Answering Question

Psychology in its attempt to establish itself as a scientific study has come up with ingenious ways to be scientific and objective. It was accepted that psychology was concerned with the thoughts, emotions, feelings and the inner processes of the individual, hence to study these aspects; it must develop a method that would dig and explore the said human processes. And the answer was the introspective method. However, as soon as it gained following, it also earned criticisms and lead to another methodological development. The major criticism against the introspective method was its subjectivity and unreliability which basically goes against its being a scientific tool. Conversely, the answer to the introspective method was behaviorism which is completely at odds with it. Behaviorism reduces human behavior into a simple equation wherein a stimulus produces a response and that in order to understand human behavior one must employ the tools of behaviorism. This method appealed to the scientific community as it is measurable, observable and can be replicated. Behaviorism was thought of as a better approach than the introspective method and hence swept it away. The basic aspect that made the introspective method flawed and unscientific is also the same thing that behaviorism neglected to acknowledge and would have enriched this movement more than it is. I believe that people’s introspections are as much as important as the overt behavior of individuals. Psychology is the study of man’s behavior and our behavior cannot be reduced into a simple stimulus is to response theory. Clearly, something happens between the perception of the stimulus and the subsequent reaction to the stimulus. Like for example when my professor told us to work on this assignment, it being the stimulus for sure I and all my classmates will react to it by accomplishing our assigned tasks. However, the bulk of the work happens between the day the tasks were assigned to us and the day we submit our completed papers. Taking it further, when I read the questions of this assignment which happens to be the stimulus, I would naturally begin to draft my answers hence my response to the stimulus. But before coming up with my answers, I have to look inward and ask myself what should be the appropriate answer for this question and how should I present my arguments, in essence I was being introspective. Why we do the things we do can not be fully explained by behaviorism alone. As dynamic human beings with different experiences, we may react to things in the same way but we may have different perceptions or understanding of that stimuli, like when we hear a baby cry, most of us would go and pick the baby to make it stop, but I might do so because the sound of a crying baby is irritating and another person might pick the baby up out of a genuine concern for the baby, hence what goes on inside our mind is much as important in determining how we react to certain things, why we make decisions and pass judgments on others etc. Man is a complex being and the vital aspects that would lead to a better study and understanding of man are found on inner processes that cannot be directly observed and quantified, which is why the mechanistic approach of behaviorism was short-lived. By completely throwing man’s introspections out of the picture, behaviorism threw out what made psychology human. What factors are responsible for the development of modern cognitive psychology? Cognitive psychology is the study of the science of knowing. Its study encompasses the basic thought processes of man and its importance to our daily existence. The modern cognitive psychology movement has been influenced by computer technology. In order to better understand how the brain functions and how it controls everything that we do, we must first study it, but since it is ethically impossible to take a healthy person’s brain and study it, we must find a similar model, and this is where the idea that the computer is much alike the brain. With its immense computing power, the computer have been developed to simulate human intelligence and allowed a new way of studying how the brain stores, records, and processes information. Moreover, the brain as the single controlling processing unit in man, it is responsible for all of our bodily actions thus recent developments in imaging have given psychologists the opportunity to study what part of the brain is responsible for what action and how bizarre diseases can be explained by a dysfunction in the brain like the Capgras syndrome. Write a 200-300 word summary and critical analysis of this article. Discuss what the article is basically about, its strong and weak points, how convincing (or unconvincing) you find its arguments, and how it might be followed up (e.g., if you think the article suggests any promising, new ideas for future research, describe what they are and how they might best pursued.) The article attempts to discuss how cognitive psychology developed. Kedler proposes that cognitive psychology was not born rather it slowly came into being. The author then presents the influences that contributed to the development of cognitive psychology in history. He says that due to the curious mix of theoretical approaches in cognitive psychology it is not a singularly minded discipline like structuralism or Gestalt psychology. Moreover, the author claims that because of the complexity in the theories within cognitive psychology and the different areas of study within the discipline have made it more computer science than psychology. The strengths of this article are found on its exhaustive presentation of the different theoretical influences in the field of psychology, from Wund’s introspectionism, Piaget’s cognitive development, Tolman’s cognitive map, and a host of other theories that he categorizes as a study of cognition. He also gave emphasis on how the fields of communications engineering, computer science, linguistics and human engineering as the mover in the field of cognitive psychology in terms of new researches and areas of discourse. The weakness of this article is in the fact that it was not able to prove how cognitive psychology came into being. The author only enumerated and discussed the numerous theories that had to do with cognition, memory and learning. What he presented were the natural consequences of the theories and a novel explanation of how this theories influenced cognitive psychology is not reiterated, its as if the reader is left to deduce how that came about. The article is convincing in terms of how cognitive psychology is made up of a number of schools of thought and but it is unconvincing when it says that cognitive psychology is more of a computer science than psychology, when clearly it is within the realms of psychology based on the processes involved in learning, memory, and processing. At the same way, human engineering, communications engineering, linguistics and computer science are based on psychological processes and use constructs that have been studied and explored by psychology first. References Kendler, H. (1987) Cognitive Psychology in Richard P. Honeck, Introductory Readings for Cognitive Psychology 3rd ed   p.6-13 (1997), William C. Brown Communications Reisberg, D. (2001). Cognition: Exploring the Science of the Mind   2nd edition. New York: WW Norton 2001                                       

Change Agents. Oticon Case

The design of the spaghetti company Is an example of a matrix organizational design, which focused the workers orientations to varying, proved projects In which they approve of. This allowed workers to focus more on the production side, which In the end cut project development time In half. 2. While operating within an industry in which products are complex and technically advanced which would require innovated thinking, Diction a disorganized, free- flowing organizational structure.By doing so, they were able to adapt to changes, which were occurring in the market to better figure out solutions to the problems they would experience. This complex system allowed them to operate more efficiently to better serve their customers. Their strategy was viable as it allowed for quicker lines of communication, increased innovation and a more efficient production process, as in the end their profits eventually doubled from their old strategy. 3.The leadership style at Diction was based on a tas k oriented bureaucratic structure, until they introduced the spaghetti style structure, which turned their strategy into a more employee-oriented style. Kaolin was an example of a discretionary management role as he helped shape the organization in order to change of the company to better suit that to the environmental relationship. The strategy ended up being very successful as it was out of the norm in comparison to other competitors and it also had the full support from the employees of Diction.Although mostly successful, the strategy did fail at their other international factories. This was due to the fact that these factories were accustomed to their own unique traditions In which they refused to let go. Diction should have modified their strategy for these factories to allow them to hold onto their traditions, while at the same time still implementing the overall style they had originally vision. Change Agents. Diction Case By judiciary Diction Case 1 .The spaghetti organizati on is the title given to the transition from a mechanical management structure to a more non-organized style, which allowed for a more style of the company by getting rid of all titles and departments in order to get out of ranks to number 3 in the market. The design of the spaghetti company is an example approved projects in which they approve of. This allowed workers to focus more on the production side, which in the end cut project development time in half. 2. While the fact that these factories were accustomed to their own unique traditions in which

Nurse Ratched vs. McMurphy… David vs. Goliath Essay

One powerful, one small, this is the base of the biblical story David and Goliath. The story, in which a not so strong hero takes down a strong and powerful leader, is much like McMurphy and Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The match up between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched is a raging and intense one. Through out the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, McMurphy and Nurse Ratched have always had conflict, as well as a sense of never-ending hatred and disagreement towards each other; which as the novel continues, grows stronger and stronger. Undoubtedly, despite the chaos and tension between them, McMurphy gets the better of the match up, thanks to his ability to manipulate people, his bravery, and his popularity. McMurphy’s strong ability of manipulation helps him overcome conflict and in many occasions over power Nurse Ratched. McMurphy’s ability to get others to agree with him and manipulate them gives him the extra advantage against Nurse Ratched. In the novel McMurphy attempts to manipulate the other patients about watching the World Series game. He states, â€Å"This is where you get the edge, don’t you see that? We have to do this – or we’re whipped† (126) to try to convince and encourage the patients to vote against the Nurse Ratched to watch the game, but it was a failed attempt because the voting came out even (20-20). This event shows how McMurphy has a sense of control over the patients, as if he were their president or leader, and how McMurphy having all this power, usually leads him to manipulate for personal gain. Another case that shows McMurphy’s great ability of manipulation is when McMurphy manipulates Chief Bromden to lift the control panel, â€Å"And that arm! That’s the arm of an ex-football-playing Indian if I ever saw one. You know what I think? I think you oughta give this here panel a leetlle heft, just to test how you’re comin’.†(225). After this McMurphy takes bets from the Acutes that it can’t be done. McMurphy, of course, had already hedged his bet by having Chief display his ability to lift the panel previously. This event shows how McMurphy tricks and influences people and patients wheatear it is for the good of the whole or for personal gain. McMurphy’s power to effect people’s decisions and manipulate them gives him a special ability that allows him to, many times, control the people around Nurse Ratched, and consequentially have more power over her. McMurphy, as well as being manipulative, also has another special quality that helps him have the upper hand against Nurse Ratched. This quality is his bravery. McMurphy’s deep bravery allows him to do what others wont, as a result leading to change, whether good or bad. When McMurphy is denied a companion pass with Candy (prostitute) he responds by putting his hand through the glass of the nurses’ station, which he knows is not allowed. This shows how McMurphy is daring and brave enough to so directly challenge and disobey Nurse Ratched. As the plot continues McMurphy starts to â€Å"attack† Nurse Ratched by breaking Washington’s nose, disobeying the rules, and flirting with the student nurses. His frequent â€Å"hits† towards Nurse Ratched is an indirect implementation of McMurphy showing Nurse Ratched that he is not scared nor is he going to give in. Another example of McMurphy’s bravery is when Billy dies and Nurse Ratched blames him for his death, â€Å"First Charles Cheswick and now William Bibbit! I hope you’re finally satisfied. Playing with human lives-gambling with human lives-as if you though yourself to be a God!† In retaliation for her lies and Billy’s death, he tears open her uniform, exposing her breasts to all the ptients. Her sexuality, which is her one weak point, has been exposed; as a result, she is rendered defenseless in front of all the patients. This exposing of her weakness has helped in completing the path that McMurphy has forged, loosening her hold on the patients. She is no longer in complete control of them. This, â€Å"last act of bravery†, demonstrates McMurphy’s ability to face and deal with danger (nurse’s punishments). His bravery encouraged many of the other patients to step up as well. McMurphy’s bravery makes Nurse Ratched’s ultimate power, fear, negligible; thus giving McMurphy an advantage. bibliography: * Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. published 1962: Signet edition 1986, New York.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Assignment Example One of the main technological advancements that completely transformed the business world is the invention of the Social Media Networks such as Facebook, Skype and Twitter. Technology enables people to network easily, chat and meet friends over the internet. In addition, businesses take advantage of this platform provided by social media networks to advertise their products and services, i.e. through e marketing and e-commerce. Social media networks have millions of people converging on their sites at the same time. Businesses are looking for these customers. Therefore, it is mandatory for every business to have a presence in social media in order to keep adrift with business trends and transformation (Hair, Lamb and McDaniel 14). On the other hand, social media networks also brought about significant transformation in the social-cultural arena whereby it transformed how people interacted. Through social media networks, it is possible for people to meet and make friends with other fr om parts of the globe. Furthermore, social media sites also enable people to participate in online conversations, voice their opinions about certain issues, as well as contribute to both educational and motivational blogs. As such, social communication greatly advanced through social media networks. This greatly improved interpersonal skills and modes of communication across the globe. The world has become a more social place thanks to social media, and social media networks enabled people to marshal support and fight champion for a common course, e.g. social media sites was very fundamental in organizing the Arab Uprising in Egypt in 2011 (Hair, Lamb and McDaniel 14). A recent study by a consumer health organization, Families USA, reported that pharmaceutical drug companies spend over $57 billion per year on promotion. Direct-to-physician activities accounted for the bulk of spending, on a practice called, â€Å"detailing†Ã¢â‚¬â€visits to physicians by pharmaceutical sales representatives in order to promote their firm’s drugs. Free drug samples distributed during these visit represent another significant expense. It is estimated that in total pharmaceutical companies spend over $61,000 in â€Å"promotion per physician†. The other major piece of the marketing ‘pie’ is spent on consumer-direct marketing—ads that suggest consumers ‘ask the doctor† about drugs we may not even need for ailments we may not even have. The report also states that each of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies spend more than twice as much on marketing on research and development. The market for prescription drugs is unique in many ways. Prescription drug marketers must convince a third party-- a physician-- to prescribe their product to the ultimate consumer, the patient. The decider is the physician, and drug manufacturers' promotional efforts traditionally have been directed toward physicians. Furthermore, drug firms increasingly have to influence committees in hospitals and health management organizations who are determining which drugs their physicians can prescribe. (15) (About 250-300 words) If prescription drugs can only be ordered by a physician, what is the purpose of marketing directly

Organisational Cultural Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organisational Cultural Case Study - Essay Example ..(organization's) own limitations; valuing diversity; and managing the potential dynamics of systemic bias, racism, prejudice, and exclusion within client-health provider relationship† (Srivastava, 2007, p.20). Organisational cultural competence in a health care scenario is also described as â€Å"the ability to provide care with a client-centered orientation that both reflects the client’s cultural values and beliefs and recognizes the impact of marginalization in health care interactions and responses† (Srivastava, 2007, p.20). Rationale for the study What everyone forgets often is that disease has a social context. Cockerham (2007) has shown this by saying that â€Å"income and occupational status join education as the major components of social class† in how people select their health life styles (p.53). WHO has defined that â€Å"health is not only the absence of disease, but also complete physical, mental, and social wellness† (qtd. in Laverac k, 2004, P.14). It is also a known fact that stress, poverty, low socioeconomic status, unhealthy lifestyles, and unpleasant living and working conditions† can cause ill health (Cockerham, 2007, p.1). ... ir opinions, act in real life situations and hold attitudes to their practice are dependent on their culture, which again includes their social class, race, gender, and many similar factors. But a problem arises when these people have an interface with a culturally diverse group of clients. In such a context, there can be a clash of interests, attitudes and values which are culture-specific. For the smooth existence of a service provider-client interface, such conflicts have to be prevented from happening, and this is the realm in which discussions on cultural competency gain relevance. The concept of cultural competence is more than the actions and behavior of one or two individual practitioners but it has to work across the individual, organizational and systemic levels of an organization (Srivastava, 2007, p.20). As far as the people within an organization are concerned, cultural competence has to be ensured from policy and administration levels, through management and to service and support staff. Cultural competence is important in the health care context also because in a health care situation, there is a power relation involved which puts the client in a disadvantageous position in the hierarchy of that power equation. Power being â€Å"perceived as an authority and to engender willing compliance is, clearly, to exercise power,† the service provider can be understood to have power over the client (Fulford, Dickenson and Muray, 2002, p.280). And the exercise of this power has a possibility to be biased by the cultural values and prejudices of the service-provider. In this backdrop, gaining cultural competence through training, awareness and systemic measures can only ensure that non-discriminatory and ethical care is given to all in a health organization. An ideal

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - CASE STUDY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - CASE STUDY - Essay Example his assignment, our objective is to develop a two year plan for correcting the defaults in the existing operations of the company and to attain improvement in its operational performance. Analysis of risk affecting the success of project is also aimed to produce through this project. It is focused on identifying the options for making improvement in the business operations of the company. The main objectives of this assignment can be summarized as below: The project plan is objected to provide performance improvement tool for the small manufacturing company in order to discard its operational and organizational problems. Through this research a two year plan has to be developed to implement a programme of integrated performance improvement activities in the small manufacturing company that employs about 30 people. The confliction between the two office staff members and two shop floor staff members for the left position of co-director and manager of the company has to be cleared through the organizational restructure. Thus a detailed organizational restructure plan is also required to be provided to the Company chairman. Operational performance analysis is intended to identify the problems and defaults existing in the business operations of the manufacturing company. Most of the organizational level problems in the manufacturing company are the result of lack of managerial hierarchy and established authority responsibility relationship in the organization. Thus analysis of operational performance and root causes of the problems will be helpful to formulate proper project plan that meets the requirements of the company relating to the operational efficiency of the entire organizational structure. Improvement in organizational performance can be done in different ways. Tools such as organizational restructuring and process reengineering are suitable for the manufacturing company to correct its default in operations. Risk relating to the implementation of the newly

Principles of perioperative nursing care - Management of postoperative Essay

Principles of perioperative nursing care - Management of postoperative pain - Essay Example tient, family members and other health-care professionals to help plan, implement and evaluate treatment Perioperative registered nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during and after surgery. The activities included in perioperative nursing care includes patient assessment, creating and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment, pre- and post-operative patient education, monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being, and integrating and coordinating patient care throughout the surgical care continuum.  (Tramer, 2006) This assignment, deals with a particular selected aspect of perioperative patient care (among the multifaceted duties), â€Å"The patient experience – Postoperative pain†. This essay ravels through the dealing with pain, its path physiology, post operative main, its management, role of nurse in post operative pain management, role of patients and in the conclusion, deals with how changes brought in educational, managerial or nursing, that could be considered/ implemented to affect the improvement of quality care. The knowledge of pain is essential successful management of it. According to the International Association of for the Study of Pain, (IASP), pain is defined as an unpleasant experience in both emotional and sensory way that is described in term of actual or potential tissue damage. They further describe that the pain is subjective and each individual experiences the meaning of the term through early experiences. The pain can be further at micro levels be understood as a experience that comprises of sensory, emotional and cognitive components , with its expression and management, biological, psychological and social factors interacting in complex ways. Though it could be understood that pain is basically a physiological phenomenon, whose biological function is to provoke special reactive patterns that aims the removal/avoidance of

Stem Cells Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Stem Cells - Research Paper Example Stem Cells The most important characteristic of stem cells is the potential to transform into different types of cells. Besides, stem cells can perform the role of a repair system within human body. Within this scenario, Embryonic Stem Cells are generally used for regenerative medical purposes. On the other side, Adult Stem Cells are helpful for the treatment of deadly diseases generally noticed among human beings. The Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are used for research purposes, aiming to develop proper medication for deadly diseases. So, one can see that the scientific research related to stem cells can solve some of the health problems faced by human beings in general. Thesis statement: The stem cells like Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC), Adult Stem Cells (ASC), and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) are helpful to develop medicines and proper remedy for deadly diseases, especially like bone-marrow transplantation for blood cancer. Stem cell types This section is broadly divided in to: Embryonic Stem Cells, Adult Stem Cells, and The Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Embryonic Stem Cells These stem cells are developed from human embryos, especially from the inner parts of embryos undergoing the process of growth. Crocker (2008) states that, â€Å"Stem cells, both embryonic and adult, could be used to replace damaged tissue in several ways† (p.6). To be specific, these cells within this stage of growth can be used for tissue transplantation and similar medical uses. But these cells cannot be simply injected into human bodies because the same may develop into unexpected tumors. Besides, some human bodies may reject this type of stem cells and scientists are working hard to find out an apt solution for this problem. Still, these stem cells can be used for regenerative medication purposes. On the other side, one can see that the research work related to these stem cells provide hope to humanity because the same was successfully used in the year 2010 among the victims of spinal injury. In short, further research within this field may prove importance of this stem cell because research work related to the same is undergoing gradual progress. Adult Stem Cells These stem cells are generally used for research and treatment purposes. In addition, the research on this type of stem cells attracts less criticism because it is not produced from embryos. Zyl (2009) states that, â€Å"Some physicians and scientists believe that adult stem cells are not as versatile or effective as embryonic stem cells, while others have shown that adult stem cells are highly effective against most major diseases† (p. xiii). As these stem cells are collected from adults, there is less risk because rejection related to human immunity is out of focus. Besides, medical treatment related to these stem cells proves to be successful because the same is used for the treatment of leukaemia and other diseases. Still, further research can unveil the future scope of this type of stem cells within the context of medical treatment. So, one can see that the research related to this type of stem cells show rapid progress and is helpful to fight some deadly diseases. The Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells The IP stem cells are developed by scientists by reprogramming the same to acquire the main characteristics of ES cells. To be specific, this stem cell is important within the scenario of stem cell research, especially in

Cultural Difference between Public and Private Organisations Essay

Cultural Difference between Public and Private Organisations - Essay Example Considerable research in public administration was conducted in the ensuing years, but determination of these differences was largely overlooked by most of the scholars and journalists (Baarspul, 2009, p. 1). Although most of the researchers mutually consent that employee behavior in the public organizations is different from that of employees in the private organizations, yet certain researchers have expressed disagreement as a result of their studies while the compilation of empirical findings is nearly non-existent to date (Baarspul, 2009, p. 1). This paper discusses the differences of organizational cultures between the public and private sector organizations. Study of these differences is important because knowledge of the culture generally prevalent in either of the two types of organizations is a pre-requisite to understand the way these organizations play their role in the society, and to introduce positive changes in them to enhance their productivity and efficiency for the benefit and well-being of the society. Differences in the cultures of the public and the private organizations are caused by differences of the work environment, and dynamics of the workplace that come into play as a result of mutual interaction and integration of a wide array of factors that include but are not limited to the goals, decision making processes, attitudes and behaviors of the organizational personnel, and the patterns of communication. The prime goal of the private sector organizations is to safeguard the interests of the stakeholders that primarily include the owners of the organizations, and the people who have invested in the organization to purchase its shares. On the contrary, â€Å"the most often repeated observations about public organizations are that their goals are particularly vague and intangible compared to those of private business firms and that they more often have multiple conflicting goals† (Rainey, 2009). Decision making processes in the priv ate organizations in general and private for-profit organizations in particular is smoother as compared to those in the public organizations. Chances of occurrence of conflict, turbulence, and interruptions are more in the public organizations owing to the disorganization of the system and issues of decision making. These differences in the processes of decision making can fundamentally be attributed to the difference of roles played by the private and public organizations in the society. The main purpose of the private organizations is to make money for the stakeholders by selling their services and/or products to the consumers. On the other hand, â€Å"The typical general purpose, tax-supported governmental agency, such as a state department of mental health, contracts for services and collects information about the needs of people that call for a public response† (Nutt, 2005, p. 289-290). These differences of roles propose considerably different accountability and expectat ions which impart the conditions for different decision making processes in the private and the public organizations. The attitudes and behaviors of the organizational personnel play a key role in shaping the organizational culture. An organization that operates in the public sector is assumed to

The Treaty of Versailles Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Treaty of Versailles - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the Four long years into the Great War had left the world stranded in a state of disarray. It was no surprise that news of a ceasefire between the Allies and the Central Powers came like a delightful echo and spread all over the world. War stir people celebrated in the streets with all their emotions. The black clouds of war were finally starting to disperse proclaiming a new era of peace. But a lot more was to be done to ensure the progression of current state of tranquility. Many delegates from over 36 nations gathered in Paris in January 1919 merely two months after the cease fire to canvas a plan for post war negotiations. Top four delegates of the Paris Peace Conference- David George Lloyd of Great Britain, Woodrow Wilson of United States, Georges Clemenceau of France and Vittorio Orlando of Italy had a huge task ahead of them. Mission was to lay down terms regarding some of the most sensitive issues of territory, finance and redist ribution of map in front of the Germans and their allies. Big four, as they were called, had an additional work of negotiating and signing treaties with many nations including Berlin’s wartime allies and Turkey. But their most important settlement and by far the most famous treaty of Versailles was signed with the Germans. The twentieth century historiography was enduringly marked by the peace treaty of 1919 known as the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty of Versailles was a failure not only due to the fact that it had numerous inherent weaknesses but also because it paved way for renewed hostilities. The vindictiveness of British and French peace terms were not only silly but also imposed a humiliating punitive peace on Germany after World War I.2 The treaty for constructed for the purpose of ensuring peace but, ironically, the Treaty of Versailles sowed the seeds of World War II by exerting a negative impact on Germany, ruining it politically and economically and imposing a à ¢â‚¬Å"dictated peace†. The harsh punitive peace exerted by the treaty supported the rise of the Nazis and resulted in the Third Reich, which inevitably led to the volcanic eruption in the form of World War II. Bloody yet Fruitful Wars: Each of the three great wars fought in the last century concluded with renewed hopes of transcending ancient rivalries of states and transforming them into cordial ties ensuring mutual benefits. World War I culminated in the formation of fourteen points and the League of Nations while World War II introduced the world to the United Nations and the principles of the Atlantic Charter. The end of Cold War in 1989 resulted in the breaching of the Berlin War and crumbled the communist bloc. The aroma of a heady promise of liberation engulfed the world soon after the end of the Cold War. It is quite fascinating to recall and ponder over the cumulative reasons which forced the rivals to fight for their rights. This paper highlights various aspects invo lved in the construction of The Treaty of Versailles, its impact on Germany, inherent weaknesses and their contribution in renewing hostilities.3 The failure: The treaty of Versailles failed to smother conflicts and brought neither peace nor resolution. Despite great expectations, the peace terms were not able to ensure and maintain a lasting peace. The treaty defied the principles of democracy, self determination and collective security and was a perfect example of French and British cruelty disguised in the name of peace terms. The failure of The Treaty forced Germany to seek economic revisionism. The Unjust Victorious Powers: The delegates of victorious powers met in 1919 in Paris to formulate a peace treaty in an effort to minimize the changes of future hostilities. As expected, the defeated powers were not allowed to have a say in construction of the treaties and their role was only limited to obliging by the clauses of the peace terms and signing them once they were ready. The Paris Peace Conference was dominated by three prominent figures: US President

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 38

Strategic Management - Essay Example According McKienan and Carter, planning enables the company or organization to set priorities focus energies and resources, strengthen operations and ensures employees and stakeholders are working towards a common goal (2000). It helps managers to establish the objectives they want to achieve and the intended outcome from their activities and assess and adjust the organization direction in response to the changing market structure. To achieve all these management needs to come up with a strategic plan that will guide them in management. A strategic plan is a document used to communicate the organizational objectives and goals that focuses on the actions that needed to be taken to realize these goals. Strategic management is guided by that written document. Clark maintains that strategic management transforms the static plan into a structure that provides strategic performance response to decision-making process and enables it to grow and adjust to changes (2004). Execution of the plan is synonymous with management, and it results in a systematic implementation of the plan. A good strategy tends to answer three critical questions that are; where is the organization at the moment? Where does it want to go? And, how will it get there? It should consider the end always. It is not about predicting the future it is about preparing for it with the exact steps the company has to follow in mind in order to gain a competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is what keeps a company ahead of others in the same industry. According to Lowendahl and Revang, a company with a competitive advantage will perform fairly better than the rest in terms of revenue development and customers’ satisfaction (2004). Planning is not guarantee that companies will achieve more competitive advantage over the rest, but it is an essential process that can enhance sustainability of the company in the business. Strategy

