Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

For each article, write a sentence outlining one of the arguments the author makes. There will be more than one argument in the article, but choose one that you think is most relevant to crime analysis in general and/or the corresponding chapter.  After the sentence, briefly describe the author’s argument and then cite the evidence the author puts forth to support the argument.  Note that an argument is not a statement of fact but is a line of reasoning asserted by the author that is supported by theory, research results, or both.

Article: Weisburd, D. & Eck, J. (2004). What can police do to reduce crime, disorder and fear?  The annals of the American academy of political and social science, 593, 1, 42-65.

Critical thinking questions:

1. Focus on Weisburd and Eck’s dimensions of policing strategies (i.e., level of focus and diversity of approaches).  Place Compstat on the chart where you think appropriate, provide evidence for its placement.
2. Compare and contrast COMPSTAT’s placement to the placement of community policing, traditional policing, hotspots policing, and problem-oriented policing.

Article: Boivin, R., & Cordeau, G. (2011). Measuring the impact of police discretion on official crime statistics: A research note. Police Quarterly, 14, 2, 186-203.

Critical thinking questions:

1. Discuss the issues of validity and reliability in the context of this article. 
2. How did the researchers determine whether the data were reliable?
3. What implications do these results have on crime analysis? 
4. What other police organizational factors/events influence crime statistics?