Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)  where occasional auto thefts happen 
B)  where people are repeatedly victimized 
C)  where community policing is used 
D)  where neighborhood watch programs exist

Question 5

Electronic formats of published statistics enjoy which of the following as an advantage over written records?

Accepted Answer

A)  the data can be read directly into statistical and or graphics computer programs for analysis 
B)  much of the electronic data is inappropriate for spreadsheet software 
C)  most do not contain the original data while printed reports contain aggregate information 
D)  most will be considered confidential, thus not available to the researcher

Question 6

Which type of the listed studies are highly aggregated summary data from published statistical series not typically used?

Accepted Answer

A)  descriptive 
B)  explanatory 
C)  applied 
D)  exploratory

Question 7

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 8

Social artifacts such as written documents or articles from newspapers would be best understood using which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  content analysis 
B)  secondary analysis 
C)  agency records 
D)  none of the above

Question 9

When a researcher uses the term "silo databases" she is referring to:

Accepted Answer

A)  when data is stacked in linear fashion 
B)  the communication link between local law enforcement and the FBI for the purposes of submitting crime data 
C)  stacks of data that are isolated from each other 
D)  data that are stacked in round computer tape files stacked on each other

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of content analysis in criminal justice research?

Accepted Answer

A)  counting the number of stories devoted to the coverage of crime in your local newspaper 
B)  counting the number of robberies that happen in your city 
C)  measuring the average length of time from arrest to disposition in your city 
D)  determining the average number of inmates housed in your city's jail on a daily basis

Question 11

Agency records,secondary data and content analysis do not require direct interaction with research subjects.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

It is possible to move from individual to__________ units of analysis but not the reverse.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is possible to move from individual...

Question 13

Dr.Jones is having his Introductory to Criminal Justice students analyze cartoons.He instructs them to identify the number of violent acts per show,the type of violent act and the characteristics of the victim.Dr.Jones is having his students use:

Accepted Answer

A)  content analysis 
B)  secondary data 
C)  new data collected by agency staff 
D)  nonpublic agency records

Question 14

Agency records,secondary data and content analysis do not require direct_________ with research subjects.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agency records,secondary data and content analysis do...

Question 15

Using question 2 above,what types of nonpublic agency records would each agency keep that would be of interest to a criminal justice researcher? Give an example of a research question that could be answered by access to the nonpublic agency records.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using question 2 above,what types of nonpublic...

Question 16

It is often said that agency data are not designed for research purposes.Which of the following support that statement?

Accepted Answer

A)  some criminal justice agencies collect data because they are legally required to do so 
B)  often the data collected by criminal justice agencies is not covered under privacy regulations 
C)  because variable definitions are consistent from agency to agency 
D)  all of the above

Question 17

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 18

Which of the following is not an advantage of using secondary data?

Accepted Answer

A)  reduction in validity threats 
B)  it is cheaper than collecting original data 
C)  it is faster than collecting original data 
D)  the researcher may benefit from the work of others established in their fields

Question 19

Manifest and latent content can be distinguished by the degree of _________required in measurement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Manifest and latent content can be distinguished...

Question 20

The Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics is the most comprehensive Bureau of Justice Statistics publication.It includes a multitude of data including all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A)  characteristics of criminal justice agencies 
B)  public opinion answers coming from the Gallup Poll 
C)  complete crime data from all local police departments 
D)  specific data on states using capital punishment and their execution statistics

Exam 12: Agency Records Content Analysis And Secondary Data