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Abstract
To investigate changes in scholarly influence in criminology and criminal justice over a 30-year time period, the most-cited scholars in six major American journals were determined for 2011–2015, with results compared to those obtained for 2006–2010, 2001–2005, 1996–2000, 1991–1995, and 1986–1990. The most-cited scholars in 2011–2015 were Robert J. Sampson in American criminology journals and Alex R. Piquero in American criminal justice journals. The most-cited scholars in criminology journals focused on longitudinal/criminal career research and/or criminological theories. The most-cited scholars in criminal justice journals focused on these topics or on criminal justice issues such as rehabilitation and sentencing. Some highly-cited authors were specialized; others were versatile. During this 30-year period, older and deceased scholars became cited less often, while younger scholars became more highly cited. An intergenerational transmission of influence from older to younger scholars occurred through mentoring. This research documents the waxing and waning of careers of criminological influence.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Ellen G. Cohn
Ellen G. Cohn, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and an affiliated faculty member in the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at Florida International University. As well as studying scholarly influence and prestige in criminology and criminal justice, she is engaged in international cross-disciplinary research examining the effects of weather, temporal variations on crime and criminal behavior. Dr. Cohn is a member of the Board of Directors of Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers and a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
David P. Farrington
David P. Farrington, O.B.E., is Emeritus Professor of Psychological Criminology at Cambridge University. He has received the Stockholm Prize in Criminology and he has been President of the American Society of Criminology. His major research interest is in developmental criminology, and he is Director of the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, which is a prospective longitudinal survey of over 400 London males from age 8 to age 61. In addition to 850 published journal articles and book chapters on criminological and psychological topics, he has published 115 books, monographs, and government publications, and 162 shorter publications (total = 1,127).
Amaia Iratzoqui
Amaia Iratzoqui, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Memphis. Her research interests include the gendered nature of victimization, repeat victimization, intimate partner violence, and theoretical development. Her current research focuses on the implications the victim/offender overlap has on domestic violence, working within Memphis to address community policy related to police, the courts, and social services.