RM Flashcards
general
Differences IC and ordinary crimes
(1) Criminalized by treaty, not by national government
(2) crimes of large scale, committed under particular conditions (during conflict).
(3) evidence: OC more focus on forensic evidence by contrast with IC trials
The tesseras criminologica of IC
- Prevalence: Measurements and occurrence of crime. Predominantly quantitative.
- Etiology: Causes of crime. Explains crime with bio-/psychological theories, the situational characteristics of crime (socioeconomic, cultural or geophysical make-up), integrated/macro theories.
- (Non)-judicial responses: Legal or extralegal responses (of sentencing). Differences in investigation and trial.
- Victims: Victim studies which focus on its characteristics, well-being, aftermath. In IC focus on societal impact, such as socio-economic impact, health consequences (famine), or ecological impact.
Quantitative –> analytical empirical
- Inductive phase: Start with research idea into RQ
- Deductive phase: how we are going to measure the construct to answer the RQ (conceptualization, operalization)
- Data collection
- Analysis
- Evaluation
Qualitative –> interpretative empirical: features
Grounded theory = The methodology involves the construction of hypotheses and theories through the collecting and analysis of data. Grounded theory involves the application of inductive reasoning.
Conceptualization is more inductively, generally working from empirical data as they emerge.
Saturation
By the time the explanation or interpretation of the phenomenon under study converges in the sense that the explanation does not change anymore upon collection of newdata, the research terminates.
Narrative view
= Give an overview and summary of a number of relevant studies that have been published.
Systematic review
= Aim to identify all relevant studies through a systematic search with keywords across multiple databases.
Meta-analysis
= A systematic review where not only a summary is given, but the data from all previous studies are combined into a new aggregated dataset and re-analyzed.
Construct validity
= To what extent does an empirical measure reflect the real meaning of the concept?
For an instrument to have construct validity it first has to meet all the other validities
Content validity
= Degree to which a measure covers the range of characteristics included within a concept.
Criterion validity
= The scores obtained with the instrument should correlate with an external criterion that you would expect it to correlate with.
Construct validity-in-the-narrow-sense
= Whether a measure is built in such a way that does not discriminate against certain research subjects → understanding of subjects.
Other validities
Face validity, statistical conclusion validity, external validity
Internal validity
= The degree of confidence that the causal relationship you are testing is not influenced by other factors or variables. Confounders or third variables can generate an association between two properties that are not causally related.
Reliability
= Do we have precise measurements? Do identical measurements end up in identical results? Refers to the precision with which a construct is measured.
Ethics: 6 features
- Decent and respectful treatment of research subjects or respondents.
- Informed consent for the respondents.
- Ensure the safety of respondents.
- Do no harm principle = Entails that as a researcher it is one’s duty to minimize the risk that research participants suffer adverse consequences from participating in the research
- Confidentiality, anonimousity for respondents and their data.
- Data should be transported safely and stored securely.
Populations and samples connotation:
We write sample characteristics with Latin literals (M, s, rXY ); whenever we refer to properties of the population we use Greek literals (such as µ for the mean.
Aim sampling
- Quantitative studies: Representativeness & generalizability.
- Qualitative studies: Maximizing information & saturation.
Litmus test
= When every population member has an equal chance to end up in the sample.
Random sample: def, terms (2), pros, cons
Drawn from a complete pre-existing sampling frame.
Sampling frame = All persons who have a chance to be included into the sample (e.g., a list, area sampling).
Sampling error = Deviations that occur by chance.
Pros: ensures external validity
Limits: list of people not always available
Systematic sample
= Type of probability sampling method in which sample members from a larger population are selected according to a random starting point but with a fixed, periodic interval.
Ensures spread (not distribution). Is efficiënt when you e.g. don’t have a framework to work with.
Stratified sample
= Researchers divide subjects into subgroups called strata based on characteristics that they share (e.g., race, gender, educational attainment). Once divided, each subgroup is randomly sampled using another probability sampling method.
Advantage: Ensures representation of relevant strata/equal precision over strata (distribution).
Disproportionate stratified sampling = Allows the researcher to give a larger representation to one or more subgroups to avoid underrepresentation of the said strata. This applies to populations with a very high strata population ratio.
Cluster sample
= Divide population into smaller random groups in clusters. Then randomly select among clusters to form a sample. Very efficient for large populations. The more clusters with small groups → higher validity.
Limitations:
- Sampling error –> more noisy clusters
- DEFF
Multistage cluster sampling = Rather than collect data from every single unit in the selected clusters, randomly select individual units from within the clusters.
DEFF
Design effect. Estimates based on a cluster sample tend to be more volatile than estimates based on a flat random sample. This is due to the fact that cluster members resemble each other. The more respondents within a cluster, the larger the cluster, the larger DEFF.
Rule of thumb: 1-3 → above 3 is problematic. and results could be too noisy.
If DEFF is 3 🡪 the variability is thrice that of a random sample of the same size. If DEFF is 1.40 🡪 this means the variance is 40% increased. As DEFF is ratio, a DEFF of 1 would indicate no difference.
Convenience sample
One simply selects for the sample whomever is available. Useful for exploratory studies → no representativeness.
Quota sample
Like a stratified sample in the sense that per stratum a desired number of sample members is drawn: the researcher attempts to guarantee that the relative representation of certain properties of sample members is as it is in the population. However, relies on the non-random selection of a predetermined number or proportion of units.
Difference with strata: Quota way less rigorous → no random sampling in quota.
Purposive sample
= Sample members are selected due to their characteristics and targeted because the researcher expects them to have relevant information (key informants) → not generalizable.
