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EXAMINING the CSI EFFECT and the INFLUENCE of FORENSIC CRIME TELEVISION on FUTURE JURORS Christopher Kopacki Virginia Commonwealth University

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EXAMINING the CSI EFFECT and the INFLUENCE of FORENSIC CRIME TELEVISION on FUTURE JURORS Christopher Kopacki Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2013 EXAMINING THE CSI EFFECT AND THE INFLUENCE OF FORENSIC CRIME TELEVISION ON FUTURE JURORS Christopher Kopacki Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons © The Author Downloaded from http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/3178 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EXAMINING THE CSI EFFECT AND THE INFLUENCE OF FORENSIC CRIME TELEVISION ON FUTURE JURORS A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University by CHRISTOPHER G. KOPACKI Master of Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005 Bachelor of Science, Bluefield College, 2003 Director: WILLIAM C. BOSHER, JR., ED.D. DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia August 2013 © Christopher G. Kopacki, 2013 All Rights Reserved ii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Mr. Edward J. Kopacki, Jr. and Mrs. Debra L. Kopacki. You have provided me with knowledge, wisdom, and guidance, which have served me well throughout my life. I truly appreciate all the sacrifices the both of you have made for me over the years. iii Table of Contents Page Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Abstract ............................................................................................................................ viii Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem ...................................................................................... 1 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................. 3 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 4 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 4 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 4 Link to Public Policy ................................................................................................ 5 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 6 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................ 6 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 6 Limitations ................................................................................................................ 7 Summary ................................................................................................................... 7 Definitions of Terms ................................................................................................. 9 2. Review of the Literature .............................................................................................. 10 Brief History of Crime and the Media in the United States .................................... 10 Social Constructionism and the Media ................................................................... 13 Influence of Crime Television ................................................................................ 17 The “CSI Effect” Defined ....................................................................................... 20 iv Current Research on the CSI Effect ........................................................................ 22 Theoretical Works ......................................................................................... 22 Empirical Studies .......................................................................................... 28 Other Relevant Research ............................................................................... 36 Summary and Conclusion ....................................................................................... 37 3. Methodological Plan .................................................................................................... 40 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 41 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................. 41 Instrument and Scenarios ........................................................................................ 42 Measurement ........................................................................................................... 44 Dependent Variables ..................................................................................... 45 Independent Variables .................................................................................. 45 Control Variables .......................................................................................... 47 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 47 Units of Analysis and Population ........................................................................... 48 Data Sources and Data Collection .......................................................................... 49 Procedures ............................................................................................................... 50 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 50 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 51 4. Analysis and Results .................................................................................................... 53 Overview ................................................................................................................. 53 Data Cleaning .......................................................................................................... 53 Descriptive Statistics ............................................................................................... 53 v Transformation and Selection of Variables ............................................................ 55 Hypothesis 1 ............................................................................................................ 60 Hypothesis 2 ............................................................................................................ 61 Hypothesis 3 ............................................................................................................ 62 Additional Findings ................................................................................................ 64 Summary of Results ................................................................................................ 66 5. Discussion and Conclusions ........................................................................................ 68 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 68 Methods and Data ................................................................................................... 68 Major Findings ........................................................................................................ 70 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 71 Public Policy Implications ...................................................................................... 75 Recommendations for Juror Selection .................................................................... 77 Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 78 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 80 References ......................................................................................................................... 82 Appendices A. Survey Instrument .............................................................................................. 88 B. Informed Consent ............................................................................................... 92 C. SPSS Frequencies Outputs ................................................................................. 93 D. SPSS Descriptives Output .................................................................................. 99 E. SPSS Logistic Regression Output (Preliminary Model) .................................. 100 F. SPSS Logistic Regression Output (Final Model) ............................................. 103 vi G. Bivariate Analysis Outputs .............................................................................. 105 H. SUNY IRB Approval ......................................................................................
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