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Exploring the Role of Statistical Analysis in Criminology from an Educational Point of View

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 18, 224 - 233

Abstract

This article examines the role of statistical analysis in criminology, thoroughly investigating its diverse influence and uses. The introduction provides a comprehensive analysis of the convergence of statistics and criminology, highlighting the significance of statistical methodologies in comprehending and mitigating criminal conduct and augmenting the efficacy of the criminal justice system via statistical techniques. The following section examines statistical analysis's impact on comprehending crime trends, facilitating policy development, and constructing effective crime prevention tactics. Real-world case studies show statistical analysis's practical use and beneficial effects in criminological practice. Notwithstanding the many benefits, it is indispensable to acknowledge and examine the possible obstacles and constraints associated with using statistical analysis in criminology. These include but are not limited to difficulties about data quality, ethical considerations, and resource constraints. Considering the abovementioned factors, we propose prospective resolutions and alternative measures to address these obstacles effectively. In anticipation of forthcoming developments, we draw attention to emerging patterns and advancements in the field, including big data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, which have the potential to augment the capabilities and efficacy of statistical analysis within the realm of criminology. The conclusion effectively integrates the main topics examined, affirming the crucial significance of statistical analysis in the progression of criminological research, policy formulation, and practical implementation. Furthermore, it highlights the contribution of statistical analysis towards establishing safer communities and a fairer criminal justice system.

References

  • Black, J. A. (2016). Descriptive statistics in criminal justice research. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2016.1159880
  • Braga, A. A., & Weisburd, D. L. (2012). The effects of focused deterrence strategies on crime: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 49(3), 323–358.
  • Brandl, S. G. (2017). Inferential statistics hypothesis testing and crime analysis. Crime analysis and crime mapping. SAGE Publications.
  • Ciccarelli, S., & Lazzari, R. (2015). La devianza giovanile autorilevata. Primi resultati della ricerca ISRD3 a Napoli. Rassegna Italiana di Criminologia, 3, 159-173. https://issuu.com/pensamultimedia/docs/rassegna_italiana_di_criminologia_3_2015
  • Chainey, S., & Ratcliffe, J. (2013). GIS and crime mapping. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Copes, H., & Miller, J. (2015). The routledge handbook of qualitative criminology. Routledge.
  • Ferguson, A. G. (2017). The rise of big data policing: Surveillance, race, and the future of law enforcement. NYU Press.
  • Gill, C., Weisburd, D., Telep, C. W., Vitter, Z., & Bennett, T. (2014). Community-oriented policing to reduce crime, disorder, and fear, and increase satisfaction and legitimacy among citizens: A systematic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 10(4), 399-428.
  • Kaplan, A., & Haenlein, M. (2019). Siri, Siri, in my hand: Who’s the fairest in the land? On the interpretations, illustrations, and implications of artificial intelligence. Business Horizons, 62(1), 15-25.
  • Knox, G. W. (2006). Findings from the k-12 survey project: A special report of the ngcrc on gang problems in schools. Journal of Gang Research, 14(1), 1–52.
  • Li, Q. (2018). Multivariate statistical methods in criminology. Quantitative Criminology, 50-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95341-9_4
  • Lum, C., & Isaac, W. (2016). The myth of accuracy in criminal justice data: Predictive policing and the overemphasis on data-driven approaches. Criminology & Public Policy, 15(3), 681-696.
  • MacDonald, J. (2018). Statistical analysis and the study of crime. Crime and Justice. https://doi.org/10.1086/696677
  • Mohler, G., Short, M. B., Malinowski, S., Johnson, M., Tita, G. E., Bertozzi, A. L., & Brantingham, P. J. (2015). Randomized controlled field trials of predictive policing. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 110(512), 1399-1411.
  • O'Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown.
  • Palys, T., & Atchison, C. (2008). Research decisions: Quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Nelson Education.
  • Perry, W. L., McInnis, B., Price, C. C., Smith, S. C., & Hollywood, J. S. (2013). Predictive policing: the role of crime forecasting in law enforcement operations. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR233.html
  • Ratcliffe, J. H. (2004). The hotspot matrix: A framework for the spatio-temporal targeting of crime reduction. Police Practice and Research, 5(1), 5-23.
  • Ratcliffe, J. H. (2016). Intelligence-led policing. Routledge.
  • Richardson, R., Schultz, J., & Crawford, K. (2019). Dirty data, bad predictions: How civil rights violations impact police data, predictive policing systems, and justice. New York University Law Review Online, Forthcoming.
  • Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
  • Sharma, A. (2017). Role of statistics in different fields. Research Journal of Science and Technology, 9(1), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-2988.2017.00018.3
  • Truman, J. L. (2015). The use of statistics in criminal justice research. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-015-9264-6
  • Walker, J. T., & Maddan, S. (2015). Statistics in criminology and criminal justice: Analysis and interpretation. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Weisburd, D., & Piquero, A. R. (2008). How well do criminologists explain crime? Statistical modelling in published studies. Crime and Justice, 37(1), 453-502.
  • Weisburd, D., Wilson, D. B., Wooditch, A., & Britt, C. (2014). Advanced statistics in criminology and criminal justice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95341-9
  • Willis, J. J., Mastrofski, S. D., & Weisburd, D. (2004). Compstat in practice: an in-depth analysis of three cities. Police Foundation.
  • Wincup, E. (2017). Criminological research: Understanding qualitative methods (2nd ed.). Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473982802

