Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Social computing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words
Social computing - Assignment Example Ideas of social computing are illustrated from the use of social software that include email, blogs, instant messaging, wikis, social bookmarking, and social network services among others. In deeper sense, social computing involves technologies that allow various computations to be carried out by different groups of individuals in the world where the users produce value to the new applications by contributing content, ratings, links, tags, and other software components. Web 2.0 is the concept that is related closely to social computing and is the framework of the various applications that support the process of social computing. Ozok et al (2011) affirmed that the application of social computing within organizations motivates and empowers the employees and hence creating many benefits for the businesses in the society. This study will first present the benefits of social computing at various sectors including the paradigms of mobile social computing, disadvantages and the challenges of social computing. The paper will then discuss the future prospects of the information management tools of social computing in organizations. Yang et al. (2012) observed that social computing is significant in organizations as it helps in the motivation and empowerment of employees hence resulting in successful businesses. For instance, Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) is type of social computing that provides the employees of organizations a platform to create, manage, share documents and to customize Web services hence enabling the employees to improve their services for the organizations. Social computing is important as it enables the businesses to promote their various brands of products and have a closer relationship with their customers. Chua (2007) stated that the customer relationship management (CRM) of organizations is enhanced by social computing as it gives the businesses a chance to
Monday, October 28, 2019
Assessing A Companys Future Financial Health Essay Example for Free
Assessing A Companys Future Financial Health Essay Google is a multinational corporation that serves thousands of consumers worldwide. Through Internet related products such as Internet searches, maps, emails, mobile apps, and other online contents for users Google became the company it is today. Every employee of Google is different in his or her own way; making it a well-diversified organization similar to the global audience they serve. Googleââ¬â¢s mission statement is to organize information from all around the world and make it universally accessible at a quick and orderly fashion. This means creating a search engine smart enough to understand the difference between Jaguar, the car, and jaguar, the animal. Google went public in 2004 and has been doing exceptionally well ever since. It has an estimated number of over three hundred million servers using the search engine every day. From these statistics it is easy to say that Google is number one in the Internet information industry. This industry is considered to be one of the most important economic sectors due to the fact that it is for industries that are information intensive. Although there are many search engines similar to Google, such as Yahoo, Facebook, Groupon, Microsoft, and Pearson education, Google seems to be the one consumers use more frequently. The analysis of this paper will discuss the current financial status of Google, conditions relevant to the market, competitors, and recent news. One way to measure the financial health of Googleââ¬â¢s current status is to analyze the S.W.O.T analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This being said Google should maintain its current strengths of a successful audience which helped reach a high of $13,100,000,000 operating income for the current fiscal year. With the growth of the company over the last five years Googleââ¬â¢s net income, gross profit, and revenue have gradually increased. Hitting a low point towards the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 then rising again in 2010. Evenà during a recession, a time of need, Google remained lucrative through its assets, liabilit ies, stable stock price, and efficiency for paying back debt. Googleââ¬â¢s total assets have steadily increased from 2008 to 2012. Some key figures to point out in their assets are the slow growth between the second half of 2008 to the second of 2009. This slow growth period is probably due to the economic recession. Google also saw a strong growth in assets from the second quarter of 2012 to the third quarter 2012. Google has mainly kept its liabilities relatively low compared to assets. There was some increase in liabilities in 2010 as well as an extensive increase 2012 compared to earlier years. The stock price during the recession drastically decreased for many companies but this was not the case for Google. In 2008, the beginning of the recession, Googleââ¬â¢s stock price increased by $7; every year since the recession the stock price has risen and is predicted to continue rising for future years. Google also remains a strong company because of their efficiency on paying back their debt with their cash received from operations. This can be shown by their operating cash flow to total debt ratio. Googleââ¬â¢s operating cash flow to total debt ratio is 2.56%. Meaning cash is double the amount of debt issued. Therefore, Google is able to pay back their debt fairly quick. Although Google has some strengthââ¬â¢s the company also has some weaknesses. A key factor that contests Googleââ¬â¢s respected reputation is its bond rating. In 2011 Google started to issue bonds; they received a rating of AA, the fourth down level of ratings a company can receive. However, the double a rating still means the company is a high credit-quality investment. According to credit rating Agency Moodyââ¬â¢s, who gave the rating, Google received the rating due to their substantial financial flexibility as well as its conservative financial philosophy. For the year ending December 31, 2012 for Google, it finished with $60,454,000 in current assets. This is a big increase from 2011, which had $52,758,000 in current assets, a total increase of $7,696,000. The bulk of this increase is due to netà receivables, which could be the result from selling advertising space on credit or one of the many products Google offers. Cash and cash equivalents also had a major jump of $4,795,000, which could be the result from selling phones, advertising, apps, and other cash generating assets Google owns. This is a promising sign to investors because if they can sustain the growth hopefully enough cash will be retained and dividends will be offered. Assets 2012 2011 2010 Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents14,778,000 9,983,000 13,630,000 Short Term Investments33,310,000 34,643,000 21,345,000 Net Receivables 9,729,000 6,387,000 5,261,000 Inventory 505,000 35,000 Other Current Assets 2,132,000 1,710,000 1,326,000 Total Current Assets 60,454,000 52,758,000 41, 562, 00 Googleââ¬â¢s total assets have steadily increased dating back from 2008 to 2012. Some key figures to point out in their assets are the slow growth between the second half of 2008 to the second of 2009. This slow growth period is probably due to the economic recession. Google also saw a strong growth in assets from the second quarter of 2012 to the third quarter 2012. Google has mainly kept its liabilities relatively low compared to assets. There was some increase in liabilities in 2010 as well as an extensive increase 2012 compared to earlier years. Google has a total asset turnover of .6%. The total asset turnover can be interpreted to mean the amount of sales, that each unit of assets can generate. Simply, its smarter to get more sales on the assets that you are deploying to a business. The higher the total asset turnover, the better the business is doing. Therefore, Googleââ¬â¢s percentage of .6% is an indication that the company is below the average industry of .7%. The current ratio measures a companyââ¬â¢s ability to pay short-term liabilities. The higher the current ratio, the more capable the company is of paying its liabilities. Google has a current ratio of 3.94, in comparison to the industry average of 4.8%. Due to the fact that Google is under the industry average it means that Google can payà back its short-term debt but not as quick as other companies in the industry. The quick ratio is very similar to the current ratio; in the way it also measures the companyââ¬â¢s ability to pay of short-term liabilities. The only difference is that it adds the inventory of the company to its calculations. Google maintains a quick ratio of 3.7, which still shows it, is efficient in paying off its short-term obligations. The debt to equity ratio indicates wha t proportion of equity and debt the company is using to finance its assets. Google has a debt to equity ratio of 11.61%. This is considered high and means that the company has been aggressive in financing its growth with debt. The high number can result in inconsistent earnings as a result of additional interest expense. Google has a return on assets of 10.5%. This is an indicator of how profitable a company is relative to its total assets. Since Google maintains an ROA below the industry average, of 15.6%, this shows that the company is earning less money on investments. Google has ââ¬Ëdayââ¬â¢s sales outstandingââ¬â¢ or DSO of 49.8. This means that Google takes a relatively long time to receive revenue once a sale has been made. This could be because most of their sales could be done on credit. With the expansion of the industry, Google has an opportunity for growth. The current growth rate for 2012 for Google is 11.29% and it is predicted to increase to 17.43% in 2013. The reason Google is predicted to grow over the next year or so is because the demand for online use is more predominant. With the growth of this industry it is vital that Google is aware of the threats it may encounter. One of Googleââ¬â¢s biggest competitors, Microsoft, has introduced a newly organized search engine called Bing. The search engine Bing is gradually growing and advancing their technology making them a threat towards Google. Whenever Google advances their technology Bing turns around and does something to make their search engine better, creating a war between the two. Google is generally strong in its ability to cover debt. It has a current ratio of 3.94%, meaning it can efficiently cover its short-term liabilities. The company also has a debt to assets ratio of .07%. This number measures the companyââ¬â¢s financial risk by determining how much of the companyââ¬â¢s assets have been financed by debt. Since Googleââ¬â¢s number is equal to industry average it is easy to infer that Google has average financial risk because its assets are significantly higher than its short and long term debt. Google also shows a strong ability to pay off theirà interest because their EBITDA to interest ratio is extremely high at 154.64. The operating cash flow to total debt ratio measures how well the cash generated from Googleââ¬â¢s operations covers current liabilities. Googleââ¬â¢s operating cash flow to total debt ratio is also high at 2.56. This is a good sign and means Google is able to generate a large sum of cash to pay off debts. When a company with operating cash flow is considerably higher than its net income the company is considered to have high quality. This is the case with Google. In 2008 Googleââ¬â¢s net income was $6,632,000,000 and its operating cash flow was $7,853,000,000. Over the last five years both net income and operating cash flows have increased. Net income increased to $13,339,000,000 and the cash from operating activities increase to $15,874,000,000. Since Google is generating a good amount of their money back they have been able to reduce debt alo ng with buying backs some of their stock. Google investing activities primarily consist of information technology, consumer discretionary, and financials. In 2008 Googleââ¬â¢s investing activity started out at $5,319,000,000 and gradually increased over the last five years till it reached $19,041,000,000 in 2011. In the beginning of 2012 Googleââ¬â¢s investing activities decreased to a $12,101,000,000. In 2012 Googleââ¬â¢s main investment was information technology with a hint utility research. Over the last few years Google has spent an exceptional amount of money on capital expenditures, items that last a long time to keep the company running. Over the last three years Google spent an average of $2,755,333,000 on capital expenditures. Cash from financing activities measures the movement of cash between a firm, its owners, and creditors. Financing activities consist of issuing dividends and issuing or selling stock. In 2008 and 2009 there was no long-term or short-term debt issued but in 2010 Google issue over $5,246,000,000 worth of debt and only paid back $1,783,000,000 of the debt. The following year Google issued $10,179,000,000 dollarsââ¬â¢ worth of debt and repaid more then 2/3s of the debt, making them a credible company. Over the last few years Google did not have any dividends. In 2010 Google repurchased a stock of $801,000,000 because they felt their stocks were undervalued. When a company buys back stock they increase their earnings per share and increase the market value of the outstanding shares. From 2009 to 2010 cash from financing increased drastically, from $233,000,000,000 to $3,050,000,000,000. With a CAPM beta of 1.23 and a P/E ratio of 21.65 Google is a riskier firm. Googleââ¬â¢s beta of 1.23 is above average making it riskier than other firms in the industry due to the amount of debt issued. However, firms with higher risk have higher return. Googleââ¬â¢s P/E ratio is also