Lambda and Gamma Levels of Association

Lambda and gamma are two measures of association that are commonly used in social science statistics and research. Lambda is a measure of association used for nominal variables while gamma is used for ordinal variables. Lambda Lambda is defined as an asymmetrical measure of association that is suitable for use with nominal variables. It may range from 0.0 to 1.0. Lambda provides us with an indication of the strength of the relationship between independent and dependent variables. As an asymmetrical measure of association, lambda’s value may vary depending on which variable is considered the dependent variable and which variables are considered the independent variable. To calculate lambda, you need two numbers: E1 and E2. E1 is the error of prediction made when the independent variable is ignored. To find E1, you first need to find the mode of the dependent variable and subtract its frequency from N. E1 N – Modal frequency. E2 is the errors made when the prediction is based on the independent variable. To find E2, you first need to find the modal frequency for each category of the independent variables, subtract it from the category total to find the number of errors, then add up all the errors. The formula for calculating lambda is: Lambda (E1 – E2) / E1. Lambda may range in value from 0.0 to 1.0. Zero indicates that there is nothing to be gained by using the independent variable to predict the dependent variable. In other words, the independent variable does not, in any way, predict the dependent variable. A lambda of 1.0 indicates that the independent variable is a perfect predictor of the dependent variable. That is, by using the independent variable as a predictor, we can predict the dependent variable without any error. Gamma Gamma is defined as a symmetrical measure of association suitable for use with ordinal variable or with dichotomous nominal variables. It can vary from 0.0 to /- 1.0 and provides us with an indication of the strength of the relationship between two variables. Whereas lambda is an asymmetrical measure of association, gamma is a symmetrical measure of association. This means that the value of gamma will be the same regardless of which variable is considered the dependent variable and which variable is considered the independent variable. Gamma is calculated using the following formula: Gamma (Ns - Nd)/(Ns Nd) The direction of the relationship between ordinal variables can either be positive or negative. With a positive relationship, if one person ranked higher than another on one variable, he or she would also rank above the other person on the second variable. This is called same order ranking, which is labeled with an Ns, shown in the formula above. With a negative relationship, if one person is ranked above another on one variable, he or she would rank below the other person on the second variable. This is called an inverse order pair and is labeled as Nd, shown in the formula above. To calculate gamma, you first need to count the number of same order pairs (Ns) and the number of inverse order pairs (Nd). These can be obtained from a bivariate table (also known as a frequency table or crosstabulation table). Once these are counted, the calculation of gamma is straightforward. A gamma of 0.0 indicates that there is no relationship between the two variables and nothing is to be gained by using the independent variable to predict the dependent variable. A gamma of 1.0 indicates that the relationship between the variables is positive and the dependent variable can be predicted by the independent variable without any error. When gamma is -1.0, this means that the relationship is negative and that the independent variable can perfectly predict the dependent variable with no error. References Frankfort-Nachmias, C. Leon-Guerrero, A. (2006). Social Statistics for a Diverse Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

The Maya Lowlands Region of the Maya Civilization

The Maya lowlands region is where the Classic Maya civilization arose. An extensive area including some 96,000 square miles (250,000 square kilometers), the Maya lowlands are located in the northern part of Central America, in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, at sea level elevations from 25 feet (7.6 meters) to approximately 2,600 ft (800 m) above sea level. In contrast, the Maya highlands area (above 2,600 ft) is located south of the lowlands in mountainous regions of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Key Takeaways: Maya Lowlands The Maya lowlands is the name of a region of central America that includes parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.  The region is a hugely varied environment, from desert to tropical rain forest, and in this varied climate, the Classic Maya arose and developedBetween 3 and 13 million people lived there during classic period times.   Lowland Maya People Map of the Maya Region. Base Map: GringoInChile At the height of the Classic period Maya civilization, about 700 CE, there were between 3 million to 13 million people living in the Maya Lowlands. They lived in about 30 small polities that varied in their organization, from expansive regional states to smaller city-states and loosely organized associations. The polities spoke different Maya languages and dialects and practiced different forms of social and political organization. Some interacted within a broader Mesoamerican system, trading with many different groups such as the Olmec. There were similarities among the polities in the Maya lowlands: they practiced a settlement pattern of low-density urbanism, and their rulers were political and religious leaders called kujul ajaw (holy lord), who were supported by a dynastic royal court made up of family members, religious and administrative officials, and artisans. The Maya communities also shared a market economy, that combined both an elite-controlled trading network of exotic materials, as well as a day-to-day market for individuals. The lowland Maya grew avocado, beans, chili peppers, squash, cacao and maize, and raised turkeys and macaws; and they made pottery and figurines, as well as tools and other objects of obsidian, greenstone, and shell. The Maya people of the lowlands also shared complex ways to retain water (constructed bedrock chambers called chultunes, wells, and reservoirs), hydraulic management methods (canals and dams), and enhanced agricultural production (terraces and raised and drained fields called chinampas.) They built public spaces (ballcourts, palaces, temples), private spaces (houses, residential plaza groups), and infrastructure (roads and processional routes known as sacbe, public plazas, and storage facilities). Modern Maya living in the region today include the Yucatec Maya of the northern lowlands, the Chorti Maya in the southeastern lowlands, and the Tzotzil in the southwestern lowlands. Variations in the Climate Great Cenote at Chichen Itza. Michael Rael Overall, there is little exposed surface water in the region: what there is can be found in lakes in the Peten, swamps, and cenotes, natural sinkholes created by the Chicxulub crater impact. In general terms of climate, the Maya lowland region experiences a rainy and muggy season from June to October, a relatively cool season from November to February, and a hot season from March to May. The heaviest rainfall ranges from 35–40 inches per year on the west coast of the Yucatan to 55 inches on the east coast.   Scholars have divided the Lowland Maya region into many different zones, based on differences in agricultural soils, the length and timing of wet and dry seasons, water supply and quality, elevation about sea level, vegetation, and biotic and mineral resources. In general, the southeastern parts of the region are moist enough to support a complex canopy of a tropical rain forest, ranging up to 130 ft (40 m) in height; while the northwest corner of the Yucatan is so dry that it approaches desert-like extremes. The entire area is characterized by shallow or waterlogged soils and was once covered in dense tropical forests. The forests harbored a range of animals, including two kinds of deer, peccary, tapir, jaguar, and several species of monkeys. Sites in the Maya Lowlands Mexico: Dzibilchaltun, Mayapan, Uxmal, Tulum, Ek Balam, Labna, Calakmul, Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak, Coba, Sayil, Chichen Itza, XicalangoBelize: Altun Ha, Pulltrouser Swamp, Xunantunich, LamanaiGuatemala: El Mirador, Piedras Negras, Nakbe, Tikal, Ceibal Sources and Further Reading Ball, Joseph W. The Maya Lowlands North. Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia. Eds. Evans, Susan Toby and David L. Webster. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 2001. 433–441. Print.Chase, Arlen F., et al. Tropical Landscapes and the Ancient Maya: Diversity in Time and Space. Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association 24.1 (2014): 11–29. Print.Douglas, Peter M.J., et al. Impacts of Climate Change on the Collapse of Lowland Maya Civilization. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 44.1 (2016): 613–45. Print.Gunn, Joel D., et al. A Distribution Analysis of the Central Maya Lowlands Ecoinformation Network: Its Rises, Falls, and Changes. Ecology and Society 22.1 (2017). Print.Houston, Stephen D. The Maya Lowlands South. Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia. Eds. Evans, Susan Toby and David L. Webster. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 2001. 441–4417. Print.Lucero, Lisa J., Roland Fletcher, and Robin Coningham. From ‘Collapse’ to Urban Diaspora: The Transformation of Low-Density, Dispersed Agrarian Urbanism. Antiquity 89.347 (2015): 1139–54. Print.Rice, Prudence M. Middle Preclassic Interregional Interaction and the Maya Lowlands. Journal of Archaeological Research 23.1 (2015): 1–47. Print.

