This book on systematic social observation (SSO) methodology provides detailed, step-by-step guidance for researchers on using the method. It identifies varieties of approaches and uses of SSO, the different steps used when performing SSO, and the benefits and challenges associated with using SSO.
The chapters discuss different aspects related to SSO, such as:
- Access to the field or footage
- Ethics, including informed consent with data collection
- Use of body-worn camera footage for SSO
It is ideal for criminology and police researchers looking for assistance outlining their research frame.
Author(s): John McCluskey, Craig D. Uchida, Yinthe Feys, Shellie E. Solomon
Series: SpringerBriefs in Criminology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 119
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgments
Overview
Contents
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 The Current State of Policing and Police Research
1.1.1 What We Don’t Know About Policing
1.1.2 Back to the Future
1.2 An Overview of the Text
1.2.1 The SSO Method in Context
1.2.2 The Logic and Flow of the Monograph
References
Chapter 2: The SSO Method in Police Research and Criminology
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Origins and Context for SSO
2.3 Definition of SSO
2.4 Major Studies Using SSO
2.5 Trends in Police-Based SSO Research: Using Technology
2.6 SSO of Neighborhoods and Places
2.7 Linking EBSSO to Theories of Crime and Police Behavior
2.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Developing and Conducting an SSO Study: A How-to-Guide for Social Science Research
3.1 Determining the Research Frame
3.1.1 Research Topic and Context
3.1.2 Methodology
3.2 Practical Preparation
3.2.1 Cooperation and Agreements
3.2.2 Ethical Clearance
3.3 Preparing Fieldwork: Instruments and Training
3.3.1 Codebook and Procedures
Codebook
Procedures
3.3.2 Training
3.4 Piloting
3.5 Collecting Data
3.5.1 Planning and Sampling
3.5.2 Taking Notes
3.5.3 Debriefing
3.5.4 Leaving the Field
3.6 Processing Data
3.6.1 Creating Narratives
3.6.2 Coding
3.7 Analyzing Data
3.8 Reporting Findings
3.9 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Video-Based SSO and Body-Camera Data
4.1 Data Sources for VBSSO
4.1.1 Camera Perspectives and Public Data
4.1.2 Police BWC Video as Data
4.2 Establishing File Processing Behind Departmental BWC Archives
4.2.1 Aspects of BWC Archival Management That May Lead to Missing or Incomplete Data
4.2.2 Identification Approaches to Ascertain BWC Available Within an Archive
4.3 Sampling Strategies
4.3.1 Current Research Approaches
4.3.2 Possible Sampling Strategies
4.3.3 Machine Learning and Prospective Augmentation of Sampling Approaches
4.4 Access Locations and Human Subjects Protection
4.4.1 Data Access
4.4.2 Human Subject Protections and Institutional Review
4.5 Code Development, Training, Unit of Analysis, and Issues of Reliability
4.5.1 Code Development and Training
4.5.2 Units of Analysis and Coding Patterns
4.5.3 Training, Reliability of Codes, and Reliability of Coders
4.5.4 Coder Over-Identification
4.6 A Comparison of VBSSO and IPSSO
4.6.1 Video and Audio Channel Adequacy as a Record of “What Happened?”
4.6.2 Comparing IPSSO and VBSSO in Terms of Evidentiary Coding Items
4.7 Example of a General Data and Sampling Plan to Address a Research Question
4.7.1 The Context for a Multi-organization Study of De-escalation Using VBSSO
4.7.2 Enumerating Police–Citizen Contacts for Sampling Uses of Force
4.7.3 Enumerating Police–Citizen Contacts for Cases That Have a Likelihood of Force Usage
4.7.4 Enumerating Police–Citizen Contacts for Cases with a Very Low Likelihood of Force Usage
4.7.5 Project Technology
4.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Environment-Based Systematic Social Observation and Police Research
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Neighborhood Context, Definition, and Units of Analysis
5.2.1 Neighborhood Definitions
5.2.2 Units of Analysis and Identification of Areas to Study
5.3 Theory and Purpose of EBSSO
5.3.1 Theory of EBSSO
5.3.2 Measuring Physical and Social Disorder
5.4 Research Approach
5.4.1 Development and Testing Codebooks for EBSSO
5.4.2 Institutional Review Board and Confidentiality
5.5 Preparing for Fieldwork
5.5.1 Piloting
5.5.2 Choosing the Unit of Analysis
5.5.3 Coding Norms and Validation
5.5.4 Launching
5.5.5 Sampling
5.6 Hiring, Training, and Assessing Observers
5.6.1 Hiring Observers
5.6.2 Training
5.6.3 Advising the Authorities
5.7 Strategies for Observer Deployment and Technology
5.7.1 Unaccompanied Project Observers
5.7.2 Community Leader Involvement
5.7.3 Law Enforcement Involvement
5.7.4 Driving
5.7.5 Collecting Data
5.7.6 Taking Additional Notes
5.7.7 Taking Pictures and Videos
5.7.8 Engagement in the Field
5.8 Final Data Collection Efforts
5.8.1 Debriefing
5.8.2 Processing the Data
5.8.3 Creating the Narratives
5.8.4 Reporting Findings
5.9 Summary
References
Chapter 6: The Future of Systematic Social Observation and Policing
6.1 New Technology and SSO
6.1.1 Field Observations and Emerging Technology
6.1.2 Integrating Machine Learning and VBSSO
6.1.3 Environment-Based SSO and Machine Learning
6.2 Comparative Research via SSO
6.2.1 Organizational Comparisons
6.2.2 International Comparative Research
6.3 Theoretical Advances and New Insights
6.3.1 Assessing the Effectiveness of Police Supervision
6.3.2 Training and Behavioral Changes
6.3.3 The Context of Police Service Delivery
6.4 Concluding Thoughts on SSO
6.4.1 Cooperation
6.4.2 Replication
References
Index