currently under the industry average of 28.70% making the stock undervalued. Over the next year Google had predicted that their P/E ratio would decrease to 17.88. Return on equity or ROE, shows a corporationââ¬â¢s profitability by revealing how much profit a company generates with the money shareholders have invested. Relative to the industry average of 15.30% Google has a relatively high ROE of 17.18%. Meaning Google generates a strong profit with the money shareholders invested in the company. In comparison to Google, Microsoft has a ROE of 24.5%, EBay has a ROE of 21.28%, Akamai Technologies has a ROE of 8.94%, and Baidu with an exceptionally high ROE of 53.6%. Another way to compare Google to its competitors is to compare benchmarks. Benchmarking of Googleââ¬â¢s competitors would be measured in terms of profit margin. The higher the profit margin the more profitable a company is. Google has a profit margin of 59.92 % while its biggest competitor Microsoft has a profit margin of 75.23% and Apple has a profit margin of 43.87%. This means that Microsoft has a competitive advantage of cost control compared to Google, Apple, and other com petitors in this industry. Throughout the years Google has remained a strong well-known company that supplies organized information from all around the world to thousands of consumers every day. Through exploiting strengths, executing opportunities, fixing weaknesses, and distinguishing threats Google can remain a top-notch company and continue to dominate the Internet Information system. Some recent news for this company is the mind-blowing lawsuit between Apple and Google. Within the last year Apple had sewed Google for seeking unreasonably high license fees for patent use on wireless technology. Apple claimed that Motorola was in violation of their patent by seeking a license fee of 2.25 percent of the price of devices. Over the last week Google wasà pleased to hear that this lawsuit was dropped due to the fact that there was no basis for the claim. References: Google Inc. Yahoo Finance. Yahoo, n.d. Web. . ââ¬Å"Google Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results Investor Relations Google. Google Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results ÃÆ'à ¢ÃâÃâ¬ÃâÃâ Investor Relations ÃÆ'à ¢ÃâÃâ¬ÃâÃâ Google.n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012. Reference for Business. Google, Inc.N.p. n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Essay -- Kubla Khan Samuel Taylo
ââ¬Å"Kubla Khanâ⬠by Samuel Taylor Coleridge ââ¬Å"Kubla Khanâ⬠by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a poem about the creative powers of the poetic mind. Through the use of vivid imagery Coleridge reproduces a paradise-like vision of the landscape and kingdom created by Kubla Khan. The poem changes to the 1st person narrative and the speaker then attempts to recreate a vision he saw. Through the description of the visions of Kubla Khanââ¬â¢s palace and the speakerââ¬â¢s visions the poem tells of the creation of an enchanting beautiful world as the result of power of human imagination. The second part of the poem reveals that although the mind has the ability to create this paradise-like world it is tragically unable to sustain this world. à à à à à It is believed that ââ¬Å"Kubla Khanâ⬠was created by Coleridge when he was in a deep sleep that was induced by the use of opiates which were prescribed for dysentery. He fell asleep while reading Purchaââ¬â¢s Pilgrimage about building of Kubla Khanââ¬â¢s palace and garden. When he woke up from experiencing the dream in which he created the poem he began writing it down. He was part way through writing the poem and was interrupted by a person from the nearby town of Porlock. After this interruption he was unable to complete the poem because his access to the dream was lost. The unfinished work was not published for three decades. Much mystery has enshrouded ââ¬Å"Kubla Khanâ⬠and itââ¬â¢s meaning due to the circumstances of itââ¬â¢s creation. The poem itself is as mystical and interesting as the story behind its creation. The poem begins with a mythical tone, ââ¬Å"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan/ A stately pleasure dome decree.â⬠The poem does not give specifics to nature of the construction of the palace. It just states that Khan decreed the palace be built and then begins describing the palace. The poemââ¬â¢s method of creating a vision of the ââ¬Å"pleasure domeâ⬠is similar to the biblical tale of the creation of the garden of Eden. As Eden was created by the word of God, the ââ¬Å"pleasure domeâ⬠created was by the power of Kubla Khanââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"decreeâ⬠. The use of the word ââ¬Å"decreeâ⬠implies that it was Khanââ¬â¢s will that created the pleasure dome. The wonderful kingdom of the ancient Kubla Khan and the setting that surrounds it is described with heavenly, dreamlike vividness. The kingdom that Kubla Khan creates is described as ââ¬Å"stately pleasure dome.â⬠The word ââ¬Å"domeâ⬠is symbolic of completion... ...lost and is a mythical heaven. This woman is described as Abyssinian. Abyssinian literally refers to the inhabitants of a place in Northern Africa, but use of word ââ¬Å"Abyssinianâ⬠also implies the word ââ¬Å"abyssâ⬠. The speaker must revive the heavenly song, sung by the maid, inside himself to ââ¬Å"build that dome in the air.â⬠Just as the sacred river from the abyss makes possible of the creation of Kubla, the heavenly song of the Abyssinian makes possible the creation of the speakerââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"pleasure domeâ⬠. The speaker then speculates on reaction of people over his creation. He states that ââ¬Å"all should cry, Beware, Beware!/ His flashing eyes his floating hair/Weave a Circle round him thrice/ And close your eyes with holy dread,â⬠. The reaction of awe and terror that people have to the speakerââ¬â¢s heavenly vision demonstrates the power that the speaker feels is contained in that vision. ââ¬Å"Kubla Khanâ⬠by Samuel Taylor Coleridge reveals the awesome power of the imaginative poetic mind. This poetic mind has the ability to create kingdoms, paradise, immortality, and the sacred. This poem reveals the terrifying magnificence of the visions of imagination and the impact of these visions amongst humanity.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
How Thomas Hobbes and John Locke influenced Enlightenment Thinkers Essay
The Age of Enlightenment saw many great changes in Western Europe. The Age of Enlightenment or simple ââ¬Å"the Enlightenmentâ⬠was an intellectual movement during the 18th century. Its purpose was to reform society and to advance knowledge using reason and the scientific knowledge. It supported scientific thought and opposed superstition with its favorite target being the Catholic Church. The phrase was frequently used by writers of the period itself, implying that they were emerging from centuries of darkness and ignorance into an enlightenment period fueled by reason and science. The ones who sparked the enlightenment can be traced to the 17th century. They include the two political philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Thomas Hobbes was born on April 5, 1588 and he was best known for his work on political philosophy. His book Leviathan established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy. In Leviathan, Hobbes set out his doctrine of the foundations of states and legitimate governments. Much of the book demonstrates the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid chaos and disorder. Hobbes hypothesizes what life would be like with no government, a state which he calls the state of nature. In that state, each person would have a right to everything in the world. However, he argues that it would lead to a ââ¬Å"war against allâ⬠because he believed that all people were evil and selfish. In order to avoid this state, people establish a civil society and conceive a social contract. According to Hobbes, society is a population under a supreme authority. Thomas Hobbes is a supporter of absolutism but he also developed some of the fundamentals of liberal thoughts such as the rights of an individual and equality for all. He was also one of the founders of modern political science as well. His understanding on humans as being matter and following the same concepts and laws as other matter remains extremely influential. John Locke was born on August 29, 1632 and he was one of the most influential English philosophers during the enlightenment period. Lockeââ¬â¢s theory of mind is referred to as the origin of conceptions of ââ¬Å"selfâ⬠and ââ¬Å"identitiesâ⬠. He theorized that the mind is a blank slate and that we were born with only instinctive ideas and that knowledge is only derived from experience. The founding fathers of the United States used many of his political ideas as the bases for the declaration of independence. Locke believed in a democratic rule and that everyone is entitled to their own rights and liberty. He thought that nobody should have absolute power so he came up with the idea of ââ¬Å"separation of powersâ⬠meaning that the church and judicial system operate independent of the ruling class so theoretically no one can commit a crime and get away with it. Even though Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both influential social contract theorists and great political philosophers, their ideas completely contradict each other. While Locke believed that humans were born with a clean slate and only gain knowledge through experience and experiment, Hobbes theorized that all humans were born with an evil and selfish nature which cannot be contained without a supreme authority to rule. In terms of political power, Locke believed in democratic rule while Hobbes believed in an absolute power to rule over the evil and selfish humans for if there is no absolute power, our savage instincts will take over and we will do whatever it takes to satisfy our greedy nature. As for rights, Locke believed all men are equal rights but Hobbes concluded that we should give up our rights to the government in exchange for protection. The Enlightenment was a great step in humanity to make strides in science and let reason explain our lives. Enlightenment ideas and works have been especially influential in politics. Many of the worldââ¬â¢s democracies are built on the ideas of Locke and other political philosophers in the enlightenment period. Democratic nations, such as the United States are founded upon enlightenment ideas such as individual rights and liberty, the rights of citizens, and peopleââ¬â¢s rights to participate in the government. However, different political philosophers have different ideas about whatââ¬â¢s best for their government. For instance, Thomas Hobbes believed in absolute monarchs, an idea which is still used today in places like Canada, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdoms. The Enlightenment completely revolutionized the way people have thought about religion, politics, and science. It was one of the greatest events in history because it gave people the idea to challenge what theyââ¬â¢ve always been taught to be right. It gave people a mind of their own and not fall to one supreme ruler. The legacy of the enlightenment shall never be forgotten.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Style and Analysis Essay for Soldier
John Ruskin, an English critic of art and society, wrote a passage arguing that we should be giving precedence to the soldier rather than to the merchant or manufacturer. In todayââ¬â¢s world many people debate about who deserves to be emphasized in society. Ruskinââ¬â¢s argument is invalid because of his use of generalization, false dilemma, pathos and charged language. He uses a black and white statement to show the difference between soldier and manufacturer and generalization to make it seem as though all soldiers participate for the same reason. The use of pathos and charged language really plays with the readerââ¬â¢s emotions.In Ruskinââ¬â¢s passage he argues that the soldier should be more respected and considered more important than a merchant or manufacturer. Ruskin, directing his passage to the general society, says a soldier would ââ¬Å"put him in a fortress breach, with all the pleasures of the world behind him, and only death and his duty in front of him. â ⬠This statement, very generalized, uses the logical fallacy of generalization. In this statement John Ruskin describes all the soldiers together as one, instead of individually. Just because all soldiers participate in war, does not mean they all are in favor of death, or dying for their country.For example a man could have joined war and become a soldier because he didnââ¬â¢t have any skills or simply because he enjoys the act of killing, not because he wants to fight for his country. Ruskin, using pathos, says that soldiers give up ââ¬Å"pleasures of the worldâ⬠and put their ââ¬Å"duty in front. â⬠In this quote Ruskin uses charged words to emotionally involve you. Duty is a strong word that many of us take as another word for responsibility. In some perspectives duty is seen as a law; one must uphold a moral or legal obligation. Putting death before pleasure makes the reader feel obligated to respond with sympathy.Not only does John Ruskin play on our emotion s and guilt us into making soldiers seem more important, he makes a black and white statement about soldiers and merchants/manufacturers. John Ruskin makes a black and white statement by saying soldiers are different from merchants and manufactures because ââ¬Å"men associated for purposes of violence and for purposes of manufacture; in that the former appear capable of self sacrifice. â⬠John Ruskin says that the general public should perceive that merchants/manufacturers are nothing if they donââ¬â¢t have the willingness to sacrifice themselves as soldiers do. The eaders donââ¬â¢t realize that the soldiers would be nothing without the merchants and manufacturers. The soldiers are provided in war, weapons, materials and foodâ⬠¦but by whom? The manufacturers sacrificed time, materials, and food to support the soldiers. Ruskin is very heavy in using pathos, and once again tries play with the readerââ¬â¢s emotions. Using very well wording to emphasize emotions and c hange our view and perspectives, Ruskin draws out pathos. In the first sentence Ruskin says ââ¬Å"that the former appear capable of self sacrifice. â⬠The word ââ¬Å"capableâ⬠portrays as a very strong and demeaning word.It makes readers see the merchants and manufacturers as weak, pathetic and selfish to not have the courage to die for ones country. Ruskin uses pathos, making the readers feel not only guilty and sympathetic, but also proud that they have men willing to fight for their country. John Ruskinââ¬â¢s statementââ¬â¢s about soldiers deserving more precedence is invalid due to the use of logical fallacies. Generalizing people can turn out invalid because all people, whether they do the same things or not, have different interpretations of things. The motivations of the soldiers joining war are unknown and can vary depending on the person.Making a black and white statement can also turnout invalid because there may be shades of gray in between. The merchant s and manufacturers may seem small compared to the soldiers, but in actuality they are doing something just as important as the soldier. Ruskinââ¬â¢s argument is flawed with charged and specific selection of language that plays on the readerââ¬â¢s emotions, causing logic to be unsound. Ruskinââ¬â¢s use of language creates an impression of sympathy for the soldiers. In society, status will always be judged and argued by everyone through different understandings.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Sample Size Example
