This book is a unique supplement for criminological theory courses, graduate level research methods courses, or seminars that take a close look at the development of criminological theory and/or methods. The book is intended to bridge the gap between theory and research in the study of crime and deviant behavior. Theory texts do not critically evaluate the research methods that generate the findings they cite. The student, therefore, obtains an impression of the utility of the theory based on an uncritical assessment of the research evidence. The purpose of this book is to explicitly assess the research methods that have been used to test nine theoretical perspectives of crime. Specifically, the authors focus on sampling, measurement, and analytical issues in doing theoretically directed research.

About the Author
Charis E. Kubrin is Associate Professor of Sociology at George Washington University. She is coeditor of Crime: Readings (2007) and coauthor of Privileged Places: Race, Residence, and the Structure of Opportunity (2006). Thomas D. Stucky is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He is author of Urban Politics, Crime Rates, and Police Strength (2005). Marvin D. Krohn is Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society at the University of Florida. He is coauthor of Gangs and Delinquency in Developmental Perspective (2003), which was a recipient of the American Society of Criminology's Michael J. Hindelang Award.

Reviews
"I strongly recommend this book to both students and professional criminologists. The book fills a major gap in the field--the gap between crime theory and crime methods texts. The book focuses on how theories should be tested and it spends much time examining and critiquing the tests that have been done. In particular, the authors present very clear descriptions of each theory, describe the problems/issues that led to revisions in the theory, and present wonderful overviews and critiques of the best and latest research on each theory. All of the major theories are covered, and the book is written in a student friendly manner: each chapter is organized in the same (very logical) way, the authors regularly pose questions for students to consider, they write in a conversational style, and they clearly highlight key points. This book will become a standard text in the field."--Robert Agnew, Emory University "The overall quality of this book is outstanding. It is completely unique. No other theory text offers its combination of clear explanations of major criminological theories, thorough but concise discussions of the testing of each theory, and insightful critiques of the methods used to test these theories. The amount of research reviewed in each chapter is absolutely astounding. The text is clearly written, well organized, and engaging. Reading this book should be mandatory for students, researchers, and theorists."--Ojmarrh Mitchell, University of Cincinnati "This book will be a winner for those of us who see criminology theory as an ever-changing tool for research and policymaking. I'm not aware of any other textbook that unifies the study of theory and theory testing so well."--Bryan Vila, Washington State University



Book Information
ISBN 9780195340860
Author Charis E. Kubrin
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 499g
Dimensions(mm) 152mm * 231mm * 18mm