What is a theory? Explain the role research plays in proposing theories about crime causation

What will be an ideal response?


A theory is a statement regarding the relationship between two or more variables. Theories can be based on observations (deduction) or inferences (induction). Theories are tested by formulating a hypothesis that allows for the empirical testing of the relationship between variables. The purpose of a theory is not to predict what a specific individual will do in a specific
case. Rather, theories attempt to define general principles that will apply in a number of similar cases, but not necessarily all cases.

Criminal Justice

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The lawyer responsible for protecting not only the juvenile's interests, but society's interests as well, is the __________

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

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Representative reliability is ________________

a. measurement reliability across time; a measure that yields consistent results at different time points, assuming what is being measured does not itself change b. measurement reliability across groups; a measure that yields consistent results for various social groups c. measurement reliability across indicators; a measure that yield consistent results using different specific indicators, assuming that all measure the same construct d. how well an empirical indicator and the conceptual definition of the construct that the indicator is suppose to measure fit together

Criminal Justice

Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)

1. When police departments first emerged in the United States, they were designed to be controlled by the federal government. 2. Sociologist Max Weber viewed bureaucracies as the solution to many managerial problems. 3. The amount of specialization within a police department is largely a function of the age of the organization. 4. Unity of Command means that each subordinate should only have one supervisor. 5. Delegation of Authority means that all organizations must have one central administrator who is ultimately in control of everything.

Criminal Justice

According to routine activities theory, which of the following is an example of a capable guardian?

A. A big screen TV visible in a window B. A group of teens looking for unlocked cars C. A barking dog in the front yard D. Overgrown trees and weeds

Criminal Justice