Naslov
Methodological aspects in conceptualization and measurement of the fear of crime

Autori
Ivičić Ines ; Franc, Renata ; Šakić, Vlado

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
First European Survey Research Conference, European Association for Survey Research

Mjesto i datum
Barcelona, Španjolska, 18.07.2005. - 22.07.2005

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
fear of crime; conceptualization; measurement; methodological problems

Sažetak
By now numerous researchers in the fear of crime tradition pointed out inconsistent and contradictory results due to differences in the conceptualization and standardized measurement of the fear of crime concept. Since the fear of crime has frequently resulted in misspecification of models and confounded variable problems, this research paper aims to review the literature on the main methodological problems in this field, and to make suggestions that will facilitate future research. The most basic problem related to fear of crime is definition of the concept. By now, empirical evidences support the notion that perceived crime-risk and fear of crime, while related, are conceptually and operationally distinct concepts. Due to wide public availability as well as the utility for comparison of findings, studies usually use the same, although incorrect measures of fear of crime. Thus, in this research paper the validity of the fear of crime measures routinely employed in the surveys will be assessed. Related to the problem of fear of crime operationalization, are issues related to specification of crime and level of fear related to the type of victimization. This research paper will also outline other methodological considerations such as double-barreled and multi-dimensional measures of crime, confounded measures of perceived crime-risk and fear of crime, and the problem of single or double indicators of fear of crime. Definitional and methodological issues will be discussed by using the data generated by recent research aimed at improving the conceptualization and measurement of fear of crime, and the measures employed in our own, nationally representative crime survey. Since there is inconsistency across studies in terms of statistical significance, direction, and magnitude of effects of fear of crime, systematic review and integration of micro and macro-predictors of distinct measures of fear of crime will be also presented in this study.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA