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Graduate Comprehensive Examination Question Examples |
SPRING 2007
Read the following excerpt and respond to the directions below.
According to OJJDP, juveniles accounted for 15.0% of all arrests for Violent Crime Index offenses in 2001. Likewise, juveniles accounted for approximately 30.0% of all Property Crime Index offenses in the U.S. In WV, slightly greater than twenty percent (21.3%) of all Property Crime Index arrests involved juveniles in 2002. Aside from runaway and curfew violations where juveniles account for nearly 100.0% of the arrests, motor vehicle theft (28.0%) involved the highest proportion of juveniles in WV. Juveniles account for just over twenty percent of all arrests for vandalism (22.3%), larceny-theft (21.5%), and arson (20.8%)….Juveniles accounted for less than 10.0% of arrests for violent offenses in 2002, including weapons violations. Of the 8 offenses in which juveniles constitute less than 10.0% of all arrests, 6 can be easily characterized as violent. These include forcible rape (8.8%), robbery (7.4%), murder (7.1%), other assaults (5.7%), other sex offenses (5.5%), and aggravated assault (5.4%). Only 8.6% of all weapons violations involved juveniles in 2002….Less than 5.0% of all arrests for embezzlement, disorderly conduct, fraud, kidnapping, forgery, DUI, drunkenness, and bad checks also involved juveniles in 2002. (Turley & Haas, 2004, p. 2)
Even though juvenile crimes have declined and the proportion of juvenile arrests in West Virginia is lower than the national average, Governor Manchin has asked you, the criminological expert, to explain juvenile delinquency in our home state. More specifically, select a theory from the rational choice (or new classical theories as Dr. Dameron calls them) or the labeling perspective. Explain this theory in detail (i.e., provide explanations of the theory’s basic idea, views on human nature, the law, society and social order, and causal logic). Be sure to place your answer in context by addressing the governor. Last, include policy implications (based on the theory you choose), which will aide in a continued reduction of juvenile arrests in our state.
Reference:Turley, E., & Haas, S. (2004, July) WV Juvenile Arrest Report: 2000-2002. Charleston, WV: Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. Available online at www.wvdcjs.com/statsanalysis.
FALL 2007
In the twenty-first century, women are prostitutes for many different reasons, which are similar to the reasons women became prostitutes in the Victorian age. Some prostitute’s explanation for becoming involved in this criminal profession include having a history of sexual abuse, having grown up without love from the significant adults in their lives, being enticed by a male or female friend, being peer pressured from a group of friends, drug addiction, and/or needing money. To date, laws which prohibit prostitution generally focus on criminalizing the act of the prostitute (often a female) as opposed to the customer (often a male).
The mayor of the city of Huntington has asked you, the criminological expert, to explain the crime of prostitution. More specifically you need to use the feminist perspective or the labeling perspective (i.e., provide explanations of the perspective’s basic idea, views on human nature, the law, society and social order, and causal logic). Be sure to place your answer in context by addressing the mayor and applying the theoretical perspective to the situation in Huntington, WV. Last, include perspective-specific policy implications (based on the theory you choose) for combating prostitution.
SPRING 2008
Directions: Read the following news article from the Herald Dispatch and respond to the statements below.
Cardholders not liable for charges in scam
March 12, 2008
By Ben Fields
HURRICANE -- Recent allegations that a Putnam County restaurant used customers' credit card numbers for purchases may have more area residents checking their bank statements, but the state Attorney General's Office said there isn't a need for panic. Specifically, Deputy Attorney General Jill Miles debunked advisories from some law enforcement agencies and media outlets for customers to only use cash when dining out. "I question that advice," she said. "The most a customer could be liable for is $50, even if they don't report the card lost or stolen, and a lot of times the credit companies don't even charge you that." The concern arose after customers of Hurricane Mexican eatery Mi Pueblito alleged someone at the restaurant had been using their credit cards to make purchases in areas as far away as Mexico City.
Hurricane police told reporters that they have had complaints from multiple customers, adding up to about $30,000 in alleged fraudulent charges. Miles said someone at the restaurant probably simply wrote the card numbers down and then used them online or over the telephone. "There is also a device known as a skimmer that allows someone to run a card through this machine that stores all of the information," Miles said. "My guess is that was probably not what they were doing in this case." Miles said if questionable charges appear on a card, it is up to the creditor to validate those charges. "If you see an unauthorized charge, you should notify the credit bureau," she said. "They then contact the creditor, and the creditor has to show that the charge was authorized." While customers aren't liable for charges, that doesn't mean they shouldn't keep an eye on bank and credit statements. Miles said credit theft is becoming ever more common in West Virginia. "Last year, I would say probably the number one complaint we received had to do with credit," she said. "It's becoming a very hot issue."
Given your expertise as a theoretical criminologist, address the crime of credit card fraud by explaining what caused or allowed the offender(s) to commit this crime. Specifically, choose ONE of the following theories: neutralization, rational choice, or self control. (1) First, explain the theory entirely. (2) Second, apply the theory to the story above and then (3) describe the related policy implications.
FALL 2008
Directions: Read the following news article and respond to the questions below.
As economy sinks, officials fear violent solutions
(AP) -- An out-of-work money manager in California loses a fortune and wipes out his family in a murder-suicide. A 90-year-old Ohio widow shoots herself in the chest as authorities arrive to evict her from the modest house she called home for 38 years. In Massachusetts, a housewife who had hidden her family's mounting financial crisis from her husband sends a note to the mortgage company warning: "By the time you foreclose on my house, I'll be dead." Then Carlene Balderrama shot herself to death, leaving an insurance policy and a suicide note on a table. Across the country, authorities are becoming concerned that the nation's financial woes could turn increasingly violent, and they are urging people to get help. In some places, mental-health hot lines are jammed, counseling services are in high demand and domestic-violence shelters are full. "I've had a number of people say that this is the thing most reminiscent of 9/11 that's happened here since then," said the Rev. Canon Ann Malonee, vicar at Trinity Church in the heart of New York's financial district. "It's that sense of having the rug pulled out from under them." With nowhere else to turn, many people are calling suicide-prevention hot lines. The Samaritans of New York have seen calls rise more than 16 percent in the past year, many of them money-related. The Switchboard of Miami has recorded more than 500 foreclosure-related calls this year. "A lot of people are telling us they are losing everything. They're losing their homes, they're going into foreclosure, they've lost their jobs," said Virginia Cervasio, executive director of a suicide resource enter in southwest Florida's Lee County……"The financial stress builds up to the point the person feels they can't go on, and the person believes their family is better off dead than left without a financial support," said Kristen Rand, legislative director of the Washington D.C.-based Violence Policy Center. Dr. Edward Charlesworth, a clinical psychologist in Houston, Texas, said the current crisis is breeding a sense of chronic anxiety among people who feel helpless and panic-stricken, as well as angry that their government has let them down. "They feel like in this great society that we live in we should have more protection for the individuals rather than just the corporation," he said. It's not yet clear there is a statistical link between suicides and the financial downturn since there is generally a two-year lag in national suicide figures. But historically, suicides increase in times of economic hardship. And the current financial crisis is already being called the worst since the Great Depression. Counselors at Catholic Charities USA report seeing a "significant increase" in the need for housing counseling.
Given your expertise as a theoretical
criminologist, address the crime of suicide and/or murder-suicide by choosing
ONE of the following theories: anomie/strain, conflict (group or economic),
and/or Marxist. (1) First, explain the theory entirely. (2) Second, apply the
theory to the news article above, and then (3) describe the related policy
implications.
SPRING 2009
The mayor of the city of
Huntington has asked you, the criminological expert, to explain how best to
address the crime of prostitution and some of the reasons why prostitution
exists. Note that women are often criminalized for prostitution, more so than
men who seek prostitutes.
First, select two specific theories, one each from two of the following
schools/paradigms: strain/anomie, conflict, or labeling (be sure to select your
theories from different schools).
As a criminology expert, you have
been asked to investigate cybercrime.
As you begin to develop your research project, you will need to explain the
theoretical foundation for which your study is based upon.
First, select ONE theory from one of
the following schools/paradigms: rational choice, strain/anomie, or learning. Be
sure to explicitly state the theorist’s name as well as the specific
name of the theory.
Second, describe the theory, and especially, define the
key concepts and/or propositions. After defining the key components of the
theory, explain in general how the theory works or explains criminal behavior.
Third, apply the theory to
cybercrime and suggest specific policy implications for combating it.
SPRING 2010
As a criminology expert, you have
been asked to investigate sex offenders. As you begin to develop your research
project, you will need to explain the theoretical foundation for which your
study is based upon.
Second, describe the theory, and especially, define the key
concepts and/or propositions. After defining the key components of the theory,
explain in general how the theory works or explains the criminal behavior.
FALL 2010
First, select ONE theory from one of the
following schools/paradigms: Social
Control School; Psychological School; or the Differential Association/Learning.
Be sure to state explicitly the theorist’s name as well as the
specific name of the theory.
As a criminology expert, you
have been asked to investigate drug laws. As you begin to develop your research project, you will
need to explain the theoretical foundation on which your study is based.
First,
select ONE theory from one of the following schools/paradigms:
Classical/Neoclassical; Labeling; or
Conflict/Radical. Be sure to
explicitly state the theorist’s name as well as the specific name of
the theory.
Second, describe the theory,
and especially, define the key concepts and/or propositions. After
defining the key components of the theory, explain in general how the theory
works or explains the drug laws and/or how they are violated.
Third,
apply the theory to drug laws and
suggest specific policy implications for combating this crime.
Fall 2011
As a criminology expert, you have been asked to investigate
elder abuse. As you begin to develop your research project, you will
need to explain the theoretical foundation for which your study is based upon.
SPRING 2007
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and erects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.” Explain, then, how the Exclusionary Rule works. Since exclusion of evidence unconstitutionally seized is not included in the Fourth Amendment, how was the Exclusionary Rule created, and by whom? What is its purpose? When does the Exclusionary Rule apply? When does it not apply? Are there exceptions to the Exclusionary Rule? If so, name and describe those exceptions. What is the mechanism for enforcing a defendant’s rights under the Exclusionary Rule?
FALL 2007
Eight convicted sex offenders have taken up residence under the Julia Tuttle Causeway, one of the bridges that lead to Miami’s South Beach, with the permission of authorities. The men have committed such crimes as sexual battery and molestation, many of the offenses against children. The eight men are required to be there every night from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Parole officers come by regularly to make sure the men are there every night.
An ordinance intended to keep predators away from children has made it nearly impossible for the men to find housing. Under the strict sexual predator law, offenders are required to live more than 2,500 feet from anywhere children congregate, and they are barred from leaving the county while on parole. The men have been unable to find housing they can afford where they can legally live.
If you were advising them, would you recommend they challenge the constitutionality of the ordinance? You should consider their right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment), their right to freedom of association (First Amendment), and their right to substantive due process (Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments). Then, consider the right of society to protect itself and its children from such offenders. Finally, compare this situation to other situations where courts have examined post-sentence sanctions for sex offenders.
SPRING 2008
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Explain when the Fourth Amendment applies to cases and how the Fourth Amendment is enforced. Specifically address what happens when police illegally obtain evidence. What remedy is available to the defendant? Are there exceptions to the remedy? If so, list and explain.
FALL 2008
Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court held, in Kennedy v. Louisiana, that the Eighth Amendment bars Louisiana from imposing the death penalty for the rape of a child where the crime did not result, and was not intended to result, in the victim’s death. Explain the protections of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. What arguments might the State of Louisiana have used to justify the death penalty for aggravated rape of a child? What arguments might the defendant in such a case use against the death penalty for aggravated rape of child? What factors would the Court consider in making such a decision?
