INTELLIGENCE AND THE HUMAN RACE

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CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

This is a study of the application of intelligence led policing concept which has sought to understand how the concept is applied in preventing crime by the SAPS. The study was conducted at station and cluster level where the actual policing takes place, and where policing, is practically implemented. The purpose of conducting a study at such a “basic” level is that the battle against crime is lost or won at station and cluster level. Furthermore the success or failure of a concept depends on its implementation or operationalisation which takes place at local police station level. Although not much operational policing takes place at cluster level, components such as Crime Intelligence operate at that level. This chapter outlines the methodology for this study, detailing the procedures and techniques of research, data collection, and analysis.

 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Methodology is the art of selecting the appropriate method for the research that needs to be completed. In this study it was necessary to do a literature survey to reach all the objectives of the content preceding the research. According to Bailey (1994:34) the researcher‟s methodology determines factors such as how he or she formulates the hypothesis and what level of evidence is necessary to make the decision of whether or not to accept these hypotheses. Sarantakos (1998:33-34) further states that methodology offers the research principles which are related closely to a distinct paradigm translated clearly and accurately down to guidelines on acceptable research practices. Methodology, therefore, is not determined by the research model but rather by the principles of research entailed in a paradigm. The methodology used in this study is qualitative research design. As the study was explorative in nature, qualitative research methods were used, with the aim of determining the use of crime intelligence in crime prevention. According to Patton (1996:22), qualitative data consists of detailed descriptions of situations, events, people, interactions, and observed behaviours, and also uses direct quotations from 10 people about their experiences, attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts. Researchers who use these methods of qualitative measurement use raw data from the empirical world. Qualitative data provide depth and detail which emerge through direct quotation and careful description. Aligning himself with the above opinion, Bailey (1994:244) states that “The primary nature of the relationship between the observer and the subject allows an in-depth study of the whole individual.” In-depth interviews were conducted with respondents who are key people in generating crime intelligence products and those who utilise the generated crime intelligence to prevent crime. After considering these modes of inquiry, the researcher explain why he has chosen the above mentioned research method, and briefly describes the entire research strategy and tactics in the following steps.

Research approach and design

Research procedures refer to the different steps and phases in a research project. There are a number of research methods, but this research is a combination of two methods chosen from a number of research methods. These methods are qualitative and quantitative research methods. Babbie (1998:37) describes qualitative data as non-numerical data and quantitative data as numerical data. These research methods are briefly described in the next subparagraphs.

 Qualitative Research

Sarantakos (1998:6) describes this type of research as a combination of a number of methodological approaches based on diverse theoretical principles such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, and social interactionism, employing data collection and analysis methods that are non-quantitative, aiming towards the exploration of social relations, and describing reality as it is experienced by the respondents. Maree (2007:257) goes further by stating that the goal of this type of research is to explore and understand a central phenomenon, which is the focus of the study. The sample size is small and it is purposefully selected from individuals who have the most experience with the studied phenomenon. In addition, data are collected from people immersed in the setting of everyday life in which the study is framed.

Quantitative Research

Maree (2007:145) defines quantitative research as a process that is systematic and objective in the way it uses numerical data from a selected subgroup of a universe or population only to generalise the findings to the universe that is being studied. Sarantakos (1998:6) points out that this type of research is based on the methodological principles of positivism, and it adheres to the standards of strict research design developed before the research begins. It employs quantitative measurement and the use of statistical analysis. The main characteristic of this type of research is that it uses numerical data. The Macmillan English dictionary for advanced learners defines “numerical” as anything expressed as numbers or consisting of numbers (Rundell & Fox, 2002:970). Therefor the types of data used in this type of research are numbers or figures.

 Triangulation

Triangulation is the technique of using quantitative and qualitative research methods simultaneously in a study or research project. This combination increases the researcher‟s ability to rule out rival explanations for phenomena, and enables the researcher to come up with strong research findings (Nieswiadomy, 1993:160). Although quantitative and qualitative methods differ in specific areas, they are capable of complementing each other. This multiple method of research is mostly used when it is difficult to study a phenomenon in its totality using one method only. Triangulation is also used to denote various measuring instruments for collecting data (Collins, du Plooy, Grobbelaar, Puttergill, Terre Blanche, van Eeden, van Rensburg & Wigston, 2000:91-92). In this study the triangulation technique was applied as follows:-
Qualitative research: This has been a qualitative research study as the researcher collected data firstly by conducting a literature review (documents) on the concept of intelligence led policing. (See chapter 3 to 8). Secondly, interviews with police officials who are involved in the implementation of intelligence led policing in South Africa were conducted. These are police officials who are immersed in intelligence led 12 policing on a daily basis. Thirdly, different Cluster Offices, Crime Intelligence Stations, and Police Stations were visited for observation purposes, and the recording of what was observed. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the production of intelligence, structured interviews employing closed-ended and open-ended questions were conducted with the selected respondents. According to Castle (1996:31) the aim of qualitative research is to gain insights from people who will enrich and illuminate our understanding of actions, concepts, events, and practices. The issue of validity and reliability arises from a need to persuade researchers of the authenticity and trustworthiness of the methods of collecting and presenting information and the interpretations that are derived from it. In order to ensure the relevance of the posed questions, as well as their validity and reliability, intensive literature research on information collection; and intelligence products and how they are produced was conducted prior to the formulation of questions. Furthermore, the researcher conducted fieldwork observations on the execution of crime prevention operations, after the interviews in order to verify and confirm the conclusions made thus far. The interviews were conducted by the researcher himself and notes were taken during all the interviews.
Quantitative research: Quantitative methods were used to complement the qualitative methods used in this study, firstly by adhering to the standards of strict research design developed before the research begins (See chapter 1), and, secondly, by using numerical data in the form of numbers and percentages during data analysis and findings (See chapter 8 and 9). This research has, therefore, employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Seventy per cent (70%) of the study utilised qualitative research method and thirty per cent (30%) employed the quantitative research method.

