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Research Note: Assessing the Validity of College Samples: Are Students Really That Different?

NCJ Number
233241
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 38 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2010 Pages: 1186-1190
Author(s)
Filip M. Wiecko
Date Published
November 2010
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study explored the question of student sample validity by comparing the self-reported involvement in various criminal and mischievous behaviors as well as criminal attitudes among college and non-college students.
Abstract
Results of this study indicate that there is almost no statistically significant difference in behaviors and only minor differences in the frequency of behaviors and attitudes. These results suggest that while college students may be culturally unique; this uniqueness does not seem to affect validity. College sample are an integral part of criminological and criminal justice research. This study sought to explore the validity of college student samples for criminology and criminal justice research. Some scholars have suggested that college populations are comprised of individuals who are different from the rest of society and that the use of college students for social research may distort the theoretical understanding of crime and criminality. To explore the student sample validity, the National Youth Survey was used to assess college students' self-reported behaviors, frequency of behaviors, and attitudes in relation to the general population. Tables, appendix, notes, and references

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