Women and Full-Time Employment

Phoenix Material Issue Analysis After reading the selected critical issue, use the following questions to analyze the issue. The word count for individual questions may vary but your responses should total 1,200- to 1,400-words for the entire worksheet. .1 What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the Issue? What are some of the weaknesses? During the Pro side of the issue of women opting out, one of the strong points of the argument was that women were choosing to opt out of working once hey began having families.Although we live in a time where men and women both are the bread winners on the homes, the women are still the ones who feel as If they have to stop working and stay at home all of the time to take care of the children. If the husband is the one making all the money for the household, the wife will decide to â€Å"choose† to quit their jobs because they feel as if thing are being taken care of on the financial front and they are needed at home t o take care of the children. A weak point Is that If a woman wants to make the choice to continue working, they should array a man who is considerably younger or considerably older than they are.An older man is said to have been working longer and will have the financial means necessary to keep up with a household. Women who do have kids will be able to choose to quit their Job because there is no need for extra wages to be coming In. If they decide to keep working they can then choose a part time job where they can be at home with the kids during the day while the father is at work, and work during the night while the kids are at home sleeping and under the care of the father.What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? In the debate on the Con side, a strength of the argument made Is that women are not opting out, they do not have choices or options. They are torn between being a nurturing mother, or having a strong car eer. In a lot of these career paths, the debate is to whether or not they are family friendly, or very flexible. The women feel the need to be at home taking care of the child and making money to support the family.One of the weak points to this side of the argument Is that a woman may not have the desire to be with the child at the earlier stages of the child's life. For some women, that desire or the nature to be with the child comes at a later time, when they feel the child is beginning to really develop. Also, a point was made that there is a case of absent husbands, which Just means that the woman who shares the Job burden with the husband never gets to spend quality time with him.Whenever she is home with the child, he is at work and when she is going to work, then he is Just coming in from his Job. The only solution that loud possibly be made in order to spend time together is to get a schedule where the parents are both working at the same times and maybe hire a babysitter o r a nanny to lad In caring for the child while the parents are away at work. This way, both of the parents are free to work and will still have time when they come home to wind 1 OFF . 3 Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with?Provide supporting evidence. I am a little on the fence as to which side to agree with because while I feel that women do choose to stop working or angered to part time working when their children are born, I still think that it is possible that a lot of women do not get to work in a career where they can have both a family and a good strong career. In a lot of today's careers, a person needs to be flexible and needs to be able to give their Job 100 percent which Just cannot be done if there is a family that needs a parent.In some situations, a man will stay home while the woman goes to work, and there is gender equality, but a lot of the time this is not to be the case. Although women had to fight to have the c hoice to work, there re a lot of men who still think the woman's â€Å"place† is at home taking care of the kids and doing the housework. Some men may tell the women that it is their choice to work, but it really is not much of a choice when there are no other options as far as taking care of the children.I agree that not a lot of Jobs offer flexible schedules for those who have families, and when a person has to adjust their schedules frequently, people may see it as giving them favors. The first argument stated that we are going back in time instead of progressing, which I do not really agree with, so I agree more tit the second statement that was presented. Today is no longer Just a â€Å"man's world†, and women are wanting to be standing as equal. .4 Explore two other roles that can be acquired during early and middle adulthood, such as through parenthood, romantic relationships, and career.How have these roles changed through the past generations? One of the roles that has changed in the past generations is the one of being a caregiver. Seeing how more women are making it in the career fields, there are some men out there who are taking care of the home while the woman goes off to work and takes care of finances. It was said to be the woman's role to stay home and take care of the home as well as the children, but times have certainly changed. In some cases, both parents are working while the children either have babysitters, or they go into a day care facility.Getting and staying married is another role that has changed through the years. In the past, even though the couple are no longer happy, they would stay married. In this case, it is no longer the same once the couple are not hashing out their differences. They are quick to leave once there is no more emotion left to try to patch things up in the relationship. 5 What psychological adjustments are made during early and middle adulthood to adapt to aging and changes in life style? How do es this affect development?For a woman, there are different psychological adjustments when it comes to adapting to age and changes in one person's lifestyle. A woman will have to go through many bodily changes that they may not be ready for, especially if someone has not explained to them what to expect and what is going to happen. Men go through their own bodily changes, but the psychology of it all for boys and girls are different. As need to do something â€Å"meaningful† or even sometimes a bit reckless. Not all people go through the same stages, and sometimes people will go through these stages at different times in their lives.When people are growing up, they have to mentally prepare themselves for what they will be going through. Instead of being afraid and running away from the change, a person needs to prepare and welcome the change because it will be the beginning of a new period in their lives as they continue to grow and develop. While there are some things that a person will go through as they are developing, there will be things that a person goes through that can occur at any period of time.

Companies

Companies What Does the Company Provide? How many employees were hired out of how many applied? What Fringe Benefits are offered? What possibilities for advancements are there? What Is the average salary? What is the work environment/job satisfaction ranking? Google Inc. Google is a global company that develops technology including web browsers, smoothness, smart contact lenses and social media APS to help keep people connected. Over the past year:1,267,959 people applied for a job at Google; of those people only 8,968 got a job.There are usually 140 applicants per job opening. Benefits include medical and retirement as well as on-site facilities and healthy free food. Google has an interest in advancing their employees careers. They give recognition and provide promotions to those who furthered their advancement in technology. Associate Account Strategist, BAA Program Software Engineer The work environment is friendly. Google provides all sorts of on-site facilities to make sure the employees are taken care of. Google is ranked #1 corporation to work for, 97% of the workers agree.ASS ASS uses analytic software to help companies and researchers crunch data onto manageable chunks that provide both insight and fresh perspective. There are usually 43 applicants per job opening. Over the past year: 52,people applied for a job; of those people, 239 got a job. At ASS, 87% of employees often or almost always find the company compensates them fairly, provides special benefits. They provide medical benefits on site and health insurance. Also provide programs to employees so they can enjoy a break time. You can get promoted based on your performance and skill. Promotions are given to those who earn it.Salaries vary in what specific division you want to work in. They range from: $60,000 to $100,000 The work environment is considered great. ASS provides all the essentials for employees to succeed with a level of comfort. They provide places that other companies wouldn't, ( ex. Daycare). 83% of employees would agree that ASS goes above and beyond in providing them an excellent work environment BCC Provide management consulting services to Fortune 500 companies, as well as mid-sized companies, non-profits, and government agencies. Over 400 applicants only about 6 applicants would get the job offer.The review doesn't mention specific benefits, but you can choose where and when you want to work as long as you complete the required amount of work This company doesn't mention promotions but employees are able to choose what they want to do in the company; what organizations they want to cooperate with, etc. Depending on what company Or organization the employer decides to negotiate with, will contribute to their salary. Working at BCC is incredible, 98% of employees say they are proud to work here and don't ever want to leave. Edward Jones Provide financial advice to nearly 7 million individual investors in the U. S. ND Canada through more than 1 1,000 bran ch offices. Employees: 38,01 5 This company does not mention benefits assume that health insurance is included. Edward Jones gives recognition to their employees. They are also eligible to receive bonuses based on their work performance. The average income for an employee is $90,000. Incomes increase by the number of years an employee has been working for the company. 98 percent of employees say Edward Jones is a friendly place to work, and more than nine in 10 say people are willing to give extra to get the job done, that you can count on people to cooperate, and there's a â€Å"team† or â€Å"family† feeling.

Powerless in Love Great Gatsby

Love is a very powerful emotion. It is able to consume a person’s mind and control their every thought, every action and every dream. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates how love can hold a man’s heart and mind hostage through the portrayal of Jay Gatsby’s pursuit of the love of his life. In Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s heart and mind remain fixed on his past love of Daisy Buchanan as he creates a dream of once again returning to that moment in the past.Blinded by the illusion of Daisy as a tangible commodity, Gatsby is inspired by passion and love to redefine himself as he risks everything and consequently meets his own demise in his effort to reunite with Daisy and achieve his dreams. After falling in love with Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby fantasizes about their future life together and creates an illusion of her that is far beyond reality. Gatsby is enthralled by his past love, and as a result of his longing desire to restore this moment in time he has created the illusion of a woman synonymous to a goddess.Nick mentions on the afternoon that Gatsby and Daisy are reunited, â€Å"There must have been moments that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of [Gatsby’s] dreams — not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything,† (95). When Gatsby meets Daisy once again after five years, he is disappointed, not by any action of Daisy, but because Gatsby has blown her up to be in equal comparison of a Greek goddess. Daisy is unable to live up to this supernatural illusion.Fitzgerald hints at Gatsby’s impression of Daisy’s superiority through their first kiss. He says, â€Å"At [Gatsby’s] lips’ touch she [blossoms] for him like a flower and the incarnation [is] complete,† (111). At this moment, Gatsby is finally able to touch this goddess that he pictures Daisy as being. His pursuit of this seemingly una ttainable dream is achieved when Daisy kisses him. She is incarnated so to speak from her elevation as a goddess to a tangible idea in Gatsby’s mind. Her illusion of perfectionism changes to an image of a mere woman; an extravagant woman, but not forbidden from Gatsby’s grasp any longer.He makes it his life – long dream to return to this moment in time. When he kisses her he â€Å"forever [weds] his unutterable visions to her perishable breath,† (110). His mind has been locked in his visions of Daisy and he becomes confident with the idea of being able to be with her. This confidence inspires him to redefine himself in order to achieve a position in society suitable to Daisy’s demands. As a result of Gatsby’s dream, he is motivated to become a man suitable to comfort Daisy, and in doing so he must redefine himself and his image in society.Daisy is a woman of inherited wealth; a member of the rich elite class in society. Nick mentions that Ga tsby â€Å"[takes] her under false pretenses. [Nick] [doesn’t] mean that [Gatsby] [has] traded on his phantom millions, but he [has] deliberately given Daisy a sense of security; he [lets] her believe that he [is] a person from much the same stratum as herself— that he was fully able to take care of her,† (149). Gatsby understands that he is not qualified by the unwritten laws of society to be with Daisy. He knows that such a relationship will be shunned by the laws of social life during this time.However, the forbidden fruit is the sweetest. Even though a relationship with Daisy is essentially prohibited, Gatsby strives to be of her class and for the time being lies to her about his social status. He makes her believe that he can support her comfortably in order to give himself a chance at winning over her heart. He learns that Daisy is swayed by money just as much as she is swayed by the looks or charm of a man. Therefore he devotes his life, from the moment o f his first kiss with Daisy to the present time, to accruing a vast amount of wealth and notoriety.He purchases a mansion across the bay from Daisy’s residence perhaps in the hopes that one day she may be interested in this grandiose house lit up like a jack-o-lantern across the bay. Nick has an epiphany of Gatsby’s intentions as he says, â€Å"[t]hen it had not been merely the stars to which [Gatsby] had aspired on that June night. He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendor†¦He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths—so that he could ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden,† (78).It is Gatsby’s sole purpose to attract Daisy back into his daily life. For this reason he throws parties once every two weeks in the hopes that Daisy will be intrigued by the music and the lit up mansion across the bay and wander right into his house. Essentially, Gatsby is hoping that Daisy will be attracted to the lights of his house just as moths are attracted to the light of a lantern in the night.He dedicates himself toward this dream of reuniting with Daisy and he creates a facade of a wealthy and flamboyant life believing that if Daisy did ever wander into his house, she would feel that Gatsby is now capable of fulfilling her needs and supporting her comfortably. He valued all of his possessions only on the basis that Daisy may enjoy them. When Gatsby gives Daisy a tour of his mansion, Nick says, â€Å"I think [Gatsby] revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes,† (91).At this point it appears as though Gatsby would be ready to rid himself of any of his possessions which Daisy disliked. Everything in his house is methodically purchased for entertaining Daisy and advertising his wealth. He dedicates himself toward a dream and is willing to redefine himself an d sacrifice everything in the pursuit of Daisy. As Gatsby’s heart remains fixed in the past, he is in a constant struggle with time as he risks everything in his attempt to erase the past and achieve his dream. Gatsby’s vivid memory of Daisy and her beauty has him constantly dreaming of the past and fantasizing of an idea that is impossible.He desires to turn back time and erase Daisy’s relationship with Tom completely. Nick realizes that â€Å"[Gatsby wants] nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you. ’ After she had obliterated four years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken,† (109). Tom is the only obstacle in between Gatsby and the achievement of his dream. Gatsby desires nothing more than for Daisy to admit that she never loved Tom and had always loved Gatsby. He wants to know that she reciprocated his love during the years they had been distant from each other.However, Daisy is unable to admit this and Gatsby’s dream is shattered. As he tries to erase the past in her mind, she becomes further distant from him and all hopes of reuniting are failing. Gatsby desperately attempts to revive his dream, â€Å"[b]ut with every word [Daisy] was drawing further and further into herself, so he gave that up, and only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible, struggling unhappily, undespairingly, toward that lost voice across the room,† (134).Gatsby puts an immense amount of effort into recreating the past and reviving a dream only to see it all collapse before his very eyes. His whole existence is centered on his love Daisy as he is overwhelmed by his obsession to win her heart. He has lost everything and his life has become meaningless. Up to this point, he allows his heart to rule his mind and he has put every moment of the past five years into accruing a fortune to attr act Daisy. Fitzgerald reveals, â€Å"No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart,† (96).Fitzgerald implies the emotions generated from affairs of the heart have an uncanny power to control a man’s actions and his dreams. It is the power of Gatsby’s heart that leads him on his journey and motivates him to create his dream and his illusion of Daisy as a tangible ideal. This illusion initiated by his passion and love leads him to his own downfall and the collapse of his dreams. As a result of his heartfelt love for Daisy, Gatsby’s every moment is controlled by a time-warped illusion of his first moments with Daisy and his unfurling dream to recapture the love of his life.His pursuit of love is the force behind his attempt to redefine himself and create a new, wealthy Gatsby, suitable to Daisy and capable of achieving his dream of the two reuniting in love. Fitzgerald effectively demonstrates the power love has o ver a man’s soul and actions through the portrayal of Jay Gatsby in his quest and ultimate failure to win the heart of Daisy in his novel The Great Gatsby. Through his characterization of Gatsby, Fitzgerald illustrates that no matter how much passion or confidence a man may put into his dreams, they may never be achieved and may leave that man with nothing.Jay Gatsby epitomizes the affects the pursuit of love can have on a man as he passionately throws himself into his dreams of living happily ever after with Daisy and bases his whole existence around her. Consequently, although Gatsby is able to redefine himself into a rich and powerful man in a materialistic sense, the failure to win Daisy’s love renders him powerless as he is left with an empty heart and a dead, meaningless dream.

The Darwin Natural Selection and Its Relation to Science and Religion Essay

The Darwin Natural Selection and Its Relation to Science and Religion - Essay Example One of the theologians who have out rightly denied the existence of God is Charles Darwin. His theology of natural selection has raised many eyebrows in awe and in despising. Moreover many theologians have ignored and contemplated positively and negatively on his discovery. Nevertheless, it is impossible to favor Darwin and his natural selection theory when the creation itself is so complex that it demands a creator. But when it comes to Philosophers and theologians, many have stated that God and religion solely have a role to play in the creation of this universe and its beings. Let us look at Paley, Gregory, Dennett, Dawes and Kitcher we can see that they are against and in favor sometimes to the Darwin’s theory. Darwin proclaims that human beings have evolved from Apes. This is not acceptable for many of the philosophers who deeply believe in God and his creative power. Here we get to understand and analyze the theory of other thinkers with that of the Darwin. However Darwi n has propagated his idea and thoughts in such a meaningful way that many thinkers and philosophers had to agree with his theology .Still nature is so complex and human intelligence is so shockingly exquisite, the creator needs to be in backstage to maintain this universe. Paley’s Theology and Darwin’s Theory Paley is a thinker who has attempted to establish God’s existence throughout his theology. According to him if a person finds a stone on the road, he would not think twice, but if it is a watch then one would think of the creator of the watch. Why is that people never thinking about the creator of the stone? He is attempting to prove to people that nothing comes into existence accidentally. Here Paley is out rightly ignoring the â€Å" The natural selection† theory of Darwin. Paley is not only claiming the existence of God but he is further tries to describe some attributes of God.Paley points out to people the complex design of various animal specie s itself is a strong evidence of the existence and power of God. Darwin is of the opinion that mutations in the gene of Chimpanzee along the years have given rise to Homo sapiens. His theory of evolution is sensible, but if the animal species are evolved to form human beings why does those animal species till exist. Moreover, what is the reason for human not further more evolving? Human has been the same for thousands of years. Here comes in the scenario. ‘God’ who is a supreme being who creates, preserve and destructs his creation. Paley is right in mentioning that there is a creator behind stone just like a watch. In Universe nothing happens on accident, everything has a reason. It is strongly unreasonable to assume that animals changed shape and form randomly due to natural selection. Platinga and Darwin Theory Platinga is a theologian who supported Christianity and the existence of God as a ‘creator of universe’. He is against ‘naturalism’ and claims that if existence is due to mutation and nature’s selection of the best animal attribute, then our cognitive and physical senses would have been completely reliable. With these statements Platinga is going against the theory of evolution and Charles Darwin.Platinga is a believer of God and his opinion is that one does not need proof to believe in God. He stated that the existence of God is manifested to the physical senses without any evidential proof. Here Plantinga puts forward an evolutionary argument against the theory of naturalism of Darwin. The Darwin naturalism theory has no ground for supernatural processes and God.Plantinga suggests that if naturalism and evolution are true then there is a meager or low chance

Lead and the laws governing it in the UK Case Study

Lead and the laws governing it in the UK - Case Study Example It has numerous industrial and domestic purposes because it has a low melting point and can easily be moulded into any shape or form. Nevertheless, despite the advantages of lead, it has many disadvantages. The effects of lead include lead poisoning resulting in "chronic effects on the nervous system - paralysis of motor nerves, poor aptitude (especially in children) and other effects on cognitive functions." ( Agius R 2006). Moreover, a study (Ferguson D & Horwood J L) has proven that hildren with high levels of lead in their blood score less on tests than those with lower levels of lead. Therefore, it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the use of lead. Alternative methods to lead exist hence it is not worth risking the prejudice to human health and safety. The problem of the effects of lead has caused alarm in the United Kingdom. Numerous employees are affected or have the potential to be affected by lead. These include plumbers, glass manufacturers, construction workers, painters and petrol attendants. This has resulted in the enactment of legislation in order to control this problem. The Control of Lead at Work Regulations Act of 2002 stipulates that "an employer shall not carry out work which is liable to expose any employees to lead unless he has made a suitable and sufficient of the risk..." (Section 5(1)). The Act further regulates the conditions under which lead may be used. These conditions are very stringent and absolute. The Government has enforced a number of measures in order to curb the drastic effects of the use of lead. One of these measures was to ban the sale of lead fishing weights in 1986 as this had a negative impact on fish as well as humans who would eventually consume the fish. Moreover, the Department of Environment introduced a consultation paper in March 1997 in order to ban the use of lead shot in wetlands. The Code of Good Shooting Practice has been introduced to ensure that non-lead shots are used when hunting. Therefore, in terms of the environmental impact of lead, the Government and the Department of Environment have had a general success rate of curbing the effects of lead. There are of course problems with violators of the law; however, close monitoring and penalties have eased this problem. The environment is one element of the problem. On the other hand, the health impacts of the use of lead are devastating. According to the 2009 Berkeley Report, "Decreased brain function in adults has been associated with blood lead concentrations of 20 to 50 ug/100ml." The report further states that Government removes workers from exposure when their lead level exceeds this amount. It appears at first glance that this is an ideal remedy. However, studies have shown that exposure to lead has a cumulative effect. The affected person will still suffer from lead poisoning when re-exposed to the lead environment. This solution thus has a yo-yo effect. The Health and Safety Executive of the United Kingdom adheres to various legislation on the use of lead and also implements various campaigns to control the problems associated with the use of lead. However, the Health and Safety Executive is diverse and deals with health and safety issues in general. Thus the problem associated with lead is not addressed in isolation. It is merely treated as one of the health and safety problems in the country. Indeed, the Health and S

