NCJ Number
54734
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE RESEARCHER AS A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM IN A RESOURCE-POOR SETTING IS DISCUSSED. STRATEGIES FOR CONDUCTING EVALUATIONS ARE ILLUSTRATED WITH EXAMPLES FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZ.
Abstract
IN SMALL COMMUNITIES, THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF EVALUATION IS USUALLY 'THE LONE RESEARCHER,' WITHOUT STAFF, WITHOUT ACCESS TO COMPUTERS FOR DATA PROCESSING OR ANALYSIS, AND WITHOUT A PERSONAL SECRETARY. AVAILABLE FUNDS BARELY COVER SALARIES AND SUPPLIES. THERE ARE ONLY FOUR AGENCIES IN PIMA COUNTY EMPLOYING STAFF MEMBERS TO PERFORM TRUE EVALUATION FUNCTIONS, OR A TOTAL OF SIX EVALUATORS. MOST OF THESE STAFF MEMBERS ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. THE TECHNIQUES USED BY A SINGLE RESEARCHER TO EVALUATE A MISDEMEANOR DIVERSION PROJECT ARE DESCRIBED. THROUGH SELECTION OF A CONTROL GROUP BEFORE BEGINNING THE PROJECT AND CAREFUL MONITORING OF COURT AND AGENCY RECORDS, AN EVALUATION WAS POSSIBLE AT THE END OF THE SECOND YEAR. FINDINGS BEGAN TO CAST DOUBT ON THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROJECT AND THIS IS THE TOPIC OF THE THIRD YEAR'S EVALUATION. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY A ONE-PERSON EVALUATION OF FIELD SUPERVISION METHODS OF AN ADULT PROBATION DEPARTMENT ARE RECOUNTED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SMALLER AGENCIES ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO BEING EVALUATED, THAT THE EVALUATOR IS NOT SEEN AS PERFORMING USEFUL WORK, AND THAT THE MOST CAREFULLY DESIGNED RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM BECOMES A USELESS CONGLOMERATE WITHOUT AGENCY COOPERATION. INTERAGENCY CONFLICTS, LACK OF ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVALUATION, AND PROGRAM COMPETITION FOR SCARCE RESOURCES ARE ALL DISCUSSED. A LIST OF 10 RULES FOR SMALL RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS IS GIVEN. THE RESEARCHER IS URGED TO BE PATIENT, TO EDUCATE, AND TO REALIZE THAT A RESEARCH TRADITION TAKES TIME TO BUILD. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)