Exploring the Role of Statistical Analysis in Criminology from an Educational Point of View

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 18, 224 - 233

Abstract

This article examines the role of statistical analysis in criminology, thoroughly investigating its diverse influence and uses. The introduction provides a comprehensive analysis of the convergence of statistics and criminology, highlighting the significance of statistical methodologies in comprehending and mitigating criminal conduct and augmenting the efficacy of the criminal justice system via statistical techniques. The following section examines statistical analysis's impact on comprehending crime trends, facilitating policy development, and constructing effective crime prevention tactics. Real-world case studies show statistical analysis's practical use and beneficial effects in criminological practice. Notwithstanding the many benefits, it is indispensable to acknowledge and examine the possible obstacles and constraints associated with using statistical analysis in criminology. These include but are not limited to difficulties about data quality, ethical considerations, and resource constraints. Considering the abovementioned factors, we propose prospective resolutions and alternative measures to address these obstacles effectively. In anticipation of forthcoming developments, we draw attention to emerging patterns and advancements in the field, including big data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, which have the potential to augment the capabilities and efficacy of statistical analysis within the realm of criminology. The conclusion effectively integrates the main topics examined, affirming the crucial significance of statistical analysis in the progression of criminological research, policy formulation, and practical implementation. Furthermore, it highlights the contribution of statistical analysis towards establishing safer communities and a fairer criminal justice system.

Supporting Institution

ESECD-CI&DEI-IPG

Thanks

This work is funded by National Funds through the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of the project Refª UIDB/05507/2020. Furthermore, we would like to thank the Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation (CI&DEI) and the Polytechnic University of Guarda for their support.

