CRM 1300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Participant Observation, Human Behavior, Uniform Crime Reports

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRM 1300
• Professor: Sam Alvaro

Document Summary

Patterns of criminality and methods of gathering crime statistics. Crime patterns in canada: official state in statistics, uniform crime reports, why do crime reports, why do. Criminological knowledge is based on science, a logical organized method of obtaining information through direct, systematic observation. Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, information that is directly verifiable. A research method is a strategy for systematically conducting research. Measurement and relationships: measurement requires reliability-the quality of consistent measurement and validity the quality of measuring precisely what one intends to measure, relationships among variables. Relationships among variables: cause and effect is a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another, correlation exists when two (or more) variables are related in some way. Relationship between variables: cause effect, independent variable dependent variable, to have causation. Objectivity in social research is especially difficult: subjective interpretation is always an important element in criminology analysis. Survey research: uses interviews and questionnaires, is cross sectional.