Criminology

Policy Paper 1

Throughout the semester you will complete 3 brief policy papers. The goal of these papers is to understand the links between theory and policy. This paper will involve the use of the Evidence-Based Policing Matrix from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (CEBCP).

You may draw on any material covered this far into the course, but due to the focus on micro-places and neighborhoods deterrence, social disorganization, and routine activities theories will likely be most applicable.

Instructions

1. You will first want to review the key to understanding the matrix here.

2. After that go to the matrix home. We will be focusing on two categories for this paper: micro-places and neighborhoods. From either category you should select one study that is rated effective (black dot), one that is rated mixed effects (gray dot), and one that is rated no effects (white dot).

a. You may “mix and match” studies from either category. So for example, if you are interested in a neighborhood study that was effective but a micro-places study that has mixed effects, that’s fine!

3. Read about the 3 studies you have selected. To learn more you may want to look up the original study but this is not required.

4. Answer the following in a formal, written paper, with appropriate APA citations for each study, course readings, and any other sources.

Effective Study

a. Briefly (i.e. no more than 1 paragraph) describe the policy/program that was evaluated effective and what the findings were. Do not copy and paste from the matrix summary.

b. Write about what theory you believe this policy/program reflects. Justify your reasons. Explain the assumptions that underlie that theory and why it fits with that policy, concepts that are demonstrated, etc. This will likely be 1-3 paragraphs depending on what you write.

Mixed Effects Study

c. Briefly (i.e. no more than 1 paragraph) describe the policy/program that was evaluated mixed effects and what the findings were. Do not copy and paste from the matrix summary.

d. Write about what theory you believe this policy/program reflects. Justify your reasons. Explain the assumptions that underlie that theory and why it fits with that policy, concepts that are demonstrated, etc. This will likely be 1-3 paragraphs depending on what you write.

e. Consider why you think the study found mixed effects. What would the theory say about this finding? Does this finding reflect a weakness in the theory? Or does the policy/program need to be improved to better reflect the theory? Is there a weakness to the study that could have contributed to this finding? This will likely be anywhere from 1-3 paragraphs as well.

No Effects Study

f. Briefly (i.e. no more than 1 paragraph) describe the policy/program that was evaluated no effects and what the findings were. Do not copy and paste from the matrix summary.

g. Write about what theory you believe this policy/program reflects. Justify your reasons. Explain the assumptions that underlie that theory and why it fits with that policy, concepts that are demonstrated, etc. This will likely be 1-3 paragraphs depending on what you write.

h. Consider why you think the study found no effects. What would the theory say about this finding? Does this finding reflect a weakness in the theory? Or does the policy/program need to be improved to better reflect the theory? Is there a weakness to the study that could have contributed to this finding? This will likely be anywhere from 1-3 paragraphs as well.

Evaluation