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Post the title of the article you selected. Read article Article: Lowenkamp, C. T., Hubbard, D., Makarios, M. D., & Latessa, E. J. (2009). A quasi-experimental evaluation of thinking for a change: A 'real-world' application. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36(2), 137–146. Explain why the author(s) employed the regression technique presented in the article and how the results of the regression were interpreted. Finally, explain one conclusion you drew or insight you gained about using regression analysis in criminal justice research. 300 words in APA format

Paper For Above instruction

The article by Lowenkamp, Hubbard, Makarios, and Latessa (2009) employs regression analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Thinking for a Change" (T4C) program within a real-world criminal justice context. The authors selected regression techniques to control for various confounding variables that could influence recidivism rates among offenders, such as prior criminal history, demographic factors, and criminal severity. The primary aim was to isolate the effect of the T4C program on reducing reoffense rates, making regression an ideal statistical tool due to its ability to estimate relationships between dependent and independent variables while accounting for multiple covariates simultaneously.

Specifically, the authors used multiple regression analysis to assess whether participation in the T4C program was significantly associated with lower recidivism, controlling for other relevant factors. The regression models measured the impact of program participation on the likelihood of reoffending, providing an estimate of the program's effectiveness while controlling for potential confounders. The coefficients derived from the regression analysis indicated the direction and strength of the relationship between program participation and recidivism. For example, a negative coefficient suggested that involvement in T4C decreased the probability of reoffense, which was statistically tested for significance. The authors interpreted these results as evidence of the program’s impact, supporting its implementation as an effective intervention.

From this article, one key insight I gained about the use of regression analysis in criminal justice research is its capacity to disentangle complex relationships among multiple variables influencing criminal behavior. Unlike simple bivariate analyses, regression allows researchers to control for various confounders simultaneously, leading to more accurate and valid conclusions. This technique is especially valuable in criminal justice studies where many intertwined factors contribute to outcomes like recidivism, emphasizing the importance of sophisticated analysis methods to inform policy and practice based on empirical evidence.

References

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