Factors Affecting Academic Achievement in Children

Factors affecting academic achievement in children By Aaron shen Nowadays people are concerneed about education so much due to it has inevitable influence on academic achievement. But what is academic success? More and More studies have been taken to show different ideas about factors affecting academic achievement in . It’s clear that teachers’ assistants are no longer a popular point. Instead,researhers found that the size of the class is a noticable factor.Of course,tradtional ideas are still very useful to consture it such as teaching method,teaching equipment,personal qualities,families and so on. Jeremy Finn of the State University of New York and Charles M. Achilles of Eastern Michiggan University found ‘an array of benefits of small classes’in their review. In their study,they drew a conclusion that students in the small classes performed better than those who were in the larger classes. Increasing data and study are proving this idea. Due to all th e studies,it’s easy to say why this happens.First,fewer students in the classroom seem to translate into less noise and disruptive behaviour from students,which not only give the teacher more time for class but also more freedom to engage students creatively. Undoubtfully,this will help improve academic achievement. However,some new points are put forward arguing that although students can gain initial benefit from small classes,the STAR data cannot prove that the gains persist for years after a student has returned to a normal-sized class. The example of Japan is typical to testify that teaching method is a necessary factor.It is well known that classes in Asia are large,but why Asian childen do so well in such classes compared to the small classes in American and oher developed countries? The legendary is the way accroding to Catherinne lewis who is an expert on the Japanese educational system and a senior researcher at Mills College. Such discipline is not imposed by fears ome teachers. Instead,students are honored to be chosen to lead lessons,and they take turns to do it,experiencing firsthand what it is like to quieten down an unruly group of students.As a result,teachers mange the class by this rather than punishing and rewarding. What’s more,Japanese teachers spend more time with their students which centainly help studennts to learn well both in study and life skills.. All in all there are lots of factors that will affect academic achievement. Except what have been mentioned above,families and intelligence are very necessary factors as well. This eassy aims to study and tries to explain all of these aspects.

