Professional Research Alchemist Inc

Specifically, it says that the existence dad et of the termination plan (I. E. The communication date) occurs when the following critic aria have been met and communicated to employees: (1) management have committed to the term nomination plan, (2) the plan identifies which employees will be terminated and the expected com lotion date, (3) the plan establishes the benefits arrangement in sufficient detail, and (4) it is unlike Ely that the plan will be withdrawn.In this case, termination plans exist for Plant A and B noon management employees on August 15, 2004 because on this date, each termination plan (1 ) has been approved by the board, (2) identifies the employees to be terminated, (3) identifies the b infinite paid per employee, and (4) is unlikely to change. In other words, August 1 5, 2004 is the communication date for the management termination plans for both Plant A and Plant B.FAST ASS 42010258 then indicates that if employees will not be retained to r ender service beyond the minimum retention period (I. E. The legal notification period d), then a liability for the termination benefits shall be recognized at the communication date. I n accordance with 42010305, this liability should be measured at its fair value at the communicate ion date.Thus, the termination benefits for Plant A management employees, who will not be retained past the day notification period, should be recorded as a liability on August 15, 2 004, measured at the fair value of the benefits as of August 15 Using the example from FAST ASS 42010553, We find that we can multiply the $5,000 per employee by the number Of term anted employees who are expected to remain at the termination date in order to estimate fair v alee.The expected transaction could be as follows: Termination Benefit Loss Termination Benefit Liability FAST ASS 42010259 States that if employees are required to provide service u until they are terminated in order to receive termination benefits and will be retain De t o provide service beyond the minimum retention period, then a liability for the terminate ion benefits should e measured at the communication date. According to FAST ASS 42010306, t his liability should be measured based on the fair value of the liability as of the terminate on date and should be recognized ratable over the future service period.This applies to the term nation plan at Plant B, where management desires to retain the management employees past the day notification period. Thus, Alchemist should measure a liability for the Plant B management termination benefits on August 15, 2004 and this liability will be measured at TTS fair value as of December 30, 2004 (the termination date). Using the example in FAST ASS 42010555, we find that the fair value of the liability for the termination plan at Plant B can b e found by using an expected present value technique.Furthermore, the liability should be recognized ratable by Alchemist in each month during the future service perio d (the daddy period ended 12/30/2004). Now that we have addressed the termination benefits to management e employees, we need to address the severance benefits to management employees at Plant A and B. For the severance benefits paid to management, FAST ASS 71210052 indicates that the benefits fall under the â€Å"contractual termination benefits† literature because the benefits a re required if a specified event, such as a plant closing, causes employees to be involuntarily t ruminated.FAST ASS 71210252 then indicates that an employer who provides contractual term nomination benefits should recognize a liability and a loss when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In this case, It is probe blew that the liability has been incurred on August 15, 2004 because the termination Of the plant m management is almost retain and the board has stated that the severance benefits will be provided. In addition, the loss can be reasonably estimated because the benefits are outlined by the employ e benefit website.Thus, Alchemist should recognize a loss and a liability for the management Severna CE benefits on August 15, 2004. In accordance with FAST ASS 71210252, the liability and loss shall include the amount of any lumps payments and the present value of any e expected future payments. The general transaction is shown below: Severance Benefit Loss Severance Benefit Liability Early Termination of the Lease We were then asked to address the appropriate accounting treatment for the early termination of the lease.FAST ASS 42010251 1 indicates that costs to terminate e an operating lease can include costs that will continue to be incurred under the lease control act when there is no economic benefit to the entity of the lease. This applies in the case of Alchemy SST, who is terminating the use of the plant, but is unable to cancel the operating lease. F CAB ASS 42010308 then states that a liability for th ese incalculable operating lease co SST should be recognized at the causes date.Furthermore, FAST ASS 42010308 and 4201 309 indicate that the fair value of the liability at the causes date should be deter mined based on the remaining lease rental payments, adjusted for any prepaid or deferred items, and reduced by estimated sublease rental payments that could be reasonably obtained (whet her or not the entity enters the sublease). For Alchemist, the causes date is December 30, 2004. Thus, on December 30, 2004, Alchemist would recognize a liability equal to the fair value e of the remaining lease payments ($4 million per year) reduced by the estimated subs ease payments ($1 million per year) as of December 30th.The transaction would be as follows: Rental Expense Rental Liability Other Costs (Plant Security Cost) Lastly, we were asked to address the appropriate accounting treatment for the e security costs associated with protecting plant B premises. FAST ASS 420102514 and 4 20102515 give us a guideline for the recognition of other costs (e. G. Plant security costs) associated with an exit or disposal activity. Since Alchemist anticipates hiring plant securities fate r plant Bi's termination, the estimation of the cost is regarded as a liability and should be recognized in the period when the guarding service is received.In addition, FAST ASS 4201030 10 indicates that such liability shall be measured at its fair value in the period it is incurred . That is, Alchemist should recognized the incremental cost of $1 after December ere 30, 2014 when the plant B is closed. Disclosure As stated in FAST ASS 42010501, all events related to exit or disposal activities shall be disclosed in notes to financial statements. Therefore, the amount expected to be incurred in connection with employee termination benefits, contract termination costs, a ND other associated costs should be disclosed accordingly.To be more specific, the total amount e expected to be incurred, the amou nt incurred in this period, and the cumulative amount incur red to date associated with contractual termination benefits, the operating lease costs, as well as the plan t securities cost, should be disclosed in notes to financial statements. Literature Appendix: Employee Termination Literature 420 Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations 10 overall General 42010051 The Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations Topic addresses financial accounting an reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities.An exit activity in eludes but is not limited to a restructuring 42010052 Those costs include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Involuntary employee termination benefits pursuant to a onetime benefit arrangement that, in substance, is not an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred compensation contract b. Costs to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease c. Other associated costs, including costs to consolidate or close facilities and relocate employees. Tran sactions 42010153 The guidance in the Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations Topic applies to the following transactions and activities: a.Termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under the terms of a benefit arrangement that, in substance, is not an ongoing been fit arrangement or an individual deferred compensation contract (referred to as onetime employee termination benefits b. Costs to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease (see paragraphs 420102511 through 251 3 for further description of contract termination costs and paragraph 84030401 for terminations of a capital lease) c. Costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees d.Costs associated with a disposal activity covered by Subtopic 20520 . Costs associated with an exit activity, including exit activities associated wit h an entity newly acquired in a business combination or an acquisition by a interoffice entity OneTime Employee Termination Benefits 42010254 An arrang ement for onetime employee termination benefits exists at the date the plan of termination meets all Of the following criteria and has been com enunciated to employees (referred to as the communication date a. Management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan n of termination.

Marketing Research Report on Co-op Bookshop

Marketing 202 Research Report Co-op Bookshop Executive Summary Co-op is a bookshop in Macquarie University at North Ryde Campus, and it sales new textbooks and references books to students, as well as popular novels and so on. However, after beginning of the semester, the quantity of sales of Co-op has an obvious decline. In this situation, our group use online survey method to collect questionnaires from 108 students in Macquarie University at North Ryde, and with the purpose of measuring students potential purchase behaviors and attitudes towards the Co-op, in order to help Co-op to improve the sales. Through use of the SPSS program, frequency, one-sample t-tests, cross tabulation and Chi-Square Tests data to show and analyze results of the survey, then in the following report there are four points can be concluded, and three commendations can be found. The most obviously one is that most of the students prefer to buy textbooks at a much lower price, compared with the demand for book quality, cheaper price seems more attractive. That is, although the second hand bookshop cannot to be a competitor on service and quality with Co-op bookshop, potential price threats could be bring to influence the Co-op bookshop’s sales volume. Then do some price promotional activities in Co-op is necessary. Table of content Introduction3 Hypothesis4 Research objectives4 Methods5 Results and finding6 Analysis16 Limitations19 Conclusion19 Recommendations20 Appendix21 Introduction University students are big and traditional market for textbooks, references books, magazines and journals, especially those with strong professional and academic focuses. Facing such a market, it is critical for bookshop owners to understand how to efficiently operate and manage the bookshops so as to meet the demands of the particular customer group and keep the business going under the fierce competitions from other channels. A traditional bookshop providing regular book categories and services may not satisfy this particular group and consequently ends with poor sales results. This report is based on the study on the Co-op, a bookshop in Macquarie University. It is observed that when the new semester begins, Co-op bookshop, with convenient access and abundant variety of stocks, becomes a destination for students to get new textbooks; however, sales shrink dramatically after the opening weeks. In this situation, our group tries to figure out the potential demands from the student group by understanding their purchase behaviors and attitudes towards the Co-op bookshop. A survey is made to understand the gap between the actual demands from the students and the current operation situation at the Co-op, and consequently to help Co-op to improve the sales. We use online survey method to collect questionnaires from 108 students in Macquarie University at North Ryde. In the following report, diagrams are used to discuss and analyze the survey result related to the research topics. Hypothesis †¢ Macquarie University students prefer to buy brand-new books at the Co-op bookshop rather than to get used books in second hand markets. †¢ Only Co-op bookshop sells new textbooks and academic references in Macquarie University. †¢ Quite a portion of the students are using second hand book, feeling easy with them. This is one of the reasons that make the sales shrink for the Co-op bookshop. †¢ Student opinions on the discounts offered by the Co-op bookshop are diverted. The student preferences survey shows that half students appreciate the discounts from the Co-op while the rest do not show big interest on it. Research objectives Several key objectives are decided for this research: – To identify the students group who prefer to buy textbook or other academic references in Co-op bookshop. To identify the student who are likely to join the membership to have discount plans with Co-op bookshop. – To measure student attitudes and beliefs about buying new books at Co-op bookshop. – To identify the level of satisfaction of the students who use second hand books. These research objectives are presented on the survey questions and will be explained in details in later part of this report. The research objectives are used to identify whether Co-op bookshop should enhance pric e promotion or leverage other methods in order to increase sales profit. The survey questions are based on the research objectives to help figure out an efficient promotion method. Methods Questionnaire survey is designed for this study since it is inexpensive, timesaving, and convenient. When properly designed, this method is very efficient because the survey questions are eligible for collecting opinions on multiple subjects from a large number of people. This research is targeted at all Macquarie University students at North Ryde campus. The feedback rate for this survey is 95%. 08 students are sampled after wiping off invalid questionnaires. We collect these samples using random sampling. We spread this survey question randomly to our classmates, student in library, student in SAM building and canteen. The statistical methods used to analyze the data are obtained through the SPSS Program. Through the use of SPSS program, frequencies, one-sample t-tests, cross tabulation and Chi-Square Tests data are generated reflecting the results of the survey. Resu lts and finding Question 1 |If you want to buy some books, which way comes to your mind first? | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent| |Valid | | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid | | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid | | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid |I don't want to |14 |13. 0 |58. 3 | | |pay the | | | | | |membership fee | | | | [pic] 14 students out of 24 say they don’t want to join because of the membership fee, which makes up 58. 3 percent; 7 students out of 24 think the discount is too low to be attractive, which constitutes 29. 2% of total valid samples; 3 students out of 24 claim that they have no idea about the membership, the 12. 5%. We have expected a lower percent on the fee consideration, because the fee is not high and is apparently beneficial with 10% saved on each purchase. This percentage is obviously higher than our expectation. 29. 17% of students think the discount rate is the reason, however we have expected this number to be higher, because the main benefits of membership is the discount. Discount also to some degrees shortens the gaps between brand-new and second-hand books on the price consideration. Thus we expect the main reason of not getting membership is due to a discount lower than students’ expectation. Question6: If the Co-op bookshop sells combined textbooks cheaper than the separate one, do you prefer to buy? |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid |Yes |74 |68. 5 |68. 5 |68. 5 | | |No |14 |13. 0 |13. 0 |81. 5 | | |I do not care |20 |18. 5 |18. 5 |100. 0 | | |Total |108 |100. 0 |100. 0 | | [pic] For this question, 68. % of the students appreciate the bundled offer at a more favorable price than that for individual sales at the Co-op bookshop. The bundle promotion type not only attract the student with textbook demand, with Co-op gradually recognized as a resort for favorable seller, more people will think of Co-op whenever they want to search for some other references. This probably will bring back the rest 18. 5% people who initially say no to the Co-op. Thus the demand for new textbook in MQ campus will ramp up, and the Co-op bookshop will sell more books than ever, even the profit per each sales decrease a little, then the overall profit will increase with higher sales volume. Question7: If Co-op bookshop provides  extra discount  on the  other  books besides textbooks periodically,  would you like to come? | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid |Yes |63 |58. 3 |58. 3 |58. 3 | | |No |45 |41. 7 |41. 7 |100. 0 | | |Total |108 |100. 0 |100. 0 | | [pic] From this question, our group wants to know the attitude of the students in North Ryde MQ campus towards books other than textbooks. From the diagram this survey reveals a satisfactory result with 58. 3% people in the survey willing to buy other books from the Co-op shop. For the rest 41. 7% who claim no intention to buy books other than textbooks, we think this will not impact the sales and promotion strategy of the Co-op shop to ignore the potential market demand other than textbooks in North Ryde MQ campus. Question8: Have you used second hand textbook before? | |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid |Yes |92 |85. 2 |85. 2 |85. | | |No |16 |14. 8 |14. 8 |100. 0 | | |Total |108 |100. 0 |100. 