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The field of authorship determination, previously largely falling under the umbrella of literary analysis but recently becoming a large subfield of forensic linguistics, has grown substantially over the last two decades. As its body of research and its record of successful forensic application continue to grow, this growth is paralleled

The field of authorship determination, previously largely falling under the umbrella of literary analysis but recently becoming a large subfield of forensic linguistics, has grown substantially over the last two decades. As its body of research and its record of successful forensic application continue to grow, this growth is paralleled by the demand for its application. However, methods which have undergone rigorous testing to show their reliability and replicability, allowing them to meet the strict Daubert criteria put forth by the US court system, have not truly been established.

In this study, I set out to investigate how a list of parameters, many commonly used in the methodologies of previous researchers, would perform when used to test documents of bloggers from a sports blog, Winging It in Motown. Three prolific bloggers were chosen from the site, and a corpus of posts was created for each blogger which was then examined for each of the chosen parameters. One test document for each of the three bloggers which was not included in that blogger’s corpus was then chosen from the blog page, and these documents were examined for each of the parameters via the same methodologies as were used to examine the corpora. Once data for the corpora and all three test documents was obtained, the results were compared for similarity, and an author determination was made for each test document along each parameter.

The findings indicated that overall the parameters were quite unsuccessful in determining authorship for these test documents based on the author corpora developed for the study. Only two parameters successfully identified the authors of the test documents at a rate higher than chance, and the possibility exists that other factors may be driving these successful identifications, demanding further research to confirm their validity as parameters for the purpose of authorship work.
ContributorsCox, Taylor (Author) / Gelderen, Elly van (Thesis advisor) / Gillon, Carrie (Committee member) / Gee, Elisabeth (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
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We were driven by the question: what is happening to the popularity of Major League Baseball? In order to answer this question we compared the league structure of Major League Baseball with that of the National Football League. We were able to speak with five former or current members of

We were driven by the question: what is happening to the popularity of Major League Baseball? In order to answer this question we compared the league structure of Major League Baseball with that of the National Football League. We were able to speak with five former or current members of the respective leagues in order to gain some insight into how the two leagues operate. The main focus of our research was around the payroll structures of the two leagues as well as their revenue sharing policies. In the end, we discovered that Major League Baseball is becoming highly regionalized. The sport is still growing in popularity in terms of revenue and fan involvement, but it is becoming less popular on a national stage. The league is benefitting greatly from factors like the increasing importance of "TiVo proof programming" and a lack of competition. Each league is very different in its own right. While the NFL promotes a perception of competitive balance, Major League Baseball can be plagued by the negative perception it creates surrounding some of its smaller market teams.
ContributorsHeath, Cameron (Co-author) / Linamen, John (Co-author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2015-05
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This thesis project provides a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the golf industry in Arizona. We begin by examining the economic, environmental, and social costs that the industry requires. One of the largest costs of the industry is water consumption. Golf courses in Arizona are currently finding ways to reduce water

This thesis project provides a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the golf industry in Arizona. We begin by examining the economic, environmental, and social costs that the industry requires. One of the largest costs of the industry is water consumption. Golf courses in Arizona are currently finding ways to reduce water consumption through various methods, such as turf reduction and increasing the usage of drip irrigation. However, even at current levels of consumption, golf only consumes 1.9% of water in Arizona, compared to the 69% consumed by agriculture. Of the water consumed by the golf industry, 26.3% is wastewater, otherwise known as effluent water. Since the population in Arizona is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, the amount of effluent water produced will also increase. Due to this, we recommend that the golf industry move towards using as much effluent water as possible to conserve clean water sources. Additionally, we examine land allocation and agricultural tradeoffs to the state. Most golf courses are built in urban areas that would not be suitable for agriculture. The same land could be used to build a public park, but this would not provide as many economic benefits to the state. Many courses also act as floodplains which protect the communities surrounding them from flooding. These floodplains have proven to be crucial to protect from occasional flash floods by diverting the excess water away from homes. We also discuss golf's primary social cost in terms of its perception as being a sport played exclusively by privileged and wealthy people. This is proven to be false due to many non-profit organizations centered around the game, as well as municipal courses that provide affordable options for all citizens who want to play. We provide an in-depth analysis of the benefits that the industry provides to the state and its citizens primarily through business and tax revenue, employment, and property values. Including multiplier effects, the golf industry contributed 42,000 full- and part-time jobs, $3.9 billion in sales, $1.5 billion in labor income, and $2.1 billion value added in 2014. An estimated $72 million in state and local taxes were generated from golf facilities alone, without including taxes from indirectly impacted businesses. This tax revenue provides a great benefit to the public sector and increases Arizona's GDP. Also, much of this economic contribution is from the golf tourism industry, which brings new revenue into the state that would otherwise not exist. Golf courses also increase the surrounding real estate prices anywhere from 4.8% to 28%, providing a positive externality to community members in addition to scenic views. Finally, we provide a case study of the Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMO) to illustrate the impact of Arizona's single largest golf event each year. In 2017, the event brought an estimated $389 million into Arizona's economy in one week alone. Also, it regularly hosts massive crowds with a record-breaking 719,179 people attending the event in 2018. The WMO has also taken a "Zero Waste Challenge" to promote eco-friendly and sustainable practices by diverting all of the waste and materials produced by the tournament from landfills. The WMO has been dubbed both the "Greatest Show On Grass" and the "Greenest Show On Grass" due to the entertainment value provided as well as its effort to improve the environment.
ContributorsShershenovich, Andrew (Co-author) / Wilhelm, Spencer (Co-author) / Goegan, Brian (Thesis director) / Van Poucke, Rory (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
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It's the last Friday before break, everyone is excited and rush to put on their uniform. The class eagerly lines up for morning stretches and the P.E. Instructor announces, "Today we're playing... DODGEBALL!" Half the class cheers eyeing their friends with a competitive smirk, while the other half tremble in