Binge Drinking Among College Students and Consequences Essay

Binge drinking is a problem that has continued to have a toll on the lives of college students despite efforts by the government and school administrators to curb the trend. Many studies have been conducted to reveal the facts behind binge drinking in colleges and campuses. It is clear that for the problem of binge drinking in colleges to be resolved, it must all start by understanding the factors that influence college students to engage in this behaviour and the impacts that binge drinking have had on the lives of college students. This is because students who do engage in binge drinking have their reasons to justify their behaviour but often have failed to recognize the magnitude of risks that they are exposed to by binge drinking. Among the government initiatives to reduce this problem has been to increase the national drinking age though this has not had much impact on the level of binge drinking among college students according to several studies. It is worth noting that many students have been indulging in binge drinking with the excuse that it is normal as per the culture in their colleges. There are other factors that influence college students to binge drink including environmental, social, developmental, and cognitive factors. Though most students who binge drink defend their behaviour by citing the positive side of binge drinking such as curbing stress and elevating self-confidence, the consequences are often costly and regrettable. This essay provides an argument on the factors that influence college students to indulge in binge drinking, including the various false beliefs about alcohol consumption. In addition, the essay will shed light on the consequences of binge drinking and show that contrary to the tendency of college students to glamorize binge drinking, it is a risky and costly endeavour. Binge drinking has been defined as heavy episodic alcohol consumption in which men end up taking five or more drinks in a si tting while women take four or more drinks in a sitting (Nelson and Wechsler 287). The prevalence of binge drinking on college campuses has remained high, posing serious health, academic, social, and legal implications. In order to understand binge drinking, it is worth mentioning that drinking is measured in terms of frequency or quantity. While quantity refers to how much, frequency is concerned with measuring how often consumption takes place. A drinking behaviour qualifies as binge drinking if large quantities of alcohol are consumed within a short time frame (Binge Drinking). By looking at the history and prevalence of binge drinking among college students, it leaves no doubt that changing drinking age over time has had little impact on the prevalence of drinking on college campuses. Beer drinking among college students is not a new phenomenon as tales dating back to 19th century are told of college students engaging in drinking. A survey conducted by Yale University researchers in 1949 gave an idea of the prevalence of drinking on college campuses. The survey found that 6% of women and 17% of men engaged in drinking more than once per week. In the 1960s and 70s the minimum drinking age in many states was set at 18 to agree with the requirement that those joining the military ought to be old enough to drink (Dietz 88). However, this action only paved way for increased drinking on college campuses given that now drinking was legal. The government had to act swiftly to arrest this trend and in 1984, the minimum drinking age was set at 21. Even then, the level of drinking remained almost the same as most college students had attained this age and thus regarded themselves as being entitled to drink (Krock). Drinking rates over the past 20 years have remained relatively at the same level and now it is estimated that 80-90% of college students are into drinking. Heavy drinkers constitute 15-25% of college students and 44% of college students report frequent or occasional binge drinking (Dietz 88). These statistics are indicative of the fact that binge drinking is a problem that is deep rooted in other factors such as the kind of cultures in colleges, environmental, cognitive, and developmental factors. Therefore, altering the national drinking age while it has shown positive impacts in the general population in terms of decreasing the prevalence of binge drinking, cannot offer a comprehensive solution to the same problem in colleges (Krock). The culture of drinking on campus has contributed a great deal to the high prevalence of binge drinking. While acknowledging the fact that unique cultures exist among individual colleges, these individual cultures harbour certain sub-cultures that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol. Within these sub-cultures, a common message is perpetuated that drinking is a normal and essential component of social interaction. Therefore, many college students conduct themselves in a manner that agrees with what the prevailing culture dictates (Ho pe and Ham 727). The culture of drinking on college campuses is composed of a number of elements. The first element is drinking events which encourage students to indulge in drinking to mark certain events (Dietz 89). In the same way that universities and colleges have a strong sense of tradition, the drinking culture has deep roots in most colleges. Therefore, many students engage in binge drinking in the process of honouring certain events that to them require people to drink in order for the commemoration to have real meaning (Dietz 89). In as much as the culture of drinking in many colleges and universities is difficult to do away with, it has only served to make students make the wrong decision of involving themselves in heavy episodic drinking characteristic of binge drinking. The bottom line is that in the disguise of marking particular events, many college students involve themselves in binge drinking thus exposing themselves to detrimental consequences. Drinking games is an element of drinking culture in colleges that have contributed to the high prevalence of binge drinking. In some colleges, students have tended to glamorize the aspect of drinking alcohol to the extent that drinking gam es are held in which students compete in drinking alcohol. Some drinking games are highly competitive while others just dictate rules regarding how much participants are expected to drink (Dietz 89). Nevertheless, the fact is that whether a drinking is highly competitive or not, by the virtue of portraying drinking as totally harmless, such games have encouraged binge drinking to the detriment of many students. It is true to say that in order to create opportunities for excessive drinking, students in many colleges have perpetuated drinking games entrenched in the culture of drinking. A good example of a drinking game in colleges is Beer Pong in which 6-16 cups partially filled with alcohol are taken by each team. The person playing the game is expected to throw a ping-pong ball aiming at the opponent’s cup across the table. If the ball lands into the partially filled cup, the opponent has to drink the content. The team that runs out of cups first is considered the loser (Dietz 89). By considering the nature of such a game, it is prudent to note that its objective is to encourage excessive drinking judging by the number of cups involved. Therefore, students who get involved in such games more often than not end up binge drinking in the name of having fun but in reality exposes themselves to negative consequences. Another important factor which makes college students to indulge in binge drinking is the kind of choices they make in terms of the groups they want to identify themselves with given that college students are eager to have a sense of belonging. One study targeting to investigate how college students seek to have a sense of belonging revealed that those students who joined Greek organizations drank consistently and more heavily than those who did not join Greek societies (Hensley). Greek societies are known to be prevalent in colleges and often entice students to join them in order to gain a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood. However, many students who agree to join these organizations are exposed to a life of excessive drinking in the disguise of obeying induction rituals. Eventually, the life of excessive drinking becomes part and parcel of these students (Dietz 90). While it is understandable that many students joining college are eager to identify themselves with particular groups or organizations, it is expected of them to make prudent decisions which would not compromise their studies and their lives in college. Unfortunately, many students have ended up in binge drinking through making inappropriate decisions only to realize when things go terribly wrong. Athletics is also another element of college culture whereby, students take the moment as an excuse for drinking but then end up binge drinking. When students drink excessively during sporting events, they often cause incidences and fall in trouble with authorities. Drunken fans are known for causing chaos during and after games irrespective of the game outcome. Consequently, property may be damaged and both bystanders and the rioters suffer serious injuries (Dietz 91). For students who binge drink because of sporting events, it is just a flimsy excuse and the consequences are often regrett able. Therefore, drinking games, sporting events, traditional drinking events, and Greek organizations are the elements of the culture of drinking on college campuses which make many students involve themselves in binge drinking. Unfortunately, the notion that alcohol is essential for complete social life on campus is a misconception whose consequences are harmful. Apart from the culture of drinking, college students are influenced into binge drinking by environmental, developmental, and cognitive factors. Regarding the environment, logic dictates that the way someone behaves is more often than not influenced by what is going on in the surrounding. Therefore, when students drink in environments where people have carried alcohol to drink, drinking games are being played, hard alcohol is available in plenty, and the people around are intoxicated; binge drinking can always be predicted. On the other hand a drinking environment where drinking is taking place in a family setting, in the context of dating or where food is available, studies have shown that in such environments, binge drinking is very unlikely (Dietz 92). Though this suggestion carries weight, it is paramount to reckon that studies that have been done on such environmental implications on the likelihood of binge drinking have been largely correlational. What this means is that though the first kind of environment may contribute to the occurrence of binge drinking, it is also a possibility that those students who indulge in binge drinking are already present in such an environment. Therefore, it would be difficult to determine for instance whether playing of drinking games in such an environment resulted from the presence of binge drinkers or whether students ended up binge drinking because of being in an environment where people played drinking games (Dietz 92). Nevertheless, it leaves no doubt that depending on the kind of environment that students expose themselves to, the likelihood of binge drinking either increases or decreases. Cognitive factors constitute another influential force which has led many college students to develop binge drinking behaviour. The cognitive influences are deeply rooted in misleading beliefs about alcohol, the notion that binge drinking is something that is acceptable, and misinformation about the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Regarding the false beliefs or myths that some college students confidently hold on to, there are those who believe that everybody is engaging in binge drinking and thus experiences similar negative consequences (Binge Drinking). This is a misguided thought because a significant percentage of college students do not engage in binge drinking. At the same time, the negative consequences experienced by those who indulge in binge drinking vary and cannot be the same. For instance, according to the direct effects model, binge drinking consequences are determined by both the drinking beliefs and the binge drinking tendencies. Going by this model, students who hold more risky myths such as â€Å"everybody is doing it† is more likely to experience harsher consequences. This is because; such students are often lured into thinking that binge drinking cannot make them suffer physical harm. Consequently, they are more likely to involve themselves in highly risky behaviours after binge drinking and hence experience more severe consequences compared to those who do not hold such a myth (Turrisi, Wiersma and Hughes 343). Another myth among binge drinkers is that binge drinking enhances sexual performance and sex appeal. The fact is that binge drinking predisposes students to risky sexual behavior in which some students may engage in unprotected sex which can lead to the contraction of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (DeSimone 2). In fact binge drinking causes disorientation and those who engage in it are incapacitated from making rational decisions when they are drunk. The belief that their sex appeal is enhanced is misguided. There is also the belief among those who attempt to justify binge drinking that binge drinking is a remedy for stress and that it can enhance social interaction. On the contrary, binge drinking has been associated with hangovers and even suicidal thoughts. Binge drinking does not enhance social interactions but instead it triggers quarrels, arguments, fights, and incidences of blacking out and vomiting (Wechsler). Others believe that alcohol is not harmful to the body. Again, such a belief is the total opposite of the fact since alcohol consumption has been associated with serious health consequences including alcohol poisoning. The other aspect of cognitive influences is that some students will engage in binge drinking because they perceive the behavior as acceptable in the eyes of their parents and friends. In other words, they find consolation in the idea that binge drink is not bad after all since their parents and friends do not show any disapproval of the behavior (Dietz 94). Developmental factors also help to explain why college students engage in binge drinking. It is worth noting that once students reach this level of maturity, they naturally develop the desire to be regarded as mature adults who can make independent decisions and be responsible for the consequences of their actions. Therefore, binge drinking behaviour among many college students emanate from this desire to assert their adulthood. Moreover, college students are usually at their prime physically and thus they feel much confident in terms of being able to withstand the impacts of drinking alcohol which may also lead them into drinking excessively (Dietz 91). Though regarded as normal development, the fact that college students are likely to regard as adult hypocrisy anti-drinking messages from people, only puts them at more a vulnerable position. It is also noteworthy that college students are at a stage of critical social and emotional development. For instance, this is a time that they experience a higher level of autonomy since their parents are not around to monitor them. This increased freedom makes many students to make autonomous decisions and often experiment with behaviours that their parents had forbidden them. Moreover, many college students are still continuing with the process of devel oping their identity and in the process, often indulge in behaviours such as binge drinking in search of more sensational experiences (Hope and Ham 727). Peer influence is usually at the centre of identity development as students try to fit in new environments with a sense of belonging. Therefore, given that in many colleges students are confronted with a drinking culture, it is not a wonder that some result to binge drinking. However, many students fail to realize that with more freedom comes the need to be more responsible. This is because too much freedom without a sense of self-control or restraint is harmful. In this regard, in as much as certain developmental factors are normal, it cannot be justified as the excuse for engaging in heavy drinking. Binge drinking has a wide range of negative consequences which many college students fail to foresee before plunging themselves into the risky behaviour of binge drinking. Some students do not think that binge drinking can lead to any immediate negative consequence while others lean on the belief that alcohol does not pose harm to the body at all. Such notions are null and void given th at bingers are often caught in a wide range of crises such as engaging in unplanned or unprotected sex and getting into trouble with the authorities. In addition, bingers are more likely to engage in dangerous acts such as driving while drunk than nonbinging drinkers. Drunk driving is a major cause of car accidents and many young people have lost their lives because of it (Nelson and Wechsler 290). Some of the beliefs about the benefits of binge drinking among college students include the idea that by binge drinking, one can get more sexual opportunities. On the contrary, binge drinking only serves to make bingers behave irresponsibly and engage in risky sexual behaviours such as unplanned or unprotected sex. Consequently, some may contract STIs and HIV/AIDS which is a very high price to pay for being irresponsible. Unwanted pregnancy is another possible outcome of binge drinking which adds to the social burden and compromises the studies of the affected student. Contrary to the notion that binge drinking helps to relieve stress, one of its notable consequences has been the increased risk of committing suicide among college studen ts. Given that 67% of suicide incidences in colleges result from alcohol abuse, the idea that binge drinking causes relaxation is a nonstarter (Wechsler). The health consequences associated with binge drinking are severe. For instance, liver cancer is a fatal illness which can lead to death if not treated early. Another terrible consequence of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning which is a health condition that is not reversible once it occurs. This is a fact which is contrary to what people believe that alcohol poisoning can be reversed by drinking black coffee, walking, sleeping, or taking a cold bath. Time is the only factor that can determine whether the condition will get better or worse. However, due to the high level of alcohol in the blood, there may be no time for the alcohol level to decrease. Instead, the increase in blood alcohol level may continue even after quitting drinking. Consequently, death can result from interruption of breathing functions or the patient may choke on his/her vomit while unconscious (Do You Understand Binge Drinking?). Binge drinking causes students to be left behind in school work and academic performance of binge drinkers is rendered poor. For instance, due to hangovers and disorientation that comes with excessive drinking, students often fail to complete their assignments or to attend lectures. Consequently, their grades continue to deteriorate and their academic life may become a nightmare (Hensley). Such outcomes are contrary to the notion among young binge drinkers that they have the ability to control the effects of excessive drinking. The fact is that the consequences of binge drinking are stronger than one may try to imagine and many students only regret later when it is too late. The second hand effects of binge drinking are also real and come in the form of insults, sleepless nights, unwanted sex advance, arguments, and a ssaults (Wechsler). From this discussion, it leaves no doubt that binge drinking is highly prevalent on college campuses, something that has been contributed by different factors. This is supported by the evidence of many studies showing that despite the national drinking age being increased to 21, binge drinking especially among female students has increased. The consequences of binge drinking are detrimental. This has been witnessed in the form of the escalating cases of road accidents which has cost many lives of college students. Despite the belief among many college students that alcohol consumption enhances social interaction and sex appeal, binge drinking results in quarrels, arguments, and risky sexual behavior. In addition, students who binge drink have often found themselves in trouble with authorities. Poor academic performance due to inability to focus is a big problem among binge drinkers. Contrary to the belief that alcohol releases stress, statistics have proved otherwise. In fact, incidences of suicide have been on the rise among binge drinkers. The notion among binge drinkers that they are able to control the impacts of alcohol is a nonstarter given the high incidences of rape, assault, and vandalism among college students who binge drink. Regarding the culture of drinking in most colleges, this is something that bingers lean on as an excuse for their behavior. Issues of autonomy and the urge to identify with particular groups though real only imply that individual students must make prudent choices amidst the pressure. It all has to start by correcting the misconceptions and wrong attitudes among college students. Nevertheless, binge drinking remains a nagging issue whose consequences are a threat to many generations. Annotated Bibliography 1. Binge Drinking. n.d. Web 25 Nov 2011 . This article presents an argument regarding the way binge drinking has been defined by researchers and helps the reader to understand the controversy surrounding what actually amounts to binge drinking. It acknowledges that binge drinking is characterized by repeated intoxication with alcohol which makes a person become careless and abandon his/her responsibilities. In this case, it is useful in this research paper in terms of shedding light on what amounts to binge drinking and the possible consequences. It also alludes to the fact that binge drinking is still prevalent on college campuses. However, it points out that most of the research results about binge drinking on colleges have not reflected the real picture of the situation. 2. DeSimone, Jeff. Binge Drinking and Risky Sex among College Students. 2010. Web 25 Nov 2011 . This article is useful in this research to the extent of addressing one of the main consequences of binge drinking; risky sexual behaviour. The information in the article is presented in form of a report based on research aimed at finding out the relationship between binge drinking and risky sexual behaviour among college students aged between 18 and 24 years. Its findings that binge drinking increases promiscuity and inability to opt for safer sex such as condom use help to build on the paper’s argument. However, it fails to recognize other numerous negative consequences of binge drinking besides risky sexual behaviour. 3. Dietz, Christine M. â€Å"Development of Binge Drinking Behavior in College Students: A Developmental Analysis.† Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology (2008): 1(1), pp. 86-96. The journal presents valuable information on the factors that influence college students to engage in binge drinking. It extensively addresses the culture of drinking in most colleges which many students lean on as an excuse for intoxicating themselves with alcohol. In addition, the journal discusses the developmental, cognitive, and environmental factors that play a big influential role in binge drinking. The information in the journal is quite useful in this research paper as it presents a broad picture of what has led to the high prevalence of binge drinking on college campuses. However, it falls short of addressing the details of the consequences of binge drinking. 4. Do You Understand Binge Drinking? 2011. Web 25 Nov 2011 . This is an article that explores in a brief but precise manner, what binge drinking is, the myth surrounding binge drinking, and the main health consequences of binge drinking. It helps to build the argument that contrary to what many college students perceive as being invincible to harm, binge drinking is a monster that induces slow death regardless of age. 5. Hensley, Laura G. â€Å"College Student Binge Drinking: Implications for a Constructivist Approach to College Counseling.† Journal of College Counseling (2 001): Vol 4. The journal covers the most fundamental elements presented in this research paper in the form of an argument. It begins by explaining the prevalence of binge drinking and the factors causing this trend such as students joining Greek societies and succumbing to peer pressure. It then highlights the behavioural, health, and academic negative consequences that result from binge drinking. Though the information is useful in building an argument, the journal presents it in form of a report or literature review. 6. Hope, Debra A and Lindsay S Ham. â€Å"College students and problematic drinking: A review of the literature.† Clinical Psychology Review (2003): Vol 23, pp. 719-759. This journal review explores the problem of excessive drinking among college students by citing the findings of a number of studies that have been conducted in the past. It acknowledges the importance of considering frequency and quantity when defining binge drinking. Besides highlighting the consequences of binge drinking, it also explores other aspects such as gender difference in the likelihood of excessive drink ing. Nevertheless, it contributes to the research paper since it also addresses factors such as sensation seeking, personality and environmental factors, and cognitive processes as influencing college students to engage in binge drinking. 7. Krock, Becca. Higher drinking age lowers binge drinking for all except college students. 2009. Web 25 Nov 2011 . The article presents important findings from a recent study which revealed that though the national drinking age was set at 21 and has remained so since 1984, the effects on the level of binge drinking among college students have not been significant. However, the article points out that a major decline in the prevalence of binge drinking among teenagers has been noted. The article is relevant to the research paper since it helps the reader to see that altering the drinking age is not enough to curb the issue at hand. The main idea in the article is that since most college students are already 21 years and above, it’s legal for them to drink and the situation is exacerbated by other factors. 8. Nelson, Toben F and Henry Wechsler. â€Å"Binge Drinking and the American College Student: What’s Five Drink?† Psychology of Addictive Behaviours (2001): 15(4), pp. 287-291. The journal article discusses the importance of the clinical five/four measure of binge drinking in evaluating its various consequences. By citing findings about the consequences of binge drinking among college students, the article helps to build the argument presented in this paper. The article notes that there is a huge difference in the severity of binge-drinking consequences between bingers and non-bingers. However, the article does not address the fundamental factors that influence students to engage in binge drinking. 9. Turrisi, Rob, Kimberly A Wiersma and Kelli K Hughes. â€Å"Binge-Drinking-Related Consequences in College Students: Role of Drinking Beliefs and Mother-Teen Communications.† Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (2000): 14(4), 342-355. The information presented in this journal article is highly relevant to the argument since it not only focuses on the false beliefs about alcohol among college students but also the relationship between these beliefs and the consequences. For instance, the article asserts the findings that a direct relationship exists between drinking beliefs and binge-drinking consequences. However, there is no direct relationship between drinking beliefs and consequences when it comes to health matters and physical risk. Overall, the article helps the reader to understand the phenomenon of binge drinking in terms of why students engage in it and the difference in the nature of consequences expected by bingers and the actual consequences. 10. Wechsler, Henry. Binge Drinking on America’s College Campuses. 2009. Web 25 Nov 2011 . In this article, the question of binge drinking is discussed in light of its prevalence which according to the article has remained relatively steady. At the same time, the article notes that more dangerous forms of binge drinking have been on the rise. The far-reaching consequences of binge drinking including alcohol poisoning, poor academic performance, vandalism of property, and physical harm have been highlighted. It helps to underscore the fact that by believing that they are able to control the effects of alcohol, many college students have only predisposed themselves to harm.

