NCJ Number
221905
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 103-116
Date Published
March 2008
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the data collection process for research from the criminal courts from the viewpoint of court staff members.
Abstract
Findings indicate that court staff members believe they are on good terms with the researchers whose data request they manage which is in contrast with previous literature examining the researchers’ perceptions about their relations with court staff members. This study does corroborate many of the views of researchers, however, particularly the courts’ inclination to question studies that include race or controversial issues. It also supports the researchers’ claim that many courts have a feeling of ownership over their data. Researchers’ concerns that staff members distrust their motives and feel more comfortable with requests from practitioners are also supported. Because court policies and programs must be evaluated, the relationship between researchers and the staff members overseeing court data is an essential part of the process. Past research indicates that researchers commonly believe that their efforts are hampered by court staff members who, accordingly, often have suspicions about the agendas of researchers. This study examined an alternative viewpoint; the perspectives of 30 State-level court staff members who oversee the data requests of researchers and their relations with researchers in the data collection process, and the strategies they believe researchers can use to make the process more efficient. Tables, references