NCJ Number
39470
Journal
Criminology Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1976) Pages: 307-330
Date Published
1976
Length
24 pages
Annotation
A CRITIQUE OF THE METHODOLOGY USED IN CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION SURVEYS AND IDENTIFICATION OF SEVERAL SOURCES OF ERROR THAT MAY RESULT IN ARTIFICIALLY INFLATED CRIME RATES BASED ON SUCH DATA.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT CRIMES GIVEN BY RESPONDENTS MAY BE INCORRECT DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT WHAT TRANSPIRED, IGNORANCE ABOUT LEGAL DEFINITIONS, MEMORY FAILURES ABOUT WHEN CRIMES OCCURRED, AND OUTRIGHT PREFABRICATION. ORGANIZATIONAL IMPERATIVES THAT MAY CAUSE INTERVIEWERS AND CODERS TO SLANT DATA TOWARD A SHOWING OF MORE INCIDENCES OF CRIMINALITY ARE ANALYZED. FINALLY, SOME IDEAS FOR MEASURING RESPONSE VALIDITY MORE PRECISELY ARE PRESENTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP