Analyzes three articles about criminal justice research from "Voices from the Field: Readings in Criminal Justice Research " by Pope, Lovell and Brandl (Ed.).
Abstract This paper examines the sampling techniques presented in three articles from "Voices from the Field: Readings in Criminal Justice Research " by Pope, Lovell and Brandl (Ed.). In each article, the author compares the sampling process to the optimal technique for the purpose of the study and analyzes the representativeness of the population from which it was drawn. The articles are 'Heavy Metal Music Preference, Delinquent Friends, Social Control, and Delinquency' by Singer and Levine, 'Collective and Normative Features of Gang Violence' by S. Decker and 'A Badge and a Baccalaureate' by R. Warden. The paper concludes that sampling is critical to the reliability of the study.
From the Paper "The first article is 'Heavy Metal Music Preference, Delinquent Friends, Social Control, and Delinquency'. The population used was public and private senior high school students in a large, New York suburban community. Using school board lists, 1,475 students were sampled. Of this number, interviews were completed with 705 youths. This study used proportionate sampling as its sampling technique. Crucial to this type of sampling is that the study specified the probability that any given element is included."
Tags: optimal reliability, senior high school students, active gang members, clustersampling
Abstract This paper discusses the Iraq conflict with regard to the issues surrounding cluster bombs and the humanitarian threat their legality poses. The paper explains that cluster bombs are not always discriminating in their targets, and once fallen, bomblets can remain inactive for some time before exploding. The paper contends that cluster bombs pose an unacceptable risk to civilians, especially children and discusses the lack of global legislation forbidding cluster bomb use. The paper looks at some nations' actions in improving the reliability of cluster munitions, but claims that this does not help when countries use old stockpiles. The paper strongly asserts that it is time for the cluster bomb to be made illegal on the international stage.
Outline:
Introduction
Cluster Bombs: The Facts At A Glance
Cluster Bombs: Position By Country
Are Cluster Bombs Illegal?
Why Cluster Bombs Should Be Made Illegal
Conclusion
From the Paper "The cluster bomb and its legitimacy as a weapon of war has recently come under fire, hot on the tails of use during recent conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Concerns over the power of the weapon have primarily been humanitarian, as cluster bombs - shells which release submunitions, or bomblets, from either air or land, with the intention of killing "soft" targets such as enemy soldiers - are unreliable, shedding highly explosive and volatile submunitions over a wide area, often failing to explode on immediate impact. As the target area related to the cluster bomb is wide, and as apparently faulty cluster bombs may be later activated by accidental interference, the threat to civilians lives from delayed detonation is high. Recent media attention on cluster bombs has focused on the loss of civilian life in Iraq, one of the most prominent armed conflicts of recent times."
Abstract This paper explains that computer clustering involves the use of multiple computers, typically personal computers (PCs) or UNIX workstations, multiple storage devices, and redundant interconnections, to form what appears to users as a single integrated system. This paper points out that, despite some challenges, such as achieving transparency, mitigating network latency, and the split-brain problem, clustering has proven to be a huge success for bringing scale and availability to computing applications. The paper relates that, just as clustering has reduced the importance of supercomputers for parallel processing, clusters are making the mainframe less relevant for batch applications.
From the Paper "Parallel processing is the processing of program instructions by dividing them among multiple processors with the objective of running a program in less time. Parallel processing is normally applied for rendering and high computational based applications. Rather than using expensive specialized supercomputers for parallel processing, implementers have begun using a large cluster of small, commodity servers. Each server runs its own operating system, to take a number of jobs, process them, and send the output to the primary system. Clusters provide the ability to handle a large task in small bits, or lots and lots of small tasks across an entire cluster, making an entire system more affordable and more scalable."
Abstract This paper provides rhetorical and cluster criticism of Colin Powell's keynote speech at the 1996 Republican convention. It discusses the central concept and themes of the speech. It explores how cluster criticism assists in understanding the speech and world view of the speaker. The author mentions key strategies in the process of cluster criticism.
