U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs; National Institute of Justice The Research, Development, and Evaluation Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice ProgramsNational Institute of JusticeThe Research, Development, and Evaluation Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice

Finding Confidence in Evidence-Based Policies

Phelan Wyrick, Senior Social Science Analyst, Office of Justice Programs
NIJ Conference 2010
June 14-16

This player requires Adobe's Flash Player Exit Notice

Finding Confidence in Evidence-Based Policies

Phelan Wyrick, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Justice Programs
NIJ Conference 2010
June 14-16

Phelan Wyrick: The panel was to address the question of how we use evidence in criminal and juvenile justice. And there's been a lot of talk and consideration of how we use different types of studies, and the value and the rigor of different types of designs. A number of folks have come to a fairly shorthand conclusion that randomized controlled studies, or true experimental designs, are really the best method for generating evidence of effectiveness. And while the panel essentially came to the same conclusion that, yes, this is a very strong method for generating evidence, there's a number of limitations of what we call RCTs — randomized controlled trials. And that in order to get to that level, that high level of evidence, we also need to really be doing a variety of other methods in order to build our confidence so that we can make that kind of investment.

Reuse or Repost This Video

Information generated by the National Institute of Justice is in the public domain. It may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without permission. Please cite NIJ as the source of the information by using the following words:

"The [insert the name of your organization] gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, for allowing us to reproduce, in part or in whole, the video [insert title]. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this video are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice."

U.S. Department of Justice Disclaimer

The content presented in this video results from NIJ-funded research, development and evaluation projects. The content is not intended to create, does not create, and may not be relied upon to create any rights, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any matter civil or criminal.

Opinions or points of view expressed in this video represent those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any products and manufacturers discussed in this video are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.

See additional Legal Policies and Disclaimers for all U.S. Department of Justice Web content.

NIJ Conference
Interview
June 2010
Phelan Wyrick, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Justice Programs

NIJ Conference 2010 Highlights

Date created: May 04, 2010