NCJ Number
81170
Date Published
1979
Length
408 pages
Annotation
Course materials for training in criminal justice analysis, with emphasis on crime and criminal justice problem formulation, are contained in this instructor's manual.
Abstract
The purpose of the course is to enable the participants to select and apply analytic techniques to crime and system data that can lead to improved interpretation of the data and more effective communication of information, particularly with decisionmakers, whose need for understandable and applicable information is crucial. The material presents analysis as process that consists of the following steps: problem specification data selection and collection, extraction of information from data, and persuasive presentation of data. The course is divided into seven modules. The first deals with how problems are specified and the second with data synthesis in terms of measurement and data sources. The next module concerns descriptive methods including measurement levels, statistical methods of central tendency and variation, and graphical measures such as time charts and percent change. Index numbers, seriousness weighting, cross classification, scattergrams, and statistical maps are discussed in the module on comparative methods. Inferential methods cover statistical testing, the chi square test of independence, the correlation coefficient, regression, and interpretation of findings. The system data interpretation module introduces flow charts and system concepts. The final module suggests approaches to the effective presentation of findings by outlining considerations in preparing presentations, indicating perspectives of different audiences, and delineating guidelines for both oral and written reports. Flow charts and diagrams are provided. Walk-through exercises illustrate the subject matter of individual chapters, and a major exercise is intended to culminate in an actual presentation of findings by the participants. A glossary is also provided. For videotapes of individual classroom sessions see NCJ 81171-82 and 81186.