Delinquency and victimization: A comparative analysis of online and school- based surveys

• In Event: ISRD Panel 6: Advances in Understanding Juvenile Delinquency and Victimization: Comparative and Methodological Insights

Abstract

Knowledge about the prevalence of and risk factors for delinquency and victimization of adolescents relies almost exclusively on self-report studies (Cops et al., 2015). Traditionally, such research has been conducted using paper-and-pencil surveys in schools (Baier et al., 2017). School-based research allows for the inclusion of diverse population groups, but access to schools remains a significant challenge, with participation rates varying from 15% to 100%, depending on the country (Enzmann et al., 2017). Online surveys are a promising alternative to overcome these barriers, yet limited research has systematically compared the validity and reliability of data obtained through school-based and internet-based surveys.
This study addresses this gap by analyzing Argentinean data from the International Self-Report Delinquency Study-4, comparing school-based (N = 1133) and internet-based (N = 1549) samples to examine self-reported prevalence rates of nine delinquent behaviors and four types of victimization among adolescents aged 16 to 18 years. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess differences in prevalence rates across the survey modes. Findings will enhance methodological knowledge on self-report data collection in Criminología and clarify whether internet-based surveys yield comparable estimates of adolescent delinquency and victimization to traditional school-based methods.

Authors

• Micaela Guibert, Institute of Psychological Researches, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research and National University of Córdoba (Argentina)

• Karin Arbach, Institute of Psychological Researches, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research and National University of Córdoba (Argentina)

• Consuelo Viano Tello, Institute of Psychological Researches, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research and National University of Córdoba (Argentina).

• Antonella Bobbio, Institute of Psychological Researches, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research and National University of Córdoba (Argentina)