This paper identifies the types of data and variables contained in the research by Eric Lambert and Nancy Hogan entitled 'Possible Antecedents of CorrectionalStaffWork on Family Conflict'.
Abstract This paper explores an article that presents the exploratory research by Lambert and Hogan entitled 'Possible Antecedents of CorrectionalStaffWork on Family Conflict' and reported in a 2006 "Professional Issues in Criminal Justice: A Professional Journal". The author points out that the nominal level of measurement was the control variables labeled "Personal Characteristics", such as gender, age and position. The paper reports that the measures of the variables, other than those of the personal characteristics, were on a sliding scale, which could not be interpreted as ordinal data or variables. The author reports that the independent variables were the level of job danger, role ambiguity, role conflict, instrumental communication (performance feedback), integration, input to decision-making, supervision, job variety and organizational fairness; the dependent variable of work on family conflict was rated at several different levels.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Nominal Data / Nominal Variables
Ordinal Data / Ordinal Variables
Interval Data / Interval Variables
Ratio Data / Ratio Level Variables
Methodology of Research
Proposed Version of Similar Research
From the Paper "The goal of yielding a bounty of ratio data would require an expansion of the dependent variable on the survey. In the present research, work on home conflict was limited to nine items varying from time conflict to strain or harm to family life. The researchers determined that only five of the independent variables had a statistically significant influence upon work on home conflict If it is desired to obtain more ratio data, then a new survey should be prepared emphasizing the five areas most likely to antecede work on home conflict and of those items rate the level of each area of work on home conflict established by the first survey."
Abstract The paper reviews a study done on one mid-western correctional facility that explored the possible antecedents of correctionalstaffwork on family conflict. The paper examines the measures of validity and reliability, as well as proposed changes in methodology for increased validity and reliability. The paper also looks at methodology for the reliability of future studies.
Outline:
Part 1: Validity and Reliability in General
Face Validity
Content Validity
Criterion Validity
Predictive Validity
Construct Validity
Alternate-Forms Reliability
Inter-observer Reliability
Inter-item Reliability
Part 2: Improvements in Reliability and Validity
Replication of the Study
From the Paper "Self reporting studies are inherently, unless carefully crafted, in the areas of validity and reliability. When reviewing validity, the three measurement areas of idiosyncratic individual errors, generic individual errors, and method factors are all difficult to overcome in self reported studies. The perception of self and of surroundings can be as varied as the individuals self reporting the results to the researchers. Further, the motivation to be completely accurate and candid with the researchers is not evident, especially in this case where the researchers were paying for the results. The researchers chose to study only one correctional facility, and of the 450 possible respondents, received only 275 responses. (Lambert & Hogan, 2006, p.21) These factors lead to the low levels of validity and reliability further explored below."
Abstract This paper discusses the difficulties when working in a correctional institution. Correctional officers are in daily contact with murders, rapists and other violent offenders. It is often necessary for such facilities to expand, or to bring in more inmates, simply because of the nature of today's society. The paper reports that these needs put increased pressure on an already strained support system. Correctional officers are often underpaid and turnover can be high in correctional facilities. Desert View Modified Community Correctional Institute has such a need to expand; however, the high rate of turnover among the correctional officers, in conjunction with the difficulty in hiring new officers, makes it difficult to maintain the staff needed for such an expansion. Such difficulty would make an expansion difficult and unsafe for the community.
Abstract In this article the writer notes that the issue of staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct remains a prevalent problem within the United States correctional system. The writer points out that there is a vast amount of research on the topic that has triggered the passage of new laws as well as placed a greater focus on the need for correctional facility officials and the Department of Justice to take actions to put an end to the abuse. The writer offers solutions to this increasing problem. The writer concludes that it appears that correctional administration and prison staff clearly have their work cut out for them if they want to achieve a safer and fairer modern correctional system.