Employment law and relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Employment law and relations - Essay Example 5). Essentially discrimination occurs contrary to the provisions contained in the Equality Act 2010 when an individual receives ‘less favourable treatment’ on the basis of one or more protected characteristics (Wadham, et al., 2010, p. 32). Less favourable treatment refers to direct discrimination. Whereas indirect discrimination refers to outcomes where activities might on its face, be non-discriminatory, but nevertheless puts an individual with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage. In addition to direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimization against individuals with a protected characteristic are also prohibited under the Equality Act 2010 (Sargeant, 2013, p. 51). The regulatory framework contained in the Equality Act 2010 provides different rules for establishing direct and indirect discrimination (Collins, 2010, p. 56). This paper critically analyses unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 in the organizational context and discusses its advantages and limitations. In particular, this paper will focus on the protected characteristics of disability, sexual orientation and religion and belief. The main question for consideration is how, and on what grounds is unlawful discrimination established in the organizational context. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is unique in that while equality contemplates equal treatment for those with protected, characteristics, the law ‘does not expect’ non-discriminatory treatment and consequences to arise out of treating persons with disabilities in exactly the same way as other individuals (Hepple, 2010, p. 17). As Hepple (2010) points out, the law recognizes that disabled persons have ‘special needs’ (p. 17). In this regard, a disabled person can expect special treatment which will not give rise to others claiming less favourable treatment in comparison to the special treatment conferred upon disabled persons in similar circumstances (Hepple,

Teaching elementary students Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Teaching elementary students - Essay Example At this period children develop effectively writing and drawing skills. The cognitive development characteristics are active information gathering, learning skills, mastering abstract thinking. At this period of life children master verbal skills. They long to become competent that’s why they are prone to ask many questions which are mostly fact-oriented. Communication needs are usually satisfied in social groups or interest clubs. Elementary students are able to handle abstract ideas, think generally of concrete objects, devise memory strategies, and evaluate behavior. Their attention is selective. The emotional development of elementary students is marked by acquiring independence and self-confidence. It’s a stage when self-concept and self-awareness are developing. It’s a stage when a personality traits are more outlined and which can be changed or preserved for the rest of the life depending on many factors. At this stage of development an active social participation starts. A person learns to achieve and compete, feels strong group identity. The need for interaction is satisfied through working and playing with others. The sex identity is determined and a child imitates the same sex adult. Constructivism regards learning as a construction of reality through our experiences. People generate ‘mental models’ to ‘shape’ experience and further acquire new ones. So, successful teaching practices should take into account the mental models which students use to perceive the world. Constructivists regard learning as a search for meaning, not memorizing of the ready answers. Constructivism suggests to customize curricula according to students needs, thus eliminating a standardized curriculum as well as grades and standardized testing. The students are encouraged to analyze and interpret information. They also play a vital role in the assessment of their progress. In Piaget developmental theory learning is also based

Based on Epistomological research- Are law enforcement cameras an Research Paper

Based on Epistomological - Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy - Research Paper Example This paper aims to show that the use of law enforcement cameras is an invasion of privacy, a fact that should be taken into consideration by legislators and policy makers internationally. Academic literature published on this issue is used for supporting the above argument. At the same time, reports published by organizations in common law countries, i.e. UK, USA and Canada, are presented so that any conclusion is fully justified. The legal implications of law enforcement cameras have been extensively explored in the academic literature. A series of studies have been chosen for supporting this paper’s thesis that the use of law enforcement cameras should be considered as an invasion of privacy. Froomkin (2000) explains that ‘Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and video recorders are broadly used for monitoring public spaces’ (Froomkin 1577). Reference is made to these cameras’ expansion in UK as a result of the country’s need to secure the safe ty of its citizen by IRA’s terrorist attacks (Froomkin 1577). ... regard to the existing privacy laws; b) the First Amendment that refers to ‘the freedom of association’ (Froomkin 1506) can be used for setting borders to the expansion of these cameras in public spaces. Referring specifically to the English law of privacy, Lord Walker (2010) notes that ‘the tort of invasion of privacy in UK is rather recent’ (Walker 1); in fact, the initial reference to the violation of privacy, as a tort, in the English courts can be identified in the case ‘Douglas v Hello in 2000’ (Walker 2). The above decision reflects the alignment of the British legislation, especially of the Human Rights Act of 1998, with the ‘European Convention on Human Rights’ (Walker 2), where the right of each individual ‘to respect for his private and family life’ (article 8) is clearly set. At the next level, the Human Rights Act of 1998 notes that it is not allowed to public authorities to proceed to initiatives that viol ate the right of individuals to privacy, as this right is secured by the European Convention (Walker 2). It is made clear though that the terms of the Convention for privacy may be violated if it is not possible for public authorities to act in a different way (Walker 2). According to the above, the use of law enforcement cameras can be characterized as a violation to the Convention’s orders because of the following: the public authorities may use different tools for controlling public spaces; the use of security guards could be a potential alternative for protecting public spaces without violating the right to privacy. Taylor (2002) also claims that the use of CCTV cameras can be considered as opposed to the article 8 of the European Convention; it is suggested that the use of these cameras is appropriately regulated so that the

Organization behavior of Frontier Airlines Research Paper

Organization behavior of Frontier Airlines - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that for an organization to succeed in the realization of its goals and objectives, it must have a clear vision, mission, and proper strategies. Furthermore, all members of the organization must pursue to achieve a better state than its current situation. The underlying factor is improving future returns of the organization through consistent evaluation of a positive trend.   The southwest airline, therefore, has laid down appropriate measures that it perceived vital to operation and success in the industry.   Having worked to this company for 3years it is worth clarifying that Frontier Airlines operational success has been supported by consistent organizational transformation and motivation towards the leading airline in the United States and globally. The company has diversified from the usual simple concepts of hospitality and reservations to an institution that recognizes the effort of employees as a crucial component of an organiza tion. Moreover, southwest Airline values employees’ role in diversity. The organization values the need for change embraces the technology and believes that good leadership enhances productivity. The original southwest airline was founded in 1971 by two pioneers Rollin King and Herb Kelleher to plying the route through Dallas to San Antonio.   It gained popularity in the  1980s as the first airline that offered low-cost carriage by giving an  opportunity to the passengers’ discounts in their cost of freight per mile distance.

15 Annotated Bibliographies from 15 peer reviewed scholarly published Bibliography

15 Bibliographies from 15 peer reviewed scholarly published articles, texts, or books not more than 5yrs old, on using Simulation to enhance critical thinking in nursing students - Annotated Bibliography Example A simulation quasi experiment was used to conduct the investigation where 30 participants took the â€Å"California critical thinking test† (CCTST). They were arbitrarily assigned three critical assessment sessions over a period of 2 months in a simulation lab. This allowed the teams to develop vital patient simulative thus advancing their medical thinking in provision and attending to patients effectively. Indeed patient ratio to nursing staff remains a great challenge in the world; however with adequate critical thinking support nurses cam adopt simulative techniques to identify and understand patients needs promptly and give priority response. It is clear from the this that the efficacy in delivering nursing services has greatly advanced with the enhancement of critical thinking and is currently hoped to be adopted by new graduate nurses to enable them make sound clinical decisions to deliver nursing care. The authors identify the role of educators in making simulation real in the nursing sector. Educators can employ simulation-based pedagogy to transform nursing teaching through development of decisive thinking. The aspects of this book covered diverse areas in nursing, which includes the changing needs for nursing education in the current technological multifaceted setting, meeting the challenges of clinical placement, challenges and benefits of integrating simulation techniques in nursing curriculum with proper evidence. This focuses on the importance of faculty role in embedding simulation techniques to students with the view to develop critical thinking. The simulation study was conducted over a period of 5 months in a nursing institution where study of learners exposed to the technique and the ones with no exposure by tutors were sampled. It is evident that tutors should use complex simulative samples and test in their daily teaching to engage students mind in coming with approp riate

Letter of Interest Essay Example for Free

Letter of Interest Essay I wish to express my sincere and earnest interest to change the course of my teaching from 8th Grade Math to either 6th Grade Math or 6th Grade Social Studies. At the outset, I would like to state my preference to switch teaching kids for 6th Grade Social Studies. For thirteen years I have been teaching Math for middle and high school kids. At this instance in my life, I truly believe that I can better relate, communicate, and convey teaching with younger kids, 6th grade kids in particular. I do feel that there is a need for more consideration and a patient and nurturing teacher with broader perspective in handling delicate 6th grade kids who are also naturally with short attention span. As a mother myself of two young kids, I am confident that I have the qualities to better achieve this purpose. In my experience with 8th grade kids, I found that this is not the case since they already assert a sense of independence. More importantly, I do love to teach younger kids that still need to be look after in their education formation. Moreover, I am not comfortable teaching 8th grade curriculum next year with the introduction of the new Math program of Connected Mathematics which is a departure from whole class teacher directed instruction. Although, I have no doubt that I can go through and will better adjust to this new hands-on and self-discovery program of instruction. As to my preferred interest in teaching Social Studies for 6th grade kids, I can state the same reasons as with my interest in teaching Math for the same grade level. However, with social studies, I am very excited to teach in this field which is a new sphere completely different from Math which I have been teaching for thirteen years. Even though I have not taught social studies before, I am certain that I am more than qualified if given the opportunity. I have gone through the curriculum on social studies for 6th grade kids and I found it very motivating and a worthy teaching endeavor. I know I have the passion and fervor to teach social studies for 6th grade kids. The switch from teaching Math to Social Studies is a great change in proving my teaching capabilities. Needless to say, I am prepared to teach any subject and any curriculum with my fondness for teaching young kids. I believe it is significant to mention that I am getting my masters in curriculum and instruction to further my qualifications as an efficient and competent teacher. I am hoping this letter of interest to switch teaching to 6th grade kids will meet your favorable consideration.

