Digital Commons Network^™

Public Support For Stricter Gun Control Laws In America Following The Tragedy At Sandy Hook Elementary, Ryan Jeffrey Hausmann

Theses and Dissertations

The past decade witnessed a considerable increase in public outrage and debates regarding gun control laws, due in large part to several mass shootings across the nation. The purpose of this study is to explore how mass shootings influence attitudes toward gun control. More specifically, this study will examine the respondents' familiarity with the 2012 mass shooting in New Town, Connecticut, and then explore their opinions about whether that shooting reflects isolated acts of troubled individuals, or whether it is a reflection of greater issues, and in turn, how those opinions influence attitudes toward gun control.

Data for this research …

Domestic Violence: Contemporary Interventions And The Rise Of Specialized Domestic Violence Units, Laura E. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines recidivism for domestic violence offenders under both traditional probation and specialized probation conditions. This research compares recidivism at a traditional probation locality (Riverside Criminal Justice Services) and a specialized domestic violence unit (Chesterfield Community Corrections Services) in order to determine the nature of recidivism at both localities. In addition, the research aims to identify individual risk factors which are statistically associated with recidivism. The research is based on secondary data and draws on offender criminal records generated by the Virginia State Police, as well the extraction of information from probation files at both localities. The multivariate models …

Why Female Suicide Bombers? A Closer Look At The Liberation Tigers Of Tamil Eelam And Chechen Separatists, Latisha T. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The central hypothesis of this study is that terrorist organizations choose to use females as suicide bombers not only as tactical innovation but also to “signal” or send a message to various audiences. In order to meet the research objectives of this study, two terrorist organizations—the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Chechen Separatists or those individuals associated with the Chechen Resistance—are examined in detail from their inception through 2013 using a structured focused comparison methodology.

Evidence is found to support both of the studies’ main hypotheses. First, female suicide bombers are used by terrorist organizations because they are …

Homicides And The American Dream: An Empirical Application Of Institutional Anomie Theory At The Census Tract Level, Stacie Jergenson

Theses and Dissertations

Guided by the Institutional Anomie Theory (IAT) of Steven F. Messner and Richard Rosenfeld (2007), this study examines the strength and interaction of social institutions (economy, education, family and polity) in relationship to homicides occurring in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 2007 and 2011. It utilizes census tracts as the units of analysis, an attempt to extend IAT from the cross-national to the local level. Rather than focusing on specific offenders, it explores broader cultural and structural characteristics employing exploratory, ordinary least squares (OLS), and geographically weighted regressions (GWR). Although interactions did not reach statistical significance, relationships were found between homicides rates …

Perceptions Of Child Abuse And Neglect In Cases Of Intimate Partner Violence, Katlin Rhyner

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined perceptions of child abuse and neglect within the context of heterosexual intimate partner violence. Participants were asked to read a vignette describing a situation where a child either saw, heard, or was physically injured in an intimate partner violence altercation that took place between his parents. Within abuse exposure condition, the gender of the victim was also varied. Participants were asked to decide the extent to which the situation constitutes child abuse and neglect, as well as how much blame and responsibility should be assigned to each parent involved in the incident. Overall, it was found …

The Contribution Of Forced Medical Retirement To Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety And Stress In Law Enforcement Officers, Kimberley Blackmon

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored whether a statistically significant difference exists between symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in police officers who were forced into medical retirement as compared to those who retired after years of completed service. The sample population of retired police officers as well as the appropriate testing instruments for these targeted individuals is discussed. In addition, the dissertation addresses how the survey determined the type of retirement they were subjected to (voluntary or involuntary) and any depressive or other psychological symptoms since that retirement. The findings from this study show that a statistically significant difference exists in the …

Evaluation Of An Early Intervention System At A Law Enforcement Agency, Robert Scott Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation of an Early Intervention System at a Law Enforcement Agency. Robert Scott Russell, 2014: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler School of Education. ERIC Descriptors: Computer Software Evaluation, Crime Prevention, Law Enforcement, Police Community Relationship, Program Evaluation. The problem addressed through this program evaluation was that no formal study had been conducted regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the BlueTeam Program (BTP) within the law enforcement agency (LEA) serving as the study site. The BTP is a program that utilizes a computer application to track officer behaviors and alert administrators to potential trends in officer misconduct and …

Nísia Floresta: Setting A Foundation For Feminist Literature In Brazil, Rachel Davidson Skinner

