ABSTRACT
A foundational step in conducting research is conceptualizing and operationalizing key concepts. When it comes to rural criminology, a review of the literature demonstrates a variety of conceptualizations and operationalizations of “rural” is used. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the most widely used definitions and measurements of rural in criminal justice and criminology. These measures include the Office of Management and Budget's measure, the Census Bureau's measure, the combination of both, and finally, narratives. In addition, the chapter offers advantages and disadvantages of each. A result of this review demonstrates there is no “best” conceptualization or operationalization of rural, as the best approach depends on the research at hand. It does, however, caution against failing to offer any attention to this key step.
