Using network sampling in crime victimization surveys

Since crime victimizations are statistically rare events, surveys to estimate rates of victimization are difficult and expensive. In this paper, we examine the advantages of network sampling over traditional methods for conducting crime victimization surveys. Network sampling links population households in specified ways, for reporting purposes, in order to increase the probabilities of locating households with particular characteristics. We conducted a reverse record check field experiment to test whether a telephone survey using network sampling is feasible to collect crime victimization data. Three types of crimes-burglary, robbery, and assault-were tested along with two types of networks-relatives and co-workers/close friends. This paper examines the extent to which victims report their victimization experiences in a general crime and victimization interview and the extent to which a randomly selected relative or close friend will report the same victimization incident in an identical interview. A number of multiplicity counting rules are compared in terms of reporting errors and a mean square error analysis.     

Psychologists as consultants for changes of venue the use of public opinion surveys

This study reports the use of public opinion surveys to support motions to change venue. Step-bystep procedures of venue surveys are outlined, and results of their use in five capital murder trials are presented. Employing a quasi-experimental approach to the surveys allows inferences, about the likelihood of obtaining between-county differences of certain magnitudes. In addition, the use of a survey instrument with standardized subparts permits a second, novel type of contrast: comparisons previous cases. The responsiveness of this approach to the typical criticisms of venue surveys is discussed.     

THE BOOKSHELF

The book review in this article
THE KIDS' BOOK OF DIVORCE , Eric Rofes, Editor
THE DYNAMICS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT , Alexander Thomas, MD and Stella Chess, MD
CRISIS COUNSELING by Eugene Kennedy
MODERN PERSPECITVES IN THE PSYCHIATRY OF MIDDLE AGE , John G. Howells
"THE CRISIS INTERVENER'S HANDBOOK" , James L. Greenstone, Ed. D. and Sharon C. Leviton, B. A.     

Community reponse to crime: Two middle-class anti-crime patrols

This paper examines two middle-class citizen patrols in the light of previous studies of patrols in lower- and working-class communities situated in very large urban areas. Consistent with previous research, our data show that patrol participation is related to the belief that citizens should play a role in crime prevention, to a slightly lower fear of crime, and to general social involvement. Contrary to previous findings, length of residence, age, and victimization were not found to be related to patrol participation. Patrol participants were more likely to believe that citizens have some responsibility for crime prevention and to have engaged in more anti-crime activities than nonparticipants. Residents strongly rejected the vigilante analogy and appeared, instead, to define patrol participation as a manifestation of good citizenship.     

Relationship of inmate educational levels to citizen educational levels

This study compares the educational levels of adult felony inmates over the age of 20 with the educational levels of citizens over 20. It was found that the average inmate comes from lower educational levels than does the average citizen.     

THE BOOK SHELF

FAMILY ROLES AND INTERACTION: AN ANTHOLOGY Edited by Jerold Heiss
TEACHING MULTI-CULTURAL POPULATIONS: FIVE HERITAGES Edited by James C. Stone & Donald P. DeNevi
CURRENT PSYCHOTHERAPIES Edited by Raymond Corsini
A GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGISTS AND THEIR CONCEPTS Vernon J. Nordby & Calvin S. Hall     

Self-reports of Police Speeding Stops by Race: Results from the North Carolina Reverse Record Check Survey

Survey reports of police stops and driving behavior are a potential methodology for examining the magnitude and prevalence of the “Driving While Black” phenomena. However, estimates of the magnitude or correlates of racial disparity in police stops from self-reported survey data are potentially compromised if the accuracy of self-reports of police stops and driving behavior differ by race. We report on the results of a reverse record check survey in which we directly assess the degree and consequences of differences by race in self-reports of police stops. In our sample of drivers who had been cited for speeding in the preceding year, we found that 77% of the White respondents and 71% of the African American respondents admitted to being stopped. While both groups underreport stops, African Americans do so at a higher rate. This finding is consistent with many past studies which report stronger social desirability effects on survey responses among African Americans. Thus, survey data will tend to underestimate the magnitude of the “Driving While Black” phenomena.