Scholarly Influence in Criminology and Criminal Justice Journals in 1990–2005

Abstract

This research investigates changes in scholarly influence by identifying the most-cited scholars and their most-cited works in 20 journals: Five American criminology journals, Five American criminal justice journals, Five international criminology journals, and Five international criminal justice journals. Results obtained in 2005 were compared with previous findings in 2000, 1995, and 1990. Exactly the same methods and journals were used in each year. In 2005, the most-cited scholars were Robert J. Sampson in American criminology journals, American criminal justice journals, and international criminal justice journals, and David P. Farrington in international criminology journals. Overall, Robert J. Sampson was the most-cited scholar in these 20 journals in 2005. He was also the most-cited scholar in these journals in 2000, compared with Lawrence W. Sherman in 1995 and Marvin E. Wolfgang in 1990. The most-cited works of the most-cited scholars included the theories of Sampson and Laub, Gottfredson and Hirschi, and Moffitt, as well as the criminal career paradigm, the effectiveness of correctional treatment, and evidence-based crime prevention. The authors conclude that these analyses reveal changes over time in theoretical concerns and policy issues.