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1. Copy Epi Talk handout for each student.
Epi Talk
Essential
Question
5
Cost-Benefit Analysis
A tool for deciding how to allocate money based on a comparison of the dollar value of implementing a risk management strategy (cost) to the dollar value of what the strategy will accomplish (benefit).
Results in a cost-benefit ratio.
Efficiency
The effects achieved in relationship to the time, energy, and money expended.
External Data Monitoring Board
An independent group of experts that periodically reviews and evaluates study data. It is interested in safety of participants, study conduct and progress, and preliminary findings. It can make
recommendations about continuation, modification, or termination of the study.
Offsetting Effects
Other risks that are created by implementing a risk management strategy.
Placebo
An inactive medication or procedure.
In a trial, placebos are given to the control group. Because a placebo is an inactive medication or procedure, it means “no exposure.”

Random Assignment
Assignment of individuals to groups by chance.
Random assignment should make the groups similar at the start of the study.
Random assignment should not be confused with haphazard assignment.
Strategy Evaluation
A scientific investigation of the effectiveness of a risk management strategy.
Testimonial
A formal statement about the worth of something.

2. Copy article, "Accessibility to Children of Video Games with Violent
Content," for each student and assign to be read prior to the next class.
The following was adapted from the St. Louis County, Missouri web site, http://map.stlouisco. com/ Exe/ZyNET.exe,
2/25/03. St. Louis County, Missouri, Ordinance Number 20193
Accessibility To Children Of Video Games With Violent Content
St. Louis County, Missouri
Ordinance Number: 20193
Justification: To restrict access to children of video games with violent content:
WHEREAS...children in recent school shootings were avid fans of violent video games (Columbine,
Colorado; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Paducah, Kentucky); and
WHEREAS... many medical studies and the American Medical Association have cited links between prolonged playing of violent video games and violent, antisocial and otherwise harmful behavioral patterns .... causing children to imitate violent behavior, glorify violent heroes, become desensitized to violence and learn that violence is rewarded; and
WHEREAS ... such violence by and between children has become a severe threat to the physical and emotional health of children; and
WHEREAS ... such behavior has become a problem in schools and inhibits education; and
WHEREAS ... St. Louis County has a stake in protecting the physical and emotional health of children; and
WHEREAS, parents and guardians should have the power to control the types of games their children play and to control their exposure to violent materials.
The Laws about Restricted Access Are:
It shall be unlawful knowingly to sell or rent a video game which is harmful to minors to a minor unless that minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian who consents to the purchase or sale.
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity knowingly to admit a minor to a Restricted -17 area of an arcade unless that minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian.
It shall be unlawful knowingly to permit the free play of a video game which is harmful to minors by any minor on premises on which video games are sold or rented.
It shall be unlawful to: 1) rent or sell a video game which is harmful to minors; or 2) operate an arcade with video games which are harmful to minors; unless the premises prominently displays a parental warning sign in red lettering at least one-half inch high on white background (see messages below)

Details about the Law:
Where it applies: throughout St. Louis County except in cities with 75,000 or more people and an organized health department.
"Minor" means: anyone under 17 years old
" Harmful to minors" means: as rated by one or more established review boards, the video game mainly appeals to minors morbid interest in violence, is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the overall adult community with respect to what is suitable material for minors, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as a whole for minors, and contains graphic violence
"Graphic violence" means: visual depiction or representation of realistic serious injury to a human or human-like being where such serious injury includes amputation, decapitation, dismemberment, bloodshed, mutilation, maiming or disfiguration
"Accompanied by a parent or guardian" means:
(1) In the case of the buying or renting a video game, that: a) the legal guardian is physically present at or within five feet of the transaction, or b) that the vendor has set up an electronic or manual system for the parent or legal guardian to pre-approve the purchase or rental;
(2) In the case of presence at an arcade, that: a) the person’s parent or legal guardian is within five feet of the minor at all times, or b) has appeared with the minor at the arcade and given permission for the person to remain at the arcade and watch or use video games with graphic violence, or c) that the arcade has established a system of pre-approval.
"Arcade" means: any establishment which provides five or more computer video games for use or operation by the public;
"Restricted-17" means: placement of video games which are harmful to minors in a designated area separate and apart from those video games which are not harmful to minors

Signs that have to be prominently posted in at least one and one half inch red lettering:
SELLING / RENTING VIDEOS - PARENTAL ADVISORY DISCLOSURE MESSAGE
Video games in this establishment may contain graphic violence and / or strong sexual content. Games which are designated “AO” have been determined by the entertainment standards review board to contain content suitable only for adults; games designated as
“M” have been determined to contain content suitable for persons age 17 and older; games designated as “T” have been determined to contain content suitable for persons age 13 and older; games designated as “E” have been determined to have content suitable for persons age 6 and older; and games designated as “EC” have been determined to have content suitable for persons age 3 and older.
ARCADE: PARENTAL ADVISORY DISCLOSURE MESSAGE
Video games in this establishment, which are marked with a red dot, may contain graphic violence not suitable for persons under age 17.
Penalties: A person or company that violates any part of this law may be fined not more than
$1,000.00, or put in prison for not more than one year, or both.
Ordinance approved on October 26, 2000 and became effective on April 26, 2001.

3. Copy Epi Log Worksheet for each student.
Detectives in the Classroom Name: __________________________
Investigation 5-1: Epi Log Worksheet Date: _____/_____/_____
Why Evaluate?
1..
Is this risk management strategy a good idea?
2. Do you think this risk management strategy will reduce violence?
3. Do you think the risk management strategy should be evaluated?
4. What might happen if the strategy was not evaluated?

5..
How do you think the strategy should be evaluated?
6. What might happen if the risk management strategy was evaluated and found to be ineffective?
7. Is it ethical to implement a risk management strategy without it being evaluated first?
8.
Is it ethical to implement a risk management strategy without it being evaluated after implementation?