0 | | | | | | | | | [pic] The result of this question turns out that about 85. 2% students in our survey have used secondhand textbook, with only 14. 8% using only new books. This reveals that the biggest competitor of Co-op shop is second hand bookshop. Question 9: What are you feeling when using second hand textbook? |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent | |Valid |Regretful |7 |6. 5 |6. 6 |6. 6 | | |Poor |25 |23. 1 |23. 6 |30. 2 | | |Good |59 |54. 6 |55. 7 |85. 8 | | |Excellent |11 |10. 2 |10. 4 |96. 2 | | |Delightful |6 |5. 5 |3. 8 |100. 0 | |Total |108 |100. | | | [pic] The result further expands the discovery in the previous question. The result shows 6. 5% of the surveyed people thinking regretful for the quality of second hand books and 23. 1% feeling them poor; while 54. 6% finding them as a good choice, 10. 2% believing second hand books just excellent and 5. 5% reporting delightful user experience. That means about 70. 3% people in the survey think second hand book markets are better resorts for textbook and they prefer using it given that they have convenient access to them. Therefore, this result of this question confirms again that the biggest competitor of Co-op shop is second hand bookshop. Question 10: |Are you an international student? | | | | | | | | | | |Gender |Total | | | | |Male |Female | | |% Within Gender |100. 0% |100. 0% |100. 0% | Chi-Square Tests | | | |b. Computed only for a 2Ãâ€"2 table | Among the surveyed student, 83. 7% male students and 72. 9% female have Co-op bookshop membership, which does not stand for distinct difference between gender groups. The result is reflected in the Chi-square test table. The p-value in chi-square tests is more than 5% cut-off, thus the gender has no significant impact on people decision to get membership or not. |Are you an international student? * What's your feeling when you use the second hand textbook? Cross tabulation | | | | |Value |df |Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) | |Pearson Chi-Square |2. 009a |4 |. 734 | |Likelihood Ratio |2. 323 |4 |. 677 | |Linear-by-Linear Association |1. 329 |1 |. 249 | |N of Valid Cases |108 | | | |a. 5 cells (50. 0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is . 37. | | Question 9 reveals student attitudes towards second hand textbook, with 7. 1%, 24. 5%, 55. 1%, 10. 2% and 3. 1% of the surveyed students claiming second hand book user experience as regretful, poor, good, excellent and delightful. In total 108 surveyed students, 98 are international students and only 10 are local students. However, their opinions do not vary much as reflected in the Chi-square test table. A p-value of 0. 734 that is more than 5% cut-off, thus the feeling of using second hand books is not significant affected by whether the students are international or local. |Which facility are you in? Have you used the second hand textbook before? Cross tabulation | | | | | Value |df |Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)| |Pearson Chi-Square |3. 261a |3 |. 353 | |Likelihood Ratio |2. 576 |3 |. 462 | |Linear-by-Linear Association |. 529 |1 |. 467 | |N of Valid Cases |108 | | | |a. 6 cells (75. %) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is . 59. | From the cross tabulation, 87. 2% students majored in business/economic have used second hand book, turning out the highest rate among the rest groups. Only 60% human science students have used second hand book, which becomes the lowest in the survey. In average, 85. 2% out of total 108 students have used second hand book, which mean in this campus, the second hand book market is a big rivalry to Co-op bookshop. However, in the chi-square test, the p-value of more than 5% cut off indicates that facility has no significant impact on student decision to use second hand books or not. Limitations There are many limitations affecting our projects, for all Likert questions, we try to provide the respondents a chance to answer in neutral way to reflect a true situation of the book sales on campus. However, some people give up in the middle of survey with the questionnaire half complete. If these data are recorded for the data analysis, the inaccuracy will be introduced in the final result. Therefore, these survey input must be manually removed before the analysis. Another limitation is that the survey samples are not diverse enough, with most respondents being international students but only 10 out of 108 students as local. This reason may affect the accuracy of data result. This problem could have been avoided with careful selection of the sample student and more samples. Moreover, the descriptions for questions do not make sense in their word meaning, which confuse the student and affect their answers. We should have more carefully reviewed the descriptions and adding necessary explanations before handing them out for the survey. Conclusion According to the results of the survey discussed and analyzed above, the following points form North Ryde’s Macquarie University students can be concluded. Firstly, most of the students go to Co-op bookshop for textbooks at the beginning of the semester. Secondly, most of the students have a membership even they do not choose to buy books at the Co-op bookshop at the first thought. This finding does not show big variation between the gender groups. Thirdly, although it is obvious that second hand bookshop cannot compete on service and quality with Co-op bookshop, most of the students prefer to buy textbooks at a much lower price while the demand for book quality are not that important to them compared with the price At the same time, buying second handbooks are not divided between the international students and the local students, or among the facilities they are in. Thus, second hand bookshop turns out to be a threat to Co-op bookshop sales in Macquarie University. Moreover, from the data that received in the survey, it seems that the reason why most students are not willing to become members of the Co-op bookshop is the extra membership fee. Recommendations †¢ From the survey it can be found that most students like to purchase the textbooks in bundle at a favorable price, because it is cheaper than purchasing separately. It would be feasible for Co-op bookshop to offer more bundled selection to increase sales volume. Qui te some students think the discount rate to be unsatisfactorily low, which prompts the Co-op bookshop to offer a higher discount rate to attract these students. †¢ Most students only go to the Co-op bookshop for textbooks at the beginning of the semesters. Thus, the Co-op bookshop shall put more emphasis on promotion by, for example, handing out more advertisement fliers to students to explain favorable offerings and to spread recent promotion activities so as to attract the potential customers. Appendix Q1 [pic] If you want to buy some books, which way comes to your mind first? †¢ [pic]The co-op bookshop †¢ [pic]2nd hand bookshop †¢ [pic]Other book stores Q2 [pic] Have you  ever  bought books from the co-op bookshop? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No | |[pic] | | | |[pic] | | |If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey | | |Edit | | | | | | Q3 [pic] Which  time period do you go to the Co-op bookshop often? †¢ [pic]beginning of the semester †¢ [pic]interim of the semester †¢ [pic]end of semester †¢ [pic]aperiodicity Q4 [pic] Were you joining membership of Co-op bookshop? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No | |[pic] | | | |[pic] | | |If Yes Is Selected, Then Skip To if the co-op bookshop sells combined textbooks†¦ | | |Edit | | | | | | Q5 [pic] Why do you not join a member of the Co-op bookshop? †¢ [pic]I don't want to pay the membership fee †¢ [pic]The membership discount too low †¢ [pic]I have never known about the membership †¢ [pic]I have never bought books in the Co-op bookshop †¢ Q6 [pic] If the Co-op bookshop sells combined textbooks cheaper than the  separate one, do you prefer to buy? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No †¢ [pic]I do not care Q7 [pic] If Co-op bookshop provide  extra discount  on  the  other  books (except textbook) periodically,  would you like to come? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No Q8 [pic] Have you used the second hand textbook before? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No Q9 [pic] What's the feeling when you use the second hand textbook? |Regretful |Poor |Good |Excellent |Delightful | |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] |[pic] | Q10 [pic] Are you an international student? †¢ [pic]Yes †¢ [pic]No Q11 [pic] Gender †¢ [pic]Male †¢ [pic]Female Q12 [pic] Which  facility are you in? †¢ [pic]Art †¢ [pic]Human Science †¢ [pic]Business/Economic †¢ [pic]Science

Going Back to School

Going back to school looks good for my future financially because now of days higher education is the key to many success in life. It also requires proper time management. Going back to school can become stressful it your not prepared for it. I always planed on going back to school but after high school things didn't work out as I had plan. I am the second to the youngest in a family of five and my mother never pushed college. So I went to work thinking I graduated from high school that was good in my book. But soon I learned that good wasn't good enough I should strive to be the best not just good. so as I began to work and live on my own have children of my own we began to struggle to make ends meet. I began to switch jobs seeking the most befits and finical stability for me and my family. but still it just wasn't enough. As I began to look for jobs that could take care of my household family size I discovered that I need a degree. What are my educational Experiences In 2007 I decided to go back to school. I wanted to start of small to see if I really was going to like going back to school. So I began taking classes at a place called Action for children. At action for children you payed for your own classes out of pocket then when complete with the 4 week class you got your money back from the session you had to take as many classes as you needed to equal 120 credit hours. It was hard for me having a family and working full time but I did receive my CDA in the summer of 2007. When returning to school from summer break My job CDC Head Start had an all staff meeting and in that meeting we were told that a law had been passed for all teacher to have bachelor’s degree and the assistant teachers to have a CDA by 2013. So I was safe for know but if I wanted to continue what I love I was going to have to go back to school . So one day I was on the internet looking for help for single moms a couple of colleges came up but two of them offered online classes so I entered my information and one school keep in contact with me so in February of 2010 I began online classes at Ash ford university. The ups and downs of going back to school The ups and downs of going back to school can very from day today or week to week. Some major ups for me have been that I have learned a lot on tying parers and really enjoy the discussion board and reading and commenting to other discussions as well. The instructors and TA s have been very helpful and patient with me when I lack the knowledge or understanding of an assignment. my family is my biggest support group. Without them going back to school would be much harder. The down side to going back to school for me is time management. Being single, working full time and include time for the children s sports some days I feel were did the time go. My personal and professional goals My personal and professional as I get myself back into the swing of things the classes are becoming harder and a bit of a challenge but some how I over come them and gain more confidence in myself and the field I choose. I can see my children being very proud of there mother finishing school and earning her degree. I think this whole experience will motivate my own children to go to college as well. I don't want my children to struggle I don't want them to find them selves settling for less because of education purposes. I want them to know that there are other options available for them as they grow older and that college is very much needed for life success.

