Evaluation Research in Crime and Delinquency: A Reappraisal

Abstract

What to do for criminals and delinquents is a perpetual problem, and the volume and vigor of opposing views for prevention and treatment indicates the absence of reliable knowledge.Several writers 1 have drawn attention to this lack of knowledge and have suggested reasons for it, but, with one exception, 2 there has been no systematic assessment of specific research studies on the effectiveness of various correctional or preventive practices.There have, however, been many claims to knowledge or confident policy recommendations in both the professional and popular literature.Whatever policies are pursued, we would be better off to recognize the extent of our ignorance.Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to evaluate available research on the effectiveness of specific correctional or preventive practices in terms of certain specific methodological criteria. THI REQUIREMIENTS OF A TEST op EF.FEcTivENESSThe criteria proposed below are not meant to be taken as an exhaustive list of the methodological conditions that an ideal study of effectiveness should meet.The methodological details must vary with each specific research design.There are, however, certain minimal methodological requirements that the studies reviewed here must meet in order to merit any further consideration as to their scientific adequacy.These criteria, particularly number three, are