Employing Mixed Methods: The Case of Elder Financial Exploitation

• Pages: 101-114
• Date: 26 August 2019
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1521-613620190000024010
• Published date: 26 August 2019
• Author: Julie Brancale,Thomas G. Blomberg

101

CHAPTER 6

EMPLOYING MIXED METHODS:

THE CASE OF ELDER FINANCIAL

EXPLOITATION

Julie Brancale and Thomas G. Blomberg

ABSTRACT

Purpose – This chapter will demonstrate the usefulness of mixed methods

research in an understudied area of criminology and criminal justice, namely

elder nancial exploitation.

Methodology/approach – The data and research methodology described in

this chapter come from a recently completed comprehensive case study of elder

nancial exploitation in Florida.

Findings – Elder nancial exploitation is a growing social problem in the

United States and there is little theoretical or empirical research available

regarding the prevalence, risk factors, protective factors, and consequences.

Given that the current status of the research literature is largely fragmented

and discontinuous, conducting a survey aimed at validation was not possible.

Through the mixed method case study involving a literature review, focus group

discussions, and interview questions, the authors have developed a theoretical

framework for elder nancial exploitation that can be quantitatively validated.

Originality/value – This chapter provides justication for the expanded use of

mixed methods research for other understudied topic areas within criminology

and criminal justice and provides the foundation for the development of a com-

prehensive theoretical framework for explaining elder nancial exploitation.

Keywords: Case study; elder nancial exploitation; mixed methods research;

qualitative research methods; theoretical development; elder nancial fraud

Methods of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research

Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Volume 24, 101–114

Copyright © 2019 by Emerald Publishing Limited

All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

ISSN: 1521-6136/doi:10.1108/S1521-613620190000024010