Self-reports as a measure of crime? A theoretical approach to understanding its strengths and weaknesses

Abstract

This essay analyzes the self-report (SR) survey theoretically as a sociological phenomenon, making use of the rational choice theory (e.g. Coleman, Foundations of social theory. Cambridge: Harvard University Press). The paper argues two points: (1) the SR method has essential limitations for which there is no technical or methodological solution, and (2) the SR survey does have an important position in the field of crime research, but one should be concerned that it is aimed at the proper target populations, and implemented under the proper conditions.