The equity of punishment in the Naval Academy conduct system : a statistical analysis

• Main Author: Waesche, Matthew J.
• Other Authors: Fredland, J. Eric
• Published: Monterey, Calif. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/5764

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. === This thesis examines the equity of punishment awarded by the Naval Academy's Administrative Conduct System utilizing 7,704 conduct cases from the graduating classes of 1998 to 2001. Based on equity theory, the consistency of punishment is analyzed in terms of demerits awarded to athletes, minorities, women, and different midshipmen classes. A multiple linear regression model is used to identify statistically significant subgroups, while controlling for level of offense and whether or not a secondary offense was included with the primary offense. Statistically significant subgroups in order of precedence are all classes, women, and minorities. Furthermore, the regression results are compared to survey questions regarding midshipmen's perceptions of the Conduct System to determine if congruency exists between the perceptions and the statistics. Results of this study are used to create awareness to disparities in the awarding of punishment and to make recommendations for further studies.