NCJ Number
167215
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 95-112
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Cross-national crime data were examined with respect to their differences in nature and sources and whether these differences affect explanatory research that associates relevant independent variables with crime rates.
Abstract
Data sources differ in the types of crime for which rates are available, the rates for the same country for the same type of crime, and the sample composition of countries for which crime rates are available. Data sources include the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Crime Surveys. The major explanatory theories are modernization theory, economic inequality, and opportunity theory. The analysis considered homicide and theft offenses in 85 countries. The analysis revealed that the choice of data source affects the associations of relevant independent variables to homicide rates. In addition, these associations also differ depending on whether robbery or other types of theft is studied. Tables, notes, and 29 references (Author abstract modified)