Sample Size Example Sample Size ââ¬â Coursework Example Application of ANOVA in analysis of the impact of crisis intervention on psychiatric hospitalizations Psychiatric hospitalization Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is a commonly used approach in testing of the equality of various means using variance (Derrick, 2008). This analysis of often based on a number of assumptions including: independence of the samples, equal variance in populations and that the populations from which the sample is extracted has a normal or near normal distribution (Derrick, 2008). This paper will apply ANOVA analysis in development of statistical assumptions defining the situation of the impact of crisis intervention on psychiatric hospitalizations. The paper will compare cases of psychiatric hospitalization before, during and after implementation of crisis intervention. In essence, the paper will seek to establish whether the means of the groups are equal and determine if there are any significant differences. The null hypothesis will be evaluated using one way ANOVA and assumes that the mean of two or more populations are equal (Stuttgart, 2007). It will questions whether (H0) the population means for all groups bear equality and whether the differences observed are a result of variations from random sampling (Brian, 2009). The data set to be used in this study is based on two groups. One groups is subjected to crisis intervention, the other group is will not be subjected to crisis intervention. The data will be collected for both groups before implementation of the crisis intervention, during implementation and after implementation. Mathematically, the expressions are expressed as follows:The study will adopt stratified systematic sampling whereby specific populations will be targeted for research. Sample consisting of 60 psychiatric patients will be considered whereby 30 will be subjected to a crisis intervention program while the other part of the targeted population will not be subjected to the crisis intervention program. Data on ho spitalization of both groups will be recorded before, during, and after implementation of the crisis intervention program. ReferencesBrian, S. (2009). Introduction to Statistics. London: McGraw HillDerrick, A. (2008). Research methods applicable to quantitative analysis of data (2th ed.). Worth publishers: New York. Green, S.B. & Salkind, N.J. (2008) Using SPSS for Windows and Macintosh: Analyzing and Understanding Data (5th ed.) Pearson Prentice Hall: New Jersey. Stuttgart, W. (2007). ANOVA application to case analysis.Journal of Statistics 14(2), pp. 123-126.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Controversy Surrounding Animal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry The WritePass Journal
Controversy Surrounding Animal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry Abstract Controversy Surrounding Animal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry , pp. 1) utilizes the qualitative post positivism approach in order to evaluate a large number of subjects to the Draize eye test.à This form of analysis employed a large number of animals in the quest to determine the influence of external irritants on the eye. The utilization of qualitative data and surveys enabled a quality assessment of conditions that illustrates the full range of potential. The need to expose a large number of subjects to chemicals in order to achieve credible results was rewarded with substantial steps forward in the industry (Loprieno1992, pp. 809).à The utilization of the scientific method, in close proximity with the subjects, in order to create empirical evidence, coupled with experience is a viable practice when facing large numbers of potential subjects. The area of animal testing, in every form, is credited with allowing major advances in the production of medicines and cosmetics (Marzulli and Maibach 1983, pp. 281).à With a proven value that enables the ability to combat skin disease in both the human and animal kingdom, the justification for the methodology is argued to lie in the medical advances. Further supporting the benefits of the practice of quantitative studies, Bronaugh and Maibach (1999, pp. 167) point to the demonstrative aspects of the results which assist in determining the end parameters of the research. The converse ethical argument points to the unreliability of many of the test results to the large difference between species (PETA 2013, pp. 2). Both the qualitative and the quantitative approach have been utilized in an applicable manner, yet, the most relevant form for a well-balanced study of the animal testing in the cosmetic industry would be found in the qualitative mixed Post Positivist approach, as employed by Wilhemus (2013, pp. 1) and Degrazia (1996, pp. 72).à This method allows the production of empirical data via the questionnaires, alongside the addition of personal experience which will be essential in the study of the animal testing in cosmetics industry. The potential for large sample groups during the examination will be addressed in the approach, thereby adding to the value and potential of the application. Research Strategy In order to achieve the goal of this study and develop a fundamental understanding of the role of the controversy that surrounds animal testing in the cosmetic industry, a qualitative approach utilizing a questionnaire structure together with industry review was determined to be appropriate (Yin 2003, pp. 16). Yin (2003, pp. 16) argues that the use reliable elements in any given analysis adds to the overall substance of the results.à This approach will provide the foundation for an inclusive well rounded study. Studies that utilize empirical research advance due to theory and logical inquiry that are developed alongside each another (Yin 2003, pp. 15). Data Collection Data for this study will be collected the through questionariesââ¬â¢ and case studies in a qualitative approach we (Yin 2003, pp. 16). This method allows for a perception of balance in the results. Data Analysis It is vital to efficiently decode, interpret and examine qualitative research findings (Pope, Ziebland and Mays 2000, pp. 20). Reliability, Validity, and Generalizability Reliability and validity are argued to be one of the most critical aspects of data analysis and collection during research (Miles and Huberman 1994, pp. 23). The credibility of quantitative results is in the associated reliability of the data and methods as well as the underlying findings. Silverman (2006, pp. 21) illustrates that reliability can be created when respondents fully understand the question. This must be present in order so that the responses can be coded correctly. Codification is achieved by formulating questions as directly as possible, avoiding any obvious forms of ambiguity (Silverman, 2006, pp. 23). Before starting each questionnaire a brief explanation of the research as well as its themes are given to the interviewees. This facet enables interviewees to understand the exact meaning of the questions which were asked.à In each instance the subjects should be informed with the same information and starting point for the discussion, this serves to putting each person at ease (Silverman 2006, pp. 24). The potential method in which to achieve validity is through the comparison of different kinds of data, this is referred to as triangulation (Silverman 2006, pp. 25). This approach illustrates that the results have demonstrated that triangulation helps to assure the truth status of each person. The truth status was further cemented by assuring that the personal information, alongside information about the interviewees firm would be treated confidentially. Finally, the findings are promised to be reported anonymously. This anonymous strategy was applied because anonymity is presumed to improve the content of truth of the intervieweesââ¬â¢ responses (Silverman 2006, pp. 25). Ethical Issues Ethical issues should be clearly and directly addressed in order to alleviate potential issues (Yin 2003, pp. 17). Research Limitations The primary limitation to this study stems from the methodology utilized.à Qualtitative studies often are subject to a large amount of variables that have the potential to alter the results (Creswell 2003, pp. 53). The answers to the questionariesââ¬â¢ are often dependent of the background of the person being interviewed (Creswell 2003, pp. 51). This fact tempers the final results of the study. References Anderson, M. 2006.à Tasks and techniques. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Bronaugh, R. and Maibach, H. 1999.à Percutaneous absorption. New York: Dekker. Creswell, J. 2003.à Research design. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Degrazia, D. 1996.à Taking animals seriously. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ec.europa.eu. 2013.à Ban on animal testing European Commission. [online] Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/animal-testing/ [Accessed: 8 Aug 2013]. Kimmel, A. 2007.à Ethical issues in behavioral research. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.. King, G., Keohane, R. and Verba, S. 1994.à Designing social inquiry. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Marzulli, F. and Maibach, H. 1983.à Dermatotoxicology. Washington: Hemisphere Pub. Corp.. Miles, M., Huberman, A., Hlady Rispal, M. and Bonniol, J. 2003.à Analyse des donnà ©es qualitatives. Bruxelles: De Boeck università ©. Miller, N. 1985. The value of Behavioral Research on Animals.à Teh Rockefeller University, 40 (4), pp. 423-440. PETA.org. 2013..à Cosmetics and Household-Product Animal Testing. [online] Available at: peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/cosmetic-household-products-animal-testing.aspx [Accessed: 8 Aug 2013]. Pope, C., Ziebland, S., Mays, N. 2000. Analysing qualitative data. BMJ, 320(7227), 114-116. doi: 10.1136/bmj.320.7227.114 Silverman, D. 2006. Interpreting Qualitative Data (3 ed.). Oxford: The Alden Press. Yin, R. 2003.à Case study research. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Questionnaire: Controversy around animal testing and experimentation in the cosmetics industry Is animal testing in the field of cosmetics beneficial? Should animals be subject to death in order to determine the level of toxicity in proposed cosmetics product? Yes No. Should skin irritation testing be tested on mice if the animal in question will not feel any ill effects? Yes. No. Would you employ alternative methods over live animals in the cosmetics industry? Yes. No. Should the test animal be restrained during a testing? Yes. No. Is it allowable for a product to not be tested prior to market entry? Yes. No. If a test on a non-animal subject is considered inconclusive, should a live animal test be utilized? Yes. No. Is the European ban on animal testing a positive step? Yes. No. Should international companies that utilize animal testing be able to sell products in markets that ban the practice? Yes. No. Given the long history of animal testing, do you think that the practice has served to keep the general public safe? Yes. No. Is the potential for medical advances a good enough reason to use animals in testing? Yes. No. Does the prospect of an animalââ¬â¢s death stop you from allowing it to be used in the cosmetic industry? Yes. No. Can advances in technology fully replace the animal in the laboratory? Yes. No. Given the lack of similarity between subjects do you believe the results of animal testing are worth the process? Yes. No. What is your ethical and moral position on the practice of animal testing in the cosmetic industry? What are the primary benefits that are attributed to the practice of animal testing in the cosmetics industry? What are the primary detriments to the practice of animal testing in the cosmetic industry? What do you believe the future holds for the practice of animal testing in the cosmetics industry? Do you believe that animal testing has been beneficial for the animals standard of life? Is the practice of animal testing weakening the ability of the animal to survive?
Sunday, October 20, 2019
How to Take Good News Interview Notes
How to Take Good News Interview Notes Even in an age of digital voice recorders, a reporterââ¬â¢s notebook and pen are still necessary tools for print and online journalists. Voice recorders are great for capturing every quote accurately, but transcribing interviews from them can often take too long, especially when youââ¬â¢re on a tight deadline. (Read more about voice recorders vs. notebooks here.) Still, many beginning reporters complain that with a notepad and pen they can never take down everything a source says in an interview, and they worry about writing fast enough in order to get quotes exactly right. So here are five tips for taking good notes. 1. Be Thorough ââ¬â But Not Stenographic You always want to take the most thorough notes possible. But remember, youââ¬â¢re not a stenographer. You donââ¬â¢t have to take down absolutely everything a source says. Keep in mind that youââ¬â¢re probably not going to use everything they say in your story. So donââ¬â¢t worry if you miss a few things here and there. 2. Jot Down the ââ¬ËGoodââ¬â¢ Quotes Watch an experienced reporter doing an interview, and youââ¬â¢ll probably notice that she isnââ¬â¢t constantly scribbling notes. Thatââ¬â¢s because seasoned reporters learn to listen for the ââ¬Å"good quotesâ⬠ââ¬â the ones theyââ¬â¢re likely to use - and not worry about the rest. The more interviews you do, the better youââ¬â¢ll get at writing down the best quotes, and at filtering out the rest. 3. Be Accurate - But Donââ¬â¢t Sweat Every Word You always want to be as accurate as possible when taking notes. But donââ¬â¢t worry if you miss a ââ¬Å"the,â⬠ââ¬Å"and,â⬠ââ¬Å"butâ⬠or ââ¬Å"alsoâ⬠here and there. No one expects you to get every quote exactly right, word-for-word, especially when youââ¬â¢re on a tight deadline, doing interviews at the scene of a breaking news event. It IS important to be accurate get the meaning of what someone says. So if they say, ââ¬Å"I hate the new law,â⬠you certainly donââ¬â¢t want to quote them as saying they love it. Also, when writing your story, donââ¬â¢t be afraid to paraphrase (put in your own words) something a source says if youââ¬â¢re not sure you got the quote exactly right. 4. Repeat That, Please If an interview subject talks fast or if you think you misheard something they said, donââ¬â¢t be afraid to ask them to repeat it. This can also be a good rule of thumb if a source says something especially provocative or controversial. ââ¬Å"Let me get this straight ââ¬â are you saying thatâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ is something reporters are often heard to say during interviews. Asking a source to repeat something is also a good idea if youre not sure you understand what theyve said, or if theyve said something in a really jargony, overly complicated way. For instance, if a police officer tells you a suspect made egress from the domicile and was apprehended following a foot chase, ask him to put that into plain English, which will probably be something to the effect of, the suspect ran out of the house. We ran after him and caught him. Thats a better quote for your story and one thats easier to take down in your notes. 5. Highlight the Good Stuff Once the interview is done, go back over your notes and use a checkmark to highlight the main points and quotes that youââ¬â¢re most likely to use. Do this right after the interview when your notes are still fresh.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Income inequality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Income inequality - Essay Example The rich tend to earn more income than the poor, and so more wealth seems to fall majorly in the hands of a few rich people while the majority earn very little. Oneââ¬â¢s earnings depend on several factors such as the demand and supply for the personââ¬â¢s skills. As the factors influence wages, they end up affecting the distribution of a countryââ¬â¢s income. With income inequality, the rich tend to earn higher income while the poor earn low incomes. That differentiates the poor from the rich. Such inequality has several impacts on the economy and the population. To measure inequality, economists use some measures. Through one such measure, they compare household incomes through surveys. The process involves a comparison of the sources of income and the consumption patterns of the households that participate in the survey. To rank individuals in accordance to per capita income for each household, economists subtract direct taxes from the total income for the household. They then divide the amount by the number of individuals in the household. The calculation and the ranking give the Gini coefficient. The Gini coefficient is a method applicable to the measurement of inequality. The Gini coefficient has a range of 0 to 100 whereby 0 represents a period when everyone has the same income (Milanovic, 2011 p.7). The income inequality in a country would generally range between 25 and 60 in the Gini range. In the assessment of income inequality, household surveys come out as the best instruments. However, they have some drawbacks. At times, the rich may refuse to participate in interviews or at times they may understate their incomes. Another useful measure of income inequality is the Lorenz curve. With this measure, economists seek to determine how cumulative percentage of households links to cumulative percentage of income (Mankiw and Taylor, 2014 p.386). By plotting the cumulative percentage of income against
The Main Arguments for and against Turkey's entry to the EU Essay
The Main Arguments for and against Turkey's entry to the EU - Essay Example Since 1959, when Turkey sent in its application to join the European Union (then known as the European Economic Community), Europe has been pondering over the fact whether a primarily Islamic nation lying mostly outside European geographic borders can really be made a part of the Union. While Turkey and EU have a common past of contractual relationship for many years, which led to the negotiations for accession in 2005, the former has always been perceived as an outsider, with whom Europe established relationships primarily for security reasons. The decision to start official talks on Turkeyââ¬â¢s EU membership was made on 16 December 2004, while the accession negotiations started on 3 October 2005. This met with a hurdle, when Austria and Germany asked for permissions to allow ââ¬Ëprivileged partnershipââ¬â¢ for Turkey without actually making it a full member. With other member states not agreeing to this clause, accession negotiations started, aimed at a full membership. H owever, negotiations have been adjourned on many instances since 2006, primarily due to objections raised by Cyprus, which is against Turkeyââ¬â¢s accession to the EU membership (Barber, 2009). This is owing to the fact that currently the island of Cyprus is divided, wherein the Turkish troops have occupied its northern part and its ships are denied entry into Turkish ports. Austria and France have also declared their intention of holding a referendum on Turkey's EU membership. Currently, out of 35 accession chapters eight have been adjourned, which has effectively interrupted the membership negotiations. Owing to this, there has been a sharp fall in pro-EU support amongst the Turks, where a majority believe the accession process is biased and close-ended (Sayfa, 2013). A closer study reveals that majority of the EU member states never considered the EU-Turkey relationship as an essential part of the EU integration. Even after nearly five decades of EUââ¬â¢s relationship with Turkey, the perspective did not change, on the other hand the feeling of alienation increased on both sides (Cendrowicz, 2009). While a majority of the Europeans viewed Turkey as an outsider, the Turks felt that Europe as a political entity cannot be trusted, especially after the Treaty of Sevres post WWI, and furthermore after viewing unwillingness on part of the EU to assist Turkey once the accession negotiations started. In this context, the essay analyses the highly controversial issue of Turkeyââ¬â¢s integration into the EU, and highlights the main arguments for and against Turkey's entry to the Union. Discussion Hurdles to the EU accession based on legal principles There were six member states that created the European Community for Coal and Steel (primarily states from Western Europe) in 1952, later known as the European Economic Community or EEC (1957), and which is now referred to as the EU. The preamble of the EEC treaty stated very clearly that this treaty aimed at cre ating a close union among the European people. In the same treaty, Article 237 stated that all European states are eligible to become a part of this Community. This article has since them become the foundation for integration, and is an essential aspect in the political and legal basis of the EU and the Unionââ¬â¢s policy to unite Europe. This aspect has been reiterated in the 1993 Maastricht Treaty and had been considered in the proposal for 2004 drafting of the treaty for the Constitution for Europe, ratified by all EU member states. This treaty states in Article I-58 that all European states are free to enter the Union. Thus, here the main emphasis has always been on ââ¬ËEuropean states,ââ¬â¢ and all contractual provisions become a part of the common law framed by the different European treaties, binding
Friday, October 18, 2019
Islam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Islam - Essay Example Thus, although there is no sign at all that Mohammed and his followers were blood descendants of Abraham, Islam is clearly associated with the biblical times, characters and traditions; even if the Bible has not had that profound effect on Islam as upon Christianity (Peters, 2004). Having developed from events that took place some 1400 years ago in the Arabian Peninsula, Islam is currently a world faith with over one billion followers worldwide (Gordon, 2003). On the other hand, although the Islamic religious doctrine, practices, and institutions have been the subject of numerous, if not countless, writings and discussions (Gordon, 2003), Islam remains the most misinterpreted, hence misunderstood religion, especially in the light of recent events such as the 9/11 attacks and the consequent ââ¬Ëwar on terrorââ¬â¢. Therefore, this paper attempts to get an insight into the Islamic religion, highlighting some of the most contentious points of the doctrine. Historical Background In order to understand the essence of Islam as fully as possible, one would need to take into consideration first and foremost its historical context in which this religious cult has originated and matured; by the way, this is equally valid as far as any other religious tradition is concerned. Mohammed was born in Mecca about 570 AD, in the Hashim clan of the Quraish tribe which possessed a distinguished status in the town (Schimmel, 1992, p. 11). By that time, the wealth and ancient glory of the Arabian Peninsula, most notably the powerful trading kingdom of Saba (ââ¬Å"The Kingdoms of Ancient South Arabia,â⬠n.d.), was already too far gone (Schimmel, 1992). The religious life of the Arab tribes, particularly in Central Arabia, was still dominated by a rather primitive religion, whose rituals were performed in numerous tribal sanctuaries, including the shrine in Kaaba which appeared the center of the pagan cult; additionally, there were certain Jewish and Christian influences (S chimmel, 1992, p. 7). Arabia was situated in the sphere of influence of its trade partners by then ââ¬â Persia and Constantinople (Schimmel, 1992). There were also a number of Jewish settlements not far from Medina, and even ââ¬â according to some authors ââ¬â the kings of Saba had reportedly converted to Judaism; the latter inter alia indicates a quest of a higher faith (Schimmel, 1992). Somewhere in his forties, Mohammed was overcome by visions and voices, realizing that he was entrusted with a divine mandate ââ¬â to proclaim, like some Hebrew prophets of earlier times, most notably Amos, the forthcoming Day of Judgment when the human beings will face the one omnipotent God, their Lord, to answer for their actions (Schimmel, 1992, p. 12). The obvious parallel between Mohammed ââ¬â the last prophet ââ¬â and the first Hebrew prophet of judgment, Amos, is not only in theological terms, but also in terms of historical necessity. Thus, having seen the decline in Arabiaââ¬â¢s power and wealth, likely brought about by the Arab tribesââ¬â¢ disunity and internal feuds, Mohammed found the ultimate means of unification ââ¬â the belief in one omnipotent God ââ¬â and saw himself at first as a Godââ¬â¢s messenger to the Arabs, a prophet being sent to warn them (Schimmel, 1992, p. 15); later on, however, he put his visions into practice, embarking on a decisive move towards uniting the
Tesla Motors Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Tesla Motors - Assignment Example The firm also markets electric power train components that include lithium ion battery packs to the firms making autos such as Toyota and Daimler. The chief executive officer focuses on making the tesla firm to be an independent automaker that aims at eventual offers thus making the cars affordable to the average consumer. This facilitates the selling of the products to a greater percentage of people due to the high demand from its affordability. The tesla motors core business is designing, manufacturing, and selling of electric automobiles. This is facilitated by the concept of embracing the modern technology that also promotes innovative ideas and activities. Yes, the company is diversified in developing complementary activities such as provision of charging points for the electric motors. They also deal will the designing and manufacturing of batteries that are for replacement when the initial ones are wasted. The scope of the activities from the tesla motors is felt both locally and internationally (Cheney, Margaret, Robert, & Jim, 76). It focuses on the concept of limiting pollution of the environment and air by lack of pollution from the engines of motors that use either petrol or diesel. The idea is ideal for hindering the effects that cause global warming. Prevention of global warming is appropriate for boosting agricultural production that is the main backbone of gross domestic product. The main characteristics of the industry are ideas from the perspective of electricity. They include the activities such as structuring engines that are computerized, the use of chargeable batteries, and promoting emission free automobiles. These characteristics are due to the appropriate embrace of the modern technological activities in the production sector. The tesla motors incorporation is an organization that has not yet fully establish in the competitive market. This is due to the
