Web Exercises
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- Using your library's government documents collection or the U.S. Census website (www.census.gov), select one report by the U.S. Bureau of the Census about the population of the United States or some segment of it. Outline the report and list all the tables included in it. Summarize the report in two paragraphs. Suggest a historical or comparative study for which this report would be useful.
- The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) home page can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs. The site contains an extensive list of reports published by the BJS along with links to the data used in the reports. You can access tables of data that display phenomena over time and across various geographical locations.
- Using data and/or reports available from the National Crime Victimization Survey, conduct an analysis of the rates of violent victimization from 1993 until the most recent date the data report is available. What do you conclude about the trends of violent victimization?
- Find a report available on the site that makes cross-national comparisons. Summarize the methods by which the data were collected. Now summarize the findings of the report.
- The National Institute of Justice has a wealth of information on crime mapping located at www.ncjrs.gov. Search the site for information on “crime mapping” and you will find that the site contains a multitude of information, including the latest technological advances in crime mapping strategies for police departments as well as full-text articles discussing recent research that uses crime mapping techniques. Select a report available online and summarize its findings.
- The U.S. Census Bureau’s home page can be found at www.census.gov. This site contains extensive reporting of census data including population data, economic indicators, and other information acquired through the U.S. Census. This Web site allows you to collect information on numerous subjects and topics, which can be used to make comparisons between different states or cities. Find the “State and County QuickFacts” option and choose your own state. Now pick the county in which you live and copy down several statistics of interest. Repeat this process for other counties in your state. Use the data you have collected to compare your county with other counties in the state. Write a one-page report summarizing your findings.
- Go to http://www.crimemapping.com/. Select two cities and compare and contrast their crime maps. What are the key differences and the key similarities in the distribution and types of crimes that are committed in those cities? What do you think might account for these differences?