chapter 10 analyzing content: historical, secondary, and content analysis, and crime mapping

Chapter 10

Analyzing Content:

Historical, Secondary, and

Content Analysis, and Crime Mapping

The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Chapter 10: Analyzing Content: Historical, Secondary, and Content Analysis, and Crime Mapping

Secondary Data Analysis

Uses pre-existing data in a different way or to answer a different research question than intended by those who collected the data

Four major types used in social science research Surveys Official Statistics Official Records Historical Documents



With the advent of modern computers and, even more importantly, the Internet,

secondary data analysis has become an increasingly

accessible social research method.

Sources of Secondary Data



Advantages of Using Secondary Data

Allow analyses of social processes in other inaccessible settings

Saves time and money Allows the researcher to avoid

data collection problems Other Advantages depending on

the specific data set and topic



Limitations of Secondary Data

May not be possible for a researcher to focus on the specific research question of original interest

Secondary analyst is ‘victim’ of whatever problems exist in the data Errors Poor sampling techniques Poor response rate Poor validity in measurements



Historical Events Research

Cross-sectional examination of something that occurred in the past

May be a case study of important event to examine its potential long-term importance



Comparative Methods

Usually examine phenomena across societies

Focus on research questions that are more general in nature

Limitations of single-society studies Generalization Causal inference



Content Analysis

Systematic, objective, quantitative analysis of message characteristics

Analysis of the content of communication from sources, including Books

Newspapers Magazines TV Movies Videos Websites

Historical documents

Video games Songs Speeches Advertisements Conversations Graffiti



Content Analysis

Issues with Content Analysis

Unit of Analysis (whom or what is being studied)

Sampling Coding



Analyze Content Data

Use your codes to define items to analyze Count occurrences of particular items (ideas,

words, etc.) Create form to record codes and their

meaning General Procedures

Select a few “cases” (stories, articles) “Read” the narrative (may be listen, view) Look for all types of things that are described Develop codes for these things Determine how best to identify the types of

things you are particularly interested in As you “read” more, identify themes



Crime Mapping

Purpose is to illuminate relationship between some category of crime and corresponding characteristics such as poverty and disorganization across given locations



Example: Crime Push Pin Map

From Portland Police Bureau, online Crime Mapper: http://www.portlandonline.com/police/index.cfm?c=29830



Example of Relationship Map

1 probationerAdult Education School

San Diego, CA



Ethical Issues in Secondary Data Analysis

Generally, confidentiality is not an issue because existing data from research studies is usually in public use files

Confidentiality may be an issue in historical records and official agency records

IRB determines whether review is necessary



Conclusion: Secondary Data Analysis

Advantages: It may be inexpensive and readily

available. Might have been collected by experts It is often used to supplement primary

sources of informationDisadvantage: Very Dangerous Wasn’t collected for secondary

purpose Validity and Reliability Concerns –

Follow the paper trail



Conclusion: Secondary Data Analysis

Herbert Jacobs (1984) “Like the apple in the garden of

Eden, it is tempting, but full of danger for the unwary researcher.”

Social Production of Data Discretionary actions by actors in the

criminal justice system Do recorded #’s represent actual

behavior?