Knowledge Utilization of Social Science Research

M8D1: Knowledge Utilization of Social Science Research and Future Criminal Justice Administration
Although criminal justice practitioners often report that social science research would be helpful, the actual dissemination and utilization of social science research has not been successful. Studies show that social science research seldom influences decision making directly, other than for symbolic use or as justification for budgets. However, certain characteristics of the organization and its management influence how research is disseminated and used. For the twenty-first century criminal justice administrator, more than intuition and experience will be needed. Data collection, analysis, and strategic assessment of information and social science research will become critical and essential for effective criminal justice administration. Research concerning traditional organizational structure, conflict, strategies to motivate employees, organizational effectiveness, and the environment will be invaluable. However, it is the reduction of crime that will remain the primary mission. Therefore, the twenty-first century criminal justice initiatives will need to support local law enforcement with funds for community policing, new law enforcement technology, deterring and preparing to fight against terrorism, and eliminating racial and ethnic disparity in the criminal justice system. This will be accomplished with policy and research that is adopted and implemented by criminal justice organizations.
For this discussion, address the following scenario-based exercise:
You are an in-house researcher and policy planner for your department. Your department has asked you to participate in a major criminal justice symposium including police chiefs, activists, and policymakers discussing the issue of how to reform law enforcement in America during a time of unrest and upheaval.
Livini, E. (2021, March 05). How to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety that Works for Everyone (Links to an external site.). Available at: https://www(dot)nytimes(dot)com/2020/12/17/business/dealbook/police-reform-debate.html?smid=url-share
Instructions: The purpose for this exercise is to utilize and apply your understanding of knowledge utilization to future policing in your criminal justice organization. Therefore, after reading and listening the to the video contained in the reading above, and applying the key concepts learned during this module as well as in the course as a whole, you will:
Make several practical and relevant recommendations, in your initial post, on how your department could “reimagine policing and public safety” in the future to better serve the community.
Be sure to include the key points found in the following required readings into your post response:
Discussion 2 Findings download[PDF file size 883 KB]