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The Significance of the International Self-report Delinquency Study (ISRD)

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Abstract

The subject of the article is the second ISRD study in which 30 countries participated and collaborated. The article describes the underlying rationale of the ISRD study, its objectives, organization, level of analysis and the way in which different criminological theories are tested. The most important aspects of international comparative self-report surveys are highlighted, such as the need for maximum standardization and for a steering group monitoring the whole process as well as the need for regular workshop meetings of participants. In the last section some illustrations of the study’s findings are presented.

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Notes

  1. This is also true for the adult criminal justice system, as expressed –among others- in the increasing prison population in these countries.

  2. Josine Junger-Tas, Gert-Jan Telouw & Malcolm W.Klein Delinquent Behaviour among Young People in the Western World – First Results of the International Self-report Delinquency Study

  3. Josine Junger-Tas, Ineke Haen Marshall & Denis Ribeaud: Delinquency in an International Perspective –The International Self-report Delinquency Study

  4. Age groups are not similar ( ISRD 12-16; ESB 12-17); the percentage of youth in ESB data are calculated per 100,000 population and not per 100,000 minors; the comparison is limited to those countries which have the two data sources available.

  5. Spearman’s rho for robbery is .38, for assault .55, and for serious and minor theft .59.

  6. More recently pensions are based on the mean earned income over the years of employment.

  7. Excluding downloading, hacking as well as drug use, which are treated separately

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Junger-Tas, J. The Significance of the International Self-report Delinquency Study (ISRD). Eur J Crim Policy Res 16, 71–87 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-010-9119-6

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