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Samenvatting: alle lecture's criminological research
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HC1: Introduction to Criminological ResearchInterdisciplinary science(di erent explanatory models): psychology, sociology, economy
Analysis level: micro, meso, macro
*mostly direct en indirect observations or experiences
Quantitative = measuring the size of nature of a phenomenon; testing theory, generalization
(dominant, provides broad data), N = large
Qualitative = exploratory; in-depth interviews; observations; media research (less common,
provides in-depth data), N= small
-> combination of these two strengthens the research quality
Quantitative research:
- Descriptive research; describe crime (scope)
- Correlational research; compare phenomena/crime (development/coherence)
- Experimental research; causal relationships and crime (testing)
Examples: survey research, secondary analysis (existing data), experimental laboratory research,
longitudinal study, meta-analysis.
Collecting data,
1. Existing data at the police and judicial authorities -> illegal activity, police reports, criminal
cases.
2. Non-judicial data (such as statistics) -> Crime and law enforcement (CBS)
3. Victim or o enders surveys -> safety monitor or police monitor
4. Self-report surveys -> WODC
Dark Number = only a fraction of illegal activities are registered, al large amount of data is
missing (not every human tra cker is caught, in fact, most are not!). Alternative to register more
activity: combining di erent sources (self-report, o ender surveys, victim surveys) or combining
research methods (quantitative/qualitative).
Non-response: high non-response in criminological research, people refuse to answer a question
because it is about crime, same applies to participation in the research.
Empirical cycle,
1. Observation: an idea arises from observation, something to explore, literature study to
determine what is known
2. Induction: formulate an abstract research question, guiding cause and measurable e ect,
from speci c to a generalization/theory
3. Deduction: specify general theory, develop a workable hypothesis, from the general theory to
the particular, operationalize.
4. Testing: conducting research, collect data, analyzing and testing.
5. Evaluation: con rm or reject the hypothesis/theory, su cient evidence?, theory can be:
adjusted, expanded or improved.
Population and sample,
Population = the collection of all research units (for example: all UU students)
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, Sample (N) = a subset of the population. we collect data from the research units. This group
represents the population (sample size is represented by the letter N)
Random = each member of the subset has an equal probability of being chosen
Selective = the choose of the sample is not random.
Qualitative Approach:
• Explorative (no testing)
• Interpretive (verstehen/verklaren)
• Constructivist (social, cultural, etc.)
• Inductive (data to theory)
• Holistic (all aspects)
• Contextual (focus ‘in’ context)
• Cyclical an iterative (repeat)
• Primary data ( rst-hand, eldwork)
Why focus on Qualitative methods in criminology?
1. experiments are di cult or impossible
2. o cial crime statistics are limited (dark number) and politically loaded (crime numbers = hot
issues)
3. survey data on sensitive topics: gap between attitudes (words) and social practices (deeds)
4. Unrecorded elds such as organized, corporate, whit collar ands state crime . Also groups or
gender violence, fraud, drug tra cking and use, green or digital crimes etc.
Qualitative Research Designs,
- Cross-sectional or snapshot (one moment)
- Longitudinal (more measurements, development)
- Retrospectieve (biography, life history, perceptions before and after intervention, historical)
- Comparative (also meta-level and parallel studies)
- Case study (N = 1)
- Ethnographic (small groups, thick descriptions, verstehen)
Data Collection
Methods:
1.Interviews: individual
or focus groups
2. (Participant) Observation: in situations/locations, within groups, networks, organizations, etc.
3. (Auto) biography: life histories
4. Discourse analysis: text, images, sound or art (photos, lm, songs etc.)
5. All of the above… online: digital, virtual etc.
Individuals - criminals, victims Groups - gangs, networks, squatters, graf ti
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, Organizations - companies, prisons, charities, Small communities - streets, neighborhoods,
police ethnic or religious communities
Social worlds / lifestyles / subcultures - queer Practicies - drug trade, fraud, corruption,
scene, elite clubs, wall-street, homeless human traf cking, wild life trade, sexual
assault, scam
Events - covid-pandemic, wars (Syria or Interactions - offender/victim, police/citizen
Ukraine), a green washing scandal, a data
breach, a ransomware attack
Roles - in criminal organization, families, Relationships - criminal, professional, law
companies enforcement, state-corporate,
pharmaceutical-medical
Samples:
• Probability (random) - di cult
• Non-probability (non-random) - normally
Size population unknown in advance
Collection and analysis follow each other until saturation
Non-probability samples:
1. Convenience - pragmatic, access for more
2. Quota - minimum number in each group
3. Snowball - used often, rules and restrictions
4. Purposive - members meet certain criteria informed by empirical of theoretical insights
(previous research, goal, gap).
5. Theoretical - to further develop theory (grounded theory)
Article 1 (Bows, 2018);
Overview of various methodological approaches used in criminological research. Importance of
selecting appropriate methods based on RQ, design and ethical considerations, and align with
research objectives and data type to answer ‘research question’ e ectively.
Quantitative methods -> the collection and analysis of numeric data + the advantages and
disadvantages of quantitative methods, like surveys, experiments and context analysis +
highlights ability to provide statistical insights and generalization.
Qualitative methods -> the collection and analysis of non-numerical data, i.e. interviews,
observations, and case studies. They capture rich and in-depth data, but with limited
generalizability + mixed methods are pointed out.
- Four speci c techniques are discussed, along with guidelines on how to use them (sampling,
data collection and data analysis).
- Need for rigor -> proper design, data collection and analyzing techniques.
- Need of transparency -> potential biases and limitations
Article 2 (Becker, 1967);
Ethical considerations and potential biases that social scientists may encounter in their research.
Personal opinions, loyalties and biases that have an in uence. Second, the importance of
transparency and openness (about funding sources, political a liations or personal interests) in
research and are encouraged to acknowledge their own perspectives and potential con ict of
interest.
Third, Becker notes that complete objectivity is unattainable, but should strive to minimize bias
by using rigorous methods, critically examine their own assumptions and being open to
alternative perspectives. Scientists are responsible for being honest transparent and impartial and
carefully consider the potential impact of their work on society.
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