Great Hyperinflations in World History Term Paper

Great Hyperinflations in World History - Term Paper Example Center of discussion in this paper is hyperinflation as a rate of inflation per month that exceeds 50 percent. Episodes of hyperinflations are rare and they do not take â€Å"when money has been commodity-based or when paper money has been convertible into a commodity†. There have been 30 hyperinflations in history. The 30th hyperinflation was supposedly in 2008 in Zimbabwe. The first hyperinflation happened during the French revolution of 1789-96. For Hanke, the most well-known hyperinflation of the 20th century was â€Å"the great German hyperinflation of the 1920s, when the monthly inflation rate peaked approximately 30,000% in October 1923.† Meanwhile, Hanke reported that â€Å"the two most virulent hyperinflations recorded---Hungary (1945-46) and Yugoslavia (1992-924) ---curiously remain little known.† Hanke hypothesized that little is known about the two inflations probably because â€Å"the peak monthly inflation rates were so high as to be incomprehensib le.† According to Hanke, the highest one-day inflation ever recorded was in Hungary in July 10, 1946 when it was 348.46%. Under the Slobodan rule of Milosevic, Yugoslavia recorded the second highest monthly inflation at 313 million percent in January 1994.The hyperinflation which has the reputation of producing the month with the highest inflation was in Hungary in July 1946 but Hanke did not provide the inflation data. In 1988, Morales (1988) reported that the Bolivian hyperinflation of 1984-86 was the only case hyperinflation not associated with a world or civil war. ... Great Inflation of History I. Introduction According to Hanke (2008a, p. 2), hyperinflation is â€Å"defined as a rate of inflation per month that exceeds 50 percent.† Episodes of hyperinflations are rare and they do not take â€Å"when money has been commodity-based or when paper money has been convertible into a commodity† (Hanke, 2008b).There have been 30 hyperinflations in history (Hanke, 2008a). The 30th hyperinflation was supposedly in 2008 in Zimbabwe. The first hyperinflation happened during the French revolution of 1789-96 (Hanke, 2008b). For Hanke (2008b, p. 187), the most well-known hyperinflation of the 20th century was â€Å"the great German hyperinflation of the 1920s, when the monthly inflation rate peaked approximately 30,000% in October 1923.† Meanwhile, Hanke (2008b, p. 186) reported that â€Å"the two most virulent hyperinflations recorded---Hungary (1945-46) and Yugoslavia (1992-924) ---curiously remain little known.† Hanke (2008b, p. 1 86) hypothesized that little is known about the two inflations probably because â€Å"the peak monthly inflation rates were so high as to be incomprehensible.† According to Hanke (2008b), the highest one-day inflation ever recorded was in Hungary in July 10, 1946 when it was 348.46%. Under the Slobodan rule of Milosevic, Yugoslavia recorded the second highest monthly inflation at 313 million percent in January 1994 (Hanke, 2008b).The hyperinflation which has the reputation of producing the month with the highest inflation was in Hungary in July 1946 but Hanke (2008b) did not provide the inflation data. In 1988, Morales (1988) reported that the Bolivian hyperinflation of 1984-86 was the only case hyperinflation not associated with a world or civil war. However,

Palliative care- Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Palliative care- - Essay Example Cancer is an incurable condition that is growingly becoming common among the elderly people as well as a bigger segment of the population. With early diagnosis and timely intervention, the patient’s quality of life can be gratefully improved. The challenge of managing chronic pain usually makes many patients to give up the fight to carry on with life. However, there has been progress in better pain management that seeks to extend the life of patients and improve their condition, thus limiting the option for assisted euthanasia. The family is the immediate primary care giver that should be listed in the care of the patient; it forms a useful link in the provision of service in palliative care. They provide psychosocial support and necessary home-based care for the patient. Key decisions that affect the patient’s medical condition should aim to incorporate their decision. Conflict of interests over the individual and family arises when the family’s expectations exceed the individual’s, hence the need to balance societal expectations to meet individual needs. The health care team should provide the best care and support for the patient to meet varying needs of the patient. They have to stick to the guidelines of the nursing or medical care when managing patients in palliative care or at any stage of medical treatment. The necessary link is provided in the Australia guidelines for medical provision of palliative care that stipulates the standards of practice, which should be used as a yard stick for performance. The patient rights are usually guided by the code of standards for practice outlined for reference. The key obligation should always be to ease pain and prolong lives, which are aspects of good care. Laurie’s experience with a terminal illness depicts the moral lessons that the media shapes following events that pity the societal structures in explaining causation that draws parallel from the various arguments, which point to the ideal

Operations Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 5

Operations Management - Essay Example In addition, it encompasses proper overseeing of all processes involved in the conversion of raw materials into finished goods. For smooth association among all the levels of management works and professional ethics should be recognized and practiced. Indeed, proper initializing and implementing of management operations from the primary motivating factor for the company in its bid to achieve desired goals. In most cases, there are two levels of management. They include higher-level officers and line officers. The higher-level official carry out the roles of shaping the company’s strategy whereas the line official make tactical decisions intended to support the initialization and implementation of the strategy. The company This paper intends to examine the Abu Dhabi national hotels company. It opened its doors 30 years ago and it has consistently sustained high level of operations management that has seen it grow to high levels (EDITORS OF TIME OUT, 2011). The superior and exem plary customer service offered together with the element of design and architecture has been the pillar factors for the unprecedented continuity characterized by rapid expansion across the globe. Operation management systems This paper intends to examine the operations management system appreciated in the company. ... he management operations systems of the Abu Dhabi Company involve the management department, tourism services division and the purchasing divisions (EDITORS OF TIME OUT, 2011). The management of the company endeavors in providing bespoke, understated luxury and circumspect, attentive service in a modish and elegant ambience. This statement forms the mission of the company, which has continually motivated both the employees in low levels and the managerial team to work towards achieving this noble objective. The weakness of the management system The internal control systems are weak in the sense that the audit trail is not subsequent in most cases and this result to relatively larger material omissions. The internal control systems on purchasing, and sales of raw materials and food products respectively, cannot facilitate proper trailing of transactions and this contributes to lack of transparency and accountability (CHEN, 2009). This situation does not exactly enable reporting of the rue and fair position of the company. In fact small, numerous immaterial omissions form material omissions, which are significant in determining the true position of the company. Mission and vision The mission, of the Abu Dhabi Company is â€Å"Experienced Management for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Industry†. The values believed by the Abu Dhabi hotel and resort include integrity, respect and service excellence. The vision of the company is â€Å"Discover the pinnacle of service and hospitality among Abu Dhabi Hotels. The mission mentions the company but does not touch on anything doing with the clientele and products. Similarly, the mission does not mention of the channels applied when transporting goods to clients (EDITORS OF TIME OUT, 2011). Priorities of the company The competition should be

