{"id":{"repo_id":"texas-state","oai_identifier":"oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/20394"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/texas-state/oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/20394","repository":{"repo_id":"texas-state","name":"Texas State University","base_url":"https://digital.library.txst.edu/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Evaluating Reliability of the Megyesi Total Body Scoring Method on People of Color","abstract":"This thesis investigates the reliability of Megyesi et al.'s (2005) Total Body Score (TBS) method in assessing decomposition, focusing on people of color (POC). Using a semi-experimental design, it analyzes a dataset of decomposition photos from the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center, comprising 5 POC and 5 White donors. Observation packets, distributed to 21 participants, follow established protocols for TBS scoring, with interrater reliability assessed using Fleiss' Kappa and weighted Cohens’ Kappa. Furthermore, correlation analysis examines the relationship between TBS scores for White individuals and POC. The study also evaluates participants' understanding and application of the TBS methodology through the percentage of correct answers. By investigating potential biases and factors influencing agreement levels among raters, including participant backgrounds and subconscious biases, the research aims to refine forensic anthropology assessments, particularly in a diverse population.","abstract_html":"This thesis investigates the reliability of Megyesi et al.'s (2005) Total Body Score (TBS) method in assessing decomposition, focusing on people of color (POC). Using a semi-experimental design, it analyzes a dataset of decomposition photos from the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center, comprising 5 POC and 5 White donors. Observation packets, distributed to 21 participants, follow established protocols for TBS scoring, with interrater reliability assessed using Fleiss' Kappa and weighted Cohens’ Kappa. Furthermore, correlation analysis examines the relationship between TBS scores for White individuals and POC. The study also evaluates participants' understanding and application of the TBS methodology through the percentage of correct answers. By investigating potential biases and factors influencing agreement levels among raters, including participant backgrounds and subconscious biases, the research aims to refine forensic anthropology assessments, particularly in a diverse population.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Gutierrez, Eliana"],"institution":"Texas State University","degree_name":"Master of Arts","degree_level":"Masters","degree_discipline":"Anthropology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Wescott, Daniel J."],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":["Cunningham, Deborah L.","Hamilton, Michelle D."],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-05","date_published":"2024-05","updated_at":"2026-07-27T21:22:37Z","subjects":["anthropology","diversity","decomposition","total body scoring"],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10877/20394","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Wescott, Daniel J."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Cunningham, Deborah L.","Hamilton, Michelle D."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Gutierrez, Eliana"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2025-02-18T18:39:02Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-02-18T18:39:02Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2024-05"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Anthropology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Texas State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["anthropology","diversity","decomposition","total body scoring"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10877/20394"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This thesis investigates the reliability of Megyesi et al.'s (2005) Total Body Score (TBS) method in assessing decomposition, focusing on people of color (POC). Using a semi-experimental design, it analyzes a dataset of decomposition photos from the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center, comprising 5 POC and 5 White donors. Observation packets, distributed to 21 participants, follow established protocols for TBS scoring, with interrater reliability assessed using Fleiss' Kappa and weighted Cohens’ Kappa. Furthermore, correlation analysis examines the relationship between TBS scores for White individuals and POC. The study also evaluates participants' understanding and application of the TBS methodology through the percentage of correct answers. 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Using a semi-experimental design, it analyzes a dataset of decomposition photos from the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center, comprising 5 POC and 5 White donors. Observation packets, distributed to 21 participants, follow established protocols for TBS scoring, with interrater reliability assessed using Fleiss' Kappa and weighted Cohens’ Kappa. Furthermore, correlation analysis examines the relationship between TBS scores for White individuals and POC. The study also evaluates participants' understanding and application of the TBS methodology through the percentage of correct answers. 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