Symbolism in a Life Journey Essay Example for Free

Symbolism in a Life Journey Essay In the two short stories, â€Å"A Worn Path† by Eudora Welty and† I Used to Live Here Once† by Jean Rhys, Symbolism within their Journey is used to describe an experience in life. The two authors use very similar methods to tell their story as well as journeys through their life. They were both written in third person point of view, and focus on the journey of a woman. â€Å"A Worn Path† and â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once† both involve a main character, in both it is a woman, and other characters along with symbols and setting that help draw out traits of the main character and add meaning to the theme as their journey unfolds. While â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once† is about someone past death already, â€Å"A Worn Path† is similar in that Phoenix is fighting old age and death. A motif will also describe two opposing forces; the battle between good and evil. The writing styles of Eudora Welty and Jean Rhys will be compared to one another in order to take a closer look at what methods and styles were used to convey meaning in their stories. Basic information about the two authors will also be covered in order to give some back ground to each story. The back ground of an author can give a reader an idea about what they may have been seeing, or experiencing in life when they wrote the story. Eudora Welty was born on April 13, 1909 in Jackson, Mississippi. Welty went to multiple Universities such as Mississippi College for Women and the University of Wisconsin where she studied English Literature. She also studied advertising at Columbia University in New York. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was the first living author to have her work published with the Library of America. She was also a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, on top of won Guggenheim Fellowships. (MDAH, 2003). Her short story, â€Å"A Worn Path† was published in 1941 and was known and one of her greatest works. â€Å"A Worn Path† is a short story involving an elderly black woman, Phoenix Jackson, and her journey through the woods to get medicine for her sick grandson. Her grandson had swallowed lye a few years prior. The author uses setting and character to give the reader an understanding of the story. Throughout her journey she experiences many obstacles that may deter her from continuing on her journey into town. Phoenix’s sacrificial love shines, when she faces these with bravery and wisdom and continues on her way. In the story â€Å"A Worn Path† Phoenix is one that endures many challenges. She is a symbol of perseverance, stamina, and life when faced with hardship and struggle. The story has a mythological tone to it. A Phoenix is an sacred Egyptian bird that symbolizes resurrection. A Phoenix is also a symbol for great longevity, and rebirth (Ferber, 1999). According to Ferber, â€Å"It can [also] symbolize the death and resurrection of Christ or of a Christian soul. cited in Ferber, 1999). Phoenix, according to our text, symbolizes renewal; and her blue aged eyes, age symbolizes peacefulness. (cited in Clugston, 2010). The story is set during the Christmas season and has some Christian symbolism as well. Her selfless devotion to her grandson can be interpreted as representing the true spirit of giving and sacrificial love. Christmas is the â€Å"birth† of the sun ou t of darkness (Ferber, 1999). Similar to Phoenix, Christmas is a symbol for birth, the birth of Christ. Within â€Å"A Worn Path† there is also a lot of symbols for death. When Phoenix makes it through the barbed-wire, she feels safe, but ironically is surrounded by symbols of death; â€Å"Big dead trees, like black men with one arm. † (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"A Worn Path†, paragraph 16). She also sees a buzzard, which a symbol of death (buzzards, eats the dead). As she continues along her journey, she passes through dead corn, and even believes to see a ghost. Phoenix responds, who be you the ghost of? For I have heard of nary death close by. (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"A Worn Path†, paragraph 23). Many of the symbols throughout the story can be obvious, but many are not. Not only Phoenix being an elder lady, but many other things points to Phoenix living through slavery. One example is the symbolism of the marble cake. After she crosses the creek and sits down, she notices a boy who looks to be offering her a slice of marble-cake on a plate. However, when Phoenix reached for the cake, she realized she was just grabbing at the air. The marble-cake could be a symbol of a future with no racism because of the two colors swirled together within the cake: black and white. In her old age she is also in touch with nature. There are many times she talks to the animals. She yells out, â€Å"Out of my way all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and whild animal! Keep out from under these feet, little bob-whites. Keep the bi wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction . I got a long way. † (cited in Clugston, 2010). The elderly Phoenix Jackson has a great amount of love for her grandson. The story emphasizes her devotion and love to the little boy because she never stopped or turned around when faced with a problem. Many points throughout her journey, she stops and speaks to herself in short bursts on monologue, almost as a pep talk to herself. One conflict Phoenix encounters is after falling into a ditch, a hunter helps her out, while his dog chases the other dog off. When the hunter is dealing with the dogs, Phoenix picks up a nickel that he had dropped. He then tells her to go home, because walking into town was to far for her. She refuses to listen and tells the hunter that she set out to go to town, and that is where she is going to go. The hunter points his gun at her, and â€Å"she stood straight up and faced him† (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"A Worn Path, paragraph 51). Surprisingly, she was not scared. When he seen she wasn’t nervous, he asked if the gun scared her and she replied â€Å"No, sir, I seen plenty go off closer by, in my day, and for less than what I done,† (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"A Worn Path, paragraph 53). â€Å"A Worn Path† shows the love and devotion that a grandmother has towards her grandchild(ren). It shows how a person can be undaunted by the various problems that they may encounter in there walk through life. It also touches on the racism issue that has plagued Mississippi for several generations. It shows the poverty of the elderly woman. The story describes the elderly woman’s devotion to her grandson in fine detail. Jean Rhys’ birth name was Gwendolyn Rees Williams. Rhys was born in the West Indies, in Roseau, Dominica on August 24, 1890. She completed schooling in England while living with her aunt. She later got married and lived in Europe. She had multiples failed marriages, as well as a son that died at a young age, as well as a daughter. Jean Rhys later died in Exeter, England on May 14, 1979 (Savory, 1998). While attending school in England she was constantly teased because of her accent and because she was considered an outsider. Her parents wanted her to return to the Caribbean and she refused. She worked as a chorus girl using the names Vivienne, Emma, or Ella Gray. During her life she experienced several problems. She had a son that died young, a daughter, and was married three times with none of the marriages going well. Jean Rhys died in Exeter, England on May 14, 1979 (Savory, 1998) Rhys’ writing were supported by a famous English author Ford Maddox Ford. Many of her writings reflected mistreated and helpless females from when she was growing up. She was also dealt with depression and faced many trials and tribulations that contributed to her work. While living in England, Rhys may have dealt with issues of feeling out of place. She was teased and picked on because of her accent. This could have led her to also feel like she is stuck in between two worlds similar to what her character in â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once† did. Jean Rhys’ short story, I Used to Live Here Once, was published in 1979. The author uses setting and character throughout the story. The story speaks of a woman visiting her old home. She visits the pond, describing each stone in detail. She then sees children playing and attempts to interact with them, although they do not respond. In the end, the use of characters helps conclude the story, showing the narrators view was from beyond death. When the woman approached the house she felt excited and noticed that some things were missing or were still there just like she remembered when she lived there. She started to feel strange when she noticed a car parked in front of the house (Clugston, 2010). When the woman gets to the house there are two white children playing and she attempts to tell them that she had lived there once. She said hello to the children three times (Clugston, 2010). The children didn’t acknowledge her. In the end, the main question is why the children ignored her. It seems like the woman is a ghost and did not realize it. Jean Rhys did not have a very strong attachment to where she grew up. Dominica was still somewhat important to her throughout her life because she often wrote about it in her work. While she was living in Dominica, she was cut off from the Creole community. Maybe she was writing herself into the story to show how she felt disconnected throughout her life. She was close enough to the children that she could have touched them. She stretched her arms out wanting to touch them. The young boy turned with his gray eyes and looked straight into her eyes. He said, â€Å"hasn’t it gone cold all of a sudden† (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once, Paragraph 8). He suggested to the little girl that they go inside the house and she agreed. When the author mentions â€Å"cold†, this is a clue that the character is dealing with life after death. Many people say, when there is a ghost around, it is cold. As the woman watched the children run over the grass to the house she dropped her arms to her sides. The story ends with the statement â€Å"that was the first time she knew† (cited in Clugston, 2010, â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once, Paragraph 11). That statement alone gives the impression that she is either dead and has just realized it and she feels very alienated. Throughout the story, there are several subtle hints that lead the reader to think the woman is dead. The two short stories that were written by Eudora Welty â€Å"A Worn Path† and by Jean Rhys â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once† both show the symbolism of a journey through life. Eudora Welty goes into fine detail in describing the elderly woman’s love and devotion for her grandson in â€Å"A Worn Path†. Jean Rhys uses the experiences and feelings that she has had in her life to set the mood in her story â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once†. The two authors use very similar methods in telling their stories. Both women use the experience of a journey as a symbol of their life experience. Throughout these two stories, multiple symbols are used to explain both life and death. In A Worn Path Phoenix is an elderly women who has lived a life of wisdom and experience. Phoenix shows sacrificial love when she faces many obstacles, none of which stop her from doing what she can to help her grandson. However, on the other hand, there is a lot more left unknown in I Used to Live Here Once. The two short stories that are told in third person, deal with death in one way or another. Phoenix faces multiple signs of death throughout her journey into the city. The women in â€Å"I Used to Live Here Once† seems to be past death already, and is facing the realization that she is no longer living.

