PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES IN GAINING RESEARCH ACCESS IN POLICE ORGANIZATIONS

• NCJ Number: 16117
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (MAY 1974) Pages: 52-69
• Author(s): J C FOX; R J LUNDMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 MH17917-02
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ACCESS IS GAINED THROUGH TOP-LEVEL AUTHORITY FIGURES AND THEN THE PROPOSED SUBJECTS OF STUDY BY MEANS OF PRERESEARCH INFORMAL CONTACTS, CONTINGENT ACCEPTANCE AND SELF-SELECTION.

Abstract

A PREVALENT POLICE DESIRE TO KEEP DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY IS CONSIDERED TO MAKE SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF SUCH ORGANIZATIONS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT. THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLICE OR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL PRIOR TO THE FORMAL RESEARCH ROLE IS CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT AID FOR GAINING ACCESS. THE OPENNESS AND SIZE OF THE ORGANIZATION TO BE STUDIED ARE ALSO IMPORTANT FACTORS AFFECTING EASE OF ACCESS. SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION OF PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT DEVELOP AT EACH STAGE OF THE RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL TO A FOUNDATION OF TRUST THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ABORTED PROJECT. THE INGREDIENTS INVOLVED IN SUCCESSFUL ACCESS INTO THREE ORGANIZATIONS AND FAILURE TO GAIN ACCESS INTO TWO ARE DISCUSSED.