Often used in ethnographic research.
Snowball sample: def, issues (4)
One starts with a certain number of accessible respondents. Favorable for hidden populations.
Disadvantage:
a. Lengthy sampling,
b. No reliable respondents
c. Quality dependent on the zero-stage respondent
d. Not generalizable.
Respondent-driven sampling
= In which a respondent receives coupons that s/he can distribute among prospective new respondents → bonus system.
Indirect sampling
= One select respondents via key informants (= the informant method). Indirect sample as part of snowball and/or combination with purposive sampling.
Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI): def + issue
= Selecting clusters proportional to size + spinning a pen. Commonly used when the sampling frame is unknown. For very remote locations.
Main-street biased = EPI is not random if it starts at the center (center-biased). Researchers start with main street, so not using periphery. Main street households are more likely to be affected (e.g. shootings, police stations located etc.).
Noise and bias
Noise = The sample members’ averages vary a lot around the true population score that we are interested in. On average combined over all samples, they may provide a good estimate of the population mean. 🡪 can still be representative
Bias = The sample averages then differ systematically from the population mean 🡪 not representative.
(Non) response terms
Sample nonresponse = Not all those we establish contact with, will consent to participate.
Retention rate = Completed respondents.
Attrition rate = Not-completed respondents.
Ethnographic interview
= Spontaneous and informative conversation.
Respondent overview
= Formal interview with an official role for the researcher.
Informant interview
= Focus on a group of people and not the respondent.
Interview options
- Open-ended interview
- Topical interview
- Questionnaire interview
- self-administered questionnaire
Informed consent
= Entails an agreement (‘consent’) to partake in the study after full information (‘informed’) has been received of the research.
Open-ended interviews: def and types
= Unstructured. In-depth interview. Aim is to understand.
Types:
a. Narrative interviews = Unstructured interviews where respondents are encouraged to relate their experiences or tell stories rather than respond to questions.
b. Oral history = To reconstruct events of the past (for eyewitnesses etc.)
c. Biographical interview/life story interview = Focus on recounting events of the past of the interviewee’s own life.
Open-ended interviews/ethnology: analysing
Field notes = Extensive summaries away from respondent or observation.
Analytic memo’s = Analysis generally starts immediately after interviews or observation has taken place; researchers write analytic memos, in which they describe everything that occurred, what patterns emerge in the data, what hypotheses are formed and rejected, what concepts best synthesize the findings.
Topical interview: def and terms (2)
Semi-structured with a topic list. Could also be pre-set list with open-ended questions.
Intimacy curve = Build up and off the sensitivity.
Focus group = Good fit for focus group.
Diverging views or opinions of the group members → efficient way to get an overview of viewpoints.
Questionnaire interviews: def and advantages (2)
= Quantitative, fixed and structured. Multiple-choice.
Advantage:
(1) Standardization serves in fact to minimize distortion through interviewer behavior or wording of the specific questions,
(2) minimizes the influence of the researcher on the interviewee.
Self-administered questionnaire: pros (1), cons (3)
Advantage: Financial advantage.
Disadvantage: (1) no room for explaining, (2) respondents more likely to give up, (3) minimum literacy required.
Self-administered questionnaire: use of computers (4 advantages)
Advantages:
a. Automatization of things like errors, chronological order etc. → less missing values.
b. Better validity: Respondents on sensitive topics.
c. Data entry is immediate, and thus prevents mistakes with data entry by hand.
d. Promotes confidentiality and privacy → prevents social desirability bias.
LAAF procedure
= Life as a Film. In the LAAF elicitation procedure, respondents are asked to describe their life as a movie.
Life History Calendar
= Respondents are asked to fill out their lives along a timeline, with important events pointed out.
Types of questions (3)
Generative questions = Get the respondent to talk.
Directive questions = Closed-end questions. This is to elicit reactions.
Screener questions = Whether the respondent was ever the victim of a burglar
agreement response bias
(= tendency to agree with every statement)
2 classes of measurements:
- Measures of central tendency: Descriptive: mean (only for interval level up), median (only for ordinal level up), mode.
- Measures of variability: Variance and SD (only for interval level up).
Describing the distribution of scores for variables lower than interval level:
(1) Frequency tabulation
(2) pie/bar chart
Bivariate analysis
= The interrelation of two variables.
Odds ratio
Tells us something about the strength of the association between two dichotomous variables. Expresses this association in terms of risk.
Difference regression model and ANOVA:
Regression and the analysis of variance model is that in the regression case the independent variables are of interval measurement level or higher, while in the analysis of variance model they are nominal.
Synonyms independent variables
exogenous variables, predictors, input variables, explanatory variables.
Synonyms dependent variables
endogenous variable, output variable, outcome.
Mediating variables
= The independent variables are themselves also predicted by other independent variables; they may be called mediating variables.
Parsimony
= We prefer our models to describe data as well as possible. At the same time, we want them to be as simple as possible → principle of parsimony.
ANOVA: def, testing, H0, w2
= Analysis of variance. Shows whether categories of independent variable(s) help predict Y, based on analysis of means. Kijktof de populatiegemiddelden van meer dan 2 groepen van elkaar verschillen.
Level of measurement: Categories of independent variables are nominal variables. Y is continuous.
Testing: By using F-distribution –> indicated by p value
H0: No differences between the levels of the independent variable.
ω2 tells you how much of the variance of the dependent variable is explained by the entire ANOVA model → same as R2
Similarities between regression analysis and ANOVA:
In each case we are trying to predict a dependent variable from one or more independent variables. In each case the model is linear.