Case Analysis- Strategic Marketing Management Study

Analysis- Strategic Marketing Management - Case Study Example Therefore, Nintendo faces the challenge of overemphasizing on innovation per se while ignoring the needs of the mature audience that considers memory and storage capacity as important features of gaming hardware. Furthermore, customer lifestyle and trends are changing with majority of young audience switching to free-to-play versions of games on their smartphones. The report discusses the marketing and competitive environment with respect to Nintendo as well we its segmentation strategy and business strategy in the context or current dynamics. 1. Introduction Nintendo has gained the first-mover advantage in the interactive entertainment sector by providing both gaming devices and associated services since 1983. The Japanese manufacturer has evolved from its cult favorites â€Å"Super Mario† â€Å"Nintendo Game Cube† and â€Å"Nintendo 64† towards its more recent â€Å"Wii† and â€Å"Nintendo DS† (Kim, Lamont, Ogasawara, Park, & Takaoka, 2011). Altho ugh initially aimed at hard-core gamers, the company is aiming towards penetrating the market by appealing to more segments (including women and adults) and appealing to the mass market. It currently faces intense competition from Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s Play station. Furthermore, market trends are changing and the dynamics are clearly not the same as they were several years ago. The new generation of young customers is demanding free-to-play mobile games which are a major consideration for Nintendo in the revamping of its strategy. 2. Strategic vision/mission Nintendo’s vision and reflects its commitment to provide the â€Å"highest quality of products and support services† for customers by valuing customer feedback and encouraging teamwork amongst employees (Nintendo Games, 2013). The company’s strategy supports this commitment by providing gaming entertainment that is enjoyed by people of all ages (including women and adults). Keeping custom er feedback in mind and the trend of games of smartphones, the company is currently rethinking its strategy to broaden its target market and include non-gamers compared to hard-core console gamers. Hence, Nintendo is aiming at penetrating the market and rethinking its strategy keeping in view the current market trends of the youth generation moving towards free-to-play games on smartphones (Negishi, 2013). 3. Current marketing strategy Nintendo’s current marketing strategy revolves around its commitment to deliver superior customer service and quality of products. The new console â€Å"Wii† includes a three month warranty along with easy to use interface and free games (Nintendo, 2013). With this, Nintendo has revamped its traditional strategy by positioning the Wii as a universal product suitable for use by all ages and gender groups. The company has capitalized the brand equity associated with the Nintendo brand by retaining the â€Å"console† and innovating b y introducing entirely new product categories through its â€Å"motion sensor† technique (O’Gorman, 2008). 4. Target market and marketing strategy

APPLE INCORPORATED Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

APPLE INCORPORATED - Research Paper Example As of August 2010, the association began working 300 retail stores in ten countries and an online store where fittings and modifying things available to be purchased. Made on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, and combined January 3, 1977, the association was aforetime designated Apple Computer, Inc., for its first 30 years, yet scatterbrained the proclamation "Computer" on January 9, 2007 to reflect the association's endless wander into the client fittings promote in mixture with its customary concentrate on Pcs (Livingstone, 37). Establishment and advancement Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, created Apple Computer in the 1976 out of the silicon valley. From the Apple Ii microcomputer familiar in 1977 with the Macintosh exhibited in 1984, Apple Computer has transformed into one of the heading machine originators on the planet. On the other hand, Apple's pace of the generally business fell as competition from Microsofts' Windows and the comparably efficient Ibm Personal machines wh ich were great machines that moved the business division in 1990s. This was the pivotal turning point for Apple from a beneficially lucrative association to an endeavour with debilitating cash identified incidents. Apple, made a couple of movements turn the business around yet again. On May 2001, Apple pronounced the opening of the Apple retail stores in critical Us client zones. These files were planned to stem the tide of Apple's declining partition of the machine publicize and to nullify a poor record of promoting, Apple things with their-assembling retail outlets. What's more, Apple introduced its first ipod conveyable electronic sound player later that year. It was a completely early item offering of its workstation business. Not long after the showing of ipod, itunes Store was made to offer online music downloads for Us 99 pennies a musical amalgamation for its ipod lines. Notwithstanding music, more than 2200 system shows, circulated full-length films from Disney. This extern al examination of Apple Corporation utilizes a mix of Porter's Five Forces, complementors, and parts of a Pest examination to investigate the danger levels in Apple's inclination. The logical arrangement is an amalgam of the sundry models, certain things are broken out for phenomenal thought underneath. The human resource hiring process Regularly, the meeting process is fluctuated. A few applicants share in 4 meetings with 4-5 individuals at once while others, contingent upon the position, may be subjected to the same amount as 10 meetings. A portion of the more key inquiries touch on why somebody needs to work for Apple with one candidate noting that they're testing for "obsessive brand grip.", The interviews at Apple inc are quite tricky in that they are follow up questions to the questions that are asked in a normal interview. One of the ways that one can get to work for apple more easily is wen they had an internship there. In the process there also includes brain teasers for on e to prove they are well endowed in the mathematics section. Strategies and executions Before all else, in order to get a vigor about that nature's domain, an audit of Apple is publicized. Mac is incorporated in two associations: the Pc market and the regalement as well as the market of the media. Its ways have been to fuse its punctual

National Nursing shortage and Patient Advocacy Act Essay

National Nursing shortage and Patient Advocacy Act - Essay Example o in the hospitals as currently there is a severe shortage in the nursing professionals and some hospitals had nurses which were attending to numerous patients (Buerhaus, 191-198). This paper will assess and document the pros and con that are accompanied with this act. It will mainly focus on the impact in the patients, hospital as well as financial burden that is incurred by the health care institution. Firstly there are obvious financial implications that are accompanied with this act as hospitals are required to hire extra staff members. The financial burden in this instance is incurred by Medicare which is required to adjust its payments to hospitals in order to facilitate for this staff increment. Hospitals however also have some increased financial responsibility as the staff members will be in the hospital facility and incur other expenses besides the wages. In addition, the Secretary only implemented that the hospitals will be compensate only for expenses that are incurred when care is provided to Medicare users. Hence it will remain uncompensated for the other patients and will have to devise new plans to cover these extra costs. This may include a reduction in salaries which will obviously have a negative effect financially on the nursing staff. Another approach which the hospital could take is an increment in the service costs which will affect the patients as healthcare is expensive. The United States Census Bureau documented that approximately 50 million individuals were uninsured which is approximately 15% of the population (Buerhaus, 191-198). There are also advantages that are derived from this act and these include the improvement in the quality of healthcare. Reducing the ratio of patients that are attended by one nurse will result in better services and detection of certain issues that might have been missed due to the nurse’s busy schedule. This also improves the nurse-patient relationship which is essential in the prognosis of the patient

Electronic use in everyday life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Electronic use in everyday life - Essay Example These opponents argue that technology is making things difficult for mankind and these problems would be felt in the latter years of life. On the other hand the proponents of technology argue that it is a blessing for the whole mankind as it is making things a lot easier for people. The question then remains â€Å"Is technology really affecting us adversely or not?† This essay would further address this question by revolving around the negative influence of technology on our daily lives. The introduction of internet and computers in our life has turned out to be joyful for many as individuals enjoy surfing and chatting on the internet. Internet not only helps one to surf and chat but also helps to find out useful information about different topics. But the opponents argue that internet has turned out to be a disaster for many. Experts on technology believe that excess usage of computers and internet makes one impulsive and forgetful in his daily life. Excessive usage of internet has been termed to be fall under the category of addiction. Different types of self assessment tests have been designed to check if one falls under the category of internet addiction or not. A study done by the researchers in the University of Melbourne showed that around 10% of the students were suffering from the problem of internet addiction and this clearly shows that people are wasting their time on the internet rather than doing something useful. Some term this addiction as internet de pendence but this also has its negative effects as it is causing people to be distracted from their real life relationships. In other words internet is causing people to be distracted from education and family both at the same time. Cell phones also fall in the category of the internet as they seem to be causing dependence amongst the people too (Parker 2010). The introduction of nuclear power and nuclear weapons has also turned different aspects of the

Scaffolding as teaching technique Research Paper

Scaffolding as teaching technique - Research Paper Example Vygotsky suggests that learning at the social level precedes learning at an individual level, which highlights the importance of participation by the society in the learning process. The concept thrives to illustrate the role of that adults can engage in to assist their children in the learning process by participating jointly in problem-solving activities. As such, both parties are capable of establishing effective communication during the activities and the student gains understanding through a mutual perspective. Although there has been no consensus with regard to the definition of scaffolding, clear-cut characteristics exist among the numerous definitions. One such characteristic is contingency, which illustrates the adjusted and well-calibrated support accorded to the learner. The support accorded is usually oriented to accommodate the level of the student and his/her performance. As such, for offered support to be effective, the level of competence of the student must be define d and the support accorded is at the same or slightly higher level. Another common characteristic entails the gradual withdrawal of the afforded support, a concept referred to as fading. The amount of support given is reduced with time based on the response of the student in terms of development and level of competence. As the amount of time decreases responsibility for the indicated tasks is transferred to the student as he/she increases in cognitive capacity. Summary of Research Studies indicate that scaffolding strategies provide individualised instructions to students who would otherwise be lost in the learning process. This allows instructors to observe students and establish a tailored approach on the student, pushing him/her towards success. The differentiated instructions ensures that the student receives information and direction in accordance to his/her level of competence, which works to foster better understanding of concepts. Moreover, scaffolding techniques improve the acquisition of skill and knowledge owing to the support provided. This is facilitated by the opportunity to offer differentiated and individualised instructions through other students who have higher level of understanding. As such, guidance offered ensures that the learner is accommodated to build his confidence and joy in learning. This ensures that the learner does not feel left out or incompetent despite his/her learning challenges, which would increase the learner’s frustration levels. Similarly, studies illustrate the role of scaffold strategies in triggering independence among students through encouragement (Stone, 1998). It has been indicated that scaffolding engages and motivates the learner who in turn use their past knowledge to grasp new concepts. In this regard, scaffold strategies ensure that learners are not passive but active in the learning process, which goes a long way in boosting confidence levels. However, some critics argue that the scaffolding metaphor is based on task completion and cannot be effective in the learning process (Biemiller and Meichenbaum, 1998). The studies cite poor communication skills between the instructor and the learner and suggest that the learners cannot fully internalise concepts based on temporary support. In addition, measurement of scaffolding has been identified as a challenge since there are no

Cancer Nanotechnology Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cancer Nanotechnology - Research Proposal Example The several available methods for treatment of cancer and all prove to have severe effects to the victims. A proper method of treatment put in place of these other forms of treatment; can be of a relief to the patients. Some cancer patients even believe that cancer treatment is worse than the cancer itself because of the side effects they have to go through. Cancer nanotechnology may have an answer to this big problem. First, it is cheaper, has faster detection methods, and has fewer side effects in comparison to the other forms of treatments. In nanotechnology if the cancer detection nanoparticles are loaded with anti cancer drugs then scientists can be able to attack cancer cells exactly where they are. A potent dose of the anticancer drugs is in delivery in form of time-release treatment. Thus, the delivery of the drugs is to a specific area but released over a period ensuring works effectively and at the same time keeps the patient safe. Once the drug is in the designated area wi th cancerous cells, the gold nanoparticles take the dye to the cancer cells. White blood cells reject this dye and once the dye is inside the cancer cells, they are activated by light to destroy these cells. This treatment in comparison to the others does not subject other parts of the body to chemicals that may affect certain areas such as the tissues. The chemicals are only concentrated to targeted areas with cancerous cells in the body. This way the problem of severe side effects can no longer be a major problem in cancer treatments with this effective and efficient form of treatment for cancer. In addition, nanotechnology is much cheaper if compared to these other forms of treatment. Nanotechnology proves to be an answer to those patients seeking cheaper treatment for cancer.

Summarizing Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Summarizing - Article Example Dave firmly opines that the effect of tariffs and quota are same on consumers that they have to spend higher. Dave says that money simply changes hands. At times, government prefers voluntary quotas in which a foreign nation on its own agrees for its exports to a fixed number. It helps the US because then they need not pass any legislation to enforce any quota on the foreign nations. Importers get scarce licenses to import the goods and in turn make huge profits. Whether tariffs, quotas or voluntary quotas are imposed, finally, the price to consumers goes up. It is estimated that impact of such voluntary quota restriction to import cars from Japan is almost $400 per car. Overall, consumers paid an extra $4 billion because free imports were not allowed. Tariffs, quotas restrict innovation in the domestic industry. Tariffs and quota provide cushioning to the domestic industry as they can sell goods at higher prices. Whenever the government resorts to a voluntary quota kind of system, f oreign manufacturers establish manufacturing facilities in the US itself. This way, American jobs are created but products are certainly expensive compared to imports due to high labor costs involved. In tariff, or quota system, producers spend more time lobbying with the government to maintain or increase those restrictions so that they are safeguarded. Manufacturers become less innovative when free trade is not allowed and consumers do not get novelty and better products, processes or systems. Nations differ in available resources such as skilled or unskilled laborers, land, technology, metals, minerals, or energy resources and accordingly, they differ in their ability to produce goods at the most competitive prices. Technologically advanced country such as US can produce Boeing planes, high tech ammunitions or other high tech products and can earn much higher. The point is that the US has absolute advantage in agriculture production due to huge land stock; does that mean that the US should put all its resources on agriculture? Certainly, the answer is negative. The fact is that not all nations can produce all goods. Each nation’s comparative advantage in producing a specific good differs significantly. As discussed in the article, the US does not have comparative advantage in producing television sets due to higher labor costs compared to Japan. The discussion is all about tariffs and quota; their drawbacks and how it hampers free trade internationally. Free trade benefits consumers because best quality products are available at the most economical prices. Consumer satisfaction is at its top if free trade is allowed to take place. That also enhances disposable income of the consumers (due to savings realized while purchasing imported goods) diverting the money for buying other goods. This eventually boosts economy of the nation. The biggest argument that is put forward in favor of tariffs and quota is for protecting employment within the country. For example, the US cannot produce garments and other textile apparels at the cost that countries such as China or India can produce due to high involvement of laborers in its production processes. If the US imposes tariffs or quota on these countries for importing textiles then that means that, the US textile industries and laborers are protected at the cost of US consumers. In such a situation, increased spending on textiles and garments by consumers will result into

