Final answer:
Criminologists anticipate differences between the NCVS and UCR because they use varying methodologies for collecting crime data, with the NCVS capturing unreported crimes through its self-report nature and the UCR consolidating reported crime data from law enforcement agencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many criminologists expect the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) to differ because they utilize different methods for collecting crime data. The NCVS, as a self-report survey, includes information on crimes that may not be reported to law enforcement and provides a detailed examination of the crime, including demographics like age, race, gender, location, and income levels. On the other hand, the UCR is an aggregation of data from law enforcement agencies but may not capture unreported crimes. The UCR data can be inconsistent, as it lacks the victim's details due to the variation in data collection by different law enforcement agencies.
One notable disadvantage of the NCVS is highlighted in answer choice 'b' of the provided question - the survey may overlook certain populations, like those without phones or those who move frequently, potentially skewing crime statistics. This compromises the survey's coverage compared to the UCR, which relies on police reports. Further, the UCR is strengthening its reporting through the upcoming requirement for states to adopt the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), aiming to improve crime data quality and utility for crime prevention and law enforcement strategies.