Partnership transportation Essay Example for Free

Partnership transportation Essay Partnership transportation in broad mind means involvement of all parties in the running and operations of transportation and its impact, retrieved from a journal on â€Å"facilitating partnership in transportation (2005) page 7 and 8†, by James A Merchant and Barbara T Harder. Transportation and maintenance is a work done by local government and the state in collaboration with other partners. Partnership transportation involves integration of various bodies in the transport sector. Partnership in transportation sector can be classified into two categories. First there is incorporation of all means of transport, this include pipeline transportation method, railway transportation method, airway, shipment, road transportation methods. Second, there is integration of private companies and people that own the vehicles, marine ships, airbuses and pipelines, chamber of commerce and industry that has the potential human resource powers to innovate new technologies that enhance fuel saving, and other automobile associations. In transportation, no specific body that can handle transportation sector individually without cooperation of other parties as indicated by Mark Wymond-1917-178 pages in his book â€Å"Our transportation problem† ,www.worldcatlibraries.org . For example, poor management of institutional framework may deteriorate roads management, railway management etc. Poor conditions of road, railways and airports because of poor services and maintenance may be another issue of concern. Lack of defined responsibilities of each associate party, ineffective and weak management structures can also have adverse effects in the transportation sector. Lack of managerial accountability is another issue of concern; this is because transportation itself is an individual identity. Hence, there must be somebody to respond to various issues that may arise. The responsive party would include government officials and private transport cartels.   Failure due to road and railway engineers adversely affects transportation sector. The government is involved in financing public roads and other means of transportation. The government makes sure that there is rule of law that is followed. It is the work of govern to mitigate the transportation processes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Historical background Partnership transportation resulted in manner that was not supposed to be. It dates us back to the early seventeen century when the prisoners in Victoria were being transported from various parts of the country to Australia.[1] This was an intention to punish the prisoners since there were no enough prisons to keep them. Therefore, a solution was found on to how to punish those prisoners. One of the best ways to do that was to compel the prisoners to carry out hard work, tiring jobs and boring tasks such as walking miles away to transport goods or to peak oakum.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Farming is another issue that resulted to partnership transportation. This included commercial activities occurring as transportation route; this made the construction of various transportation route e.g.   The Chin ago canals, and rail lines were developed, linking the town to other parts of the region. A tract was opened to settlers and land companies by the Clinton treaty in 1788. The growth of Hamilton town was because of stimulation by several main roads, which crossed from east to west. Therefore, there erupted a relationship between the farmers and transportation board in various countries. Transportation of farm produce resulted to growth and development of transportation sector. On the other hand, farmers benefited from easy means of accessing the markets for their produce. In the process, trading started and business thrived tremendously. This resulted to stiff competition that enabled business partners to merge and to come up with an idea to work together, this is how the partnership transportation emerged. That resulted to automobile firms that started competing on manufacturing different kinds of vehicles. Since then the technology has advanced to the manufacturing of space ships. Status: current issues, practices, developments, controversies and impact of partnership transport.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The current issues of partnership transportation include commuters and commuting society, insurance and registration, maintenance and repairs, safety and development. There is the issue of confronting the daunting challenge posed by global climatic change. The main source of green house gases like carbon dioxide is burning of fossil fuel by either through burning coals, oils, petrol, kerosene etc. Burning of fossil fuel include even idling. Therefore, global warming is caused by emission of green house gases that pollute the atmosphere and this go hand in hand with industrialization. It is due to industrialization that transportation is enhanced by manufacturing of automobiles. Therefore, there must be away of partnership association in combating the consequences of transportation. It is fair for industrialized countries to enhance the issue of mitigating this effect as they are the main cause.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Global warming is one of the negative impacts caused by the gas emitted by automobiles. Mainly the climatic change is usually caused by pollution that affects the ozone layer. Then the ozone layer becomes less effective in controlling the remittance of radiation from the sun. Therefore, the transport board must tackle this problem since they are part of the cause beside industrialization. In addition, this pollution has a major impact on the quality and feasibility of transit-oriented development. The current issue of concern is to mitigate fuel consumption and to avoid accidents caused by reckless driving.   Reckless driving practices can have a negative implication on automobile fuel economy. This project of training drivers can enhance fuel economy because experienced experts would save consumption. This is by using simple techniques like cruise control mechanism, pricing whenever possible, avoiding use of cab appliances, soft and gradual acceleration and progressive shifting. All these mechanisms enhance reduction of speed. Transport sector in collaboration with the traffic police; address this issue by ensuring that transport rules and regulations are adhered to. Transit connectivity plan is improved daily to enhance pediatrician walking; this makes passenger’s movement easy from one movement to another. Goods movement services should be improved to enhance cargo and freight transportation, this include transit expansion program resolution for rail, road, bus and ferry transit projects. Freight movement is essential to any economy and way of life. For example in each year in the US, automobile moved about ten billion tons of freight worth more than 7.5 trillion dollars whereby, the ground freight consumed significant energy and the sector grew as   expected. This is a development issue because over thirty five billion gallons of fuel will increase to about forty five billion by the year 2013. The ground freight industry is large and decentralized; this is because seven million freight trucks and twenty thousand locomotives are in partnership transportation in US and this is not a simple thing. Another development issue is the ongoing activities concerning pedestrians planning strategies, bicycle riders, community-based planning and development they intend to take. Controversies results due to the need of expanding the transport course, this is because expansion might lead to congestion or evacuation of some people from the intended bypass. This programs goal is to advance the findings of the lifeline transportation network suggestion through collaboration with community organizations, transit agencies and congestion management agencies in order to minimize the dispute. Therefore, the controversies that arise due to congestion are dealt with. Other developmental plans include new means of transport being innovated to cater for the transportation needs of the countries low-income, elderly and disabled populations. For example, the community-based planning program. This programs goal is to advance the findings of the transportation network system through collaboration Going on, there is this issue about the automotive transportation practice and development.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   These are the some of the current practices that include the automotive and transportation practice that provides global market research for the completed automobiles. Industrial   analysis, concurrent business research which involves custom market research and consultation, market predicament, management consulting and innovation of new strategies result to emerging technologies that are designed to help transportation sector to address current trends and challenges affecting transportation sector and partnership. Another function is to identify new technologies that can lead to advantageous opportunities for growth. This work involves a   global team of automotive and transportation market research analysts, industry experts, and market  consultants who continuously monitor the automotive and transportation industry including logistics, rail systems, automotive testing, diagnostic sand new chassis technologies. In this partnership transportation, there is training for drivers to be equipped with driving dynamics. This is because, new   commercial vehicles that are being manufactured have these new technologies, for example   telemetric and infotainment, power train ,alternative propulsion, safety and   driving assistance not forgetting warning systems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The floor is open for those wishing to join the partnership. The advantage is that there is acquiring of freight carrier innovative strategies, freight carrier commitment is enhanced through partnership, freight carrier fleet performance model are available and of course freight carrier benefits of partnership[2]. For example, truck and rail transportation provides a cost-effective means to transport much of America’s freight. Truck and rail fleets can take simple actions to make ground freight more efficient and cleaner for the environment. The following technologies and strategies can help reduce fuel consumption and emissions from freight trucks. First there is idling reduction in the engine mechanism, there is improved aerodynamics in aerial crafting, improved freight logistics. Other current developments include, tire technology that involve automatic tire inflation systems of which tires with wide base are manufactured. In tire inflation system, there is adjustment of the level of tire pressure. This maintains proper tire pressure especially when the automobile is moving; hence facilitating longer service for the tire It is known that tires with wide base can reduce friction and resistance on the road. This would lead to saving consumption of fuel and other fuel related expenditure. Tire technologies improve on reducing accidents by stabilizing the vehicles movement and grasping on the roads. Furthermore, there is production of low-viscosity lubricants that are used in breaks and other movable parts, less viscous artificial and semi-artificial lubricants can reduce friction losses in automobile drive train, emission of gases, and its engine friction. This actually saves the fuel consumption and hence emission of harmful gases.   Going on, synthetic transmission and oil lubricants can raise fuel economy by 0.7 and 2.1 percent in summer and winter respectively. Good news is that by replacing all transmission lubricants with less viscous fluid saves fuel with less or no additional cost. Other development systems are low weight body parts. This is enhanced by sing materials made of aluminum or other lightweight materials. By reducing weight, much oil consumption can be reduced. Actually, the possibility for weight savings is even greater in the automobile. Lastly, there is use of inter modal shipping systems and hybrid power train technology advancement. In the current development systems, several technologies and practices can be used to assist drivers in reducing truck idling. A case study that was performed in one of the automobile firms show that reducing or eliminating prolonged idling of long-transit trucks can save up to one thousands gallons of fuel per truck each year. This would reduce global warming by reducing pollution emissions, and lowering the cost of engine maintenance.   Some idling reduction technologies can minimize fuel consumption through air conditioning.[3] Some of the latest technologies include reduction on fuel consumption; manufacturers have focused considerable attention on implementing new truck tractor aerodynamics systems. By so doing they have achieved significant gains in fuel efficiency and reduction.   To improve efficiency in fuel consumption, improved freight logistics can enhance achieving the goal which include improved operation efficiency, saving fuel and increasing benefits and profits for automobile companies.   Some of the current diplomatic strategies include load scrutiny and matching, more efficient coursing and scheduling of automobiles, and improved working policies. There is use of software to structure more efficient automobile routes. [4] Social, economic and environmental aspect   There is a suggestion for long lasting solutions that would address social aspects, economic aspects, and environmental aspects. The suggestion involves a lifeline transportation program that works with local agencies to improve access to public transit for new entrants to the job market. For example, regional rail plan is helping develop a bay area regional rail plan to improve the current rail system, map out future rail lines and station locations, and integrate passenger and freight from rail sharing on existing tracks. Another example is the suggestion for a smart growth and transportation for livable communities bay area.[5] The communities should embrace the idea by getting a little tender loving care from partnership transportation, in the form of initiatives to foster pedestrian-friendly development and travel options such as walking, bicycling and public transit. [6]   It is visible that Urban Partnership Program proposal to deliver congestion reduction by 2009 through a bold program combing the affiliated parties and experts concerned in tolling, advanced technology, transit and transportation if effective will address some controversies. The current controversies affecting the transportation sector include lack of agreement on terms of scrutiny. There are two controversy terms, that define the impact of partnership transportation i.e. there is technical controversy that defines failure due to decision of an expert appointed by the parties and non-technical controversy that deals with the rules and regulations. The latter, involves bleaching of the contract that involves disputes arrangement on investment. This happened in an oil transportation controversy whereby they wanted the project to be concerned in establishing standards service for the future, rather than examining current controversies about work programmed.   Overcrowding and reliability is also another negative impact caused by partnership transportation. This is a sensitive issue in transportation that require more detailed hearing to solve the pending problems   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some of these pending issues include, perceived transport problems, factors influencing travel behavior, transport licensing board service provision, infrastructure schemes, partnership approaches and innovative solution. [7]Other development measures currently undertaken include expansion of airports and upgrading to an international level. For example, Durango la Plata county airport is expected to undertake some upgrading changes in the coming years[8]. Some of Strategies to facilitate development could include expansion of the planning area, code requirements for aviation easements, and establishment of requirements for special construction on lands adjacent to the airport. Retrieved from www.laplatacountycolorado.org Conclusion Partnership transport is a broad business operation that currently integrates all areas of work. It has enabled the world to be seen as a global village. In essence, partnership transports easies the work of transportation and collaboration in the sector and other chambers of commerce.   However, the controversies and negative effects should be dealt with immediately when they arise. Safer means of transport should be innovated to avoid negative impact such as pollution to the environment, air pollution and water pollution. Therefore, it is of great importance to associate all stakeholders in transportation sector e.g. oil companies should manufacture lead free fuel to lessen the negative impact caused by the fuel.   Actually, the engine life and service is directly related to the amount of fuel burned. In essence, the reduction of driving speed can minimize the cost of repairing the engine. The maximum automobile driving speeds can be minimized through electronic software engine controlling mechanism, improved driver-training programs, or I house programs that motivate drivers for abiding with the rules and regulations. Almost, all new automobile engines in use today are electronically manipulated and the cost of changing the highest acceleration setting on these engines is to some extent negligible. The stated mechanisms, developments and resolutions to partnership transportation are the currents undertaking towards strengthening of the transport sector.    References: Current developments in airport expansion, retrieved on 25th August 2007, available at www.laplatacountycolorado.org Current undertakings on transportation sector, retrieved on 29th August 2007, available at www. emeraldinsight.com Fleet strategies, retrieved on 29th August 2007, available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway/smartway_fleets_strategies.htm James A Merchant and Barbara (2005) Transportation: Facilitating partnership transportation, page 7 and 8 New York Transport scrutiny update, retrieved on 25th August 2007, available at www. London.gov.uk Transportation problems, retrieved on 25th August 2007, available at www.worldcatlibraries.org Jacques and Whit ford (2003) Environmental impact: Road environmental aspects, published by St Johns N, L London Smart innovation in technologies, retrieved on 29th August 2007, available at www.epa.gov/smartway