Thursday, October 17, 2019
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner - Essay Example "When one lives his/her life in the public eye it is often difficult to live up to everyone's expectations. These repressions often lead these people to use radical methods to fulfill their own needs." (Critical Essay). Thus, the short story by Faulkner portrays the idea that society's view on a 'celebrity' cannot only be powerful but also destructive and urges the readers not to depend too much on the public perspectives on personal lives as well as not to live according to the expectations of others. In the short story "A Rose for Emily", Miss Emily Grierson is presented as the socialite of her town and she naturally has an important social status or reputation she has to withhold. One of the main themes of the story is the effect of society on one's personal life and the story of Emily Grierson illustrates how people are made to use radical methods to fulfill their own needs in a society which expects its members to live according to a particular way. Emily in the story represents her family name as well as the people of her town and she was greatly a dominant figure in the society. ... uty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town, dating from that day in 1894 when Colonel Sartoris, the mayor--he who fathered the edict that no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apron--remitted her taxes, the dispensation dating from the death of her father on into perpetuity." (Faulkner, 2003, p. 392). Therefore, the society expects the main character to live according to a particular way which has been set by the tradition and the main reason for her mental torment has been her adjustment to the norms of social life. It is most fundamental, in a close reading of "A Rose for Emily", to realize that Faulkner describes a mental illness in the protagonist, i.e. necrophilia, which may be comprehended as an abnormal and excessive love for a dead human body. Psychologists explain that it is caused by a cumulative lack of love from one's family or community. "One of Faulkner's greatest stories, "A Rose for Emily" is a brilliantly wrought, emotionally charged, haunting portrait of the Southern psyche - a psyche tormented by conflicting feelings, impulses, and needs. It is the first story to deal with the village of Jefferson and its community." (Volpe, 2004, p. 98). In the story, Emily, the main character, murders Humor, the only man whom she had ever loved. In fact, the story deals mainly with the psyche of the main character who is conflicted by conflicting feelings, impulses, and needs, and the author is concerned with the relationship between individuals and community. ""A Rose for Emily" has two majo r characters: Emily Grierson and the community. They are complementary rather than antagonistic characters; Emily's personal history mirrors the community's collective history Faulkner portrays Emily with sufficient psychological realism to
Your opinion about illegal immigration ( is it good or bad for the Essay
Your opinion about illegal immigration ( is it good or bad for the U.S.) - Essay Example Looking to explore immigration policies and the recent desire in the United States to allow immigrants to apply for legal immigration despite the fact that many have resided in the United States illegally for years, the following essay will argue that the United States has a duty to protect the most vulnerable citizens of the world. Accordingly, this essay will argue that the legalization of migrant workers is a positive step for the United States of America (Pew Research Center, 2009). Migration is an important issue which is gaining increasing attention in an era of economic interdependence, the movement of people across borders and the globalization phenomenon. Today, it is estimated that up to million people live in the United States illegally as undocumented workers and illegal aliens (Pew Research Center, 2009). Why do people choose to migrate from one place to another? Economic opportunity is one of the most important factors which draws people to the United States of America, the unequivocal land of opportunity. Accordingly, the decision of the Irish to immigrate to the United States during the height of the Potato Famine ââ¬â it estimated that approximately 3.5 million Irishmen and women immigrated to the United States alone from 1820 to 1880 ââ¬â supports some the idea that economic opportunity draws people to the United States. As a result, extreme and unfavorable conditions in Ireland paved the way for a large influx of migrants to the United St ates following economic crisis in the homeland. According to the Pew Research Center, California is the home of the largest number of undocumented workers and illegal migrants, largely as a result of the belief of opportunity in that state. Immigrants today, particularly from the poorer regions of the world, immigrate to the United States for similar reasons and their status should be legalized in order to facilitate the growth of this country, a nation of immigrants since it
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner - Essay Example "When one lives his/her life in the public eye it is often difficult to live up to everyone's expectations. These repressions often lead these people to use radical methods to fulfill their own needs." (Critical Essay). Thus, the short story by Faulkner portrays the idea that society's view on a 'celebrity' cannot only be powerful but also destructive and urges the readers not to depend too much on the public perspectives on personal lives as well as not to live according to the expectations of others. In the short story "A Rose for Emily", Miss Emily Grierson is presented as the socialite of her town and she naturally has an important social status or reputation she has to withhold. One of the main themes of the story is the effect of society on one's personal life and the story of Emily Grierson illustrates how people are made to use radical methods to fulfill their own needs in a society which expects its members to live according to a particular way. Emily in the story represents her family name as well as the people of her town and she was greatly a dominant figure in the society. ... uty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town, dating from that day in 1894 when Colonel Sartoris, the mayor--he who fathered the edict that no Negro woman should appear on the streets without an apron--remitted her taxes, the dispensation dating from the death of her father on into perpetuity." (Faulkner, 2003, p. 392). Therefore, the society expects the main character to live according to a particular way which has been set by the tradition and the main reason for her mental torment has been her adjustment to the norms of social life. It is most fundamental, in a close reading of "A Rose for Emily", to realize that Faulkner describes a mental illness in the protagonist, i.e. necrophilia, which may be comprehended as an abnormal and excessive love for a dead human body. Psychologists explain that it is caused by a cumulative lack of love from one's family or community. "One of Faulkner's greatest stories, "A Rose for Emily" is a brilliantly wrought, emotionally charged, haunting portrait of the Southern psyche - a psyche tormented by conflicting feelings, impulses, and needs. It is the first story to deal with the village of Jefferson and its community." (Volpe, 2004, p. 98). In the story, Emily, the main character, murders Humor, the only man whom she had ever loved. In fact, the story deals mainly with the psyche of the main character who is conflicted by conflicting feelings, impulses, and needs, and the author is concerned with the relationship between individuals and community. ""A Rose for Emily" has two majo r characters: Emily Grierson and the community. They are complementary rather than antagonistic characters; Emily's personal history mirrors the community's collective history Faulkner portrays Emily with sufficient psychological realism to
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Italian Job Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Italian Job - Movie Review Example In the Italian Job, the actors consisted of renowned individuals including Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Edward Norton, Jason Stratham, Seth Green and Charlize Theron and Mos Def. The Setting The setting of the movie suggests that the target audiences are the youth and adults. The graphics and action in the movie clearly provokes mind interpretation and, thus, is rather inappropriate for a much younger audience. In addition to the youth, the public can learn a few lessons from this movie about partnerships and friendships. Further, this movie gets set in a societal context that amplifies its relevance to its target audience. The movie won five awards and these include Taurus Award (2004), Casting Society of America (COLA) Award (2004), COLA (2003), Black Reel (2004) and ASCAP award (2004). In addition to these awards, the movie was nominated seven times to some of the famous awards including BET awards and Saturn awards. This movie bears similarity to the 1969 version, which feat ured the Italian mafia. However, this movie has a contemporary setting that surely fits the description of The Italian Job. The Plot The Italian Job starts with a well-planned theft engineered to take possession of gold bars of value amounting to $35 million from a heavily guarded safe in Venice, Italy. The team that undertakes this endeavor is under the leadership of Charlie(Mark Wahlberg). The crew was to share the spoils of their score when greed got the better of one of them, Steve (Edward Norton). Steve opts to kill all the other crewmembers and elope with the score. Convinced that others are all dead Steve takes the gold bars and moves to Los Angeles with the intent of selling them in the black market. As it emerges, Steve only killed John Bridger (Donald Sutherland), their mentor. A year later, Charlie puts the crew back together and enlists Stella Bridger (Charlize Theron), Johnââ¬â¢s daughter and a professional safecracker. The other crewmembers include computer genius L yle (Seth Green) wheelman Handsome Rob (Jason Stratham) and Left-Ear (Mos Def), the explosive expert. The crew intends to go after Steve. However, this attempt gets it drive from revenge rather than the monetary value of the catch. Every player of this crew has something to avenge, and the recruit, Stella gets her motivation from the fact that the mark is the same man who killed her father and this alleviate her reluctance to join the crew. The endeavor proves tough since the stage is in L.A. Further, the traitor, Steve proves to be a step ahead at almost every turn, and the cost of the revenge is not as cheap as the crew anticipated. In essence, the twists and turns that almost make the endeavor a wild goose chase serve to maintain the suspense of the setting and keeps everyone guessing on the next step. The stunts in this movie are breathtaking, and graphics in the setting facilitate their success. Evaluation The movie has numerous strengths. However, though the setting had the in tent of being flawless, a few points do not conform to the intent. Nonetheless, the movie comes out on top. It is evident that the movie has enough panache to keep it afloat as an enjoyable film. The charm that each character brings to the table serves well to ensure this film achieves the standard that this genre gets associated. Stratham. Green, Def and Sunderland bring about their well-known performances. The fact that the latterââ¬â¢s stunts come out on top even when the script gets predictable and
Monday, October 14, 2019
Human condition and the passage from innocence to experience Essay Example for Free