From the Paper "Although somewhat recognized as a problem, sexual abuse within the prison system did not seem to occur as frequently as the later research tends to reveal. For example, by the early 1980s, it became increasingly noticeable that sexual abuse by those in a supervisory type position tended to be strategic, and that such formulations implied the presence of cognitive processes that allow offenders to simultaneously overcome their own inhibitions and the resistance of the victim. Ferund was among the first to explicitly acknowledge the role of cognition in explaining sexual abuse. He argued that sexual offenders had to overcome both internal and external inhibitions as well as the resistance of the victim in order for abuse to occur. According to his research, these offenders had to find a way to avoid taking responsibility for or to deny the harmfulness of behaviors that they would otherwise recognize as abusive. In general, researchers theorized that prison guards idealized the fact that they were in control over an unworthy population, and that such cruel treatment as sexual abuse was deserved by this population."
Abstract The paper attempts to pinpoint the reasons for staff absenteeism in the prison system. The paper presents a study that uses a survey of correctionsstaff in a major prison facility. The paper discusses how solving the abstenteeism problem will help to improve the health, safety and well-being of staff members as well as inmates.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Literature Review Methodology
Glossary of Terms
From the Paper "Absenteeism in the correctional system reduces the efficiency of the organization. It can also be costly as well. The problems associated with absenteeism in prisons are exacerbated by rapidly rising prison populations (Dolovich, 2005). . In 1975, there were approximately 226,000 inmates in prisons across the United States (Cettinger, 1976 in Dolovich, 2005) By 1984, the population had risen to 740,000 (Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Ctr., 2004). By 2003, the prisoner population in the United States was over 2.1 million (Harrison and Beck, 2004). This dramatic rise in prison populations places the entire system under strain. Absenteeism significantly adds to this problem as staff struggle to take up the slack for those that are not at work."
Abstract This paper reviews "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen, presenting an American family that is disintegrating in the face of disease, dementia, economic disruption and age. The paper explains that in this novel, it is not so much that the family does not work as a social unit but that the members of this family are all unhappy for one reason or another and are facing major changes in their lives, in some cases expected changes, in others unexpected and unwanted changes.
From the Paper "Jonathan Franzen's novel "The Corrections" presents an American family that is disintegrating in the face of disease, dementia, economic disruption, and age. More and more, novelists and others write about the American family as if it were necessary always to add the word "dysfunctional" as an adjective. In this novel, it is not so much that the family does not work as a social unit but that the members of this family are all unhappy for one reason or another and are facing major changes in their lives, in some cases expected changes, in others unexpected and unwanted changes. The father is losing his mind because of Parkinson's disease; the oldest son is clinically depressed; the next oldest is failing in his professional life; the younger daughter is having an affair, perhaps; and the mother watches all this happening as she seeks ways to amuse herself after a long life giving ..."
Abstract This paper presents two different book reviews on the Gregory Starrett book "Putting Islam to Work." The first focuses on the educational system in Egypt and its integration of Islam in to the curriculum; the second looks at the role of Islam as an agent of social engineering in Egypt.
From the Paper "According to Gregory Starrett author of 'Putting Islam to Work', Western observers are incorrect when they maintain that Egypt is an example of a secular government in a Muslim nation. Starrett maintains that Islam is central to the government's..."
Tags: book review, Putting Islam to Work, Gregory Starrett
Abstract This paper reviews the book 'Contingent Work, Disrupted Lives: Labour and Community in the New Rural Economy' by Winston & Leach. According to this paper, Winston & Leach discuss how rural communities in Canada have been affected by globalization.
From the Paper Winston's & Leach's (2002) 'Contingent Work, Disrupted Lives: Labour and Community in the New Rural Economy' is an investigation of the impact of globalization on a number of Canadian rural communities involved in manufacturing. The main research question was: What are the effects of restructuring on residents of those communities? It was determined that the people experienced substantial disruption and instability? Essentially, the book is an exploration of "the interaction of the new economy and the new technology in the everyday lives of everyday people" (Winston & Leach, 2002, p. 3). "
Abstract This paper examines the book "Working in a 24/7 Economy: Challenges for the American Family." by H. Presser. It looks at how the book offers a glimpse into a little publicized view of what life is really like for the majority of women and their children in this country who struggle on a daily basis to adapt to a 24/7schedule.