Theses and Dissertations

Many historians and literary critics recognize the nineteenth-century Brazilian author, Nísia Floresta, as the first feminist in Brazil. "Nísia Floresta é considerada a precursora dos ideais feministas no Brasil. Desde o início de sua carreira literária, a defesa dos direitos femininos foi o tema mais recorrente em sua obra"(Castro 250). Her works, published in Brazil and also in France and Italy, influenced women across borders. This thesis will address the discourse on maternity and education found in her works Opúsculo humanitário, Direitos das mulheres e injustiças dos homens, A mulher, and Conselhos à minha filha. Focusing on gender equality and …

Record Linkage, Stasha Ann Bown Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

This document explains the use of different metrics involved with record linkage. There are two forms of record linkage: deterministic and probabilistic. We will focus on probabilistic record linkage used in merging and updating two databases. Record pairs will be compared using character-based and phonetic-based similarity metrics to determine at what level they match. Performance measures are then calculated and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves are formed. Finally, an economic model is applied that returns the optimal tolerance level two databases should use to determine a record pair match in order to maximize profit.

Family Processes As Moderators Of The Impact Of Peer, School, And Neighborhood Influences On Adolescent Aggression, Alison Kramer-Kuhn

Theses and Dissertations

Despite theoretical support for the role of the family in providing a foundation to protect youth against risks for aggression, there is little published literature examining a protective influence. This study examined family functioning and perceived parental messages about fighting and nonviolence as moderators of the relation between risk factors and adolescent aggression. The specific risk factors included affiliating with a delinquent group of peers, attending a school with norms that support aggression, and witnessing violence within the community. Secondary analyses were conducted on data collected from a high-risk sample of 537 adolescents in 2 cohorts from 18 schools. Adolescents …

Special Education Teachers' Perspectives On The Implementation Of Functional Behavior Assessment In Schools, Joy Engstrom

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of challenging and violent behaviors that pose risks to the overall safety and the educational learning experience in the public education setting have been on the rise in recent years. Traditional reactive, coercive, and punitive measures to address these behaviors have been futile. Congress responded to the national increase in violent behaviors by implementing several acts, including zero tolerance policies, in an effort to diminish the rise in violent behaviors. Of significance to this study was the inclusion of Functional Behavior Assessment in the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1997. Unfortunately, FBA has the …

Community Participation In Disaster Planning And The Expectation Gap: Analysis And Recommendations, Phillip Sperry

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the expectation gap and how it relates to the field of emergency management. As disasters become more commonplace, many citizens have high expectations of their governments, which results in a lack of individual disaster preparation. This thesis analyzed the current state of community education and engagement programs, use of best practices by governments and inter-agency cooperation and partnerships. The research consisted of fifteen interviews with emergency management professionals representing local, state, and federal government as well as the private sector. The results show limited public participation, as well as issues with crisis communications systems. Over 80% of …

Locus Of Control And Quality Of Life In Individuals With Schizotypy, Rachael Paulbeck

Theses and Dissertations

The present study collected data from 200 undergraduate students (106 male, 94 female) and sought to examine the relationship between levels of stress, cognitive processes related to stress management (Locus of Control- LOC; Sense of Coherence; SOC), and quality of life (QOL) across varying levels of risk for developing schizophrenia. Results indicated that high-risk individuals are significantly more likely to have an external locus of control (F=4.121, p=.018) supporting hypothesis 1. Counter to our second hypothesis, locus of control was not directly associated with QOL. However, LOC was correlated with both stress and level of risk for schizophrenia which (in …

An Analysis Of The Marketing Tactics Used To Influence Millennial Generation Students In Their Decision To Attend A Two-Year Or A Four-Year College, Andrea Stanton

Theses and Dissertations

This study will attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of college recruitment marketing tactics used to influence Millennial Generation students, ages 17 to 22 years old, in their decision to attend either a two-year or a four-year college. Changing demographics and projections indicate a decline in the number of high school graduates within the next three to five years. This shift translates into fewer college applications and more competition among institutions of higher learning making it easier for most students to get accepted into college. The researcher will use focus groups and a survey to examine the perception of community colleges …

Time Orientation, Rational Choice And Deterrence: An Information Systems Perspective, Michael Brian Pope

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examines General Deterrence Theory (GDT) and its "parent," Rational Choice Theory (RCT), in an information security setting, assessing the behavioral intent to violate organizational policy under varying levels of certainty, severity and celerity of negative sanction. Also assessed is the individual computer user's time orientation, as measured by the Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) instrument (Strathman et. al, 1994). How does rational consideration of violation rewards influence the impact of sanctions on individuals? How does time orientation impact intent to violate security policy? How do these operate in an IS context? These questions are examined by assessing …

