In their article, Donald Green and Andrew Rich implemented the quantitative non-experimental research design. In particular, they tried to assess the relationships between such variables as the number of cross burnings in North Caroline and the activities of white supremacist organizations by looking at historical data (Green and Rich, 263). Additionally, this study involved the use of various statistical models such as event count analysis and the Poisson model. These are the main aspects that can be identified.
It is vital to focus on the measurement techniques used by scholars. One can say that the dependent variable was evaluated mostly at the interval level of measurement. In other words, the researchers estimated the number of cross burnings within the period between 1987 and 1993 (Green and Rich 266). Moreover, researchers relied on nominal measurement, especially when they described those people who were attacked by white supremacist organizations and the nature of hate crimes. In turn, the independent variable of the activities of white supremacist groups was measured at the nominal level.
On the whole, the measurement of dependent variables can contribute to the reliability of the study. The researchers paid attention to the number, location, and description of hate crimes. Moreover, the organizations that provided the information we’re able to collect data in a stable and consistent way (Green and Rich 266). In this case, one can speak about such an agency as North Carolinians Against Racial and Religious Violence which documented various cases of hate crime and vandalism. Therefore, if there was a relationship between variables, the data could reflect the relationship between variables. However, it should be taken into account a similar study even if it is conducted in North Carolina may not yield the same results. The problem is that this study was aimed at examining the events that had taken place in the early nineties. Since that time, the influence of white supremacist organizations could declined significantly. Furthermore, this article does not show there is a distinct connection between the rallies of racist groups and cross burnings.
There are several factors that can decrease the external and external validity of this research. The findings of the authors cannot be applicable to other settings. The authors focused only on the role of white supremacist organizations on the behavior of people in the American South. Therefore, the results of the research cannot be generalized. This is one of the main drawbacks that should be considered. Furthermore, there are some threats to internal validity. The study was partly based on the assumption that suspected cross-burners had not been members of white supremacist organizations. Yet, this assumption may not be accurate. The problem is that such agencies as Ku Klux Clan and Christian Knights are not open to the public, and the members of these organizations do not acknowledge that they support white supremacist ideology. This bias can undermine the internal validity of the study.
Overall, this discussion suggests that the study, carried out by Donald Green and Andrew Rich, has significant limitations. These results can be at best applicable only to North Caroline during the early nineties. Moreover, it is very difficult to prove that the rallies of white supremacist organizations influenced the behavior of people who had no ties to these groups. These are some of the main issues that can be identified. Nevertheless, it is not possible to overlook the influence of racist groups on the values and attitudes of people.
Works Cited
Green, Donald and Andrew Rich. ”White Supremacist Activity and Cross Burnings in North Carolina.” Journal of Quantitative Criminology 14. 3 (1998): 263-282. Print.