Exam 2 Study Guide Intro to Research Methods in Crim

UCR

FBI databases of crimes reported to police

Index Crimes

8 major crimes used to measure crime

Violent Crime Index

Murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault

Property Crime Index

Burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson

Crime Rate

(Number of crimes / population) x 100,000

Crime Dip

Crime decline beginning in the 1990s

Hot Spots

Areas with concentrated crime

NIBRS

Detailed crime reporting system that replaced many UCR limitations (National Incident-Based Reporting System)

Hierarchy Rule

Only the most serious offense is counted

Sampling

Selecting part of a population to represent the whole

Sampling Frame

List of all population members

Simple Random Sampling

Everyone has equal chance

Stratified Random Sampling

Population divided into groups then sampled

Proportionate Stratified Sample

Groups sampled according to population size

Disproportionate Stratified Sample

Groups intentionally over- or under-sampled

Cluster Sample

Randomly select groups instead of individuals

Systematic Sample

Every nth person selected

Random Start

Random beginning point for systematic sampling

Multistage Sample

Multiple sampling methods combined

Probability Sampling Advantages

Representative and Generalizable

Probability Sampling Disadvantages

Expensive and time consuming

Quota Sample

Fill categories until quotes met

Accidental Sample

Whoever is available

Purposive Sample

Participants chosen for specific characteristics

Snowball Sample

Participants recruit others

Non Probability Sampling Advantages

Cheap, easy, and useful for hidden populations

Non Probability Sampling Disadvantages

Less representative and limited generalization

Focus Groups

Small group discussion

Mock Trials

Simulated court proceedings

Criminal Profiling

Predict offender traits from crime characteristics

Variable List

List of variables to be measured

Dummy Tables

Tables prepared before data collection

Pretest

Trial run of survey

Mail Surveys

Surveys distributed through mail

Increasing Mail Responses

Follow-up letters, incentives, personalized contacts, and return envelopes

Self-Report Surveys

People report their own behaviors

Known-Group Validation

Determines if survey distinguishes known groups

Lie Scales

Detect dishonesty

Internal Consistency

Items measure same concept

Keyboard Entry

Respondent enters answers directly

Coder Monitoring

Checks coding accuracy

Codesheet

Records coded responses

Coding

Assign numbers to responses

Codebook

Explains coding system

Structured Interview

Predetermined question

Unstructured Interview

Flexible conversation

Depth Interview

Detailed exploration

Interviewer Effect

Interviewer influences answers

Randomized Response Technique (RRT)

Protects anonymity on sensitive questions

Probing

Follw-up questions

Editing

Checking completed interview

Vignettes

Short situations used for responses

Scenarios

Hypothetical situations

Screening Questions

Determine eligibility

CAPI

Computer-assisted Personal Interviewing

CART

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing

SPSS

Statistical analysis software

Random Digit Dialing

Randomly generated phone numbers

Branching Procedure

Questions depend on previous answers

Dark Figure of Crime

Crimes not reported to police

NCVS

National Crime Victimization Survey

Crime Panel

Same people surveyed repeatedly

Bounding

Reduced duplicate reporting

Telescoping Reporting

crime outside the time frame

Demand Characteristics

Participants alter answers because of expectations

Reverse Record Check

Start with people and determine if crimes were reported

Verbal Reports vs. Behavior

What people say vs. what they do

Participant Observation

Researcher participants while observing

Verstehen Approach

Understanding from participant perspective

Complete Participant

Identity hidden

Participant-as-Observer

Participants know researcher

Observer-as-Particpant

Minimal participation

Complete Observer

Observation only

Objectivity

Remaining unbiased

Going Native

Researcher becomes too involved

Field Notes

Written observations

Mnemonics

Memory aids before writing notes

Visual Criminology

Use of photos/videos in research

Single-Subject Designs

Study of one person/unit

Validity

Measures what it should measure

Face Validity

Appears valid

Content Validity

Covers all aspects

Construct Validity

Measures theoretical concept

Pragmatic Validity

Predicts actual outcomes

Convergent-Discriminant Validation

Related measures correlate; unrelated do not

Reliability

Produces consistent results

Test-Related Method

Same test twice

Multiple Forms

Different versions of same test

Split-Half Reliability

Compare halves of a test

Triangulation

Use multiple methods/data sources to study same issues

DUF

Drug Use Forecasting Program

Reliability

CONSISTENCY

Validity

ACCURACY