Criminology 320

Quantitative Research Methods in Criminology

School of Criminology
Simon Fraser University
Spring 2023 (Term 1231), SWH10081
Mondays, 230pm – 420pm

Instructor: Prof. M.A. Andresen

Office: Saywell Hall 10207
Telephone: 778 – 782 – 7761
E-mail: andresen@sfu.ca
Web: http://www.sfu.ca/~andresen/
Office Hours: Mondays, 1230pm – 220pm; by appointment

Calendar Description:

A detailed examination of the quantitative research methods and techniques most

frequently used in criminological research. Advantages and shortcomings of each method
and the appropriateness of each technique for criminological research. Problems of pure
and applied research. Specific issues of interdisciplinary research. Critical evaluation of
the quantitative methods used in certain major criminological studies.

Prerequisite:

CRIM 101; one of CRIM 120 or 220. CRIM 320 may be taken concurrently with CRIM
321. Quantitative.

Course objectives:

Criminology 320 builds on skills developed through Criminology 220 and introductory
statistics courses. Students will become familiar with the various quantitative approaches
that are used in current criminological research, with an emphasis on analysis and
interpretation. Students will hand-in assignments based on a selected dataset. While this
is not a course in social statistics, per se, students will be expected to apply a variety of
statistical techniques, including: chi squares, t-tests, ANOVA, correlations and
regression. Lab periods will be devoted primarily to learning to code, analyze, interpret
and represent data using OpenOffice or another spreadsheet program of your choosing.

Course structure:

There is one lecture (2 hours) per week and one 1-hour lab.

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Course evaluation:

Assignments 30 %
Midterm Exam (13 February 2023) 30 %
Final Exam (TBD) 40 %

Textbook:

Andresen, M.A. (2023). Quantitative (spatial) research methods for the social sciences.
Kindle Direct Publishing.

Andresen, M.A. (2023). Quantitative (spatial) research methods for the social sciences:
A workbook for OpenOffice, PSPP, and R. Kindle Direct Publishing.

Both books available at the instructors Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/author/andresen

Lecture topics, schedule, and readings:

Lecture Topics (Subject to change, based on time necessary to cover material)

Week Date Topic Textbook Chapters
(Andresen)
1 January 9 Introduction and Terminology 1, 2
2 January 16 Data and Sampling 3, 4
3 January 23 Visualization 5, 6
4 January 30 Distributions 7
5 February 6 Descriptive statistics 8 (maybe some 9)
6 February 13 Midterm Exam
February 20 No Class, Reading Break
7 February 27 Hypothesis testing 10
8 March 6 Tests for differences in means 11
9 March 13 ANOVA and Chi-square 12, 13
10 March 20 Correlation 14 (maybe some 15)
11 March 27 Regression 1 16
12 April 3 Regression 2 17

Please note: I retain the right to modify the nature of the course structure and
schedule based on instructional needs.

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Tutorial Topics (All labs are due the following week before your tutorial)
Week Date Topic Workbook Chapters (Andresen)
1 January 9 Installing software and basic Lab 1
functions
2 January 16 Sampling Lab 2
3 January 23 Visualizing data using graphs Lab 3
4 January 30 Testing for normality Lab 4
5 February 6 Measures of central tendency Lab 5
and dispersion
February 13 No Tutorials, Midterm Exam
6 February 20 No Tutorials, Reading Break
7 February 27 Calculating confidence intervals Lab 6
8 March 6 Various tests for differences in Lab 7
means
9 March 13 ANOVA Lab 8
10 March 20 (Chi-square) Lab 9

11 March 27 Correlation analyses Lab 10

12 April 3 The basics of regression Lab 11

Please note: I retain the right to modify the nature of the course structure and
schedule based on instructional needs.

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ATTENTION: Please contact the Centre for Accessible Learning, (MBC 1250 or
Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.
 N.B.: Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is
important. However, there are no tutorials in the first week.
 ON CAMPUS COURSES ONLY: Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A.
during class/office hours must be placed in the security box behind the General
Office (SWH 10156), or submitted as per Professor’s instructions for courses
taking place at Surrey Campus. The assignment drop box is emptied Monday to
Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. only, with the contents date stamped
accordingly. No other department’s date stamp will be accepted (e.g.
Library/Campus Security). For the Surrey Campus, assignments must be hand
delivered to the General Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, located
at SUR 5180, on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30p.m., or
placed in the assignment drop box located at the southwest corner of Galleria 5.
The Surrey assignment drop box is emptied Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.
and 3:30 p.m., with the contents date stamped accordingly. The School of
Criminology is not responsible for assignments submitted in any other manner
(e.g., slid under office doors). The University does NOT accept assignments by
fax or email.
 A student must complete ALL aspects of a course (including assignments, exams,
class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education
courses and other), otherwise they will receive a grade of N.
 The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade
appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of
Criminology.
 Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to
our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment
and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of
this institution. Members of this community have an affirmative obligation
to safeguard the human rights of others.

UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE

STILL IN SESSION.

REGISTRAR NOTES

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam
accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are
encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning
(caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are
eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a
timely fashion.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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 SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is
filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find
resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the
site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for their own conduct as it affects the University
community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the
values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of
students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all
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The making, selling, buying, or using unauthorized copies of copyrighted material,

including textbooks, is a violation of the Copyright Act. It may be considered academic
misconduct and/or be reportable on a good character assessment.