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Group-Based Trajectory Models

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Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Synonyms

Group-based trajectory modeling; Latent class growth modeling; Latent trajectory modeling; Semi-parametric group-based method

Overview

Group-based trajectory modeling is a powerful and versatile tool that has been extensively used to study crime over the life course. The method was part of a methodological response to the criminal careers debate but has since greatly expanded in its applications. The current state of the art of group-based trajectory modeling is complex, but worth becoming familiar with so as to recognize the variety of uses to which this tool can be applied. The method has attracted unusually robust criticism for a statistical tool. Researchers should aim to use it and other statistical tools as effectively as possible.

Introduction

Criminologists have long been interested in studying crime as a longitudinal phenomenon. Recent interest stems from vigorous debate surrounding the interpretation of the fact that criminal behavior bears a robust curvilinear...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Gary Sweeten

Authors
  1. Gary Sweeten
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gary Sweeten .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gerben Bruinsma

  2. VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gerben Bruinsma

  3. Department of Criminology, Law and Society, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

    David Weisburd

  4. Faculty of Law, The Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel

    David Weisburd

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Sweeten, G. (2014). Group-Based Trajectory Models. In: Bruinsma, G., Weisburd, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5690-2_479

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5690-2_479

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5689-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5690-2

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

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