SPRING 2009
Explain how a search and seizure issue will be analyzed in a
criminal case. How does the issue
come before the trial court? What
factors will the trial court consider in determining whether the evidence is
admissible? What is the remedy
available to defendants if the constitution has been violated?
By whom and why was the remedy developed?
Are there exceptions to the remedy?
If so, please list and briefly explain them.
FALL
2009
Please answer and discuss the following questions:
1.
What speech is protected by
the United States Constitution?
2.
What speech is NOT
protected by the United States Constitution?
3.
What is the source of
protection of speech within the United States Constitution?
4.
What areas of communication
can be regulated by statute?
5.
What areas of internet
communication can be regulated by statute?
6.
What language would you
recommend for the proposed statute and why?
7.
Could such a statute
potentially violate any other constitutional principles?
If so, what are those
principles?
SPRING 2010
States across the United
States have adopted sex offender registration and community notification laws.
Among other things, these laws require sex offenders to register with
local police and make information about registered sex offenders available to
the public online. Failure to
register under these laws is a criminal offense.
In addition, many states
have enacted sexually violent predator laws, providing for the civil commitment
of sexually violent predators. In
many cases, the civil commitment occurs after a sexually violent predator has
served a prison sentence for a sex crime and the commitment is indefinite (until
the offender is no longer a danger to society).
FALL 2010
School bullying takes
many forms, from words and taunts, to threats of violence, to hate speech, to
spreading malicious and untrue rumors.
Two recent cases of alleged cyberbullying have focused public attention
on the harmful results of this practice.
The recent
suicide of 18-year-old Rutgers University student, Tyler Clementi, has been
described as a case of cyberbullying gone too far.
Mr. Clementi is believed to have committed suicide by jumping from the
George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River after a videotape of Mr. Clementi
engaged in an intimate encounter was broadcast live on the Internet.
In an earlier case, 13-year-old Megan Meier committed suicide by hanging
after being cyber bullied by her friend’s mother, Lori Drew.
The National
Crime Prevention Council has reported that cyberbullying affects almost one half
of American teenagers. A 2004 survey
of 1,500 students between grades 4-8 by I-
Safe.Org reported that 42% of students had been bullied while online and 35% of
students had been threatened while online.
Numerous other students have concluded that cyberbullying is widespread
and negatively affects one-third to one-half of teenagers who use the Internet.
With your new
master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology, you have a new job working
for the West Virginia Legislature.
Since a great deal of cyberbullying consists of speech, members of the
legislature are concerned that any new law criminalizing cyberbullying will be
held unconstitutional as a restriction on protected speech.
You have been asked to address any First Amendment issues involved in
regulating cyberbullying.
Specifically, please address these issues:
(1) Can speech be
regulated?
(2) If so,
explain what types of speech can and cannot be regulated.
(3) Address what
types of regulation can be employed to address this serious issue.
(4) Address what
actual or potential* crime(s) were committed by the students who leaked the
Clementi video to the Internet.
(5) Address what
actual or potential* crime(s) Lori Drew committed.
*a potential crime is one that may not be enacted in West
Virginia, but that could be enacted and would not violate the Constitution in
some way.
SPRING 2011
The newly formed Drug and Violent Crimes
Task Force in the City of Dameron, State of Marshall, employed a confidential
informant to make an illegal drug purchase at the home of Don Juan. The
Task Force equipped the confidential informant with a hidden audio and video
recording device (a “body wire”). The Task Force did not obtain judicial
authorization to allow the confidential informant to use the electronic
surveillance device while inside Mr. Juan’s home.
On December 11, 2010, the confidential informant went to Mr. Juan’s home.
The confidential informant was invited into the home by Mr. Juan and his wife,
Dawn. Once inside the home, the confidential informant purchased 3.23
grams of marijuana. The electronic device worn by the confidential
informant recorded the drug purchase.
On March 22, 2011, a grand jury returned an indictment against Mr. Juan and his
wife, charging them with one count of delivery of a controlled substance and one
count of conspiring to deliver a controlled substance. Mr. Juan has filed
a motion to suppress the audio and video recording of the drug transaction,
asserting that his federal Constitutional and Statutory rights were violated.
Please respond to the following questions:
1.
How does one analyze a Fourth Amendment
case such as this to determine whether the Fourth Amendment applies or not?
2.
Does the Fourth Amendment apply in this
case? Why or why not?
3.
What statutory rights might have been
violated by the Task Force?
4.
Assuming that you represent Mr. Juan,
what argument will you make in support of your motion?
5.
Will Mr. Juan’s motion succeed?
Explain your answer.
As a new master of Criminal Justice and Criminology, you have
been asked to advise West Virginia’s governor about elder abuse.
The governor is specifically interested in the types of crimes committed
against elderly victims and why the elderly are uniquely vulnerable to crime
victimization. So, please answer
these questions for the governor.
The governor would like to propose legislation that would
appoint a “conservator” for every person over the age of 65 in West Virginia.
Each court appointed conservator would be responsible for:
·
monitoring income and
expenses for the elderly person, including the ability to take over the
financial activities of the elderly person;
·
making decisions about
whether the elderly person should be in a nursing home or assisted living
community; and
·
would have the power to
consent to medical treatment (or withholding medical treatment) for the elderly
person.
Please provide the governor with your reaction to this
proposed legislation and whether it would withstand Constitutional scrutiny and
why. Specifically address due
process issues that may be involved with the implementation of such a statute.
SPRING 2007
In the post 9/11 era, the United States government has taken several steps to ensure community interests over that of individual rights. One such step was the passage of the Patriot Act, which in part allows agents of the government (e.g., law enforcement) to suspend certain individual rights in the interests of protecting society from terrorism. The issue of the Patriot Act, and other similar legislation, is often divided along ideological lines (i.e., liberal politicians oppose such legislation and conservative politicians support such legislation). This being the case, one would expect to find the same relationship among the U.S. population. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.