Questionable Accounting Leads to The Collapse Essay

Questionable Accounting Leads to The Collapse - Essay Example Similarly, in financial studies reporting plays a very important part not only to the company’s point of view but also from the point of view of public and investors. So financial reporting is actually a very important matter not only for the companies who develop the reports and send them out, but in fact also for the investors, consumers, business partners, competitors, other agencies as well as general public who read the reports and analyze it to make their decisions. With the help of financial statements in these reports a company actually represents their performance to the stakeholders. They do not only tell their activities and philosophies in detail but also explain the vision and future plans as well. At the same time they try to enhance their reputation as well. And lastly but most importantly the managers show accountability of their work and decisions to the stakeholders through these financial reports. So if the reporting by these companies is not accurate a lot of such decisions can become wrong. As all the stakeholders of the company rely on these reports to forecast the performance of company and for answering their questions like what and how they will be performing in future. This case is actually termed as the distinguishing point of entirely new era of ethics in financial reporting. Before the Enron case, there were no such laws related to financial reporting and internal and external auditing etc. But the Enron case raised the importance in making ethics necessary in this field as well, but it also enabled the development of regulatory bodies that enforced the ethical practices in the financial reporting as well. Before the Enron’s scandal, there was very little, in fact no public attention on the truthfulness of the financial reports published by the companies. Yet people have suspicions about misrepresentation but mostly didn’t affect the decision making of public and did not indulge them on deep research and analysi s. But after the Enron case, it became necessary that these reports should be certified by some public accountant who would ensure that whatever information is presented in financial reports are truthful and these statements must represent the true picture of the company. So this scandal played a vital role in the legal development of laws in the field of financial reporting and auditing. Further, it gave rise to the ethical role of management for providing the public the information based on truth. ENRON’S CORPORATE CULTURE: Enron gained a lot of popularity in the 90s due to its extra ordinary earnings and its name was listed in the Fortune 500 companies. Their management felt proud of their performance and considered them the best in the industry. The management and executives believed that they are leading by a very big lead from their competitors and that their competitors have no chance to even come near their performance standards. They were so proud of their performanc e that they did not fear to take any degree of risk for their projects as they believed that they can handle it easily. The executives took the meetings easy and the focus of top management was on how to generate more money for the executives in spite of how they can

The old Nurses story Essay Example for Free

The old Nurses story Essay Not to mention that it had a forbidden area called the east wing, which was never opened. People never dreamt of going there. Then we have the Darkness Out There, this story is based in a very similar way. It is based in a house, which is at the end of a forbidden wood called Packers End. This area was scary. You didnt go there by yourself, not even for a thousand pounds. It was nasty, creepy. People were scared stiff of Packers End. When children were younger they believed that witches, wolves and tigers existed there. That was until they found out about the German plane that had came down after the war, and an aircrew was killed there, people had heard them talking, still chattering in German. At the end of Packers End, there is a cottage, Mrs Rutters cottage. Both stories are narrated to young children by old female characters. The Old Nurses Story, is narrated by a nanny, and is told to the children, which she looks after. She seems to know a lot about the family history. Therefore not only does she share her story with the children to inform them about their family, but also to entertain them. The Darkness Out There, is narrated by a old cottage loaf women, who seemed composed of circles, a creamy smiling pool of a face, and eyes which snap and dart. Already we can judge Mrs Rutters character, we are made to feel that this woman is not as nice as she seems. She seems snidy, and very crafty. We can sense darkness, this is very symbolic. It connects to the title and we soon realise why. As the plot begins to unravel, we begin to see the darkness in Mrs Rutter, the narrator of the story. It is also narrated to young children. Both stories have used children for they are innocent, and easily influenced. This creates sympathy, yet suspense. Scary noises are very important conventions, probably one of the most important, and they are also used in both stories. In The Old Nurses Story, a great organ is heard playing, near the east wing. This was once played there by the late Lord Furnivall. In The Darkness Out There, airmen, witches, and wolves were said to be heard in Packers End. The noises create a tense atmosphere and suspense. We begin to feel scared, worried and wonder what is about to occur. It has a huge impact on the audience. The final similarity that I found interesting was that in both stories, the actions are influenced by death. In The Old Nurses Story, Lord Funivall, and Miss Furnivall both die. They are the ones that are luring their daughter Miss Rosamond to her death. In The Darkness Out There, Mrs Rutters husband is killed in the war. Therefore she refuses to help a German (enemies during the war) survive; instead she leaves him to die. Although both stories have many similarities, they also have many differences. The most obvious difference is that both stories are written in different time zones. The Darkness Out There is a contempary story. It was published post world war two, whereas The Old Nurses story was written in the 19th century, therefore they do have different writing styles. Nevertheless we cannot judge the effectiveness of the stories by knowing when they were written. We need to know the context and its conventions. However we can judge by looking at the main differences how and why a story is effective, and which particular ingredients make it effective. Firstly I looked at the aspect of fear in both stories. In The Old Nurses Story, ghosts are visual and non visual throughout the story. This is a an obvious ghost story, it is very effective, and would have been more effective at the time it was published, for ghosts were believed in and had huge impacts on life. They werent just fantasies as people regard them today. In The Darkness Out There, although there are myths of ghosts and witches, the story isnt based on a ghost. The only real fear is the evil darkness we find in Mrs Rutter. I also noticed that both stories are set in different types of weather. The Darkness Out There is based in summery weather; there is no sign of mysteriousness apart from what had previously happened in Packers End. Although we do have a little bad weather, heavy rain, evil is not symbolised through the weather. The Old Nurses Story, however has bad weather, it contains dark dull, stormy weather. A terrible winter. This is a typical symbol of evil and strange occurrences. Bad weather represents evil and makes everyone miserable. It builds a lot of tension and suspense. The final difference is the difference we learn about the storytellers. Although they are both old and female, what we do not realise are the hidden connotations, for both storytellers have different intentions. Soon we understand that Hester, the narrator in The Old Nurses Story is not telling the children the story with the intention to scare, but is informing them about their family. Mrs Rutter, narrator in The Darkness Out There, is totally different. She is very ill minded, she tells the children the story to scare them so that she can gain entertainment by watching them terrified. In other words, she scares children for pleasure. I think The Old Nurses Story is the most effective story. Although it contains all the typical ingredients, it does scare. The setting, weather symbolism and usage of ghosts combined together make it a very effective ghost story. It creates tension, suspension, and a startled atmosphere. It also leaves the audience intensified. I didnt think The Darkness Out There was a very effective ghost story. To be honest it doesnt even seem like a ghost story. Ghost stories are supposed to contain mysterious events, ghosts, and supernatural occurrences. The Darkness Out There doesnt scare the audience it just leaves them with a moral. That is never to stereotype people. It doesnt scare. I think ghost stories are effective because of the typical ingredients that they contain. A ghost story isnt a story without spooky occurrences. The idea of listening to a ghost story is to be scared. The Old Nurses Story creates this effect, and therefore I think it is the most effective. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Joseph Conrad section.

