Michael A. Long

The primary purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to elementary statistical methods as related to tests of differences, such as one-sample tests, tests of two independent samples, tests of two matched samples, and one-way analysis of variance. Throughout the book the emphasis is on permutation statistical methods, although the results of the permutation analyses are always compared and contrasted with the results of conventional statistical analyses. Unlike classical statistical methods, permutation statistical methods do not rely on theoretical distributions, avoid the usual assumptions of normality and homogeneity, depend only on the observed data, and do not require random sampling. The book is designed for an audience with limited statistical background and can easily serve as a supplementary textbook in an undergraduate or graduate course in departments such as statistics, psychology, economics, or biology. In particular, the audience for this book is quantitative undergraduate and graduate students in fields such as psychology, sociology, biology and political science. No statistical training beyond a first course in statistics is required.

This book takes a unique approach to explaining permutation statistical methods for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, researchers, and other professionals interested in the areas of criminology or criminal justice. The book integrates permutation statistical methods with a wide range of classical statistical methods. It opens with a comparison of two models of statistical inference: the classical population model espoused by J. Neyman and E. Pearson and the permutation model first introduced by R. A. Fisher and E. J. G. Pitman. Numerous comparisons of permutation and classical statistical methods are illustrated with examples from criminology and criminal justice and supplemented with a variety of R scripts for ease of computation. The text follows the general outline of an introductory textbook in statistics with chapters on central tendency, variability, one-sample tests, two-sample tests, matched-pairs tests, completely-randomized analysis of variance, randomized-blocks analysis of variance, simple linear regression and correlation, and the analysis of goodness of fit and contingency. Unlike classical statistical methods, permutation statistical methods do not rely on theoretical distributions, avoid the usual assumptions of normality and homogeneity, depend solely on the observed data, and do not require random sampling, making permutation statistical methods ideal for analyzing criminology and criminal justice databases. Permutation methods are relatively new in that it took modern computing power to make them available to those working in criminology and criminal justice research. The book contains detailed examples of permutation analyses. Each analysis is paired with a conventional analysis; for example, a permutation test of the difference between experimental and control groups is contrasted with Student's two-sample $t$ test. An added feature is the inclusion of multiple historical notes on the origin and development of both parametric and conventional tests and measures. Designed for an audience with a basic statistical background and a strong interest in parametric and non-parametric statistics, the book can easily serve as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in criminology, criminal justice, or sociology, as well as serving as a research source for faculty, researchers, and other professionals in the area of criminology. No statistical training beyond a first course in statistics is required, but some knowledge of, or interest in, criminology or criminal justice is assumed.

This book examines the relationship between neoliberalism and insecurity, beginning with the post-World War II period and continuing up through the present. Neoliberalism – the dominant political economic perspective that elevates competition above all else at both the structural and individual levels – has increased the amount of insecurity (e.g., food, energy, job) across the world. It provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of how and why neoliberalism and insecurity have become intertwined over the last half century. The book takes a novel approach to the study of neoliberalism, insecurity, and their intersection. First, in addition to examining specific types of insecurity, the overall concept of insecurity is defined and theorized as a fundamental part of neoliberal capitalism. Second, to help bypass the structural versus individual binary that has come to characterize much of the neoliberalism literature, a field-theoretic framework, heavily influenced by the work of Pierre Bourdieu, is employed. As such, it will be of great interest for researchers in neoliberalism, insecurity, and Bourdieu’s theory of practice, including advanced undergraduate students and graduate scholars from sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, and public health.

This book examines the relationship between neoliberalism and insecurity, beginning with the post-World War II period and continuing up through the present. Neoliberalism – the dominant political economic perspective that elevates competition above all else at both the structural and individual levels – has increased the amount of insecurity (e.g., food, energy, job) across the world. It provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of how and why neoliberalism and insecurity have become intertwined over the last half century. The book takes a novel approach to the study of neoliberalism, insecurity, and their intersection. First, in addition to examining specific types of insecurity, the overall concept of insecurity is defined and theorized as a fundamental part of neoliberal capitalism. Second, to help bypass the structural versus individual binary that has come to characterize much of the neoliberalism literature, a field-theoretic framework, heavily influenced by the work of Pierre Bourdieu, is employed. As such, it will be of great interest for researchers in neoliberalism, insecurity, and Bourdieu’s theory of practice, including advanced undergraduate students and graduate scholars from sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, and public health.

Benford's Law is a probability distribution for the likelihood of the leading digit in a set of numbers. This book seeks to improve and systematize the use of Benford's Law in the social sciences to assess the validity of self-reported data. The authors first introduce a new measure of conformity to the Benford distribution that is created using permutation statistical methods and employs the concept of statistical agreement. In a switch from a typical Benford application, this book moves away from using Benford's Law to test whether the data conform to the Benford distribution, to using it to draw conclusions about the validity of the data. The concept of 'Benford validity' is developed, which indicates whether a dataset is valid based on comparisons with the Benford distribution and, in relation to this, diagnostic procedure that assesses the impact of not having Benford validity on data analysis is devised.