A Case Study in Applying Theories to Practice

A Case Study in Applying Theories to Practice Introduction The aim of this assignment is to show how a Social Worker would apply a Behavioural Method as an understanding and intervention on the case study supplied. I will do this by explaining what Behavioural Social Work is, how it is used in practice, how it meets the needs of the service user and identify personal challenges along the way. I will try to challenge my own views and ideals on the service user, and how these can be challenged for Anti-Oppressive Practice. The History of Behavioural Social Work Most of what makes us truly human, most of what makes us individuals rather than clones, most of what gives us a discernible personality made up of characteristic patterns of behaviour, emotion and cognition is the result of learning (Sheldon and McDonald, 2008). The Behavioural Perspective focuses on the individual and the relationship between stimuli in an environment and how it determines behaviour through learning (Westen, 2001). This is also how Behavioural Social Work is executed, by focusing on behaviour that is observable and changeable. Like other forms of social work methods it has been adopted from other disciplines, and in particular Psychology, but has been adapted to achieve measured outcomes and effective practice for Social Work (Watson and West, 2006). There are four main Theories that are relevant and used in Behavioural Social Work; The first behavioural theory is Respondent Conditioning, first introduced by Ivan Pavlov, who used experiments on dogs to discover how to condition a response after the presence of a certain stimuli has been removed. The second major behavioural theorist is B.F Skinner and his Operant Conditioning, he observed that the behaviour of organisms can be controlled by environmental consequences that either increase (reinforce) or decrease (punish) the likelihood of the behaviour occurring (Westen, 2001). He claimed that the outcome of behaviour was voluntary and goal directed, and always controlled by the consequences the behaviour would lead to. The next behavioural theory identified is Social Learning Theory, which extends behavioural ideas and claims that most learning is gained by copying others around them, rather than them being reinforced as skinner claimed. That behaviour is shaped by observing others and interpreting it (Payne, 1997). The fourth behavioural theory is Cognitive Learning Theory and was introduced by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck in the 1960s, this is a theory that focuses on the way people perceive, process and retrieve information (Westen, 2001). A perception of the environment from previous experience. It was during the 1980s that Social Work adopted behavioural theory as a method of working with service users, part of the reason for this was the ability of the theory to achieve realistic outcomes (Watson and West, 2006). The learning theory used in social work is a combination between all four theories listed above; Respondent Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, The Social Learning Theory and Cognitive Learning. These are used to enable the social worker to observe behaviour and therefore intervene appropriately (Watson and West, 2006). The importance of behavioural social work is that the behaviour is learned and can therefore be unlearned. Cognitive learning theory focuses on this specifically and its engagement with cognitive processes which produce thoughts and feelings (Sheldon, 1995). Behavioural social work allows the service user to modify and change their behaviour through a process of reinforcement, both positive and negative, to produce a likeliness of a wanted behaviou r occurring (Watson and West, 2006). There have been criticisms of this form of social work as it involves deciding what normal behaviour is. This may lead to discriminatory and oppressive practice, as a perception of normal behaviour can come from a range of sources, such as, personal and professional values (Trevithick, 2000). Another criticism is that the social worker may be seen as having significant power in deciding a future for the service user, which may in turn lead to further problems. To overcome these criticisms for an affective and constructive service for users, social workers have to be aware of empowering skills to help the service user help themselves. Informed consent and active participation is also a significant part of behavioural social work (Watson and West, 2006). How is Behavioural Social Work Used in Practice? Some of the reasons a behavioural method was chosen for intervention is because it mainly targets problem solving, and anger management, which are some of the problems faced by the family in the case study. The first stage of Behavioural Social Work is the process of Assessment. This will begin by identifying the service users problem(s) (Howe, 1998). It not only identifies the problem behaviour, but how it manifested to begin with, and what can be done to change it. The first stage of assessment and intervention is to establish the behaviour to work with (Watson and West, 2006). Within the case study, the problem is the behaviour of Jake who is increasingly violent and aggressive towards his parents and siblings. To establish the intensity and occurrence of his aggression it should be recorded and written down. This will provide clarity and understanding of the nature of the violence, which person(s) are present when he does it and what are the consequences of his behaviour (Watson and West, 2006) The problem behaviour has to be described in terms that are observable and measureable (Howe, 1998). To ensure an accurate documentation of behaviour, partnership should be used with the parents and social worker for empowerment (Watson and West, 2006). A contact either written or verbal can be useful in establishing aims and goals for sessions, and an overall aim for behaviour (Howe, 1998). Operant conditioning is one of the main theories used in Behavioural Social Work; this is put into practice by the ABC Assessment, which uses the identification of Antecedents, Behaviour and Consequences to help shape wanted behaviour (Hudson and Macdonald, 1998 cited in Watson and West, 2006). The Antecedent what precedes the behaviour, The Behaviour in this case aggression and violence, and the Consequence What happens immediately after the violence i.e Is the behaviour being reinforced? Once all the assessment has been carried out and all the information gathered, the social worker and the service user (parents) must work together to plan a method of intervention which promotes a wanted behaviour, this will be a baseline for intervention (Watson and West, 2006) The next stage in the process of behavioural intervention is the implementation of the plan to change the unwanted behaviour. For this method to be effective it needs partnership of both parents and the social worker to establish roles, tasks and responsibilities (Howe, 1998). The main task for all involved is to develop appropriate strategies to implement within a certain time frame (Watson and West, 2006), which will enable the social worker to evaluate the process and respond by either changing the strategies or the method implemented. In the case study Jakes behaviour deteriorated after the new baby was born, so the strategies that could be implemented would involve activities and more contact with his mother, and the rest of the family. Consequences of his bad behaviour should be consistent and happen immediately after an event (Watson and West, 2006). The main aim of Behavioural Intervention and Operant Conditioning is to focus on positive reinforcement rather than punishment, this is to positively change behaviour and motivate Jake to complete goals (Watson and West, 2006). How Does Behavioural Intervention Meet the Needs of the Service User? Behavioural Social Work is effective in meeting the needs of the service user as it is specific, simple and structured. It works in partnership with the parents and gives them an understanding into why their son behaves the way he does, and that Jakes behaviour is the problem and not Jake. Behavioural intervention is also cost effective and doesnt rely on financial help, therefore can be used immediately to help and support Jakes parents, as well as Jakes behaviour. One of the reasons why this method is widely used is because it is time limited; this allows the social worker to assess if the method is effective and if it is not it can be easily altered or changed. This method is specifically relevant to the case study as Jakes behaviour is the problem, which has been learned through time. A positive to this is that it can be unlearned with the help of his parents. To avoid oppressive practice this has to be a method that includes Jake, both his parents and the Social Worker. This will ensure empowerment to Jakes parents; a less likelihood of powerlessness over Jakes behaviour and a more effective outcome. Some of the negatives of this method if intervention is that it does not tackle the underlying problems to Jakes violence, but by using skills, values and knowledge the social worker can talk and support Jake to discover other underlying issues. Challenges working with this service user Some of the challenges I would face being a social worker for this case is helping Linda and Michael become more involved in changing Jakes behaviour. There is a new baby in the home and one other sibling besides Jake, and getting time to respond to Jakes behaviour may be difficult. There is also no other social support outside the home and Linda is very stressed and at the end of her tether with Jake, so getting time to spend with Jake alone may also be complicated. Another problem is that Michael is already threatening about having Jake removed from the home as his behaviour is so bad, so Michaels patience to assess and implement a behavioural intervention may be limited. To resolve these challenges I would have to use skills such as empathy and active listening, as well as appropriate questioning to gain a full awareness of the situation. The next step would be to involve both parents in trying to understand that Jakes behaviour is a result of learning and can therefore be unlearn ed in time, to show both parents that I am there to help and support both them and Jake for the sake of the family. Some personal challenges I would face as the social worker is trying to understand what it must be like to have three children under the age of ten, and being at a crisis point with one of them. To be so stressed that your husband is threatening to put one of your children into care because of his behaviour towards the rest of the family. I cant help but feel how could anyone, through choice, want to put their child into care. Can things get that terrible that some parents cannot see any way out rather than this? I couldnt help but think that Michael is saying this because he is Jakes step father and not biological father, but then, I do not have children and therefore have never had a child with behavioural difficulties. But I do understand what stress can do to a person, and how it can seem like there is no way out. I must challenge these stereotypical views on Michael and realise he has raised Jake from six years old, and probably knows a lot more about Jakes behaviour and the fam ily dynamic than I do, as a Social Worker. Conclusion A behavioural method for Social Work was chosen for this case study. It enables the social worker and the service user to work in partnership which is fundamental for a behavioural method to succeed. It includes a step by step process with defined roles and responsibilities to alter behaviour. Operant Conditioning is mainly used as its emphasis is reinforcing positive behaviour, but with punishment which should be consistent and applied immediately. Behavioural Intervention provides the Social Worker with a method which can be implemented swiftly, but can also be evaluated after time for its effectiveness. This provides the social worker with the knowledge to alter a method or implement and new one. Values such as anti-oppressive practice and empowerment are vital to implement this method as they provide the service user with choice, roles and responsibilities. By challenging stereotypical views, a social worker can make informed decisions and support the service user effectively. Ov er all a behavioural intervention is used to alter behaviour, as it is the behaviour that is the problem, not the person. References: Howe, D. (1998) An Introduction to Social Work Theory. Ashgate Publishing. Chapter 9 Hudson, B. and Macdonald, G. (1986) Behavioural Social Work: An Introduction. London: Macmillan cited in Watson, D. and West, J. (2006) Social Work Process and Practice. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Payne, M. (1997) Modern Social Work Theory: A Critical Introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan Sheldon, B. (1995) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Research, Practice and Philosophy. London: Routledge Sheldon, B. and Macdonald, G. (2008) A Textbook of Social Work. London: Routledge. Chapter 7 Trevithick, P. (2000) Social Work Skills a Practice Handbook. Buckingham: Open University Press. Watson, D. and West, J. (2006) Social Work Process and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan Westen, D. (2001) Psychology: Brain, Behaviour and Culture. Boston: John Wiley and Sons.

