Criminologist Research Methods
Criminologists research methods 1
Running head: HOW CRIMINOLOGISTS STUDY CRIME
How Criminologists Study Crime
Ronnie Shepherd
Criminology 321B
Criminologists research methods 2
HOW CRIMINOLOGIST STUDY CRIME
Criminologists have many different exploratory methods to gauge criminal behavior,
character, disposition, and social circumstances of criminal offenders. The comprehension of
these studies is truly significant as this information is gathered by criminologists as they access
diverse issues and query their discipline
Survey Research
A criminologist uses data that assess a person’s approach, convictions, usefulness,
attributes, and conduct. Through this reciprocal relationship, the criminologists would be able to
interpret the connection interval of particular components.
The self-report survey requires respondents to illustrate meticulously, their present and
past association in crime. This report requires anonymity for the respondents from outside
influences “in order to ensure the validity and honesty of the responses.” Another evaluation
that is used is the victimization survey which pose individuals to declare their experiences as
crime victims (Siegel, 2006).
Cohort Research
Cohort research is simply watching a circle of individuals who share the same traits
For example, take a group of twelve year old boys who were raised in the same housing project
in Washington, D.C., observed them until they become twenty-one years old. This approach is
extremely difficult, expensive, and most definitely time consuming. Another method that can be
used is to look back into their early life experiences by checking their educational, family, police,
and hospital records. “This is as a retrospective cohort study (Siegel, 2006).”
Criminologists research
Running head: HOW CRIMINOLOGISTS STUDY CRIME
How Criminologists Study Crime
Ronnie Shepherd
Criminology 321B
Criminologists research methods 2
HOW CRIMINOLOGIST STUDY CRIME
Criminologists have many different exploratory methods to gauge criminal behavior,
character, disposition, and social circumstances of criminal offenders. The comprehension of
these studies is truly significant as this information is gathered by criminologists as they access
diverse issues and query their discipline
Survey Research
A criminologist uses data that assess a person’s approach, convictions, usefulness,
attributes, and conduct. Through this reciprocal relationship, the criminologists would be able to
interpret the connection interval of particular components.
The self-report survey requires respondents to illustrate meticulously, their present and
past association in crime. This report requires anonymity for the respondents from outside
influences “in order to ensure the validity and honesty of the responses.” Another evaluation
that is used is the victimization survey which pose individuals to declare their experiences as
crime victims (Siegel, 2006).
Cohort Research
Cohort research is simply watching a circle of individuals who share the same traits
For example, take a group of twelve year old boys who were raised in the same housing project
in Washington, D.C., observed them until they become twenty-one years old. This approach is
extremely difficult, expensive, and most definitely time consuming. Another method that can be
used is to look back into their early life experiences by checking their educational, family, police,
and hospital records. “This is as a retrospective cohort study (Siegel, 2006).”
Criminologists research
Cited: Schmallenger, F. (2007). Criminal Justice (9th ed). An Introductory txt for the 21st Century. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall Siegel, L.J. (2006). Criminology (9th ed). Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth