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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Modeling And Analysis Of Clandestine Networks, Clinton R. Clark
Modeling And Analysis Of Clandestine Networks, Clinton R. Clark
Theses and Dissertations
Since Sept. 11, 2001, there has been great interest in the military and intelligence communities in using Social Network Analysis (SNA) to support the disruption and destruction of global terrorist networks. SNA results, however, tend to be descriptive and are limited due to the lack of advantageous properties of the relationship measures applied to the arcs in a social network. Further, SNA techniques generally focus on a single network context while real relationships are based in multiple contexts. This thesis develops a new proxy measure of pair-wise potential influence between members of a network, a Holistic Interpersonal Influence Measure (HIIM). …
Investigating The Complexities Of Nation-Building: A Sub-National Regional Perspective, Matthew J. Robbins
Investigating The Complexities Of Nation-Building: A Sub-National Regional Perspective, Matthew J. Robbins
Theses and Dissertations
Stabilization and reconstruction operations are necessary to secure and maintain the peace in the aftermath of conflict. The complexities of nation-building involve many different but interrelated systems and institutions. The basic structure of a country may or may not remain; its political, economic, and judicial systems, cultural, educational, medical, and military institutions, and critical infrastructure all vitally contribute to the overall progression of stability and prosperity. Understanding the significance of the dynamic relationships between the forces in play during stability and reconstruction operations is paramount to the successful conclusion of such missions. The system dynamics model proposed in this research …
Modeling Transnational Terrorists' Center Of Gravity: An Elements Of Influence Approach, Cheryl L. Hetherington
Modeling Transnational Terrorists' Center Of Gravity: An Elements Of Influence Approach, Cheryl L. Hetherington
Theses and Dissertations
Since the September 11th terrorist attack, there has been an increased emphasis on understanding and modeling terrorists groups. While several efforts have focused on identifying transnational terrorists' centers of gravity (COGs), most of these efforts have proposed COGs using a traditional nation-state paradigm. In today's "global village", terrorist groups are no longer limited by locality and national boundaries. With the increasing threats from transnational terrorist groups, new paradigms and models are necessary to properly analyze today's, and tomorrow's, conflict. Analysis should be based on the identified and quantified transnational terrorists' COGs and their associated interactions. Unfortunately, not all of the …
Organized Labor's Influence On Local Elections: A Case History Of Snohomish County, Washington, Jonathan Stuart Burr
Organized Labor's Influence On Local Elections: A Case History Of Snohomish County, Washington, Jonathan Stuart Burr
Theses and Dissertations
Candidates seeking public office must build a strong political following to be successful. This applies at national, state, and even local levels. The support generated for a candidate's campaign can be attributed to factors such as personal characteristics, political following, political resources, and endorsements. This analysis focuses on union endorsements in relation to other political endorsements. The case study of the race for Snohomish County Council in District Five illuminates the connection between endorsements, monetary contributions, and voting behavior. Union political coordinators were interviewed and results from the primary and general election 2005 were compiled. The findings support previous studies …
Faculty Perceptions Of Academic Freedom At A Metropolitan University: A Case Study, Zachary Grant Goodell
Faculty Perceptions Of Academic Freedom At A Metropolitan University: A Case Study, Zachary Grant Goodell
Theses and Dissertations
This research study examines how faculty perceive academic freedom at a metropolitan university. Thirty structured interviews were conducted with social science faculty, who have been tenured for 10 years or more, at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). These faculty came from the departments of Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Urban Studies, Criminal Justice, Women’s Studies, and African-American Studies. The following five questions were the central research questions: (a) how do core faculty in the social sciences at VCU define academic freedom; (b) do these same faculty perceive academic freedom to be a significant feature of a career in higher education; (c) …