you rate the quality of the study? You may use a 1 – 10 scale, but also please explain your rating.

Yes, I do agree with the research findings. This study provides concrete data that is very hard to dispute. Where there is tougher policing and inferior welfare there are more children in the foster system. I would rate the quality of the study a 9 out of 10. It is very detailed and provides lots of evidence for the hypothesis. However, some of the data shown was a little confusing to me. Overall, Frank Edward did a great job proving his research on this topic and I found it very interesting to read.