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LO 2-1

Utilizing Mail and Telephone Surveys

Abstract: This article is a report of research that examined violent crime in North Carolina by simultaneously administering telephone and mail surveys to North Carolina residents. The purpose of the research was to determine whether the method of data collection, that is, telephone interviewing versus mail surveys, has any impact on the data collected. The results of the research indicate no difference between the methods.

LO 2-2

Trends in Conflict

Abstract: Previous research has found reduced mortality from aggravated assaults, attributed to medical care improvements. However, aggravated assault has limitations as a longitudinal measure of injuries from violence. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) can address this by providing estimates of serious injuries from criminal victimization. Their lethality trend is not compatible with the previous finding across 1973 through 1999, remaining stable rather than falling. After 1999, both Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)-and NCVS-based measures indicate increases in lethality. The trend differences raise serious problems of data choice for the researcher.