The following research projects have been conducted by students in the Applied Social Science program. Students in our program have the freedom to design a research project unique to their interests and passions. Through research, students develop an understanding of the community and world around them and learn how to apply social science knowledge and research methodologies to real-world issues.
Stress and Educational Expectations: A Study of Future Orientation
Adrienne Sulma
ABSTRACT: This research sought to discover how the type of secondary education level impacts a student’s perceived stress level when it comes to thinking about college. Drawing from the pace of life studies in educational and work-sphere studies, this research also explored if the pace of life in educational institutions contributed to this perceived stress. Both college and high school students were interviewed: some went to public schools and some went to alternative schools (charter or home schools). Schools minimally impacted a student’s perceived stress level. The stress level either slightly increased through future- orientated pressures towards programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), or school may have, in fact, reduced it in some aspects by providing leniency to lower performing students. After coding, the data synthesis of theories included structural strain theory, fear appeal theory, and cognitive dissonance. This paper argues that parents or guardians of the students are most influential on a student's perceived stress level in relation to future goals. The information collected from this study can contribute to school help programs, parenting resources, and opens opportunities for future studies.
Gender Roles in Multiplayer Gaming: Call of Duty Ghosts
Andrew Siebenaler
ABSTRACT: This research project examines how gamers perceive gender via an online voice chat (Xbox Live: Xbox 360-Call Of Duty: Ghosts): how they present their views on gender in ways they might not otherwise express in person; how gender has a role in the video game community; and how the aforementioned might help to reinforce gender stereotypes within said video game community. Findings show that the multiplayer aspect of Call of Duty: Ghosts presents and reinforces stereotypical views of gender. Despite the prevalence of stereotypical gender views, female sexuality is downplayed, creating a potential for equal gender views to arise.
Determinants of Violent Crime in the US: Evidence from State-Level Data
Grace Piggott
ABSTRACT: This study examines the determinants of violent crime in the United States. It argues that violent crime is affected by socio-economic and public policy factors. To test the hypothesis, the study uses recent state-level data on violent crime from FBI uniform crime report. Fixed effect regression was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that there is a positive relationship between income inequality and crime. An increase the level of inequality by one unit, there is an increase in violent crime by 330. We also found out that control variables such as state and local government expenditure on policing and public safety, and community development reduce violent crime. Other factors such as education and population density are not statistically significant, showing they do not directly affect crime. These results help us better understand the determinants of violent crime and what must be done to reduce criminality in our society. First, there have to be policy measures to diminish the upward trend in income inequality in order to reduce delinquency. Second, states have to continue dedicating adequate resources towards policing and public safety and increase community development to reduce crime.
