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EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTS IN POLICING - WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?

NCJ Number
47882
Journal
EVALUATION QUARTERLY Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 315-330
Author(s)
J H LEWIS
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE POLICE FOUNDATION'S EXPERIENCE AS THE SPONSOR OF 16 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS IN URBAN POLICE AGENCIES IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN ITS WORK WITH POLICE AGENCIES, THE FOUNDATION HAS FOUND THAT EXPLICIT PLANNING PRIOR TO AND AS A CONDITION OF SUPPORT FOR AN EXPERIMENT IS A NECESSITY. THE FOUNDATION'S EXPERIENCE ALSO INDICATES THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DURING THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EXPERIMENT, AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR'S ROLE IN MAINTAINING EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS. TWO FACTORS -COST AND CREDIBILITY -- WORK AGAINST AN AGENCY'S PERFORMING ITS OWN EVALUATION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM WITHOUT OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. AN AGENCY THAT IS DETERMINED TO TEST AN IDEA, IS FULLY COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DURATION OF THE TEST, HAS THE CAPACITY TO DESIGN AND PLAN A GOOD EXPERIMENT, AND IS ABLE TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN THE EXPERIMENT CAN MAKE THE EVALUATION TASK, WHICH IS INHERENTLY DIFFICULT IN A POLICE SETTING, WORTH TRYING. IF FOR ANY REASON THE AGENCY FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS, EVALUATION IS IMPOSSIBLE, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTSIDE EVALUATORS INVOLVED. INNOVATORS IN POLICING ARE URGED TO JUDGE THE SUCCESS OF AN EXPERIMENT IN TERMS OF WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED RATHER THAN WHETHER THE OUTCOMES WERE AS EXPECTED OR HOPED FOR. A LIST OF THE EVALUATION REPORTS SPONSORED AND PUBLISHED BY THE FOUNDATION IS INCLUDED. (LKM)

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