Risk Assessment In Corrections: An Analysis Of Variables Related To Suicide Attempts And Self-Mutilation, Melissa Ann Fine

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide and self-mutilation risk assessment is a complicated process, especially within a correctional setting. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 50% of incarcerated individuals have a mental health illness, further reinforcing the need for concise, evidence-based risk assessment practices. The Virginia Department of Corrections collected data on suicide attempts, completed suicides, and incidents of self-injurious behavior for 17 months with a measure created to assess risk factor found in the community. Results indicated that numerous factors were related to suicide attempts, however only having made prior suicide attempts, the presence of a major depression diagnosis, and placement in …

Examining The Csi Effect And The Influence Of Forensic Crime Television On Future Jurors, Christopher Kopacki

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship exposure to forensic crime television has on a potential juror’s willingness to find a suspect guilty when presented with a case involving only circumstantial and eyewitness evidence. This study also looks at a potential juror’s expectation of forensic evidence being presented at trial based upon this exposure. To better understand these relationships, the study utilized social constructionism as the theoretical framework. To collect data, an original survey instrument that included either a violent or non-violent crime scenario was developed. Reponses from 1572 undergraduate students were analyzed to better understand what might influence their willingness to …

Identification And Characterization Of Ethanol Responsive Genes In Acute Ethanol Behaviors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Joseph Alaimo

Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol abuse and dependence are complex disorders that are influenced by many genetic and environmental factors. Acute behavioral responses to ethanol have predictive value for determining an individual’s long-term susceptibility to alcohol abuse and dependence. These behavioral responses are strongly influenced by genetics. Here, we have explored the role of genetic influences on acute behavioral responses to ethanol using the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. First, we explored the role of ethanol metabolism in acute behavior responses to ethanol. Natural variation in human ethanol metabolism machinery is one of the most reported and reproducible associations found to alter drinking behavior. Ethanol …

The Impact Of Substance Abuse In High Risk, Rural Virginia Counties, Charlette T. Woolridge

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between drug-related crimes in high-risk, rural Virginia counties (Brunswick County and Grayson County) and efforts to reduce them with a particular focus on a cost-benefit analysis of expenditures. Four independent variables were assessed in relation to drug-related crime: expenditures associated with (1) drug abuse prevention and (2) drug abuse treatment, (3) economic development, and (4) education. Drug abuse prevention and drug abuse treatment are traditional approaches to address the drug use and crime relationship, while economic development and education represent social determinants of health (economic and social factors that impact …

Nailing Down Truths: Evental Historiography In Fors Clavigera, Sari Lynn Carter

Theses and Dissertations

The theoretical framework of this study is intended to explore the potential Alain Badiou's theory of event, truth, and faithful subject may provide for understanding literature. This study applies this framework to John Ruskin's late and lesser-known work Fors Clavigera: Letters to the Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain (1871-1884). Both Ruskin's fragmented style in Fors Clavigera and his notion of historical truth developed therein have been read as madness and as reactionary romanticism. I examine key metanarrative moments in Fors Clavigera where Ruskin reflects on his historiographical choices and methods. Through my analysis, I show how Badiou's theory provides …

The Effect Of Information And Communications Technology (Ict) Diffusion On Corruption And Transparency (A Global Study), Leebrian Ernest Gaskins

Theses and Dissertations

Is the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) the “magic bullet” for effectively reducing corruption? Can government transparency be increased by ICT diffusion? Does ICT diffusion increase governmental transparency, thereby reducing corruption? A few previous studies have measured the relationship between ICTs, transparency, and corruption. Generally, such studies focus on the role of electronic governance (e-governance) in facilitating state-citizen interactions and how e-governance acts as a corruption deterrent. This study digresses from past literature by directly exploring the effects of the ICT environment, using the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), and diffusion of two specific ICTs (e.g. the number of …

School Psychologists Involvement With Response-To-Intervention And Students With Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Difficulties, Katelyn Hickman-Poloney

Theses and Dissertations

The current school reform is being driven by shifts in thinking about school improvements, including a willingness to consider prevention versus remediation. Response-to-Intervention is a buzz word in education right now as it is the framework by which this shift in thinking is to be implemented. Preventatively addressing the mental health needs of students is a pressing issue for educational professionals as the population of students who exhibit social, emotional, and behavioral problems continues to be underserved. Since school psychologists are trained in Response-to-Intervention procedures, the purpose of this study was to determine if school psychologists are involved in Response-to-Intervention …

Teachers' Perspectives On Alternative School Strategies In One School, Linda Darnell Laws

