Utilization of Research in Combating Violence in Alaska: An Ecological Perspective

This paper came out of a larger study: The Use of Research in Confronting Violence in Alaska: Final Report by Knowlton W. Johnson (1983). (https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/10715).Research diffusion and use has increasingly become an interest of social scientists and policymakers. This interest on the part of policymakers is evidenced by the results of this study. In particular, high level administrators in 268 human service agencies of Alaska reported moderate to high use of statistics, evaluation studies and other social science research in making pol icy decisions about combating violence. Findings are also presented that point to specific facilitators and inhibitors of research use. The conclusions and policy implications highlight how the results of this research utilization study can direct the formulation of a research and development agenda at the agency and state level.Abstract / [Introduction] / Methods and Procedures / Use of Research in Improving Violence Focused Services / Important Factors in Stimulating Research Use / Conclusions and Policy Development Implications / Notes / References / Maps & Table

Law Enforcement Selection Practices in the U.S.A. and Canada

This study was part of a larger research project conducted for the Alaska Department of Public Safety: Examination of Qualifying Criteria for Selection of Law Enforcement Personnel in Alaska: Final Report by Knowlton W. Johnson and Chloe Clark-Barry (1981). (https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/10712).Selection practices in law enforcement have been said to be one of the most complex facets of personnel management. In an effort to document the state of this complexity internationally, the study presented provides state of the art information about police personnel practices in the USA and Canada.Alaska Department of Public Safety[Introduction] / Methods and Procedure / State of the Art in Police Selection: Personnel Selection Philosophy; Police Selection Within a Traditional System; Selection Practices Within Alternative Systems; Controversy and Change in USA Police Selection Practices; Written Test; Oral Interview; Psychological Screening; Physical Agility and the Background Investigation / Summary and Conclusions / Footnotes / Reference

Converging Science and Practice in Analyzing Evaluation Data

A strategy is presented for converging science and practice which focuses on the needs of scientists and policymakers in analyzing evaluation data. Emphasis is placed on employing powerful statistical techniques that maximize the evaluators' confidence in their results. Attention is also drawn to the need for producing results which can be easily communicated to and interpreted by policymakers. In regard to these requirements, the discussion concerns application of four statistical techniques: factor analysis, Guttman scalogram analysis, multiple classification analysis and cross-break analysis. Each statistical analysis technique is described as to its value in evaluation research for dealing with problems known to inhibit the convergence of science and practice. The application of these techniques is demonstrated by illustrations taken from previous evaluation studies. The paper concludes with implications for stimulating the extent and quality of evaluation use.Abstract / [Introduction] / Data Analysis Problems Inhibiting Convergence / Multivariate Analysis in a Policymaking Context / Conclusions and Implications / Notes / Reference

The Bar Hours Change in Anchorage: A Preliminary Study

In collaboration with the Salvation Army Clitheroe Center.This study, conducted in collaboration with the Salvation Army, Inc., analyzes the impact of a reduction of bar hours in Anchorage, Alaska in October 1981. Prior to the bar hours change, Anchorage bars were closed for only three hours each day. Following the change, bars were closed for eight hours on weekdays and six hours on weekends. Phase I of the study analyzed trends in alcohol distribution and alcohol-related incidents from July 1980 to March 1982. Phase II focused on activities on Fourth Avenue in downtown Anchorage, an area widely perceived as a locus of alcohol-related social disorder. Researchers observed activity in and around Fourth Avenue businesses and conducted semi-structured interviews with employees of designated businesses, social control agents, and emergency service personnel to gather information on perceived positive and negative effects of the bar hours change.Behavioral Health Division, Municipality of AnchorageSummary and Recommendations for Future Research / I. Introduction / II. Trends in Alcohol Distribution and Alcohol Related Incidents / III. Bar Hours Change and Life on Fourth Avenue / Footnotes / Reference

Examination of Qualifying Criteria for Selection of Law Enforcement Personnel in Alaska: Final Report