Working in the childs best interests

Working in the childs best interests The Child’s Best Interest â€Å"I did everything they asked me† (Bergner, 2006). Abiding by the rules did not by any means help Marie get her children back from state custody. Children are one of the most vulnerable populations so when they are put in situations that can harm them, the state will get involved. The child welfare system bases decisions on what’s in favor of the child’s best interest. In Marie’s case, her mother wasn’t capable of helping to care for the children while she recovered so the state had to take control. She was too unfit to be their â€Å"mother†. The child welfare system is a structured way of dealing with this vulnerable population through the idea of parens patriae and the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 that relates to termination of parental rights (TPR). When the well-being of children is overlooked, the policies that encompass the child welfare system will be enforced. â€Å"Parens patriae is the doctrine that empowers government institutions to venture into the intimate realm of child-rearing and effectively deputizes social workers to knock on the doors of family homes and gain entry† (Bergner, 2006). Under this doctrine, any state worker had the right to enter Marie’s home at any time if they had probable cause to investigate a situation involving children. This government policy came into effect because it literally translates to â€Å"parent of the country† (Bergner, 2006). Parens patriae didn’t start off as what it means in today’s society. Back in the days, children were seen in a different light. They were seen as laborers and not as innocent, helpless individuals who need a voice when faced with unwanted obstacles (Hatcher, 2012, p. 163). The idea that the state is the guardian of these helpless children where state officials, more specifically social workers could assume the roles that a guardian possess es was the real motivation. The societal value behind this policy was that the states were finally recognizing that children had rights that needed to be protected and served (Hatcher, 2012, p.165). In Marie’s case, parens patriae responded to her needs. The social workers did everything in their power to help her get her children back, but it just wasn’t enough. The parens patriae doctrine acknowledging children with rights that need to be tended to paved way for the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 became a policy that plays an important role in the child welfare system because it allows for children to get out of the foster care system and achieve â€Å"permanent placement, whether through reunification or adoption† (Halloran, 2014, p. 53). The act â€Å"links federal money to states’ efforts to move children toward adoption after they have been in temporary care for 15 of any 22 months† (Bergner, 2006). The societal value that led to this policy was catering to the children’s well-being. Children are seen as a worthy category that needs the help they can get when put in situations that are at no fault of their own. This act was created to prevent children from lingering in foster care (Halloran, 2014, p.57) until they were the legal age of 18 where they would technically be able to fend for themselves as adults. Termination of parental is a component to the child welfare system that basically ends legal ri ghts of biological parents to children they have lost to the system. â€Å"Termination criteria lie along a continuous scale where a courts determination of the conditions that justify the termination of parental rights is in degrees of objectivity and subjectivity† (Halloran, 2014, p. 61). In other words, parents go through an evaluation to determine if they are fit or unfit before termination of parental rights occurs. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 led way to the termination of parental rights. The policies of parens patriae, the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and termination of parental are all valid policies that respond to the needs of the recipients if the outcomes are in favor of the parents. When things are good and parents prove that they can take care of their children, the policies have no faults to them. The minute the outcomes are not in favor of the parents, the policies do not tend to the needs of the recipients. Overall, there are many pros and cons to these policies. To say that these policies are followed thoroughly and fairly is an understatement. Decisions regarding whether these policies are followed are examined case by case. Each case has their own unique circumstances which in turn will have different results. Policies are put into place so that the results yield the best outcomes. In the child welfare system the main goal is to tend to what is in favor of the child’s interest. It’s the reoccurring theme behind the child welfare system. When you have a case like Marie, where she is doing everything in her power to become this fit mother the policies are not in the best interest for the recipient. Separating mother and child is not a goal in the policies but that is what happened in her case. To fully understand where judgments and decisions are made, one must take into perspective the social control that is behind the social welfare system. It’s all about constructing policies based on what is right and what is wrong. What’s right to one person may not be right to another and what’s wrong to one person can be perceived as not wrong to another. No matter what, government intervention in the child welfare system is something that will always be a part of th e system. References Bergner,D. (2006, July 23). The Case of Marie and Her Sons New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/magazine/23welfare.html?pagewanted=all_r=0 Halloran,J.T. (2014). Families First: Reframing Parental Rights as Familial Rights in Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings. U.C. Davis Journal of Juvenile Law and Policy, 18(1), 51-93. Retrieved from http://heinonline.org.ezproxy.lib.uwm.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/ucdajujlp18div=6collection=journalsset_as_cursor=0men_tab=srchresultsterms=18|U.C.|Davis|J.|Juv.|L.|Pol Hatcher,D.L. (2012). Purpose vs. Power: Parens Patriae and Agency Self-Interest. New Mexico Law Review, 42(1), 159-202. Retrieved from http://heinonline.org.ezproxy.lib.uwm.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/nmlr42div=9collection=journalsset_as_cursor=0men_tab=srchresultsterms=parens|patriae|importancetype=matchall