Prosecuting Arguments Free Essays

Prosecuting Arguments A prosecutor’s duty is to defer and produce evidence of the crime at hand to the judge and jury so that they can decide an appropriate sentence. According to the case of State v. Stu Dents, there are several charges against the defendant which range from moderate to severe. We will write a custom essay sample on Prosecuting Arguments or any similar topic only for you Order Now These charges include homicide, assault of a police officer, kidnapping, burglary, and crimes related to drugs. The prosecution must attempt to provide accurate evidence to prove the charges against Stu Dents. During this trial, the prosecution will evaluate the laws and statutes of Hawaii, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania to determine which state the case is the strongest. The prosecution will examine each of these states thoroughly to provide a better understanding of the charges, which will provide a guideline in determining the best sentencing alternatives. Facts and Elements The prosecution must establish the facts and elements of each crime to prove a defendant’s guilt. The elements of crime are the basic components of the crime, and the essential features of that crime specified by law or statute. These elements include actus reus, mens rea, and a concurrence of the two. To convict the defendant of a particular crime, the prosecution must establish that each of the required elements are present in the facts to prove criminal liability (Schmalleger, Hall, Dolatowski, 2010). In the case of State v. Stu Dents, the prosecution must establish the facts and elements of the charges for homicide, assault of a police officer, kidnapping, burglary, and crimes related to drugs. For the charge of homicide, all of the required elements are present in the facts of the case. The journal entries discussing the purchase of rope, rags, and a sharp hunting knife â€Å"to fulfill [his] destiny† prove mens rea. Actus reus is proven in the evidence that the victim was found with cloth stuffed in her mouth, arms and legs tied with rope restraints, and stabbed to death. The defendant’s intent to commit the crime is proven by the journal entries, and the proof that he engaged in the criminal conduct is evident in the gagging, restraining, and stabbing death of the victim (University of Phoenix, n. d. ). For the charge of assault of a police officer, all of the required elements are present in the facts of the case. When police officers attempted to take him into custody, he was extremely agitated, irrational, combative, and screaming about the end of the world and aliens working in the police force, which proves mens rea. Actus reus is proven when the defendant punched the officer in the face while the officer attempted to handcuff him. The defendant’s intent to cause bodily harm to the officer by punching him proves the presence of intent and conduct (University of Phoenix, n. . ). For the charge of kidnapping, all of the required elements are present in the facts of the case. Mens rea is proven from the evidence officers found in the defendant’s home, which included a timeline of more than 300 photos of the victim in various locations and situations. It appears as if some photos were taken without the victim’s knowledge. Actus reus is proven by the evidence of cuts and bruises found on the victim’s body as well as skin particles under her fingernails, which signify a struggle prior to death. The DNA of the skin particles matched samples of the defendant’s DNA. Therefore, the defendant’s intent to seize unlawfully and carry away the victim by force, as indicated by the evidence of struggle, proves the presence of intent and conduct (University of Phoenix, n. d. ). For the charge of burglary, all of the required elements are present in the facts of the case. Mens rea is proven from witness testimony stating that the defendant entered the victim’s apartment when she was not home, and there was no proof that he used a key. Actus reus is proven when a search of the defendant’s home produced drugs and jewelry owned by the victim. The defendant’s intent to enter the victim’s residence unlawfully without permission for the purpose of committing a crime is proven by the theft of the victim’s possessions (University of Phoenix, n. d. ). For the charge of crimes related to drugs, all of the elements are present in the facts of the case. Mens rea is proven when a search of the defendant’s home produced various amounts of ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamines. Actus reus is proven by the presence of ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamines in the defendant’s home, which is an act of possession. The defendant knowingly possessing the drugs coexists with the act of possessing the drugs (University of Phoenix, n. d. ). State Laws In Hawaii, homicide occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another person, and it is considered murder in the first degree. The crime of homicide with more than one victim or an inmate killing his or her cellmate is considered first degree murder, and homicide of an officer of the law is considered a felony murder. Murder in the first degree is a serious felony, and the defendant could face life in prison without parole because Hawaii does not have the death penalty (FindLaw, 2012). In Pennsylvania, assault of a police officer occurs when a person intentionally causes harm to an officer while on duty, such as fighting the officer to avoid arrest. If this incident causes the officer bodily harm, the crime is a second-degree misdemeanor. This will result in a sentence of up to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $3,000. If a person shoots and kills an officer on duty, the charge is assault in the first degree. The defendant could face a minimum of 20 years in prison or death for first-degree assault of a police officer (Justia, n. d. ). In North Carolina, kidnapping occurs when a person unlawfully restrains or keeps another person at any place without his or her permission. It is considered first degree kidnapping if the victim is not released in a safe place or is seriously injured. This charge is considered a Class C felony, and it carries up to 15 years imprisonment (North Carolina General Assembly, n. d. ). In Arkansas, residential burglary occurs when a person unlawfully enters and remains in a residential structure, and commits any offense punishable by imprisonment. This crime is considered a Class B felony. A defendant who is charged with this crime faces five to 10 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $15,000 (Justia, n. d. ). In Virginia, crimes related to drugs include manufacturing, distributing, or possessing controlled substances with the intent to manufacture or distribute. A first offense under this statute carries a sentence of five to 40 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $500,000. Second and subsequent offenses carry a sentence of five years to life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $500,000. It is considered a felony if a person manufactures, distributes, or possesses certain large amounts of controlled substances. A felony conviction carries a sentence of five years to life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $1 million (Laws. com, 2011). Strongest State Case According to the information on the state laws and statutes, Hawaii would yield the strongest prosecution in the case of State v. Stu Dents. In Hawaii, a conviction of homicide carries a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, which would keep the defendant away from society, and keep society safe from possible future offenses by the defendant. A conviction for assault of a police officer carries up to five years imprisonment. A conviction for kidnapping and drug crimes is a Class A felony, and it carries a term of up to life imprisonment with a fine of up to $50,000. A conviction of burglary is a Class B felony, and it carries a term of two to 20 years imprisonment with a fine of up to $25,000 (Nolo, 2012). If the defendant is found guilty of all charges in the state of Hawaii, he will spend the rest of his life in prison as well as pay a large amount in fines, which is absolute justice for the victim. Conclusion Each state has different laws for each crime that a person commits and how that person is charged for the crime. The prosecution for each crime is strong for each of the states examined. No matter what the case is for a crime committed in any state, there is a law or statute available to charge a person for that crime. Regardless of the state the criminal trial proceeds in, the prosecution will have a strong case in the case of State v. Stu Dents. References FindLaw. (2012). Haw. Rev. Stat.  § 707-701 : Hawaii Statutes – Section 707-701: Murder in the first degree. Retrieved from http://codes. lp. findlaw. com/histatutes/5/37/707/II/707-701 Justia. (n. d. ). 2010 Arkansas Code  § 5-39-201 – Residential burglary — Commercial burglary. Retrieved from http://law. justia. com/codes/arkansas/2010/title-5/subtitle-4/chapter-39/ subchapter-2/5-39-201/ Justia. (n. d. . 2010 Pennsylvania Code  § 2702. 1 – Assault of law enforcement officer. Retrieved from http://law. justia. com/codes/pennsylvania/2010/title-18/chapter-27/2702-1/ Laws. com. (2011). 18. 2-248 – Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance prohibited; penalties. Retrieved fro m http://statutes. laws. com/ virginia/title-18-2/chapter-7/18-2-248 Nolo. (2012). Hawaii Charges for Crimes by Felony Class. Retrieved from ttp://www. criminaldefenselawyer. com/resources/criminal-defense/felony-offense/ hawaii-felony-class. htm North Carolina General Assembly. (n. d. ). Article 10 – Kidnapping and Abduction. Retrieved from http://www. ncga. state. nc. us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_ 14/Article_10. pdf Schmalleger, F. , Hall, D. E. , Dolatowski, J. J. (2010). Criminal law Today. (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. University of Phoenix. (n. d. ). State v. Stu Dents. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, CJA354 website. How to cite Prosecuting Arguments, Essay examples

