NCJ Number
228994
Journal
Journal of Experimental Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2009 Pages: 441-463
Date Published
December 2009
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the most cited randomized experiments in criminology and criminal justice.
Abstract
The most cited experiments are cited in six areas: policing, courts, corrections, schools, community, and early prevention. Experiments published in non-criminological journals tend to be the most cited, and early prevention research is generally cited most frequently of the six categories. Possible reasons for why certain experiments are more cited than others are considered. Citation analysis is an important addition on randomized experiments in criminology. In 2005, it was found that randomized experiments had risen dramatically, from 35 between 1957 and 1981 to 83 between 1982 and 2004. With this increase, it is important to quantify which of these experiments have had the most influence on the field. The use of citation analysis is one way to assess this influence. The results presented offer a better understanding of which randomized experiments have been more important for advancing the field of criminology. Tables, appendix, and references