Facts and Values in Social Science

Facts and Values in Social Science It is not possible to separate facts from values in social science research. Discuss this statement by using empiricist and interpretative approaches Introduction The most complicated study in the realm of knowledge is the behaviour of human beings. It is always relative and unpredictable, the thought pattern always moulds with respect to time, space and circumstances. The social structure and embedded traditional fabric guides the human behaviour accordingly (Harris, 2001). So if we are into research we ought to consider the valve system as a major variable. The social science research methods are thus incomplete if we ignore the role of values. It is not possible to separate facts from values in social sciences because of the huge impact factor of the social structure over a phenomenon, for instance doing research in Indian society and ignoring the caste structure; would not bear considerable results. To work in Saudi Arabia it is mandatory to study the Arab traditional way of life and the blend with Islamic fundamentals. The empiricist school follows purely scientific tools of research; which is not influenced by social orders or value syst ems (Barton, 1999). On the contrary the interpretative school take in to account the value structures; this school is also known as hermeneutic approach (Barton, 1999). The laws of pure science arent concerned with the traditional ways of life; they are same in all parts of the world. But on the other hand social sciences such as anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, international relations, psychology involves the study of human behaviour that is not value free (Harris, 2001). In these soft sciences the importance and impacts of social life cant be ignored out rightly. This is not because the research work is not rigorous or lacks in objectivity or validity but the subject matter is human attitude and behaviour which includes norms and values. Both these norms and values have different forms and manifestations in every particular society. Historically the study was known as humanities because of the mode of inquiry and approach to the methods of discourse towards t he realm of knowledge (Harris, 2001). Explanation With the development of the subjects of social sciences the need emerged that empiricism must be applied for more effective and problem solving generalizations. The growth patterns in research lead to the development of different variances while following these traditions, the nature of empiricist tradition has been mathematical and value less which is only based on empirical data that is regardless of the fact that there is deviation in human behaviour and circumstances. This deviation may cause disorders in the data which is only reflected through positivist traditions. Therefore, while dealing with human behaviours through this approach it is a far possibility to arrive at a value free theory. Critical theorists have come up the assumptions that there is always a circumstantial reason behind every school of thought, power structure govern the body of knowledge according to its interest needs that cater the policies of powerful in the world where chaos is the only political order ( Harris, 2001). The realist school of thought is the greatest justification of status quo for the powerful nations of the world; the liberal school is thought to be coined for the interests of capitalists and their free trade paradigm. The idea of clash of civilization by Samuel P Huntington caters the foreign policy of US in the later decades of 90s, so as the theory of the End of History by Francis Fukuyama which says that liberal world order is the only solution for the global governance (Ritzger, Smart, 2001). Thus coming to the definitions of the phenomenon of facts and values, online dictionary implies that the fact can be defined as something that actually exists; reality; truth or something known to exist or to have happened. A fact can be known as the truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true. On the other hand values can be defined sociologically as the ideals, customs, institutions of a society toward which the people of the group have an affective regard. These values may be positive, as cleanliness, freedom, or education, or negative, as cruelty, crime, or blasphemy. From the above definitions it can be deduced that value is an ideal and fact is the happening or the practical manifestation of the value. Values are intertwined with facts and give meaning with the help of facts (Harris, 2001). With out values facts are meaningless and vice-versa. Answers regarding the simple facts regarding a river or pollution level in the air can be given through scientific research but when it comes to sociological facts values becomes the guiding principles or the driving force for the facts. In social sciences behaviouralism brought a fundamental transformation in the thinking process which took turn after the age of reason and enlightenment in between 1600 (Ritzger, Smart, 2001, p371). It started with the study of the natural world and spread to the study of social sciences or soft sciences. People now believe that most of the natural and social phenomenon is under the jurisdiction of science. Social scientists gather data through specialized techniques. These techniques include participant observation, key informants, focus group discussion and sampling. The empirical data includes the evidence which people have felt through their sensory perception. This thing creates confusion among researchers as they cannot employ their senses directly to observe things like intelligence, opinions, attitudes, feelings, emotions, power and authority (Ritzger, Smart, 2001, p371). This thing also creates confusion in the research world and gives birth to debate that it is not possible to separate facts from the values. For instance, the difference between the cure, prevention and ones attitude towards disease is called cancer. In other example the approach would be different while a researcher would measure the attitude towards economic systems applied in different societies. The German sociologist Weber is the creator for freedom from value decision in the social sciences, an ideal he referred as Werturteilsfreiheit (value-freedom). He says that there is a rational distance; its not a matter of quantity, separating the causal premise and empirical generalizations of science from value judgments. It is more of moral, political, and aesthetic first choice. Social scientists keep the two sides, fact and value. Thus it can be argued from the Weber, that this separation is not observed by anyone. Weber seized that values affect the way in which research is done in the social sciences and that the values are also affected by the research results. Facts can be brought to bear on values, affecting ones holding of them. On the research side of the human disciplines, evaluations enter into the subject matter. Using understanding explanation that is, the subjects evaluations seen in relation to the conditions of his or her action, the researcher can hope to sort out the decisive motives of the actor studied. In research, the scrutiny of values permits a discussion between investigators that can clarify the points of view each brings to bear. Values serve the science by an empirical treatment. Values ultimately come into view, in practical situations the implications of values are judged in particular terms. In addition new values can be revealed and their factual consequences can be judged (Weber, 1949). Value is not determined by any fact for instance and is necessarily free (Weber, 1949). It is free because it is a value (Weber, 1949). And it is because there are a lot of values and they are at odds, and according to Weber these are warring gods in the modern world. Humans are cultural beings and are caught in the chains of the culture, values, norms and traditions. Both the researcher and the respondent cannot get rid of the cultural implications. Taking the culture as the object social scientists must recognize the prerequisite for a cultural science is as cultural beings, humans take up behaviour to the world and give it meaning and significance. Values permit this. Core cultural values in cultural science change with culture over time (Weber, 1949). Webers idea of value-freedom is of extreme importance that research cannot be conducted in space. Hence the cultural values are enveloped in the cultural facts. Values and facts are interrelated and interdependent. No value in culture is out of context of facts (Weber, 1949). Infact cultural facts give meaning to values and norms. Thus it cannot be separated from the cultural context. Thus this idea gives that Weber is positivist and facts be studied for scientific purposes and only science cannot save the human beings only. The empirical researcher asks for the objectivity in the research keeping in view the apolitical environment (May, 1993). However the interpretative research looks for the reflection of personal point of view. It infact does not ask for the value freeness, rather it sees the values and meanings fused together (May, 1993). The empiricist approach tends to say that all the social research is based on the empirical data and evidence. All the knowledge is empirical in nature and intensity. Social research is based on rationale and empirical observations. Social research involves the contact between thoughts and evidence. Ideas help social researchers to give sense to the evidence and the researcher use this evidence to support ideas. Research has attempts to influence the real world. No laws in social science are parallel to the laws in the natural science; whereas law is a universal generalization about a fact and fact is an observed phenomenon and it means it has been seen, heard or otherwise experienced by researcher (Barton, 1999, p232). Thus the researcher holds a relationship with the society directly. Empirical school is all about data collected through sensory perception and all that. This term was used for certain ancient Greek practitioners of medicine who rejected following to the basic principles, preferring to rely on personal experience and observation. Building further, empiricism became a theory which refers that knowledge arises from experience and evidence gathered using senses (Barton, 1999, p232). Scientifically, the term refers to the gathering of data using only evidence that is observable by the senses or in some cases using calibrated scientific instruments. The investigator tries to descr ibe the interaction between the human senses and the unit being observed. The researcher is expected to adjust tools by applying it to known standard objects and documenting the results before applying it to unknown objects. Thus in short it can be analyzed in empirical school that the facts and values are part and parcel of any culture and society (Couvalis, 1997, p40). Facts give meanings with the help of values and values through facts. Both are pre requisites of each other. When the word scientific comes in vogue than it means that only scientific and systematic methods of inquiry are applied to understand and investigate the social phenomenon that includes interaction among more than two individuals. The values and norms are the guiding principles of this interaction. Values are a set of ethics or standards of behaviour and are held in high esteem and sough-after by a particular society in which a person lives (Couvalis, 1997, p45). Without values, life is confusion, signifying nothing. It is the pre-requisite to be human. Everything in this world is relative, truth is not truth but it is being made truth, constructed as a truth, thus perceived to be truth, so it is the perception which makes our impression which we except as a truth and the only truth in this time frame is that only the creature is absolute. So facts are actually truths about social world driven under the umbrella of values. Relatively speaking neither Earnest Najel is wrong nor Longino or Karl Marx. But every phenomenon has some critique, which is valid to considerable extent. For this reason not totally disagreeing with any one I would just highlight some angles upon which light could be thrown. It is not against the use of scientific method to apply to social research, no doubt science has developed a lot it has revolutionized our lives and mechanized as well, here the stress is at, mechanized our lives, when it comes to human thoughts the development means a lot but as man is social animal so his social world tends to be developed the world around him and the world in which he lives. For this reason objectivity of using scientific methods in social fields is sought. But prior to check whether there is any similarities between natural science and social phenomenon, for using them simultaneously they must be identical in subject matter, in terms of application and generalisation. Are the patterns to the theories similar in these respects? Social science is based on rules while natural science is based on laws. Social theory need to be reduced to natural theory. Replicating a social phenomenon for the sake of experimental study might be possible in some cases but not in all cases, thus behavioural, cultural, and the normative order could make difference. Anatol Francis said that the difference between animal and human being is like literature and lying. Scientific approach has been very rigid as far as the conclusion are concerned either right or wrong while on the other side it not the same case. Social scientific thesis is not compatible and universal, that is not applicable every where and could not be tested or verified universally as values very society to society and same as the facts. Science approach cannot give you perceptions. It can tell a person what s/he can do, not what s/he should do. Put another way, treating the ideas as a coherent system of thought, science can point out to an actor what is possible within his or her value system, and what would be contradictory to that value system. Social constructivists urge that understanding the production of scientific knowledge required looking at all the factors causally relevant to the acceptance of a scientific idea, not just at those the researcher thinks should be relevant. Science is thought to be the knowledge of elites. Authoritative explanation of knowledge makes difference, while tradition also plays its part in your knowledge system. Problems of social policy are not based on purely technical considerations of specific ends, but involve disputes about the normative standards of value which lie in the domain of general cultural values. This conflict over general cultural values does not occur solely between class interests but between general views on life and the universe as well. The non-scientific world information is accepted on trust, so in science, knowledge grows by depending on the testimony of others. What are the implications of accepting this fact for our conceptions of the reliability of scientific knowledge? Until recently, apart from a few anomalous figures like Caroline Herschel, Barbara Mcclintock, and Marie Curie, the sciences were a male preserve. Feminists turned to Marxist models of social relations and developed versions of standpoint theory, which holds that the beliefs held by a group reflect the social interests of that group. As a consequence, the scientific theories accepted in a context marked by divisions of power such as gender will reflect the interests of those in power. Alternative theoretical perspectives can be expected from those systematically excluded from power. (Rose 1983; Haraway 1978). Objective science must distinguish between value judgments and empirical knowledge, and try to see factual truths. However, value-judgments of the practical interest of the scientist will always be significant in determining the focus of attention of analytical activity. Interpretative social sciences go back to the German sociologist Max Weber and another German philosopher Wilhem Diltey. This is related to the word hermeneutics that originated in the nineteenth century. This employs that making the obscure plain. This thing refers that true meanings are rarely simple or obvious on the surface. One absorbs that scanning through the complete text. In this method the researcher uses participant observation and field research method. The interpretative researcher lives for year among the respondents to collect data. This is the organized analysis of the social actions through direct and detailed observation of the people in the natural world. The goal of the social research is to deep down understand the social life and discover how people construct meanings in the natural setting. The basic aim of the interpretative social science research is to discover social reality. Conclusion All the social sciences studies and researches are conducted to find out the meaning and truths behind the values. All the facts give explanations to the prevailing values in short. The purpose of the research is to give scientific explanation to the facts and to dig out the universal laws about human behaviour (Weber, 1949). It is not the motive to separate values from the facts. As I have previously mentioned that both are interlocked. In our society the correlation of values with daily life holds a clichà ©. The above debate can be concluded that values and facts are interlinked and phenomenon and concepts which give meaning while combined (Barton, 1999, p232). All research is empirical in nature and holds roots in the society that is composed of human beings. Research is an ongoing, evolving, moving process. The current knowledge and paradigms are not perfect. The only aim is construct scientific laws about human behaviour and when the word behaviour is used, the term values aut omatically jumps in. facts in any cultural, societal and communal reflection explains the values and norms of that particular society. Social scientists gather and explain data accordingly. Thus it can be concluded that generally established objectivity and subjectivity or simply reality versus values that is applicable to individual cultures only. In their own conclusion, the authors state that it will be the theory of argumentation that will help develop what pure logic could not, the justification of the possibility of a human community in the sphere of action when this justification cannot be based on a reality of objective truth. (Bizzel and Herzberg, 2001, p. 1377) Bibliography Barton, E. (1999). Review of Strategies for Empirical Research in Writing. Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 13, 2, p. 232. Bizzel, P. and Herzberg, B. (Eds.) (2001). The Rhetorical Tradition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins. Caws, Peter (1972). An Immense Density of Systematicities. The Archeology of Knowledge. By Michel Foucault. Translated by A. M. Sheridan Smith. http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/comm/steen/cogweb/Abstracts/Foucault.html (retrieved 11/23/08) Chalmers, A (1999). What is this thing called Science? Open University Press. p19-26, 27-58. Couvalis, G. (1997). The philosophy of Science. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. p36-61. Harris, M. (2001). The Rise of Anthropological Theory. AltaMira Press. Kuhn, T. (1962). The structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Ladyman, J. (2002).Understanding the Philosophy of Science. New York: Routledge. p93-123. MacNealy, M.S. (1999). Overview of Empirical Methodology. In Strategies for Empirical Research in Writing. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. May, T. (1993). Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, Buckhingham: Open University Press. p27-41. Neuman, W Lawrence, Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches , University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Ritzger, G Smart, B. (2001). Handbook of Social Theory. London: SAGE. p371-385. Weber, Max. 1949. Max Weber on the Methodology of the Social Sciences. Trans. and eds. Edward A. Shils and Henry A. Finch. Glencoe, IL: Free Press.

