NCJ Number
51472
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
CONSIDERATIONS IN FORMULATING GOVERNMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM OBJECTIVES IN THE BRITISH HOME OFFICE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE HOME OFFICE'S EXPENDITURES FOR RESEARCH ARE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH, PARTICULARLY THE STUDY OF CRIME. YET LITTLE ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE PROCESS BY WHICH CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH PROGRAMS ARE CONCEIVED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PLANNING, METHODS, OBJECTIVES, AND RESEARCH CONTENT OF THAT PROCESS FOCUSES ON THE MANNER IN WHICH RESEARCH PROGRAMS REFLECT THE BELIEFS, PERCEPTIONS, AND ATTITUDES OF RESEARCHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. IT IS ARGUED THAT, BECAUSE THESE VALUES ARE AS MUCH RELATIVE AS ABSOLUTE, THE PROCESS BY WHICH A RESEARCH PROGRAM IS DEVELOPED NEEDS TO BE BOTH FLEXIBLE AND CONCILIATORY. TO BE CONSIDERED ARE THE CENTRALITY OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN POLICYMAKERS AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS IN THE FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PROGRAM, THE RELATIVE NATURE OF THE TOPIC AT HAND (CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIME), METHODOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS, AND THE OBJECTIVES OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING AND MANAGING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ANOTHER FACTOR INFLUENCING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES IS THE STANCE ADOPTED BY GOVERNMENT IN PURSUING AN ACTIVE POLICY OR REACTING PASSIVELY TO EVENTS. THE ACTUAL FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PROGRAM IS A COMPLEX PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION CONDUCTED BOTH INFORMALLY IN PERSONAL CONTACTS BETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENTISTS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND FORMALLY IN COMMITTEES. THIS PROCESS MUST INCLUDE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REVIEW AND AMENDMENT. GOVERNMENT'S CRIME RESEARCH OBJECTIVE MUST BE STRUCTURED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING CONCEPTS OF CRIME AND DEMANDS OF POLICY, AND TO INVOKE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SCIENTISTS. (LKM)