Lack of Communication Essay

When you join together and form a relationship you become part of something greater. You must work together as a team if either partner disregards the relationship suffers. Given a desire and will to make things better it takes communication. Lack of communication in a relationship can make a person feel lonely and isolated. This could come from being busy with life, lack of love, and word vs. actions. Lack of communication only results in unsuccessful human alliances which cause grief not only to you as an individual, but to others as well. Many couples stop communicating with each other because each they are caught up with doing his/her own thing in life. Whether it is work hobbies, children, and school, among other things there is always an excuse. Just as you budget how you spend your money it is important to remember that budgeting in time for your relationship is important as well. Lack of involvement and communication increases distance in any relationship. If you don’t have quality time and communication your relationship and understanding will start to vanish. When you are no longer in love with your spouse then more than likely you are not communicating with each other. When you are not in love anymore it is a horrible feeling because you become unhappy and negative about the relationship. It’s difficult to realize that you just don’t feel the same way about the man/women you thought you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. Falling out of love is inevitable. So much of how we perceive love is what we have seen or read. Whenever you stop communicating you destroy the love that you have for one another. Moved by emotions and excitement of the situation, you can get carried away with words saying things that later will not be backed by actions. Actions speak louder than words. A person who wants to be in a relationship with you will show you with their actions consistently over time. Words are powerful and they can hurt, heal, build up or tear down, comfort or curse the relationship without the action behind it. Sometimes you come to a point where you may not have anything to talk about. Speaking from experience and research it is because you know each better than you did before. Now a days people believe in personal space, but sometimes too much space widens the gap between people. Express yourself to your mate talk about your problems, share your feelings with each other and cherish those moments of life together. When you take a close look at your relationship communication is the foundation that will strengthen your bond. Without this, your relationship will definitely not be a lasting one.

Ot Regarding Entering Canadian Market Succesfully

OPPORTUNTIES AND THREATS Regarding entering the Canadian market successfully with Douwe Egbert’s new product: Grannie Annie’s hot chocolate milk. A SWOT-analysis (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) is an analysis based on strength and weaknesses on one side, and opportunities and threats on the other side, choices are made. A SWOT-analysis can be used either internal or external. Both analyses together can be put together as a situational analysis. The outcome of this analysis can be the input of the SWOT-analysis. STRENGHTS Since there is a cold climate in Canada, the popularity of hot beverages is high compared to every other drink, leading to a high demand. – Canada’s stable economy – The good financial state of Douwe Egberts could be an advantage over the competitors. – The effective distribution strategies. – High quality product. – Good customer relationship management. – Canada-European Free Trade Associ ation Free Trade Agreement, this agreement is aimed at eliminating all tariffs on goods. WEAKNESSES – Profitability may suffer as a result of strong competition in the Canadian market. Long distribution channels (especially to Canada) OPPORTUNITIES – Outplay other coffee brands by introducing special products like Grannie Annie’s. – Extend product line with other products for non-coffee drinkers – Build new coffee houses on strategic points – Create brand loyalty by making sure customers get the experience needed from drinking Grannie Annie’s – Keep developing new products for customers – Pick clear target group. (Starbucks aims for couples age 25-54 with children, who tend to spend more on non-alcoholic beverages outdoors) –Douwe Egberts should not copy the strategy of competitor’s but create something unique. THREATS – Competition of businesses who are on the Canadian Market (Starbucks, Dunkin Donu ts, Krispy Kreme, McDonalds, Burger King). – Lack of advertisement – Changing prices in Coffee market – By only entering the market with Grannie Annie’s you probably wont get very far. – Wrong target group Developments A development of the surroundings of the costumer will eventually turn into a need that customers will most likely get to have ease and more user-friendly coffee machines, packaging and more.Next to this, sustainability is getting more and more important to customers. DE is known for their sustainability and fairness regarding coffee bean farmers. This can be used for Grannie Annie’s too, regarding Cacao farmers. Also, the sustainability of transport is important and has to be done as carefully as possible. DE Looks forward to train their own coffee and cacao farmers so that the quality can be guaranteed. Also, sustainability can be higher when DE trains own farmers.

Employee Rewards System At Marriot Hotels Assignment

Employee Rewards System At Marriot Hotels - Assignment Example †¢ Heart of the house: The positions offered to the employees under this role are housekeeping, kitchen service, security, maintenance and engineering services and information technology where teamwork is essential †¢ Heart of the house: The positions offered to the employees under this role are housekeeping, kitchen service, security, maintenance and engineering services and information technology where teamwork is essential (Marriott International, Inc, 2015c)†¢ Hotel management: The positions offered under this role are Director of Finance, Operations Manager, General Manager, Director of banquets, Restaurant manager and Manager of Security where leadership qualities and guidance is essential to achieve the desired results.Jobs supporting Marriott’s BusinessThe different roles offered for supporting the business:†¢ Jobs at Headquarters: The associates have to manage the portfolio of brands that belong to Marriott; they also have to perform in different s pecialized fields like accounting and finance, operations management, different business disciplines and human resources portraying leadership and supportive skills.†¢ Regional and national jobs: The associates of Marriott working in offices provide support to the business in different countries, continents and regional markets by serving in different areas of marketing and sales, human resources, accounting and finance, risk management, tax planning and working across the globe employing the supporting and leadership skills.

Sea Water Intrusion in Estuaries Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sea Water Intrusion in Estuaries - Article Example The results obtained using the model includes the measure of water level, discharge and salinity level. These have shown good agreement with the observed results. Also, a direct relationship between longitudinal salt dispersion with flood-ebb loop length and tidal efficiency is also confirmed in this study (Nguyen et al, 2008b). The prediction of the salinity distribution in the complex situations like multi-channel estuaries like Mekong delta have also been reported in the literature (Nguyen and Savenije, 2006). Mekong delta is unique in its character. It has large number of branches and transports huge quantity of water (2000 cu.m per second) even during summer. The prediction model is framed on the principle that the multi-channel estuarine system would function as single entity and the paired branches could be appropriately combined to one. The results obtained from the analysis show that steady state models could predict the salinity levels very well. They could also explain the equilibrium conditions established in the estuaries during variable flow period especially during the dry seasons. Also, authors have computed the system response time for Mekong also. The data used in the paper was collected during the period 1991 to 1998. As Mekong delta is a very active morphologically, it's topography too is undergoing continuous change due to the transport of sediments through the river. Hence, the model would require continuous improvement by incorporating the recent topographical details. Further, the model also has parameters like mean estuary depth and river discharge that have high degree of uncertainty (Nguyen and Savenije, 2006). Determination of fresh water discharge is essential for quantification of salinity distribution. In the case of very low flows the salinity distribution is observed to be maximum. But the low fresh water flows coupled with high tidal flows make the accurate estimate of fresh water discharges very difficult. And in the case of Mekong delta, the multi channel characteristics make the accurate direct determination of discharge computation very cumbersome. A reliable model has been proposed to estimate the river discharge under the above situations (Nguyen et al, 2008a). The principle applied in this process is the reverse calculation, from the known values of salinity distribution the authors have developed equations to determine the river discharge. In this connection, two separate approaches have been attempted for different clusters of rivers in this basin. In the first approach, based on the information on the salinity distribution and estuarine shape of each branch the discharge i n the individual branches is computed. And in the other approach, from the combined shape of estuarine branches and the salinity distribution, the combined discharge is estimated. These analytical models could be used to compute the river discharges in multi channel estuarine regions by collecting the salinity distributions (Nguyen et al, 2008a). References Nguyen, A.D. and Savenije, H.H.G Salt intrusion in multi channel estuaries : a case study in Mekong delta, Vietnam, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 10, 2006, 743 -754. Nguyen, A.D., Savenije, H.H.G, Pham, D N and Tang, D T, Using salt intrusion measurements to determine the freshwater discharge distribution over

Biomechanical Laboratory Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biomechanical Laboratory - Article Example Bioabsorbable interference screws are popular in endoscopic reconstructions of the ACL as there is no need for a second operation for removal and no complicating factor in case of a revision surgery. Pullout studies of metal and bioabsorbable interference screws have yielded similar results. However, a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing patients having metal interference screws with those having bioabsorbable poly-l-lactic acid screws showed subjective knee function to be better in the patients in the metal screw group although no difference in stability was noted between the two groups (Drogset et al., 2005) 3. Bioabsorbable interference screw breakage can be a problem in ACL reconstructive surgery which necessitates burying the screw on graft fixation (MacDonald and Arneja, 2003 ) 4. Partial or non-uniform degradation of bioabsorbable screws could lead to breakage with daily activities (Hall et al., 2009) 5. An in vitro study by Schwach and Vert (1999)6 showed a loss of 50% of compression strength in poly-L-lactic acid screws due to hydrolytic degradation between 2 and 5 months. While the overall complication rate associated with the use of this implant is low, complications involving osteolysis and aseptic effusion of the knee joint have been reported (Baums et al., 2006)7. Other complications that have been reported with bioabsorbable interference screws include cyst formation, tunnel widening, late screw breakage, and intra-articular migration (Appelt et al., 2007; Lembeck et al., 2005) 8, 9 According to Weiler et al. (1998)1, graft fixation close to the ACL insertion site increases anterior knee stability. The authors could do this successfully using a round threaded biodegradable interference screw. Interference screw fixation of bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts is a well-established process in ACL fixation. A study was conducted by Zheng.

