Final answer:
Lauren is employing a historical research design to study changes in crime rates in Canada between 1970 and 1990. She will use public records to analyze trends and apply statistical models to understand the causal relationships and provide meaningful conclusions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lauren is interested in researching the change in crime rates in Canada between 1970 and 1990, and to do this, she is using public records which signifies a historical research design. This type of analysis involves examining and interpreting data from the past to understand trends and patterns.
In Lauren's case, she would likely look at archived crime reports, demographic statistics, and possibly national surveys like the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, tailoring her analysis to Canadian resources.
When conducting this sort of research, it's vital to consider the operational definitions and the scope of the study to ensure that the results are meaningful and generalizable. For example, defining what constitutes a 'crime' is necessary to maintaining consistency across the data.
Moreover, it is important to control for variables like population demographics and regional characteristics, as these can influence crime rates independently of other factors.
Compiling findings into a comprehensive report is the last step of the process, which Lauren will likely undertake after her thorough review of the crime data.