Collecting community members’ perceptions of crime in their communities through surveys is a common research method in Criminal Justice. In this assignment, you and your groupmates (if applicable) will conduct a survey to ascertain respondent perceptions about some aspects of crime in their community based on social disorganization theory (this can include things like perceptions of crime overall, disorder, policing, and other neighborhood characteristics).
Using GoogleForms, you and your groupmates will create a survey asking questions based on the research you conducted for your literature review, the findings and experience collecting observational data in your community, and your review of crime data. Think about the studies you reviewed, methods they used, questions they answered, and things left unanswered. Also reflect on the things you saw (or didn’t see) in your community and how those observations might frame your survey questions. Finally, reflect on your review of crime data and begin thinking ahead about how you will look at and present your data. One group member will be responsible for hosting the Google Form and linking the group members to it.
In GoogleForms, create a survey of at least 10 items, including topic specific questions, and demographic questions (age, gender, etc.). You should also include at least two of each type of survey question: 1) Binary (yes/no; male/female, etc.); 2) categorical; 3) Likert scale (rating); and at least one 4) continuous (I recommend age) and 5) open-ended (don’t use too many of these–you will have to do extra coding!). Be sure to carefully review your questions to consider the wording, the order and flow, and the time it takes to complete the survey. If you do not have groupmates you can work on your own!!
Be sure to include an opening statement welcoming participants to take your survey, describe what the survey is about and identifying yourself as a researcher, assure them confidentiality, and the projected time it will take. Be sure to include my name and contact information for any questions and a thank you!
Then, you will share (add as collaborator/editor) your Google Form with me ( for a review before disseminating. You MUST get the OK from me before sending out your survey.
You will request at least 25 people (per person) to take your survey through a convenience sampling strategy, but the more respondents you have, the better your analysis will be! Recruit your family, friends, , classmates, via social media, etc. Be sure that it is anonymous and does not collect individuals information, even email addresses.
Submit your GoogleForm url to Canvas and add me as a collaborator so I can see your questions/responses.
Grading Rubric:
Survey (45)
Opening
Questions
Types
Wording
Flow
Survey recruitment (at least 25 respondents per person) (15)