Advance Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Advance Accounting - Essay Example ncome is generally identified as a construct that causes an entity’s money supply to increase for a specific period of time (Auger, Burke, Devinney, & Louviere, 2003). The means which help the organization in increasing cash reserves is called an asset whereas, the source that causes the money supply of the company to drain is known as expense or liability. The expense occurs when an organization has to pay money in order to keep its daily operations running and this particular head includes salaries of employees, utility bills and other office related short term costs. However, the liability is of two kinds. The first one is called short term liability that has to be paid within one year while the other one which is usually of a long term nature and has to be paid over the tenure of more than one year. The companies always attempt to keep its expenses and liabilities less than the value of income. The notion of income changed a great deal whereas, other business models emerged that included no tangible product but they started to sell services such as hotels, medical professionals and even psychologists. The revenues are generated against rendering services to the customer base in the industry (Badelt & Weiss, 1990). In the past times, services industry was not a common way of making a living but now it is considered the most lucrative one regarding its ability to help people in generating income. The professional lenders are also lending their money in order to obtain substantial level of return on the base amount. The capitalists are making money with the help of lending their financial resources to others and interest income is realized as a consequence. The traditional income’s definition is modified and now one does not have to do anything for anyone in order to make obscene amount of money (Greve & Salaff, 2003). The professional lenders have accumulated financia l power by either inheriting the wealth or they managed to make money by hard working in the

Analysis of Amusing Ourselves to Death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of Amusing Ourselves to Death - Essay Example Postman emphasizes the presentation of television news as a type of entertainment programming, claiming that addition of theme music, the disruption of commercials proving that television news lack seriousness. He further assesses the difference written speech, which he claims reached its optimum in the early and mid 19th century and the types of television communication, which depend majorly on visual images to advertise lifestyles (Riley 19). He further claims that the change in public communication, politics stooped to concentrate on a candidate’s opinions and solutions to diverse problems but rather whether he is liked when on television. In addition, he claims the television has lost its meaning of delivering news as expected by viewers but rather concentrate on the idea of earning profit. The linked between the topic discussed and the problem in hand is no longer experienced. Postman uses Epistemology to decipher the origin of knowledge and how it interrelates to connected concepts and ideas such as truth, belief and justification. Politics is anther word used by Postman to mean the world of leadership and governance and the media has recently not concentrated on providing viewers with ample political news (Riley 19). Age of reason is another word Postman uses in his argument which meant that people in the recent century have matured and they know how differentiate between quality news and news that do not provide enough information as required. Postman uses entertainment premise to base his argument about the falling entertainment world. He claims that entertainment Medias have concentrated on providing commercials to viewers promoting the advertising business. The industry forgets the purpose of news altogether failing, to fulfill the needs of the viewers who expect to be provided with news assessing what the world is going through or what is

Human Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Rights - Essay Example Considering the natural rights, in particular, are rights of a person, and thought to be beyond the authority of a governing body or international organization. This theory was developed by the famous philosopher John Locke (Wikipedia n.pag). Human rights, democratic system and the statute of law are center ethics of the European Union and entrenched in its beginning pact. They have been toughened by the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights. Value for human rights is a precondition for countries looking to join the Union and a requirement for countries that have business pact and other agreements with it. The European Union considers human rights as universal and inseparable. Hence they promote it aggressively and protecting them within its boundaries and in its relationships with outside nations. The European Union’s human rights policy is made applicable to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It also looks ahead to encourage the rights of women and children in addition to minorities and displaced persons. The terrorist activity is one of a main concern and the fight against it is given most priority. Even though European Union has superior human rights evidence, yet it is not satisfied. It is mainly anxious about human rights in the area of refuge and migration and it is against racial discrimination, and other types of unfairness to minorities. The European Union has a long practice of welcoming people from other countries. The European Union has already given the rights of the five million non-EU refugee personnel lawfully recognized in the European Union, even with the right of family members to join them. Several steps have been taken up for setting up a Common European Asylum System with approved measures for granting and withdrawing refugee status and setting reception environment for asylum seekers. Further, a European Refugee Fund has been built up

Analyzing a Pricing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analyzing a Pricing Strategy - Essay Example The company chosen here for the pricing strategy analysis is â€Å"Givenchy† which is a world renowned firm for perfumes and luxury goods. This company has maintained its market value and product quality since years and their pricing strategy is well balanced with their customer demand and need. The customers are the life of any business and their needs and demands are evaluated by studying the market segmentation and their value attribution. The Company’s pricing strategy is entirely formulated with the aim of delivering highly qualitative products which can be identified as the status symbol of wealthy people. The company has different product line as perfumes, clothes, jewellery and other fashion accessories. The company has a phenomenal product value among the world wide consumers and for the very same reason it does not compromise much on its pricing. This is because the price of the product is which conveys the consumers about the value and quality of the product. Market segment is a sub set of consumer market, which caters to the profitability of a firm. A company creates value for a market segment by adding advantages and benefits to their products in accordance with customer tastes. Givenchy is an international firm which manufactures branded goods and luxury items and hence its customers are mainly aristocrats and wealthy population. Here the value for products is given by attributing quality and uniqueness to product they sell. This is because the wealthy consumers look primarily for a product which is of outstanding quality with extra – ordinary features. Givenchy being a renowned luxury brand creates value for their product in the international market by establishing their brand image, quality consistency and status symbol quotient. In order to create product value in their market segment, the company makes use of various endorsements, promotional offers, discounts and advertisement campaigns. The endorsement of Givenchy products are done by international celebrities who are considered as fashion icons and divas. This ensures the consumers that the Givenchy product lines are highly in vogue and have the characteristics of unique designer wear. Moreover, advertisement is considered as the potential means of creating brand image and value among market segments. Givenchy employs top rated models for their products launch and as their brand ambassadors. This delivers the consumers a message that the pr oduct is of exquisite standard and flamboyance. Additionally, the sophisticated company website and services offered, re-instates their product value and brand image among its consumers worldwide. 2. Does the company use different price offerings for different market segments? Describe these and evaluate how effective they are. A. â€Å"Givenchy† being an international brand has well planned strategies to absorb effectively into the global market. The pricing strategy of a company is based on a market research performed by the company in different market segments. A company keeps in mind, the demand for a particular product, competitor’s price, purchasing power of the customers and the good will of the product to formulate a viable pricing strategy for their products. Even though, Givenchy has wide market segments around the globe, there price offerings are

Important Inventions Essay Example for Free

Important Inventions Essay You have probably heard the saying All roads lead to Rome, many times from numerous people. Of course, not all roads lead to Rome; but back in the time of ancient civilizations, most roads in eastern Europe did. Of all ancient people, the Romans were the finest road builders. At the beginning of the 4th century B. C., they built smooth, hard surfaced, and durable roads wherever they ruled. That empire extended from England to North Africa; many of the roads in England are still in use today! Since you may not realize the important role that these early roads played, I am going to give you an idea of how they were built, used, and what exciting discoveries were made as the result of these ancient road builders. You will even get to see how these discoveries were used in the construction of their roads. Most of us take the roads we use today for granted, we never think about how some of the inventions like concrete, early arch bridges, and cement were discovered. Without some of those inventions, it would have been much more difficult for the Romans to rule their vast empire. Well built roads were necessary to control and extend their empire, permit trade and travel, and move their massive armies. They were the most impressive road builders of the ancient world. Over 50,000 roads, many well paved, stretched all over the Roman Empire. Settled in 800 B. C., Rome and its citizens communicated efficiently on land using a famous road system that linked all parts of the empire. Even though the army built most roads, all people traveled on them. Official messengers and troops moved rapidly over swamps, rivers, and mountains because of good bridges, paved causeways, and tunnels. Cutting through mountains and spanning streams, roads were built in straight lines whenever possible. The Romans knew how to lay a solid base and to give a road a pavement of flat stones. They also knew to make a road slope slightly from the center and toward both sides to drain off water.

Auckland DHB Elderly Care Strategies

Auckland DHB Elderly Care Strategies Auckland DHB is based to part of Auckland City in which they are serving seven wards Avondale/Roskill, Eastern Bays, Eden- Albert (Balmoral), Hobson, Tamaki- Maungakiekie(Penrose), Western Bays and Hauraki Gulf Islands .It has a population of 475,765 people. Eighty seven percent of the Auckland DHB population live within five wards within the Auckland DHB boundary.The other 13% live in either the Manukau ward within the Counties Manukau DHB area, or the Whau ward within Waitemata DHB.Auckland district health board got 10% of the people domiciled in the Auckland DHB district are aged 65 years and over, compared with 12% of NZ population.17% are aged under 15 years, compared with 22% for all of NZOlder People’s Health wards were the first patients moved into the new Auckland City Hospital which is started by Auckland district health board. Auckland district health board has two sites; inpatient services are based at Auckland City Hospital while outpatient and community services are based atGreenlane Clinical Centre. Older Peoples Health looks after the over 65-year-old population of Central Auckland and offers assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services. There are four wards at Auckland City Hospital that form part of the A+ Links Home and Older Peoples Health Service. The four wards are located in the the Support Building. Awatea Ward and Marino Ward are on level 14. Rangi toto Ward and Remuera Ward are on Level 13.These wards work very closely as a team and a unit. There is a strong Interdisciplinary team (IDT) focus on all four wards. This team is made up of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dieticians, speech language therapists, pharmacists and others, who all make contributions to the patients care. STRATEGIES Auckland District Health Boards vision’s is of a healthy population, and quality health service to the community people need it –Healthy Communities, Quality Healthcare ~ Hei Oranga Tika mo te iti me te Rahi.It is strategic priorities of Auckland district health board that all rest homes and aged residential care facilities are certified and audited to ensure they provide safe, appropriate care for their residents. This is measured by seeing how they perform against the standards set out in theHealth and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. HEALTH OF OLDER PEOPLE STRATEGY {2001} It is cooperated on the national level where Auckland District health board is doing this by putting up policies in Auckland to improve and giving standard of life to old people by giving them appropriate services. Health and support services and programmes specially made to facilitate the wellbeing of the aged people, it also controls over the lives and their capability to participate and capability to social life, family, whanau and community life. OBJECTIVES It provides the planning to support the growth of quality health and support services integrated around the needs of older people. Funding will be managed and services delivered to increase timely access for the quality life integrated health and support services for older people, family, whanau and caregivers. The Hauora needs of Older Maori and their (whanau) family will be given by different appropriate programmes which are going to support them. Special requirement of services should be recognise to support unique position of Maori living in Aotera as Maori. The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy The 1999 International Year of Older Persons prompted the development of a New Zealand strategy promoting the value of older people.In the this strategy they state the aged people live positively and grow properly in there elderly age. Positively strategy is also takes account the health, financial security, independence, self- fulfilment, personal safety and living environment of older Auckland District citizens. The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy provides a framework for developing and understanding policy with implications for older people. POLICIES Auckland DHB A+ Links Older Peoples Health Older Peoples Health (OPH) Serviceprovides inpatient and outpatient care and is spread over two sites; inpatient services are based at Auckland City Hospital while outpatient and community services are based atGreenlane Clinical center. They also have the interdisciplinary day assessment includes Stroke Clinic, Parkinsons Clinic and Auckland City Memory Service. Also available is the Community Rehabilitation Programme to assist people who need some assistance to get back to how they were functioning prior to illness or who need help with the transition back to their home situation after a period in hospital. Home Health Service provides community based healthcare for adults 16 years and over living in Central Auckland. It is based atGreenlane Clinical Centre. Dementia Pathways We will increase access to early onset dementia services.We will help to develop a greater range and level of skill within the Aged Residential Care sector.Overall, we want to see safer practice in working with older people across both inpatient and community settings.This will also depend on increasing service accountability and the reporting of clinical issues. SENIORLINE Support of carer- In this old person can get a support of carer on full time basis from district health board. FUNDING Auckland DHB received $1074.6 million in funding in 2014/15 from Ministry of health Funding increases as a result of growth over the last 3 years were as follows: $21.9 million in 2014/15 $21.4 million in 2013/14 $32.2 million in 2012/13. They also get public funding to serve aged people of Auckland District from NGO’s. TERMINOLOGY Terminology is meant to be the word which is used in different settings of science and in forensic science to name some special characters of some incidents and reactions in chemical. The old age person in the old age socially they called geriatric or elderly. Old age person- As the age recognised socially for the human being which is 65 years and they called retired people. ATTITUDES it is define how the people look the old age person, some of them are think they rely on their kids on the governments to live their lives. The elderly people with dementia they are isolated from the community in the mental institutions. Elderly people are undervalued by the young generation and discriminated against especially with loss of health and income. STEREOTYPES People start commenting them by words like useless or the words which hurts their dignity and respect. Person with cognitive impairments are socially isolated from community and from the family sometime. Most of dementia clients those with serious illness are unable to make decisions for their own lives where some of the families feel burden on them start suggesting them to go live separate or in rest home facilities. BARRIERS It is problem where elderly people get abused at home where they have to do home cleanings and home works like lawn moving, vacuuming. They also neglected most of the times due to their unwillingness and the diseases for the social parties in the families. Society starts undervaluing them when they starts going towards their retirement and they hurts their dignity where they feel disrespectful for themselves. They create image of elderly person of negative energy due to their suggestive nature to young people from their experience which always suggest them to do right things or in proper manners, these things also varies from culture or to religion. 2.3 SERVICE PROVISION All the service provided to aged people through hospitals their primary services and the services which they get from community. General practitioner- for the routines check up Hospitals- for the emergencies and accidents Work and income- for their financial part of their life Citizen’s bureau- for first time information NZ Positive Ageing Strategy (2001) Health Of People Strategy (2002) Above strategies helps to improve their quality of life improving their policies from their past years data gathering from their regional statics. ACESS FRAMEWORK RESTHOME FACILITY- it is started from GP first he assess the elderly person how much care they need for themselves, if it is fell dependence then they ask them to go for NASC assessment to get full service. Ministry of health – incorporate the strategies Auckland District Health Boards- Corporate the policies and strategies stated by Ministry of Health for Auckland District. They can access WINZ for their financials though their website. www.wins.govt.nz REFERENCES A Links Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) †¢ Healthpoint. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/older-peoples-health/a-links-needs-assessment-and-service-co-ordination/ Seniorline Home. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://www.adhb.govt.nz/SeniorLine Auckland DHB. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/my-dhb/auckland-dhb Residential care. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2015, from http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/publicly-funded-health-and-disability-services/residential-care HEALTH OF OLDER PEOPLE STRATEGY {2001}. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/olderplebb.pdf The positive ageing Startegy Retrieved February 22, 2015, from https://www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/seniorcitizens/positive-ageing/strategy/

The Koppen Climate Classification and its Purpose :: Climatology

What is climatology? How does it differ from weather? Describe the Koppen Climate Classification and its purpose.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Climatology is one of the several branches of physical geography, but it differs from weather in several ways. The term climate implies an average, or long term record of weather conditions at a certain region. It conveys a generalization of all the recorded weather observations in a given area. Weather conditions are recorded in specifics for any given moment in time: the temperature, percentage of rainfall, and percentage of humidity. Climate on the other hand, is described in more general terms. Humid Equatorial climates, Dry climates, and Cold Polar climates are marked by certain prevailing characteristics that can be mapped such as continuous snow or deserts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most popular classification systems is the Koppen Climate Classification system, which gives different climates three letters that describe that climate. The Koppen Climate Classification system is comparatively simple and is based on a triad of letter symbols. The first (capital) letter is the critical one; the A climates are humid and tropical; the B climates are very dry; the C climates are humid and mild; the D climates reflect increasing cold; and the E climates mark the polar areas. The first letter is followed by two more letters that further define the climate of that region. The second letter represents and explains the dry season: whether there is or isn't a dry season, whether it is a short or long dry season, and what season it comes in either a dry winter or a dry summer. The third letter defines the temperature of different seasons either a hot or cool summer or a cold or warm winter.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The purpose of the Koppen Climate Classification system is to assist in

Black Southenrner :: essays research papers

Black Southerners   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Over the years most of us have read a great deal about the institution of slavery and it’s effects on this country and the African American race as a whole. The fact of the matter is most of us have only learned certain information about slavery. There are only certain facts and historical figures that we lean about. No to say that the information we get is wrong, but we were not taught the whole story. This could be due to the approach of different instructors or because school curriculums are supposed to focus on the interesting facts and stories about slavery. The fact of the matter is there are some areas that go untouched when learning about slavery in most schools. Reading the book Black Southerners was something different for me. It was like some one opened a door and when I entered in I found hidden facts and knowledge about an institution that has a tremendous effect on my country and this history of race.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John B. Boles is the author of Black Southerners, and before he even discusses slavery itself he acknowledges that most people have preconceived notions about not just about slavery but about history as a whole. Boles says: Part of the mythology every schoolchild in the United States learns†¦is that the colony of Virginia achieved quick prosperity upon the basis of slaves and tobacco. Thus, â€Å"the South† is assumed to have existed as an initial settlement, with little change until the cataclysm of the Civil War in 1861. Boles discusses the beginnings of slavery in the seventeenth century and he clearly states the common misconceptions of readers and students: Some present-day readers believe slavery began in Jamestown in 1619†¦if such readers are aware of slavery’s existence in the ancient world, the assume it had become extinct until New World plantations arose with their greed for cheap labor. Boles writes on how slavery was indeed something that started in the Ancient world, and also it was not something that was racial motivated instead â€Å"as in the ancient system, slaves were usually captives of war†¦with religion, not race, being the crucial factor.† He notions the fact that â€Å"not all blacks were slaves.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An important element that should not go unnoticed is how Boles describes how the institution of slavery changed dramatically over time. In it’s early years it was an institution that was not based on race, but more on war, religion, and legal status.

Essay on Imagery in Their Eyes Were Watching God -- Their Eyes Were Wa

Positive Imagery in Their Eyes Were Watching God In Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the life of Janie is presented as a journey. Janie survives a grandmother, three husbands, and innumerable friends. Throughout this journey, she moves towards her ideals about love and how to live one's life. Hurston chooses to define Janie not by what is wrong in her life, but by what is good in it. Janie undergoes many changes throughout her journey, but the imagery in her life always conjures positive ideas in the mind of the reader. Janie's life begins under the watchful eye of her grandmother. Her grandmother has given up her own happiness to raise Janie and her mother. Right away, it is obvious that Janie's life is going to be different than her grandmother's. For starters, Janie has very different ideas about love than any other character. She may not be able to clearly define her thoughts, but the reader still sees that Janie's ideas are romantic and full of sensuality. The first glimpse into the past that the reader sees involves Janie underneath a pear tree, watching the flowers bloom. The descriptive language ("From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom" [10]) beautifully juxtaposed with complex thought ("The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It . . . followed her. . . and caressed her . . ." [10]) lets the reader experience the same feelings that Janie does, even though she is not yet old enough to fully describe them herself. Janie's grandmother is old and weak. She never had a person in her life who cared for her and truly wanted to look out for her well-being. As a result, she is frightened by Janie's refusal to follow the mold, ... ...tell it again. She doesn't need to. Janie has lived her life and survived her journey. Zora Neale Hurston closes off Their Eyes Were Watching God with one final, poignant image; Janie "[calling] in her soul to come and see" [184] the splendor of her life. Works Cited and Consulted Bourn, Byron D. "Women's Roles in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and James Baldwin's Go Tell It On the Mountain" Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row, 1937. Johnson, Barbara. "Metaphor, Metonymy and Voice in Their Eyes Were Watching God." Modern Critical Interpretations: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Lubitschek, Cyrena N. "The Role of Imagery in Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God." American Literature 58.2 (May 1996): 181-202.

