NCJ Number
31930
Journal
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 353-365
Date Published
1975
Length
13 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL TIME-SERIES DESIGNS FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS AND LEGAL REFORMS ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE APPLICATION OF TWO OF THESE DESIGNS IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE EVALUATION OF TWO POLICE PATROL STRATEGIES.
Abstract
IN MOST SOCIAL EVALUATION RESEARCH IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE THE DEGREE OF EXPERIMENTAL RIGOR POSSIBLE IN AN APPLIED BEHAVIORAL STUDY. THIS STUDY ILLUSTRATES HOW THE EVALUATION RESEARCHER CAN INCREASE EXPERIMENTAL RIGOR IN THE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS. IN THE FIRST EVALUATION, A VARIATION OF THE TIME SERIES DESIGN THAT OFFERED MAXIMUM EXPERIMENTAL CONTROL GIVEN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SITUATION WAS EMPLOYED TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A SPECIALIZED HOME-BURGLARY POLICE PATROL. THIS DESIGN REVEALED THAT NO EFFECTS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE PATROL. IN THE SECOND EVALUATION, A MULTIPLE BASELINE-LIKE DESIGN WAS USED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF A POLICE WALKING PATROL. THIS DESIGN REVEALED THAT THE PATROL PRODUCED AN INCREASE IN CRIME REPORTING BUT NOT IN ARRESTS. THE AUTHORS STRESS THAT THE EVALUATION RESEARCHER MUST ATTAIN THE OPTIMAL EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS GIVEN THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED ON EVALUATION BY EACH SOCIAL INTERVENTION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)