Human condition and the passage from innocence to experience Essay In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley reflects her views on the faults and weaknesses of human beings and the disasters these imperfections can cause through the personalities and actions of the characters in the novel. The results of the characters personalities and actions show how significant certain undesired traits can be. Through the journeys of the individual characters Mary Shelly shows how we, as human beings, develop in the path from innocence to experience. Surprisingly, the majority of Shelleys obvious criticisms are divulged through the hero, Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is used to fulfil this purpose in a multitude of ways: In her 1823 Introduction, Mary Shelley suggests that Victors main crime is his presumption in displacing God. The works of Milton could have inspired this; by way of her parents, he would have been a natural choice of inspiration for Shelley. Milton believed that power corrupts human beings and distrusted anyone who could claim power over anyone else. Therefore, Frankenstein does wrong in claiming power over the monsters life by creating him. We see a change in Victors views on this subject; at the beginning of the novel Frankenstein is fixated with the idea of creating a new being from the remains of dead people and bringing this new being to life by means of electricity. As the novel develops, through his experiences he begins to see the true repercussions of his actions and finally sees the magnitude of what he has done in his thoughtlessness (innocence. ) This can also be seen as an attack on human nature. As the creature opens his eyes for the first time, facets of Victors character become revealed. Whereas the read expects Victor to reflect the joy of having finally received his goal, his reaction is on of horror: now that I have finished, the beauty of the dream has vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. While one may assume that his repulsion is due to the physical appearance of the wretch (p56), Victor had created the monster and knew very well what the creature looked like before it awoke. Therefore, his terror seems to represent a sort of subconscious self-vision. This could be Shelleys way of criticising how we can become clouded by ambition and do not realise the consequences of our actions until it is too late. Towards the end of the novel Victor has learnt from his experiences and realises what the possible consequences could be of creating a companion for the monster. He knows the destruction of the female monster could result in his own death but for once he is selfless and takes responsibility. Unlike his first venture, he is thinking of the greater-good rather than his own happiness. In the beginning of the novel we see the development of Victors ambition from healthy to obsessive. Fired by his enthusiasm during his first experiments, he imagines how A new species would bless me as its creator and source No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs(p54). A possibly interpretation here would be to presume that this is a criticism of mans belief that he is indestructible and he can thus take on the role of God and do whatever he likes. This could have sprung from the death of Marys mother; human beings believe themselves to be all-powerful and virtually invincible but they cannot avoid death. On the other hand, perhaps the crime upon which Shelley focuses is not what he does, but what he fails to do: nurture his creation. Victors ambition and achievement may be heroic, problems only occur in his inability to bear responsibility for his creation. In Brannaghs film interpretation, Frankensteins soul motivation for the creation of the monster is to cheat death (possibly an honourable purpose which would not suggest that Shelley meant Victor to be disliked). However, in the novel, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case. Frankenstein is also portrayed to wish to undermine the power and position of women. By this we see him rebelling against the normal family unit and the responsibilities that belonging to such a unit entails. This could be interpreted as a fear of the natural process of birth, possibly echoing Shelleys own mixed feelings towards childbirth. First pregnant at sixteen, and almost constantly pregnant during the next five years, Shelley lost most of her children soon after they were born. Victors workshop of filthy creation (p55) may have womb-like suggestions. Following this argument, Helen Moers likens the description of the newly created monster to that of a newborn baby in her book Female Gothic. Shelley also uses Frankenstein, and his failure to comply with social expectations in his creation of his creature, to criticise society on many different levels. When Frankenstein gives life to the monster, he is so disgusted with its appearance and its deviation from a normal human being that he rejects and abandons it. This reflects how society shuns anyone or anything that does not conform to their idea of normality. This particular criticism probably sprung from Shelleys up bringing. With two revolutionary parents, Mary Shelley was certainly not born in to a conformist family. A particular example of this is the fact that Mary Shelleys parents were not married. At the time this would have been virtually unheard of in decent families. Mary was possible criticised by her peers as having radical parents, or being bullied because her parents were not normal. She shows her anger at their ignorance by showing Victor be uncaring, and leading the reader to sympathise with the monster rather than his cruel creator. After the conviction of Justine we see a possibility that Victor will admit to being responsible for the death of Justine. However, he is cowardly. He claims Justine to be innocent, and claims to know Williams murderer but does not confess. Again, it is his failure to act that results in disastrous consequences. However, by announcing his faith in Justines innocence we are endeared to him. Shelley used this to show us how he improves with the experience he gains. Towards the end of the novel the monster requests that Frankenstein grant him a companion to end his misery. We see a blinker of sympathy and consideration for the monster in Victor at this point. He has improved himself slightly by this point. When the monster makes his proposition, Frankenstein actually considers with the monster. We can, therefore, see that by this point he becoming prepared to reason with the monster like an equal. We begin to think he is going to take responsibility for his actions by taking pity on the monster. After all it cannot be forgotten that the monster could have honoured his promise and disappeared with its mate, thus preventing the death of Clerval, Elizabeth and possibly Victors own father. But on the destruction of the female monsters body Victor fails to take true responsibility and virtually caused the deaths of Clerval and Elizabeth. Again, his experience has made improved him, almost to the point where he could redeem himself of the crime that is abandoning what is effectively his child. At the end of the novel, although Victors dying wish is that the deaths of his loved ones be avenged, we can see how his journey has changed him. His last expressed feelings are that of fatigue and exhaustion. This shows how Shelley hopes human beings will become tired of their flawed ways of thinking and learn from their experiences. In a direct contrast, the monsters passage from innocence to experience only produces negative results. In spite of his unnatural creation, the monster can be seen to symbolize a new start. However, as he proceeds with his education, as he moves from nature to culture, the monster learns more and more about the injustices of society. He learns about human emotions and comes to desire compassion and love but is rejected on account of his repulsive physical appearance. He masters language, but language fails him; rather than allowing his entry into human society as he had hoped, it only serves to make him more fully aware of his unique origin and alien nature. His education is part of what makes him miserable. It is only when he is exposed to, and suffers from the viciousness of human society that he himself begins to demonstrate violent behaviour, to act as the monster his appearance suggests him to be. What I perceive to be the monsters most vicious act is the murder of Elizabeth on Victor and Elizabeths wedding night. Without his primitive human emotions he would never have known what he was missing out in a female companion. With his experiences with the DeLaceys he saw how strong the family unit could be and felt even more bitter when he was rejected. Without such knowledge or experience he would never have had the determination to enact such a terrible crime. It is his human emotions that finally cause his misery to consume him at the end of the novel. When Victor dies, the monster if found by his body crying. This is a common human characteristic; in most cases, even if two people did not get along well in life or had not spoken in years, if one is to die, the other forgets the past and exonerates their dead friend, acquaintance or family member by mourning their loss. They regret things that they may not have said or done, and wish they could turn back time to put things right before the other passed away. It is the monsters sadness at the death of his creator and his regret for the events of the past that finally consume him and tear from him his desire to live. Without these human emotions, the monster may not have destined himself to such a tragic end. It could be argued that Shelley was criticising the power of human emotions and the negative results they can produce. As I mentioned before, Shelley lost many of her children, this must have caused her great depression misery. These may have affected her ability to live her life; thus, she may have been suggesting that if she could have been less humane, her life may not have been as miserable. In conclusion both the monster and Frankenstein show Shelleys feelings towards human behaviour, how we learn from our experiences, and how we deal with things in the future. However, it is arguable whether she is intending to show that knowledge or ignorance is bliss through he contrasting passages of Frankenstein and his creation.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
What To Do About Immigration Essay -- United States Immigration Essays
What To Do About Immigration The concern about the impact that immigration imposes on American society is not a new one. Since the discovery of the New World immigrants from all over the world moved to American continent in search of a better life, that this vast and rich in sources, yet scarce in population land had promised them. Soon the immigrants outnumbered the native population. They came from England, Europe and Asia. In addition, millions of Africans were imported as slaves. By 1700 the United States became a country of immigrants and more were still to come. At that time America welcomed everybody who ventured to settle in the new country. At the end of the last century, however, not all immigrants were gladly received. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 shut the door for Chinese immigrants. It was followed by Quota Act of 1921 and Immigration Act of 1924 which restricted immigration from southern and eastern Europe. Finally, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 restricted the number of immigrants from every nation. Today, as the United States experience "the fourth wave" of immigration, the debate about what to do about it heats up. According to Linda Chavez, "In 1993 [?],over 800,000 legal immigrants were admitted to the United States and an estimated 300,000 illegal aliens settled here, more or less permanently. Over the last decade, as many as ten million legal and illegal immigrants established permanent residence?" (327). However, as Kenney David remarks the numbers by themselves, may not be so disturbing, for the foreign-born people represent only 8.7 percent of entire population of the United States (311). What bothers many Americans is the fact that the majority of immigrants comes from Latin America, predominately Mexico. The main objective of so-called "nativists", to whom one can refer Nicolaus Mills, is that the growing ratio of Hispanics leads to disintegration of the American nation as a union. In his article called "Lifeboat Ethics and Immigration Fears" he explores the issue of immigration and the problems it causes. Mills sees immigration as a threat to American nation as an ethnic group. He expresses his concern that high birth rates and liberal immigration laws allowing to bring relatives result in a high percentage of Mexican population in some areas. In his article Mills agrees with Peter Brimelow saying that "... ...motherland and I want it to prosper. To my opinion, the best the American society can do regarding immigration is like Kennedy concentrate on positive aspects of immigration, as Mills be aware of the problems, and work out the solutions like Chavez does. And regarding the ethnic and cultural imbalance that some Americans fear the problem seems to be somewhat exaggerated. Many Americans enjoy Mexican cuisine, like to dance salsa, and build the houses in Spanish stile, why not to accept people themselves? Works cited Chavez, Linda. "What to Do about Immigration." The Aims of Argument. A Rhetoric and Reader. 2nd ed. Ed. Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E. Channel: Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California, 1998: 327-337. Kennedy, David. "Can We Still Afford to Be a Nation of Immigrants?" The Aims of Argument.A Rhetoric and Reader. 2nd ed. Ed. Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E.Channel: Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California, 1998: 304-325. Mills, Nicolaus. "Lifeboat Ethics and Immigration Fears." The Aims of Argument. A Rhetoric and Reader. 2nd ed. Ed. Timothy W. Crusius and Carolyn E. Channel: Mayfield Publishing, Mountain View, California, 1998: 339-347.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Love in The Old Maid by Sara Teasdale :: essays research papers
The poem ââ¬Å"The Old Maidâ⬠, by Sara Teasdale, takes place on a sidewalk on Broadway. The speaker in the poem is a woman walking with who you can infer to be her fiancà ©e and she is describing a brief encounter she had with another woman in the car driving by her. The speaker describes the woman as ââ¬Å"The woman I might grow to be,â⬠She then notices how her hair color ââ¬Å"â⬠¦was as mineâ⬠and how ââ¬Å"Her eyes were strangely like my eyesâ⬠. However, despite all these similarities the womanââ¬â¢s hair compared to the speakerââ¬â¢s was ââ¬Å"â⬠¦dull and drew no lightâ⬠. Her eyes also did not shine like the speakerââ¬â¢s. The speaker assumed that the reason for the womanââ¬â¢s frail appearance was because she had never had the opportunity to know what it was like to be in love. In the last stanza, the speaker no longer looks upon the old maid but to her lover and knows that even though they may look similar she will never be li ke her. In order to completely grasp exactly how the old maid appears to the woman on the sidewalk and the love she feels for the man walking with her, Sara Teasdale uses personification to describe the characters in the poem. One would be, ââ¬Å"Her soul was frozen in the dark/ Unwarmed forever by loveââ¬â¢s flame.â⬠Obviously, a personââ¬â¢s soul cannot be frozen, but the meaning is that the old maid had never felt a heated intensity between herself and someone special to her which could give her a cold outlook on life. Another time the poet uses personification is when the speaker states, ââ¬Å"His eyes were magic to defyâ⬠. Eyes cannot be magic. By saying that his eyes were magic the reader can get the notion that when the speaker looks into the eyes of her lover she feels awed, happy, or even entranced. Sara Teasdale also uses a metaphor in her work, ââ¬Å"Her body was a thing growing thin,â⬠In that line the speaker is comparing the old maidââ¬â¢s draining b ody to something that can get thinner. The poet uses a rhyme scheme of rhyming the second with the fourth line and there are four lines in every stanza. Finally, in this narrative poem there are eight syllables per line of the poem.