This report examines the "state of the art" in law enforcement selection practices, analyzes personnel selection methods in terms of their ability to evaluate candidate trainability and interpersonal skills in a fair and equitable manner, and offers options for developing a model selection system for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. The report's findings and recommendations are based on an extensive review of the literature; questionnaires and telephone surveys of law enforcement agencies in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia and New Zealand; and telephone conversations with authorities on the subject of police selection.Alaska Department of Public SafetyPreface / I. Introduction / II. Methods and Procedures / III. State of the Art: Personnel Selection Practices in Law Enforcement / IV. Selection Method Ratings Based on DPS Criteria / V. Options for Developing a Model Selection System / Bibliography of Source Materials / Appendice

The Use of Research in Confronting Violence in Alaska: Final Report

This record also includes an executive summary.This study of research diffusion and use in Alaska was a major effort to generate empirical information about the connection between research and policymaking relating to the critical problem of violence, a problem which threatens the quality of life for Alaskans . Policy questions of interest centered on: (1) describing the research diffusion process in connection with human service agencies that deal with problems of violent behavior; (2) determining how research influences decisions about violence reduction policy and programming; and (3) discovering what facilitates or inhibits the use of research in making decisions about combating violence.Preface / I. A Research Utilization Study in Alaska / II. Dynamics of Research Diffusion in Alaska / III. Use of Research in Improving Violence-Focused Services in Alaska / IV. Important Factors in Stimulating Research Use / V. Conclusions and Policy Implications / References / APPENDICES / A. Sampling Design / B. Telephone and Face-to-Face Interview Schedules / C. Organizational Readiness Questionnaire / D. Factor Analysis Results Relating to Research Attributes / E. Organizational Readiness Items by A VICTORY Dimensions / F. Factor Analysis Results Relating to Organizational Readines

Insights and Strategies for Confronting Violence: Conference Proceedings

For the conference program, see: UAA Justice Center. (1982). “1982 Conference on Violence” (conference program). Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/10717)This volume collects 25 papers based on presentations at the 1982 Conference on Violence sponsored by the Justice Center at University of Alaska Anchorage, which was held October 11–13, 1982 in Anchorage. Part I, “Violent Behavior and Contributing Factors,” presents papers focusing on sexual abuse, police violence, and political violence. Additionally, firearms, alcohol, and the media are discussed as contributing factors to violence. Part II, “Control, Treatment and Prevention of Violence,” highlights traditional and alternative strategies for combating violence. In particular, research findings and models are presented that center on domestic violence, sexual abuse, violent juvenile and adult crime, crime against children, and the criminally insane. Part III, “Victims of Violence,” gives attention to traditional victim services as well as proposals for alternative programs for victims of violence. In addition, there is a discussion of people experiencing homelessness as victims of violence. Part IV, “Public Policy and Violence,” focuses on macrolevel issues of violence. The lead article presents a policy perspective in connection with violence in Northern Canada. Other issues addressed in the remaining articles are public policy and victims of violence, resource management and violence control, legal ramifications of censoring violence in the media, and use of research in combating violence.University of Alaska Foundation; Justice Center, University of Alaska, Anchorage"Foreword: Introduction to the Conference" by Tony Knowles, John Brownell, and John E. Angell / "Preface" by Knowlton W. Johnson / PART I. VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS / "Psychological Makeup of the Sexual Abuser" by James Harper / "The Police and Deadly Force" by Raymond T. Galvin / "Political Violence" by Andrea R.C. Helms / "Firearms and Violent Crime" by Philip J. Cook / "Alcohol and Violence" by James Gorman / "The Effects of Media Violence" by Douglas Barry / "Media, Women, and Violence: The Consequences of Our Image" by M.R. Katzke / PART II. CONTROL, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE / "Criminal Justice and Violence in the 1980's" by Jim Mayer, Dana Fabe, and John Pugh / "Criminalizing Domestic Violence: A Study of Prosecutorial Action Taken in Anchorage, Alaska" by Knowlton W. Johnson, Serena Shores Partch, and Mike Marsh / "Prosecuting Sexual Abusers" by Victor Krumm / "How the Insanity Acquittal Retards Treatment" by Robert A. Fein / "Working with Men Who Batter: Where Do We Go from Here?" by Lance C. Egley / "Causes and Treatment of Violence Involving Children" by Mary Huelsman and Robert Bowers / "Response to Incest: An Argument for Understanding" by James Kenneth Duff / "Prevention of Violence: An Interdisciplinary Approach" by C. Ray Jeffery / PART III. VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE / "Victim Services Coordination in Alaska" by Betsey W. McGuire / "Self-Help for Victims of Violence: A Proposal" by Peter W. Dowrick / "An Investigation of Alcohol and Drug Abuse among Battered Women in Anchorage" by David Basham and Denise Brothers / "Restitution to Victims of Violent and Property Crimes" by Jeanne A. Bussey / "Violence on Anchorage's Fourth Avenue from the Perspective of Street People" by Michael Huelsman / PART IV. PUBLIC POLICY AND VIOLENCE / "Violence and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Northern Canada" by Harold W. Finkler / "Violence, Victimization, and Social Change: A Socio-Cultural and Public Policy Analysis" by Emilio C. Viano / "Public Policy, Resources, and Violence" by Don Clark / "Censoring Violence" by John E. Havelock / "Combating Violence in Alaska: Use of Research in Planning for Change" by Knowlton W. Johnso