A. Research Question
a) Provide a statement of your research question
b) State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c) List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B. Sampling Design
a) Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.
C. Data Collection Technique(s)
a) Describe the instrument to be used
b) Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)
D. Human Subject Protections
a) Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents
E. Measurement Quality
a) Describe the reliability and validity of the measures
F. Analysis Plan
a) Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
FALL 2007
The cycle of violence theory proposes that individuals who experience violence in their own pasts (e.g., domestic abuse, sexual abuse, history of family violence, etc.) may be likely to repeat a pattern of abuse in the form of domestic violence. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.
A. Research Question
a) Provide a statement of your research question
b) State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c) List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B. Sampling Design
a) Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.
C. Data Collection Technique(s)
a) Describe the instrument to be used
b) Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)
D. Human Subject Protections
a) Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents
E. Measurement Quality
a) Describe the reliability and validity of the measures
F. Analysis Plan
a) Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
SPRING 2008
The “get tough” laws of the 1970s and ‘80s included lengthier sentences that deemphasized rehabilitative goals in the pursuit of retributive punishment. As a result, billions of dollars were spent on building prisons. More prisons meant we could lock up more people. However, today, about 700,000 of these inmates are being released annually from state and federal prisons. Concurrently, a change in attitude about incarceration has taken place. Greater focus has been placed on “re-entry” programs to assist inmates in transitioning back into the community and more importantly to reduce recidivism.
In pursuit of this goal, West Virginia has designed the West Virginia Offender Reentry Initiative (WVORI) to provide a continuum of reentry services to offenders as they transition from prison to the community. The key assumption here is that successful reintegration will reduce recidivism. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.
A. Research Question
a) Provide a statement of your research question
b) State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c) List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B. Sampling Design
a) Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique.
C. Data Collection Technique(s)
a) Describe the instrument to be used
b) Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)
D. Human Subject Protections
a) Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents
E. Measurement Quality
a) Describe the reliability and validity of the measures
F. Analysis Plan
a) Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
FALL 2008
At one time or another, crime will touch most Americans or affect the lives of their relatives, friends, and acquaintances. What people do, where they go, and who they associate with can affect their likelihood of victimization (similar to the ideas expressed in routine activities and lifestyles theories). With the growing university student populations over the last few decades, campus criminal victimization has become a greater concern for university administrators and campus security. Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.
A. Research Question/Purpose
a) Provide a statement of your research question or purpose
b) State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c) List the conceptual definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B. Sampling Design
a) Identify the population, sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique to be used
C. Data Collection Technique(s)
a) Describe the instrument to be used
b) Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of measurement)
D. Human Subject Protections
a) Identify any issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents
E. Measurement Quality
a) Describe the reliability and validity of the measures
F. Analysis Plan
a) Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
SPRING 2009
As a recent Master’s graduate, you have just been hired by
the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) as a research associate. However, you
are on a temporary contract for six months. You have to prove your worth within
this time period to be hired on a permanent basis. Your new director tells you
that NIJ is specifically looking for research ideas within the current concerns
of racial profiling by police, gun violence, or prescription drug crimes in
rural communities. You must pick
one of these issues and
propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to implement in the next two
months.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering
the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated
in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to
correspond to the various subsections.
A.
Research Question/Purpose
a)
Provide a statement of your
research question or purpose
b)
State the hypothesis or
hypotheses to be tested
c)
List the conceptual
definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory,
clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population,
sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique to be used
C.
Data Collection
Technique(s)
a)
Describe the instrument to
be used
b)
Provide operational
definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement
for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of
measurement)
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify any issues related
to the use of human subjects/respondents
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability
and validity of the measures
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate
statistical tests to be used and why?
FALL 2009
The Department of Homeland Security has designated October of
each year as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year marked the sixth
annual event, and the theme was
“ ‘Our Shared Responsibility’ to reinforce the message that
all computer users, not just industry and government, have a responsibility to
practice good ‘cyber hygiene’ and to protect themselves and their families at
home, at work and at school.”
Cybercrime can take many different forms; however, identity
theft has now become a major concern for personal computer users.1 As
a research associate with the West Virginia Statistical Analysis Center, you
have been assigned the task of developing a research project to test the link
between
identity theft (via computers)
and
socioeconomic status. Your task
is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering
the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated
in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to
correspond to the various subsections.
A.
Research Question/Purpose
a)
Provide a statement of your
research question or purpose
b)
State the hypothesis or
hypotheses to be tested
c)
List the conceptual
definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory,
clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population,
sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique to be used
C.
Data Collection
Technique(s)
a)
Describe the instrument to
be used
b)
Provide operational
definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement
for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of
measurement)
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify any issues related
to the use of human subjects/respondents
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability
and validity of the measures
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate
statistical tests to be used and why?
1
Previously, identity theft typically was associated with check fraud, plastic
card fraud
(credit cards,
check cards, debit cards, phone cards etc.), immigration fraud, counterfeiting,
forgery, terrorism using false or stolen information, theft of various kinds
(pick pocketing, robbery, burglary or mugging to obtain the victim’s personal
information), postal fraud, and many others (Newman & McNally, 2005).
SPRING 2010
Data suggests that sex offenders are more likely to
recidivate than other types of offenders. Your task is to propose a
QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering
the question. Make sure that you have included all of the information indicated
in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to
correspond to the various subsections.
A.
Research Question/Purpose
a)
Provide a statement of your
research question or purpose
b)
State the hypothesis or
hypotheses to be tested
c)
List the conceptual
definitions of the key variables (if your research purpose is explanatory,
clearly identify your independent and dependent variables)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population,
sample, sampling frame, and sampling technique to be used
C.
Data Collection
Technique(s)
a)
Describe the instrument to
be used
b)
Provide operational
definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement
for each (be sure to provide a justification for using particular levels of
measurement)
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify any issues related
to the use of human subjects/respondents
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability
and validity of the measures
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate
statistical tests to be used and why?
