What is good criminal justice theory?

John P. Crank and Blythe A. Bowman

Journal of Criminal Justice, 2008, vol. 36, issue 6, 563-572

Abstract: This article assesses current work in criminal justice theory and identifies two criteria for theory--that which appeals to empirical validation, and that which appeals to historical tradition. Appeals to empirical validation are consistent with a scientific model, while appeals to historical tradition are consistent with an interpretive model of social science. Both models are described and the way in which each contributes to theory in criminal justice is discussed.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:36:y::i:6:p:563-572

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