Review Paper

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Review Paper

Chappell, A. T., Monk‐Turner, E., & Payne, B. K. (2011). Broken windows or window breakers: The influence of physical and social disorder on quality of life. Justice Quarterly, 28(3), 522-540.

Why did the researchers conduct this research? What did they hope to learn?

The research seeks to discern whether an intricate relationship exists between disorder and the quality of life. The researchers would like to know the relationship that exists between broken window theory or what is referred to as neighborhood disorder and individual quality of life. With this information, they will be able to add more input into the broken windows theory and examine whether one critical supposition of the theory has empirical evidence to support it. Broken windows theory assumes that the improvement in the quality of life is reliant on addressing disorder; therefore, the researchers sought to learn whether disorder is essentially connected to the quality of life (Chappell, Monk‐Turner, & Payne, 2011). There is no empirical answer as to whether the main assumption of the broken windows theory is prognostic of the quality of life.

Would you classify this research as exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory? Would you classify it as pure or applied? Would you classify it as pure or applied? Explain your Answers

This research is explanatory as it seeks to develop a better understanding of a problem that has not been researched in-depth in the past. The researchers say that although past research has been able to relate disorder with fear, demoralization, anger, and hopelessness, no studies have taken a general perspective and examined the relationship between disorder and personal quality of life (Chappell, Monk‐Turner, & Payne, 2011). The research seeks to discuss the theory of broken windows in depth. Explanatory research focuses on explaining a certain facet of a study from a more in-depth angle. The aim of explanatory research is providing evidence or details where a small amount exists on a certain idea that is in the mind of the researcher. In general, this research is explanatory as it aides the researcher to solve a problem or answer a question that was not studied before in depth.

This research is pure research as it entails the testing of a theory. It is aimed at expanding the existing knowledge. The researchers, in this case, understand that other studies have connected the improvement of the quality of life by fixing disorder. However, there is no empirical evidence indicating the connection between disorder and the quality of life. In general, this research is pure or basic as it developed scientific knowledge and was aimed at adding knowledge to the existing one.

To what extent has this topic been studied by previous researchers?

Existing research has established well the connection between neighborhood disorder and fear. It has come to the understanding of people studying the topic that incivilities better predict fear than actual and severe crime does. Previous research has concluded that broken windows theory, the social and physical disorders of neighbors, causes fear among residents, and results in them retaliating or moving away from their neighborhoods. The idea is that disorder results in fear, and fear results in retaliation causing serious crimes. According to how the authors of this particular research describe previous research, it is safe to say that the work already done is extensive, and the remaining part that this research aims to study is icing on the cake.

How did the researchers collect, analyze, and interpret their data?

The researchers used telephone surveys to collect data. They developed survey questions that sought to obtain information on the quality of life issues, health, interactive relationships, neighborhood disorders, and social networks. Because of the nature of telephone surveys, the authors employed descriptive analysis to identify outliers, provide an idea of the distribution of data and facilitate the researchers to identify the association between variables and prepare the data for further analysis. The researchers then used the ordinary least square (OLS) regression to estimate the relationship between the quality of life index and various independent variables (Chappell, Monk‐Turner, & Payne, 2011).

What are the researchers’ findings?

The researchers found that demographic variables such as age, gender, or race had no significant effect on the quality of life. Other variables such as income, education levels, and how often one interacted with friends and family significantly formed differences in stated quality of life. There was a positive association between the completion of a university degree and regularly interacting with family and friends. Respondents reported a decrease in the quality of life with an increase in income. Fewer health problems and the feeling that one had enough economic means to meet their necessities positively impacted the quality of life.

How did these researchers add to the body of knowledge on this subject?

The researchers found that disorder has a significant impact on the quality of life, particularly physical disorder, which has a more significant impact than social disorder in creating the quality of life. By addressing social disorder when creating “quality of life” policies, the focus is taken away from other types of disorder, and the policies will not impact the quality of life.

How might this research affect the practice of criminal justice?

This research suggests that the practice of criminal justice cannot be left entirely in the hands of law enforcement, and other agencies need to be involved. Collaboration is required between law enforcement and other agencies that are better suited to address issues associated with disorder. The research, however, advises against labeling these units and policy associations as quality of life policing as it is misleading and creates the impression that they possess the ability to better the quality of life.

How would you improve this research and/or conduct additional research to expand the body of knowledge on this subject further?

The work conducted by the researchers in this article is commendable thus far. My contribution would be to correct their limitations and ensure a better representation of all races in the population. It is very important to include low-income residents, so replicating this research with these demographics considerably represented will be essential. In my opinion, the possible indicators of disorder excluded from the study owing to the various constraints mentioned by the researchers are crucial and should be included in the next research.

References

Chappell, A. T., Monk‐Turner, E., & Payne, B. K. (2011). Broken windows or window breakers: The influence of physical and social disorder on quality of life. Justice Quarterly, 28(3), 522-540.