Platos Meno Essay -- essays research papers

The dialogue opens up with Meno asking what virtue is and whether it could be taught. Socrates asks Meno for a general definition of virtue, since as Socrates points out, we cannot figure out if virtue can be taught if we do not have a clear idea what it is. Socrates is looking for a general, or formal definition of virtue, not just examples or instances of it. Socrates wants to know what all the examples of virtue have in common. He wants to know the essence of virtue. Meno initially offers a list of virtues, but Socrates rejects this as a sufficient account. Meno also states that there are different virtues for everyone. The virtue of a man is to order a state and the virtue of a woman is to order a household. I believe that virtue can be found in everything, good, bad, or ugly.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Meno makes an interesting point. How will one know when they find virtue if they do not know virtue? The Socratic paradox is Socrates’ visible claim that virtue is a kind of knowledge, and vice a kind of ignorance. It is a paradox because people usually think a person can know the good and still fail to do it. That is, people usually think that virtue is more than a matter of knowing, it is also a matter of willing. Socrates says that if virtue were knowledge, then anybody who really knew the good would automatically be good. Indeed if Socrates is right that virtue is knowledge, it would be impossible to know the good and not to be good. For example, Christians know s...

Maquiladoras and the Exploitation of Womens Bodies Essay -- Murder Fe

Maquiladoras and the Exploitation of Women's Bodies Works Cited Missing In a changing economic and political climate gender stereotypes in Juà ¡rez, Mexico refuse to change. With an increasing number of women forced into the workplace in maquiladoras(1), men's position and women's assumed position in society is being challenged. This changing economic environment in an unchanging cultural environment is part of the reason that young women are disappearing being raped and mutilated before ultimately being killed and "abandoned like meat by-products in the desert" (Pà ©rez, March 2004). These women's bodies are entering unknowingly and unwilling into a war about cultural norms and a changing economic atmosphere. The exploitation of and war on women's bodies in Juà ¡rez was set in motion long before they began being murdered in large numbers; it was instigated in the maquiladoras were they were working. Juà ¡rez is a popular site for US Fortune500 companies to place factories that have very law cost and optional taxes. The more than 500 maquiladoras operating in Juà ¡rez have drawn an influx of Mexicans who hope to get rich quickly. While the workers in maquiladoras are better of financially than they would be anywhere else, the maquiladora environment and cities are far from ideal. Maquiladoras employ mostly young women.(2) In a machismo culture women are preferred to men as workers in the maquiladoras because they can be paid substantially lower wages, while they also have better manual dexterity. Years of sexist attitudes have created an environment where this pay gap not only possible but entirely acceptable. The average wage is from four to seven dollars for a nine-hour work day and there are no benefits offered to workers. ... ...gainst societal norms that require them to be at home. This violation of the cultural norm may be part of the reason why their bodies are later abducted, raped, mutilated and later left in the desert. This phenomenon of murder is a clear message to the women of Juà ¡rez that they are overstepping their bounds and that the murders will continue—either until views change or the women step back into their prescribed roles. 1. Spanish word for factory. Used to refer to the factories in Mexico run by American companies where many of the women of Juà ¡rez work. 2. Although most of these factories have an official policy of hiring only women aged sixteen or older, many workers can forge documents and be hired as young as twelve possibly younger. 3. Mestiza means mixed in Spanish. Mestiza was originally used to refer to someone with mixed native and European blood.

Foreign Etiquette :: essays research papers

Etiquette for Greetings and Business Cards As we do business in other countries and as we receive businesspeople from other countries in our American offices, it is important to know how to greet people and how to present our business cards. The greeting is the beginning of the business interaction; if it goes well, we create a positive impression that will serve as a foundation for our business discussions. Business Cards   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The ultimate passport in today’s global economy is the business card. It identifies your company and makes it easier for international people to understand your name. Rank and profession in other countries are taken much more seriously then they are in the United States.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For every country in which you travel, have your business card information in English on one side and in the language of the particular country on the other side. Include your name, position title, your company name and address, and your fax and telephone numbers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In European and North American countries, the business card may be presented with either hand. In Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, never present the card with your left hand; the left hand is considered unclean. Greetings   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Your first chance to make an impression is when you greet someone and exchange names. In America, we tend to be formal but that does not mean we should be careless. Professional, social, and family statuses are very important in many cultures. If you say or do something, which is incorrect, you can offend others and embarrass yourself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Always use a formal greeting when you meet people from other cultures. Never address them by their first names unless they ask you to do so. In European and North American countries, greet the person with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and the pronunciation of the last name with the courtesy title—Mrs. Moschler.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Latin American countries, greet a person with a light handshake and maybe an embrace. Remember that most peoples’ names are a combination of their father’s and mother’s names. Only a mother’s name is use in conversation. So, Carlos Mendoza-Zamora would be addressed as Senor Mendoza.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The French also greet one another with a light handshake; the firm U.S.-type handshake is thought to be impolite. Generally, women do not shake hands. Young people and close friends will frequently exchange kissed on both cheeks in addition to the handshake. And the French often shake hands in departing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Orient, the Chinese system presents the surname first and the given name last; for example, Wang Xiansheng would be addressed as Mr.

