Data-Driven Decisions in Criminal Justice
The data-driven decisions contribute to better usage of the statistics and experiences from different resources to uncover the patterns of criminal behaviour. By using such an approach, many dangerous problems having similar tendencies can be efficiently dealt with or even prevented. One significant positive aspect of data-driven criminal justice decisions is criminal identification (Why data matters in criminal justice, n.d.). This process helps to analyze crimes based on the databases assisting law enforcement in narrowing the suspect list and search territory. Therefore, the data analysis technologies contribute to better crime control and prevention, minimizing the general crime rate.
Today there are two data collection methods used in research: primary and secondary. The first one is centred on the first-hand data collection by the researcher in the criminal sphere. The reliability and validity of such a method are high thanks to the fact that the researchers conduct data collection. The secondary method implies the analysis of the existing data. The new results and conclusions are made based on the current data and primary information. However, the problem of the accuracy of the collected information exists (What is data collection, 2022). Despite being a more time and money-consuming method, it has many problems with the research in the sphere of criminal justice where precise data is required. Therefore, the primary method is more appropriate for data-driven criminal justice decision-making.
The sampling method is part of the primary data collection technique. It is used when particular representatives of the population are chosen. It helps to obtain data through defining the prominent common feature of a specific group of people from the population. This research method significantly allocates the data collection process thanks to organizing the sample or groups of people. As a result, the need to analyze different people’s experiences is absent. The samples are easier to work with, mainly when vast amounts of data are analyzed (Moss, n.d.). Sampling aims to investigate the data from the smaller population groups contributing to a more precise analysis.
References
Moss, A. (n.d.). What is the purpose of sampling in research? Web.
Simplilearn. (2022). What is data collection: Methods, types, tools, and techniques. Web.
Why data matters in criminal justice. (n.d.). Walden University. Web.