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Measuring short and rare activities – Time diaries in criminology

Author

Listed:
  • Sjoerd Van Halem

    (Staff Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University)

  • Evelien M. Hoeben

    (Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement)

  • Wim Bernasco

    (Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement)

  • Tom F. M. Ter Bogt

    (Staff Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University)

Abstract

Motivated by recent time use studies in criminology, this study examined whether time diaries are suitable for measuring short and rare activities such as offending. The study compared time diary data collected among 843 adolescents from the conurbation of The Hague (the Netherlands) with stylized questionnaire data from the same respondents, and with stylized questionnaire data from another sample that is representative for Dutch adolescents (N = 1849). Based on the reported offenses in the diaries (N = 101), findings indicate that time diaries may underestimate population offense rates and may not capture offenses committed by low-frequent offenders. On the other hand, time diaries seem able to measure changes in individuals’ involvement in offending over time and to capture most of the situational conditions under which offenses occur. The study concludes with suggestions for dealing with the problems associated with measuring short and rare activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sjoerd Van Halem & Evelien M. Hoeben & Wim Bernasco & Tom F. M. Ter Bogt, 2016. "Measuring short and rare activities – Time diaries in criminology," electronic International Journal of Time Use Research, Research Institute on Professions (Forschungsinstitut Freie Berufe (FFB)) and The International Association for Time Use Research (IATUR), vol. 13(1), pages 1-33, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:leu:journl:2016:vol13:issue1:p1-33
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Rinderspacher, Jürgen P., 2000. "Zeitwohlstand in der Moderne," Papers, Research Network Project "Work and Ecology" P 00-502, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    3. A. Colin Cameron & Douglas L. Miller, 2015. "A Practitioner’s Guide to Cluster-Robust Inference," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 50(2), pages 317-372.
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    JEL classification:

    • C00 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - General
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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