From the Paper "The American family was once viewed from the standpoint that it was constructed of the husband, wife and two children, one of each gender. The male worked outside of the home and earned all of the monies necessary for the family's survival, while the woman worked in the home. On television programs of the 50's that woman accomplished housework, reared children and met all of her husband's need wearing heels and a dress. This was a society that was picturesque, but that did not reflect the changing philosophies that were impacting real life people in the social order. Presser (2005) makes this fact quite clear when she discusses the evolution of the family and the working woman in modern culture. "
Tags: family, single, mother, children, shift, work, household
A review if incompatibilities among staff in the private and non-profit education program, with specific reference to the Montessori school for the deaf.
Abstract The paper states that in recent developments, there have been significant incompatibilities among staff in the private and non-profit education program. The paper states that in addition, there has been much indecision regarding the efficacy of such programs, particularly among staff and parents working with special needs populations. The paper states that the purpose of this research study is to analyze incompatibilities among staff. The paper concludes that results of this investigation suggest that a mediator or more effective protocol should be provided in order to facilitate improved rapport among the staff.
Outline:
Introduction
Additional Information
Annotated Outline
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Aside from the inside-out change, the staff plays an important role in merging the constant changes. Smith stated, "One major consideration then in developing the Continuous Curriculum Review project was the need to ensure that data collected would be acted on." As roots are continually planted, staff continually update new ideas, issues, and problems to the Associate Director. The data collected widely influences how soon the administrators will act upon new ideas, depending on the mitigating factors and complexity of the situation. Challenges would be found in the area of "Quality Reform" (Peterson, 1997), due to the fact that the program is private/non-profit. In the aspect of Threat of Substitute Services, the training options are usually ongoing. In the area of quality reform, it can take as long as two years to complete the required Montessori training. In terms of incompatibility among staff, the Hardy article accurately reflected the genre-related issue as I had hoped for my research on Montessori School for the Deaf (MSD). The genre of issues within the Montessori School for the Deaf would fall in the "Formal Ethical Guidelines: Codes and Policies" (p. 390). MSD faced an issue relating to being betrayed by their own staff when MSD was reported to the OSHA, and the staff did not follow proper protocol of reporting child abuse as dictated by the Director/Founder. The Director/Founder insisted that all staff first make informal reports of observation of child abuse to the teacher. If the reporter is not satisfied with the teacher's action, then the reporter has to follow the chain of command by going forward to the next person, which is the Associate Director. The Director/Founder discourages the last action to skip the chain of command by reporting to the toll free child abuse hotline."
Abstract The following issues along with the statistical facts and figures are discussed in this paper: Women Working In Law Enforcement, Women Working in the Courts, Women Employed in Adult Corrections, Women Working in Juvenile Corrections, Gender Bias: The Glass Ceiling and Organizational Culture, Organizational Culture Survey, Gender-Neutral Employment, Females as Correctional Officers, Proven affects of Female Employment in Criminal Justice.
From the Paper "For more than 80 years, in the United States, women have been engaged in police work, where their concerns of considering the participation in law enforcement and career advancement had remained stable for almost sixty years. However, it was not until the 1960s, when legislation and judicial participation started in backing women's demands for equality, perform their duties and the responsibilities then began to expand (exhibit 4-2). It was since then, that the opportunities for women in policing improved. However, female police officers still continue to make slow progress in regard to their ranks."
This paper is a formal research proposal for a behavioral study of inmates, both currently enrolled and past participants in a Corrective Thinking Rehabilitation program.