Global Economy and Transnational Corporations Essay

Global Economy and Transnational Corporations - Essay Example If Reich’s theory is valid, then the role of the government is creating competitiveness for the nation is by being the custodians of the economy as opposed to being just regulators. In this case, the government must seek to develop the national capital through promoting education and through policies. Peter Dicken (2010) however seems to disagree with Reich’s look of the global economy and argues that the global economy can be measured by the way the multinational or transnational firms are operating. He argues that TNC (Transnational Corporations) are the barometers for a global economy. The dilemmas with this theory are that it does not take into attention some factors such as these multinationals do not necessarily pledge their economic allegiance to the nations where they are, but only consider where their best interest is safeguarded. However, it is important in that the presence of a multinational in a country may be an indication of an economy that is doing well. A good example can be seen in China and India which are doing very well economically after so many western multinationals moved their business to these nations. If this theory is valid, then it means that the role of the government is regulatory as opposed to being the custodians of the economy. Alfred Chandler (1977) seems to be in congruence with Peter Dicken. This is because he argues that the world economy is affected by the hierarchy of management in private businesses. This is also contrary to what Robert Reich postured with regard to the wealth of nations, or work of nations. According to Alfred Chandler, the middle management has converted Adam Smith’s invisible hand into a visible hand and now the wealth of nations is not created from the invisible hands that amount from everyone in the economy working together, but that the middle management in firms is the ones who drive the wealth of nations. The advantage of this theory is that it may not explain some situations such as in developing nations where the economy and industries are not as structured as in the developed nations.  Ã‚  

The friendship of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Essay

The friendship of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin - Essay Example The essay "The friendship of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin" discovers the relationships between Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh. The other anticipation that Gauguin had was that he could establish a more intimate painting connection with Van Gogh, and out of it they could bring their painting talent together to create other a successful painting empire, like the two sunflowers painting that Van Gogh had created. In this respect, Gauguin anticipated that he could tap on his friend’s talent and make some impressive paintings during this vacation. The last of his anticipation was that he would continue building on his friendship with Van Gogh and his brother Theo, owing to the fact that Van Gogh had invited and waited for Gauguin for long, while Theo was the one who encouraged him to visit the Yellow House. The expectations that Paul Gauguin had while visiting Van Gogh was that out of their friendship and combined efforts, success for the two relatively new yet older artist s would spark a more beautiful life for the two of them, owing the fact that both had shared a similarity in living a depressed life previously. When he arrived at Van Gogh’s house, things turned out to be different, since the anticipated happiness and the cordial relationship they sought to create did not come about. The friendly connections lasted a little while, and then arguments between them started drawing them apart, as they could neither agree on the locations where they should paint, nor the mode of painting to adapt.

Utilitarian Issues Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Utilitarian Issues - Case Study Example The final utilitarian issue to be explored is whether the company should just honour the obligations of its shareholders and stop the contract with the pacemaker company. Utility Test The utility test looks into several factors in choosing the best approach to solving a dilemma. Using the utility test we have to deduce the outcomes of the decision to be undertaken by the board of directors of the transistor company. Several solutions will be put forward for consideration and the best decision that will be chosen will concentrate on the happiness of all stakeholders. Step 1: In the case of the transistor company and the pacemaker company. Several solutions exist and we have to choose the best alternative other than the suggested solution. The first step would be for the directors to analyze the results of their intended decision. In this case, we take a look at the three solutions put forward by different directors. The main criteria to be used in deciding the best solution will facto r in happiness, the directors’ preferences and the cost of undertaking the decided solution (Mill 66). Step 2: Using the utility test, we look at the solutions brought forward by the different stakeholders. The first solution will analyze the effect on the company being bought and on its shareholders and employees. ... However, the transistor company has the intention of annulling the contract since it is not happy with undertaking business with the pacemaker company. Step 4: The decision undertaken by the directors of the transistor company had different ideas on the best solution. Moreover, there was no policy guideline on how to make the correct decision. There were no policies to guide on making the correct decision since the pacemaker technology was quite new in the medical field (Mill 172). As a result, the directors had to look into the ethical implications of their decision and the effect happiness of all stakeholders. Alternative solutions have to be developed in accordance with the utility tests and these decisions will consider the groups that the alternative decision would affect. In the case of our company, the best alternative solution would be to an acquisition by the pacemaker company. This alternative would save the pacemaker company from going under and at the same time help in th e continuous production of pacemakers (West 83). However, this solution would disadvantage the company and its other customers other than the pacemaker company. Rights Test A rights test is conducted with the main aim considering the respect of human rights. In the case of the Pacemaker Company and Transistor Company the rights of different stakeholders are analyzed. Step 1: The directors of the pacemaker company have the right to property and they make decisions on behalf of the company. However, while exercising their rights the directors cannot infringe the rights of the directors and employees of the pacemaker company from making a living. Patients who receive the pacemakers also have a right to life and good healthcare and thus their rights also have to

Economics of electronics commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economics of electronics commerce - Essay Example Traditional cost accounting is structure-oriented whereas ABC is process-oriented (Emblemsvag, 2006). 2a. Operating leverage is the highest in e-commerce companies. E-commerce companies have very low variable costs but high initial up-front development cost. For example, Amazon.com initially had a fixed up-front development cost of over $60 million but no per transaction cost (Economics of Electronics Commerce, n.d.). Operating leverage is the lowest in merchandizing companies. Such companies mainly engage in the buying and selling of goods. Their fixed costs include mainly storage and selling costs. A higher proportion of their costs is variable costs such as packaging of goods and transportation costs. In between, service companies have a higher proportion of fixed costs and hence higher operating leverage than manufacturing companies. Service companies, such as hair salons, incur a fixed amount of rent, staff salary, and facility and equipment cost regardless of whether there are any customers. Variable costs, such as shampoo, are a very low proportion. Manufacturing companies ha ve a lower operating leverage than service companies and e-commerce companies but higher operating leverage than merchandizing companies. Their fixed costs include land, equipment, machinery, plants, and facilities.

