Assignment:
Criminal justice professionals use data analysis and research to learn more about crime, its causes, and ways to prevent it. Virtually every single aspect of the criminal justice system is guided to some extent by data analysis and research. For example, police departments use data analysis and research to determine hot spots of criminal activity and to decide where to dispatch police officers. They also use data analysis and research to evaluate whether increasing the number of police officers in a specific area actually reduces crime. Criminal justice professionals in correctional facilities-such as probation departments, prisons, and jails-use data analysis and research to determine how incarceration affects crime rates and to examine the impact of rehabilitation programs on recidivism rates. In short, data analysis and research is used in almost every facet of the criminal justice system. In this Discussion, you consider the importance of data analysis and research in professional criminal justice settings.
Response to the following:
Describe one way in which you have applied data analysis or research in your professional experience.
The professional experience may be in a different field than criminal justice. Focus on the ways in which you have applied data analysis or research to be relevant in that field.
If you have not had professional experience applying data or analysis in your professional experience, describe one way in which you could have applied them to achieve a positive outcome.
Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2019). The practice of research in criminology and criminal justice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Chapter "Science, Society, and Research Related to Crime and Criminology" (pp. 2-25)
The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 7th Edition by Bachman, R. D. & Schutt, R. K. Copyright 2019 by SAGE Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications, Inc via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2019). The practice of research in criminology and criminal justice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Chapter "The Process and Problems of Research Related to Crime and Criminology" (pp. 26-41 and 50-58)
The Practice of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 7th Edition by Bachman, R. D. & Schutt, R. K. Copyright 2019 by SAGE Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications, Inc via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.-b). Uniform crime reports.
This article describes the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which was established to provide uniform crime statistics for the United States. Today, the UCR program is the most widely used resource on crime statistics in the country.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.-a). Crime data explorer.
Bureau of Justice Statistics. (n.d.). Victims.
This article provides data related to victims of various crimes. The data are collected by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS).
Federal Justice Statistics Resource Center. (n.d.).
This website provides a database of statistics related to the federal criminal justice system.