Climate Change Essay

To put it in its simplest terms, climate change refers to the long term change in the earth’s temperature, particularly an increase in the average atmospheric temperature (Dictionary.com). Although there are some natural causes for climate change, most scientists are in agreement that humans are at least in part responsible for some of the effects we have already seen and must therefore take corrective action immediately to slow the process before it is too late and irreversible catastrophic damage has been done. The consequences of climate change, also known as global warming include extreme weather instances such as extensive drought, severe hurricanes and tornadoes, increased wild fires and melting of the polar caps (dosomething.org). In addition, there are hotter, longer lasting heat waves causing added health issues and even death, especially to the already frail elderly or those who are already sick and may be more easily susceptible to health risks (dosomething.org). Si nce 1870, sea levels have risen by about eight inches globally. Coral reefs are in danger due to the warmer water temperatures and higher sea levels. The coral reefs are lacking the sun they need to thrive and are becoming diseased. Here in the United States, temperatures have risen by two degrees over the last 50 years and precipitation is up by 5% (dosometing.org). According to Motherjones.com, the 2000’s was the hottest decade on record in the US and 2012 was the hottest year ever. With the rise of sea levels, comes the loss of land across the world. Globally the average land loss is eight inches. What that means to America is we are shrinking. Those in danger are people who live closest to the shoreline. It varies storm by storm, but those living closest to the shoreline during each mega storm, such as Hurricane Sandy, are in critical danger of losing not only their personal property and their lives but the actual earth beneath their feet. Everything could all be swept away by the wind and sea. There are currently almost five million A mericans living within four feet of the ocean at high tide. It is expected that over the next century, sea levels will rise by anywhere from one to four feet (Motherjones.com). Climate change affects rainfall as well and it can be devastating. A warmer planet means the air can hold more water vapor. That means when it rains it pours. The United States has seen record precipitation and flooding â€Å"significantly above average†Ã‚  (Motherjones.com), especially since 1991. The Northeast alone has seen a 71% increase in precipitation since 1958 (Motherjones.com). Nowhere has climate change left its mark more so than in Alaska. Due to melting glaciers no longer insulating the land, arctic storms are battering the now unshielded coastline that used to be protected by the now steadily melting glaciers. Additionally, 80% of the state has permafrost beneath its surface and as it thaws, the ground is literally giving way causing damage to roads and infrastructure. Currently, Alaska is spending about $10 million annually in repairs due to permafrost thawing and is projecting $5.6 to 7.6 billion for infrastructure repairs by 2080 (Motherjones.com). Extreme heat waves are becoming commonplace. Texas had one of the â€Å"hottest and driest summers on record† (Motherjones.com) in 2011 reaching over 100 degrees for 40 days in a row. It’s projected that if we continue on the same path, we could have a â€Å"once every 20 years extreme heat day† every two to three years by the year 2100 (Motherjones.com). In addition, we are feeling some of the driest conditions we’ve experienced in some 800 years. This has resulted in a loss to agriculture of as much as $10 billion in Texas and Oklahoma in 2011 & 2012 (Motherjones.com). Because we have more heat and drought, we have the potential for more wildfires. We have had record setting wildfires in both 2007 and 2011. And to make matters worse, these very wildfires, as dangerous and deadly as they are also add to the climate change problem. Wildfires actually release more carbon from the ground and only make the climate problem even worse. According to Mothorjones.com, â€Å"a single large fire in 2007 released as much carbon to the atmosphere as had been absorbed by the entire circumpolar Arctic tundra during the previous quarter century,† (Motherjones.com). There are some natural causes of climate change that we can do nothing about, but we have fast tracked global warming since the start of the industrial revolution. While volcanoes and solar patterns certainly are a small contributor to climate change, humans make a much greater impact. Due to deforestation and the massive amounts of fossil fuels consumed, there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any point in the last 800,000 years (Dosomething.com). Carbon dioxide is widely believed to be the most harmful of all greenhouse gasses. The US alone emits approximately 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year; 40% of which comes from power plants. As early as the 1700’s, we began emitting  more and more greenhouse gasses, mainly carbon dioxide by using coal, oil and gas to run our cars, trucks and factories (Dosomething.com). It is the increasing use of fossil fuel along with deforestation that is keeping greenhouse gasses closer to the earth not allowing it to escape the atmosphere thereby raising the earth’s temperature (Dosomething.com). We can’t fix this problem overnight, but the solution begins with us. The NRDC, National Resources Defense Council suggests a five step plan to insure a longer lasting planet for our children and we must begin today. 1. Set Limits on Global Pollution 2. Invest in Green Jobs and Clean Energy 3. Drive Smarter Cars 4. Create Green Homes and Buildings 5. Build Better Communities and Transportation Networks Some of these steps are already in place. Take for instance the Clean Air Act which established emissions and fuel economy standards for all cars. For power plants and factories, the impact could be as great as 560 million tons of carbon per year by 2026 under the Act. This is estimated to avoid anywhere from $25-60 billion in health costs (NRDC.com). Another great option is electric cars. They save on carbon emissions because they do not require gas to run. They are also cheaper to run for that very same reason. Case in point: Paul Scott from Santa Monica, CA bought an all-electric version of the Toyota Rav4 in 2002. It runs purely on sunlight and he charges the battery with the solar panels he heats his home with so essentially it costs him nothing to run. He hasn’t been to a gas station in 12 years (NRDC.com). If you can’t afford a new electric vehicle, at least you should be driving a high-mileage vehicle to cut down on emissions. Drive only what you need. We must cut down our dependence on oil and thereby reduce our consumption of fossil fuel. We can invest in retrofitting our homes; install energy star appliances, insulation and seal leaks where cool and warm air is escaping. This can save hundreds to over a thousand dollars annually to the homeowner but if just one in five American homes were retrofitted to save energy, we could avoid the need to build 13 mid-sized power plants every year. On a national level, we could cut as much carbon pollution as taking half a million cars off the road if every  house in America were energy efficient (NRDC.com). There are folks who believe global warming is a fallacy or work of fiction; people who think that because of the recent cold weather that we experienced in the Winter of 2013 and 2014, the Polar Vortex for example that global warmi ng cannot possible be real. These are people who have done no research or who do not have any facts. That very cold trend was a result of climate change (Climtecentral.org). There are also those that will cite â€Å"facts and myths† and counter with their own version of beliefs. They simply do not want to believe what is so vastly evident in research. Robert M. Carter, a research professor has written a myth v. fact document (globalresearch.ca) disputing the facts. Everyone is entitled to their opinion; that’s what makes our country so great. Based on my research, it is my belief that humans are in fact greatly responsible for the increase in climate change. Global warming is probably the wrong terminology and it makes perfect sense that it has been updated to climate change however there are still skeptics. There probably will always be nonbelievers. But I feel the data is undisputable. It is up to us to make the necessary changes before it is too late. We must make changes or we could face dire consequences. There are so many ways each individual can make small changes. Every one of us must do our part and we must begin today! Your new America (observed temperature changes over the last 22 years). National Climate Assessment. Source: Motherjones.com, National Climate Assessment Reference List 1. Multiple sources. (date unavail.). 11 Facts About Global Warming. www.DoSomething.Org. Retrieved from https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-global-warming 2. Carter, Robert N. (2009, Dec. 9). www.Globalresearch.org. Global Warming: Ten Facts and 10 Myths on Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/copenhagen-and-global-warming-ten-facts-and-ten-myths-on-climate-change/16467 3. Mooney, Chris. (2014, May 6).

Bad Boys by Arnette Ferguson

Paige Kahalnik Sociology Bad Boys paper In the book, Bad Boys, Ann Arnett Ferguson goes on a three-year journey through Rosa Parks Elementary School to observe and research why it is that mostly black males are ending up in jail and are unsalvageable from such a young age. She interviews and observes daily interactions with the eleven and twelve year old students that have been labeled â€Å"at risk† by their teachers and peers. She wants to research how it is being in school when all of the educators have already labeled them as â€Å"unsalvagable, at risk, and bound for jail†.These kids pretty much act in the way that their teachers treat them. They get into trouble every single day and most of the times these boys provoke it because that’s how they think there supposed to act because they think they are already going no where in life. At such a young age, these boys, just because they are black, shouldn’t be criminalized and put in a different category than other boys. These children faced many challenges that effected how they learned in school, the way teachers and peers treated them, and how they are labeled as bad boys.Ann Arnett Ferguson said, â€Å"in the course of my study it became clear that school labeling practices and the exercise of rules operated as part of a hidden curriculum to marginalize and isolate black male youth in disciplinary spaces and brand them as criminally inclined†(page 2). This means that the educators didn’t really realize they were doing this and labeling these boys but it was more like a tradition and they saw nothing wrong with it. This is purely based on race and obviously some people are still in the mindset that black people are inferior to white people.Bad boys show black males from a very young age being adultified and become very masculine making them becomes part of the criminal system early on. Adultification is a filter of overlapping representations of three socially inven ted categories of â€Å"difference†; age, gender and race. This is justified by saying that humans are different from animals, children different from adults, girls different from males, and blacks different from whites. African American boys are doubly displaced among society.Ann Arnett Ferguson says, â€Å"they are not seen as childlike but adultified; as black males they are denied the masculine dispensation constituting white males as being â€Å"naturally naughty† and are discerned as willfully bad†(page 80). These African American boys are thought of being two things, either a criminal or an endangered species. They are not allowed to be naughty by nature according to society, but rather there naughtiness is a sign of vicious, inherent, insubordinate behavior.African americans are seen as endangered victims, which makes them criminals. Ferguson states, â€Å"It is their own maladaptive and inappropriate behavior that causes African americans to self-destr uct†(page 82). There are two versions of childhood that are contradictory to each other. A real child would be seen as a â€Å"little plants† ready to grow up accordingly which is what white men were like to educators. On the other hand the African American boys were seen as children who are powerful, self centered, and have an agenda of their own.These black boys are seen as adults from such a young age, they don’t have time to be young and grow up because others make it seem like they are already fully grown. This drives them in the path to do bad things and make bad decisions. In the beginning of the book, the vice principal of Rosa Parks Elementary school said that most of the children in the school would be headed for jail and that there was a jail cell with some of their names waiting on it. At first, Ferguson rejected this point of view and said that that was not going to be true.After further research and observation, Ferguson definitely looked at the sit uation differently. She said, â€Å"While I rejected the labeling practices of the school vice principal , in my opening chapter, I also reluctantly admitted that by the end of school year, I too had come to suspect that a prison cell might have a place in the future of many Rosa Parks students† (page 230). These boys have adopted the way that people treat them and it has such a negative effect on them that they are probably heading to jail.They are all being punished so much and isolated from the classroom that they aren’t learning anything throughout the days. They don’t have many social interactions and don’t have full access to resources that are needed. Educators might not see it, but they are a big reason that these children and being put behind bars and not meeting expectations that white boys meet. They are treated differently than white boys from such a young age, so they just start to â€Å"act black† like how everyone else thinks they sh ould. They know they are getting treated differently, so they just keep it that way.Most of the people that end up in jail are usually African American boys. If these â€Å"bad boys† weren’t treated like they are some kind of poison, maybe they wouldn’t be behind bars as life goes on for them. African American boys have to seem masculine every single day from such a young age because they were labeled as adults so early on. These boys thrive on their masculinity because this means that they have power and value. Their life doesn’t have meaning if they aren’t throwing masculine performances to the best level. This is why so many African Americans get in trouble.They want to prove their masculinity through violence. When young African American boys are in school they fight to show others who they are. Most of these boys identify themselves in groups like gangs because it is a sense of home for them. They are all being treated differently than others and they come together based on the fact of their race and how others see them. There is never any white boys in these gangs they are all black. Gangs are a sign of family and equality when they’re with there â€Å"homies†. They do violent acts in gangs to show their masculinity to others and have others fear them.The public and the media see them as â€Å"ghetto† black boys who aren’t educated and are violent. Since so many people portray them as this, they tend to do these things. They know how people see them and so they act on it how they think they should be acting in correlation to what the media and public see them as. In the classroom the African American boys will talk out of turn, say mean comments to others, and not answer any questions that the teacher asks. They see this as a masculine performance. It is fundamental for these boys to engage with power while in the classroom or they don’t feel like themselves.They are always seen as inf erior to the white boys and girls in class, so they decide to stay that way and not play around with the hidden curriculum. Bad Boys shows that there is still race issues that are going on today. Whether the educators realize that they single out the black boys more than anyone or not, there hidden curriculum is very apparent in this book. Fergusons portrayal of what happens to black boys is very real and happens to tons of them. It is true that mostly African Americans end up in jail and that they are treated like adults from such an early age that they already feel grown up by the time they are eleven or twelve.These boys are supposed to â€Å"act black†, so they do. These boys are supposed to act masculine, so they fight. These boys do everything that the public and media say they should and they don’t know any other way of how to act. This has been going on for so long, that there is no turning back for these boys. This book will show people what is really going on and I think many educators, peers, parents, etc. will see this and really try to change the way they say and do things to African Americans. Maybe this book will turn some people around and these boys will be treated equally.

