Observing, Measuring, and Researching Cybercrime: A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews Since 2010s
摘要
This chapter examines the definitions of cybercrime and the research approaches employed to study it, focusing on data types and analytical methods identified in manuscripts included in systematic reviews published between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of scholarly efforts to study and empirically measure cybercrime and test hypotheses in recent years. Specifically, the chapter delves into the types of data utilized and the analytical techniques applied in cybercrime research. The majority of empirical studies on cybercrime have been published in journals across a range of disciplines, reflecting the broad interest that the emergence of cybercrime has generated within the scientific community. The results show that most studies rely on surveys with limited sample sizes, raising concerns about generalizability. It identifies commonly studied cybercrimes, tested theories, and the data and methods used. However, contributions from criminologists to this field have been relatively limited. That said, there is a growing recognition of the importance of cybercrime within criminology, and an increasing number of criminologists are now engaging with this subject. These scholars are grappling with challenges related to defining and measuring cybercrime—issues that are particularly pronounced in the social sciences when addressing novel and rapidly evolving phenomena. While progress has been made in understanding cybercrime, significant gaps remain in empirical measurement and theoretical conceptualization. Continued research investment and evolving statistical systems are essential for better capturing and analyzing cybercrime trends.