An article in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology (Mar. 2014) discussed several data collection methods for testing the efficacy of a new program designed to reduce drug-related crimes in Jersey City (N.J.). The sample consisted of 56 "hot spots"-areas of Jersey City with a high crime rate but not necessarily a high drug crime rate. In Method 1, the new program will be implemented in half of the 56 hot spots (selected at random); the other half will not implement the program (the "no treatment" group). In Method 2, the 56 hot spots will be divided into four groups based on the level of drug crimes-very high drug crime rate (10 hot spots), high rate (8 hot spots), moderate rate (26 hot spots), and low rate (12 hot spots). In each group, half the hot spots will be randomly assigned the new crime prevention program and the other half no treatment. For both methods, after several weeks the crime rates in the hot spots where the program was implemented will be compared with those with no treatment.
a. Identify the data collection method for Method 1.
b. Identify the data collection method for Method 2.
c. Is this an application of descriptive or inferential statistics? Explain.
d. Given that there is a great deal of variation in the drug crime rates at the 56 hot spots, which data collection method do you recommend? Explain.