Cosi hsc practice essay Essay

Discuss how Nowra’s perspective on personal relationships is conveyed in Cosi. The play Cosi by Louis Nowra is an emotional portrayal of personal relationships in a Melbourne mental institution ostracised by society. Throughout the play Nowra’s perspective on personal relationships develops and changes through character relationships and development, especially the development of the main protagonist Lewis. Nowra conveys his perspective on personal relationships through themes such as the importance of love and fidelity, the empowerment of women and learning and self-development. Techniques such as symbolism, intertextuality and contrast are also used to further highlight Nowra’s perspective. Nowra’s perspective on personal relationships is primarily shown through the character Lewis and his personal relationships with other characters in the play, especially in his relationship with his girlfriend Lucy. Act Two, Scene Two which features a confrontation between Lewis and Lucy on their relationship is significant in showing this. In this scene, Lucy comes to pick Lewis up to take him to the moratorium meeting and Lewis must decide between staying for the play and going with Lucy. Nowra’s belief on the importance of the existence of love and fidelity in a relationship is shown when Lewis says to Lucy â€Å"It’s about important things like love and fidelity†. Intertextuality is used here through Lewis’ character development and change of values that is evident in this line. This change occurred through his participation in the production of Cosi Fan Tutte with the patients and his exposure to the themes in the play. The women in both Cosi Fan Tutte and Cosi are often compared with the Arabian Phoenix which acts a symbol for a woman’s constancy or fidelity. â€Å"A woman’s constancy is like the Arabian Phoenix. Everyone swears it exists, but no one has seen it.† This is quoted by Lewis to Lucy to further convey Nowra’s belief in the importance of love and fidelity in a relationship. As Cosi was written in a time where a huge social change was occurring and women were beginning to have more sexual freedom with the invention he birth control pill, a lot of aspects of the play focus on the empowerment of women and the double standards that exist between and women in society especially when it comes to fidelity. This is shown in Nowra’s contrast of Act Two, Scene One and Act Two, Scene, Two. In Scene One, Lewis is unfaithful as he kisses Julie but in Act Two he reprimands Lucy for sleeping with Nick failing to mention his own infidelities. Intertextuality is used in this scene when Lewis claims that a woman’s constancy is like the Arabian Phoenix, revealing his hypocrisy. Through Lewis’ condemnation, Nowra demonstrates that, although modern society has become more sexually lenient, there are still double standards that occur which condone men’s fidelity but condemn women’s fidelity. It is revealed that Nowra believes that men and women should be equal not only in relationships but in society too. Julie articulates the message at the beginning of the play when she says that men â€Å"want women to deceive them because it will prove their worst thoughts about women† which in contrast is confirmed by Lewis’ attitude towards Lucy’s infidelities.

Is the belief in God rational? Essay

â€Å"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God† (Psalm 14:1, KJV ) â€Å" He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water† (John 7:38, KJV) As per Holy Bible, in the beginning, when there was no form, God had worked for six days in creating heaven and earth, â€Å"God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good† (Genesis 1:31 KJV). On seventh day, God ended his work and took rest. The very existence of earth, sun, moon, sky and stars are the resemblances of God’s work which are working without the intervention of human science which produces a fact there is a supernatural strength of spirit beyond the recognition of human knowledge and understanding. Accepting the fact that who believe in God is a theist and a non-believer is an atheist, each must have own justification of epistemic beliefs or non-beliefs on God with supportive arguments, irrespective of religion whether it is Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or Christianity. Theists are fundamental believers on God and atheists draw scientific conclusions and explanations that God is unnecessary. Buddhism and Hinduism have a unique identity in explaining about atheism and also about the rationality about belief in God and so also the religion of Islam. Christianity as a religion, propagates Jesus Christ as God with a strong evidence of empty tomb and also taking the evidence of miracles performed and teachings quoted in four gospels of New Testament. According to Apostle Paul Jesus was â€Å" declared the son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead†. (Romans 1:4). The above concludes an opinion that God is a supreme being who is omnipotent and omnipresent, creator and ruler of the whole universe for Christianity scriptures are the proof of God. Belief or non-belief on God is based on a personal life experiences and the interaction with inner soul and God. A view at Old Testament of Holy Bible reveals some of the facts that God did communicate with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses was commanded by God to divide the red sea and to lead the Israel out of bondage from Pharaoh. The rationality behind the above, produces a strong evidence that the presence of God always surrounds the earth and this supernatural force controls the entire universe. This is a fact for those who believe and who listen to the voice of God. According to the Holy Bible, the seed of disbelief on the existence of God is none other than evil force which transforms the human minds who get carried away into material facts of the world and become the cause of self-fall. Conclusion Belief on God is good and is rational, as it is stated in Psalms â€Å"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom†. Human knowledge, development and wisdom are the gifts of God who is an embodiment of kindness, mercy and wisdom. If King Solomon asked for wisdom to lead kingdom, Moses asked for accuracy in speech to communicate with people, each according to the wants and desires, were offered gifts by God. This was made possible only by God and for believers the history of past glories of God is the holy grail to carry and move on. Reference Gregory Kouki (2001), It is rational to believe in God? Accessed on 21 February, 2007

Mexican Immigration in Los Angles 1990's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mexican Immigration in Los Angles 1990's - Essay Example In this new political and economic context, the 1982 and 1994 financial crises have contributed to a redefinition of the relations between unions and the state, especially with regard to labour market deregulation, but also regarding capital-labour relations (Zapata 6-10; Delgado 1-19). The direct effect of the new economic and labour context has been to make employment more precarious, with a general reduction in wages. This has been going on for nearly 20 years (Cortes 12-19). Income levels, already low in 1980, declined even further in the next few years. For example, the minimum wage shows an uninterrupted tendency to fall steadily over the last 20 years, and by 1998 it was worth only 31 per cent of its 1980 value. Average working incomes have also been badly hit and have continued to go down during this period. In the first half of the 1990s there was some improvement in average incomes, but not enough to restore wages to the values they had in the early 1980s. The crisis of December 1994 reduced salaries again, and this state of affairs has continued pretty much up until now (2002). The current value of average working incomes is still about 25 per cent less than it was at the start of the 1980s (see Figure 1). In addition, the number of people earning less than the minimum wage has increased, from 27.7 per cent of the working population in 1990 to 32.5 per cent in 1995 and 37.5 per cent in 1997. The proportion of those receiving between twice and five times the minimum wage has remained stable over the decade. Those who earn more than five minimum wages are in the curious position of having increased in number in 1995 only to go back to representing the same proportion of the workforce as in 1990 (see Table 1). In spite of this, the most important fact to emerge from the figures is that for the entire 1990s a third of the working population earned less than the minimum wage established by law, which is itself very meagre and insufficient to cover even basic needs. Furthermore, an additional 30 per cent of the working population earned between 1 and 2 minimum wages. This means that two-thirds of the workforce have been exposed to a precarious and vulnerable situation in which the movement of their wages has been, in fact, downwards. The persistence of this pattern of income inequity and insecurity for more than 20 years has made migration a real alternative for many. International migration (and remittances) has become a more attractive option than working in new industrial zones or in cities in Mexico, although job opportunities in urban areas are far superior to the limited chances in the Mexican countryside. As Figure 2 shows, the average amount sent back in remittances to Mexico by each migrant worker from 1995 onwards is 2.4 times the official minimum wage, which is two-thirds of the average working income in Mexico. In other words, migrant workers were able to bring to the family income as much money as