Four Steps to Forecast Total Market Demand Essay

Such forecasts are crucial since companies must begin building new generating plants five to ten years before they are to come on line. But during the 1975–1985 period, load actually grew at only a 2% rate. Despite the postponement or cancellation of many projects, the excess generating capacity has hurt the industry financial situation and led to higher customer rates. ? The petroleum industry invested $500 billion worldwide in 1980 and 1981 because it expected oil prices to rise 50% by 1985. The estimate was based on forecasts that the market would grow from 52 million barrels of oil a day in 1979 to 60 million barrels in 1985. Instead, demand had fallen to 46 million barrels by 1985. Prices collapsed, creating huge losses in drilling, production, refining, and shipping investments. Bill Barnett is a principal in the Atlanta office of McKinsey & Company. He is a leader of the firm’s Microeconomics Center, and his client work has focused on business unit and corporate strategy. ? In 1983 and 1984, 67 new types of business personal computers were introduced to the U. S. market, and most companies were expecting explosive growth. One industry forecasting service projected an installed base of 27 million units by 1988; another predicted 28 million units by 1987. In fact, only 15 million units had been shipped by 1986. By then, many manufacturers had abandoned the PC market or gone out of business altogether. The inaccurate suppositions did not stem from a lack of forecasting techniques; regression analysis, historical trend smoothing, and others were available to all the players. Instead, they shared a mistaken fundamental assumption: that relationships driving demand in the past would continue unaltered. The companies didn’t foresee changes in end-user behavior or understand their market’s saturation point. None realized that history can be an unreliable guide as domestic economies become more international, new technologies emerge, and industries evolve. As a result of changes like these, many managers have come to distrust traditional techniques. Some even throw up their hands and assume that business planning must proceed without good demand forecasts. I disagree. It is possible to develop valuable insights into future market conditions and demand levels based on a deep understanding of the forces behind total-market demand. These insights can Copyright 1988 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. sometimes make the difference between a winning strategy and one that flounders. A forecast of total-market demand won’t guarantee a successful strategy. But without it, decisions on investment, marketing support, and other resource allocations will be based on hidden, unconscious assumptions about industrywide requirements, and they’ll often be wrong. By gauging total-market demand explicitly, you have a better chance of controlling your company’s destiny. Merely going through the process has merit for a management team. Instead of just coming out with pat answers, numbers, and targets, the team is forced to rethink the competitive environment. Total-market forecasting is only the first stage in creating a strategy. When you’ve finished your forecast, you’re not done with the planning process by any means. There are four steps in any total-market forecast: 1. Define the market. 2. Divide total industry demand into its main components. 3. Forecast the drivers of demand in each segment and project how they are likely to change. . Conduct sensitivity analyses to understand the most critical assumptions and to gauge risks to the baseline forecast. Defining the Market At the outset, it’s best to be overly inclusive in defining the total market. Define it broadly enough to include all potential end users so that you can both identify the appropriate drivers of demand and reduce the risk of surprise product substitutions. The factors that drive forecasts of total-market size differ markedly from those that determine a particular product’s market share or product-category share. For example, total-market demand for office telecommunications products nationally depends in part on the number of people in offices and their needs and habits, while total demand for PBX systems depends on how they compare on price and benefits with substitute products like the local telephone company’s central office switching service. Beyond this, demand for a particular PBX is a function of price and benefit comparisons with other PBXs. In defining the market, an understanding of product substitution is critical. Customers might behave differently if the price or performance of potential substitute products changes. One company studying total demand for industrial paper tubes had to consider closely related uses of metal and plastic tubes 4 to prevent customer switching among tubes from biasing the results. Understand, too, that a completely new product could displace one that hitherto had comprised the entire market—like the electronic calculator, which eliminated the slide rule. For a while after AT&T’s divestiture, the Bell telephone companies continued to forecast volume of long-distance calls by using historical trend lines of their revenues—as if they were still part of a monopoly. Naturally, these forecasts grew more inaccurate with time as end users were presented with new choices. The companies are now broadening their market definitions to take account of heightened competition from other longdistance carriers. There are several ways you can make sure you include all important substitute products (both current and potential). From interviews with industrial customers you can learn about substitutes they are studying or about product usage patterns that imply future switching opportunities. Moreover, market research can lead to insights about consumer products. Speaking with experts in the relevant technologies or reviewing technological literature can help you identify potential developments that could threaten your industry. Finally, careful quantification of the economic value of alternative products to different customers can yield deep insights into potential switching behavior—for example, how oil price movements would affect plastics prices, which in turn would affect plastic products’ ability to substitute for metal or paper. Analyses like these can lead to the construction of industry demand curves—graphs representing the relationship between price and volume. With an appropriate definition, the total-industry demand curves will often be steeper than demand curves for individual products in the industry. Consumers, for example, are far more likely to switch from Maxwell House to Folgers coffee if Maxwell House’s prices increase than they are to stop buying coffee if all coffee prices rise. In some cases, managers can make quick judgments about market definition. In other cases, they’ll have to give their market considerable thought and analysis. A total-market forecast may not be critical to business strategy if market definition is very difficult or the products under study have small market shares. Instead, your principal challenge may be to understand product substitution and competitiveness. One company analyzed the potential market for new consumer food cans, and it concluded that growth trends in food product markets were not critical to the strategy question. What was critical was knowing the value positions of the new packagesJuly–August 1988 elative to metal cans, glass jars, and composite cans. So the company spent time on that subject. Dividing Demand into Component Parts The second step in forecasting is to divide total demand into its main components for separate analysis. There are two criteria to keep in mind when choosing segments: make each category small and homogeneous enough so that the drivers of demand will apply consistently across its various elements; make each large enough so that the analysis will be worth the effort. Of course, this is a matter of judgment. You may find it useful in aking this judgment to imagine alternative segmentations (based on enduse customer groups, for example, or type of purchase). Then hypothesize their key drivers of demand (discussed later) and decide how much detail is required to capture the true situation. As the assessment continues, managers can return to this stage and reexamine whether the initial decisions still stand up. Managers may wish to use a ‘‘tree’’ diagram like the accompanying one constructed by a management team in 1985 to study demand for paper. In this disguised example, industry data permitted the division of demand into 12 end-use categories. Some categories, like business forms and reprographic paper, were big contributors to total consumption; others, such as labels, were not. One (other converting) was fairly large but too diverse for deep analysis. The team focused on the four segments that accounted for 80% of 1985 demand. It then developed secondary branches of the tree to further dissect these categories and to determine their drivers of demand. It analyzed the remaining segments less completely (that is, via a regression against broad macroeconomic trends). Other companies have used similar methods to segment total demand. One company divided demand for maritime satellite terminals by type of ship (e. g. , seismic ships, bulk/cargo/container ships). Another divided demand for long-distance telephone service into business and residential customers and then subdivided it by usage level. And a third segmented consumer appliances into three purchase types—appliances used in new home construction, replacement appliance sales in existing homes, and appliance penetration in existing homes. In thinking about market divisions, managers need to decide whether to use existing data on segment sizes or to commission research to get an independent estimate. Reliable public information on historHARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW July–August 1988 ical demand levels by segment is available for many big U. S. industries (like steel, automobiles, and natural gas) from industry associations, the federal government, off-the-shelf studies by industry experts, or ongoing market data services. For some foreign markets and less well-researched industries in the United States, like the labels industry, you may have to get independent estimates. Even with good data sources, however, the readily available information may not be divided into the best categories to support an insightful analysis. In these cases, managers must decide whether to develop their forecasts based on the available historical data or to undertake their own market research programs, which can be timeconsuming and expensive. Note that while such segmentation is sufficient for forecasting total demand, it may not create categories useful for developing a marketing strategy. A single product may be driven by entirely different factors. One study of industrial components found that consumer industry categories provided a good basis for projecting total-market demand but gave only limited help in formulating a strategy based on customer preferences: distinguishing those who buy on price from those who buy on service, product quality, or other benefits. Such buying-factor categories generally do not correlate with the customer industry categories used for forecasting. A strong sales force, however, can identify customer preferences and develop appropriate account tactics for each one. Forecasting the Drivers of Demand The third step is to understand and forecast the drivers of demand in each category. Here you can make good use of regressions and other statistical techniques to find some causes for changes in historical demand. But this is only a start. The tougher challenge is to look beyond the data on which regressions can easily be based to other factors where data are much harder to find. Then you need to develop a point of view on how those other factors may themselves change in the future. An end-use analysis from the commodity paper example, reprographic paper, is shown in the accompanying chart. The management team, using available data, divided reprographic paper into two categories: plain-paper copier paper and nonimpact page printer paper. Without this important differentiation, the drivers of demand would have been masked, making it hard to forecast effectively. In most cases, managers can safely assume that demand is affected both by macroeconomic vari5 Components of Uncoated White Paper Making Up Total Demand (thousands of tons) End-Use Category Business Forms Commercial Printing Reprographics Envelopes Other Converting Total Demand Stationery and Tablet Books Directories Catalogs Magazines Inserts Labels Reviewed in Depth Percent of Total 1985 Demand 25% 25 20 10 5 5 5 1 or less ables and by industry-specific developments. In looking at plain-paper copier paper, the team used simple and multiple regression analyses to test relationships with macroeconomic factors like white-collar workers, population, and economic performance. Most of the factors had a significant effect on demand. Intuitively, it also made sense to the team that the level of business activity would relate to paper consumption levels. Economists sometimes refer to growth in demand due to factors like these as an ‘‘outward shift’’ in the demand curve—toward a greater quantity demanded at a given price. ) Demand growth for copy paper, however, had exceeded the real rate of economic growth and the challenge was to find what other factors had been causing this. The team hypothesized that declining copy costs had caused this increased usage. The relationship was proved by estimating the substantial cost reductions that had occurred, combining those with numbers of tons produced over time, and then fashioning an indicative demand curve for copy paper. See the chart ‘‘Understanding Copy Paper Demand Drivers. ’’) The clear relationship between cost and volume meant that cost reductions had been an important cause of past demand growth. (Economists sometimes describe this as a downward-shifting supply curve leading to movement down the demand curve. ) Further major declines in cost per copy seemed unlikely because paper costs were expected to remain flat, and the data indicated little increase in 6 price elasticity, even if cost per copy fell further. So the team concluded that usage growth (per level of economic performance) was likely to continue the flattening trend begun in 1983: growth in copy paper consumption would be largely a function of economic growth, not cost declines as in the past. The team then reviewed several econometric services forecasts to develop a base case economic forecast. Similar studies have been performed in other industries. A simple one was the industrial components analysis mentioned before, a case where the total forecast was used as background but was not critical to the company’s strategy decision. Here the team divided demand into its consuming industries and then asked experts in each industry for production forecasts. Total demand for components was projected on the assumption that it would move parallel to a weight-averaged forecast of these customer industries. Actual demand three years later was 2% above the team’s prediction, probably because the industry experts underestimated the impact of the economic recovery of 1984 and 1985. In another example, a team forecasting demand for maritime satellite terminals extrapolated past penetration curves for each of five categories of ships.

