Abstract

Exploring the concepts of research and evidence, this chapter examines the evolution and adoption of evidence-based policing (EBP) within policing practice. It identifies some of the challenges and debates relating to different methodological approaches, as well as ways to evaluate the outcomes of research. Various approaches to enhance the embedding of EBP within practice are considered, concluding that no one single approach to conducting policing focused research will always be the most appropriate and that research methodologies should be matched appropriately to the questions to be addressed.