Michael Phelps Bong Incident Personal Statement

Michael Phelps Bong Incident - Personal Statement Example This is what I enjoyed the most about David Harsanyi's article - that it offers a broad view on both the Michael Phelps scandal and the contemporary repression of Cannabis. In my reply to the article, I aimed to express my opinion concerning the real issues that oftentimes get concealed behind the shiny, hyped up issues the mass media seem to consistently adopt. I very much agree with the author's overall opinion on the subject matter, so essentially this letter was written as an elaboration of the theme of stupidity: that expressed by Phelps himself, and that which sometimes looks inextricable in our modern society. After reading on "Michael Phelps' public stoning", I was compelled to express how I wholeheartedly agree with your central point: Phelps is an idiot; but then again, so is the war on cannabis. It's discomforting to realize how in full on XXI century, our society is still so easily deceived into supporting the enforcement of such blatant and outrageous witch hunts. In this day and age we're living, one might have supposed that the news a 14-times gold medalist is also a pot smoker could help people realize how the rumors concerning the dangers of marijuana might have been grossly exaggerated; but no, as it turns out all that conservative people focused on was how Michael Phelps no longer had a place among the pantheon of positive role models their children should strive towards. Just goes to show how our opinions are so heavily influenced, and our perspectives so easily shifted. I think you said it best when you stated how "In reality, the most startling aspect of the Michael Phelps incident is that we produced an Olympic superstar dumb enough to place his gargantuan paws around a bong in full view of dozens of partygoers equipped with cell phone cameras." Granted, most pot smokers understand the aggressive prejudice they're still subject to in our society, and some of them choose to keep their smoking habits in private. But not many of them have such high stakes as Phelps, and still he went ahead and exposed himself like that. He should have known better, and he should have thought before grabbing a bong in a college party (where someone was bound to snap a picture), but then - well, then he got high... and the rest is history. In my opinion, Phelps committed two coarse errors: the first one was getting caught in public with a bong, and the second (possibly worse) was making a public statement telling how much he was sorry for his reckless, juvenile behavior. As you've written in the final portion of your article, most Americans who have smoked marijuana are unlikely to feel regrets about doing so - and Phelps himself, there's a good chance he's actually sorry only of getting caught. His judgment failed, all right: not necessarily by smoking pot, but absolutely by doing so in a scenario that would be likely to bring about repercussions that might compromise his career. All in all, it goes without saying: Michael Phelps is an idiot. But all the while, he's also a prodigious swimmer who has consistently displayed off-the-charts skill and capacity. So what if he smokes pot If nothing else, that just goes to show that pot smokers can become something other than slackers and parasites, as maintained by our dearly uptight cultural stereotypes. Regardless (and as far as I'm aware)- marijuana isn't

New York's decision to pay egg donors sparks debate by Ridgely Ochs Essay

New York's decision to pay egg donors sparks debate by Ridgely Ochs - Essay Example New York state decision to pay women who donate eggs for stem cells using public money is generating a lot of debate in ethicists and critics who believe it to be an inappropriate way to use tax dollars. However, scientists believe New York decision could make it a leader in the research that promises to cure serious diseases like diabetes and brings revenue and jobs to the state. Nevertheless, apart from ethicists, not all scientists approve the procedure of using tax payer dollars to finance an undertaking that some people find morally wrong and attracts poor women who remain vulnerable to exploitation. Ethicists feel that many people will be violated and feel morally complicit in doing something they oppose; hence, ethicists believe that the decision ought to have been deeply reflected across the state. However, the state decision is considered to benefit another person by saving a person’s life or even resulting in a child. Summary of â€Å"The facts on embryonic stem cel ls† by Jennifer Barrios Embryonic stem cells are retrieved from human embryos that are less than a week old and have the prospective of growing into muscle, nerve and different other forms of cells. Embryonic stem cells differ from Adult stem cells in that adult stem cells result from non-embryonic human tissue like the brain or bone marrow and are found in certain tissues within the human body. Some early researches indicated that adult stem cells could develop into other forms of tissue apart from the original tissue although their capacity is limited compared to embryonic stem cells... Summary of â€Å"Researchers find new way to produce stem cells† by Delthia Ricks A group of scientists produced one of a kind human stem cells that never destroys embryos where they come from and indicated that the stem cells are viable and hardy for researchers to begin using them immediately. The procedure of obtaining the stem cells involves plucking one cell from the embryo and then freezing it before being implanted in addition the procedure was regarded as a proof of principle. The procedure is similar to pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a technique that allows one or two cells to be picked from early-stage embryos for gene screening. Picking a single cell from an embryo does not alter the development of the embryo moreover; this procedure is expected to be get permission from US FDA to stem test stem cells as treatments for disorders. In November USA and Japanese scientists showed a fresh way of obtaining embryonic stem cells that coaxed scientists to develop them from skin cells. The discovery made worldwide headline revealing how skin cells retain primordial slates called stem cells, which scientists believe can change to any form of cells thus they can be used to create fresh and healthy tissue following an injury or debilitating disease. Nevertheless, opponent of this fresh technique of obtaining embryonic stem state that they are not convinced that the technique passes the test of protecting human embryos. Although the techniques seems to have been successful on technical issues, ethical issues still remain on the issue of using and manipulating human embryonic stem cells. Summary of â€Å"Scientists stress importance of research with human embryos† by Delthia Ricks Although opponents of embryonic stem cells

Islamic Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Islamic Architecture - Essay Example Islamic architects borrowed much from the fallen Persian Empire’s architecture. Much later after seeing fusions with many traditions, when Islam came into the subcontinent, the already prevailing Indian architecture had to adapt itself with this new religion (Metcalf). Arches, mosques and domes began to appear on the scene along with the Hindu mandirs. Muslim rulers introduced these Islamic traditions and also borrowed elements from Hindu architecture to further decorate their own buildings. Islamic architecture was represented by a distinctive regional panache. This was the time when Islamic architecture was heavily under the influence of Persian, Turkish and Jerkasi traditions followed by Fatmids, Salejuqs, Atabeqids, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans. The influences upon the architecture were not the choice of Muslim architects and artist; instead, they were Muslim rulers who decided to incorporate foreign traditional elements prevailing in the environment, to enhance their o wn architecture. The most significant examples of Islamic architecture facing syncretism are seen during the Mughal period. Buildings that were constructed during Mughal era were inspired by the Indian architecture with slight touches from Persian architecture. The city of Fatehpur Sikri shows big examples of fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture encouraged by Akbar. Taj Mahal in Agra depicts religious syncretism and is famous for its beautiful architecture enhanced by white marbles, sophisticated carvings and minarets. These styles that were encouraged during the medieval period were neither purely Islamic nor Indian; instead, these were a fusion of the two religions and their traditions. Going back into history, Ottomans inculcated Byzantine architectural features into Islamic architecture when they took the city from Byzantines and transformed the cathedral into a mosque.

The Pyramids in Giza Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Pyramids in Giza - Essay Example The flight to Cairo was extremely long, with delays and the usual combination of drama and comedy involved in international flights; the destination would be worth it, I told myself. The Captain had just notified us that we were leaving Saudi Arabia flying towards Egypt when I noticed from my wing side seat that the ground below us looked like a plethora of interesting shapes, mostly â€Å"stones† in the middle of a dessert. I later came to realize that these â€Å"stones† were actually buildings. Along the Nile delta, there is greenery, but I soon discovered that dust and sand was the order of the day. Believe it or not, twenty-eight hours after takeoff, we finally taxied down the runway at Cairo airport. It was a step back in time! It wasn’t a particularly hot evening; thankfully wisdom had decreed that we make the journey during the winter months when the sun was not so likely to bake us from the outside in. After traveling for more than one day, exhaustion ha d set in and the only thing I was truly interested in was a hot shower, something to eat, and a still place to lie down.  At the hotel, which, by the way, faced the Nile River, we secured our room and proceeded to unwind.

International finance and management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International finance and management - Essay Example hods for managing the said exposures are forward contracts, money market contract, currency options, currency swaps, leading and lagging and choice of currency invoice. Lastly, a brief illustration on how to use the money market and forward contract is provided. Medco Ltd is a pharmaceutical company based in the U.K. the company deals in exports and imports of medicines throughout Europe. The nature of the company’s transaction presents a risk as a result of the fluctuation of the foreign exchange rates. The company is planning to invoice a customer in France for 500,000 euros, payable in six months. The company’s managing directors seek advice on whether to implement money market or forward contract hedging strategy. This essay presents the risks in relation to the changes in exchange rate, the causes and factors affecting foreign exchange rate risks, methods of dealing with the forex risks and a mathematical illustration to help the company’s managing directors decided between the two hedging strategies (money market and forward contract). Foreign exchange is a market concept that means, converting currency of one country into that of another. Therefore, foreign exchange market is the market that hosts the currency conversion process (Baxter & Stockman 1989). The process of currency conversion depends on exchange rates. An exchange rate is the cost charged for converting the value of a country’s currency into the value of another. A spot exchange rate is the rate used in an instant currency conversion agreement between two or more parties (Dornbusch 1976). Spot exchange is carried out in a spot exchange market, which is part of the foreign exchange market. On the other hand, forward exchange rate is the rate agreed on today, to convert currencies at a future date specified in the agreement (Weithers 2011). The fluctuating exchange rate could present an unfavorable situation to a company if the local currency is rendered less valuable, (increased

Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations Essay

Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations - Essay Example In just 20 years the number of international NGOs has increased from 13,000 in 1981 to more than 47,000 in 2001 (Wild, 2006). The NGO sector has become "the eight largest economy in the world" worth $1 trillion, with an annual budget of $15 billion for development programs, 19 million paid staff members and countless volunteers, and the good will and respect of millions around the world (Hall-Jones, 2006). Public response to NGOs has been much more positive than negative on both global and national levels. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan called NGOs the "new superpower" (Scheper, 2001). The praise is not undeserved. At least part of the credit in establishing international agreements and norms about environmental issues (the Kyoto Protocol), human rights (campaign against torture of suspected terrorists), gender equality (rape in conflict areas), and other concerns should go to NGOs. In many developing nations, especially where authoritarianism and corruption are deeply rooted and persistent problems, NGOs are often considered to be more responsive, trustworthy and competent, especially in defending people against human rights violations by state actors and in the delivery of badly needed health, education and other services. NGOs have also contributed greatly to documentation and dissemination of information and analysis that have given and continue to give direction and substa nce to international debates. The evaluation of NGO performance is not entirely positive. There are NGO critics and critiques. Questions are only to be expected from government and business interests that are affected negatively by NGO issue advocacy, such as campaigns against granting corporations mining concessions that will threaten the right of indigenous tribes to their ancestral land. However, serious and urgent questions have been raised regarding NGO orientation, their competence, their ability to uphold the interests of their stakeholders, and their adoption and practice of transparency and accountability in their day-to-day operation. In addition, a substantial number of political activists have questioned the "apolitical" stance of a number of NGOs, relations between NGOs (mostly based in the global north) and social movements (mostly based in the global south), the growing reliance of NGOs on government and corporate funding, and what is seen to be their slow transformation into quasi-governmental institutions (Albrow and Anheier, 2007). This paper is an attempt to give a factual account on the actual performance and impact of NGOs concerning particular issues and what some consider as the overarching goal of civil society -- global social justice in a sustainable world. It will also present and briefly discuss definitions of civil society and global governance that provide the general context and background for the discussion on non-governmental organisations. II. Global Civil Society and Global Governance Professor Mary Kaldor, Co-director of the Centre for the Study of Global Governance based in the London School of Economics defined global civil society as: "A platform inhabited by activists or post-Marxists, NGOs and neoliberals, as well as national and religious groups where they argue about, campaign for (or against), negotiate about or lobby for the arrangements that shape global developments" (Kaldor,