Friday, October 11, 2019
American Declaration of Independence a product of the European Enlightenment
The United States Declaration of Independence adopted in 1776 by the congress was a product of the European enlightenment as it drew it's philosophical basis from European era of reason. This declaration focusing on individual rights and as well as the right to revolt, borrows deeply the Europe philosophers recommendations having studied in details institutions of governance and incorporation of scientific knowledge to aid mankind. England being one of the most enlightened country by then, was the colonizer of the American thereby influencing the political leaders focus in America at that time (Jefferson et al, 21-23).Therefore, American revolution protest against the England authority provided the blue print in the reorganization for democratic society that was later to be emulated by many in the world. Donald et al (51-52) argues that, the foundations of the enlightenment were laid back in 17th and 16 th centuries as European expanded it's territories to Asia, Africa, America colon ization as well as the advancement of the scientific revolution.Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson formed the main anchors in the establishment of the the Great revolution in America and establishment of the declaration by drafting the initial draft and leading the later amendments. Declaration preparation Liam (331) points out that, as Jefferson prepared the declaration strongly envied great personalities in Europe that gave him the inspiration. Francis Bacon who was referred by Jefferson as the modern science father or English enlightenment godfather, advocated for applied sciences at the expense of basic science and technology.Jefferson was even more inspired by Bacon's stand on the need to advance knowledge for the sake of the people. He believed that greater things were possible with conventional knowledge through the basic realm of ethics, science and politics. According to Annenberg Foundation Trust (91), Sir Isaac Newton theories of mechanics and the consequent discovery of the gravity laws through the mathematics principles molded Jefferson's believe in divinity and its resultant harmony.As adopted in the American Declaration, Christianity and scientific deism strongly held that in total, that nature was as a result of supreme divine work but subjected to the universal laws with the divine power being fully absent (Jefferson et al, 23). John Locke who lived from 1632-1704 influenced the larger Europe and later the establishment of the American Declaration of Independence with might. Jefferson was a strong advocate for the Locke's ideas that emphasized for reasoning in all the decisions made when governing people.Jefferson also adopted in the declaration, the idea of nature and limits during governance in order to realize various objectives (Gearon, 52-53). As strongly advocated for in the declaration, Jefferson from Locke, enshrined the concept of innate knowledge and morality. As it comes out in the declaration, individuals beliefs and morality m ust be respected since they are unique and at all times, the governing institutions must protect them. In addition, the declaration calls for justice which Locke emphasized must be used to reduce the societal injustices.In his letter of Human understanding he insisted on knowledge and establishment of facts for scientific and Human understanding. Basement of human rights At the onset of eighteenth century, French and Britain thinkers laid the ground work for for observing and adopting human rights in the society. They believed that human rights must be entrenched deeply in the political governance structures of any society. Europe having undergone the great war in the mid 17th century which was sparked by religion, political and economic strife had understood importance and significance of democracy towards development.King George's letter of May 1775 requesting him to address the grievances of the people went unanswered resulting to the assumption of responsibilities by the congres s to govern the US. Governance and English colonies. America having been discovered back in 1942, the inhabitants understood that they needed the freedom just like the European countries were enjoying. As indicated earlier, Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the declaration, established the need to have free people in order to achieve development in the country. It insisted on the need for technological advancement for the full human potentials to be appreciated (Jefferson et al, 23).Under the oppression therefore it was impossible to trend the same path as the people like Isaac Newton and Locke had moved through. Government support for the people which Britain was advocating, totally lacked provoking revolts in order to achieve the expected results. Like in Europe the declaration insisted that, governments are instituted by men who directly derive their power with the consent of the governed. Therefore, whenever the administration by the people turns out to be destructive, the governed h as the right to disband it at will.Jefferson insisted that it is better ignorance than error and insisted that truth must form the basis of their liberation. England as it held the 13 united states did not fully allow them to access freedom of governance and even after the declaration it sought the help of Germans to fight back. As independent as England country was, the declaration sought to ensure happiness to the people of America (Gearon, 52-53). The king of Britain being ruthless, ruled through usurpations and injuries, inflicted tyranny over all the states that drew the anger from the people prompting their quest for freedom.As the European philosophers had discovered, there was need to go an extra mile in order for their freedom to be achieved. Major discoveries were not established without struggle as Isaac Newton indicates in his scientific discoveries. Religion spread. Europe acted as the conduit through which religion was transferred to majority of other countries and sta tes in the world. Britain hosting Independent and Presbyterian church established the nobility of the divine power which formed the basis of drafting the declaration.Strong revolutionaries and philosophers underscored the essence divinity that was evident in the later application of the statues contained in the declaration by the leaders. Freedom for all the people without discrimination either of their color or race indicated the quest for human sovereignty at all times (Liam, 331). To increase the harmony and improved cohesion, Jefferson strongly believed that there always was supreme powers that even though not actively or directly involved stood to reward the good deeds at all times.Differentiation was specially derived and the great divide experienced during the prior years in Britain and Germany was avoided. It was used to bring sanity and harmony among the people who had been long oppressed therefore ensuring a smooth transition. Later during the Americans liberation, religio n and divinity was anchored in the people's attitudes as they ensured that their quests did not result to blood shed at any moment. Martin Luther king junior called for peaceful demonstration where they could articulate their ideas without causing any harm or suffering to the people (Jefferson et al, 23).Modernization in America Due to great oppression by the colonial masters in all the states, modernization was impossible with all the economical and political structures being controlled by the King of Britain. Strong institutions of governance in the whole of Europe especially in England, Germany and France were envied by those who drafted the declaration having schooled in the European countries (Annenberg Foundation Trust, 89). Great inspiration was derived from the strong industrial revolution and economic sustenance in their countries.Due to these muscles in their own countries the political might which made England manage to fight from far and assume such powers, was highly en vied (Paul, 279-280). Conclusion. Declaration of American independence is a clear indication of the European enlightenment influence into the American development of their governing institutions. From the writers of the declaration, to the whole USA, the early philosophers and scientific discoverers propelled the quest for freedom in America (Paul, 110).Besides, the declaration was written during the time when oppression from the Britain King had reached it's peak and slave trade effects were most rampant. Setting of the European countries that helped them establish strong structures in their governance anchorage was highly emulated making America to later win the fight with Britain. Finally, religion as spread by the colonialists formed the basis for determination that the task they embarking on was noble thereby assisting them to remain together in the quest fro freedom. References Annenberg Foundation Trust. Understanding Democracy: A Hip Pocket Guide.Washington: Oxford Universit y Press, 2006. Donald, K. , Steven, O. , & Frank, M. The western heritage. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002. Gearon, L. Freedom of Expression and Human Rights: Historical, Literary and Political Contexts. Washington: Academic press. 2006. Jefferson, Thomas. , Garnet, K. , & Michael, H. The Declaration of Independence. Washington; Verso, 2007. Liam Gearon. Human Rights & Religion: A Reader guide. London: Sussex Academic Press, 2002. Paul, A. (2001). The First American Constitutions: Republican Ideology and the Making of the State Constitutions in the Revolutionary Era. London: Rowman & Littlefield.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Comfort Theory Research Paper
I chose this scenario which is appropriate for the application of Kolcabaââ¬â¢s Comfort theory: You are a nurse on an inpatient oncology unit. Your patient is a 72-year-old competent male who has been told his cancer is terminal and that further treatment is unlikely to have any benefit. He accepts that and would like to explore hospice. However, his two adult children insist that he should continue chemotherapy and fight on and they tell you not to discuss with him or get a consult for hospice. Specific Concepts of the Theory In order to address this scenario I used the middle range theory of Comfort and its specific concepts. This paper aims to describe the Comfort Theory, its application to the health care setting and areas for potential research and its relevance to the health care system. Comfort is an immediate desirable outcome that leads to excellent care in the nursing profession. Comfort is a vital part of the treatment and recovery of patients. Comfort is a cause of relief from discomfort, a state of ease and peaceful satisfaction, a state of comfort and whatever makes life pleasurable. (Kolcaba & Kolcaba, 1991). This theory addresses the most relevant issues in the nursing kingdom. Using this theory not just for patients, but for nurses will improve recruitment and retention rates of skilled health care professionals. Providing comfort is a necessity in the care of clients on inpatient oncologic unit. Currently, comfort is being viewed as a last result for terminally ill patients and not used as a standard hospital protocol or prophylactically to improve clientââ¬â¢s health status. The main purpose of Comfort Theory is to improve patientââ¬â¢s satisfaction and outcomes as well as improve institutional integrity. As a middle range theory, Comfort theory is practically based and an be used in direct response to this specific clinical scenario that we as the advanced nurse practitioner will participate. (Peterson & Bredow, 2009). Overview of the Theory and Utility in Nursing Practice The theory of Comfort can be utilized to guide and enhance nursing practice. In her theory she describes holistic comfort in three different forms: relief, ease and transcendence as the immediate experience of being strengthened by having these necessary forms in four contexts: physical, psycho-spiritual, socio-cultural which incorporate cultural traditions and family, and environmental. Goodwin, Sener & Steiner, 2007). Relief is when the patient has had a comfort need met. Ease is defined as a state of contentment, and transcendence is a state of comfort in which clients are able to rise above their challenges. (March & McCormack, 2009). The psycho-spiritual context refers to comfort of oneââ¬â¢s identity, sexuality, self esteem and any other spiritual relationship with a higher being. Socio-cultural comfort arises from interpersonal and societal relationships along with family. (Kolcaba, Tilton & Drouin, 2006). The author created a taxonomic structure of three types of comfort integrated with the four contexts of experience, into a 12?cell grid. The grid is useful for assessing patientââ¬â¢s needs, planning interventions and evaluating their effectiveness, and helps to contribute to the understanding and utility of the theory. (Peterson & Bredow, 2009). Kolcabaââ¬â¢s proposes that when clients and family members feel more comfortable, they will engage in more health seeking behaviors which include internal and external behaviors and a peaceful death. Internal behaviors occur at the cellular level, such as immune functioning. External behaviors refer to activities of daily living and health maintenance programs. When patients and family members are engaging in more health seeking behaviors as a result of increased comfort due to interventions, members of the health care team will be more content, will ultimately perform better and improve institutional outcomes such as reduced costs of care, reduced length of stay, enhanced financial stability and increased patient satisfaction. (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). Regarding the relevance to nursing practice, comfort is a positive outcome that is linked to an increase in health seeking behaviors and to positive institutional outcomes (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005). Nurses are constantly utilizing the comfort mechanisms and try to move patients towards the transcendence phase. Psychospiritual needs include teaching confidence and motivation through discomfort. Ways that nurses can implement comfort measures are through massage, allowing visitation, caring touch and continued encouragement (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005). Sociocultural comfort needs are the needs for cultural sensitive reassurance and positive body language. Nurses can provide these needs through coaching, encouragement, and explaining procedures. Nurses can help patients achieve the environmental comfort by lowering the lights, closing the doors, interrupting sleep minimally and limiting loud noise around the patients rooms (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005). Nurses document patientââ¬â¢s states before and after the use of comfort measures to verify if they are improving or worsening the clientââ¬â¢s condition. Nurses knowing a patientââ¬â¢s condition can provide comfort measures to prevent negative outcomes. If a patient is requesting hospice care, a nurse may be aware of the possibility of achieve this goal. If the nurse notices an increase in pain, facial grimacing and anxiety, the nurse may realize that he should make some arrangements for hospice care. The nurse could also provide massage, guided imagery or other interventions based on the type of terminal cancer and intensity of the pain. Being able to determine when comfort measures are useful is vital to improving the quality of patient care. When patients are more comfortable, they are more likely to engage in health seeking behaviors, and to comply with medications and exercise regimes, increased compliance with prescribed diets and more peaceful deaths when palliative care is the appropriate goal. (March & McCormack, 2009). When patients increase their health seeking behaviors, nurses are more satisfied and improve their quality of care which increases the institutional integrity, and enhances the care of all health care professionals. Meaning of the Theory I think the theory means that the role of nursing includes the assessment of comfort needs, the design of comfort actions to address those requirements, and the re-evaluation of comfort levels after accomplishment. In the model of Comfort, nursing is described as the process of assessing the patient's comfort requirements, developing and implementing suitable plans of care, and evaluating the client's comfort after the care plans have been approved. Nursing Appraisal can be objective, such as the inspection of the pale skin in our competent male client with cancer, or subjective, such as asking if he is comfortable. The Theory of Comfort considers patients to be individuals, families, institutions, or communities in need of health care. The environment can be manipulated by a nurse or loved one in order to enhance comfort. In my opinion this theory is one of the fastest growing areas of current nursing theory improvement, and the most promising. The comfort theory can be applied to patients of all ages, cultures backgrounds, or communities. It is also applicable to patients in the hospital, clinic or home. I believe that comfort is a positive concept and is associated with activities that nurture and fortify clients. Review of the Research The Comfort theory has been tested in many settings, used as a basis of study and evaluated in several researches. It is necessary for this theory to be in the forefront of health care and research because it can greatly enhance patient outcomes. Though it has not necessarily been tested in all of these areas, it can be used to enhance any personââ¬â¢s health status in any practice setting. The nurse researcher employing this theory will find it very useful because of its ease of application. The researcher can take this theory and apply it to whatever setting and it is easily tested with a variety of instruments including, General Comfort Questionnaire, Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scales and Comfort Behavior Checklists. It provides direction for performance review, outcomes research and quality improvement (Kolcaba, Tilton & Drouin, 2006). As a middle range theory it has fewer concepts and propositions than a grand theory, is easily testable, easily applicable and interpreted and more narrow in scope. The theory has a low level of abstraction. This theory is still in early development. Concepts, propositions, and outcomes of comfort are operationalized easily using the taxonomic structure of comfort. The theory is still being tested and applied to a wider institutional approach. Because Kolcabaââ¬â¢s theory has still not been adapted in all of the researched settings, the benefits and outcomes are currently just speculated. Research of this theory is ongoing and constantly evolving. The theory is broad in scope because it can be applied to a variety of patient settings and patients of all ages and backgrounds. The theory can be viewed as being narrow in scope because it focuses solely on patient and families. However, it is easily extrapolated to other areas of practice. Once this occurs, the theory will be mainly viewed as being broad in scope. Researchers can test the benefits of comfort on learning. This theory does not necessarily have to involve just health care settings; it can be implemented in any field with any member of the health care team (Goodwin, Sener & Steiner, 2007). Her theory is easily interpreted and applicable to patient settings. A traditional goal of nursing has been to attend to patient comfort. Patients expect this from nurses and give them credit when comfort is delivered. Through deliberate actions of nurses, patients receive what they need and want from their nurses. The theory provides directionality for nursing practice because it provides measurable outcomes. However, the author mainly provides examples of comfort measures and how these work in the hospital. The author also relates comfort measures to improving health?seeking behaviors and benefiting institutions and institutional integrity. The theory addresses comfort and how it can improve patient outcomes, but fails to expand adequately on how these comfort measures can be used outside of the hospital setting. Many researchers are taking the Comfort Theory and extrapolating it to be useful in other health care settings. Comfort theory tested by nursing research all the relationships between nursing interventions, patient comfort, health seeking behaviors and institutional integrity. Finally the theory include all health care providers and implemented as an institution-wide framework for practice. (Peterson & Bredow, 2009). Applications of the Theory and Solutions for the Scenario I apply the theory and developed specific solutions for the issues that are raised in the scenario: It is significant to specify if nurses and other health care providers implement this theory into their practice, patient outcomes will significantly improve. This theory will not only enhance patient results, but it will help prevent imminent medical problems. We as a nurse assess the physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural and environmental needs of the clients, for example looking at deficits in the physiological mechanisms of this very ill patient due to an inoperable cancer. Some physical comfort needs that can be treated without medications include pain, vomiting, anxiety and weakness. We can use different interventions to help alleviate these problems and increase patient satisfaction. The theory describes nursing practice as being holistic, humanistic and needs related. It describes different nursing interventions intended to promote comfort for the patients provided by nurses. This theory differentiates nursing from other health related disciplines by demonstrating the different types of comforting measures provided by the health care team. There is a role play in seeking the clientââ¬â¢s comfort by all members caring for the patient, including the client himself seeking his relief in a hospice once he attain the comfort level desired through participating in his quick recovery and exploring for a hospice. In this scenario, it will be the role of the nurses to help the client to achieve the desired comfort level by teaching the family members related to the convenience of the hospice care. We will explain the necessity of stop the chemotherapy. Lack of teaching in this extreme case may result to lack of comfort and lack of peace in the event of terminal illness and death. These solutions lead to recovery at a faster pace. It is crucial the provision of good environment to ensure that the client receives plenty comfort for his recovery. Therefore, the nurse play the leading role of identifying the clientââ¬â¢s comfort needs, and design interventions to address those needs. With certain comfort level the client acquires strength to participate in health seeking behaviors and if not, encounter peaceful death. If specific comfort needs of a patient are met, the patient experiences relief and comfort, for example, a patient who receives pain medication in an inpatient oncologic unit. Ease addresses comfort in a state of contentment. For example, the patient's concerns of hospice care are addressed. Positive outcomes are achieved through the cooperation of all parties involved. The client should be cooperative to gain the desired energy in a comfortable manner, or die in a peaceful way due to his comfort level, if death occurs. Conclusions about Usefulness of the theory in Nursing Practice Kolcabaââ¬â¢s middle range theory of Comfort is applicable to all areas of the healthcare field and other nursing situations since it is currently patient and family centered. The theory is formulated to provide guidance for everyday practice and scholarly research rooted in the nursing education comforting the learner or student in an educational environment. This theory was created to guide for the assessment, dimension, and appraisal of patient comfort. There are a lot of benefits we can get in learning and applying Kolcabaââ¬â¢s Theory of Comfort as it promotes understanding and collaboration between health care team members addressing the current shortage in health care team. In addition, it will improve societal acceptance of the health institution and increase patient satisfaction. (March & McCormack, 2009) It is important to denote the application of it to an institution wide approach. I consider a limitation that Kolcaba restricts the use of interventions to provide comfort as a function of nurses. It is focused on a limited dimension of the reality of nursing. (March & McCormack, 2009). In the role of providing comfort, the nurses need to meet the basic physical, psychosocial and spiritual human needs throughout client comprehension to their experience. Theory of Comfort has a real potential to direct the work and thinking of all health care providers within one institution since, it appears that the comfort is always present in all culture and appropriate universal goal for healthcare. It is a middle-range theory for health practice, education, and research. (Malinowski & Stamler, 2002).
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