Measuring Crime Victimisation in Australia: The impact of different collection methodologies
There are a number of ways in which individuals, the community and governments know about crime, and there are a number of different sources of statistics on crime. Users may ask which of the various statistics available are the 'right' ones. However, it is not a simple process to reduce such a complex social issue to a single set of numbers.
The expectation that different sources of crime victimisation statistics should produce similar figures forms the basis that one source or the other is wrong. Such expectations arise out of the false belief that different data sources are always measuring the same thing, and are utilising the same methodologies.
There are a range of national collections which present statistics on crime victimisation. One of the issues facing users of these data is determining which of the collections best meets their needs. In order to determine this, the statistics need to be well understood for them to be useful in making informed decisions.
An ABS Information Paper, Measuring Crime Victimisation in Australia: The impact of different collection methodologies (cat. no. 4522.0.55.001) was released on 5 February 2004.
The aim of this Information Paper is to increase understanding of the nature of crime victimisation measurement in Australia and why the findings from different data sources may differ. In order to facilitate this the Information Paper includes the following:
- an outline of national crime victimisation statistics available from several different sources in the Australian context
- comparisons between the statistics from these sources
- methodological differences between survey sources
- possible impacts of the methodological differences between the survey vehicles.
The Information Paper focuses predominately on survey methodology, however references are also made to differences between survey and administrative data.
Statistics from the following two ABS administrative collections were utilised in the paper:
- Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia (cat. no. 4510.0)
- Causes of Death (cat. no. 3303.0).
Differences between and within administrative collections are discussed, and a working example using the two collections above is given.
Statistics from four national survey collections were also included in the paper:
- Crime and Safety, 2002 (cat. no. 4509.0)
- General Social Survey, 2002 (cat. no. 4159.0)
- Women's Safety Survey, 1996 (cat. no. 4128.0)
- International Crime Victims Survey, 2000 (Australian component conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology).
There are numerous elements that combine to make up a single survey methodology, and differences between surveys in one or more of these may impact on the overall data collection. Those outlined and investigated in the Information Paper include:
- sample design and selection
- scope and coverage
- questionnaire format and content
- survey procedure
- response rate.
Ultimately users must decide which measure of crime is fit for their purpose. The information in this paper can help inform that decision.
The Information Paper is available on the ABS web site. Please email <crime.justice@abs.gov.au> if you have any queries about the paper, or would like further information.
Print Page
Print All