Abstract This paper examines open star clusters. Open star clusters offer insight into the distances to galaxies and the age of the universe. The most recent research suggests the universe is 13.7 billion years old.
Abstract This paper is an examination of the mechanisms of colon tumorigenesis involving the mutation cluster region of the APC gene. There is an explanation of colon carcinogenesis including an analysis of the Wnt signaling pathway, the roles of the APC gene's different domains, "Knudon's two- hit hypothesis and the "just right" level of signaling theory. The paper also includes a critical discussion about the scientific arguments and research evidence that exists to challenge current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of colon tumorigenesis. One illustration is included which depicts the varying domains of the APC gene.
From the Paper "Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death in the western world. Nearly 34,900 people are diagnosed with it in the U.K each year and about 16,000 of these die. About 15% of colorectal cancers are hereditary. Hereditary conditions are divided into two categories: the polyposis and the non polyposis types. Two hereditary conditions that have been identified are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (FAP) and Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC). The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is known to be mutated in all cases of FAP but this condition only accounts for less than 1% of colorectal cancer cases. The condition HNPCC results when mutation occurs in the DNA mismatch repair genes MSH2 and MLH-1 leading to microsatellite instability and defective DNA repair. Non inherited mutations of the APC gene have been detected in over 85% of the remaining sporadic colorectal cancers. "
Abstract This paper discusses how according to Palys, a sample can be said to be representative of a larger population, then the distribution of relevant attributes in the sample mirrors the distribution of those attributes in the population. If this is true, then if a population is 60 percent Catholic the representative sample will also be 60 percent Catholic. This is exact or what Palys refers to as a formal sample.
From the Paper "What does it mean to say that a sample is representative of some larger population? According to Palys (128), a sample can be said to be representative of a larger population "when the distribution of relevant attributes in the sample mirrors the distribution of those attributes in the population". Then, if a population is 60 percent Catholic, the representative sample will also be 60 percent Catholic. This is exact, or what Palys refers to as a formal sample."
Abstract This paper reviews four separate studies and explores the sampling methods and reasons behind the selection of these methods. The sampling methods of the Gallop organization are used as the model for large scale surveying using small samples. Each of the four studies is unique in their sampling methods, selection of participants and generalization of the results.
Outline:
Abstract
Applications Exercise
Client Treatment Outcomes
An Examination of Racial Profiling in a Large Metropolitan Area
Trafficking of Eastern European Women: An Ethnographic Analysis
Rekindling Police Burnout: Implications for the Motivation and Retention of Personnel
From the Paper "The researcher in this study started with the opinion that the well known and accepted benefits of physical fitness will be beneficial to the treatment and subsequent reduction of recidivism of drug offenders in the Orange County, California Drug Court. The researcher chose the samples were from the portion of the available population (availability sampling) that was allowed to participate, as opposed to a random gathering of samples, or any scientific method. From this population of approximately 150, and of those involved in the criminal justice system that the presiding Judges wished to allow the defendants to participate, pared the available population down to a very small number (Thompson, 2006, p.88). Because of ethical and financial concerns, the researcher and the Judge could not compel or otherwise mandate participation in the program, thus volunteers were solicited through court sponsored incentives. In the end, it was a matter of taking anybody that was eligible, and the extremely low participation level was the manifestation of this "who can I get?" sampling method. The participation from the available population of nearly 150 was 5, and then only 2 completed the fitness program (Thompson, 2006, p.99)."
This paper discusses the rather narrow issue of whether a judge has the authority to order employees of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner to freeze laboratory testing on forensic DNA samples before the samples are consumed by testing.
