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Translating Behavioral Science into Practice: A Framework to Determine Science Quality and Applicability for Police Organizations
Author(s) -
McClure Kimberley A.,
McGuire Katherine L.,
Chapan Denis M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13811
Subject(s) - law enforcement , behavioural sciences , general partnership , quality (philosophy) , prevention science , field (mathematics) , officer , psychology , computer science , engineering ethics , applied psychology , political science , engineering , law , philosophy , mathematics , epistemology , psychiatry , pure mathematics , psychotherapist , intervention (counseling)
Policy on officer‐involved shootings is critically reviewed and errors in applying scientific knowledge identified. Identifying and evaluating the most relevant science to a field‐based problem is challenging. Law enforcement administrators with a clear understanding of valid science and application are in a better position to utilize scientific knowledge for the benefit of their organizations and officers. A recommended framework is proposed for considering the validity of science and its application. Valid science emerges via hypothesis testing, replication, extension and marked by peer review, known error rates, and general acceptance in its field of origin. Valid application of behavioral science requires an understanding of the methodology employed, measures used, and participants recruited to determine whether the science is ready for application. Fostering a science–practitioner partnership and an organizational culture that embraces quality, empirically based policy, and practices improves science‐to‐practice translation.