https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8026-8546
![Sample our Law journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5942/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Law.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Do the results of research on the relationship between crime and immigration status differ depending on the type of data examined? This question is posed and answered affirmatively in a paper based on a systematic review of ten Danish studies published between 2008 and 2017. The current review is motivated by the seemingly widespread perception that immigrants/descendants are at greater risk for committing crime than others even after adjusting for systematic differences between these groups. Using five criteria of relevance, a systematic search resulted in the identification of ten pertinent studies. The ten studies are reviewed in the current paper and form the basis of the conclusion that research results differ markedly depending on the type of data examined. This implies that public perceptions about crime and immigration status may rest on shaky ground. Five potential explanations are suggested to explain the inconsistencies found in the studies reviewed. Finally, five recommendations for future research are suggested in order move research forward.
Acknowledgments
The Danish Crime Preventive Council deserves gratitude for granting funds for research on the relationship between crime and immigration status. The grant made a previous project possible that resulted in three reports in Danish (Nielsen et al., Citation2019a, Citation2019b; Qvotrup, Klement, Nielsen, & Vitus, Citation2019) which increased my interest in the field. In addition, I would like to thank my colleagues at Aalborg University: Research Assistant Trine Ravn Nielsen, Associate Lecture Sune Qvotrup Jensen and Associate Lecture Kathrine Vitus for constructive discussions and collaboration on that same aforementioned project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.