Blog

Please respond to the following discussion responses with 200 words each, at least 1 references and at least 1 biblical viewpoint. This is the original post. PLEASE do not respond to the original, just the classmates. In this class, you have been presented with a variety of peer-reviewed articles. You read the Fundamentals of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice by Bachman and Schutt. You also read The Mismeasure of Crime by Mosher, Miethe, and Hart. Discuss the following prompts:How should research be used in criminal justice decisions and criminal justice policy development?Explain a gap in understanding the findings in academic, peer-reviewed criminal justice research and practitioner policy development. What can be done to close this gap?1. Ashley West- Research within the criminal justice system has always been significant in decision-making, policies, and departments. “Criminal justice professionals may use research in a variety of ways. They may examine publications such as comprehensive reviews, meta-analyses, and studies of exemplary or model programs. They may also use research utilization toolkits, become familiar with standards of judging the quality of research and interventions, and collaborate with academic researchers. Despite the availability of these kinds of opportunities, a large gap between research and public policy and practice persists (Cherney, 2009)” (Johnson, Elam, Lebold, & Burroughs, 2018). According to Cherney, the research-practice gap is significant in this field because “where a decades-long debate over the goals of the criminal justice system (rehabilitation vs. retribution and containment) has had a substantial negative impact on both the development of the research base of “what works” as well as the implementation of that research into practice (Cullen, 2013)” (Johnson, Elam, Lebold, & Burroughs, 2018). Research can lack within three legs of validity- measurement validity, casual validity, or generalizability. That being said, there is often confusion within the three due to the different standards. Research is already reviewed several times before it is presented. To close the gap in understanding, we could open doors to better communication between those establishing the research and those policymakers. Proverbs 2:2 ESV reads, “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding” (The Holy Bible, 2016). Different outlets of news, media, and research become overwhelming with the different approaches used. However, by understanding this, if we open our wisdom and understanding to different views, it can on

ly benefit us in the long run.ReferencesJohnson, L. M., Elam, P., Lebold, S. M., & Burroughs, R. (2018). Use of Research Evidence by Criminal Justice Professionals. Retrieved from Justice Policy Journal, Fall, 2018: londonessays.com…The Holy Bible. (2016). Proverbs 2:2 ESV. Retrieved from Bible Gateway: londonessays.com…2. Starr Spragans- Research used in criminal justice decisions and criminal justice policy development, provides invaluable information that’s needed in order to make those decisions wisely. As Dr. Joel Cox mentioned in this week’s presentation, often times these decisions are needed to be made on a limited time frame, i.e. when a police chief needs to make a decision (Cox, 2013). Research is a significant component in policy development and decision making. The finding within the research present the “evidence” if you will, to the case, i.e. decision or policy. This gives policy makers a better opportunity in understanding crime. Accurate statistical data is a great example of how research is used in these cases. Research can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different crime control policies, and it’s worth nothing this should be used with accurate crime measurement (Mosher, Miethe, & Hart, 2011). Research can be very influential in decision making and policy development. Academic, peer-reviewed criminal justice research, and practitioner policy development all have unique features and different audiences, but they all are influential to the final report (Bachman & Schutt, 2015). The most important part in bridging the gap in understanding the findings is being honest and ethical with the research. Without this, it is sure to lead to not only misunderstanding the topic and findings, but it also disregards the importance of reliability and validity in research. Supporting the use of research in policy development and accurately communicating the valuable use it provides also helps in bridging the gap. Keeping in mind of the audience helps in keeping the level of understandability of the findings to be successful. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them” (Proverbs 11:3, ESV). References:Bachman, R. & Schutt, R. K. (2015). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal justice (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.Cox, J. (2013). Reporting Results [Presentation]. Retrieved from Liberty University OnlineCriminal Justice Program Evaluation Blackboard: londonessays.com, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). The mismeasure of crime (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.