Qualifiers

[MissScripture]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1325003853' post='2358095']
When's your test? Fingers crossed for you.
[/quote]

[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1324939438' post='2357793']
Have them on January 13th and week after...
[/quote]

[MissyP89]

Oh. My bad.

[MissScripture]

It took me a minute of scrolling through to find it. He hid it above a bunch of notes.

[BG45]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1325003853' post='2358095']
When's your test? Fingers crossed for you.
[/quote]They're in January.

Friday the 13th I have Methods, where I'll get 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening for my questions. Morning will be designing quantitative and qualitative studies for a question. Afternoon is stats for a question.

Wednesday the 18th is Theory. 3 hours for the morning question, 3 hours for the afternoon question.

Friday the 20th is Policy. 3 hours for the morning question, 3 hours for the afternoon question.

I have to pass all three this time or I'm out of the program at the end of the semester, so I deeply appreciate crossed fingers and prayers. i'll admit, I'm scared poopless of failing. I had a mixed thanatophobia and Quals panic attack last night after I went to bed; bad enough I found myself puking and holding myself. The only thing I have to look forward to (aside from hopefully passing all three) is my dinner on the 20th after it's done.

No Quals on MLK Day because of the holiday, the administering prof was willing to come in, but not the person with the key to the building we'll be using. The Theory and Policy Committees assure me that I know my material, that I just need to focus on answering the question that is asked. The Methods committee pretty much said I'm worthless in all aspects. I wrote 56 pages last time with over 100 citations from memory to fail all 3 x.x The committees don't even read your answer if it's under 5 pages in the 3 hours, you auto-fail.

Thank you so much for the good luck wishes, I really appreciate them!

Some example questions, well, the ones I failed last time (Methods afternoon won't have charts like it does for me. I tried and couldn't get the formatting to hold.):

Policy:

[quote]
POLICY QUALIFYING EXAM ---August 2011

[b]MORNING QUESTION[/b]

Governor Corbett has contacted you about criminal justice policy. Specifically, he asks that you brief him on the top three issues that he should address in his Administration. For this project, you will need to do the following.[list=1]
[*]Identify the [b]three issues[/b], provide a two paragraph description of each one, and then choose one to elaborate on for this segment. You should indicate why you selected one topic rather than the other two.
[*]Using Welsh and Harris as a model, develop a policy paper for the Governor on the topic you have chosen. Specifically, explain the steps that you will be following; and why they are important. Incorporate the relevant and current literature in your presentation. It is critical that you demonstrate the seriousness of the problem with the published literature.
[*]Be sure to identify and include the relevant stakeholders, evidence based strategies, the media, and collaborative approaches.
[*]Explain the evaluation process. What strategies will you be using? Why?
[*]What is the role of criminologists in this process? Discuss the dissemination and application of your proposed policy initiatives.
[/list]

[b]AFTERNOON QUESTION---August 2011[/b]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reportedly is experiencing a budget shortfall. In light of the economic situation, the Governor and the legislature would like to re-visit policies in the areas listed. You have been asked to elaborate on [b]one [/b]of the five topics. Specifically, choose [b]one[/b] of the five and prepare a presentation using the published literature. Based upon your research, what proposed changes we should consider? Why? Please [b]do not select[/b] the same issue you wrote on for the morning question.

1. Mass Incarceration

2. Juvenile justice policy

3. Sex Offender notification policy

4. Law enforcement initiatives

5. Sentencing Issues

In your answer, you will need to include justice reinvestment, evidence based policy, the iron triangle, and the role of ideology and politics.
[/quote]

Methods:
[quote]


[center][b]August 2011[/b][/center]
[b] [size=3][u]Research Methods Qualifying Exam[/u][/size][/b]



[center][b][u]Morning Questions[/u][/b][/center]

[b]Instructions: [/b]The morning session is comprised of two (2) questions. You have three (3) hours to answer the morning questions. Answer the questions asked. Read the entire question before you begin to write your answer. Each question is divided into several parts. Answer each part of the question and label your answers (1a, 1b, etc.).

