Survey Methods and Crime Analysis

Flashcards based on key concepts from survey methods, crime analysis, and evaluation research.

What are self-administered questionnaires?

Written, printed, or electronic survey instruments respondents fill out themselves.

What is response rate?

The proportion of surveys returned relative to the total number of surveys fielded.

What is professional respondent bias?

When participants sign up to be part of a survey panel just for the incentives.

What are double-barreled questions?

Questions that ask about more than one topic per question, making it unclear which question is being answered.

What are leading questions?

When a question sounds controversial or contains assumptions or opinions, influencing the respondent's answer.

What do informed consent statements do?

Let participants know if their identities and data are confidential.

At what grade level should survey questions be understandable?

6th grade level.

What is data processing?

Coding survey responses and converting them into useful data.

What does Dillman recommend sending to survey respondents after mailing questionnaires?

'Thank-you' postcards.

What are independent variables also called?

Predictor variables.

What is the experimental group?

The subjects or units of interest receiving treatment in a study.

What is the control group?

The subjects or units of interest not receiving treatment in a study.

What is selection bias?

Differences that may unknowingly exist between the control and experimental groups that threaten internal validity.

What is a quasi-experiment?

An experiment used when random assignment to a control or experimental group is not possible, impractical, or unethical.

What is a field experiment?

An experiment that occurs outside of labs and artificial locations.

What type of research did Zaykowski utilize?

Quantitative research.

What is sampling bias?

A threat to internal validity that can cause issues with generalizability.

What type of data tracks how often something has happened?

Frequency data.

What is a part of a geographic information system?

Software.

What is spatial data?

Data with geographic coordinates associated with physical locations.

What is hardware in the context of GIS?

Physical equipment making up a geographic information system.

What is software in crime analysis?

Invisible technology, such as programming used in crime analysis.

Who is a stakeholder in the context of GIS?

A person or organization requesting support from geographic information system specialists.

What is tactical crime analysis?

Crime analysis that aims to quickly clear criminal cases by identifying patterns and developing leads.

What does problem-oriented crime analysis aim to do?

Develop solutions to chronic crime-related problems.

What is hot spot analysis?

Spatial-statistical methods identifying areas with nonrandom, high concentrations of crime events.

What are examples of stakeholders?

Police officers, community members, government officials, business owners.

What is process evaluation?

Evaluation designed to offer insight about the implementation of a program.

What is summative evaluation?

Evaluation used to make a comprehensive assessment of a program after implementation.

What is needs evaluation?

Evaluation to find out if there is a problem that could be addressed by a program.

What is monitoring evaluation?

Evaluation to understand whether an existing program is changing over time.

What do outcome evaluations assess?

Whether a program is achieving its goals.

What step of a logic model does training or education belong to?

Activities Set

What are changed attitudes or values examples of in a logic model?

Outcomes.

What are standards of an effective evaluation?

Utility, feasibility, propriety, accuracy.

What is the primary purpose of conducting research?

To generate knowledge.

What is the most commonly used measure of central tendency?

Mean.

What does the median represent?

The numeric center or midpoint of a data distribution.

What is the mode?

The value appearing most often in a data set.

What does the range describe in measures of dispersion?

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set.

What is a data table?

A grid-formatted document that arranges data in rows and columns.

What are primary interfaces of SPSS?

Data Editor, Output Viewer, Syntax Editor.

What is a THEME in qualitative data analysis?

An idea category that emerges from grouping lower level data points together.

What is a skill?

The ability to do something well.

What is a cover letter?

A formal letter to a hiring official introducing yourself and describing your interest in working for a specific organization.

What is a résumé?

A written summary of an educational record, work history, certifications, memberships, and accomplishments.

What should strong résumés include?

Clear formatting, relevant experience, quantifiable achievements, keywords from the job description.

What is a reference letter?

A document in which an applicant’s former employer assesses their qualities and capabilities.

What must career conditional federal employees complete?

A 1-year probationary period.

Where are most job listings found today?

On online job boards.