High School Campus Violence

High School Campus Violence

What measurable outcome do you choose to explain?

The measurable outcome this study will explain is the relationship between hyperactivity caused by sugar and caffeine in the diets of highschool students and campus violence.

How would you measure the outcome?

The outcome of this study would be measured by keeping track of all school records relating to violent incidents on campus reported to the school nurse, teachers, and administrators.

Identify a "manipulable" causal influence (intervention) on your chosen outcome?

The intervention would be the removal of high-sugar and caffeine containing foods from the school cafeteria and vending machines so that they will not be as easily accessible to students during the school day. This would include soda and candy, as well as many other common foods served in most high school cafeterias.

State you hypothesis

Both sugar and caffeine have been shown in numerous studies to cause hyperactivity and to impair logical thought processes when consumed in large quantities. If sugar and caffeine intake was significantly reduced during the school day, campus violence would be noticeably reduced because students would no longer be under the mind-altering effects of these substances.

5) Design an experimental or quasiexperimental research study in which you can empirically test your hypothesis. In other words, compare an experimental group to a control group. Because randomization is not possible, choose a control group that is similar to the experimental group prior to your intervention.

This study would ideally take place over an extended period of time. The rates of violence would be monitored in the school of choice, as well as in neighboring schools in the district. Also, these rates would be compared to the number of incidents of campus violence from years past. In the chosen school, the cafeteria and vending machines would be stripped of all high-sugar and caffeine containing foods and beverages. For additional data collection, students could be surveyed regarding their sugar and caffeine consumption outside of the school cafeteria.

6) what new knowledge do you think your study will add to the extant literature?