Undergraduate Student Projects
2019 UT Tyler Lyceum Student Research Showcase
2019 UT Tyler Lyceum Student Research Showcase
Several Research Methods students participated in the 2019 Lyceum. These students designed their own survey research projects on a topic of their choice, then collected and analyzed their data. They all worked really hard, and I'm very proud of their accomplishments!
Knowledge and Understanding of Forensic Science Evidence
Oral Presentation by Jo Schooley Knowledge and Understanding of Forensic Science Evidence
Criminal justice professionals, including lawyers, judges, and police officers, are essential parts of the justice system. Due to their role in evidence collection, processing, and testimony, their ability to interpret and understand forensic science evidence is significant to the outcome of a person’s future. The goal of this study is to determine whether these professionals have the scientific training and interest in forensic science that allows them to interpret forensic evidence findings. This information will be compared to a sample of college students, who may have a better comprehension of forensic science methods and/or limitations due to having a more recent science education.
Rape Myth Acceptance at the University of Texas at Tyler
Poster Presentation by Halie Moore, Omar Briseno, Natoya Inglis, & Kaylee ScarboroughRape Myth Acceptance at the University of Texas at Tyler
This study will research rape myth acceptance at UT Tyler. Rape myths are inaccurate or stereotypical ideas about sexual assault. Rape myth acceptance is the acceptance or belief in these misleading ideas. To measure rape myth acceptance at UT Tyler, we would like to conduct a survey of students and administrators, especially those in policy and decision-making capacities, to note rape myth acceptance among these groups as individuals, as well as to compare the findings between the two groups. We will be using a probability sampling method called stratified sampling. For this approach, we will first divide up the sampling frame into two mutually exclusive and exhaustive subgroups, chosen at random, allowing us to study both groups as well as the overarching population. The research would provide insight into the rape culture, or lack thereof, at UT Tyler. Having contrasting data from students and administrators could provide valuable insight into the potential of campus policy to influence rape myth acceptance on a college campus.
Marijuana: Does Gender Correlate to Opinions on Marijuana?
Poster Presentation by Katarina Stadelmann, Bridgette Hairgrove, Raylynn Henry, & Luis Ortiz, Jessica RossMarijuana: Does Gender Correlate to Opinions on Marijuana?
This research study is designed to determine if there could be any relationship between gender and opinions on marijuana legalization in a sample of college students. The survey created for this research was distributed via social media and announcements on Canvas to college students in the Tyler, Texas area. The significance of this study is the impact it could have on the political aspects of marijuana legalization. Could gender be related to a person's opinion on marijuana? Furthermore, could gender affect how people vote on marijuana legalization? These are some of the questions being addressed in this study.
Perceptions of Sex Offenders
Poster Presentation by Josephine Schooley, Cammie Hicks, Lauren Nech, & Catherine BarnhartPerceptions of Sex Offenders
Our hypothesis is centered around the idea that young students share preconceived notions towards sex offenders. We believe that if those who are introduced to materials showing statistics indicating that a large amount of registered sex offenders are not violent or inherently unlikely to reoffend, it will change their opinions on this matter. Our hypothesis argues that being exposed to this information will positively influence their opinions and lessen biases against sex offenders. We will test our hypothesis by sending out a survey via social media and faculty at the University of Texas at Tyler, which will take place approximately March 25 through April 5. We aim to determine the current opinions of college students, who are in a social and educational environment. Then we will determine if our treatment, or additional knowledge about sex offenders, has an affect on opinions and/or attitudes.