CRM 1300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Uniform Crime Reports, General Social Survey, Participant Observation
11 Jul 2017
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Document Summary
Patterns of criminality & methods of gathering crime. Criminological knowledge is based on science, a logical organized method of obtain- ing information through direct, systematic observation. Scienti c knowledge is based on empirical evidence, information that is directly veri able. (this distinguishes crim- inologists from journalists - criminology stems from a body of knowledge. ) A research method is a strategy for systematically conducting research. Concepts are mental constructs that represent some part of the world, inevitably in a simpli ed form. Variables are concepts whole values changes from case to case. Operationalizing a variable is the process of developing the measure to be used in gauging a variable. Measurement requires reliability - the quality of consistent measurement and validity - the quality of measuring precisely what one intends to measure. Cause and effect is a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another. Correlation exists when two (or more) variables are related in some way.
