The Impact Of Tennessees Emergency Cellular Telephone Program - Research Paper Example

The Impact Of Tennessee’s Emergency Cellular Telephone Program Critique of Article 1 Research Design. For this study, the researchers selected the multiple time series research design. this research design is particularly suitable for quasi-experimental studies where the researchers may not be able to create the conditions of a true experiment. Such studies are common in studies on criminal justice. Hence, this is an appropriate research design for the current study. One feature of the multiple time series design is that it allows the researcher to use a large number of control variables to reduce the problem of omitted variables. In this study, the researchers used 78 control variables. As the purpose of a multiple time series study is to observe the effects of an intervention on future events, the researchers considered a longer period to study the effects of the three strikes laws on the crime rate in the treatment cities, of which 110 were selected. The research design also incorporated measures to resolve the problem of simultaneity that could occur. Type of Data. The data collected for this study was quantitative and related to the crime rates across 118 cities in the United States. Only cities with a population of more than 100,000 were chosen for this study. The quantitative data was then subjected to ARIMA analysis to determine the strength of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Data was obtained for the period 1980-2000 to facilitate year-wise comparison of crime rates. Sampling Procedure. A relatively large sample was chosen for this study. The researchers collected data from 118 cities across the United States to make the maximum advantage of the multiple time series research design. The cities chosen for the study had to have a population of 100,000 or above so that the operationized dependent variable could be analyzed effectively. The cities were also selected on the basis of whether UCR crime index data would be available for them. It appears that judgmental sampling was used to select the states where the study would be conducted. Dependent Variable. In a scientific research study, the dependent variable is the variable that is to be analyzed as a function of other independent variables. In the present study, the researchers selected a number of dependent variables to analyze the effect of the three strikes laws on the crime rates in the treatment cities. The researchers selected a number of specific crime rates such as homicide, rape, and assault per 100,000 members of the population in the treatment cities. In addition, crimes against property such as robbery, larceny and theft were also selected as the dependent variables. The researchers also conducted the analysis at the level of the city instead of the state level. This was done in order to reduce the problem of heterogeneity that could have come up with a diverse state population. The population of a single city, on the other hand, is relatively homogeneous and would pose no such problem. Key Finding of the Study. As a result of the study, the researchers were unable to find any significant causal relationship between the three strikes laws and the reduction in rate of crime in the treatment areas. This is contrary to the perceived effectiveness of the three strikes laws and points to some fundamental errors in reasoning and planning. The researchers explain that in more tests the rate of crime was seen to have increased after the implementation of the three strikes laws. They explain that this occurred due to a number of factors. They explain that most of the time, criminals may not be aware or mindful of the law, which prevents the laws from acting as a deterrent. The influence of intoxicants may also impair the ability of some criminals to foresee the consequences of their actions. The three strikes laws place heavier penalties on repeated incidents of the crime and hence do not have much influence over younger criminals. Limitations of the Study. One limitation of the study is the lack of diverse perspectives. The three strikes laws were enacted to reduce the involvement of judicial discretion and to act as a deterrent to criminals. The present study restricts itself to analysis of quantitative data without going into a deeper analysis of the causes of the ineffectiveness of the laws. The researchers do make an attempt to offer an explanation of several reasons that may have rendered the laws ineffective. However, these are only indications and do not offer any compelling evidence to support the explanations. Secondly, the study was carried out in only a few states, whereas the three strikes laws have been implemented in other states as well. A comparative analysis of the different states would have offered more insight into the factors influencing the success of the laws. Critique of Article 2 Research Design. This study was conducted by using a single time series analysis. Time series is a common research design for quasi-experimental studies where it is not practicable to conduct real experiments by isolating data. In a time series study, the researcher compares baseline data for the chosen variable with subsequent data following an intervention to compare the effect of the intervention on the variable. In the present study, the baseline data was obtained from the national vital registration systems as the data was more comprehensive compared to other available sources. Trend analysis was used to determine the extent to which the border patrol programs were successful in lowering the death rate in the target areas. The results were used to make recommendations for the development of the programs. Type of Data. Quantitative data was selected for this study. The main variable to be analyzed was the number of deaths of individual migrants. Hence, the data for that variable was used in this study. The researcher obtained the data from two different sources in order to obtain the complete data for the time period determined for the study. The data was obtained from the national vital registration system that collects numbers for migrant deaths. This data served as baseline data fro comparison. In addition, the tracking system of the BSI was also used to obtain data for the period beginning from 1999. One problem with using data from two different sources is that it results in a difference in output because of differences in methods of data reporting and collection. Sampling Procedure. The sampling procedure of the present study can be described as a non-probability technique because the likelihood of selection cannot be ascertained. The researcher has employed the judgmental sampling technique, also known as purposive sampling, because the researcher knows which areas have a heavy concentration of border patrol teams. The selection of treatment areas, control areas and buffer areas was made on the basis of the knowledge and expertise of the researcher. This kind of sampling method is effective where the researcher possesses expert knowledge or experience in the subject. At the same time, this sampling method limits the generalizability of the findings. Dependent Variable. The dependent variable chosen for this study was the number of migrant deaths that occurred as a result of illegal border crossing into the United States. The dependent variable allows the researcher to determine the effect of various factors on the dependent variable. The research