The Alaska Pretrial Intervention Evaluation Development Project

In 1978 the Alaska Department of Law implemented the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) in Anchorage to provide an alternative to formal prosecution of first-time offenders. The program was later expanded to 8 other sites in Alaska. The PTI Evaluation Development Project was initiated in 1982 to develop an evaluation system for the PTI program which would provide information to assist PTI management to set screening and treatment policy, determine staff workloads, and make program modifications. This report details the evaluation system's development. Codebook and SPSS programs included in appendices.Alaska Department of LawI. History of the Project / II. The Pretrial Intervention Program / III. A Strategy for Developing an Evaluation System / IV. Design of fhe Pre-trial Intervention Evaluation System / V. Summary and Recommendations / APPENDICES / A. Codebook for the Pretrial Intervention Program / B. SPSS Computer Subprograms for the Pretrial Intervention Data Analysis / C. Blueprints of the Defendant Admission and Release Forms / D. PROMIS For

Police and Older Persons: Criteria Developed to Assess Training Materials, Methods

This article as revised was published as Johnson, Knowlton W.; Beirnard, Charles A.; & Stiles, Stephen R. (1981). "Police and Older Persons: Criteria Developed to Assess Training Materials, Methods." Training Aids Digest 6(11), November 1981.In what ways do law enforcement personnel and agencies use knowledge about the elderly? This article presents the findings of a recent study conducted by the International Training Research and Evaluation Council on how law enforcement trainees make use of the knowledge they gained through training materials developed by the National Retired Teachers Association/American Association of Retired Persons.[Introduction] / Different Types of Knowledge Use / The Study / Knowledge Into Practice: Some Implication

Impact Evaluation of the Louisville-Shively-Jefferson County Traffic Alcohol Programs

This report is an evaluation of alcohol enforcement programs conducted by the Louisville, Jefferson County, and Shively police agencies in the Louisville metropolitan area. The following four types of data were collected in order to evaluate the traffic alcohol programs; accident data, arrest and adjudication data, cost-effectiveness, and public opinion data. Results from the before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol-related accidents decreased significantly during the study period, There was a 34.4 percent reduction in alcohol-related accidents during hours of special enforcement and a 30.4 percent reduction during all hours of the day. Time-series analysis of accident data showed a 27.1 percent decrease during hours of increased enforcement and a 26.1 percent decrease during all hours. Results from time-series analysis also indicated that the enforcement programs increased the DUI arrest rate by at least 50 percent in each of the jurisdictions studied. Inclusion of the Slammer Law as a control variable revealed the proportion of convictions among DUI arrests increased by nearly 449 percent. Based on costs associated with the program (enforcement, jail costs, and court costs) and benefits (reduced accident costs and DUI fines); the benefit-cost ratio was 2.81 to 5.67 depending upon the basis for accident costs. The public opinion survey showed strong support for the traffic alcohol programs and 87 percent of the respondents indicated that increased enforcement was an effective means of reducing drinking and driving. In addition, 82 percent of those responding indicated the programs had reduced their chances of an accident