Police Brutality in the US
A Research Report
The Research
The research organization called Congressional Research Service engaged in a study to tackle one of the biggest issues that has been plaguing the United States for many years. The research report entitled “Public Mass Shootings in the United States: Selected Implications for Federal Policy Health and Safety Policy” was accomplished to help the public gain awareness and to be able to protect themselves from the grave threat of mass shootings. Jerome P. Bjelopera was the coordinator of the research, accompanied by Erin Bagalman, Sarah Caldwell, Kristin Finklea, and Gail McCallion. All of these hard working individuals wanted to promote change and security to anyone who can be affected or fall victim to such immoral acts. This study tackles several factors like social work, law enforcement, education, and public health.
The Objectives of the Research
The main aim of this research report is simple -- to inform the people about this massive threat and establish certain policies to develop public security and welfare. The questions the researchers focused on while working on this research is, “What are the factors that influence these mass shooting incidents and what can a state of the country do to fortify the protection for the people?” This research is also the result of the past mass shooting incidents in the country. One example is the shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut that took place in December, 2012. Bjelopera, et al. (2013) defined mass shooting as an incident of mass killing in a public place and the victims can either be children or adults. The motives of the shooter can be based on different reasons. The researchers are part of the country and their objective is to encourage every citizen to be involved in strengthening and expanding the protection prowess in all areas and avoid or completely eradicate these kinds of incidents from reality.
The Research Method
Rather than sticking to a qualitative approach to gather and analyze the data collected for this research, the researchers decided to utilize a mix method to amplify the credibility of the research and for a broader scope towards the issue. Creswell (2009) and Ridenour and Newman (2008) agreed that the combination of quantitative and qualitative research provides a stronger set of data that possess an objective and subjective perspective. The researchers gather all information about mass shooting incidents from different cities in the US and analyzed each incident. The researchers were able to present the data in an explanatory and analytical manner. For example, the researchers included the murder case of Dwayne Moore after shooting 4 victims including a child in Massachusetts. The researchers included in the presentation of this case the influence of drug use which is the main cause for the suspect’s evil actions. Rather than simply enumerating several mass shooting cases in a narrative manner, the researchers also added other essential information about each incident to fully inform the public about the complex and complicated factors of these criminal cases. The gathering of data demanded keen observation and extensive research. All information provided is credible because the researchers generated these factual details from credible sources. With the presentation of the data, the researchers disseminated their analysis in a very clear and narrative manner. One of the biggest attribute of a qualitative research is that it can present the data like stories. In this case each part of the story is supported by facts rather than just assumptions and self-opinions. Then the researchers supported the data with statistics to educate the readers about the current situation and the level of violence and suffering these incidents generate. The main idea when engaging in research like this one, the researchers should always be resourceful and their sources should be credible and informative.
Success and Credibility of the Research
Other than just amplifying awareness, the researchers managed to come up with strategies to developed or strengthen the policies to counter these kinds of incidents. Rather than just helpful tips for security, the researchers were able to come up several set of strategies focusing on different settings and sectors in a certain community. Safety implications for school premises, the needed resources and equipment for safety, and effective policies for security are presented by the research to help the law enforcement and the government who are tasked to maintain security and peace. The research achieved its goal in providing better awareness and coming up with specific strategies to avoid life casualties. To sum it all up, the researchers contributed to the movement to maintain public health from crime and violence. Further research (Akers, Potter and Hill, 2012) explained that public health and its security is one of the biggest problem many nations these days faces. A country is poor because of crime and millions of innocent lives have been taken in a split second. The researchers tackled very sensitive issue and managed to present the data in an effective and beneficial way.
The data is presented effectively and with clarity. Each piece of information is supported by sub-information forming a specific phenomenon and its current situation. Most of the data presented are information of horrifying incidents and it is hard to present this data with limited sources of information. The researchers immersed themselves and dissected each factor in order to help the readers understand what might be the influences or motives of the gunmen. The presentation of data is very concise yet informative. There are also no restrictions violated in terms of confidentiality because the information about crimes presented in this research has also been published by several news networks and journalism organizations worldwide. Pearson (2010) advocated that idea of statistical data supporting narrative facts to enhance the credibility and accuracy of a research. Statistics in a way persuaded people in agreeing with the terms and themes explained in the research.
Limitations of the Research
The research managed to present sensitive information about crime cases and their policy implications are very specific. There are not cases of research bias, because the one being advocated in this research is people’s lives and its security. The researchers if there is a sequel to this research might consider interviewing government officials or police authorities in order to gain a wider set of security methods and settings. This research distributed information about the level of difficulty in achieving a stronger security for public health. It is unfortunate that the difficulty to completely eradicate these crimes is intense. So the research is truly an eye opener for all the readers and it deserves to be recognized in a worldwide scope because it is not only the US who experiences this problem.
No Research Bias
No Limitations in information sources
No Exclusions of influential factors leading to criminal
References
Akers, T., Potter, R., and Hill, C., 2012.Epidemiological Criminology: A Public Health Approach to Crime and Violence. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Bjelopera, J., Bagalman, E., Caldwell, S., Finklea, K., and McCallion, G., 2013.Public Mass Shootings in the United States: Selected Implications for Federal Policy Health and Safety Policy. Washington: Congressional Research Service.
Creswell, J., 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mix Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Pearson, R., 2010. Statistical Persuasion: How to Collect, Analyze, and Present DataAccurately, Honestly, and Persuasively. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Ridenour, C. and Newman, I., 2008. Mixed Method Research: Exploring the Interactive Continuum. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.