Fundamental Principles to Adult Education Essay Example for Free

Fundamental Principles to Adult Education Essay Adult education’s principal and fundamental principle is to harness and enhance adult individual’s skill and knowledge to be productive contributors to the society. Adult learners are provided then with programs and adult education movement for granting more opportunities for their advancement, as their success is regarded as the society’s growth as well. Adult learners should be educated not only for increase of knowledge but also for gaining more integral values as they were expected to give more of themselves and contribute in productivity of the society they belong. Fundamental Principles to Adult Education Being a teacher of a particular credit-based community college course is a very serious and tedious task. Since there would be a variety of 35 students’ whose age range vary from 17- 70 years old, this would certainly mean a† big challenge† for the instructor’s part, in order to teach and provide learning effectively. Malcolm S. Knowles, a prominent writer and instructor, advocated the theory of non-formal (informal) andragogy or adult education in the United States. He taught various principles and wrote numerous detailed accounts discussing on how to facilitate learning especially for the adults. Applying clinical Rogerian psychology in his writings and teaching; in result, he was able to train his students to acquire the attitude of being self-motivated. Furthermore, Knowles initiated the interest for implementation of informal adult education and he differentiated the advantages of the informal education, to the standard, traditional formal education. According to Knowles, formal education are mostly implemented and commonly used in secondary educational schools, commerce schools, and universities; whereas in informal adult education, students are just likely to complete credits on particular vocational or training courses and their classes are to be held on â€Å"community center unions, and other industries and even churches. Moreover, formal education requires that of being stable for completion of long term four-year course or more; when the latter (informal education) serves to be more temporary and flexible. However, it does not mean that informal education is not serious, the system just purports to be flexible enough to meet the needs of the adults who may be busy with their lives (job, family, religious and other activities). And these cases meet the demands of several adults who would want to re-educate themselves and to refresh their knowledge and learning from their vast experience, or to simply increase and gain more knowledge and training from their desires course of interest. In brief, Malcolm Knowles acknowledged the increasing demand and importance of adult education in the present 20th century. Knowles objective of real learning in adults, he emphasizes that an adult learner should acquire self-concept, readiness to learn, experience, orientation towards learning, and especially, the motivation to learn (Smith, 2002). On the other hand, a professor in New Zealand named, T. A. Hunter, also propounded the proliferation and development of an adult education movement. Hunter’s principle of education is grounded on his belief that education is depicted to the successful adjustment of a man to physical and social changes in one’s environment. His blueprint for adult education is the successful integration of biological, physiological, sociocultural, and cognitive knowledge derived from the informal training or education (Hunter, 1929). Adult education should mainly function to harness and enhance adult individual’s skill and knowledge. Adult learners at the same time should still be given the opportunity for advancement since their success is the society’s growth as well. Adult learners should be educated not only for increase of knowledge but also for gaining more integral values as they were expected to give more of themselves and contribute in productivity of the society they belong. In addition, this adult education is more of an inspiration among individuals who are in search for more adequate and applicable learning, and is regarded as an opportunity to success with one’s endeavors and purpose of serving the society (UNESCO, 1960). Fundamental principles of adult education then, should be grounded on the â€Å"realistic† and objective goal of learning. Education as embedded in the infinite realm of knowledge should be available to everyone regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, and culture. Adult education, as it plays a significant role and is the demand of most populace, should be taken seriously to address the learner’s need for proper, adequate, and effective learning. Moreover, there is a call for the government, to increase attention for the provision of the proper adult education. Increase of funding for the adult learners’ facilities, venues, and other learning tools is urgent to make this effective learning possible (UNESCO, 1960). References Hunter, T. A. (1929, July 1). Adult education. The New Zealand Railways Magazine, 4, 3. Retrieved from October 13, 2008, from http://www. nzetc. org/tm/scholarly/tei- Gov04_03Rail-t1-body-d7. html Smith, M. (2002) Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and Anadragogy. Tthe encyclopedia of informal Education. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. infed. org/thinkers/et-knowl. htm UNESCO. (1960). World conference on adult education. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. unesco. org/education/uie/confintea/montre_e. pdf

Rates of Reaction Essay Example for Free

Rates of Reaction Essay An enzyme is a protein molecule that helps other organic molecules start chemical reactions with one another; however, the enzyme itself is not affected by the reaction. A substrate is the substance acted upon by the enzyme. In this lab, catalase is the enzyme and hydrogen peroxide is the substrate. Catalase is found in both plant and animal tissues, and is abundant in plant storage organs. In this experiment, catalase is used from potatoes. Catalase is important to living things because it prevents the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the cell. Hydrogen peroxide is produced naturally as a byproduct of metabolism. It tends to disrupt the cells’ chemistry, too much can kill a cell. Therefore, the presence of catalase is needed to survive. Catalase breaks down the toxic hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and oxygen. If the concentration of the substrate hydrogen peroxide is related to the reaction rate of the enzyme catalase, then an increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will increase the reaction rate of catalase. Catalase: Methods and Materials In order to experiment and determine the affects concentration has on reaction rate, you will need several materials. Such as, potato extract, crushed ice and water in a large beaker to keep the catalase cool, since catalase is sensitive to temperature. Hydrogen peroxide solution is needed at six different concentrations (10%, 25%, 40%, 60%, 75%, and 100%). Also, 0% hydrogen peroxide is needed, which is just simply water. In addition, you will need a 10 ml graduated cylinder, a 50 ml beaker, forceps, paper dots (Whatman #1 filter paper, 1 cm diameter), a paper towel, a stopwatch, and graph paper. During this lab, be careful of the hydrogen peroxide because it can damage skin and clothes. Be sure to immediately rinse and spills with water. Throughout the lab, always keep the potato extract in the ice-water bath; catalase is very sensitive to warm temperatures. For starters, 0% hydrogen peroxide was tested as the control group; 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide was measured of using a graduated cylinder. This sample is then poured into a 50 ml beaker. After swirling the potato extract, using forceps a paper dot is picked up and immersed into the potato juice for five seconds. Then the dot is drained on a paper towel for 10 seconds. Using the forceps the dot is picked up and placed in the bottom of the beaker containing the hydrogen peroxide solution. Soon the dot was expected to rise to the surface because the potato juice’s catalase would break down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The oxygen gas gets trapped in the pores of the paper and caused to float. A stopwatch was used to measure the time in seconds from when the dot touched the solution until it reached the surface. The data was then recorded. The class was split into groups and each group was assigned a different percentile of hydrogen peroxide solution.

