Question 1

Which of the following is not an example of the use of secondary analysis?
A) using UCR data to measure the trends over time in reported rapes
B) identifying the characteristics of your state's prisoners for the last ten years
C) developing a measurement for your city's juvenile intake facility
D) using NCVS to see if there have been changes in the incidents of personal theft over the last ten years

Accepted Answer

Developing a new measurement for a specific facility would require primary data collection, not secondary analysis of existing data.

Question 2

In content analysis one may code the visible,surface content known as the__________ content.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In content analysis one may code the...

Question 3

What factor is most important when evaluating the reliability and validity of agency records?
A) who collected the data from within the agency
B) where that data was stored (file cabinet, computer, etc.)
C) who has access to the records
D) how the data was collected

Accepted Answer

The most important factor when evaluating the reliability and validity of agency records is how the data was collected. This includes considering the methods used, the time period over which the data was collected, and the accuracy of the data collected. The other factors listed (who collected the data, where it was stored, and who has access to it) may also be important, but they are secondary to the quality of the data itself.

Question 4

In content analysis one may code the underlying meaning of a communication which is often referred to as the_____________________ content.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In content analysis one may code the...

Question 5

It may be possible to use a(n)_____________ source of data in which criminal justice agency staff collect information for specific research purposes that they typically would not have collected.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It may be possible to use a(n)_____________...

Question 6

Which of the following is most accurate with respect to published statistics?
A) published statistics such as FBI data presents almost no threat to validity
B) published statistics such as FBI data presents almost no threat to reliability
C) published statistics such as FBI data presents potential threats to validity and reliability
D) published statistics such as FBI data should only be used by law enforcement since the data was collected by them

Accepted Answer

Published statistics, including FBI data, can present potential threats to both validity and reliability. It's important to consider the sources of the data and the methods used to collect it, as well as any potential biases or limitations in the data. Therefore, it's crucial to approach published statistics with critical thinking and evaluate them carefully.

Question 7

Content analysis is really a ___________operation that represents the measurement process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Content analysis is really a ___________operation that...

Question 8

Which factor has the greatest impact upon a geographical area becoming a "hot spot"?
A) where occasional auto thefts happen
B) where people are repeatedly victimized
C) where community policing is used
D) where neighborhood watch programs exist

Accepted Answer

The factor with the greatest impact upon a geographical area becoming a "hot spot" is where people are repeatedly victimized. The repeated occurrence of crimes in an area indicates that it is more likely to become a hot spot for criminal activity. This can be due to various factors such as lack of surveillance or inadequate law enforcement in the area. Other options such as occasional auto thefts, community policing, or neighborhood watch programs may have some impact on crime prevention, but they are not as significant as the repeated occurrence of crime in an area.

Question 9

Archives and agency records may be based on ______________of analysis that are not suitable for particular research questions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Archives and agency records may be based...

Question 10

Information that is collected by other people often as a part of their day-to-day work in a justice agency,but used by someone else for research purposes is referred to as_____________ of existing data.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Information that is collected by other people...

Question 11

Which of the following is not an example of nonpublic agency records?
A) annual expenditures by your local courts
B) the state prison records for the facility closest to your location
C) employment records for your state's probation agency
D) the records of criminal convictions at your local courthouse

Accepted Answer

The records of criminal convictions at your local courthouse are considered public agency records because they are available to the public.

Question 12

The potential for__________ increases as the number of clerical entries increases.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The potential for__________ increases as the number...

Question 13

Criminal Justice agencies collect information about individuals and that information is often kept isolated from each other as the offender travels through the system.This method of keeping data on individuals in an unrelated fashion is known as _____________________ databasing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Criminal Justice agencies collect information about individuals...

Question 14

When using agency records as a data source the researcher must always keep changes in operational definitions and_______________in mind because of their potential impact upon validity and reliability.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When using agency records as a data...

Question 15

Generally speaking,secondary data are least useful when the purpose of research is__________ .

