Data Collection & Measurement Techniques Flashcards

A correctional facility tracks cell-search results over six months. This is an example of:

Answer: Longitudinal data collection

Longitudinal data collection follows the same variables over an extended period to observe trends and changes.

Which measure of central tendency is LEAST affected by extreme outlier values?

Answer: Median

The median, the middle value in a sorted dataset, is resistant to outliers because it depends on rank rather than magnitude.

An officer uses a body-worn camera to capture an altercation. The video footage is an example of:

Answer: Primary qualitative data

Video footage captured directly by the officer is primary data; its descriptive, non-numerical nature makes it qualitative.

The range in a dataset of inmate disciplinary violations is calculated by:

Answer: Subtracting the smallest value from the largest value

The range measures data spread by subtracting the minimum from the maximum value.

Which documentation practice violates proper records management in a correctional setting?

Answer: Altering a completed report without notation

Altering a completed report without a documented correction notation undermines record integrity and may constitute falsification.

An officer notes that assaults spike every Friday evening. This pattern is discovered through:

Answer: Trend analysis of incident data

Trend analysis examines historical incident data to identify recurring patterns by time, location, or other variables.

Which term describes the degree to which a measurement tool actually measures what it claims to measure?

Answer: Validity

Validity refers to how well an instrument measures the specific concept or variable it is designed to assess.