The Function of Jesus' Relationship with His Mother in John 2 and 19 Dissertation

The Function of Jesus' Relationship with His Mother in John 2 and 19 - Dissertation Example The common theological idea is that in Jesus, the Word turned into flesh so that the Father will be revealed. Since he is the revealer of the Father and that he brings to life all those who believe in him, Jesus is considered the Redeemer. Redemption occurs through faith in Jesus as the Revealer.3 All other factors involved in the gospel of John are inferior to the Christology. One of these factors is marian theology. Although the mother of Jesus is nameless and secondary, she plays an important role. She is present in the two main scenes of the gospel of John – the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12), where the Johanine Jesus performed the first miracle in the gospel, and the scene at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-37), the last episode of Jesus’ life on Earth. ... Lee bluntly reveals that in order for the Johanine text to become any powerful than it already is, the symbols contained in the gospel of John should be given importance, be emphasized and brought in the center of the theological discussion. Roadmap This paper is created to show a textual and historical approach in showing the functions and meanings of the relationship of Mary, the mother of Jesus, using the gospel of John, particularly in chapters 2 and 19. This study is divided into six parts. Part I contains the introduction and the roadmap. The introduction will give a brief background of John’s gospel where the mother of Jesus was mentioned and how it will be interpreted by some theologians. It will likewise show a glimpse of what the readers can expect upon digesting the entire content of the paper. The introduction also contains a roadmap of the study where it will be clearly shown what readers can expect to find in each part of the paper. Part II contains accounts of t he relationship between father and son in John. It is necessary to show this to get a better understanding of the relationship between Jesus and his mother. Part two will be further subdivided into three sections giving a more organized and comprehensible presentation. Part III is the main gist of this study. This section contains interpretations, insights and understanding of various theologians, scholars and experts on what the relationship of Jesus and his mother is as presented in the gospel of John. It contains a comprehensive, informative and detailed historical account of what is written in chapter’s 2 and 19 of the gospel of John and what it means in accordance to historical evidences and context and as compared to other

Indonesia Essay Example for Free

Indonesia Essay In the past, people in the Indonesia used to eat healthy and freshly prepared food with their families in their home. However, many people, particularly young people, prefer to eat fast food such as hamburgers, fried chicken, and pizza because it is really tasty. There are several causes and effects of consuming fast food, and this change has occurred such as change in lifestyle, influence in advertising, impact on health, loss of the family tradition of eating together, and impact on the economy. First, there are several causes for the popularity of fast food. A first reason is the change in lifestyle. Many people in the Indonesia are working long hours, shifts, or extended school days. They do not have time to find ingredients or prepare good food. A second reason is advertising. The Indonesia is a modern with all forms of media such as the Internet and satellite television, and people like to try new products and different kinds of fast food. However, this change can have some serious effects. One effect is on health. Many people in the Indonesia  are becoming obese. These people will be less productive and have conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Another result of fast food culture is the loss of the family tradition of eating together. Children and adults rarely eat together now, and thus get less opportunity to talk. A further effect is on the economy. Although fast food is not very expensive, it is more expensive than cooking properly for yourselves. Many of the fast-food companies are franchisees of foreign corporations, so profits leave the country. In conclusion, fast food, although it is convenient and delicious, it can have serious health and social effects. People should learn to choose fast food carefully and remember the pleasure of eating good food in good company.

Nursing Care Plan for Elderly Woman with Shortness of Breath

Nursing Care Plan for Elderly Woman with Shortness of Breath Fortis College Nursing Care Plan Patient Demographics Student: _Brenda Davis_____ Clinical Site: __JVH_______ Date: ___08/06/2014_______________ Client Initials: __E.D.__ Age: __65_______ Weight: _75.7 kg Height: ___69________in. Primary Language:_English____ Religion: _LDS, active in church__ Culture: __Retired lives with daughter and son-on law, they are at the bedside off and on throughout the day____________________ Admitting Diagnosis: ___Pneumoia_________________________________________________________ Secondary Diagnosis: __Hypoxia___________________________________________________________ Allergies Reactions: __No Allergies_______ Code Status: DNR_____ Physician:__Chandler________ Physical Assessment LABS DIAGNOSTIC TESTS MEDICATIONS References Ackley, B. J. Ladwig, G. B. (2014). Nursing diagnosis handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Jordan Valley Hospital, Electronic medical records, West Jordan UT. Lewis, S.,Heitkemper, M., Dirksen, S., O’Brien, P., Bucher, L. (2010). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Elsevier. Pagana, KathleenDeska,Pagana, Timothy J. (2010). Mosbys Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests (4thed). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Skidmore-Roth, Linda, (2012) Mosbys Drug Guide for Nurses, with 2012 Update: 9th Edition

