The article “Self-Awareness to Being Watched and Socially-Desirable Behaviour: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-Of-Force” examines an important aspect of human behaviour. Human beings “will mostly act in an ethical manner when they are being watched” (Maxfield and Babbie 43). The researchers wanted to understand how this knowledge could help police officers and public workers promote the best ethical practices. Human beings “will embrace socially appreciable behaviours whenever their behaviours are being judged or observed” (Maxfield and Babbie 26). This knowledge was critical towards conducting a successful research study. Every person caught doing something socially unacceptable will eventually experience negative consequences. Human beings will avoid such negative actions especially when they are under surveillance. According to the article, the above approach can play a critical role towards promoting the conduct and practices of different public officers.
The researchers used a good hypothesis to conduct the study. The researchers used videotapes in order to change the behaviours of the targeted subjects. According to this article, self-consciousness arising from active mobile cameras cannot necessary encourage people to follow certain regulations and rules. According to the researchers, “human begins such as police officers would most likely embrace acceptable or desirable behaviours whenever being videotaped” (“Self-Awareness to Being Watched and Socially-Desirable Behaviour: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-Of-Force” par. 3). This hypothesis played a significant role towards supporting the study findings and conclusions.
This research study relied on a quantitative approach in order to gather the required results. The approach was critical towards supporting the study hypothesis and research question. The researchers also used an effective experimental procedure. This procedure made it easier to achieve the targeted goals. The decision to use experimental shifts (ESs) and control shifts (CSs) made it easier to execute a good research strategy. The researchers “tested their hypothesis by measuring the effect of using highly visible HD cameras” (“Self-Awareness to Being Watched and Socially-Desirable Behaviour: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-Of-Force” par. 6). The researchers used the Cambridge Randomizer20 to allocate shifts to control and treat conditions every week. The scholars “used G*Power 3.1.3 to estimate a-priori for the sample” (“Self-Awareness to Being Watched and Socially-Desirable Behaviour: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-Of-Force” par. 12). This research strategy was necessary because it made the study successful.
The researchers could have also used a qualitative approach to conduct this study. A good qualitative approach includes the use of observations. The researchers would have executed this study in its natural environment. This method is relevant because it helps researchers examine subjects in their natural situations. Observations also help researchers examine every naturally occurring practice or activity. This research approach would have made it easier for the researchers to understand how self-awareness produces socially desirable practices (Maxfield and Babbie 64). The method can produce better results when combined with interviews and focus groups.
The article relied on a quantitative study approach. The researchers collected different numerical data to support the study. The researchers used the best hypothesis to conduct the study. The researchers used a quantitative method to verify the hypothesis. The researchers used empirical investigations to analyse the above social phenomena. They used various statistical and numerical techniques in order to present the best findings to the reader. The involvement of “different participants and the decision to collect a set of numerical data from them explains why this is a quantitative study method” (Maxfield and Babbie 69). The research method was effective because it resulted in useful and applicable findings.
This article is worth reading because of its strengths. The researchers have followed most of the steps associated with quality research articles. The authors have included a good introduction that informs the reader about the targeted goals of the study. The researchers have also included a literature review before undertaking their study. This study can play a major role towards changing the behaviours and practices of different public officers. The article presents a good hypothesis and research question. The two make it easier for the scholars to develop the best research strategy (Maxfield and Babbie 75). The research design was effective because it made the study successful. The article presents the best results and discussions. The researchers have used timely and relevant references to support their study. Policymakers and theorists can benefit a lot from these discussions. The only weakness is the failure to include an abstract. The above strengths have made this article meaningful and applicable.
I would have considered most of the above strengths to conduct a similar study. The study presents the best ideas and findings to the reader. I would have used similar research methodologies in order to make the article meaningful. I would have used new research techniques to support the study. The approach would have resulted in better findings and discussions. I would have included an abstract in order to make the article more professional. I would have also conducted more studies in order to present a better literature review. The authors of this article have conducted a good study. This explains why “every theorist and policymaker should consider these findings in order to deal with the issues surrounding our criminal justice system” (Maxfield and Babbie 96). I am encouraging every scholar to read this article because it presents some of the best concepts and ideas towards dealing with bias-based policing in our societies.
Works Cited
Maxfield, Michael, and E. Babbie. The Basic of Research Methods Criminal Justice and Criminology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
Self-Awareness to Being Watched and Socially-Desirable Behaviour: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-Of-Force 2014. Web.