1,525 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 20 sources, 2000, $ 50.95
Abstract This paper discusses the rather narrow issue of whether a judge has the authority to order employees of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner to freeze laboratory testing on forensic DNA samples before the samples are consumed by testing. The paper discusses issues of state and federal evidence law, and briefly discusses DNA testing and how it is performed in New York City criminal investigations. The following are the sections of the paper, which is six pages long and cites to twenty different sources:
Question Presented
Short Answer
Discussion
State and Local Law
Federal and State Law
Conclusion
Tags: crime, criminal, law, new, research, science, york, judge, ocme
Abstract This paper gives a sample systems plan for a fitness center that wishes to improve its information and communications technology by purchasing hardware and software. The purpose of the plan is to enable The Fitness Center to obtain competitive advantage over other fitness clubs by providing a system to help members plan a fitness program to meet their particular needs. Specific jobs and teams are described as part of the plan, as are the various stages of implementation. The paper also includes a list of system development guidelines that are to be followed during the project. The paper concludes by mentioning that the plan has support from the staff at The Fitness Center and they intend to let the public know about the new system.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose and Goal of the Fitness Center Information System
Roles and Responsibilities of the Fitness Center Information System
Roles and Responsibilities of the PMO and Project Team
Project Team Leader
Senior Developers
Developers
Quality Assurance Analyst
Database Administrator
Other Roles
Systems Development Methodology
The Fitness Center Information System (TFCIS) Project Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Systems Investigation
Systems Analysis and Design
Systems Construction and Development
Systems Implementation, Review and Maintenance Schedule
Milestones and Activities
Systems Development Guidelines
Conclusion
Marketing Activities and Future Plans
From the Paper "In line with TFCIS Project, the management decided to create a Project Management Office (PMO) to be headed by the Director of Marketing acting as the Project Sponsor and he will assign one of his supervisors to act as the Project Manager. The roles and responsibilities of the PMO is to "provide project management support functions and is responsible for the direct management (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2004)" of the TFCIS Project. The Fitness Center hired the services of one of the city's top software development companies and the software development company directly reports to the PMO. To ensure understanding of roles, responsibilities and deliverables, the following are the software development company's Project Team's duties, responsibilities and deliverables...."
Tags: systems, administration, computers, fitness, center
Abstract This research proposal suggests the conduction of a quantitative research study through clustersampling, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of the state of Texas, specifically related to testing correlation between the factors of the adult abuser of cocaine and violent crimes in the area. The literature review in this work provides an overview of the drug trade environment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as statistical data for factors in the cocaine drug business and the lives of those who abuse cocaine in that area. Recommendations of this study are that more research should be conducted relating to the links between violent crimes and adult cocaine abuse in Dallas-Fort-Worth Texas.
Outline:
Abstract
Objective
I. Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Purpose of the Study
Rationale
Significance of the Study
Study Variables
Definition of Terms
Assumptions and Limitations
II. Literature Review
Precise Pharmacology of Cocaine as Related to Violence
Review of the Literature of this Study
Summary of Literature
III. Methodology
Population and Sampling Gathering of Data
Instruments to be Used in the Gathering of Data
Data Analysis
Statement of Consent of Permission
Recommendations
Appendixes
Bibliography
From the Paper "AADAC reports in Developments Vol. 18 Issue 9 Cocaine that: "Over the last 10 years, AADAC has seen a gradual, steady rise in the proportion of clients who name cocaine as their primary drug of concern. In 1997-98, over 3,600 AADAC clients (11.1%) said cocaine was the drug they used most frequently during the previous year." (Developments, 1999) The AADAC reports that: "Cocaine is a fast-acting drug with effects of short duration. It has a half-time for elimination of about one hour (the body has lost half of it an hour after administration). While most drugs are broken down by the liver, cocaine is broken down in the blood. Breakdown by the liver happens gradually: only about 15% of the blood passes through the liver each time the heart beats, thus the remainder of the blood still carries the unmetabolized drug. In contrast, breakdown in the blood happens constantly. This means that cocaine is quickly converted to an inactive form." (Developments, 1999)"
Abstract This study examines the use of advanced techniques of data clustering in algorithms that employ abstract categories for the pattern matching and pattern recognition procedures used in data mining searches of web documents. The paper discusses the significance and purpose of the study. The author gives exact methodology, organization and statistical results of the study. It also evaluates implementation of data clustering for web based searches and its feasibility.
