Crime prevention exam 1 Lipsey & Howell — Evidence-Based Programs

What is the main argument of Lipsey & Howell?

Evidence-based practice should not be limited to famous or brand-name programs; research also supports many generic types of interventions

What is the problem with focusing only on brand-name programs?

It can ignore a large body of research showing that broader types of interventions can reduce delinquency

What research did Lipsey & Howell examine?

A large meta-analysis of 548 independent study samples involving juveniles ages 12–21

What did the studies in the meta-analysis examine?

Interventions intended to improve later delinquency outcomes

What types of research designs were included?

Randomized studies and high-quality quasi-experimental studies

What major factors did Lipsey & Howell examine?

Type of intervention, amount of service, quality of implementation, characteristics of juveniles, and level of supervision

What did Lipsey & Howell find about therapeutic approaches?

Therapeutic approaches generally produced more positive effects on recidivism than programs primarily based on external control

What is an external-control approach?

An approach that attempts to reduce delinquency mainly through supervision, punishment, or other forms of external control

What is a therapeutic approach?

An approach that attempts to change behaviors, skills, attitudes, or other factors related to delinquency

How does amount of treatment affect outcomes?

Generally, longer service and more contact hours were associated with better outcomes, although benefits eventually showed diminishing returns.

Why is implementation quality important?

Programs tend to have better effects when they are implemented well, including adequate training, monitoring, and fewer implementation problems

What characteristics of youth were especially important?

Risk level was important; age, gender, and ethnic composition showed much weaker relationships with program effects

Who tended to benefit more from interventions?

Higher-risk youth generally showed larger reductions in recidivism than lower-risk youth

Did supervision setting make a major difference after accounting for risk?

No major differences were found across settings such as community programs, secure facilities, probation, or diversion once risk was controlled

What is one of Lipsey & Howell's biggest points?

Program effectiveness depends on more than the name of the program; intervention type, quality, amount of service, and youth risk all matter

How does Lipsey & Howell's argument connect to Greenwood & Welsh?

Both recognize that evidence can come from different types of interventions, but Lipsey & Howell emphasize the broader evidence for generic intervention types