RT Article
T1 Seeing the forest and the trees: Examining the impact of aggregate measures of recidivism on meta-analytic conclusions of intervention effects
JF Criminology & criminal justice
VO 24
IS 1
SP 226
OP 248
A1 Bouchard, Jessica
A2 Wong, Jennifer S.
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1878572288
AB Recidivism is a multidimensional construct that is operationalized in a variety of ways. We explored the impact of using aggregated measures of recidivism (i.e. multiple measures combined) versus disaggregated measures (i.e. defined specifically as parole violation, arrest, conviction, incarceration) in meta-analytic analyses of correctional intervention effectiveness. Using a sample of 20 meta-analyses, we compared within-study findings between aggregated and disaggregated measures. Over half (60%) of the studies differed with respect to the statistical significance of their aggregated versus disaggregated findings, suggesting that aggregated measures of recidivism may give an incomplete picture of treatment effectiveness. Disaggregating measures of recidivism in meta-analysis is recommended for a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of intervention approaches. Policy implications are discussed.
K1 Recidivism
K1 Meta-analysis
K1 correctional intervention
K1 conceptual similarity
K1 Aggregate measures
DO 10.1177/17488958221090577