After reading Chapter 4 of the Mosher textbook, what are some of the differences in
using official crime data as discussed in Chapter 3 of the Mosher textbook and Self-
Reported Data in Chapter 4? What are the particular strengths and weakness of
each of these types of data sources?
There are three sources of crime data including official reports from police, surveys
of victims, and self-reports from offenders. The crime reports such as the Uniform
Crime Report (UCR) collect data on known offenses that crimes have been reported.
Otherwise, victim and self-report surveys such as the National Crime Victimization
Survey (NCVS) and the National Youth Survey (NYS) collect information on crimes
which have gone unreported to the police. There are some differences in using
official crime data and self-reported data regarding the advantages and
disadvantages of both forms of data. First, official crime data within the criminal
justice systems is those that derive from the normal function therein and official
counts of crime data include that of police reports od offences and arrests, chargers
filed by prosecutors, criminal complaints and indictment, imprisonment data and
prison releases (Mosher, Miethe & Hart, 2011). Thus, there is more of a
guarantee that it is accurate unless the information was entered incorrectly.
Also, it makes official crime data more reliable and valid, and the
policymakers can use the information to understand what changes need to
be made to current policies. However, self-report surveys are studies
administered to sample populations in order to identify the crime rates in an
identified area. These self-reports involve participants who may or may not
have been victims of crime. According to the textbook, the main strength of
self-reported studies has to do with the acquired information being provided
by individuals and not being filtered through a process officially, like official
crime data (Mosher, et al., 2011). Therefore, there can be weakness of this
type of study that self-reported data may not be as reliable or valid as other
types of data (Mosher, et al., 2011). Beside disadvantages, the main strength
of self-report methods is that they allow participants to describe their own
experiences rather than inferring this from observing participants.
Questionnaires and interviews are often able to study large samples of
people fairly easy and quickly. Moreover, self-report data helps police identify
victimless crimes or crimes to where there is no victim such as drug use,
gambling, and underage drinking. Although both types of data have pros and
cons, they can both be more beneficial to use in different types of situations.
According to Christian Viewpoints, it is important to not raising a false report
even if it is accidental. “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty
person by being a malicious witness” – Exodus 23:1. Therefore, we have to
trust in God and work following His direction. “Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
rightly handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15.
Reference
Bachman, R. D., & Schutt, R. K. (2013). chapter 5,6. In The practice of research in Criminology
and Criminal Justice. essay, Sage.
Gomes, H. S., Maia, Â., & Farrington, D. P. (2020). Measuring offending: Self-reports, official
records, systematic observation and experimentation. Reviewing Crime Psychology, 334–
352. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429346927-19
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 3. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
Hello Monique,
Thank you for your posting about self-reported data. I totally agree with you
about the strengths and limitations of self-reported data. Moreover, the self-
reported data can fail to be as reliable or valid as other forms of data due to
a variety of reasons, including the participants not reporting things in an
accurate manner (Mosher, et al.,2011). Also, they are criticized because not
everyone may be candid about their illegal activities, and some may
exaggerate their criminal acts. There is also a missing cases phenomenon
which is concern. Moreover, people are not always truthful and may be not
able to provide the level of details which are potential validity problems
associated with information. Therefore, the policymakers should consider the
validity of self-reported data when using it as a reference for crime trends as
well as updating policies to protect the community. According to Bible,
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that
devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness
who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” –
Proverbs 6:16-19. The spiritual formation of our hearts affects our physical
being, and ultimately determines our actions. This is why it is so vital for us
to take thoughts captive to the obedience of God.
Reference
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 3. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
Hello Jessica,
Thank you for your thoughts about comparing of self-reported data regarding the strengths and
weaknesses. I do agree with you that these forms of data are very important to law enforcement.
It is important to note that a large weakness in self-reported data is that it is more likely to be
unreliable than other forms of data (Mosher, et al., 2011). This is a big difference between self-
reported and official crime data. Also, respondents may exaggerate or underreport their criminal
behavior for various reasons, and many participants might not know that their behavior is illegal
that they won’t report it in a criminal activity. As results, self-reported data is not reliable or valid
as other types of data (Mosher, et al., 2011). Therefore, depending on the pros and cons of all types
of data, the policymakers can use both in different types of situations to serve and protect the
community. According to Christian Viewpoints, we have a responsibility to speak up for God’s
truth as well as report the crime as a moral obligation. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any
transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on
yourself, lest you too be tempted” – Galatians 6:1.
Reference
Gomes, H. S., Maia, Â., & Farrington, D. P. (2020). Measuring offending: Self-reports, official
records, systematic observation and experimentation. Reviewing Crime Psychology, 334–
352. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429346927-19
Holy bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). Chapter 3. In The Mismeasure of Crime.
essay, SAGE.
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