This article is written by Manikantha Padhy of 3^rd Semester of Ganjam Law College, an intern under Legal Vidhiya

Abstract:

The primary research tools of quantitative criminology can be used to investigate numerous causes of crime. Obtaining useful data is beneficial to society in a variety of ways. Criminal behaviour and social responses to criminal behaviour are studied using quantitative data. Crime research has traditionally relied heavily on quantitative data, even if other sorts of data have been employed to make significant contributions to criminological thought. For CCJ researchers, this document explains the many forms of quantitative data they are likely to encounter. Measurement and analysis of data obtained through polls or questionnaires as well as manipulation of pre-existing data using computer techniques are at the heart of quantitative methods. A robust foundation of descriptive data is necessary for sound quantitative criminology. In the field of criminology, descriptive inference proves to be particularly difficult. The nature of criminal behaviour necessitates a reliance on official records, but this might lead to erroneous judgments. However difficult it may be, researchers and politicians alike are still working to better understand how interventions, legislation, and personal experiences affect criminal behaviour.

Key words :

Quantitative criminology, Quantitative Data, Criminal Behaviour, Descriptive Data

INTRODUCTION:

The study of both crime and the criminal justice system is the emphasis of criminology. Criminality, delinquency, and victimisation are the main topics of criminological research. The criminal justice system as a whole, particularly the elements of the police, courts, and corrections, is another crucial area of concentration. There are many ways to study criminology because there are so many different topics that are examined. The fact that there is no one, ideal method for analysing crime and the criminal justice system in all of its varied manifestations must be emphasised. According to this discussion, the approach employed should be the one that is most appropriate for the subject under investigation. Crime and the criminal justice system are studied in depth in criminology, which is an interdisciplinary field. Crime, delinquency, and victimisation are at the centre of criminological research. The criminal justice system itself is also a major focus, particularly in the areas of police, courts, and corrections. There are many different ways to study criminology because of the large range of topics that are researched. Starting with the premise that no single, ideal technique exists for studying crime and the criminal justice system in all of its varied manifestations, it’s essential to establish this. According to this discussion, the approach utilized should be one that is most matched to the research subject at hand.

WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE CRIMINOLOGY?

 Quantitative criminology is described as a systematic analysis of phenomena through the collection of measurable data and the application of statistical, mathematical, or computational methods. Quantitative criminology gathers data from current and potential consumers by employing sampling methods and sending out online surveys, polls, questionnaires, and other forms of data collection, the results of which can be represented numerically. After gaining a thorough understanding of these figures, you may forecast the future of a product or service and make modifications as needed. The survey done to determine how long it takes a doctor to tend to a patient when the patient goes into the hospital is an example of quantitative research. A patient satisfaction survey template can be used to ask questions such as how long it takes a doctor to see a patient, how often a patient enters a hospital, and other similar topics. The statistical approaches used to acquire quantitative data from the research study are generally used in quantitative outcome research in the social sciences. Researchers and statisticians use mathematical frameworks and ideas related to the quantity in question in this research strategy. Quantitative research templates are objective, detailed, and, in some cases, investigative in nature. This research strategy produces logical, statistical, and unbiased findings. Data was collected in an organised manner and on bigger samples that were representative of the total population.

DEVELOPMENT OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN CRIMINOLOGY :

In the broadest sense, criminal activity is the subject of   criminology. This definition suggests that the work of Cesare Beccaria in 1764 on torture and the death sentence was one of the first manifestations of criminology. Criminology owes a lot to Beccaria, whose contributions were fundamental but simply philosophical. Émile Durkheim, a well-known sociologist, was the driving force behind one of the earliest modern research projects, Suicide, which used quantitative approaches in the field of criminology. Quantitative data was included for the first time in this publication, which was published in 1897 and included suicide rates for various demographics.

 This is the first time quantitative methods have been used in criminology research. Around 1915, scientists at the University of Chicago, who were investigating the city’s enormous influx of newcomers, discovered the first instance of this phenomenon in the United States. As a result, it was a prime location for empirical investigations testing theories about criminal propensity. In order to conduct this research, they gathered data and statistics from documented convictions, the surrounding environment, and social encounters. There were a huge number of social scientists in the United States that produced criminology theories that were influenced by British criminology. Karl Marx, Cesare Lombroso, Jeremy Bentham, and Émile Durkheim were all early criminologists.