FALL 2010
An
epidemic of school bullying events and subsequent suicides has been brought to
our attention over the past year. Previous research suggests that multiple
factors may explain school bullying, including more
males in the
schools,
lower levels of empathy, more authoritarian and violent families, higher levels
of community violence, better socio-economic conditions, and more beliefs
supporting aggression, just to name a few.
To coincide with their efforts to quell
this problem, you have been asked by the Board of Cabell County Schools to
develop a research project to specifically test the link between
school bullying and
empathy. Your task is to propose a
QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you
in answering the question. Make sure that you have included all of the
information indicated in the subsections in your answer. Be thorough and please
number your answers to correspond to the various subsections.
A.
Research Question/Purpose
a)
Provide a statement of the problem or research question
b)
State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c)
Write a formal conceptual definition for each of the key variables (if your
research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent
variables and define them accordingly)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population from which you will sample, the sampling frame, the
sample (include the sample size), and sampling technique to be used (i.e.,
describe the specific type of
probability
or non-probability sample you will use and how)
C.
Data Collection Technique(s)
a)
Describe briefly in one sentence, the method you will use (i.e., experiment,
survey, content analysis, etc.) and in another sentence, the instrument you will
use.
b)
Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the
level of measurement for each
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify ALL issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents and how you
will address them
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability and validity of the measures, namely the strengths and
weaknesses of your research and/or limitations
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
SPRING 2011
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center in a report titled, “West Virginia Drug Threat Assessment” (2003) it was
found that “the percentage of youths reporting
methamphetamine abuse in West Virginia is higher than the national percentage.
According to 1999 YRBS data, 14.3 percent of West Virginia high school students
surveyed reported having abused methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime,
compared with 9.1 percent nationwide.”
In West Virginia, it is illegal to
purchase more than three packages of a medicine in which pseudoephedrine,
ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine is the single active ingredient or more than
nine grams of pseudoephedrine in any form within a 30-day period. The law states
that sales must be limited to no more than 3.6 grams total of ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine daily per individual customer. This is the equivalent to 146 30
mg tablets or anything beyond three packages of 30 mg tablets. By law,
pharmacies keep logs of how much and by whom these drugs are being purchased.
To better understand this
phenomenon, the National Drug Intelligence Center has asked you to develop a
research project to specifically test the impact of
WV
pseudoephedrine drug laws
and
methamphetamine related drug crimes.
Your task is to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this
relationship.
A.
Research Question/Purpose
a)
Provide a statement of the
problem or research question
b)
State the hypothesis or
hypotheses to be tested
c)
Write a formal conceptual
definition for each of the key variables (if your research purpose is
explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent
variables and define them accordingly)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population
from which you will sample, the sampling frame, the sample (include the sample
size), and sampling technique to be used
(i.e., describe the specific type of probability or non-probability sample you
will use and how)
C.
Data Collection
Technique(s)
a)
Describe briefly in one
sentence, the method you will use (i.e., experiment, survey, content analysis,
etc.) and in another sentence, the instrument
you will use.
b)
Provide operational
definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the level of measurement
for each
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify ALL issues related
to the use of human subjects/respondents and how you will address them
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability
and validity of the measures, namely the strengths and weaknesses of your
research and/or limitations
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate
statistical tests to be used and why?
It is predicted that by 2020 there will be 65 million elderly Americans who will
make up 20% of the total U.S. population. In 2009, the Census Bureau reported
that elderly individuals comprised 12.9% of our total population, which when
translated equals 1 in every 8 individuals. In West Virginia, the demographic of
individuals 65 and older is even higher than the national average at 15.8%. With
the growing number of elderly, there is cause for concern of their treatment and
care as many of them become dependent on others through their golden years.
As a criminologist, the WV Bureau of Senior Services has asked you to develop a
research study about the factors that predispose a person to commit
elder abuse, namely
caregiver stress. You have agreed
to propose a QUANTITATIVE research design to test this relationship.
The subsections below are provided to guide you in answering the question. Make
sure that you have included all of the information indicated in the subsections
in your answer. Be thorough and please number your answers to correspond to the
various subsections.
a)
Provide a statement of the problem or research question
b)
State the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested
c)
Write a formal conceptual definition for each of the key variables (if your
research purpose is explanatory, clearly identify your independent and dependent
variables and define them accordingly)
B.
Sampling Design
a)
Identify the population from which you will sample, the sampling frame, the
sample (include the sample size), and sampling technique to be used (i.e.,
describe the specific type of probability or non-probability sample you will use
and how)
C.
Data Collection Technique(s)
a)
Describe briefly in one sentence, the method you will use (i.e., experiment,
survey, content analysis, etc.) and in another sentence, the instrument you will
use.
b)
Provide operational definitions of the key variables, as well as identify the
level of measurement for each
D.
Human Subject Protections
a)
Identify ALL issues related to the use of human subjects/respondents and how you
will address them
E.
Measurement Quality
a)
Describe the reliability and validity of the measures, namely the strengths and
weaknesses of your research and/or limitations
F.
Analysis Plan
a)
Explain the appropriate statistical tests to be used and why?
SPRING 2007
As a new master in Criminal Justice, the Governor has asked you to develop a new program designed to address drug related crime in West Virginia. Since you recall your Planning Class in Criminal Justice, you are well prepared to design such a plan. Your plan should outline your ideas in the following stages:
Analyze the problem
Set goals and objectives
Design the program
Develop an action plan
Develop a plan for monitoring program implementation
Develop a plan for evaluating outcomes
Initiate the program design
Recall that these are the stages contained in your Welsh and Harris textbook in Planning and address each stage as the text suggests.