Porters Five Forces Analysis Of Aviation Sector Engineering Essay

Porters Five Forces Analysis Of Aviation Sector Engineering Essay Barriers to Entry The aviation sector is one of the most expensive and extremely risky sectors due to high capital costs. These costs include buying and leasing aircrafts, fuel, safety and security measures, labor, customer service, etc. The increasing fuel costs have affected the airline industry adversely as it has a direct impact on the operating costs. A weakening economy also affects the airline revenues as the demand for air travel and air freight reduces and business and leisure travelers become highly price sensitive. UAE restricts complete foreign ownership of a company. All the companies are supposed to have at least one or more national partners who account for at least 51% of their capital. Therefore, the existence of high start-up costs and other barriers discourages new competitors from easily entering this industry. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/02/rising_jet_fuel_costs_affectin.html http://www.investopedia.com/features/industryhandbook/airline.asp Competitive Rivalry The rivalry existing in the UAE aviation industry is intense since there are over 110 airlines currently flying to more than 160 destinations from Dubai International Airport itself. Since Dubai is located in a very strategic location and it is the business capital of the Middle East, the aviation industry showed a very strong growth in the last decade. All the carriers are constantly struggling to steal the market share from each other. Each airline is trying to have competitive prices and is working on lowering its operational costs to increase efficiency and profitability. This has lead to saturation in the market and airlines have to compete to survive in the UAE airline industry. http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal?vstrs_arrv_dxb,vstrs_arive_air,1,HYPERLINK http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal?vstrs_arrv_dxb,vstrs_arive_air,1,_nfpb=true_pageLabel=lifeEventDetail HYPERLINK http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal?vstrs_arrv_dxb,vstrs_arive_air,1,_nfpb=true_pageLabel=lifeEventDetail _nfpb=trueHYPERLINK http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal?vstrs_arrv_dxb,vstrs_arive_air,1,_nfpb=true_pageLabel=lifeEventDetail HYPERLINK http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal?vstrs_arrv_dxb,vstrs_arive_air,1,_nfpb=true_pageLabel=lifeEventDetail _pageLabel=lifeEventDetail http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101229042209/ ae/%20carriers%20see%20brighter%20sky%20ahead Supplier power Irrespective of UAE aviation industry or the world aviation industry there are only 2 main suppliers, Boeing and Airbus. Fly Europe has a fleet of Boeing aircrafts and their supplier, Boeing, has a high bargaining power as there is no cut throat competition in the supplier industry. The switching costs from Boeing to Airbus is also extremely high because all the pilots and mechanics have to be trained to learn to operate the different kind of aircrafts. However, other suppliers of Fly Europe like the providers of on-board snacks for the travelers (who are willing to purchase them) dont have high bargaining power since there are many other options available in the market. Fly Europe can purchase their snacks from some other cost-effective supplier as this would enable the customers to buy the snacks at reasonable prices. http://www.investopedia.com/features/industryhandbook/airline.asp Customer power Air travel is expensive, so most of the leisure travelers have highly elastic demand. They can compare prices of different airlines easily over the internet as they have many different options while choosing an airline carrier. Business travelers pay a much higher average ticket price, approximately five times more than the average leisure ticket cost. Hence, the bargaining power of business travelers in the aviation sector is quite high since as they generate most of the revenues of the airline while the bargaining power of leisure passengers is low. www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hany/Teaching//Lecture2_han.ppt http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Airline_Travel Availability of substitutes Airline is the fastest way to travel from one destination to another so there is no perfect substitute available. The other transportation options available to the customers are trains, cars, etc. The choice of the mode of transportation depends on the length of the route, consumer preferences, etc. For example air travel isnt practical and economical for short distances. High-speed video conferencing is emerging as an important substitute to air travel for business travelers as it provides a convenient, safer, time-saving and cost-effective to conduct important meetings. Reducing travel time results in employee productivity, effectiveness, decrease in stress and hassle, etc. The emergency air freight market is also getting affected as these days, urgent documents are sent through the e-mail which is a cheap and faster alternative. While, Sea freight is considered an economical and practical way to send bulky items which is affecting the routine air freight market. Therefore, many c ompanies are using these technologies to replace airline travel and freight. http://www.businesseconomics.in/?p=638 http://www.investopedia.com/features/industryhandbook/airline.asp Industry description The aviation industry in the United Arab Emirates plays an essential part in its economy. It is one of the fastest growing aviation industries in the world. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, regulates civil aviation in the UAE. Foreign ownership and control of airlines in the UAE is restricted to a 49% equity stake. But in 2009, UAE signed an air liberalization policy statement with six other countries and the European Commission. The policy principles focuses on three main issues : freedom to access capital markets, freedom to do business, and freedom to price services. UAEs aviation industry earned a profit of $15 billion profit in 2010. The air traffic movements grew at the rate of 13 .8% in November 2010 compared to November 2009. This sector is expected to be the 2nd largest aviation market with the growth rate of 10.2% in 2013. According to the forecasts, the UAE will have 82.3 million air travelers and will be handling 2.7 million tons by 2014. Dubai has become a major hub of aerospace both in the middle east as well as on a global level as traditional players like the USA and Europe continue to slump. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-passenger-traffic-hit-82-3m-by-2014-says-iata-380800.html http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_aviation_market_will_be_second-fastest_growing_by_2013/44449.htm http://www.dancewithshadows.com/flights/dubai-aviation.asp http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1012/S00286/10-more-liberalised-aviation-agreements-for-emirates-in-2010.htm http://www.emirates.com/mv/English/about/public_affairs/liberalisation.aspx http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101229042209 /ae/%20carriers%20see%20brighter%20sky%20ahead http://www.gcaa.gov.ae/en/pages/welcomegcaa.aspx http://english.alrroya.com/content/uae-signs-air-liberalisation-policy-statement-iata Economic conditions The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is the 2nd largest economy in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia. It is also a major player in the world energy markets as it has the 6th largest crude oil reserves and natural gas reserves. UAE is taking extensive measures to reduce its reliance on these natural resources as an income source and is diversifying its economy by investing in growing sectors like trade, finance, aerospace, tourism, etc. The global financial crisis slowed down the GDP growth in 2010. UAE authorities responded to this crisis by injecting $33 billion into the local financial sector and guaranteeing all deposits in international and local banks. Dubai was hit very badly by the recession as its real estate sector experienced a major downturn and it couldnt meet its debt obligations. The central bank of UAE then provided support to the local banks while Dubai received a loan of $ 10 billion from Abu Dhabi to ease the debt crisis. However, the economy is expected to rebound in 2011. The non-hydrocarbons economy is expected to grow 2.2% in the year 2011. The oil prices averaged $79.6/barrel in 2010 are forecasted to rise to $90 billion in 2011. The GDP growth rate is expected to increase from 2.2% in 2010 to 3.3% in 2011. The government also plans to carry out large infrastructure projects which is supposed to result in a gradual recovery of the real estate sector. http://www.propertyselect.com/dubai/news/what-impact-will-the-global-recession-have-on-dubai-property/1442 http://www.davisiaj.org/?p=210 http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_non-oil_economy_to_rebound_in_2011-2012/41839.htm http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201101018483/Economics/uae-economy-gdp-rebounds-around-33-in-2011.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates#cite_note-1 http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/uae/uae_country_brief.html http://www.zawya.com/marketing.cfm?zpHYPERLINK http://www.zawya.com/marketing.cfm?zpp=/countries/ae/macrowatch.cfm?eiusection=Country OutlookccHYPERLINK http://www.zawya.com/marketing.cfm?zpp=/countries/ae/macrowatch.cfm?eiusection=Country Outlookccp=/countries/ae/macrowatch.cfm?eiusection=Country%20OutlookHYPERLINK http://www.zawya.com/marketing.cfm?zpp=/countries/ae/macrowatch.cfm?eiusection=Country OutlookccHYPERLINK http://www.zawya.com/marketing.cfm?zpp=/countries/ae/macrowatch.cfm?eiusection=Country Outlookcccc

