Observational Studies of Police

Paper Summary:

This paper examines observational studies of the police officer and the risks, including ethical risks, that one might face in the course of conducting such a study. The paper notes the danger that is presented in one 'going native' and losing his/her objectivity, thereby clouding the research. The paper reviews various studies about the risks in such a research initiative. This paper finds that optimally one would research from a more detached or objective view and certainly accompany an observational study of the police officer with other types of data and analysis methods. The paper concludes how it is clear that the observational study of the police officer is one with inherent risks that the researcher should be well-prepared for.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Problem of Access
Impartiality
Going Native
Overt Vs Covert
Ethics
How Reliable/How Valid
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Another factor to consider is the confidentiality of the information one might obtain in the conduction of research and the fact that a court order might order disclosure compliance and simultaneously conflict with principles in research and ethics. Related in one report are two specific instances when a court order might demand confidential research information being disclosed. Those two situations are: "(1) When maintaining confidentiality would undermine a defendant's right to full answer and defense, and (2) When public safety is endangered. (Lowman and Palys, nd)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• A Code of Practice for the Safety of Social Researchers (2006) SRA's Code of Practice Online available at: http://www.the-sra.org.uk/documents/word/safety_code_of_practice.doc
• Sieber, Joan E. (2004) Ethical and Policy Issues in Research Involving Human Participants Commissioned Papers and Staff Analysis Privacy and Confidentiality: as Related to Human Research in Social and Behavioral Science. Online available at: http://onlineethics.org/reseth/nbac/hsieber.html.
• Ethical Issues in Social Work Research (2001) Advancing Methods: PhD Research Skills in Social Work June 16th & 17th Online available at: http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:_T5T6qFr8mkJ:www.swap.ac.uk/docs/events/Bradford4.rtf+London+and+U.K.+research:+police,+observation,+ethics&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=17.
• Palys, Ted & Lowman, John (1999) Research Confidentiality and Research-Subject Privilege: An Ethics-Based Opinion - Reflections on "Research Confidentiality and Academic Privilege: A Legal Opinion" by Michael Jackson, Q.C. and Marily MacCrimmon, A Submission to the SFU Research Ethics Policy. Online available at: http://www.sfu.ca/~palys/Privlege.html.
• Lugosi, Peter (2006) Between Overt and Covert Research - Qualitative Inquiry Vol. 12, NO. 3 541-561 2006 Sage Publications Online available at: http://qix.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/12/3/541.

More papers on Observational Studies of Police:

• Research Paper # 52540 : "Women Police Officers"
• Dissertation or Thesis # 69240 : "Undercover Police "
• Case Study # 115425 : "Criminal Justice Workplace Observation Paper"

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