The Evolution of Randomised Controlled Trials in Policing - 2017 - 2023

• In Event: Advances in Experimental Criminology

Abstract

While the development of the evidence-based policing movement continues to embrace a wide range of methodologies, the randomised controlled trial maintains a position of perceived methodological supremacy. We report on the trends in over 200 RCTs published since 2017, highlighting developments in design approach, thematic focus and authorship. We find that methodological advancement has become somewhat stale, and particularly the analytical aspect of RCTs lags behind other experimental fields of research. We also find that many areas of policing remain largely untested with experiments and that the field continues to rely on a small number of prolific researchers. We draw attention to the strengths and shortcomings of the field and discuss the cornerstones of the next steps in the evolution of this specific form of evidence-based policing and experimental criminology at large.

Authors

• Matt Bland, University of Cambridge

• Sal Minhas, University of Cambridge