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand teachers’ perceptions of dropout prevention strategies used in one alternative school and describe how the teachers perceived the dropout prevention strategies used to decrease the dropout rates and increase the graduation rates of alternative school students. The study examined the primary research question: How are dropout prevention strategies used in this alternative school? The National Dropout Prevention Strategies for Alternative Schools were used to frame this research. The strategies were grouped in three areas: building student skills, promoting teacher quality, and promoting a positive school culture and climate. The relevant …

The Seeds Of Mistrust: The Relationship Between Perceived Racism, Hiv Conspiracy Theories And Hiv Testing Attitudes, Joshua Brevard

Theses and Dissertations

Although the number of HIV infected peaked in the late 1980’s, HIV remains a major concern within the African American community (CDC, 2008). African Americans are disproportionately affected, comprising 14% of the U.S. population but representing 44% of new HIV infections in 2009 (CDC, 2011). It is vital to identify barriers to positive health behaviors like consistent condom use and HIV testing. This study focus on factors impacting attitudes towards HIV testing, including mistrust of the healthcare system, measured by support for HIV conspiracy theories (Thomas & Quinn, 1991). It also examined the prevalence of HIV conspiracy beliefs among African …

Detecting Student Dropouts Using Fuzzy Inferencing, Shahriar Husainy

Theses and Dissertations

Fuzzy logic provides a methodology for reasoning using imprecise rules and assertions. Fuzzy inference is the process of formulating the mapping from a given input to an output using fuzzy logic. The mapping then provides a basis from which decisions can be made, or patterns discerned. This study concerns the development of a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) for identifying likely student dropouts at Columbus State University (CSU). The fuzzy inference based model uses a hybrid knowledge extraction process to predict how likely each freshman student will be to drop their program of study at the end of their first semester. …

Racial/Ethnic Differences In Fatality Rates From Motor Vehicle Crashes: An Analysis From A Behavioral And Cultural Perspective, Huda Hamdan

Theses and Dissertations

Ethnic/racial minorities in the United States are overrepresented in fatalities from motor vehicle crashes (MVC). Growing evidence indicates that there are differences among racial/ethnic groups in risk of involvement in fatal crashes. Based on previous research, numerous factors may be involved in high racial/ethnic fatality rates from MVCs, including failure to use safety equipment, driving while under the influence of alcohol/drug, red light running, and speeding. Using data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the FR300P Police Crash Report, this project explores differences in variables associated with traffic safety behavior and traffic law obedience between non-White …

An Examination Of The Correlates Of Prison Misconduct In The Arkansas Prison System, Gavin Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The study of prison misconduct has been a topic which has been a subject of great import to criminological literature from the early 20th Century onward. The implications of the carceral experience have both ethical and utilitarian import to society as a whole. Over the last 80 years, two competing theoretical perspectives have been used to view this phenomenon: the importation model (Irwin and Cressey, 1962) and the work of Clemmer (1940) and Sykes (1958), the institutionalization/deprivation model. This dissertation seeks to examine the relative strengths of each perspective using official data. The findings of this study provide support for …

Factors Mediating After-School Participation And Delinquency, John Andrew Whitney

Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing Social Control Theory, this study explores the role of participation in After School Programs, mentoring relationships, and commitment to school in reducing adolescent delinquency. This study uses local survey data of 556 youth attending Boys and Girls Clubs collected from 2010-2012. The negative binomial regression results indicate that increased club attendance is associated with reduced delinquency. This effect is mediated by the presence of a mentor and by the youths' commitment to school.

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Two Alternative Middle Schools: How Prepared Are Students For High School Success?, Theresa Kilmer

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of alternative middle school programs utilizing a longitudinal, mixed methods design and was driven by research questions which analyzed trends in attendance, discipline, and Standard of Learning test pass rates in history and science for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade. It also examined student perceptions concerning preparedness for high school, skills previously taught, transition to high school, and relationships with peers and adults. Data on attendance, discipline, and SOL scores were collected from 34 students from the 2009-2010 8th grade cohort who attended one of two alternative middle schools. Attendance data indicated …

The Impact Of Perpetrator Gender On Child Protective Services Sexual Abuse Cases: A National Picture, David Axlyn Mcleod

Theses and Dissertations

Child sexual assault is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States with some research suggesting up to one fifth of our nations children being victimized before reaching adulthood. Research has suggested females could be responsible for up to 20% of child sexual abuse cases, and at the same time only represent only 1% of sexual offenders incarcerated the US. This creates a situation where a large group of relatively under-researched offenders are evading detection. Numerous calls for further research have been made, but relatively few studies have had the ability to shed significant light on this phenomenon on …