Research Knowledge and Assessment

This essay explores how these queries may be conceptualized, described, valuated, and explained through investigative methods. Philosophy of Research Quantitative scientific research relies on data taken from empirical methods based on observation and experience (Myers & Hanson, 2002; Stanchion & Stanchion, 2003). These systematic empirical methods can be used as inferential mathematical tools for evaluating a sample from a population. Consequently, the empirical calculations of phenomena in a sample may be applied to an entire population from which the sample was derived (Ho, 201 0, p. ). Research Terminologies Certain terms in research connote philosophical approaches to obtaining ND evaluating information. Through the scientific process, research studies begin by developing questions or hypotheses, then collecting data to help answer the questions or test the hypotheses. Research data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted to reach conclusions (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 201 0, p. 12). However, qualitative and quantitative studies have similarities and dissimilarities in the scientific process due to the different cognitive approaches in research designs.Qualitative studies utilize inductive reasoning while quantitative studies apply deductive logic (p. 10). Figure 1 illustrates the specifics, similarities, and differences of these concepts in qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The scientific method, illustrated in figure 2, acquires and assesses knowledge through observation and experience (Drew, Yardman, & Hose, 2008). The philosophy Of Positivism utilizes aspects of the scientific method in social research.Positivist researchers believe that only what is observed can be evaluated in an objective manner. This means that only observable behavior can be measured without regard to motives, perspectives, or feelings (Social Research Methods, 2006). Conversely, post positivist philosophy does not believe that Objectivity is infallible because k nowledge is developed through social constructs and this knowledge cannot be divorced from personal perceptions which determine the legitimacy of wisdom (Ryan, 2006, p. 16).The foregoing statements suggest that post-positivists believe deductions from observations may be relative and inexact (p. 20). This lends credence to subjectivity in research evaluations (Ratter, 2002). Objectivity in Objectivity can be described as a mental state in which personal biases, preferences, and perspectives of researchers do not contaminate the election and analysis of data (Sociology Guide, 2014). Objectivity is paramount in ensuring the veracity of a study. However, in social and educational studies, objectivity presupposes a type of reality (Ratter, 2002).If that reality is created by the researcher or observer, then it may be more subjective than objective (p. 3). These ideas exemplify the challenges faced by those in qualitative or mixed-methods studies who must judge the depth or the breadth a nd depth of research findings, respectively (Walden University, n. D. ). Though quantitative research may appear objective through the use of thematic calculations, subjectivity may occur in deciding what data are to be measured and the types of measuring instruments to be employed (Slashing, 2003).Philosophical Developments in Research Scientific realism is a quantitative approach to research in which numerical formulas are used to analyze data, and these data are used to symbolize constructs and variables (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010). Positivists utilize the tenets of scientific realism because they feel that the social and psychological world can be evaluated mathematically in the same way that quantitative research explains phenomena in the natural world Social constructivism states that phenomena must be understood (P. 3). As complex wholes and researchers must understand reality through the perspectives of the participants in a study. Social constructivism advocates hypo theses that are created to achieve meaning through multiple realities formed by diverse human perceptions in a social world. Social constructivism is commonly employed in ethnographers and other types of social research. Advocacy and liberating frameworks also accept a multiplicity of realities derived from social, economic, cultural, and political milieus.This philosophy involves research that advocates freedom from oppression and is a common framework for education research studies involving minorities or socially oppressed groups of people (Fire, 1970). Pragmatism is not focused on defining a real or socially constructed reality, but seeks practical answers to promulgate correct practices and programs (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 201 0, p. 16). Pragmatists frequently use a mixed-methods approach to research for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. Case studies utilize the methods of pragmatism (p. 60). Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks A framework can be created throu gh Concepts or theories (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010, p. 13). A conceptual framework shows ideas or variables in a cogent and sequential manner, whereas a theoretical framework focuses on identifying the possible relationships among the ideas or concepts and develops theories for these relationships (Niagara, 2012). These theories provide a foundation for the beginnings of an investigation and help maintain a focus for the direction of a study.A conceptual framework can also be defined as a structure that describes the natural progression of a phenomenon through a theoretical framework that gives an explanation of how some constituents of the phenomenon may be related (Camp, 2001). In summary, a conceptual framework may elucidate concepts Of a study but it does not explain the relationships among the ideas or variables, whereas a theoretical framework can explain the associations among variables and how these associations relate to the research investigation (Science, n. D. ).C ore Concepts of Research Design The research question is the basis for the research study and should include ethical guidelines (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 201 0, p. 388). It identifies dependent and independent variables in causal-comparative search and it targets variables that are expected to be related in correlation studies (up. 388-389). In quantitative studies, the research question is clarified by the hypothesis which is a declarative statement or tentative position of the identified problem (Drew, Yardman, & Hose, 2008, p. 78). Unlike quantitative investigations, the research questions in qualitative studies focus more on processes than on outcomes (p. 389). Once the research question has been refined to a specific idea, then the statement Of purpose for the study can be expressed in clear and concise terms (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010, p. 89). The specificity of the research question and the distinct purpose of the study are derivatives of the literature review which mainly focuses on primary, peer-reviewed articles related to the research question.Population and Sample Inferential statistics utilizes a subset from a population called a sample. Research results derived from the sample may be generalized to the population from which it was derived. However, in order for a study to produce accurate results and conclusions from a sample, it is important to differentiate between a theoretical population and an accessible population Social Research Methods, 2006). The theoretical population should possess well-defined characteristics related to the variables to be studied in the sample.An accessible population may be available for a study, but if its traits are not circumscribed within the sample it produces, the accuracy of the research is comport used (Expellable, 2009). Variables and Research If endings A variable is an object or entity that has different quantitative or qualitative values depending on the circumstance in a study (Ho, 2010, p. 12 7). In educational research, a variable can also be defined as a measurable hypothetical concept (construct) that has been developed from a theoretical framework (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010, p. 3). When these variables are translated into data, the findings can be reported quantitatively, qualitatively, or quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative findings are numerical in nature and can be reported through Pearson-product moment correlations, multiple-regression analysis, t-test, chi-square, and other tests (p. 305). Qualitative findings may be reported through the use of triangulation techniques, coding, themes, and other procedures (up. 189-193).Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitation's Assumptions are constituents of a study which may not be under the control of the researcher, but their disappearance in a study would make it irrelevant (Simon, 2011). Limitations are uncontrollable, potential weaknesses in a study, whereas delimitation's are controllable characteri stics that limit the scope and define the boundaries of a study (p. 2). This is why these three factors must be considered when research is conducted.Validity and Reliability Validity describes the accuracy and appropriateness of measures while reliability refers to the consistency of the measurements (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010). In quantitative research, validity can be defined in terms of a construct which determines the type of data to be collected and the way in which the information is to be gathered (Winner & Braun, 1998). Validity in qualitative research was defined by Slashing (2003) as â€Å"quality, rigor and trustworthiness† (p. 02). The internal validity of a study can be affected by observations, selection of informants for maximum variability, selection Of participants, and improper or misguided conclusions, whereas external validity can be influenced by types of selection procedures, kinds of settings n which experiments are conducted, historical consequ ences from the lives of participants, and the variations in the meanings of constructs across time, environments, and populations (Michael, n. D. ).Reliability can be illustrated through consistent results after repeated evaluations show a continuous stability of measurements for a given period of time (Kirk & Miller, 1986). Reliability has been defined by Cope (2000) as â€Å"The extent to which results are consistent over time and [accurately represent] the total population under study†¦ If the results of a study can be reproduced under a animal methodology, then the research instrument is [also] considered to be reliable. † (p. 1). However, Slashing (2003) cautions that a research instrument which measures consistently may not be measuring accurately.Hence, these inaccuracies of measurement make the research instrument invalid and controvert the internal consistency and reliability of the research. Internal reliability can be affected by inference descriptors, a resea rchers selections of data, and the interpretations of the data by the researcher (Bloom, n. D. ). External reliability can be influenced by situational contexts that effect the information retrieved from participants, data collection, analysis methodology, and constructs (Slashing, 2003).Other Approaches to Unlike research investigations, program evaluations are critiqued regarding their immediate impact on what was observed and studied (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010). A program can be defined as a group of detailed activities with measurable objectives (p. 363). The purpose of evaluating a program is to make a decision on a course of action, whereas a research study provides information about a particular topic or practice. Program valuations use formative and summarize processes. These processes involve collecting information while the program occurs and measuring results at the end of the program to determine â€Å"†¦ Owe those outcomes related to the overall†¦ Prog ram and its success. † (p. 366). Once these processes have been deduced, the findings can be used to improve education There are evaluation models that can be applied through practices. These formative and summarize approaches. All models of evaluation contribute to the development of the evaluation plan, capacity, data collection, data, analysis, and reporting procedures of the study. The most common model for program evaluation is the objective-based approach which assesses the overall purpose of the program and defines the type of information to be collected for evaluation.This approach also utilizes benchmarks or quantitative goals that participants are expected to obtain to ensure the success of the program. Among other program evaluation templates, the logic model measures progress at each phase of the curriculum while operating on the assumption that a rational sequence Of events must happen in order to produce the final results of the program (p. 373). These sequences of events begin with resources or inputs which create actions or activities that lead to changes in the participants (p. 374).These changes or outcomes verify the efficacy or inefficacy of the program. In other words, the logic approach is a picture of how the program works through the theories and assumptions underlying the program (W. K. Kellogg Foundation, 2004). The logic model is commonly used for program evaluations in health education because it can illustrate the infrastructure of a program model while integrating the activities of the clinical educators and patients (Centers or Diseases Control and Prevention, 1 999): A detailed logic model can†¦ Threaten claims of causality and be a basis for estimating the program's effect on endpoints that are not directly measured but are linked in a causal chain supported by prior research†¦ Logic models can be created to display a program at different levels of detail, from different perspectives, or for different audiences. (p. 9). It is imperative in health education to identify causal relationships among variables of patient care and clinical erudition paradigms. This is why the logic approach is such a good choice for evaluating these types of programs.Program evaluations possess benefits and shortcomings. One advantage of program evaluations is the immediate application of the information to a setting or environment for implementing improvements and other efficacious changes. Examples of disadvantages in program evaluations include the lack of available assets for improving program deficiencies identified through formative processes and the subjectivity of an internal evaluator who may have preconceived ideas about what the program outcomes should be. The focus of effective education is action (Spencer, n. . ). Action research in education has been scribed as research accomplished by teachers to provide insights for themselves (Mills, 201 1). It is also a way for teachers to work collaboratively w ith each other with education administrators, and with stakeholders to improve classroom instruction and the learning potential of students (C. A. R. Madison Metropolitan School District, 2010). The primary purpose of action research is to change and improve educational environments and outcomes (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010).The stages in conducting action research are sequential and cyclical (Classroom Action Research, 2012). These steps are illustrated in Figure 3. The diagram in the illustration implies important ideas regarding the structure of action research. This Structure should include ways to clearly define an issue, to challenge the assumptions and views of the researcher conducting the study, to develop a concise plan for data collection, to encourage collaboration between the researcher and peers, and to provide evidence for practice improvement (Ladino, Spaulding, & Vogel, 2010).