 In the late nineteenth century, criminology had a broader scope and contained theories comparable to sociology. The scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behaviour, and corrections is a more modern and comprehensive definition of criminology. Compared to an earlier definition from the late 1800s, this one has gained more currency in the lexicon. As a science, criminology has remained largely unchanged in terms of how it is practised. There has been little or no change in criminology’s research methodologies and theories over the years. In criminology, quantitative approaches are still heavily employed, and the methods of data gathering and analysis are extremely similar to what they were when the field initially evolved.

 The following are some examples of quantitative research methodologies: “the use of quantitative methods such as surveys and experiments to measure social variation in terms of discrete variables with varying magnitudes Quantitative data is everything that can be organised numerically or by some other metric” (Schutt 17). While qualitative approaches are dependent on an individual’s subjective interpretation of the data, quantitative methods strive to be more objective and unbiased by using the numerical findings of quantitative research as the basis for their analysis (Dantzker and Hunter 88). Because of the possibility for bias in qualitative research, quantitative methods are used in the study of criminology. But there are numerous situations that can’t be studied quantitatively. When it comes to personal ideas and debates, emotion plays an important role, rather than scientific research. The difficulty of quantitative research, however, justifies its use (Dantzker 3 Dantzker, ML, and Ronald D. Hunter. Research Methods For Criminal.

Difference between quantitative criminology and qualitative criminology :

Quantitative criminology involves the use of statistical and empirical methods to study crime and criminal behavior. The main objective of this approach is to identify pattern sand correlations in crime data, and to test hypotheses about the causes and consequences of crime. Researchers in this field rely on numerical data and statistical analysis to draw conclusions and make predictions about crime. Qualitative criminology, on the other hand, relies and trends in crime rates, understand the causes and correlates of criminal behavior, and develop effective policies to prevent and control crime. In contrast, qualitative criminology is concerned with exploring the subjective experiences, meanings, and interpretations of criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. This approach involves using methods such as participant observation, interviews, and case studies to gain an in-depth understanding of the social and cultural contexts within which crime occurs.

While both quantitative and qualitative criminology have their strengths and limitations, they are complementary approaches that can work together to provide a more comprehensive picture of crime and its causes. Quantitative methods can provide large-scale, generalizable findings, while qualitative methods can provide rich, detailed insights into the lived experiences of those involved in crime and the criminal justice system.

ADVANTAGE’S OF QUANTITATIVE CRIMINOLOGY:

To standardize data gathering and generalize conclusions, quantitative criminology is frequently utilized. This strategy has the following advantages:

 • Replication:

 Because of defined data collection techniques and concrete descriptions of abstract concepts, the study can be repeated.

• Results that are directly comparable:

 The study can be replicated in different cultural locations, at different periods, and with different groups of people. The results can be statistically compared.

• A lot of samples:

 Quantitative data analysis can be used to process and analyse data from large samples utilizing dependable and consistent techniques.

 • Testing hypotheses :

 Before getting to a conclusion, you must thoroughly analyse and report your study variables, predictions, data collecting, and testing methodologies using defined and established hypothesis testing protocols.

DISAGVANTAGES OF QUANTITATIVE CRIMINOLOGY :

• Superficiality :

 Complex concepts may be inadequately represented by using precise and limited operational definitions. In quantitative research, the concept of mood, for example, might be represented by a single number, while in qualitative research, it might be expressed with more detail.

 • Focus on a certain area :

 One may overlook other significant observations if you use predetermined variables and measurement methodologies.

 • Bias in the structure :

 Structured biases can nevertheless impair quantitative research, despite standardised techniques. Biases such as missing data, inaccurate measurements, or ineffective sampling procedures can lead to incorrect findings.

• The absence of context :

 Quantitative research frequently takes place in unnatural environments, such as laboratories, or ignores historical and cultural circumstances that may influence data collecting and conclusions.

Different methods of criminology

The methods which are generally used by criminologists include the following:

1. Survey method,
2. Case study method, and
3. Statistical method in studying criminal behaviour. 
4. Occasionally, experimental methods are also used.

