Abstract
The nature and meaning of replication is crucial not only for those undertaking studies of efforts at replication, but also for those conducting, using and evaluating demonstration projects, since their rationale lies in lessons learned for use elsewhere. The issue of replication is discussed using as a case study the highly influential British Burglary Prevention Project in Kirkholt, Rochdale and efforts to emulate it. Three ways of construing replication are presented: 'strict', 'relativist' and 'scientific realist'. Serious weaknesses are identified in the first two, and the third is advocated. Major lessons for practitioners and evaluators are drawn, in order that most benefit can be obtained for practice and policy from demonstration projects and their successors.
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