Research Onion Explanation of the Concept

Research Onion Explanation of the Concept Introduction The research onion was developed by Saunders et al. (2007). It illustrates the stages that must be covered when developing a research strategy.When viewed from the outside, each layer of the onion describes a more detailed stage of the research process (Saunders et al., 2007). The research onion provides an effective progression through which a research methodology can be designed. Its usefulness lies in its adaptability for almost any type of research methodology and can be used in a variety of contexts (Bryman, 2012). This essay will examine and describe the different stages of the research onion, and explain the concepts at each stage. 1.1: Understanding the Research Process The research onion was developed by Saunders  et al. (2007) in order to describe the stages through which the researcher must pass when formulating an effective methodology. First, the research philosophy requires definition. This creates the starting point for the appropriate research approach, which is adopted in the second step. In the third step, the research strategy is adopted, and the fourth layer identifies the time horizon. The fifth step represents the stage at which the data collection methodology is identified. The benefits of the research onion are thus that it creates a series of stages under which the different methods of data collection can be understood, and illustrates the steps by which a methodological study can be described. Figure 1: The Research Onion (Source: Institut Numerique, 2012, n.p.). 1.2: Research Philosophy A research philosophy refers to the set of beliefs concerning the nature of the reality being investigated (Bryman, 2012). It is the underlying definition of the nature of knowledge. The assumptions created by a research philosophy provide the justification for how the research will be undertaken (Flick, 2011). Research philosophies can differ on the goals of research and on the best way that might be used to achieve these goals (Goddard Melville, 2004). These are not necessarily at odds with each other, but the choice of research philosophy is defined by the type of knowledge being investigated in the research project (May, 2011). Therefore, understanding the research philosophy being used can help explain the assumptions inherent in the research process and how this fits the methodology being used. Two main ontological frameworks can inform the research process: positivism and constructionism (Monette et al. 2005). These frameworks might be described differently (such as empiricism and interpretivism) but the underlying assumptions are broadly similar (Bryman, 2012). Positivism assumes that reality exists independently of the thing being studied. In practice this means that the meaning of phenomena is consistent between subjects (Newman, 1998). Conversely, constructionism suggests that the inherent meaning of social phenomena is created by each observer or group (ÃÆ'–stlundet al. , 2011). In this philosophy, one can never presume that what is observed is interpreted in the same way between participants and the key approach is to examine differences and nuances in the respondentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ understanding. Despite the inherent differences between these two practices, it is not necessarily the case that they form an inherent belief by the researcher that is then applied to all research contexts. One philosophy is not inherently better than the other, although researchers may favour one over the other (Podsakoffet al., 2012). The philosophy simply provides the justification for the research methodology. The methodology should be informed by the nature of the phenomena being observed. 1.3: Research Approaches Two types of approaches are outlined here: the deductive and the inductive approach. 1.3.1: Deductive Approach The deductive approach develops the hypothesis or hypotheses upon a pre-existing theory and then formulates the research approach to test it (Silverman, 2013). This approach is best suited to contexts where the research project is concerned with examining whether the observed phenomena fit with expectation based upon previous research (Wiles et al., 2011). The deductive approach thus might be considered particularly suited to the positivist approach, which permits the formulation of hypotheses and the statistical testing of expected results to an accepted level of probability (Snieder Larner, 2009). However, a deductive approach may also be used with qualitative research techniques, though in such cases the expectations formed by pre-existing research would be formulated differently than through hypothesis testing (Saunders et al., 2007). The deductive approach is characterised as the development from general to particular: the general theory and knowledge base is first established and the specific knowledge gained from the research process is then tested against it (Kothari, 2004). 1.3.2: Inductive Approach The inductive approach is characterised as a move from the specific to the general (Bryman Bell, 2011). In this approach, the observations are the starting point for the researcher, and patterns are looked for in the data (Beiske, 2007). In this approach, there is no framework that initially informs the data collection and the research focus can thus be formed after the data has been collected (Flick, 2011). Although this may be seen as the point at which new theories are generated, it is also true that as the data is analysed that it may be found to fit into an existing theory(Bryman Bell, 2011). This method is more commonly used in qualitative research, where the absence of a theory informing the research process may be of benefit by reducing the potential for researcher bias in the data collection stage (Bryman Bell, 2011). Interviews are carried out concerning specific phenomena and then the data may be examined for patterns between respondents (Flick, 2011). However, this approach may also be used effectively within positivist methodologies, where the data is analysed first and significant patterns are used to inform the generation of results. 1.3.3: The Quantitative Approach As the name suggests, this approach is concerned with quantitative data (Flick, 2011). It holds a number of accepted statistical standards for the validity of the approach, such as the number of respondents that are required to establish a statistically significant result (Goddard Melville, 2004). Although this research approach is informed by a positivist philosophy, it can be used to investigate a wide range of social phenomena, including feelings and subjective viewpoints. The quantitative approach can be most effectively used for situations where there are a large number of respondents available, where the data can be effectively measured using quantitative techniques, and where statistical methods of analysis can be used (May, 2011). 1.3.4: The Qualitative Approach The qualitative approach is drawn from the constructivist paradigm (Bryman Allen, 2011). This approach requires the researcher to avoid imposing their own perception of the meaning of social phenomena upon the respondent (Banister et al., 2011). The aim is to investigate how the respondent interprets their own reality (Bryman Allen, 2011). This presents the challenge of creating a methodology that is framed by the respondent rather than by the researcher. An effective means by which to do this is through interviews, or texts, where the response to a question can be open (Feilzer, 2010). Furthermore, the researcher can develop the questions throughout the process in order to ensure that the respondent further expands upon the information provided. Qualitative research is usually used for examining the meaning of social phenomena, rather than seeking a causative relationship between established variables (Feilzer, 2010). 1.4: Research Strategy The research strategy is how the researcher intends to carry out the work (Saunders et al., 2007). The strategy can include a number of different approaches, such as experimental research, action research, case study research, interviews, surveys, or a systematic literature review. Experimental research refers to the strategy of creating a research process that examines the results of an experiment against the expected results (Saunders et al., 2007). It can be used in all areas of research, and usually involves the consideration of a relatively limited number of factors (Saunders et al., 2007). The relationship between the factors are examined, and judged against the expectation of the research outcomes. Action research is characterised as a practical approach to a specific research problem within a community of practice (Bryman, 2012). It involves examining practice to establish that it corresponds to the best approach. It tends to involve reflective practice, which is a systematic process by which the professional practice and experience of the practitioners can be assessed. This form of research is common in professions such as teaching or nursing, where the practitioner can assess ways in which they can improve their professional approach and understanding (Wiles et al., 2011). Case study research is the assessment of a single unit in order to establish its key features and draw generalisations (Bryman, 2012). It can offer an insight into the specific nature of any example, and can establish the importance of culture and context in differences between cases (Silverman, 2013). This form of research is effective in financial research, such as comparing the experiences of two companies, or comparing the effect of investment in difference contexts. Grounded theory is a qualitative methodology that draws on an inductive approach whereby patterns are derived from the data as a precondition for the study (May, 2011). For example, interview data may be transcribed, coded and then grouped accordingly to the common factors exhibited between respondents. This means that the results of the research are derived fundamentally from the research that has been completed, rather than where the data is examined to establish whether it fits with pre-existing frameworks (Flick, 2011). Its use is common in the social sciences (Bryman, 2012). Surveys tend to be used in quantitative research projects, and involve sampling a representative proportion of the population (Bryman Bell, 2011). The surveys produce quantitative data that can be analysed empirically. Surveys are most commonly used to examine causative variables between different types of data. Ethnography involves the close observation of people, examining their cultural interaction and their meaning (Bryman, 2012). In this research process, the observer conducts the research from the perspective of the people being observed, and aims to understand the differences of meaning and importance or behaviours from their perspective. An archival research strategy is one where the research is conducted from existing materials (Flick, 2011). The form of research may involve a systematic literature review, where patterns of existing research are examined and summed up in order to establish the sum of knowledge on a particular study, or to examine the application of existing research to specific problems. Archival research may also refer to historical research, where a body of source material is mined in order to establish results. 1.5: Choices The choices outlined in the research onion include the mono method, the mixed method, and the multi-method (Saunders et al., 2007). As the names of these approaches suggest, the mono-method involves using one research approach for the study. The mixed-methods required the use of two or more methods of research, and usually refer to the use of both a qualitative and a quantitative methodology. In the multi-method, a wider selection of methods is used (Bryman, 2012). The main difference between the mixed and the multi-method is that the mixed-method involves a combined methodology that creates a single dataset (Flick, 2011). The multi-method approach is where the research is divided into separate segments, with each producing a specific dataset; each is then analysed using techniques derived from quantitative or qualitative methodologies (Feilzer, 2010). 1.6: Time Horizons The Time Horizon is the time framework within which the project is intended for completion (Saunders et al., 2007). Two types of time horizons are specified within the research onion: the cross sectional and the longitudinal (Bryman, 2012). The cross sectional time horizon is one already established, whereby the data must be collected. This is dubbed the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"snapshotà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ time collection, where the data is collected at a certain point (Flick, 2011). This is used when the investigation is concerned with the study of a particular phenomenon at a specific time. A longitudinal time horizon for data collection refers to the collection of data repeatedly over an extended period, and is used where an important factor for the research is examining change over time (Goddard Melville, 2004). This has the benefit of being used to study change and development. Furthermore, it allows the establishment of some control over the variables being studied. The time horizon selected is not dependent on a specific research approach or methodology (Saunders et al., 2007). 1.7: Data Collection and Analysis Data collection and analysis is dependent on the methodological approach used (Bryman, 2012). The process used at this stage of the research contributes significantly to the studyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s overall reliability and validity (Saunders et al., 2007). Regardless of the approach used in the project, the type of data collected can be separated into two types: primary and secondary. 1.7.1: The Primary Data Primary data is that which is derived from first-hand sources. This can be historical first-hand sources, or the data derived from the respondents in survey or interview data (Bryman, 2012). However, it is not necessarily data that has been produced by the research being undertaken. For example, data derived from statistical collections such as the census can constitute primary data. Likewise, data that is derived from other researchers may also be used as primary data, or it may be represented by a text being analysed (Flick, 2011). The primary data is therefore best understood as the data that is being analysed as itself, rather than through the prism of anotherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s analysis. 1.7.2: Secondary Data Secondary data is that which is derived from the work or opinions of other researchers (Newman, 1998). For example, the conclusions of a research article can constitute secondary data because it is information that has already been processed by another. Likewise, analyses conducted on statistical surveys can constitute secondary data (Kothari, 2004). However, there is an extent to which the data is defined by its use, rather than its inherent nature (Flick, 2011). Newspapers may prove both a primary and secondary source for data, depending on whether the reporter was actually present. For a study of social attitudes in the Eighteenth Century, or for a study of the causes of fear of crime in present day UK, newspapers may constitute primary data. Therefore, the most effective distinction of the two types of data is perhaps established by the use to which it is put in a study, rather than to an inherent characteristic of the data itself. 1.8: Research Design The research design is the description of how the research process will be completed. It is a framework which includes the considerations that led to the appropriate methodology being adopted, the way in which the respondents were selected, and how the data will be analysed (Flick, 2011). There are a number of different characteristic research designs, namely the descriptive, explanatory, and the exploratory. The descriptive research design relates to reflecting the experiences of respondents. It is thus related closely to ethnographic studies, but a quantitative framework is also an appropriate framework; for example, the demographic characteristics of a population subgroup can be reported (Bryman, 2012). An explanatory research design is focused on how to effectively explain the characteristics of a population or a social phenomenon (Saunders et al., 2007). This may be seen as effective where using a quantitative framework, where the influence of one variable on another can be established (Kothari, 2004). The exploratory study is an exploration of an issue that takes place before enough is known to conduct a formulaic research project. It is usually used in order to inform further research in the subject area (Neuman, 2003). 1.9: Samples A sample is a representative segment of a larger population (Bryman, 2012). In quantitative research, the sample size and how it is selected can be used to establish the reliability of the results of the study. In qualitative research, the sample characteristics are also important, but much smaller samples tend to be used. 1.9.1 Sample Size The sample size represents the number of respondents selected from the overall population that are used in the research (Newman, 1998). In quantitative research, the size of the sample is essential in determining the reliability of the results of a study. Sample sizes of much less than 30 will tend to produce results where individual respondents may skew the results. In such cases, the larger the sample size the more reliable will be the results (Flick, 2011). In qualitative research, the size of the sample is less important, and the concept of representativeness is not as strong a guideline for the validity of the research. 1.9.2: Sampling Techniques Sampling techniques are the ways in which an appropriate sample size is selected for the wider study (Bryman, 2012). There are a number of accepted techniques that can be used. A random sample represents individuals within a larger population who are chosen at random. However, this can result in random distribution, which can mean significant skewing resulting from the random nature of sample selection (Neuman, 2003). For example, a random sample may result in more males than females being represented in a sample, or an unequal distribution across ages. A stratified sample may then be used to ensure that the representatives of the population in the sample reflect the significant characteristics of the wider population, such as making sure that the demographic characteristics of age and gender are reflected in the sample (Newman, 1998). A convenience sample is where the sample is taken from an existing framework, such as an educational institution, given that the ways in which respondents may be recruited is relatively straightforward. This may be appropriate if a study is concerned with studentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ views, and it proved convenient to sample just one educational institution; it may be considered unlikely that significant variation in studentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ characteristics will occur between institutions or that those characteristics will have a significant effect on the results of a study. Conclusions In this study, the different stages of the research onion were described. Given the research onion comprises different stages of many research projects and can be effectively adapted to different models, this report has necessarily been summative and restricted in depth. However, the stages defined by Saunders et al. (2007) have been expounded upon, and the usefulness of the staged development of the onion demonstrated. The most effective model of its effectiveness, however, lies in its use. References Banister, P., Bunn, G., Burman, E., Daniels, J. (2011). Qualitative Methods In Psychology: A Research Guide. London: McGraw-Hill International. Beiske, B. (2007). Research Methods: Uses and limitations of questionnaires, interviews and case studies, Munich: GRIN Verlag. Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bryman, A., Allen, T. (2011). Education Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bryman, A., Bell, E. (2011). Business Research Methods (3rd ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press. Feilzer, M. Y. (2010). Doing mixed methods research pragmatically: Implications for the rediscovery of pragmatism as a research paradigm. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 4(1), pp.6-16. Flick, U. (2011). Introducing research methodology: A beginners guide to doing a research project. London: Sage. Goddard, W. Melville, S. (2004). Research Methodology: An Introduction, (2nd ed.) Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Gulati, P. M. (2009). Research Management: Fundamental and Applied Research, New Delhi: Global India Productions. Institut Numerique, (2012). Research Methodology, http://www.institut-numerique.org/chapter-3-research-methodology-4ffbd6e5e3391 [retrieved 3rd October, 2014]. Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: methods and techniques. New Delhi: New Age International. May, T. (2011). Social research: Issues, methods and research. London: McGraw-Hill International. Monette, D.R., Sullivan, T. J., DeJong, C. R. (2005). Applied Social Research: A Tool for the Human Services, (6th ed.), London: Brooks Publishing. Neuman, W. L. (2003). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, London: Allyn Bacon. Newman, I. (1998). Qualitative-quantitative research methodology: Exploring the interactive continuum. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. ÃÆ'–stlund, U., Kidd, L., WengstrÃÆ' ¶m, Y., Rowa-Dewar, N. (2011). Combining qualitative and quantitative research within mixed method research designs: a methodological review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48(3), pp. 369-383. Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Podsakoff, N. P. (2012). Sources of method bias in social science research and recommendations on how to control it. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, pp.539-569. Rowley, J. (2012). Conducting research interviews. Management Research Review, 35(3), pp.260-271. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students, (6th ed.) London: Pearson. Silverman, D. (2013). Doing Qualitative Research: A practical handbook. London: Sage. Snieder R. Larner, K. (2009). The Art of Being a Scientist: A Guide for Graduate Students and their Mentors, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Wiles, R., Crow, G., Pain, H. (2011). Innovation in qualitative research methods: a narrative review. Qualitative Research, 11(5), pp.587-604.

