CJUS 601 LU The Criminal Justice System Documentation for Decision Making Discussion-assign.pdf

Please respond to the following discussion responses with 200 words each, at least 1 references and at

least 1 biblical viewpoint.

This is the original post. PLEASE do not respond to the original, just the classmates. In this class, you

have been presented with a variety of peer-reviewed articles. You read the Fundamentals of Research

in Criminology and Criminal Justice by Bachman and Schutt. You also read The Mismeasure of

Crime by Mosher, Miethe, and Hart. Discuss the following prompts:

 How should research be used in criminal justice decisions and criminal justice policy

development?

 Explain a gap in understanding the findings in academic, peer-reviewed criminal justice

research and practitioner policy development. What can be done to close this gap?

1. Ashley West- Research within the criminal justice system has always been significant in decision-

making, policies, and departments. “Criminal justice professionals may use research in a variety of

ways. They may examine publications such as comprehensive reviews, meta-analyses, and studies of

exemplary or model programs. They may also use research utilization toolkits, become familiar with

standards of judging the quality of research and interventions, and collaborate with academic

researchers. Despite the availability of these kinds of opportunities, a large gap between research and

public policy and practice persists (Cherney, 2009)” (Johnson, Elam, Lebold, & Burroughs, 2018).

According to Cherney, the research-practice gap is significant in this field because “where a decades-

long debate over the goals of the criminal justice system (rehabilitation vs. retribution and containment)

has had a substantial negative impact on both the development of the research base of “what works” as

well as the implementation of that research into practice (Cullen, 2013)” (Johnson, Elam, Lebold, &

Burroughs, 2018). Research can lack within three legs of validity- measurement validity, casual validity,

or generalizability. That being said, there is often confusion within the three due to the different

standards. Research is already reviewed several times before it is presented. To close the gap in

understanding, we could open doors to better communication between those establishing the research

and those policymakers.

Proverbs 2:2 ESV reads, “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to

understanding” (The Holy Bible, 2016). Different outlets of news, media, and research become

overwhelming with the different approaches used. However, by understanding this, if we open our

wisdom and understanding to different views, it can only benefit us in the long run.

References

Johnson, L. M., Elam, P., Lebold, S. M., & Burroughs, R. (2018). Use of Research Evidence by Criminal

Justice Professionals. Retrieved from Justice Policy Journal, Fall,

2018: http://www.cjcj.org/uploads/cjcj/documents/use_of_...

The Holy Bible. (2016). Proverbs 2:2 ESV. Retrieved from Bible

Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prove...

2. Starr Spragans- Research used in criminal justice decisions and criminal justice policy development,

provides invaluable information that’s needed in order to make those decisions wisely. As Dr. Joel Cox

mentioned in this week’s presentation, often times these decisions are needed to be made on a limited

time frame, i.e. when a police chief needs to make a decision (Cox, 2013). Research is a significant

component in policy development and decision making. The finding within the research present the

“evidence” if you will, to the case, i.e. decision or policy. This gives policy makers a better opportunity in

understanding crime. Accurate statistical data is a great example of how research is used in these

cases. Research can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different crime control policies, and it’s

worth nothing this should be used with accurate crime measurement (Mosher, Miethe, & Hart, 2011).

Research can be very influential in decision making and policy development.

Academic, peer-reviewed criminal justice research, and practitioner policy development all have unique

features and different audiences, but they all are influential to the final report (Bachman & Schutt, 2015).

The most important part in bridging the gap in understanding the findings is being honest and ethical

with the research. Without this, it is sure to lead to not only misunderstanding the topic and findings, but

it also disregards the importance of reliability and validity in research. Supporting the use of research in

policy development and accurately communicating the valuable use it provides also helps in bridging the

gap. Keeping in mind of the audience helps in keeping the level of understandability of the findings to be

successful. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys

them” (Proverbs 11:3, ESV).

References:

Bachman, R. & Schutt, R. K. (2015). Fundamentals of research in criminology and criminal

justice (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Cox, J. (2013). Reporting Results [Presentation]. Retrieved from Liberty University Online

Criminal Justice Program Evaluation

Blackboard: https://learn.liberty.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_378542_1

&content_id=_18258042_1

Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Hart, T. C. (2011). The mismeasure of crime (2nd ed.). Los

Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Ashley West.

I agree that research is paramount in the criminal justice system. Research produces vital

information that includes but is not limited to evidence and relevant documentation that may be

used in decision making. Research may be in different forms, such as reviews, analysis, and

study of prototype and other model programs. Despite the variety of opportunities, I agree that

there is a gap between research done and tabled and public policy and practice persistence.

The backlog in case that goes as far back as in decade causes the research-practice gap. In the

criminal justice system, all that it needs is rehabilitation and implementation of new changes.

When research lacks Measurement validity, casual validity or generalizability leads to

confusionamong members concerned in implementing or other related fields. Detailed research

needs review by relevant people or authorities before it is presented for approval and

implementation.

The Bible emphasizes keen insights that win favor, but the conduct of the treacherous ends in

destruction Proverbs 13:15-17. Despite their overwhelming need for research, let no pressure

make one give research that does not meet the required standards. Maintain keenness and sharp

focus on details as one conducts research and other methods to aid the judicial system.

Bible verse referenced from.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2013%3A15-17&version=NET

Starr Spragans

I agree with Dr. Joel that there may be a limitation in making related criminal decisions and

maybe a judgment. Therefore, research is needed to justify decisions made and provide a base on

which the decisions are laid. Research done widens the understanding of the crime and also

applicable laws to correct. Research that has affects immediate decisions needs to be accurate

and correct crime measurement as it is influential in policy development.

Peer-reviewed crime and justice-related research and practitioner policy development have

unique features and different audiences but affect the immediate final report. The gap that binds

and should not be ignored is understanding the findings from research or misunderstanding the

topic. ciminal justice system should emphasize the use of research as they include considerable

information relevant to a case. Also, research should be based on the right audience; otherwise, it

may be rendered invalid or admitted to the intended function.

The bible talks on Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it Psalm

37.5. this ways may include implementing right decisions in any fields.The same should be

implemented in criminal justice systems, where extensive accurate research should be put into

play.

Ashley West.

I agree that research is paramount in the criminal justice system. Research produces vital

information that includes but is not limited to evidence and relevant documentation that may be

used in decision making. Research may be in different forms, such as reviews, analysis, and

study of prototype and other model programs. Despite the variety of opportunities, I agree that

there is a gap between research done and tabled and public policy and practice persistence.

The backlog in case that goes as far back as in decade causes the research-practice gap. In the

criminal justice system, all that it needs is rehabilitation and implementation of new changes

(Barker, 1985, p. 2179). When research lacks Measurement validity, casual validity or

generalizability leads to confusionamong members concerned in implementing or other related

fields. Detailed research needs review by relevant people or authorities before it is presented for

approval and implementation.