Policy Evaluation free essay sample

Policies are rules that are created by the government to make our country peaceful and progressive country. Policy evaluation is an efficient process for assessing the design, implementation and outcomes of public policies. Evaluation uses social science study of methods, including qualitative and quantitative techniques, to examine the effects of policies. The function of policy evaluation enables all participants in the policy process, including legislators, executives, agency officials and others, to measure the degree to which a program has achieved its goals, assess the effects and identify any needed changes to a policy. Policies are revealed through text, practices, symbols and discourses that define and deliver values including goods and services as well as regulations, income, status and other positively or negatively valued attributes. Policies are not just contained in laws and regulations; once a law or rule is made, policies continue to be made as the people who implement policy – that is, those who put policies into effort – make decisions about who will benefit from policies and who will shoulder burdens as a result. We will write a custom essay sample on Policy Evaluation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page For the government, policies are important to keep the country in harmony and peace. One may say that policies are laws or rules and regulations implemented by a certain authority. In the case of the country, it can be the laws, proclamations, memorandums and administrative order issued by the government. The two main types of policy evaluation are formative and summative evaluation. Formative evaluation is examines the operation of the program, usually for the purpose of on the road to recovery the program and assessing its implementation. Summative evaluation is a method for judging the worth of a program while the program activities are forming in progress. This part of the evaluation focuses on the process. Policy consideration is a rarely as simple as some politicians suggest. Policy-makers often want immediate information on policy effects, but many programs have long-term effects that will not be known in the short term. A bill is filed in the Office of the Secretary where it is given a corresponding number and calendared for First Reading. The first reading its title, bill number, and author’s name are read on the floor, after which it is referred to the proper committee. Committee conducts hearings and consultation meetings. It then approves the proposed bill without an amendment, approves it with changes, or recommends substitution or consolidation with similar bills filed. The Committee Report with its approved bill version is submitted to the Committee on Rules for calendaring for Second Reading. Bill author delivers sponsorship speech on the floor. Senators engage in debate, interpellation, turno en contra, and rebuttal to highlight the pros and cons of the bill. A period of amendments incorporates necessary changes in the bill proposed by the committee or introduced by the Senators themselves on the floor. Senators vote on the second reading version of the bill. If approved, the bill is calendared for third reading Some steps in how to evaluate policy. 1st learn the legislative history of the policy youre evaluating, 2nd identify the key stakeholders in a policy, 3rdthis evaluation will include an overview of the policy, its goals and objectives, 4thcollect the data needed for evaluation, 5thanalyze the data, and lastly 6threport your conclusions based on the analysis.