[b]Question #1: General Research Methods (33% of grade)[/b]
The FBI has released the preliminary UCR data for 2010. The violent crime and property crime rate did not increase, but decreased. You would like to search out possible explanations for this crime drop. You decide to develop a [b]quantitative survey[/b] seeking out these explanations. Your first research step is to issue the survey to Criminologists.
Cover the following areas in your answer:[list=1]
[*]State a [b]one-tailed[/b] research hypothesis about the crime drop that can be tested by a quantitative survey.
[list]
[*]Conceptually and operationally define your dependent variable as stated in your research hypothesis.
[*]Conceptually and operationally define your independent variable as stated in your research hypothesis.
[/list]
[/list][list=1]
[*]Write two survey questions designed to help explain the crime drop. Be sure that the questions are consistent with your independent and dependent variables.
[list]
[*]What steps will you take to ensure that your measures are reliable and valid?
[/list]
[/list][list=1]
[*]How would you select a sample of Criminologists that would be a representative sample? Justify your choice and explain how your sampling technique would work.
[/list][list=1]
[*]Explain some potential limitations to your research design.
[/list]

[b]Question #2: Qualitative Methods (33% of grade)[/b]
After analyzing you quantitative data, you decide to dig deeper into the explanations of the crime drop. You have decided to interview Criminologists during an annual conference. Design a [b]qualitative study[/b] that will permit you to understand the drop in the crime rate.[list=1]
[*]State your research question (make sure it is qualitative in nature).
[/list][list=1]
[*]Describe and discuss the primary qualitative method used (interviewing) to answer your research question. Be sure to provide enough detail to demonstrate that you fully understand this method.
[/list][list=1]
[*]Describe your sampling strategy.
[/list][list=1]
[*]Discuss the human subject protection issues raised by your design.
[/list][list=1]
[*]What is the main limitation you see in your design?
[/list]



[center][b][u]RESEARCH METHODS[/u][/b][b][u] Qualifying Exam[/u][/b][/center]
[center][b][u]Afternoon Question –August 2011[/u][/b][/center]
[b]Instructions: [/b]You have two (2) hours to answer the afternoon questions. Answer each part of the question and label your answers (1, 2, 3, …).
[b]Question #3: Quantitative Analysis (34% of grade)[/b]
Researchers often contend that when the economy is stagnant or poor crime rates should increase. A measure of the economy is the unemployment rate. A researcher has collected data on the violent crime rate in each state along with the unemployment rate.
Interpret the following tables:



a. Dependent Variable: violent crime rate [list=1]
[*]State a [b]two tailed[/b] research hypothesis for the dependent and independent variables.
[*]Compute and interpret the coefficient of determination.
[*]Interpret the unstandardized and standardized coefficients. Demonstrate you know what they mean, and discuss the uses of each measure. Which do you think would be the better measure to use for these data? Justify your choice.
[/list][list=1]
[*]Construct and interpret the 95% confidence interval for the unstandardized coefficient. Demonstrate that you understand the process of statistical inference.
[/list][list=1]
[*]Explain whether or not the findings support your research hypothesis.
[/list][list=1]
[*]You decide to recode unemployment rate into unemployment rates as “above or the same as national unemployment average” or “below the national unemployment average” Interpret the following table. Once you have completed the recode, what type of analysis would you conduct to determine the relationship between this recoded variable and violent crime rate?
[/list]

[/quote]


(Anyone else enjoy their misnumbering on the Methods Question for afternoon?)

Theory:


[quote]
[b]THEORY ---August 2011[/b]
[b]Morning:[/b]

It has long been stated that the USA has a large amount of crime and delinquency—perhaps the
largest in the world. As a theorist, discuss this possibility and also state how you would explain such likelihood.


[b]THEORY Afternoon --- August 2011:[/b]

In his presidential address to the American Society of Criminology, Richard Rosenfeld presented an argument that “microanalysis holds sway over macroanalysis in contemporary criminology.” His position is that criminology should devote more attention to the “big picture” and that crime has a relationship with social institutions and whole societies.

Write a response essay that rebuts Rosenfeld’s position and offers support that microcriminology theories (i.e., those that focus on individuals) offer a greater explanation of crime than macrocriminology theories.

In your rebuttal essay, you must:[list]
[*]review examples from recent theoretical research that identify the benefits of microcriminology
[*]explain how this improved understanding of individual behavior is more likely to lead to a control of crime than a macrocriminology orientation.
[/list]
[/quote]

[BG45]

Yes I did, just like my thanks to Lisa lol. You all also posted like 4 times while I replied!

[MissyP89]

Just breathe. Puking is probably not helpful.

[BG45]

Thank you. The anxiety is definitely ratcheted up this time given it's all or nothing...I've been having dreams about it too since the last week of classes Ended up praying a couple of divine mercy chaplets and forcing myself to take some deep breaths between the decades of it before I could crawl back into bed.

[she_who_is_not]

I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but in my jurisdiction close to 80% of bar applicants who fail at their first attempt manage to pass on the second. There are so many factors that contribute to success on these types of exams. You have a much better idea of what to expect now. I'm very confident in your abilities.

[BG45]

Thank you SWIN! That does make me feel a bit better, usually people pass on the second try here, but they usually also only have one to study for...you're far more encouraging than my thesis chair from my Masters who said, "Look at it this way BG, you'll pass eventually. I had to take the Bar 5 times before I did". "Uh...I only get one more shot."

[brandelynmarie]

[MissScripture]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1325007225' post='2358125']
Just breathe. Puking is probably not helpful.
[/quote]
No, but it seems to be my automatic response to such situations, too. Really, why is that wired into us? I mean, is it going to help in a fight or flight situation to start puking your guts out? I would think it would be kind of counter-productive! (Well, unless you puked ON someone, and then they would be grossed out and leave you alone, I suppose...)

[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1325008856' post='2358143']
Thank you SWIN! That does make me feel a bit better, usually people pass on the second try here, but they usually also only have one to study for...you're far more encouraging than my thesis chair from my Masters who said, "Look at it this way BG, you'll pass eventually. I had to take the Bar 5 times before I did". "Uh...I only get one more shot."
[/quote]
If you don't (though I'm sure you will) you should submit this thread as evidence that you DO, in fact, know what you're talking about.

Oh, and

[MissyP89]

That cheerleading smiley is the reason I got my driver's license. Just sayin.

You got this, dude.

[MissScripture]

I STILL think there should be a pregnant cheerleader. But I suppose that would be scandalous.

[MissyP89]

Especially if the smiley was showing her very smooth, very swollen ankles.

Where's Johnny when you need him?

[MIKolbe]

is this a bad time to tell you about my photographic memory?

[MissScripture]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1325010006' post='2358153']
Especially if the smiley was showing her very smooth, very swollen ankles.

Where's Johnny when you need him?
[/quote]
I really wish I could give you more props! ! ! !

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1325009908' post='2358151']
I STILL think there should be a pregnant cheerleader. But I suppose that would be scandalous.
[/quote]

If she's making a sammich, it is no longer scandalous.

[MissScripture]

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[BG45]

Okay, in deference to all those who have been nice and cheerleaded, I'll reply to you after today's posts. I don't want it buried again.

[center][b]Policy Note Cards: Mass Incarceration[/b][/center]
[b]Burch (2011) – [/b]½ of probation in Texas, 1/3 of Florida parole dependent upon fees to meet budget. Money is better spent on community corrections.

[b]Comfort et al. (2011) – [/b]Strengthen ties between parents who are incarcerated and their kids. Need major, urban, anti-poverty programs at communities that are hit hard by incarceration.

[b]Tonry (2011) – [/b]Justice reinvestment promise is illusory.

[b]Clear (2011) – [/b]Justice reinvestment needs to target hard hit communities for development programs and need to enlist private sector for help. Provide large subsidies for private employers to hire people who would otherwise be in prison.

[b]Maruna (2011) – [/b]When left and right agree, things usually turn punitive. Privatization leads to expansion, not contraction. Criticize justice reinvestment as hurting nonprofits by money going to for-profit entities. Hearken back to cheap prisoner labor of the early 1900s.

Liptak (2011) – SCOTUS rules CA prison overcrowding violates the 8[sup]th[/sup] Amendment, cruel and unusual punishment. Order 30,000 prisoner reduction at least.

Doob & Zimring (2011) – Imprisonment in past goes down with more probation and parole. We now face challenges such as: State finances, visibility of penal policy, scale of imprisonment, beliefs of efficacy of imprisonment.

Schoenfield (2011) – We need to return to pre-1970. Evidence matters little if no one is willing to fight.

Austin (2011) – We need to go back to before 1970 sentencing systems, both crime and incarceration has run rampant under current models.

Shed (2011) – Strengthen ties between incarcerated parents and kids.

Massoglia & Warner (2011) – There is little tolerance for nonfocused initiatives.

Sampson (2011) – Social ledger of incarceration effects.

Kalt (2003) – 1/3 of African-American men permanently inelligible to serve as jurors.

Simon (2007) – Some convicted felons lose pension, vote, disability, veteran benefits, and food stamps.

Page (2011a, 2011b) – CA unionized prison guards pose a problem to downsizing the prison system. CA prison union created the victims’ rights movement there.

