The study used a sample method to collect data from a variety of cities, using the Uniform Crime Report, the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, and the Census of State and Federal Adult Correction Facilities for sources (717). In this study, the dependent variable was African-American juvenile arrests "for murder, rape, robber, and aggravated assaults," which are commonly known as violent crimes (717). The independent variables, on the other hand, include "poverty," "interracial income inequality," "single parent homes," and "racial residential segregation" (718). In addition, the authors measured male role models in three different ways, controlling for marriage and job status, or simply calculating the total population of those over 15 (718). The control variables include a percentage of the population who was Hispanic, a differentiation between the southern urban areas and other urban areas, and "residential mobility" (718).
Thus, this study primarily focuses on the family unit for its study, though it places...
Furthermore, African-Americans are being studied in particular. The basis for this decision is previous research, which had previously discussed these issues. Thus, this study exhibited many strengths by building on previous literature to test the generalization of a claim. Furthermore, the use of different studies and several independent variables allowed the researchers to truly verify Anderson's claims. However, the study also had several weaknesses in regards to design. The primary weakness includes the types of data gathered. While published reports may be hard sources that are well documented, they do not give an accurate picture of the African-American community's problem with juveniles and violence. Self-report data or interviews would give a much more accurate picture.
Works Cited
Parker, Karen F. And Reckdenwald, Amy. "Concentrated Disadvantage of Traditional
Male Role…
