Learning From Experience in Problem-Oriented Policing and Situational Prevention: The Positive Functions of Weak Evaluations and the Negative Functions of Strong Ones (From Evaluation for Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention Studies Volume 14, P 93-117, 2002, Nick Tilley, ed., -- See NCJ-195626)

• NCJ Number: 195629
• Author(s): John E. Eck
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Part of an international volume on evaluating crime prevention and crime reduction policies and practices, this paper questions the applicability of using evaluation designs and methods intended for generic programs in evaluating problem specific crime prevention programs.

Abstract

As part of an international series focused on the evaluation of policies and practices relating to crime prevention and crime reduction, this work discusses the difficulties in using the same evaluation techniques to examine generic crime prevention programs and problem specific crime prevention programs. After asserting that large-scale generic crime programs are designed to handle a wide variety of contexts, this author argues that there is an underlying assumption that the same systematic review and evaluation of research design and methods may be conducted on small-scale, small-claim crime prevention programs. Focusing on issues of internal and external validity, this work argues that in some instances weak evaluation designs may have greater utility than strong evaluation designs. Arguing that standard evaluation practices make too many assumptions, this author claims that small-scale, small-claim crime prevention programs are better served by simple evaluation procedures. References, notes