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COMMENT ON ALLEGED OVERREPORTING

NCJ Number
47890
Journal
Criminology Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 99-103
Author(s)
S 1 SINGER
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
ARGUMENTS PRESENTED IN AN ARTICLE CRITICIZING THE NATIONAL CRIME PANEL VICTIM SURVEYS ON THE GROUNDS OF METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO OVERREPORTING ARE COUNTERED.
Abstract
IT IS SUGGEESTED THAT THE ARTICLE IN QUESTION (NCJ -39470) IGNORES SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE INDICATING THAT THE SURVEYS GENERALLY UNDERREPORT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CRIME. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE ARTICLE FAILS TO MENTION THE SURVEYS' VALIDITY CHECK FOR INACCURACIES IN REPORTING SERIES OF CRIMES, A STEP THAT LEADS TO FEWER VICTIMIZATIONS BEING COMPUTED THAN ARE REPORTED. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SURVEYS HANDLE THE PROBLEM OF FORWARD TELESCOPING (RESPONDENTS' TENDENCY TO PROJECT ACTUAL VICIMIZATION EXPERIENCES INTO THE SURVEY REFERENCE PERIOD) IS NOTED, AS IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT RESPONDENTS MAY PURPOSELY OMIT AN INCIDENT OF VICTIMIZATION IN ORDER TO SHORTEN AN INTERVIEW. THE SUGGESTION THAT PEOPLE WHO FEAR CRIME MAY DISTORT THEIR REPORTS OF VICTIMIZATION IS COUNTERED WITH EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. THE CRITICISM THAT SURVEY INTERVIEWERS AND CODERS MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERREPORTING BECAUSE THEY STAND TO GAIN IF HIGHER CRIME LEVELS ARE FOUND IS DENIED, WITH REFERENCE TO THE SURVEYS' TRAINING AND MONITORING PROCEDURES AND ANALYSES TO MEASURE INTERVIEWER CONTRIBUTION TO ERROR. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. FOR A RELATED ARTICLE, SEE NCJ-47891. (LKM)

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