FALL 2007
You have been appointed Commissioner of the Division of Corrections by the Governor of West Virginia. As Commissioner, your first priority is to decrease prison overcrowding. Describe one program you would select to accomplish this purpose. In your description, please be sure you provide the following information:
· A description of the project you have selected, specifically addressing how your project will accomplish your purpose (reducing prison population)
· Goals and objectives for your project
· Stakeholders who must be involved in developing this program
· A list of key personnel, including job descriptions
· A timeline for the project
· Where you will look for sources of funding for this project
· A budget summary
· Evaluation plan
SPRING 2008
As the newly appointed Funding Assistant to the Governor of West Virginia, you have been asked to create a plan for a Victim’s Assistance Academy for the State. An operating budget of $200,000 has been allocated for the first year of operation of the Academy. It is not anticipated that victim service providers will actually attend the Academy until the second year of operation. Your job is to create an effective statewide program that is responsive to the needs of crime victims. As part of your planning, you will want to provide the following information:
· A description of the project you have selected, specifically addressing how your project will accomplish your purpose (serving crime victims)
· Goals and objectives for your project
· Stakeholders who must be involved in developing this program
· A list of key personnel, including job descriptions
· A timeline for the project
· Where you will look for sources of funding for this project
· A budget summary
· Evaluation plan
Since the governor is a busy person, you will want to provide this information with an executive summary and in outline form.
FALL 2008
You have been assigned the task of developing a comprehensive program to address Violence Against Women in your community, Dameronville. For this task, $100,000 has been allocated to you by Dameronville. In a time of dwindling resources, it is necessary to “think outside the box” and identify underutilized resources and alternative funding sources for your project. Please read the following questions carefully and respond to them.
1. Who will your program serve?
2. What services will be provided?
3. Who will provide the services?
4. Where will your program be located?
5. Who will you need to hire?
6. What positions will hired personnel fill? (i.e., please provide a brief job description for each position)
7. How will your program be funded? Please provide concrete examples of where you will look for funding.
8. What will your budget include? Please provide a brief listing of budget categories and anticipated expenses for your program. If you anticipate additional funds beyond the initial allocation, please specify the source(s) of those funds.
How will you evaluate your program? Please address both process
and outcome evaluation, how you will set up data collection for purposes of
evaluation, and specifically what you will evaluate?
SPRING 2009
a.
Unreported-not
known to the police
b. Untreated- not known to medical personnel
2. Victim DOES NOT report to police BUT DOES seek treatment from medical personnel
3. Victim DOES report to police BUT DOES NOT seek treatment from medical personnel
4. Victim
DOES report to police AND DOES seek treatment from medical personnel
The state has just received grant funds to develop a program
to reach victims who may seek treatment for injuries related to sexual assaults
but who may not report their victimizations to law enforcement. The grant award
is for $1 million over 5 years (approximately $200,000 per year). The grant
requires an evaluation component be built in. The first 2 years is for program
development and piloting the program that is developed, putting all necessary
mechanisms in place throughout the state to run the program. You have been hired
as the Project Coordinator in charge of fleshing out the particulars of the
grant, deciding what needs to be done and how it should be done to most
effectively meet the program goal (whatever you decide that should be). You will
continue throughout the grant period as the Project Coordinator (remember to
give yourself a salary). The steps you need to take are described below (“briefly”
means a few sentences, but address
each part of the question):
a.
Problem identification:
What is the problem?
b. Target population (characteristics & number): Who is impacted by the problem—who would be served by your proposed program?
2.
Briefly discuss your
needs assessment (How will you know
there is a need?)
3.
Briefly discuss your
program’s strategy and objectives
a.
Program hypotheses
i.
Provide one or more
“if…then” statements that identify underlying assumptions about the target
population and the expected effect of the program
b.
Variables
i.
Identify one or more
independent variables (services provided)
ii.
Identify the dependent
variable (expected long-term result of services)
iii.
Identify any intervening
variables (intermediate or short-term results of services)
c.
Goals
i.
Identify the ultimate
desired aim of the program. If the program is successful, what will be achieved?
d.
Objectives
i.
Identify the outcomes that
will assist the program in reaching the goal(s). What specific things will help
the program reach the goal?
4.
Develop a
program design (This is where you
describe the program that you are proposing to address the problem/need.
This part needs the most attention in
this comp question!!)
a.
What services are required
to achieve your program’s objectives?
b.
What resources are
necessary to provide services?
c.
What mechanisms would be
necessary in your program for client intake assessment, service provision,
service completion, and outcome assessment?
i.
How will you measure client
need (nature, extent, severity) and demographics during client intake
assessment?
ii.
How will you track services
used by clients? What would a pre- and post-test measure?
5.
Briefly discuss the
data requirements for performance
measurement
a.
What data should be
collected to understand whether the program is being successful?
b.
How can one know whether
the program is cost effective?
6.
Develop a timeline, discuss
personnel, and draft a preliminary
budget
a.
When would major tasks
associated with the program be completed?
b.
Who would you need to hire
to do what?
c.
Estimate the costs
associated with the program (line items, direct costs, indirect costs)
7.
Briefly discuss how one
would conduct a program evaluation
a.
How would you evaluate your
program? How would you determine the effectiveness of your program in meeting
program objectives and the program goal? What would mean that your program was
“successful”?
FALL 2009
In the United States, from January 1-December 31, 2008, the
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website received 275,284 complaint
submissions, a
33% increase over 2007 when
206,884 complaints were received. These filings primarily were related to
fraudulent and non-fraudulent issues on the Internet. The yearly dollar loss
also increased from $239 million in 2007 to more than $264 million in 2008. The
average/mean dollar loss per person was $4,174.50 and the median dollar loss was
$931.00. The
primary complaint (about 33% of
crime complaints) was
non-delivery of merchandise and/or
payment. Reports of this particular crime increased 32% from 2007 to
2008. Non-delivery of merchandise/payment resulted in median average losses of
$800 per complaint. The second highest complaint (25.5%) was due to auction
fraud (e.g., online auctions like eBay). Auction fraud resulted in median
average losses of $610 per complaint.