Manza & Uggen (2006) – US incarcerates a larger proportion of citizens than any other country; sixfold since the 1970s.

Pew Center (2009) – 7 million, 1/31 adults incarcerated or supervised by the criminal justice system today.

Goldkamp (2011) – More celerity is needed. Courts take too long and impede certainty of punishment via delays and dismissals. Hot spots reduces crime for a short time period. More cops would increase incarceration with more arrests.

Rosenfeld (2011) – Issue of our time is mass incarceration.

Durlauf & Nagin (2011) – We need shorter sentences and more cops on the street. Celerity is more important than severity. Prison is criminogenic. Need less mandatory minimum sentences and three strikes laws.

Bratton (2011) – Reduce crime by hot spot prevention, not incarceration. Prison cost is bankruptcy threat to many states. Prison is criminogenic.

Blumstein (2011) – More celerity is needed. Project HOPE in Hawaii shows great promise: random drug test of probationers each week, if they fail they immediately are sent to a few days in jail with progressively longer sentences each time. This has seen a reduction of more than 50% in recidivism.

Gottschalk (2011) – Prisons are criminogenic, Project HOPE.

Tonry (2011) – More police would lead to more racial profiling. Public officials are immune to evidence of alternatives to incarceration working.

Guillen (2011) – Ohio to send low level felons to prison alternatives.

[BG45]

[center][b]Policy Note Cards: Prison and Sentencing[/b][/center]

Porter (2010) – Today the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, 754 per 100,000; this is compared to 100 per 100,000 in the 1970s. Some states parole boards have been cut or eliminated. Due to changes in correctional philosophy, less determinate sentencing and more mandatory minimum.

Berman (2010) – In Pennsylvania, the combined population of the 27 correctional facilities exceeded 51,000, the capacity is only 43,000.

U.S. v. Booker (2005) – Supreme Court ruled the guidelines are now advisory. Using aggravating factors not proven beyond a reasonable doubt violates the 6[sup]th[/sup] Amendment Rights.

Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing – Created in 1978 to create consistent and rational law and promote uniform sentencing practices for some crimes. Guidelines were first in effect in 1982, invalidated in 1987, and restarted in 1988.

Wooldredge (2009) – Study presumptive sentencing guidelines in Ohio, to reduce disparity like race. 1996-2004 presumptive, 2005 Ohio Supreme Court ruled the guidelines unconstitutional. After guidelines, number of black sentenced dropped.

Brushway & Pihl (2007) – Sentencing is a multicase process with many actors. Compared Washington (presumptive sentencing) and Maryland (advisory guidelines). More discretion in Maryland unexplained. More prosecutorial discretion in Washington.

Engen (2009) – Most studies show race has small effect on sentencing.

Piquero (2007) – 1970s rehabilitation was goal, 1980s shifted to incapacitation. Discretion taken from CJ system to legislature. 1984, sentencing reform act passed, US sentencing commission created, guidelines established.

Benekos & Merlo (2006) – 1940s indeterminate sentencing. 1970s, liberals argue differential treatment, conservatives called for tougher sentencing and more discretion. Determinate sentencing seems to satisfy both (fixed amount of time saved). Get tough on crime cause increase sentence length. Disparity with minorities. Crack cocaine recently changed 18:1 instead of 100:1.

DeFina & Hannon (2009) – State panel from 1980-2004. Study measures input incarceration on 3 poverty indexes. Study found incarceration has increased poverty and poverty would have fallen during the period if not for mass incarceration.

[center][b]Policy Note Cards: Drugs[/b][/center]

Benekos & Merlo (2006) – Generally in considering anti-drug policies, 4 strategies recognized: Supply reduction, demand reduction, legalization, harm reduction.

Nadelmann (1989) – Examine all states that decriminalized pot in the 1970s, no increased use, some evidence that if the drug war was stopped there would be no escalation.

Inciardi et al (1996) – Drug use often intensifies and perpetuates criminal behavior. Moral crusade and media manipulation produces distorted image of drug users as evil, immoral, and dangerous. Thus evilly painted instead of sick, depiction led to more criminalized view.

Kappeler & Potter (2005) – Drug war failed to reduce demand. 2002, 55% of all federal inmates are drug offenders. Collateral damage is minorities and prison boom.

Jensen & Gerber (1998) – Discuss 5 consequences of criminalizing drug use: A) increased pressure on law enforcement making arrests. B) Huge profits from drug sales. C) Pervasive social controls. D) US worldwide crusades, punitive and prohibitionist. E) A US war strategy has failed.