Challenging Data Collection: Working with Gang-involved and Violent Youth and Adults

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

The Urban Institute has conducted a number of research projects on the behaviors and risk profiles of individuals in violent groups and gangs in urban areas. This research has considered the behaviors and characteristics of at-risk youths in disadvantaged communities, gang-involved youth and adults, and adults associated with violent groups (whether gangs or not) who are at risk for both arrest and serious injury or death. This body of community-focused work has assessed resident perceptions of crime and safety in areas with known gang activity or significant violence. These undertakings have required that researchers collect data from hard-to-reach and covert populations on sensitive topics. By testing and implementing novel data collection strategies, the work has helped move research and evaluation on gangs and violent groups forward. This panel will provide an overview of the Urban Institute’s body of research involving gangs and/or violent groups. Panelists will then bring together lessons learned from the data collection efforts employed by three current research projects. Panelists will highlight key differences and similarities in data collection efforts across projects, focusing on data collection contexts, challenges, and successes, and will then suggest what directions this type of work may take in the future.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Correlates of Crime and Oppression / 32. Gangs, Peers and Co-offending

Individual Presentations

• Covert Networks of Gang-Involved Youth: Methodological Challenges Working with Sensitive Populations - Jillian Eidson, Temple University; Meagan Cahill, Urban Institute; Caterina Roman, Temple University; Samantha Lowry, Urban Institute; Darakshan Raja, Urban Institute; Kuniko Madden, Urban Institute

• Evaluating Gang Prevention and Youth Development Programming: Gaining Trust from Youth and Young Adults in Disadvantaged Communities - Samantha Lowry, Urban Institute; Jesse Jannetta, Urban Institute; Meagan Cahill, Urban Institute; Miriam Becker-Cohen, Urban Institute; Darakshan Raja, Urban Institute; Maria Serakos, Urban Institute; Emily Tiry, Urban Institute

• Measuring Attitudes and Activities within Chicago’s Gang Networks: Lessons from the Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy Evaluation - Jesse Jannetta, Urban Institute; Jocelyn Fontaine, Urban Institute; Justin Breaux, Urban Institute; Sam Taxy, Urban Institute; Isela Banuelos, Urban Institute; Jeremy Levy, Urban Institute; Ariel Sankar Bergmann, Urban Institute

Discussant

• Meagan Cahill, Urban Institute