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Dissertation Information for D. Kall Loper

NAME:
- D. Kall Loper
- (Alias) Donald Kall Loper

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Criminal Justice

SCHOOL:
- Michigan State University (USA) (2000)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: The criminology of computer hackers: A qualitative and quantitative analysis

Abstract: "This multi-part dissertation uses qualitative and quantitative methods to examine computer hackers. The research addresses three problems. First, there is no broadly agreed upon definition of hacker. The distinction between computer criminals and hackers is the subject of conflicting literature. Second, direct observation of hacker activities is not reported in the literature. Direct observation does not rely upon the subject's interpretations of events. Third, there is no quantitative study of hackers. Previous quantitative research has used proxy populations rather than hackers. Previous quantitative research has not attempted to generate predictor models of hacker activity.

Part I develops a typology of hackers based on subculture theory. The typology is the product of a triangulation of three sources (1) media definitions from news sources; (2) the self-definitions of hackers from their Internet communications; and from (3) the foundational materials (e.g., books, movies, web sites, etc.) found in the hacker subculture. The types defined in this typology will differentiate types within the hacker subculture and explain why hackers are so difficult to describe. The typology provides empirically derived definitions of computer hacker for the present and future research.

Part II is a field study of computer hacker activities. Since the vast majority of hacker interactions occur online, the unit of analysis is the interpersonal communication of hackers: E-mail messages. Part II uses ethnographic methods to categorize hacker online activities. Grounded theory guides this inductive examination of hacker activities. The products of this study are activity profiles of hacker, on-line activities organized with categories suggested by the grounded theory analysis.

Part III tests hypothetical, mathematical models created from the activity profiles developed in Part II. These activity profiles (the independent variables) predict the dependent variable: hacker competency. A mathematical model based on observable activities can be used to forecast competencies of computer hackers, and provides concrete guidance in the application of the typology in Part I to computer criminals and hackers."

MPACT Scores for D. Kall Loper

A = 0
C = 2
A+C = 2
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2009-06-03 19:16:50

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under D. Kall Loper

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Suleyman Ozeren - University of North Texas (2005)
- Selcuk Zengin - University of North Texas (2007)