1.6 Flashcards
What are the two main methods of collecting statistics on crime?
Police statistics and crime surveys
How many viewpoints do theses cover?
The police, the victims, and the offenders.
What are police statistics?
Yearly reports on crime committed in a certain area.
What is the purpose of police statistics?
To show the government the efficiency of the police and to help the police prioritise certain crimes.
They also reassure the public of the efficiency of the police.
What is the reliability of police statistics?
High, due to to the mandatory policies and systems the police is required to follow.
What is the validity of the police statistics?
Low overall as it doesn’t include the dark figure of crime.
Limitations of police statistics?
It doesn’t include the dark figure of crime
Strength of police statistics?
High reliability
Ethical research methods
What is an example of a crime survey?
The crime survey for England and Wales.
What is the purpose of the crime survey for England and Wales?
It allows the public to state their opinion on the police and justice system.
It helps the government understand the reality of crime.
Reliability of crime surveys?
Decreased due to the fact that they only give quantative data - no in depth answers.
Validity of crime surveys?
High - people have the chance to report unreported crimes without consequences, meaning more honest answers. This also means the dark figure of crime is included.
Limitations of crime surveys?
Doesn’t ask a large amount of the population, only 50,000 people are involved.
Danger of the ripple effect - it allows crimes to go unreported.
Quantative data only
Strengths of crime surveys?
Includes the dark figure of crime and has honest responses.
Children are also included in the report.
