On Saturday, March 3 and 10, a random selection of households in Cumberland will have the unique opportunity to take part in a survey that explores our fear and perception of crime. The voluntary survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, is part of a cooperative research project being conducted by North Island College and the University of Leiden in Holland.
“The research is designed to increase our understanding of how people think about crime,” says NIC Instructor Dr. Bill McConnell, who is leading the project. “Criminologists agree on the need for improved fear of crime measures, particularly as politicians use the results of surveys to shape social policy. We hope that our study will contribute to the development of better measures. By collecting data both here and in Holland, we will learn if our results are generally true, or apply only to our Canadian sample.”
Thirty-five students, enrolled in 2nd year Sociology and Psychology at North Island College, will conduct local data collection for the study, while 100 Criminology students from the University of Leiden gather data in Holland.
According to McConnell, the student participation in this kind of study is uncommon. “For students to get good hands-on experience in a major research project so early in their academic career is rare,” says McConnell. “To get this kind of experience in an international project is almost unheard of.
This project is the first in a series of studies that North Island College will conduct in partnership with the University of Leiden over the next few years. “Upcoming projects will be of particular interest to students entering the college’s new Criminology program in September,” McConnell adds.
North Island College’s Criminology program will be offered full-time at the Comox Valley campus starting in September 2007. The two-year Associate of Arts degree in Criminology will involve the study of crime, criminal behaviour, and society’s response to law-breaking. The program will prepare students for employment in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections and will also provide an excellent background for those wishing to pursue studies in law.
Questions about the survey can be directed to Dr. Bill McConnell at 334-5000 ext. 4160. For information about the Criminology program at North Island College, call 334-5000 or visit www.nic.bc.ca.
For further information contact:
Susan Toresdahl
Director College Relations
(250) 334-5271