Accepted Answer

The answer of Generally speaking,secondary data are least useful when...

Question 16

Which of the following would not be considered appropriate use for agency records?
A) explanatory studies
B) descriptive studies
C) applied research
D) experimental research

Accepted Answer

Experimental research involves manipulating variables in a controlled environment, which may not be appropriate for agency records. Explanatory studies, descriptive studies, and applied research can all be valid uses for agency records.

Question 17

In Widom's research on child abuse discussed in your text,what was used as matching criteria for the public school records?
A) being born at the same hospital
B) having parents the same age
C) having the same number of siblings
D) being an outstanding student

Accepted Answer

In Widom's research on child abuse, being born at the same hospital was used as matching criteria for the public school records. This allowed for a control group to be created that was similar in demographic characteristics to the abused/neglected group, which aided in reducing potential confounding variables.

Question 18

Sometimes there are problems with the people or patterns that are gathered as agency data within the criminal justice system.Which of the following is an incorrect statement with respect to the data gathered by the agencies identified?
A) police officers deal not with individual calls but with cases
B) prosecutors document their work by case
C) judges document their work by their dockets
D) the FBI collects arrest data for NCIC based upon the individual

Accepted Answer

Police officers typically deal with individual calls and incidents, not just cases, making option A incorrect.

Question 19

Which of the following is not accurate with respect to the data that agencies collect?
A) nonpublic agency records contain information pertinent to criminal justice research
B) nonpublic records, even though significant for our understanding of criminal justice processing, are unavailable to any researcher who does not work for the specific agency
C) all criminal justice agencies keep nonpublic records
D) most researchers in the field of criminal justice use agency records as their source of data

Accepted Answer

Nonpublic records, while significant for understanding criminal justice processing, are not strictly unavailable to researchers outside the specific agency. Access can often be granted through formal requests, agreements, or collaborations, making statement B inaccurate.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a problem with respect to units of analysis when using agency records?
A) the definitions of the variables collected
B) the manner in which the data is collected
C) the summary data
D) all of the above are potential problems

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are potential problems when using agency records for analysis. The definitions of variables, the manner of data collection, and the nature of summary data can all introduce issues that affect the reliability and validity of research findings.

Quiz 12: Agency Records Content Analysis And Secondary Data

Which of the following is not an example of the use of secondary analysis?

In content analysis one may code the visible,surface content known as the__________ content.

What factor is most important when evaluating the reliability and validity of agency records?

In content analysis one may code the underlying meaning of a communication which is often referred to as the_____________________ content.

It may be possible to use a(n)_____________ source of data in which criminal justice agency staff collect information for specific research purposes that they typically would not have collected.

Which of the following is most accurate with respect to published statistics?

Content analysis is really a ___________operation that represents the measurement process.

Which factor has the greatest impact upon a geographical area becoming a "hot spot"?

Archives and agency records may be based on ______________of analysis that are not suitable for particular research questions.

Information that is collected by other people often as a part of their day-to-day work in a justice agency,but used by someone else for research purposes is referred to as_____________ of existing data.

Which of the following is not an example of nonpublic agency records?

The potential for__________ increases as the number of clerical entries increases.

Criminal Justice agencies collect information about individuals and that information is often kept isolated from each other as the offender travels through the system.This method of keeping data on individuals in an unrelated fashion is known as _____________________ databasing.

When using agency records as a data source the researcher must always keep changes in operational definitions and_______________in mind because of their potential impact upon validity and reliability.

Generally speaking,secondary data are least useful when the purpose of research is__________ .

Which of the following would not be considered appropriate use for agency records?

In Widom's research on child abuse discussed in your text,what was used as matching criteria for the public school records?

Sometimes there are problems with the people or patterns that are gathered as agency data within the criminal justice system.Which of the following is an incorrect statement with respect to the data gathered by the agencies identified?

Which of the following is not accurate with respect to the data that agencies collect?

Which of the following is not a problem with respect to units of analysis when using agency records?