Final answer:
The UCR provides data from police reports but may miss unreported crimes, while the NCVS includes self-reported data on crime experiences, capturing more incidents but potentially missing certain demographic groups. Both have their own practices and limitations in crime reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in reporting practices and results between the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) highlights the varying methods of crime data collection. The UCR, which is published annually by the FBI, gathers data from law enforcement agencies but may not include unreported crimes due to victims' reluctance to contact the police. On the other hand, the NCVS is a self-report study conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics that asks individuals about their experiences with crime, thus capturing a broader scope of incidents, including those unreported to the police. However, the NCVS may miss certain demographic groups like those without phones or who move frequently, and relies on victim recall, which can be inaccurate.
Overall, while the UCR provides comprehensive information from police reports, it struggles with underreporting and lacks detailed context for each crime. The NCVS aims to offer a more detailed examination of crimes, considering demographics and the relationship between victim and offender, though it too has its limitations in practices of data gathering. Both are essential tools in understanding crime trends and informing prevention and policing.