Benford's Law is a probability distribution for the likelihood of the leading digit in a set of numbers. This book seeks to improve and systematize the use of Benford's Law in the social sciences to assess the validity of self-reported data. The authors first introduce a new measure of conformity to the Benford distribution that is created using permutation statistical methods and employs the concept of statistical agreement. In a switch from a typical Benford application, this book moves away from using Benford's Law to test whether the data conform to the Benford distribution, to using it to draw conclusions about the validity of the data. The concept of 'Benford validity' is developed, which indicates whether a dataset is valid based on comparisons with the Benford distribution and, in relation to this, diagnostic procedure that assesses the impact of not having Benford validity on data analysis is devised.

This timely and much-needed book focuses on the phenomenon often referred to as "holiday hunger" in the United Kingdom. The book begins by outlining the history and scope of holiday hunger – the condition that occurs when a child’s household is, or will become, food insecure during the summer holidays. The decline of the UK welfare state and the rise of neoliberalism have created a situation where up to three million children in the UK face food insecurity during the summer months when there are extra financial pressures on the working poor and when free school meals are not available. This book details the level of childhood and household food insecurity in the UK and describes one of the main responses to holiday hunger – holiday clubs. These clubs are locally organised and funded and provide a place for children to go to eat nutritious meals for free during the school holidays. Highlighting the benefits of holiday clubs that often extend beyond food provision, this book also discusses the challenges that they face now and in the future. The book concludes with recommendations for food insecurity policy and the role of government in fighting holiday hunger. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of food and nutrition security, social policy and public health.

This book offers an alternative analysis of the various theories and dimensions of green and environmental justice which are rooted in political economy. Much green criminological literature sidelines political economic theoretical insights and therefore with this work the authors enrich the field by vigorously exploring such perspectives. It engages with a number of studies relevant to a political economic approach to justice in order to make two key arguments: that capitalism has produced profound ecological injustices and that the concept of ecological justice (human and ecological rights) itself needs critiquing. Green Criminology and Green Theories of Justice is a timely text which urges the field to revisit its radical roots in social justice while broadening its disciplinary horizons to include a meaningful analysis of political economy and its role in producing and responding to environmental harm andinjustice.

This timely and much-needed book focuses on the phenomenon often referred to as "holiday hunger" in the United Kingdom. The book begins by outlining the history and scope of holiday hunger – the condition that occurs when a child’s household is, or will become, food insecure during the summer holidays. The decline of the UK welfare state and the rise of neoliberalism have created a situation where up to three million children in the UK face food insecurity during the summer months when there are extra financial pressures on the working poor and when free school meals are not available. This book details the level of childhood and household food insecurity in the UK and describes one of the main responses to holiday hunger – holiday clubs. These clubs are locally organised and funded and provide a place for children to go to eat nutritious meals for free during the school holidays. Highlighting the benefits of holiday clubs that often extend beyond food provision, this book also discusses the challenges that they face now and in the future. The book concludes with recommendations for food insecurity policy and the role of government in fighting holiday hunger. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of food and nutrition security, social policy and public health.

This book offers an alternative analysis of the various theories and dimensions of green and environmental justice which are rooted in political economy. Much green criminological literature sidelines political economic theoretical insights and therefore with this work the authors enrich the field by vigorously exploring such perspectives. It engages with a number of studies relevant to a political economic approach to justice in order to make two key arguments: that capitalism has produced profound ecological injustices and that the concept of ecological justice (human and ecological rights) itself needs critiquing. Green Criminology and Green Theories of Justice is a timely text which urges the field to revisit its radical roots in social justice while broadening its disciplinary horizons to include a meaningful analysis of political economy and its role in producing and responding to environmental harm andinjustice.

This groundbreaking text provides an overview and assessment of green criminology as well as a call to action. Green Criminology draws attention to the ways in which the political-economic organization of capitalism causes ecological destruction and disorganization. Focusing on real-world issues of green crime and justice, chapters include political-economic examinations of ecological withdrawals, ecological additions, toxic towns, wildlife poaching and trafficking, environmental justice, environmental laws, and nongovernment environmental organizations. The book also presents an unintimidating introduction to research from the physical sciences on issues such as climate change, pollution levels, and the ecological footprint of humans, providing a truly interdisciplinary foundation for green criminological analysis. To help students succeed in the course-and to encourage them to see themselves as future green criminology researchers-end-of-chapter materials include: *Questions and Activities for Students that review topics students should be able to conceptualize and address*Lessons for Researchers that provide ideas about additional research that might be worthwhile to undertake