quantitative methods that can handle longitudinal data. Longitudinal data is the collection of data from several units over a specific time range, is very useful to criminologists. Not only does this research data provide criminologists with valuable information about current situations, but it will provide useful data to future researchers attempting to observe change over time. In both of these cases, the idea is that criminologists will be able to view data collected from groups of people (neighborhoods) and make appropriate conclusions based on the data. This data combined with data collected from smaller and larger groups and from other areas will hopefully provide criminologists with a valuable well of information about our society. One important factor in all research is that methods will continue to change, improving the strength, diversity, scope, and effectiveness of data collected through research. Criminologists, like all other researchers will use advancements in other fields of research to help improve their own. Methods in Statistics, Economics, and other fields may prove useful to criminologists. See also Bayes' theorem Computational criminology Forensic statistics Journal of Quantitative Criminology Jurimetrics Predictive policing Social network analysis (criminology) Qualitative research in criminology Notes References Burgess, Robert and Akers, Ronald. "A Differential Association-Reinforcement Theory of Criminal Behavior." Social Problems, Vol. 14, No. 2. (Autumn, 1966), pp. 128–147. Dantzker, ML, and Ronald D. Hunter. Research Methods For Criminology and Criminal Justice: A Primer. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. Fox, James A., ed. Methods In Quantitative Criminology. New York: Academic Press, 1981. Jones, Stephen. Criminology. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2006. Kempf, Kimberly; Measurement Issues in Criminology. New York: Springer, 1990. Matsueda, Ross. "Testing Control Theory and Differential Association: A Causal Modeling Approach". American Sociological Review, Vol. 47, No. 4. (Aug., 1982), pp. 489–504. Maxfield, Michael G. Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology. Ed. Earl Babbie. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1995. Neuman, Lawrence W., and Bruce Wiegand. Criminal Justice Research Methods. Allyn and Bacon, 2000. Rihoux. “Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Related Systematic Comparative Methods: Recent Advances and Remaining Challenges for Social Science Research.” International Sociology, v. 21 issue 5, 2006, p. 679-706. Sampson; Robert J. & Groves, W. Byron; The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 94, No. 4. (Jan., 1989), pp. 774–802. Schutt, R.K. (2006). Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research Siegel, Larry. Criminology. St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1995. Technologies for Understanding and Preventing Substance Abuse and Addiction