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Ankit Fadia, 19 years old, is an independent computer security and digital intelligence consultant with definitive experience in the field of Internet security. He has authored seven internationally best-selling books on numerous topics related to Computer Security that have been widely appreciated by both professionals and industry leaders the world over. His books have sold a record 120,000 copies across the globe, have been translated into Korean, Portuguese and Polish and are also being used as reference textbooks in some of the most prestigious academic institutions in Asia and North America. Fadia is also a widely recognized computer security guru and Cyber terrorism expert. Fadia is however, more well known for his significant work in the field of digital intelligence, security consultancy and training. In November 2001, Fadia was consulted by a classified intelligence agency for breaking an encrypted message sent by one of Osama Bin Laden’s men. Since then Fadia has been involved in numerous classified projects pertaining to International Security and Computer Networks. He handles the Asia Operations of the classified intelligence agency.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Widely traveled, Fadia provides customized cyber security training and consulting solutions to clients all across Asia, Australia, North America and the Middle East. He has also conducted more than a 120 different training sessions on various topics related to cyber security to an audience comprising of CEOs, CIOs, top level management, entrepreneurs, technical specialists, defense personnel and students. With a strong belief in the integration of security and education, Fadia closely works with the School of Information Systems at Singapore Management University and the Management Institute of Malaysia and advises them on the design and structure of the course material of their computer security courses. Widely celebrated in international media publications, Fadia is also regularly invited by BBC Radio World News, London to share the latest updates on virus outbreaks, loopholes and cyber crime trends. For his outstanding contributions in the field of computer security globally, Fadia has been honoured with numerous awards namely: Person of The Year 2002, Limca Book of Records, Hall of Fame Award, Outstanding Young Achiever’s Award, Silicon India Person of the Week, Embassy State Award, Best Speaker Award (4 occasions), Student of the Year 2002-03 and many more. Many industry leaders like Mr. Ganesh Ayyar (Vice President, Hewlett Packard SE Asia, Singapore), Mr. Kiran Karnik (President, NASSCOM), Mr. Azim Premji (Chairman, Wipro Corporation), Mr. Phiroze Vandrewala (Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services) and research pioneers like Dr.

The Patriot Act Protects America Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Arg

The Patriot Act Protects America Since September 11, 2001 many people can say that America has changed.   Many people question if America has changed for the better or has it just gotten worse. Since the day those four planes crashed around the United States people’s lives have been changed. Many may not realize how their lives have changed, but with new laws passed life is different within America. The United States Patriot Act is one of the laws passed after 9/11: singed into order on October 26, 2001 just 45 days after the attack. The United States Patriot Act was put in place in order to protect Americans, yet has been affecting American’s civil liberties and caused controversy all over the United States. The U.S. Patriot Act was set in place to better serve our country against terrorism.   The U.S. Patriot Act is an Acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Acts (Lithwick).   This act is to punish terrorist actions and improve law enforcement not only in the United States but also around the world. The United States Patriot Act consists of over 1,000 sections that describe the act in great detail.   The sections include, but are not limited to, the power extended to the government by The U.S. Patriot Act to deport and incarcerate non citizens. With the U.S. Patriot Act a person’s phone line can be tapped, records of any and all purchases checked, and even library records searched.   This Act also has sections to help money laundering, expand our country’s border protection, strengthening the extent of criminal laws and provide for people suffering from any type of terrorism acts (Huf fman).    Some Americans think the U.S. Patriot Act goes ag... ...never demolish terrorism but they can help make laws to prevent it. The U.S. Patriot Act is clearly defined and understandable. Even though there are pros and cons to the act it is in the government’s best interest to help keep America safe and keep our civil liberties intact.   Works Cited * Fahrenheit 9/11. Dir. Michael Moore. Videocassette. Dog Eat Dog, 2004. * Huffman, Ryan , David Lloyd, and Jason Pollard. Pros of the Patriot Act. 2001. 8 Nov. 2004 .   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‚      * Keen, Judy. Home Page. 20 Apr. 2004. 5 Nov. 2004 . * Lithwick, Dahlia, and Julia Turner.   "From a Guide to the Patriot Act."   Slate.   1994.  Ã‚   * Townshend, Mike, and Maddie Trier. "Patriot Debate." State News 10 Nov. 2004, sec. A: 2+8.

Love and Loss in Poetry Essay -- First Love Remember Christina Walsh E

Love and Loss in Poetry Q. How do the poets convey their attitudes toward love and loss in the poems ‘ a woman to her lover’ ‘first love’ ‘remember’ and ‘ when we two parted’? The poem ‘ a woman to her lover’ was written by Christina Walsh. The poem starts of with a question, ‘do you come to me to bend me to your will?’ throughout the poem, the basic atmosphere of loss is evident. Within the first stanza itself there is marital imagery relating to the sense of power and dominance. ‘ in drudgery and silence’, she tries to portray how she is helpless to protest, she begins the poem with this relationship, the dominance of man over woman, ‘to make of me a bondslave’ in this stanza she is explaining one of the types of relationships between a man and woman. She also gives out a feeling that if the relationship were as what she described she would be wasting her life, and tries to give out women’s point of view to these types of situations. She seems quite certain of what she wants in life and this does not seem to be it, ‘ if that be what you ask, O Lover I refuse you!’And her point is to prove that if that was the man’s view of the relationship, that it would not be possible to commit to that. In the second stanza she does not keep it as long as the first or any of the others as she does not want to dwell on it. The very idea of the man thinking the woman to be perfect and ‘one from heaven sent’ is what she rejects. When she describes women to be perfect her tone is very mocking. ‘ a wingless angel who can do no wrong’ she tries to convey that that would be someone who would have no freedom. ‘Go’ this implies how she rejects him if he wishes the relationship to be anything like this as well. In th... ...ith silence and tears’ there is a different meaning in this now, they do not understand each other now, but in the beginning they knew each other so well because over the years she has changed so much. The pain and sadness seems to intensify, ‘cold kiss, chill on my brow, knell to my ear’, these are all traditional images of rejected love. The poems octave stanza and regular eight lines, show the continuity of his pain. Throughout all these four poems the poets convey all their attitudes towards love and loss by expressing themselves in situations of love with others, of experiencing it and hence showing reactions and feelings that evolve from certain situations. They show that they feel love is a great thing, and for one to really know the true meaning of love, they need to experience loss and pain the be able to value love to its deserved potential.

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The gang is notorious for its flamboyant use of the color blue. Wearing blue any and everywhere, gang members often get heckled by the police. The Crips are known to have an intense and bitter rivalry with the Bloods and various surrounding gangs. They are also locked in an ongoing struggle over the drug trade with the Vice Lords. Raymond initially called the gang the Baby Avenues in an attempt to emulate older gangs and the activities carried out by the Black Panthers; Raymond was fascinated with the movement of the Black Panthers.The Gang renamed itself the Avenue Cribs and then took on the nickname the Cribs, because of the young age of members. The name Crips was first introduced in the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper in a description by crime victims of young men with canes, as if they were crippled. Resources state, it could have Just been a misspelling error, either way the name stuck, and the Crips were officially Born Gangsters. Stanley Tookie Williams, generally acknowledged as co-founder of the Crips, started his own gang called the Westside Crips. Crip meaning â€Å"Community Revolution In Progress†.The Crips became popular throughout southern Los Angeles as more youth gangs Joined; at one point they outnumbered non-crip gangs by 3 to 1, sparking disputes with non-crip gangs, including the L. A. Brims, Athens Parks Boys, the Bishops and the Denver Lanes. The Crips eventually became the most powerful gang in California. In response, all of the other rival gangs, including the Pirus, formed an alliance that later became the Bloods. Along with friends, Williams and Washington created the initial intent of continuing the revolutionary ideology of the 960s.These aspirations were unattainable because of a general lack of political leadership and guidance. Washington and Williams were never able to develop an agenda for social change within the community. By 1971 the gang's notoriety had spread across Los Angeles. The Gang became increasingly violent as they attempted to expand their turf. By the early 1980s the gang was heavily involved with drug trade, majority being crack cocaine. In 1971, a Crip set on Piru Street, Compton known as the Piru Street Boys was formed.After two years of peace, a feud began between he Piru Street Boys and the other Crip sets. It would later turn violent as gang warfare ensued between former allies. This battle continued until the mid 1970s when the Piru Street Boys wanted to call an end to the violence and called a meeting witn other gangs that were targeted by the Crips. Atter a long discussion, the Pirus broke off all connections to the Crips and started an organization that would later be called the Bloods, a street gang infamous for its rivalry with the Crips.For many years, Crips were characterized by their tendency to wear blue in order to easily dentify each other. One suggested origin of the selected color is traced to the school colors of Washington High School in South L. A. Another the ory is the co-founder, Stanley Williams, had a good and close friend called â€Å"Buddha†, who wore blue shirts, khakis, shoes, and a blue bandana from his back left pocket. When Buddha died, Williams made blue the Crip color in honor of Buddha.A particular set of Crips, the Grape Street Crips, have been known to wear purple in addition to blue. The Shotgun Crips are separated into three sub-sets: The Nine, 139th Street; The Foe, 134th street; nd the Deuce, 132nd street in the city of Gardena, California and have been known to wear dark green, the city color of Gardena, in addition to blue to show that the Shotgun Crips are from Gardena. Crips also wear blue bandanas and British Knights sport shoes, which the Crips use BK as a acronym meaning â€Å"Blood Killas†.