Survey method : 

In this method, facts are collected by means of framing questions for a larger number of people who are placed under scientific controls. There are majorly three tools which are put to use in the survey method of criminology, namely, the questionnaire, schedule and interview guide. It is ideal to note that a survey can be either a qualitative or a quantitative method or can also be mixed of both. 

Case study method :

The case study method is a method by means of which social phenomenon is studied with the help of intensive and detailed analysis of an individual case. Cases may range from a juvenile delinquent to that of youth criminals, an institution, etc. This method opens room for a detailed analysis of several minute details that are generally overlooked in other methods. This is where the case study method can be said to be surpassed by the quantitative methodology.

Statistical method :

The statistical method is another method of criminology that makes room for simplifying complex data into smaller measurement units. This helps the researcher in completing the research work at a speedier rate so that the purpose is achieved to reduce a complex mass of data to simple units of measurement.

Experimental method :

The experimental method is another type of method used in criminology that is generally carried out by physical scientists and is therefore not a preferable way of usage in cases of social sciences as it is difficult to achieve control.

1. Classical Criminology: This theory is based on the idea that individuals are rational beings who make decisions based on their own self-interest. It suggests that criminals weigh the perceived benefits against the potential risks and costs before committing a crime. This approach emphasizes punishment as a deterrent to crime.

2. Biological Criminology: This theory explains criminal behavior as being determined by inherited and genetic factors. Suggests that people will behave in a criminal manner if they believe that the benefits of committing a crime outweigh the costs of getting caught.

3. Positivist Criminology: This approach argues that criminal behavior can be explained by factors such as genetics, social environment, and psychological factors. Positivist criminologists believe that criminal behavior is not solely the result of individual choice, but is also influenced by environmental and biological factors.

4. Social Learning Theory: This theory suggests that people learn criminal behavior through their social interactions and the cultural messages they receive. It argues that individuals are not born criminals, but rather learn criminal behavior through imitation, reinforcement, and observation.

5. Rational Choice Theory: This theory is based on the idea that individuals make rational decisions based on the costs and benefits of a situation. It suggests that people weigh the potential risks and rewards of committing a crime before deciding whether or not to engage in criminal behavior.

6. Critical Criminology: This approach is critical of the existing criminal justice system and argues that criminal behavior is often a result of social and economic inequalities and power imbalances. It challenges the traditional assumptions of criminology and seeks to address the root ca en uses of criminal behavior.

7. Feminist Criminology: This theory focuses on the ways in which gender affects criminal behavior and the criminal justice system. It argues that whom are often marginalized and excluded from traditional criminological studies, and seeks to address issues of gender inequality in the criminal justice system.

8. Life-Course Criminology:  This perspective examines the way that individual criminal behavior evolves over a person’s lifetime and is influenced by various situational and environmental factors. It considers the way that childhood experiences, social networks, and life events impact an individual’s decision to engage in criminal behavior.

CONCLUSION:

Criminology has to address the gaps and challenges found in the research study if it is to grow and thrive as a field of learning and application. The UGC, ICSSR, and other institutions already working on this issue must show more interest in it. Crime research centres can be established by the UGC. It is also possible to raise this issue with government agencies and organisations, who may decide to include it in their hiring practises. The Ministry of Human Resource Development or the University Grants Commission (UGC) can take care of this issue. This is something that organisations like the Indian Society of Criminology should be doing. Criminology researchers may be eligible for additional funding from the UGC and ICSSR. It’s also possible to focus on the creation of standardised criminology course curricula. Criminology is now integrating itself with the latest scientific and technical advances. This is the beginning of our journey into the future, and it is entirely dependent on the ability of our laws to adapt to current trends. Criminologists, who are well-prepared for the future and are willing to adapt to new conditions, should support our legislators in drafting new legislation. Indian criminology is projected to be future-ready as a result of a slew of new advancements. Through cutting-edge innovations, the subject of criminology can go forward and become a philosophy that can aid the country’s equality framework on every front.

REFERRENCES :

1. https://www.ijlmh.com/paper/quantitative-criminology-the-subject-and-the-differences-from-other-branches/
2. https://blog.ipleaders.in/all-about-quantitative-criminology/
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_methods_in_criminology
4. https://criminal-justice.iresearchnet.com/criminology-research-methods/quantitative-criminology/