aimed at determining whether the border patrol programs were successful in reducing the number of deaths. The number of deaths in the target areas was also compared with the number of deaths in sectors where the program was not implemented along with the areas where the rescued immigrants were repatriated. In this way, the displacement and diffusion of benefits effects were also studied. This helped to develop recommendations for how the programs could be improved to further bring down the death rate. Key Finding of the Study. The study revealed a number of key findings about the research question. Contrary to popular belief, the study showed that the BSI program had not been as effective in bringing down the number of deaths along the border. However, as indicated in the following section, this may be a result of inaccurate data reporting than an inherent defect in the program. The other two aspects of the border security program: the BORSTAR and the LRP, were found to be effective in reducing the number of illegal immigration border crossing deaths. Both these programs were successful in saving the lives of the illegal immigrants by offering highly demanding and efficient search and rescue operations. The programs also contributed to cost savings for the United States. Limitations of the Study. An important limitation of the present study is the validity of the data. As explained in the earlier sections, the researcher has obtained data from multiple sources. There are minor differences in the reported number of deaths in both sets of data that could affect the analysis and interpretation. The quality of the sources of data may be at fault in implying the ineffectiveness of the BSI program. Another limitation of the study is that its findings cannot be considered as conclusive. Although the findings show that the border patrol programs were effective at reducing the number of deaths along the border, other non-governmental groups could also be responsible for bringing down the number of migration related deaths along the border. Critique of Article 3 Research Design. For their study on the impact of the emergency cellular telephone program on the percentage of alcohol-related fatal crashes, the researchers adopted the multiple time series research design. The multiple time series is a type of quasi-experimental design that is adopted when it is difficult or unnecessary to conduct a true experiment. The subjects are not selected randomly in quasi-experimental studies. In the multiple time design series, the researchers attempt to attain an experimental model by adding a comparison group, i.e. the municipal roads where the program was not implemented. This design involves a comparison of the rate of fatal crashes prior to and after the implementation of the program. Furthermore, the results are also compared with a control group where the program was not conducted. Type of Data. The data selected for this study was quantitative. The data about the number of fatal car crashes was obtained from the Tennessee Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). As the study was a comparison study, the researchers organized longitudinal data to serve their purpose. Moreover, the data was analyzed by subdividing it into monthly data. This was done to avoid the intervention of history effects in interpreting the data. By organizing data in a monthly form, the researchers were also able to obtain a larger number of observations to determine the causal relationship. Data was only obtained for the Tennessee state and none of the surrounding states, which helped to reduce the likelihood of different reporting practices from influencing the study. Sampling Procedure. Because of the absence of similar programs in other states, the researchers were limited to selecting Tennessee as their sample. From the data available it appears that the researchers considered the entire data about fatal crashes available from the Tennessee FARS for their study. The reason for this may be that the researchers possessed the required analytical tools to process the large volume of data. It may be difficult for the findings of this sample to be translated to other states because of the difference in factors such as alcohol consumption rates and the accident reporting practices. Dependent Variables. The researchers used two dependent variables for this study. A dependent variable is a variable that is affected by a change in other independent variables. As explained in the preceding section, the researchers selected the “monthly percentage of fatal crashes of all fatal crashes on interstates, U. S. highways, state highways, and county roads that involved a single vehicle and occurred between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. (D’Alessio, Stolzenberg and Terry, p. 457).” The second dependent variable was chosen to act as a control variable for the study. The control variable helps to compare the test group with another where the independent variable does not exist. For this reason, the researchers selected the percentage of fatal crashes every month on municipal roads as the program was not implemented along municipal roads. Key Finding of the Study. The researchers were able to conclude that the emergency cellular telephone program was successful in bringing about a significant reduction in the percentage of fatal crashes related to alcohol consumption. As the researchers were also interested in determining whether the reduction was a result of high initial proactive behavior by law enforcers and community members, they also concluded that the reduction was permanent. They were able to support their conclusion by comparing the data for Tennessee highways with data for municipal roads where the program was not implemented. The results showed that no significant reduction in fatal crashes had occurred on the municipal roads. Hence, the researchers concluded that the program based on informal surveillance was conducive to bringing down the incidence of drunk driving. Limitations of the Study. One limitation of this study is the lack of reliability. Reliability is an important principle in scientific research. In order to be reliable, it should be possible for other researchers to obtain the same results by repeating the study under the same conditions. The present study does not fare very strongly on this measure because it is based on only a single geographical region: Tennessee. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that a similar relationship between the informal surveillance program and the rate of fatal drunk driving crashes would be the same in other states in the country. Another limitation is that the study does not consider the impact of the number of people acting as informal surveillance members under the program on the rate of fatal crashes. Works Cited D’Alessio, S., Stolzenberg, L., and Terry, W. Clinton III. “Eyes on the Street: The Impact of Tennessee’s Emergency Cellular Telephone Program on Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes.” Crime and Delinquency, 45.4 1999: 453- 466. Online. Guerette, Rob T. “Immigration Policy, Border Security and Migrant Deaths: An Impact Evaluation of Life Saving Efforts under the Border Safety Initiative.” Criminology & Public Policy 6.2 (2007): 201-222. Online. Kovandzic, T., Sloan, J., and Vieraitis, L. “’Striking Out’ as Crime Reduction Policy: The Impact of ‘Three Strikes’ Laws on Crime Rates in U.S. Cities.” Justice Quarterly, 21.2 (2007): 207-239. Online. Read More