Introduction to Statistics in Criminal Justice and Criminology

Introduction to Statistics in Criminal Justice and Criminology: A Practical Approach to Calculating, Using, and Interpreting Data provides students with a clear, structured path to the quantitative tools that shape empirical inquiry in the field. Written by an interdisciplinary team spanning criminal justice, psychology, mathematics, and computer science, this textbook emphasizes the practical purposes of statistical thinking while explaining how data is organized, described, compared, and analyzed to answer meaningful research questions.

Each chapter opens with a relatable scenario that frames key concepts, guiding students from foundational topics such as descriptive statistics and normal distributions to applications including hypothesis testing, chi-square analysis, regression, ANOVA, and survival analysis. Step-by-step examples, end-of-chapter problems, and intuitive visual displays reinforce learning. A companion software tool strengthens computational literacy, allowing students to work through calculations aligned with chapter material.

Designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice statistics, this textbook supports required quantitative training across criminal justice curricula. Students gain the skills to interpret research findings, evaluate evidence critically, and engage in data-informed study and professional practice throughout their careers.

Arthur J. Lurigio, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice and Criminology at Loyola University Chicago. A distinguished scholar with more than 500 publications, he has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to criminal justice research, mental health, and applied scholarship.

Michael Perry, PhD, is Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and Statistics at Loyola University. He teaches a range of statistics courses and has published research across polymerization, public health, and quantitative modeling, bringing applied mathematical expertise to criminal justice education.

Nathan M. Lutz, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. His research focuses on improving outcomes for youth involved in child welfare and enhancing measurement-based behavioral health care.

George K. Thiruvathukal, PhD, is Professor and Chairperson of Computer Science at Loyola University Chicago and Visiting Computer Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. Author or co-author of more than 200 publications and 6 books, his research spans high-performance computing, distributed systems, and artificial intelligence.