It's the last Friday before break, everyone is excited and rush to put on their uniform. The class eagerly lines up for morning stretches and the P.E. Instructor announces, "Today we're playing... DODGEBALL!" Half the class cheers eyeing their friends with a competitive smirk, while the other half tremble in their sneakers mentally reliving their last terrifying red rubber ball experience. Dodgeball's polarizing popularity has created an uproar in the public-school system with many claiming that the traditional sport is beneficial while others assert it's dangerous and lobby for its prohibition citing recent damages and lawsuits. Dodgeball is a sport that far most often elicits vivid memories of gym class; however, there is a rich and active history of competitive dodgeball worldwide. Dodgeball's resurgence since the popular film of the same name in 2004 has sparked a competitive flair for the game and quickly gained the attention of sports media which has highlighted the team-focused competitive aspect of the beloved sport. The sport of dodgeball was originally developed in Africa over 200 years ago and first observed by a missionary named Dr. James Carlisle (History of Dodgeball)1. The concept of the sport was exceptionally crude, as the African tribes used large rocks and putrefied matter to continuously pelt the opposing players. The defending team would gather around their downed player to deflect projectiles and allow their teammate to recover. Dr. Carlisle recognized that the tribesmen used the sport as a means to build trust and demonstrated remarkable athleticism amongst their warriors. Dr. Carlisle introduced this innovative team-based sport to his colleagues in England instead utilizing leather balls; however, the doctor quickly recognized that his colleagues didn't possess the necessary strength, agility, nor teamwork to compete in the game at its current state. The sport was updated and played on an open field with no set area restrictions. The game was similar to a large-scale chess match in which opposing teams aim to strategically trap and aggressively target players in order to remove them from play. The sport was played this way for a century until in 1884 when Phillip Ferguson from Yale University brought the competition to America with a new set of guidelines. The reformed sport included a definite number of players, dodgeballs, and predetermined space for the competition leading to widespread adoption by the American school system. Today, dodgeball has emerged as a competitive sport with multiple regional competitive leagues around the country and even two distinct professional dodgeball leagues in which teams can earn prize money, sponsorships, and for elite teams, world championship glory. Dodgeball is often recognized as a popular activity in the public school physical education system and has been a cornerstone of the course exemplifying sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic skills through coordinated team play since inception; however, in recent years, the sport has come into scrutiny as lawsuits resulting from damages and concerned parents voice against the activity.
ContributorsHorton, John Joseph (Author) / Sadusky, Brian (Thesis director) / Carter, Phillip (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
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Marketers today have found a way to expose sexualized content to young girls. Intentional or not, girls are taking notice of it and it shows in the increasing numbers of mental and physical disorders. This thesis attempts to synthesis previous research studies and current examples of sexual objectification of women

Marketers today have found a way to expose sexualized content to young girls. Intentional or not, girls are taking notice of it and it shows in the increasing numbers of mental and physical disorders. This thesis attempts to synthesis previous research studies and current examples of sexual objectification of women in the hopes to create more awareness on the sexualization of girls. Several aspect play a significant role in shaping young girls including how females are portrayed in the media, how the beauty standards continue to change with the current trends, and how parents are playing an influential role in their children's lives. I will propose some recommendations about what we, as a society, can do to help parents and children grow up in this hyper sexualized world.
ContributorsFoster, Nicole Michelle (Author) / Montoya, Detra (Thesis director) / Ketcham, Jonathan (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
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Description

This project dives into the journey of our entrepreneurial startup with the Founders Lab Thesis Program. In the global sports business industry, we knew that there was something missing. While conducting market research, there was little data and information about sustainability initiatives that engaged sports fans, especially in college sports.