In complaints where the location was
known and the gender of the perpetrator was reported,
75% or perpetrators were male and most resided in California, New York,
Florida, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
Complainants were primarily male with an average age of between 40-49 years old.
Male complainants reported an average medial loss of about $994 while female
complainants reported an average median loss of about $861. Older complainants
(over 40) reported higher average median losses (about $1000) than younger
complainants. Complainants under the age of 20 reported average median losses of
about $500. The
primary means of perpetrating these
offenses was through email (74%) or through a web page (29%) and some through
both (why the percentages add to more than 100%).
The IC3 received
1,218 complaints from West Virginia
during 2008, up from 913 complaints during 2007 (a
33% increase). Similar to the nation, the
primary complaint in WV was non-delivery of merchandise/payment (28.2%
of complaints) with an average median loss of about $576, followed by auction
fraud (24.8% of complaints) with an average median loss of $429.
Also similar to the nation, most known perpetrators were male
(80%) and over the age of 40 (54%). However, in WV, a
greater proportion of complainants were female (52%). Significantly, in
WV,
complainants over the age of 40 reported
losing an average of nearly $3,700, with complainants over the age of 60
reporting average losses of nearly $4,800.
The state has just received grant funds to
develop a program to address the problems of Internet crime. The grant
award is for
$500,000 over 2 years
(approximately $250,000 per year). The grant requires an evaluation component be
built in. The first year is for program development and piloting the program
that is developed, putting all necessary mechanisms in place throughout the
state to run the program. You have been hired as the Project Coordinator in
charge of fleshing out the particulars of the grant, deciding what needs to be
done and how it should be done to most effectively meet the program goal
(whatever you decide that should be). You will continue throughout the grant
period as the Project Coordinator (remember to give yourself a salary). The
steps you need to take are described below (“briefly”
means a few sentences, but address
each part of the question):
A sex offender is
“any offender convicted of a sex offense, ordered to a special condition for sex
offender treatment, or fulfilling other sex offender treatment requirements”
(Glaze & Bonczar, 2009, p. 36).
During fiscal year 2008-2009 in West Virginia, 1141
individuals (18.2% of the total correctional population in WV) were in
correctional facilities for sex offenses (forcible & nonforcible). In fact, a
greater proportion of individuals in West Virginia correctional facilities
during 2008-2009 were there for
forcible sex offenses (14.9%),
more than for any other single offense. However, only 112 individuals (roughly
10% of all sex offenders in WV) completed Sex Offender classes during this time.
The state has just received grant funds to
develop a program to address the problem of sex offenders in West
Virginia. The grant award is for
$300,000 over 2 years
(approximately $150,000 per year). The grant requires an evaluation component be
built in. The first year is for program development and piloting the program
that is developed, putting all necessary mechanisms in place throughout the
state to run the program. You have been hired as the Project Coordinator in
charge of fleshing out the particulars of the grant, deciding what needs to be
done and how it should be done to most effectively meet the program goal
(whatever you decide that should be). You will continue throughout the grant
period as the Project Coordinator (remember to give yourself a salary). The
steps you need to take are described below (“briefly”
means a few sentences, but address
each part of the question):
1.
Briefly discuss your
problem analysis
a.
Problem identification:
What is the problem (there may be more than 1, so you choose what looks
significant enough in the state to require a program)?
b.
Target population
(characteristics & number): Who is impacted by the problem—who would be served
by your proposed program?
2.
Briefly discuss your
needs assessment (How will you know
there is a need?)
3.
Briefly discuss your
program’s strategy and objectives
a.
Program hypotheses
i.
Provide one or more
“if…then” statements that identify underlying assumptions about the target
population and the expected effect of the program
b.
Variables
i.
Identify one or more
independent variables (services provided)
ii.
Identify the dependent
variable (expected long-term result of services)
iii.
Identify any intervening
variables (intermediate or short-term results of services)
c.
Goals
i.
Identify the ultimate
desired aim of the program. If the program is successful, what will be achieved?
d.
Objectives
i.
Identify the outcomes that
will assist the program in reaching the goal(s). What specific things will help
the program reach the goal?
4.
Develop a
program design (This is where you
describe the program that you are proposing to address the problem/need.
This part needs the most attention in
this comp question!!)
a.
What services are required
to achieve your program’s objectives?
b.
What resources are
necessary to provide services?
c.
What mechanisms would be
necessary in your program for client intake assessment, service provision,
service completion, and outcome assessment?
i.
How will you measure client
need (nature, extent, severity) and demographics during client intake
assessment?
ii.
How will you track services
used by clients? What would a pre- and post-test measure?
5.
Briefly discuss the
data requirements for performance
measurement
a.
What data should be
collected to understand whether the program is being successful?
b.
How can one know whether
the program is cost effective?
6.
Develop a timeline, discuss
personnel, and draft a preliminary
budget
a.
When would major tasks
associated with the program be completed?
b.
Who would you need to hire
to do what?
c.
Estimate the costs
associated with the program (line items, direct costs, indirect costs)
7.
Briefly discuss how one
would conduct a program evaluation
a.
How would you evaluate your
program? How would you determine the effectiveness of your program in meeting
program objectives and the program goal? What would mean that your program was
“successful”?
FALL 2010
More than 3/4 of students indicate that they
have been bullied (mentally and/or physically) at some point in their lives but
most parents and teachers are unaware. The internet also is becoming a tool that
bullies use to torture and harass their victims. More than 1 in 3 parents
indicate that they fear for their children's safety while they are at school.
Recently, the nation has experienced an upswing in suicides by children who have
been bullied.
You have been hired as the Project Coordinator in charge of fleshing out the
particulars of the grant, deciding what needs to be done and how it should be
done to most effectively meet the program goal (whatever you decide that should
be). You will continue throughout the grant period as the Project Coordinator
(remember to give yourself a salary). The steps you need to take are described
below (“briefly” means a few sentences, but address
each part of the
question):
1. Briefly discuss your
problem analysis
a. Problem identification: What is the
problem (there may be more than 1, so you choose what looks significant enough
in the state to require a program)?
b. Target population (characteristics & number):
Who is impacted by the problem—who would be served by your proposed program?
