Please respond to the following classmates with at least 150 words EACH, 1 reference
EACH && a biblical viewpoint EACH.
here is the original post. You DO NOT need to respond to the original, just the
classmates. “After reading the article "Controlled Burn: The Gendering of Stress and
Burnout in Modern Policing" by Kurtz, focus on the results of this article and discuss:
Do you understand the results? Why or why not?
What recommendations do you have for presenting the results of this research so
that a police executive could use them
1. Emanuel- After reading the article "Controlled Burn: The Gendering of Stress and
Burnout in Modern Policing" by Kurtz, I gained a new perspective on the fact that the
majority of research addressing officer stress fails to mention gender or concentrates on
gender as a simple control variable; therefore, quite confusing. This goes in conjunction
with the textbook, stating that “the use of mixed methods should be an intentional design
decision, not the addition of another aspect of research that is an afterthought or fishing
expedition” (Bachman, 2008).
The study asserts that a number of social scientists have drawn connections between
stress and problems with health-related issues, including increased anxiety and alcohol
use, hypertension, insomnia, migraine headaches, and heart disease. This “stress also
results in bio-physical responses such as elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure,
increased muscle tension, increased acid secretion (Anderson et al., 2002), and
psychological concerns like burnout and fatigue (Harpold & Feenster, 2002). These
responses may vary according to the officer’s assessment of the situational demands
and his or her ability to deal with the circumstances (Anderson et al., 2002)” (Kurtz,
2008).
The research generated prior findings connecting police work events with stress and
burnout in regression models. Also, it indicated new and often neglected variables,
including those related to gender, were essential to understanding both stress and
burnout. The research found that “male officers with college degrees were less apt to
evidence stress than officers without an education” (Kurtz, 2008). This finding is not
entirely clear nor is it evident why this finding held true for men and not women. Given
the importance of the gender variables in this study, perhaps there was an interaction
effect between education and beliefs about women in policing.
Where the study findings became a bit interesting was that where the assumption that
“perhaps African American men are better than White men and women at mitigating
stress (e.g., they have better coping strategies), but it takes its toll over time resulting in
burnout when it finally manifests itself” (Kurtz, 2008) created a conclusion that wasn’t fully
addressed and studied clearly to its reason.
It was also surprising to find out that It is “not surprising” that male officers were most apt
to believe that women were treated more leniently. The perception “that women are
physically too weak to fulfill job requirements is a recurring theme in police organization
literature (Brown, 1998; C. Martin, 1996; Segrave, 1995; Wadman & Allison, 2004). Prior
research shows that, for the most part, male officers viewed female officers as a liability,
believing they lack the physical size to contain violent offenders and create safety
concerns in patrol situations” (Kurtz, 2008).
Finally, it is important draw-down from this study was the fact that these differences
reflected group-based perceptions. These groups work and live in the same environment,
but “White males apparently do not experience the same awareness as others in the
department, reflecting what some refer to as White masculine privilege” (Kurtz, 2008). In
turn, men and women officers exist in the same surroundings yet gain a whole different
perspective and experience at work and how they live.
The results seen swayed and are collected based on assumptions and perception, which
introduces bias. This could arise “problems related to sampling error, and potential
sampling bias are compounded when estimating” (Mosher, 2011). Even the researcher
seems to be expecting some of the results as he often starts the discussion with phrases
such as “not a surprise,” “as expected,” etc. I would recommend a study revision so that
more accurate data based on facts, actions, and data collected results can be measured
rather than individualized interviews based on assumptions and the perspective and
small glimpse window some of the officers manifested. The mixed-method attempt to
measure seemed to be dissonant and nearly failed to measure the study's real intent,
presenting assumed individualized results.
The Biblical world view to this research result is that we must stay true to the intent and
not fall susceptible to bias and assumed data when applying the mixed methods.
Therefore, 2 Timothy 2:15 states, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth”
(Biblica, 2011). I believe it applies in this case. Simultaneously, the researcher needs to
maintain a neutral perspective and collect accurate data based on actions, environment,
and conditions rather than assumed views. I would have conducted interviews presenting
their opposing counterparts’ assumptions to gain more perspective and also see their
reaction to seal the gap on perspective. Finally, the shameful comments both on the
man’s thoughts about their female counterparts and the categorized “White privilege”
category were unnecessary and unsupported but actual facts; so just like the bible verse,
there is no need to shame one another but actually communicate and learn more about
our differences and how we can bridge the gap.