This project dives into the journey of our entrepreneurial startup with the Founders Lab Thesis Program. In the global sports business industry, we knew that there was something missing. While conducting market research, there was little data and information about sustainability initiatives that engaged sports fans, especially in college sports. Not to mention, there was no sustainability information provided on any existing platforms that sporting teams use for ticketing and advertising. So, for our startup, we decided to create a website called SustainSports which gives fans the opportunity to inform themselves about sustainability initiatives at sports events (https://sustainsports.webflow.io/). These fans can also earn points and rewards for practicing sustainability activities at home. In short, SustainSports serves as an educational, interactive, and informative website that connects users to sustainability initiatives, community activities, and exciting rewards, while encouraging users to continue such environmentally-friendly practices in their daily lives. In chronological order, this thesis paper will examine the process we took to create SustainSports and demonstrate our efforts that properly allowed us to defend it one academic year later. From meetings with renowned sports enthusiasts and professors to interviews with ASU students and sports fans, we have listened to and taken in diverse perspectives to understand the perceptions of sustainability in the global sports industry. When we realized that there was a significant gap between sports and sustainability - both important elements of American society and culture - we knew a change needed to be made. Hence, SustainSports came to life, offering users a fresh opportunity to be more aware of their sustainability surroundings, while simultaneously enjoying the sports they know and love.

ContributorsThirunagari, Samay (Co-author) / Bruce, Daniel (Co-author) / Stanisic, Yelena (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Lee, Christopher (Committee member) / Kunowski, Jeff (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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The sports universe has been around for over a century and yet the at home sports viewing experience has seen little change. Even though our society has seen monumental innovative, technological advances, watching sports at home has not undergone any changes and may soon find itself a thing of the

The sports universe has been around for over a century and yet the at home sports viewing experience has seen little change. Even though our society has seen monumental innovative, technological advances, watching sports at home has not undergone any changes and may soon find itself a thing of the past unless something changes. When the COVID-19 pandemic arose, a problem surfaced of revenue loss and decreasing fan retention leaving teams and leagues stumbling for solutions. RYZE offers a never before seen product that can revolutionize how sports fans watch and engage in sporting events. By taking the lucrative concept of “battle passes” from the video game industry and placing it in the sports industry, RYZE hopes to increase overall fan revenue, retention, and engagement. A clear market size and wide range of potential customers, RYZE looks to help fans stay engaged while also earning prizes. With competition ranging from fantasy sports to virtual reality, RYZE has competitive advantages that give it potential to become a sports fan’s go to product when thinking about their favorite team. RYZE has gone from a propelling question to a bright idea and then to a prototype along with a full pitch deck and hopes to engrain itself in college athletics, MLB, and other professional sports leagues.

ContributorsTimmermann, Justin Michael (Co-author) / Diaz, Daniel (Co-author) / Meyer, Sarah (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Lee, Christopher (Committee member) / Kunowski, Jeffrey (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description

When you watch a soccer team play, the major determinant of success, wins, attributes to the quality of players and coaches, and consequently the actions they make in a game. The commercial success of a sports business, in some fashion, is affected by those same factors. It is the job

When you watch a soccer team play, the major determinant of success, wins, attributes to the quality of players and coaches, and consequently the actions they make in a game. The commercial success of a sports business, in some fashion, is affected by those same factors. It is the job of an effective sports business to manage financial values in order to maximize the potential for the management of the team. Contracting, in terms of sports management, is a key component for the financial capabilities of every soccer organization, and the valuation of player contracts can be identified as an indicator of success or detriment of a team. The goal of this paper is to explore the current contractual inconsistencies of professional soccer organizations and create a model that projects success based on average player contract and market values. The model summarizes the actual market and contract values from the top 5 leagues over the last 5 years (2018-2023) and segments the data into 4 projections based on UEFA Champions League qualification, top half of total standings, bottom half of total standings, and relegation. This summary is then filtered to establish a range of expected contract and market values for each segment, which in turn can be used as an estimation tool for professional teams to make financial projections for the success of their team.

ContributorsHarris, James (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Harris Jr., James (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2023-05
ContributorsKenny, Carsen (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2023-05
ContributorsKenny, Carsen (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2023-05