ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates the utility of life event calendars for developmental and life-course criminology (DLC) scholars. In addition to flexibility and practicality, the methodology offers increased data accuracy. The most important aspect of life event calendars for DLC scholars, however, is the enabling of examinations of dynamic and inter-related sequences over time. It is therefore not surprising that life event calendars are becoming increasingly popular within DLC research. In this chapter we reflect on our experiences with conceptualising and implementing the life event calendar methodology in two separate projects: the “Australian Homicide Project” and the “Maternal Incarceration Project.” We discuss the necessary considerations for implementation such as mode of data collection (computer-based versus paper-based), interview seating arrangements (side-by-side versus opposite), and calendar timeframes (yearly versus monthly). Our experiences with life event calendars were mainly positive: the calendar structure aided respondent memory recall; interviewers and respondents found data collection to be a relatively pleasant task; and the collaborative approach to data collection helped overcome the impersonal and restrictive format often associated with regular surveys. We discuss how to overcome some of the potential pitfalls associated with life event calendars and identify strategies to assist DLC scholars interested in incorporating life event calendars into their own research methodology toolbox.
