To address challenges within traditional research designs for crime reduction and justice system improvement, this brief from WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center provides information about the Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) method.
The initial brief provides an overview of the RDD method, highlighting its effectiveness in real-world intervention evaluation and advocating for its wider use. It offers practical guidance for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in data-driven, ethical approaches.
The brief is followed by three summaries of studies that utilized the RDD method effectively.
Regression Discontinuity Design: A Method to Rigorously Evaluate Interventions to Reduce Crime and Improve the Justice System
By Jonathan Nakamoto, Alexis Grant, Trent Baskerville, and Anthony Petrosino
This brief provides information about the RDD method and shares a comprehensive overview of the RDD method that emphasizes its significance and efficacy in evaluating interventions in real-world scenarios. It advocates for increased RDD adoption, highlighting ethical advantages and the potential for more accurate and applicable research outcomes compared to other common evaluation approaches.
Examining Prison Effects on Recidivism: A Regression Discontinuity Approach (Regression Discontinuity Design in Crime and Justice Project Study Summary #1)
Study conducted by Ojmarrh Mitchell, Joshua C. Cochran, Daniel P. Mears, and William D. Bales
Summary prepared by Jonathan Nakamoto and Trent Baskerville
This study summary explores the impact of prison sentences on recidivism rates by analyzing Florida Department of Corrections data.
Intensified Support for Juvenile Offenders on Probation: Evidence From Germany (Regression Discontinuity Design in Crime and Justice Project Study Summary #2)
Study conducted by Christoph Engel, Sebastian J. Goerg, and Christian Traxler
Summary prepared by Jonathan Nakamoto and Trent Baskerville
This study summary investigates the impact of an intensive probation program on youth recidivism by analyzing conviction data from Germany’s Federal Crime Register.
Under the Cover of Darkness: How Ambient Light Influences Criminal Activity (Regression Discontinuity Design in Crime and Justice Project Study Summary #3)
Study conducted by Jennifer L. Doleac and Nicholas J. Sanders
Summary prepared by Jonathan Nakamoto and Trent Baskerville
This study summary analyzes the impact of increased daylight during evening hours due to Daylight Savings Time (DST) on criminal activity.