Educational Psychology: Quantitative Research Methods

Educational Psychology: Quantitative Research Methods Rachel Price Select a psychological discipline and Identify the primary research methods and designs  used in that discipline, and consider why that may be the case. This assignment will look at a number research methods and designs used in Educational Psychology. While there are numerous research methods and designs used in Educational Psychology this assignment will focus on the use of quantitative research in the forms of interviews, questionnaires and case studies and will also discuss quantitative research in the form of psychometric testing used in the assessment of dyslexia such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Wechsler 1949) and the Kaufman assessment battery for children (Kaufman Kaufman, 1983) and why each of the methods discussed are used, while looking at the validity and limitations of the methods and design. Educational Psychology is defined by Wittrock (1989) as the scientific discipline concerned with the development, evaluation, application and principles and theories of human learning. Educational Psychologists complete research when they examine the cognitive development of young children, explore the relationship between teachers preferences, educational experiences and classroom performance, and manipulate the structural features of lessons and study that result in student participation levels or explore the issues associated with the interaction of teachers and learners and learning contexts in situations (Berliner Calfee, 2004). Alexander and Winne, (2006) suggest all of these areas of research contribute to the science of learning and help develop guidelines for effective class room practises. The two research methods that influence scientific educational research are quantitative and qualitative approaches. Educational research tends to be a mixture of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies (Williams, 2011). Quantitative research methods are primarily experimental in nature and concerned with the causal relationships between dependent and independent variables, whereas qualitative research methods are primarily non-experimental and concerned with identifying and describing themes underlying human experience or the experience of a particular phenomenon (Della Porta Keating, 2008). Willis (2008) argues that quantitative and qualitative research methods are often borrow elements or techniques from each other. For example, program-evaluation research, action research, and teacher-as-researcher methods are forms of mixed educational research design that use elements of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies (Johnson, Christensen, 2008). Educational psychologists rely on quantitative based research methods to help them make decisions about school programs and practices (Slavin, 2002). Stanovich and Stanovich (2003) define quantitative based research as a form of study that uses systematic methods that draw on careful observation or experimentation in order to make valid, credible and reliable, conclusions. The science part of educational psychology seeks to sort fact from fiction by using particular strategies for obtaining information (Johnson Christensen, 2000; Kawachi, Kennedy Glass, 1999). Wolfe (2010) argues that the art of educational psychology lies in translating scientifically valid and reliable information into viable and effective classroom practice. Quantitative research is objective, testable, and systematic ( Kothari, 2011). Gravetter and Forzano, (2015) suggest that It reduces the likelihood that information will be based on personal beliefs, feelings and opinions. Quantitative research is based on the scientific method, an approach that can be used to discover accurate information. It includes these steps: conceptualize the problem, collect data, draw conclusions, and revise research conclusions and theory( Cronbach, 1957).Once data has been collected, educational psychologists use statistical procedures to understand the meaning of their quantitative data to help draw conclusions. They also compare their findings with what others have discovered about the same issue. The final step in the scientific method is revising research conclusions and theory (Mertens, 2014).Slavin and Davis, (2006) suggest that educational psychologists have generated a number of theories about the best ways for students to learn McInerney, (2005) suggests that when an educational psychologist wants to test a hypothesis they can choose from many methods, such as observation .Scientific observation is highly systematic. It requires knowing what is being looked for, conducting observations in an unbiased manner, accurately recording and categorizing what was seen, and effectively communicating these observations (Hersen, Haynes Heiby, 2003). A common way to record observations is to write them down, using shorthand or symbols. In addition, tape recorders, video cameras, special coding sheets, one-way mirrors, and computers can be used to make observations more efficient. (Coolican, 2009). Educational psychologists conduct research in laboratories at the universities where they work and teach, although laboratories often help researchers gain more control in their studies, they have been criticized as being artificial. In representational observation, behaviour is observed out in the real world (McInerney, 2005 ).Educational psychologists conduct representational observations of children in classrooms, at museums, on playgrounds, in homes, in neighbourhoods, and in other settings (Gà ¶ncà ¼, Jain Tuermer, 2007). Educational psychologists use interviews and questionnaires to find out about students’ and teachers’ experiences (Vaughn, Schumm Sinagub, 1996). Interviews normally take place face-to-face, although they can be done over the phone or the Internet whereas questionnaires are usually given to individuals in printed form and can be filled out in many ways, such as in person, by mail, or via the Internet (Coolican, 2009). Good interviews and surveys involve concrete, specific, and unambiguous questions and some means of checking the authenticity of the respondents’ replies (Ritchie, Lewis, Nicholls Ormston, 2013). However Fowler (2008) argues that interviews and surveys are not without problems. One crucial limitation is that many individuals give socially desirable answers, responding in a way they think is most socially acceptable and desirable rather than how they truly think or feel. For example, some teachers, when interviewed or asked to fill out a questionna ire about their teaching practices, hesitate to admit honestly how frequently they chide or criticize their students (Loughran, 2002). Skilled interviewing techniques and questions that increase forthright responses are crucial to obtaining accurate information. Another problem with interviews and surveys is that the respondents sometimes simply lie (Coolican, 2009). Another type of research method used by educational psychologists are case studies (Woolfson, 2011). Crosling Webb, ( 2002) define case studies as descriptions of â€Å"real-life† experiences that illustrate important concepts and issues in a field of study . In other words, a case study is an in-depth examination of an individual or situation A case study presents a unique method for combining theory and practice in a problem-solving framework. Case studies differ from spoken or written statements, in that they typically do not contain outcomes or conclusions, but leave the reader to contemplate the most appropriate course of action (Crosling Webb, 2002).Traditionally, case studies have been associated with business, medicine, and law. Recently, however, case studies increasingly have been used in education to help teachers and teacher-candidates develop essential problem recognition and resolution skills (Clandinin Connelly, 2000; Elliott, Woloshyn, DiPetta, Bennett, 200 0). Educational Psychologists use psychometric testing during the assessment for dyslexia. Lyon, Shaywitz and Shaywitz (2003) define dyslexia as a specific learning difficulty that is unexpected in relation to an individuals cognitive abilities. Psychometric testing methods such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) (Wechsler 1949), which is an individually administered intelligence test designed for children between the ages of six and sixteen (Cohen, 2011) and contains fifteen subtests that provide a comprehensive assessment of intellectual ability which are divided into ten core subtests and five supplemental subtests (Grizzle, 2011). The Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests (WIAT) (Wechsler, 1992) is also used, and is a comprehensive test that assesses academic achievement by testing the ability to apply cognitive skills and knowledge to graded expectations It alsoincludes nine subtests designed to assess specific areas within the areas of reading, mathematics, writ ten language, and oral language (Johnson, 2011) Another psychometric test used in the assessment of dyslexia is the Kaufman assessment battery for children (KABC)( Kaufman Kaufman, 1983), which is a consistent and valid measure of cognitive abilities for children aged three to eighteen (Hall Noggle, 2011). Psychometric tests are defined by Coolican (2009) as instruments that measure mental measurement and include personality scales and also include measures of mental ability such as intelligence, linguistic ability, creative thinking etc. Psychometric tests are mainly used in educational settings to help identify students who may need additional learning support (Stapleton, 2001). Vernon and Parry (1949) argue that the variables that psychometric tests such as the WISC and KABC scales, use, are always the best measures, and for educational purposes most of the relevant variables are measured by well accepted tests. They also suggest that this is one of the main arguments for the use of psychometric testing over interviews or recommendations from teachers (Vernon Parry, 1949). Mislevy, Behrens, Dicerbo and Levy (2012) suggest that psychometrics is the measurement of educational and psychological construct. As the WISC-V, WIAT-II and KABC-II scales are all variations on pervious scales (i.e. the WISC scale is currently on version five) and have been validated by comparison with previous models they have concurrent validity (Coolican, 2009).Coolican (2009) also suggests that new personality and IQ tests are often compared with older but similar models that have been known to have good validity. Stapleton (2001) suggests that if an assessment score can is closely correlated with future performance, then the assessment used is said to have predictive validity, and that in turn the assessment can be used to predict the likelihood of future academic success or failure. However Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith and Bem (1993) argue that the degree of correlation between IQ scores and psychometric testing and people’s academic achievement declines as a student moves up from primary school to higher education. Moreno (2011) states that group intelligence tests are more practical than individual intelligence tests as they are designed to assess several students simultaneously, however due to their tendency to be less accurate than individual intelligence tests, some authorities do not administer the use of group IQ tests. Due to numerous technical problems with IQ calculations, such as the fact that chronological age increases indefinably, mental age does not, deviation IQ scores are used to interpret the results of IQ tests (Kline, 2013). References Alexander, P., Winne, P. (2006).  Handbook of educational psychology. Mahwah, N.J.: Erlbaum. Atkinson, R.L., Atkinson, R.C., Smith, E.E., Bem, D.J. (1993). Introduction to Psychology (11th ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch. Berliner, D., Calfee, R. (2004).  Handbook of educational psychology. New York: Routledge. Clandinin, D. J., Connelly, F. M. (2000). Narrative inquiry: Experience and story in qualitative research. Cohen, M. J. (2011).  Children’s memory scale(pp. 556-559). Springer New York. Coolican, H. (2009).  Research methods and statistics in psychology. London: Hodder Education. Cronbach, L. J. (1957). The two disciplines of scientific psychology.  American psychologist, 12(11), 671. Crosling, G., Webb, G. (2002).  Supporting student learning. London: Kogan Page. Della Porta, D., Keating, M. (2008).  Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press. Elliott, A., Woloshyn, V., DiPetta., Bennett, S (2002). Instructors manual for stories from Canadian classrooms. Toronto, ON : Pearson Education. Fowler Jr, F. J. (2008).  Survey research methods. Sage publications. Gà ¶ncà ¼, A., Jain, J., Tuermer, U. (2007). Children’s play as cultural interpretation.Play and development: Evolutionary, sociocultural, and functional perspectives, 155-178. Gravetter, F., Forzano, L. (2015).  Research methods for the behavioural sciences (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Grizzle, R. (2011). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. In  Encyclopaedia of Child Behaviour and Development(pp. 1553-1555). Springer US Hall, J. J., Noggle, C. A. (2011). Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. In  Encyclopaedia of Child Behaviour and Development(pp. 853-854). Springer US. Hersen, M., Haynes, S., Heiby, E. (2003).  Comprehensive handbook of psychological assessment. New York: Wiley. Johnson, K. L. (2011). Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. In  Encyclopaedia of Clinical Neuropsychology(pp. 2681-2682). Springer New York. Johnson, B., Christensen, L. (2000).  Educational research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Allyn Bacon. Johnson, B., Christensen, L. (2008).  Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. Sage. Kaufman, A. S., Kaufman, N. L. (1983).  K-ABC: Kaufman assessment battery for children: Interpretive manual. American Guidance Service. Kawachi, I., Kennedy, B. P., Glass, R. (1999). Social capital and self-rated health: a contextual analysis.American journal of public health, 89(8), 1187-1193. Kline, P. (2013).  Handbook of psychological testing. Routledge Kothari, C. R. (2011).  Research methodology: methods and techniques. New Age International. Loughran, J. J. (2002).  Developing reflective practice: Learning about teaching and learning through modelling. Routledge. Lyon, G., Shaywitz, S., Shaywitz, B. (2003). A definition of dyslexia.Annals Of Dyslexia, 53(1), 1-14 McInerney, D. M. (2005). Educational Psychology–Theory, Research, and Teaching: A 25 year retrospective.Educational Psychology, 25(6), 585-599 Mertens, D. M. (2014).  Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage Publications. Mislevy, R. J., Behrens, J. T., Dicerbo, K. E., Levy, R. (2012). Design and discovery in educational assessment: evidence-centred design, psychometrics, and educational data mining.  JEDM-Journal of Educational Data Mining, 4(1), 11-48. Moreno, R. (2010).Educational psychology. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley Sons. Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013).  Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage. Slavin, R. E. (2002). Evidence-based education policies: Transforming educational practice and research.  Educational researcher, 31(7), 15-21. Slavin, R. E., Davis, N. (2006). Educational psychology: Theory and practice .Stanovich, P. J., Stanovich, K. E. (2003). Using research and reason in education: How teachers can use scientifically based research to make curricular instructional decisions. Washington, DC: US Department of Education Stapleton, M. (2001). Education. London: Hodder Stoughton. Vaughn, S., Schumm, J. S., Sinagub, J. M. (1996).  Focus group interviews in education and psychology. Sage Publications. Vernon, P. E., Parry, J. B. (1949). Personnel selection in the British forces. Wechsler, D. (1949). Wechsler intelligence scale for children. Wechsler, D. (1992). Wechsler individual achievement test Psychological Corporation.  San Antonio. Williams, C. (2011). Research methods.Journal of Business Economics Research (JBER), 5(3). Willis, J. (Ed.). (2008).  Qualitative research methods in education and educational technology. IAP. Wittrock, M. C. (1989). Generative processes of comprehension.  Educational psychologist, 24(4), 345-376. Wolfe, P. (2010).  Brain matters: Translating research into classroom practice. ASCD.