References
Bachman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2008). Fundamentals of research in criminology and
criminal justice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Biblica, (2021). The holy bible. NIV. colorado springs, CO. Retrieved January 20, 2021,
from https://www.biblehub.com/niv/
Kurtz, D. (2008). Controlled Burn The Gendering of Stress and Burnout in Modern
Policing. https://journals-sagepub-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/1557085108321672.
Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). The mismeasure of crime. Thousand
Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications.
2. Lisa- The research tested too many variables, and the authors were not concise in
their comparisons of the findings. In order to use this study in a useful way, the authors
should have tested less variables. If this is truly a gender study then race should not be
tested. Furthermore, how were other races categorized since the study only had two
races listed? Were other races, or mixed-race officers, not surveyed or were they lumped
into one of the other categories? Again, if the hypothesis is that gender affects officer
stress and burnout then why is race being tested? According to Zhang (2014) “overfitting
occurs when too many variables are included in the model and the model appears to fit
well to the current data. Because some of variables retained in the model are actually
noise variables, the model cannot be validated in future dataset.”
The discussion did not give a strong conclusion as to what the research implicated, if
anything. According to N. (2014), the final paragraph of the discussion section should
“discuss your overall conclusion and the major impact of your study.
What is the main take-home message of your study?
What is the main contribution that your study makes to your field?”
The Bible tells us to be clear and concise in our speech. 1Corinthians 14:9 (MKJV) states
“so also you, if you do not give a clear word through the language, how will it be known
what is being said?”
References
N., R. (2014, May 3). How to Write a Strong Discussion in Scientific Manuscripts.
Biosciencewriters.com. https://www.biosciencewriters.com/How-to-Write-a-Strong-
Discussion-in-Scientific-Manuscripts.aspx
Zhang, Z. (2014). Too much covariates in a multivariable model may cause the problem
of overfitting. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 6(9), E196–
E197. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.08.3...
1
Response for Understandability
Student's Name
Course
Professor's name
Date
2
Response for Understandability
The reading by Kurtz has helped me understand the results and gain a new
perspective on the fact that many research projects addressing officer stress fail to
mention gender or concentrate on gender as a simple variable. I support the study
assertions that many social researchers have drawn connections between stress and
problems with health-related issues, including hypertension, alcohol use, anxiety,
migraines, and headaches. I agree with your recommendation on a study revision. More
accurate data based on facts, actions, and data gathered can be measured instead of
individualizing interviews based on perspectives and assumptions some police officers
manifest (Kurtz, 2008). The biblical standpoint for this research is that we should avoid
being biased and assuming data when applying mixed methods. According to 2nd
Timothy 2:15we are instructed that we should always do our best to present ourselves to
God and be a worker who does not need to feel ashamed.
3
References
Kurtz, D. (2008). Controlled Burn The Gendering of Stress and Burnout in Modern
Policing. https://journals-sagepub-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/1557085108321672.
Biblica, (2021). The holy bible. NIV. colorado springs, CO. Retrieved January 20, 2021,
from https://www.biblehub.com/niv/
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2nd Discussion post
I am in the same mind as you. The overall research tested many variables, and the authors
were not precise in their comparison for the research finding. To maximize the usefulness of the
study, the authors should have used fewer variables in the test. Also, if the author's main aim was
to test and study gender, then race should not be a topic of concern. I don't particularly
appreciate how other races were categorized. The study had only two races leaving the question
where the other races were? Were the race officers not classified? Were they lumped into one of
the two categories? I'm afraid I also have to disagree with the hypothesis that gender affects
officer's stress and burnout because it does not support the claim to test race. Therefore, the
discussion did not provide a firm conclusion for the study. For the biblical viewpoint the book of
1 Corinthians 14:9 tells us to always be clear and concise in our speech. Also, if we fail to give
exact words, how will we make other people understand?
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References
Zhang, Z. (2014). Too much covariates in a multivariable model may cause the problem of
overfitting. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 6(9), E196–
E197. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.08.3...
Biblica, (2021). The holy bible. NIV. colorado springs, CO. Retrieved January 20, 2021,
from https://www.biblehub.com/niv/
