Abstract
Quantitative designs in general, and randomised controlled trials in particular, are increasingly favoured by funding bodies keen to find out 'what works?' In this article, restorative justice research is used to illustrate the pitfalls of relying purely on quantitative methods of evaluation. In particular, deployment of such methods tends to result in the overlooking of issues of programme integrity and context, resulting in contradictory or inconclusive results. The article concludes by advocating integration of an in-depth qualitative component within the experimental approach.
| Translated title of the contribution | Are Randomised Controlled Trials Really the 'Gold Standard' in Restorative Justice Research? |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Pages (from-to) | 39 - 49 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | British Journal of Community Justice |
| Volume | 3(2) |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |