Problems and Promise of Victimization Surveys for Cross-National Research (From Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Volume 34, P 229-287, 2006, Michael Tonry, ed. - See NCJ-241816)

• NCJ Number: 241820
• Author(s): James P. Lynch
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 59 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Survey; Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This essay examined the use of victim survey data to study cross-national differences in crime and criminal justice.

Abstract

In the late 1960s, self-report surveys of criminal victimization were controversial and new. Now, they are common, a mainstay of statistical systems and a familiar research tool. More complex questions have arisen concerning the validity and reliability of victim survey data, including whether they can be used in cross-national comparisons of crime and criminal justice issues. Victim survey data are sufficiently valid and reliable for use in cross-national comparisons. Victim surveys can tell us a great deal about crime cross-nationally that police administrative data cannot. While surveys in principle should be more comparable across nations than police administrative data, in practice this comparability cannot be assumed. Self-consciously comparative surveys, such as the International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) produce more comparable data across nations than nation-specific surveys do. Nation-specific surveys produce higher quality data on their specific nation than the ICVS does. Steps should be taken to enhance the quality of ICVS data and the cross-national comparability of nation-specific surveys. (Published Abstract)