In search of a methodology of collaboration: understanding researcher–practitioner philosophical differences in policing

Abstract

Research collaborations in policing have been characterized as extremely challenging. The assumption has been that academicians and police hold contrasting philosophical viewpoints and perceptions of research. We tested this assumption by surveying police researchers (n = 377) and police practitioners (n = 171) concerning their philosophical orientations (pragmatic, intellectual, or humanistic), as well as their perceptions of research collaboration processes (collaboration climate, trust, and knowledge integration) and overall performance. The differences in philosophical orientations were significant, with researchers displaying very high intellectual orientations and very low pragmatic orientations while practitioners indicated predominantly humanist orientations; researchers with law enforcement background were in-between both groups. While all groups assessed their research collaborations positively, police were significantly less positive than researchers. Further, knowledge integration predicted collaboration success for researchers, while a collaboration climate of trust and respect predicted success for practitioners. The results indicate that both groups value different qualities in a research partnership. These differences may complicate, but do not appear to prevent successful collaborations, and former practitioners could become boundary spanners between academia and practice. The importance of relationship building and collaborative methodologies, such as action research, are discussed.

Keywords:

• researcher-practitioner collaborations
• philosophical differences
• collaboration climate

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their appreciation to the following individuals and entities which assisted with this research: Gary Cordner, PhD, professor of Criminal Justice, Kutztown University, USA; Nick Fyfe, PhD, professor of Geography, University of Dundee, UK; Chief Paul Williams, Springfield, Missouri Police Department, USA; and the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police.