Evidence-Based and Practice-Based Research

The Center’s contribution to the field is its unique blend of evidence-based and practice-based police research.

  • Evidence-based police research is the use of rigorous methods (i.e., experiments and quasi-experiments) to test the effectiveness of strategies based on theoretical constructs. The results of which inform “what works” in crime prevention and police practice.
  • Practice-based police research is complementary and focuses on the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based strategies in everyday police practice. That is, this avenue of research helps determine “how to make it work” within the police organizational structure and operations.

Consequently, by incorporating both approaches in a variety of ways, the Center is able to create knowledge from original research as well as “translate” research to practice through publications, presentations, training, and technical assistance.