Abstract This paper presents the literature review and a formal research proposal for a study to determine if a Corrective Thinking Program in the Community Correctional Center positively affects behavior, education, life style and recidivism rates in inmates who undertake this training for six months. This paper examines a new model, Corrective Thinking Curriculum, being tested to help inmates at one correctional center break down their destructive ways of behaving. This paper discusses that the central tenet of this model is classical conditioning models of learning.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review Statement of Problem
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Need
Statement of Assumptions
Statement of Limitations
Methodology
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Correction center officials are often reluctant to allow inmates any discretion; while this is understandable on many levels, it also is, in general, counterproductive at least with the majority of inmates. If inmates are never given the chance to receive positive reinforcement for their behavior, it is unlikely, in the extreme, that their behavior will change before they are released. The Corrective Thinking Curriculum is designed to change this self-defeating cycle."
Abstract This paper presents an in-depth review of literature looking at the effects and causes of stress among correctional officers. The paper examines literature discussing the theories of stress and burnout, stress among correctional officers, effects of stress on correctional officers, job satisfaction and turnover among correctional officers.
From the Paper "Specifically, this chapter will include theories of stress and burnout, stress among correctional officers, effects of stress on correctional officers, job satisfaction and turnover among correctional officers and a summary of the chapter. Job related stress has been associated with a vast array of physical diseases and psychological disorders and has been..."
Abstract This paper is a case study addressing the problems existing between the John Highfield Company and the Human Resources Strategies branch.The paper discusses the problems of job satisfaction, the opportunities to progress and advancement within the company. The paper comments on the interrelationship problems that occur between staff at a supervisory level and staffworking at subordinate levels. The paper further highlights the interpersonal skills or lack thereof that is responsible for many of the problems of staff dissatisfaction. The paper concludes that in a dysfunctional organization it is probable that the organization will record a high staff turnover due to the absence of staff motivation.
From the Paper "Assessing the situation within the John Highfield Company's Furniture and Appliances department, it is immediately evident that Mr. Broadbent's abysmal interpersonal skills are contributing mightily the problems confronting the department. According to our course notes, one common hypothesis among those who study organizational behavior is that "satisfaction causes performance"; in short, a considerate, humane management style will foster job satisfaction and this will, in turn, spark increased performance among subordinates. Broadbent's management style is clearly not benevolent or engaging and several of those under his supervision are actively weighing a career change. Worse yet, they have ceased to care deeply about the company's well-being, and are calling in sick at a conspicuously high rate. Even more damaging still for the John Highland Company, four of the ten employees (veteran employees with plenty of knowledge) are going to quit at the same time - right before the Christmas season when they are needed the most. Suffice it to say, the department could be looking at a catastrophic state of affairs that could have been avoided if Mr. Broadbent had leavened his management style with a considerate approach. Instead, he has permitted the organizational culture within his department to deteriorate to the point where his own termination is now a distinct possibility. "
Abstract This paper relates that nurses face more than intense political, economic and stress related events in their working environments. Today's healthcare professionals also are at risk for physical injury, institutionally contracted disease and disability associated with their employment and commitment to patient care. The author examines primary and secondary evidence and concludes that stress, physical risks, poor rewards, violence and lack of communications are the leading factors pushing nurses to other professions. The paper suggests that these problems can be rectified with networking, fair wages, safety training, continued education and the continued validation and support of nursing staff in hospitals and nursing facilities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review The Emotional and Political Environment
Physical Dynamics of Nurse's Working Environments
Disease Risk
Physical Injury
Improving the Working Environment for Nurses
Physical Risks
Political Dynamics
Psychological Factors
Management Techniques
Discussion and Conclusions
From the Paper "Frings (2001) believes that networking among employees, management, and the community is the key to reducing stress. By providing extra resources and reducing pressure in employees and clearly recognizing the stress of workers today's healthcare organizations can create a positive working environment that promotes commitment. However, it appears that it is the basic shortage of workers that creates stress and burnout and as Raske (2002) puts it nothing is going to improve until today's healthcare facilities are willing to spend the funds necessary to hire sufficient staff and create a positive working environment."