Comparing my Outputs to the Specification :: Computer Science

Comparing my Outputs to the Specification ========================================= The logo My solution to the task allows the users of the system to print off a ready designed promotion package and customise each part of it to include their name and the address of their particular branch of Daisy Chain. The users can alter the logo slightly and can also create a completely new logo from the user guide. They can edit details quickly, for example if a shop moves or a designer is employed, then these details can be added to the business card or letterheaded paper. The system can only use fonts and borders that exist on the software- they can't create original ones. I have managed to produce a suitable logo that meets all the points on the specification. It has been significantly changed since I drew the initial design and I now feel that it is now much better than the original version. Everyone I have asked about it has confirmed this. There are however some points that you can't really say whether the logo has met- you can't tell whether the logo will date or not. If it does then following the user guides could produce a new one. To produce most of the items in the promotional package I used Adobe, which isn't strictly a graphics program, but it has sufficient features to meet all the needs of this project. The Business Card ================= I have produced a business card that meets all the requirements set out in my design specification. It  · Looks professional  · Contains the logo  · Contains the name, address, postcode and website of the company  · Has space for the employees name  · Is striking and very bright, without being garish  · Contains a short statement about what the company does. The card is only one sided and this was something that was said could be improved. This isn't necessary, but could be done quite easily, if the company decided to invest more time and money into it. I have created a user guide that has been successfully tested, so other cards of different styles could be created. There isn't really a need for this however as I feel that the design I have created is successful and doesn't need altering. The card I created is much more interesting than any of the other cards I have looked at, and it meets all the requirements in my design specification. Realistically it may be too expensive to produce but this would depend on how wealthy the company was, and whether it wished to spend a lot of money publicising its image. The Letterhead The letterhead meets all the requirements set by the design Comparing my Outputs to the Specification :: Computer Science Comparing my Outputs to the Specification ========================================= The logo My solution to the task allows the users of the system to print off a ready designed promotion package and customise each part of it to include their name and the address of their particular branch of Daisy Chain. The users can alter the logo slightly and can also create a completely new logo from the user guide. They can edit details quickly, for example if a shop moves or a designer is employed, then these details can be added to the business card or letterheaded paper. The system can only use fonts and borders that exist on the software- they can't create original ones. I have managed to produce a suitable logo that meets all the points on the specification. It has been significantly changed since I drew the initial design and I now feel that it is now much better than the original version. Everyone I have asked about it has confirmed this. There are however some points that you can't really say whether the logo has met- you can't tell whether the logo will date or not. If it does then following the user guides could produce a new one. To produce most of the items in the promotional package I used Adobe, which isn't strictly a graphics program, but it has sufficient features to meet all the needs of this project. The Business Card ================= I have produced a business card that meets all the requirements set out in my design specification. It  · Looks professional  · Contains the logo  · Contains the name, address, postcode and website of the company  · Has space for the employees name  · Is striking and very bright, without being garish  · Contains a short statement about what the company does. The card is only one sided and this was something that was said could be improved. This isn't necessary, but could be done quite easily, if the company decided to invest more time and money into it. I have created a user guide that has been successfully tested, so other cards of different styles could be created. There isn't really a need for this however as I feel that the design I have created is successful and doesn't need altering. The card I created is much more interesting than any of the other cards I have looked at, and it meets all the requirements in my design specification. Realistically it may be too expensive to produce but this would depend on how wealthy the company was, and whether it wished to spend a lot of money publicising its image. The Letterhead The letterhead meets all the requirements set by the design

