Sir, Further to your editorial of January 13, 1996, I would like to take this opportunity to inform both your journalists and IT readers as to current research being conducted into the area of crime and delinquency in Ireland (you erroneously assert that there is very little). Four years ago the Centre for Social Care Direction and Research was established at Waterford RTC to research areas of applied social studies, one of these areas being that of criminology and penology.
At both diploma and degree level the students are required to research applied areas (as distinct from the universities more theoretical studies) of social problems. I have, in my office, a number of invaluable up to date academic and empirical dissertations with such titles as "Managing Disruptive Adolescent Behaviour in Residential Care", "Post Diploma Training For Those Working With Emotionally Disturbed Children", "Crime, Social Disadvantage And Compensatory Education", "The Effects of A Criminal Sub Culture On Deviant Behaviour", "Juvenile Delinquency in Ireland Treatment Possibilities Whilst In Residential Care", "Behavioural Problems Amongst Criminals", "A Comparative Analysis Of Crime Classifications In Ireland And Crime Classifications In The UK".
There are up to 30 related titles and you are welcome to inspect them. The research is most interesting in that the students have, and are, working in this area themselves meaning their knowledge is first hand unlike the academic and social policy writings we are continually asked to refer to. It would be appropriate to seek information on juvenile delinquency, and crime in general, from those working with these sub groups as they have day today contact with both the delinquent/criminal and his/her family and are in a unique position. The dissertations are professionally presented typed, hard bound with full references and bibliography sections. Many of them include case studies and interviews.
It is a great pity that the research of students is generally not fully respected in academic circles (until post graduate level) especially in the applied area as very often, they have most to tell. We need to create a research culture that lacks the snobbish element of "them" and us and work instead towards attempting to deal with the issue at hand.
Yours, etc., Course Director, BA Applied Social Studies in Social Care, Waterford Regional Technical College, Waterford.