Table of Contents
Background of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Definitions
Overview of the Methodology
Organization of the Study
Purpose of the Study
Background and a Review of Literature
Alternative Solutions
Feasibility Tests
Evaluation and Implementation
References
From the Paper "Documents are commonly represented as vector space models. In this model, each document is represented by a point in the space that roughly corresponds with the union of the primary words in the document. The process includes filtering out common words (such as pronouns and conjunctions), ignoring words that are unique to the document, and words are stemmed in order to reduce them to canonical form. Once this is done , the document can be expressed in the form of vectors, and then those vectors can be used to plot a pint in virtual space that represents that specific document. The words of the document are also weighted; without this provision, the more commonly a word appears in a document, the more important it is considered (which is often not really the case). Conversely, words that appear infrequently in a document are considered discriminatory- they serve as a distinguishing feature for the document in question.[10]"
Abstract This paper discusses an intrusion detection algorithm for analyzing university web server log files. It also discusses integrating hierarchical clustering with other algorithms for an intrusion detection system. The paper proposes to use hierarchical clustering as the main back bone of the intrusion detection system and then incorporating other algorithms like statistics and support vector machines (SVM) as needed.
From the Paper "The initial plan was to use the user signatures method by Seth Freeman or the Traffic Classification technique but the first method seems more suited to an OS than for web server log files and the second seems a lot more complicated and also requires a destination IP, which is not readily available from our log files. I started out by writing a statistics based algorithm but then added hierarchical clustering based on instructor feedback. Eventually I settled on this paper based on hierarchical clustering with other methods as backup although I still like the statistics approach."
This paper is a research proposal to study quantitatively the relationship between computer technology in the home of high school students and their resulting achievements in school grades and test scores.
Abstract This paper explains that the research will consist of a survey in which the student will be asked questions such as the hours the students sleeps each night and how much time in terms of hours per day is spent by the student at the computer. The author points out that cluster analysis is an interpretive quantitative process seeking relationships within the data set. The paper relates that the literature review indicated that teachers in many counties are beginning to use instructional computer technology (ICT) to help change classroom teaching and learning and are integrating technology into the curriculum. The questionnaire and an example of the data sheet are included.
Table of Contents
Objective
Background to the Study
Methodology
Expected Outcome
Limitations
Literature Review
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Lives of today's high school students are very much different from that of high school students a mere decade ago. The present age is referred to as the "Technological Age" because of the many new technologies such as computers, networks, hand-held computing devices as well as the Internet which permeate life in the millennium. Computer technology has expanded and daily a new creation or discovery replaces last weeks hot new item on the technological market. The use of computer technology is at an all-time high among high school students who are playing video games, chatting on instant messages, surfing the Web, emailing one another, watching DVD movies, listening to music CD's and the list goes on. The availability of computer technology in the home is becoming an accepted norm and those in high school are spending more time working with and are more familiar with up-to-date computer technology than any generation before."
Abstract This paper explains that prostate cancer is the most frequent non-dermatological cancer in men in the United States and it is second to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The author points out that, as with other cancers such as breast and colon cancer, which have a familial clustering pattern; prostate cancer cases are believed to be due to a high risk of inherited genetic factors or perhaps even a susceptibility gene. The paper relates that increasing incidence of prostate cancer may be due to better detection, greater awareness on the part of the public of the condition and perhaps even a greater life expectancy with a decrease in the number of competing causes of death rather than a true increase in the prevalence of prostate cancer on the whole.
From the Paper "It is interesting to note that maternal cancers also seem to have an affect on the risk of prostate cancers. It is felt that risk of prostate cancer is higher in men with a family history of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in a primary relative. This was only reported out in two studies, however, and other studies failed to find any association between family history of female breast cancer and greater risk of prostate cancer. This perhaps may be explained by the questionable increase in prostate cancer in men with BRCA 1 / 2 mutations in the setting of a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. "