Nora Essay -- essays research papers fc

Nora Nora Helmer, Ibsen’s strong-willed heroine is far from being a typical victim of male domination. She is master of the domestic world, dedicated enough to nurse her husband through illness, courageous enough to forge a signature and confident enough to pay back all her debts even in the face of enormous difficulties. But that is not what exactly sets her apart from convention—neither the energy or the initiative she exudes throughout, nor her decision to shatter her notions of marriage and seek independence. Rather, it is the intention or the motivation with which she carries herself throughout the text and more importantly the sub-text of the play that makes her different. Nora, despite her disenchantment and climactic decision, comes across as a less than innocent woman ambivalently portrayed, incredibly adept at manipulation and who does not, in the end, deserve the full sympathy that the thrust of the dominant narrative demands. She walks into a comfortably and tastefully furnished room, as soon as the play begins, with a bunch of parcels and immediately asks for the Christmas Tree to be hidden â€Å"carefully†, pops a few macaroons into her mouth and then cautiously goes to her husband’s door and listens, eventually remarking â€Å"Yes he is in.† The reason for such cautious behaviour seems quite uncertain as her husband’s presence inside the room is immaterial to her secretive actions (that of eating macaroons) as he is clearly out of sight, which makes us conjecture that perhaps such stealth is part of her normal behaviour. When Torvald does appear however, something that becomes very noticeable is the way Nora uses her movement, repetitively, like an application, to alleviate Torvald’s argumentative tone. For example, when her husband vehemently opposes the idea of borrowing, Helmer: †¦ and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle. Nora: (moving towards the stove) As you please, Torvald. Helemer: (following her) Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little skylark out of temper? (Taking out his purse.) Nora, what do you think I have got here? Nora: Money! Nora deliberately moves away from him, making Torvald uneasy of the emptiness, which results in his softening down and taking out the purse. Nora’s mood suddenly changes on seeing the bag. Remarkably, she repeats t... ...g† could never happen which is also why she was so terrified of it. She left blaming Torvald for something he wasn’t aware of, though he readily agreed to change himself for Nora, she left her children who loved playing hide and seek with her and took lodging at Mrs. Linde’s for the night. Ironically, Nora is the one who asked Mrs. Linde, â€Å"Tell me, is it really true that you did not love your husband? Why did you marry him?† Nora therefore proves herself to be ambiguous and very unreliable and even though forfeiting her family and a decision to face the world seems quite a large step for a dependent woman like her, Nora’s motivations remain deceptive as she is forever caught between the world of pretense and reality. Perhaps Nora realizes that, and when she does talk about â€Å"change† at the end of the play, she refers to herself being removed from the mask she is used to wearing. Bibliography Claridge, Laura. â€Å"Tess: A Less than Pure Woman.† Havel, Vaclav. â€Å"Writing for the Stage†, 1986. Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll’s House. trans. Farquharson Sharp. Bantam, 1958 Ingham, Patricia: â€Å"Fallen Woman as Sign† Miller, Arthur: â€Å"On Social Plays†, 1955.

Importance of Knowing Grammar to Students Essay

â€Å"indeed.† Grammar is the backbone of a language and without it any single thing you know may be flux, in a sort of jelly without much consistency. In a nutshell, grammar provides you with the structure you need in order to organize and put your messages and ideas across. It is the railway through which your messages will be transported. Without it, in the same way as a train cannot move without railways, you won’t be able to convey your ideas to their full extension without a good command of the underlying grammar patterns and structures of the language. I understand that many students ask this question simply because in their own experience they have always been presented with two main scenarios, and nothing in between. They want to know where they are going to be standing as regards to their learning. Which are those two scenarios? Well, in one extreme we have those language courses that teach grammar almost exclusively, as if preparing the students to be grammarians of the second language rather than users. In the other extreme we have those â€Å"communicative† courses in which the only thing that is done is to talk about something or to read an article and comment on it. In many cases, what is seen in one class has no resemblance to what is done in the next. In my experience, both scenarios may seem good for very specific purposes but I personally feel both are inappropriate for most language learners. For starters, by itself, a good command of the grammar of a language does not imply that the person is able to communicate effectively, as we usually see with students who have only been exposed to an all-grammar-oriented approach sometimes for many years. Many could recite the grammar by heart but if asked to express basic information, they would hesitate too much and browse through all the grammar rules in their heads before making an utterance, or simply dry up. Secondly, just talking in class without anything else done in order to learn from the actual conversation is not good enough either. It may be helpful of course, but up to a certain point. This approach may be more useful for very advanced students who just need to brush up their second language, but for those in need of building up the foundations of a new language, it is certainly too vague and flux, without any consistency. So then, when asked: â€Å"is grammar really important for a second language learner?† I always say â€Å"yes†, but, the real question, or issue here is not whether grammar is important or not but rather how we should present grammar to our students. You may be surprised to hear that most of my own students, even advanced ones, have very little awareness of grammar jargon and terminology, in spite of the fact that they can make a pretty good use of the second language. â€Å"How is that possible?† you may ask. First and foremost, teachers need to know precisely what they are trying to prepare their students for. I do know that what I want is to â€Å"create† users of a new language. I want to prepare people to actually engage in communicative situations using appropriate language and patterns. I am definitely not interested in their explaining to me or making a mental list of all the grammar uses that a certain pattern has. For example, think of your own native language. Name all the tenses that you can find in your own native tongue with their corresponding uses and structures. Unless you are a teacher, a translator or someone who needs to have a very good grasp of this meta-language, more likely than not you may feel at a loss to answer that question. And that does NOT mean in any sense that you are not a terrific user of that language. After all, you can understand and express whatever you want with ease. What is more, by being able to do so, you show an awesome command of the internal grammar of the language. If you knew no grammar patterns you would not be able to make a single sentence but you can. This means that although you may lack the conscious ability to describe how your language works (i.e. its grammar) you can use it perfectly. You are a user of the language. You make a perfect use of the grammar of your native language intuitively or unconsciously. Again, our primary goal as second language teachers must be to create users or the language, not linguists! It escapes the aim of this article to describe how we can achieve this but basically we are going to name the main elements to consider to create â€Å"language users.† To begin with, it should be noted that whatever we present our students with should follow a progression from the very general meaning to the very specific pattern or structure we want them to learn (or that they need to learn of course). I would like to highlight that all this takes place within the same class. Before we start to use the material we have selected, it would be good to introduce the students to the topic you are going to work on. You can have them guess or infer what the material will say about it, they can make predictions and when they fail to use appropriate language, you may provide it. This is good to elicit vocabulary that may be necessary for them to know in order to understand the topic. After you have created curiosity in the topic and provided students with key terms on the topic, make sure you follow a progression such as the one that follows: 1) Provide them with exposure to real language and real situations IN CONTEXT. 2) Initial focus on gist, not form. 3) Focus on more specific meaning. 4) We can then focus on very specific meaning. 5) Analysis and systematization: after we make sure the students have a good understanding of the whole material, you can have them focus on particular items or patterns that may be important for them to learn at their stage (i.e. grammar) You can systematize it more formally and teach them how it works. After all, they have already seen it in practice and they have also worked around meaning, now it is time for them to learn how to use it. 6) Give them exercises for them to practice the new structure. Do not be afraid of using grammar drills and patterns. They could be VERY useful for them to fix the new structures in their brains. 7) Give them homework to force them to revise this at a later time. The homework does not necessarily need to be communicative in nature. Profit from the time in class to communicate and interact. If possible, avoid drilling activities while you are with them in class. However, the time they are on their own could be very well used to do all the drilling and rote practice that may prove useful for them to gain a good command of the grammar form you are trying to teach them. Personally I feel that the time in class must be used for providing learners with as many communicative situations as possible, rather than making them focus on drills and patterns that they could easily practise on their own. 8) Provide them with ample opportunities to practice what they have learned in REAL or REALISTIC communicative situations. Create situations so that they can make lots of mistakes and encourage them to improve on them by reminding them of what they have studied. 9) Recycle and mention the topic again as many times as necessary, time and again. This is essential for them to finally acquire the new structures in a natural way. As you can see, I am not condemning grammar at all as some readers may feel when in my articles I complain about teachers working almost exclusively with a grammar-oriented approach. On the contrary, I feel it is essential in order to master a language. However, how grammar is presented to the students is what really matters. I utterly disagree with those teachers who come to class and tell the class: â€Å"Open your books. Today we will learn the â€Å"Simple Present Tense.† In the suggested steps to follow in any class, you will have noticed that I have used a quite eclectic approach, starting from a communicative situation (steps 1-4) with the focus on understanding the message from the gist up to very detailed info and later, and only later, once meaning is clearly understood, we reach the grammar item we may need our students to learn at their stage. The obvious advantage of this approach is that while dealing with grammar, the students will have a clear idea of the context in which it was used and the communicative need it satisfied.