Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Sociologists often use statistics to communicate quantitative patterns to an untrained public, to undergraduates, and to policymakers, when certain kinds of stories would be more effective. While statistics are effective tools for discovering a pattern, they are less useful for communicating the context and meaning of that pattern. Much more useful is a "story of a pattern" that describes sociological pattern through a single, momentary event. Also useful are "patterns of stories" linked to each other based on the variables they involve. The paper suggests ways of finding, constructing, and analyzing both kinds of stories, as well as how they can be used to communicate research findings.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Over the last 30 years the United States has undergone a tremendous explosion of urban growth best known as urban sprawl. During the time period of 1982-1997 alone approximately 39,000 square miles of rural land was converted to developed land. Increasingly urban sprawl has come under criticism from a myriad of groups for the environmental, economic, and social problems associated with its unregulated and unrestrained growth. However, one area that has received little attention is the impact that urban sprawl and unchecked development have on crime and crime patterns. This research will present a theoretical framework that seeks to make a connection between characteristics of sprawl and changing patterns of urban crime. In addition to a theoretical discussion, the research will provide a methodology for analyzing urban growth levels in relation to urban crime patterns.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The prevalence of tobacco use in U.S. population was highest among young adults aged 18 to 24, with a rate of 27.9 percent- in 1999. Young adult period is a critical time for initiating or stopping tobacco use because this period may involve a transition from occasional tobacco users to development of nicotine dependence. Among individuals who smoke as young adults, 95 percent- eventually become regular, daily smokers. However, a small group of smokers maintain intermittent or low rates of smoking without evidencing nicotine dependence, who are called “chippers”. Chippers are operationalized as smokers who smoke 1 to 5 cigarettes per day on at least 4 days per week. Previous studies that have investigated chippers have excluded those under age of 23 years. As a result, the differences between regular smokers and chippers in the young adults population are currently unknown. Hence, this paper aims to analyze the demographic differences between these two groups. While numerous studies have been conducted on tobacco use patterns among adolescents and adults in general, limited focus has been given to the young adults group. Additional research is essential before effective interventions can be developed. This paper examines the patterns of tobacco use in young adults in terms of prevalence rate, frequency of use, types of tobacco products used, and chipping, characterized by gender, ethnicity, education, region and income. Last but not least, studies shown that 80 percent- to 90 percent- of the adults with alcohol dependence smoke cigarettes, and that higher rate of alcohol consumption in adolescents is the best predictor of amount smoked. Although many studies have found a significant association between alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in young adults, disparity in alcohol use between regular smokers and chippers has not been investigated. This paper will compare the level of alcohol consumption between these two groups.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Informed by deliberative democratic theory, many researchers argue for citizen discussions as a means toward better informed public opinion. Recent years have seen a burgeoning number of programs bringing citizens together for deliberations via the World Wide Web, not only as a means to observe public opinion in interactive, focus-group-like settings, but also to elevate the quality of opinions offered by citizens on complex issues of the day. Theoretically, high-quality opinions emerge through free and equal exchange, encouraging give-and-take and inviting arguments for all sides. This study carefully explores empirical patterns of citizen deliberation, set against normative standards of deliberative theory. We examine a set of unique data obtained from sixty groups, assembled from a random sample of Americans, which engaged in a series of monthly, real-time electronic discussions during the 2000 presidential campaign. Extensive surveys assessed participants' opinions, communication behaviors, knowledge of public affairs, and a variety of other relevant background variables. The full text of all group discussions was also recorded, and patterns in group argumentation determined through extensive content analysis. These were carefully analyzed to learn more about who deliberates, patterns of argumentation among different sorts of participants, and the extent to which these patterns are predicted by various survey measures including demographics, ideological dispositions, political knowledge and involvement, and other individual differences. Results indicate the younger people, those with conservative leanings, those higher in political knowledge and those more actively engaged in their communities offer more opinions and arguments than their peers. After controls for the sheer volume of participation (i.e., word counts), most of these predictive factors are no longer significant, however, suggesting that the rate of argumentation per statement is relatively uniform across participants. Implications for the prospects of truly democratic discourse and effective deliberative programs are discussed.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Intent: To identify the presence of grade inflation in APPEs among four colleges of pharmacy using similar evaluation tools. To examine the correlation between grade assigned, comparable student rank, and suitability for employment in an entry level pharmacy position upon graduation.

Process: Final student evaluation data was extracted from EMS (Education Management System), a web-based experiential documentation system, for all APPEs completed during the 2005 – 2006 academic year. We looked at the following: calculated grade, assigned grade, comparable student ranking, employability, APPE type, APPE timing, and instructor status.

Outcomes: Of 3175 APPEs, grade distribution was the following: 85.5% A, 13.3% B, 1.1% C, 0.09% D, 0.06% F. Grades for distributive APPEs were significantly higher compared to clinical or indirect APPEs (p<0.0001). Twenty-two percent of APPEs were taught by full-time faculty. 68.9% of grades assigned by full-time faculty were in the A range in comparison to 90% assigned by volunteer faculty. (p<0.001) All students receiving grades of D or F were determined “non-hirable” for an entry level position. Interestingly, 78 of 2714 receiving A’s, 103 of 422 receiving B’s, and 26 of 35 receiving C’s were also determined “non-hirable” by the instructor. For students receiving A’s, student ranking was evaluated as: top 10% (55.4%) upper third (37%), middle third (7.5%), lower third (0.2%).

Implications: Grade inflation is present in APPE courses. Investigation is needed to identify why students receiving A’s and B’s were perceived as non-hirable for entry level positions. Preceptor education should include criteria for accurate assessment of student performance.