Population and sampling

In order to obtain a sample of population which has suitable characteristics, the following criteria were used: firstly, respondents had to be police officials; secondly they had to be working in the operational environment like crime prevention and visible policing or the operational support environment such as crime intelligence, 13 and, finally, the sample population consisted of participants on different levels, in terms of rank and working environments. This was a qualitative study of a sample of twenty five (25) respondents from seven (07) police stations, three (03) clusters, and four (04) crime intelligence stations in the following provinces, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Kwazulu-Natal. The identified police stations have a high report rate of contact and property related crimes. In order to ensure that the sample was representative with regard to rank, race, age and gender, the following Operational Commanders who are involved in the generation of crime intelligence products and crime prevention, participated in the research, namely, Commanders of Crime Intelligence Stations, Commanders of Overt Intelligence Collection, Commanders Crime Information Management Offices, Crime Information officials, Station Commanders, Visible Policing Commanders, as well as Cluster Commanders. Thus the sample was representative of rank, race, age, gender, and years of experience in policing.

Sampling size

The sample size consisted of twenty five (25) police officials of different ranks, race, age, and gender from the visible policing and crime intelligence environments. This sample was representative of all police officials who are involved in intelligence led policing in South Africa. The sample consisted of suitable respondents who are relevant to the research because of their experience and working environment in the Police. The twenty five (25) respondents met the following criteria to ensure suitability. Firstly, respondents were police officials, and, secondly, they were working in the operational environment like crime prevention and visible policing or operational support environment such as crime intelligence.

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL ORIENTATION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.3 HYPOTHESES
1.4 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVES
1.5 VALUE OF THE RESEARCH
1.6 KEY THEORETICAL CONCEPTS
1.7 CHAPTER LAYOUT
1.8 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.3 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.4 CONCLUSION 19
CHAPTER 3: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF INTELLIGENCE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 INTELLIGENCE AND THE HUMAN RACE
3.3 INTELLIGENCE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
3.4 DARK AGES
3.5 MIDDLE AGES
3.6 RENAISSANCE
3.7 BIRTH OF MORDEN INTELLIGENCE
3.8 EVOLUTION OF CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE IN AMERICA
3.9 EVOLUTION OF POLICE INTELLIGENCE UNITS IN BRITAIN
3.10 INFORMATION COLLECTION IN AUSTRALIA
3.11 INFORMATION COLLECTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
3.12 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 4: INFORMATION COLLECTION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 DEFINITION OF INTELLIGENCE
4.3 SOURCES OF INFORMATION
4.4 INFORMATION COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
4.5 BASIC PROCESSES OF GATHERING INFORMATION
4.6 CONTROLLED ACCESS TO INFORMATION
4.7 INFORMATION COLLECTION
4.8 INFORMATION COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
4.9 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 5: CRIME ANALYSIS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 HISTORY OF CRIME ANALYSIS
5.3 DISCIPLINE OF CRIME ANALYSIS
5.4 DEFINITION OF CRIME ANALYSIS
5.5 TYPES OF CRIME ANALYSIS
5.6 ROLE OF THEORY IN CRIME ANALYSIS
5.7 THEORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMINOLOGY
5.8 ROLE OF PLACE IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIME
5.9 CRIME ANALYSIS PROCESS
5.10 CRIME LINKAGES
5.11 INFORMATION ANALYSIS
5.12 CRIME MAPPING
5.13 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 6: INTELLIGENCE CYCLE
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 DEFINITION OF THE INTELLIGENCE CYCLE
6.3 INTELLIGENCE CYCLE PROCESS
6.4 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 7: INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING
7.1 INTRODUCTION
7.2 USE OF INTELLIGENCE IN POLICING
7.3 DEFINITION OF INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING
7.4 EVOLUTION OF INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING
7.5 INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING CONCEPT
7.6 PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF INTELLIGENCE LED  POLICING
7.7 COMPARATIVE INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING MODELS  FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
7.8 CONCLUSION 232
CHAPTER 8: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
8.1 INTRODUCTION
8.2 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
8.3 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 9: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
9.1 INRODUCTION
9.2 RESEARCH OVERVIEW
9.3 FINDINGS
9.4 RECOMMENDATIONS
9.5 PROPOSED INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING MODEL FOR SOUTH AFRICA
9.6 CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
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