2. Briefly discuss your
needs assessment (How will you know
there is a need?)
3. Briefly discuss your program’s
strategy and objectives
a. Program hypotheses
i. Provide one or more “if…then” statements that identify underlying assumptions
about the target population and the expected effect of the program
b. Variables
i. Identify one or more
independent variables (services provided)
ii. Identify the dependent variable (expected long-term result of services)
iii. Identify any intervening variables (intermediate or short-term results of
services)
c. Goals
i. Identify the ultimate desired aim of the program. If the program is
successful, what will be achieved?
d. Objectives
i. Identify the outcomes that
will assist the program in reaching the goal(s). What specific things will help
the program reach the goal?
4. Develop a
program design (This is where you
describe the program that you are proposing to address the problem/need.
This part needs the most attention in
this comp question!!)
a. What services are required to achieve
your program’s objectives?
b. What resources are necessary to provide
services?
c. What mechanisms would be necessary in your program
for client intake assessment, service provision, service completion, and outcome
assessment?
i. How will you measure client need
(nature, extent, severity) and demographics during client intake assessment?
ii. How will you track services used
by clients? What would a pre- and post-test measure?
5. Briefly discuss the
data requirements for performance
measurement
a. What data should be collected to
understand whether the program is being successful?
b. How can one know whether the program is cost
effective?
6. Develop a timeline, discuss personnel, and
draft a preliminary budget
a. When would major tasks associated with
the program be completed?
b. Who would you need to hire to do what?
c. Estimate the costs associated with the
program (line items, direct costs, indirect costs)
7. Briefly discuss how one would conduct a
program evaluation
a. How would you evaluate your program? How would you determine the
effectiveness of your program in meeting program objectives and the program
goal? What would mean that your program was “successful”?
In 2008, 33.9 million retail
prescription drugs were filled in West Virginia and West Virginians filled an
average of nearly 19 prescriptions per capita, whereas the U.S. per capita rate
was 12. From 1999-2004, the state of WV saw a 550% increase in drug overdose
deaths, the highest increase in the nation. Drug overdose deaths are the leading
cause of death for West Virginians under the age of 45, with the majority of
those deaths from prescription drugs.
As part of a $250,000, 2-year
grant, you have been hired as the Project Coordinator to develop and evaluate a
program to address this potential problem in the state of West Virginia. You are
in charge of fleshing out the particulars of the grant, deciding what needs to
be done and how it should be done to most effectively meet the program goal
(whatever you decide that should be). You will continue throughout the grant
period as the Project Coordinator (remember to give yourself a salary). The
steps you need to take are described below (“briefly” means a few sentences, but address
each part of the
question):
1. Briefly discuss your
problem analysis
a. Problem identification: What is the
problem?
b. Target population (characteristics & number):
Who is impacted by the problem—who would be served by your proposed program?
2. Briefly discuss your
needs assessment (How will you know
there is a need?)
3. Briefly discuss your program’s
strategy and objectives
a. Program hypotheses
i. Provide one or more “if…then” statements that identify underlying assumptions
about the target population and the expected effect of the program
b. Variables
i. Identify one or more
independent variables (services provided)
ii. Identify the dependent variable (expected long-term result of services)
iii. Identify any intervening variables (intermediate or short-term results of
services)
c. Goals
i. Identify the ultimate desired aim of the program. If the program is
successful, what will be achieved?
d. Objectives
i. Identify the outcomes that
will assist the program in reaching the goal(s).
What specific things will help the program reach the goal?
4. Develop a
program design (This is where you
describe the program that you are proposing to address the problem/need.
This part needs the most attention in
this comp question!!)
a. What services are required to achieve
your program’s objectives?
b. What resources are necessary to provide
services?
c. What mechanisms would be necessary in your program
for client intake assessment, service provision, service completion, and outcome
assessment?
There is a perception that the amount of elder abuse is under reported.
The West Virginia DHHR, Bureau for Children and Families, Adult
Protective Services’ web page had information about reporting suspected elder
abuse and mandatory reporting requirements.
You have been selected to develop and monitor a program to provide
training for mandatory reporters (those who have to report suspected abuse by
law, including: medical professionals; dental professionals; mental health
professionals; Christian Science practitioners; religious healers; social
workers; law enforcement officers; state and regional long-term care ombudsmen;
and, employees of any nursing home or other residential facility, in recognizing
the signs of elder abuse.
1. Briefly discuss your problem analysis.
a. Problem identification: What is the problem?
b. Target population (characteristics & number): Who is impacted by the
problem—who would be served by your proposed program?
a. Program hypotheses
i. Provide one or more
“if…then” statements that identify underlying assumptions about the target
population and the expected effect of the program/training Outcome from the
program on those who participate.
b. Variables
i. Identify one or more independent
variables (services provided/throughputs)
ii. Identify the dependent variable
(expected long-term result of services/Outcome)
iii. Identify any intervening
variables that might occur (intermediate or short-term results of services that
could alter your relationship between the independent and dependent variable)
c. Goals
i. Identify the ultimate
desired aim of the program/the desired Outcome. If the program is successful,
what will be achieved/the Outcome?
d. Objectives
i. Identify the intermediate outcomes that will assist the program in reaching
the goal(s).
4. Develop a
program design/throughputs (This is
where you describe the program that you are proposing to address the
problem/need. This part needs the most
attention in this comp question!!)
a. What resources/inputs are necessary to provide services? A brief budget with
just the main areas listed and costs would be good as part of this.
b. What services/throughputs are required to achieve your program’s objectives?
c. Assessment and Monitoring
How would you
assess the client at intake (as an input), assess the services provided
(throughputs and Intermediate Outcomes), and the final outcomes and output. A
Gantt Chart of major objectives and monitoring points would work to help explain
this.
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Director at
detardobora@marshall.edu