References

  • Black, J. A. (2016). Descriptive statistics in criminal justice research. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2016.1159880
  • Braga, A. A., & Weisburd, D. L. (2012). The effects of focused deterrence strategies on crime: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 49(3), 323–358.
  • Brandl, S. G. (2017). Inferential statistics hypothesis testing and crime analysis. Crime analysis and crime mapping. SAGE Publications.
  • Ciccarelli, S., & Lazzari, R. (2015). La devianza giovanile autorilevata. Primi resultati della ricerca ISRD3 a Napoli. Rassegna Italiana di Criminologia, 3, 159-173. https://issuu.com/pensamultimedia/docs/rassegna_italiana_di_criminologia_3_2015
  • Chainey, S., & Ratcliffe, J. (2013). GIS and crime mapping. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Copes, H., & Miller, J. (2015). The routledge handbook of qualitative criminology. Routledge.
  • Ferguson, A. G. (2017). The rise of big data policing: Surveillance, race, and the future of law enforcement. NYU Press.
  • Gill, C., Weisburd, D., Telep, C. W., Vitter, Z., & Bennett, T. (2014). Community-oriented policing to reduce crime, disorder, and fear, and increase satisfaction and legitimacy among citizens: A systematic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 10(4), 399-428.
  • Kaplan, A., & Haenlein, M. (2019). Siri, Siri, in my hand: Who’s the fairest in the land? On the interpretations, illustrations, and implications of artificial intelligence. Business Horizons, 62(1), 15-25.
  • Knox, G. W. (2006). Findings from the k-12 survey project: A special report of the ngcrc on gang problems in schools. Journal of Gang Research, 14(1), 1–52.
  • Li, Q. (2018). Multivariate statistical methods in criminology. Quantitative Criminology, 50-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95341-9_4
  • Lum, C., & Isaac, W. (2016). The myth of accuracy in criminal justice data: Predictive policing and the overemphasis on data-driven approaches. Criminology & Public Policy, 15(3), 681-696.
  • MacDonald, J. (2018). Statistical analysis and the study of crime. Crime and Justice. https://doi.org/10.1086/696677
  • Mohler, G., Short, M. B., Malinowski, S., Johnson, M., Tita, G. E., Bertozzi, A. L., & Brantingham, P. J. (2015). Randomized controlled field trials of predictive policing. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 110(512), 1399-1411.
  • O'Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown.
  • Palys, T., & Atchison, C. (2008). Research decisions: Quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Nelson Education.
  • Perry, W. L., McInnis, B., Price, C. C., Smith, S. C., & Hollywood, J. S. (2013). Predictive policing: the role of crime forecasting in law enforcement operations. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR233.html
  • Ratcliffe, J. H. (2004). The hotspot matrix: A framework for the spatio-temporal targeting of crime reduction. Police Practice and Research, 5(1), 5-23.
  • Ratcliffe, J. H. (2016). Intelligence-led policing. Routledge.
  • Richardson, R., Schultz, J., & Crawford, K. (2019). Dirty data, bad predictions: How civil rights violations impact police data, predictive policing systems, and justice. New York University Law Review Online, Forthcoming.
  • Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
  • Sharma, A. (2017). Role of statistics in different fields. Research Journal of Science and Technology, 9(1), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-2988.2017.00018.3
  • Truman, J. L. (2015). The use of statistics in criminal justice research. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-015-9264-6
  • Walker, J. T., & Maddan, S. (2015). Statistics in criminology and criminal justice: Analysis and interpretation. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Weisburd, D., & Piquero, A. R. (2008). How well do criminologists explain crime? Statistical modelling in published studies. Crime and Justice, 37(1), 453-502.
  • Weisburd, D., Wilson, D. B., Wooditch, A., & Britt, C. (2014). Advanced statistics in criminology and criminal justice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95341-9
  • Willis, J. J., Mastrofski, S. D., & Weisburd, D. (2004). Compstat in practice: an in-depth analysis of three cities. Police Foundation.
  • Wincup, E. (2017). Criminological research: Understanding qualitative methods (2nd ed.). Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473982802
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Development of Science, Technology and Engineering Education and Programs
Journal Section Review Article
Authors

Pedro Tadeu 0000-0002-0698-400X

Early Pub Date September 23, 2024
Publication Date
Submission Date November 21, 2023
Acceptance Date July 31, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 8 Issue: 18

Cite

APA Tadeu, P. (2024). Exploring the Role of Statistical Analysis in Criminology from an Educational Point of View. International E-Journal of Educational Studies, 8(18), 224-233.

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