Cambridge study in delinquent development [Great Britain], 1961-1981
By: principal investigator, David P. Farrington
Series: ICPSR -- 8488; ICPSR (Series) -- 8488
Publisher: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor
Published: 1980
Place of publication: Ann Arbor, Mich
Language: und
Format: [computer file] /
Subjects: Juvenile delinquency; Youth; Attitudes
Description: These data, originally collected by Dr. Donald J. West and continued by Dr. David Farrington, were collected in order to test several hypotheses about delinquency. The investigators examined socioeconomic conditions, schooling, friendship, parent-child relationships, extracurricular activities, school records, and criminal records. They also performed psychological tests to determine the causes of crime and delinquency. Information in the survey includes reports from peers, family size, child-rearing behavior, job histories, leisure habits, truancy, popularity, physical attributes, tendencies toward violence, sexual activity, and self-reported delinquency.
Notes: Survey data.

A knowledge of British criminal justice terminology would be helpful for those using the data. Various British governmental and law enforcement institutions are mentioned. Variables concerning the socioeconomic status of respondents, schools attended, and personality characteristics use code explanations that are not fully documented. The principal investigator has offered to consult with researchers on the use of the data. Contact Professor David Farrington, Institute of Criminology, 7 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DT, England. Telephone 01144-223-335384 or 01144-223-870597.

Holding archive: Criminal Justice Archive and Information Network.

ICPSR data class: Class II

Chronological coverage: 1961-1981; data collected: 1984.

personal interviews.

Great Britain.

Home Office. Research and Planning Unit.

OSIRIS and Card Image, with SPSS Control Cards for each.

Part number: 1 ; file structure: rectangular ; case count: 411 ; variable count: 880 ; logical record length: 1,090 ; records per case: 15

The major part of the sample was chosen by taking all boys aged 8-9 who were on the registers of six state primary schools located within a one mile radius of a research office which had been established.

Universe: Population of young male children from a working class urban area.

West, Donald J., and David P. Farrington. WHO BECOMES DELINQUENT? London: Heinemann Educational Books, 1973.

West, Donald J., and David P. Farrington. THE DELINQUENT WAY OF LIFE. London: Heinemann Educational Books, 1977.

West, Donald J. DELINQUENCY: ITS ROOTS, CAREERS AND PROSPECTS. London: Heinemann Educational Books, 1982.