Incorporating Socio-Historical Context Into Quantitative Cross-National Criminology

• NCJ Number: 218334
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: Michigan State University, School of Criminal Justice Pages: 177-207
• Author(s): Janet P. Stamatel
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 31 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper examines how quantitative cross-national crime studies have ignored socio-historical context in the analyses and interpretation of results.

Abstract

This paper illustrates two ways in which quantitative cross-national criminology could better incorporate socio-historical context into comparative criminology, especially through more careful and critical evaluations of the use of space and time in quantitative analyses. With respect to issues of space in quantitative analyses, purposive sampling may offer a better alternative than convenience sampling in some cases. Purposive sampling can optimize quality control over both the dependent and independent variables. It can also improve data reliability through a comparison of data across different sources and it can give a better understanding of the sampled countries. Another advantage of purposive sampling is the ability to incorporate political, economic, historical, and sociological research about the selected countries into the analytical models and the discussion of results. With respect to issues of time in quantitative cross-national criminology, researchers should not only be more critical about the implications of time frames and time spans on the socio-historical context, but they should explore statistical techniques to better model time in their analyses. This paper illustrates how two popular research design decisions, namely the use of nonrepresentative samples and cross-sectional designs, minimize the importance of space and time in quantitative cross-national research. It presents a literature review of the past 40 years on quantitative cross-national crime and it concludes with recommendations for incorporating socio-historical context into quantitative comparative criminology. Table, figures, references, and appendix