The Choice Of Qualitative And Quantitative Psychology Essay

The Choice Of Qualitative And Quantitative Psychology Essay This chapter presents a detailed justification of the research approach used to answer the research questions and achieve the aim and objectives outlined in chapter one. The chapter begins with an overview of social research design. Section xxx discusses the research paradigm as the theoretical research approach. Section xxx discusses the research methodology. Section xxx discusses the methods adopted in this research for data collection. The chapter outlines the sampling techniques, piloting study and analysis techniques. The chapter also illustrates the research validity, reliability, triangulation, ethical consideration and generalizability of the study. Research Design: Research is defined as an in-depth study of a particular issue or phenomenon which the researcher investigates to solve problems related to that issue/phenomenon Marshall, 1997; Brewerton and Millward, 2001; Wilkinson and Birmingham, 2003; Creswell, 2007; Bryman and Bell, 2007). In the social sciences, various researchers present the research overview the theoretical and practical approaches in different ways. The differences in presentation can be clearly identified between the models of Sarantakos (1998); Crotty (2005) and Saunders et al., (2007). These authors agree that social research can be thought of in terms of the theoretical and practical approaches. However, the terminology adopted varies between. For instance, they use different terminology which can be confusing for other researchers. This section explains three different research designs in other to choose the appropriate research design for the study. Sarantakos (1998) identified three levels of research (see Figure xxx). The first level includes the researchers theoretical approach which combines the epistemology and theoretical perspective, which Sarantakos calls the research paradigm. The second and third levels represent the practical approach which contains the research methodology and methods respectively. Figure xxx: Sarantakos social research design, adopted from Sarantakos (1998) Crotty (2005) named four different research levels for the social research (see Figure xxxx). The first two stages comprise the theoretical approach which contains the research epistemology and theoretical perspective. The following two stages comprise the practical approach the research methodology and methods. Based on Crotty (2005), the four levels are interdependent, as the choice of the research epistemology is followed by the choice of theoretical perspective, the choice of study methodology and the choice of specific methods of data collection and analysis. The last two stages methodology and methods of Crotty and Saratakos model are very similar. However, in terms of theoretical approaches, Crotty outlines two levels epistemology and theoretical perspective are merged into one level the research paradigm in Sarantakos model. Figure xxx presents Crotty (2005) research design. Figure xxx: Crotty social research design, adopted from Crotty (2005) Saunders et al., (2007) offer a different model for social research design which they call the research onion. According to this model, there are six levels in social science research. The research levels are philosophies (e.g. interpretivism); approaches (contain either inductive or deductive); strategies (the research methodology); choices (types of research methods); time horizons (cross-sectional or longitudinal) and techniques and procedures (which includes data collection and analysis techniques). In this model, the theoretical approach contains research philosophies and approaches (inductive and deductive). Meanwhile, the practical approach contains the strategies as a methodology and the other three levels contain the research methods. The methods include both data collection methods and data analysis methods. Figure xxx presents the research onion according to Saunders et al., (2007: 132) Figure xxx: Research onion, Saunders et al., (2007: 132) The three research designs have considerable overlaps in their consideration into the theoretical and practical approaches. This research focuses on Sarantakos model, since it reflects more appropriately the research design adopted in this study. The following sections discuss in details this research design. The Research Paradigm: As mentioned early in Sarantakos research design, the first level reflects the theoretical approach and is named the reseach paradigm (Sarantakos, 1998). The paradigm is a particular theme that is used to test and understand social phenomena (Gephart, 1999; Denzin and Lincoln, 2005). Guba and Lincoln (1994) classified social science research into two models; a subjectivist qualitative (constructivist) model and an objectivist quantitative (positivism and post-positivism) model. Guba (1990) explained that there is a third relativist paradigm called pragmatism which combines the subjectivist qualitative model and objectivist quantitative model and its a paradigm on its own. Later, several authors (e.g. Reichardt and Rallis, 1994; Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998; Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004; Pansiri, 2005; Creswell and Clark, 2007) agreed that the paradigm which mixes qualitative and quantitative approaches is pragmatism. Table xxx compares positivism, post-positivism, constructivism wit h pragmatism. Table xxx; Compares different positivism, post-positivism, constructivism with pragmatism (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998: 23) Paradigm Positivsm Post-positivism Pragmatism Constructivism Methods Quantitative Primarily Quantitative Quantitative + Qualitative Qualitative Logic Deductive Primarily deductive Deductive + Inductive Inductive Epistemology Objective point of view. Knower and Known are dualism Modified dualism. Findings probably objectively true Both objective and subjective point of view Subjective point of view. Knower and Known are inseparable. Axiology Inquiry is value-free Inquiry involves values, but they may be controlled Values play a large role in interpreting results Inquiry is value-bound Ontology NaÃÆ' ¯ve realism Critical or transcendental realism Accept external reality. Choose explanations that best produce desired outcomes Relativism Causal Linkages Real causes temporarily precedent or simultaneous with effects There are some lawful, reasonable relationships among social phenomena. These may be known imperfectly. Causes are identifiable in probabilistic sense that changes over time. There may be causal relationships, but we will never be able to pin them down All entities simultaneously shaping each other. Its impossible to distinguish causes from effects Pragmatism: Pragmatism is a term derived from the Greek word pragma meaning action, from which the words practice and practical come (James, 2000). Dewey (1920) explained that pragmatism philosophy discover the meaning of idea that needs to be checked consequently. Therefore, when researcher judges a phenomenon, they must follow its empirical and practical consequences and note its impact on the study population (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998). Moreover, Easterby et al., (2008) explained that, by using pragmatism, researchers have to study individual experiences very well in order to develop an understanding of a particular phenomenon. Moreover, Krauss (2005) explained that the pragmatist paradigm focuses on qualitative versus quantitative data and that to answer research questions, researchers have to mix objective and subjective approaches. Tashakkori and Teddlie (1998) clarified that by using pragmatism, the research logic contains deductive and inductive approaches. Therefore, the pragmatism philosophy rejects the use of particular research philosophies, such as positivism, post-positivism and constructivism. In addition, Tashakkori and Teddlie (1998) explained that pragmatism focuses on both the meaning and the truth of ideas. Truth is what works at the time and it is not based on a dualism between whether reality is independent of the mind or within the mind. Therefore, when judging ideas, pragmatists consider their empirical and practical consequences. Pragmatism is a research philosophy that eliminates the need of making a forced choice regarding the research epistemology between constructivism and positivism (including post-positivism). A pragmatic paradigm dismisses traditional assumptions about the nature of knowledge, truth and the nature of inquiry. Furthermore, for pragmatists, the research question is more important than the research method that is used (Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Creswell (2003) explained that the choice of the research paradigm (pragmatism) related mainly to the purpose and nature of the research questions. The pragmatism allowed the researchers to study different interested areas by employing different sources of evidence (methods) that are appropriate and explain the study findings in a positive manner (Tashakkori and Teddlie, 1998 and Creswell, 2003). Therefore, pragmatism is classified as one of the suitable research philosophies in social and management research that investigates beliefs and attitudes using mixed methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches (Creswell, 2003). Reichardt and Rallis (1994) explained that there is much debate about whether pragmatism is in fact a research philosophy because it holds the centre-ground between two well-established social research philosophies. Johnson and Onwuegbuzie (2004) and Robson (2005) confirmed that pragmatism is no longer a debatable philosophy but has achieved widespread use in social research. To achieve the aim of this research, pragmatism has been chosen as a research philosophy. The next part will discuss the mix between the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The Choice of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Approach: Discussions have been held by series of researchers in connection with the difference between quantitative and qualitative approaches, including Brewer and Hunter (1989), Silverman (2000), Brewerton and Milward (2001), Holliday (2002), Thomas (2003), Corbetta (2003) and Cooper and Schindler (2005). While quantitative researchers base their accounts on figures and numerical information, according to Gelo et al., (2008), qualitative researchers rely on non-numerical data, for instance words, narrative and feelings. Maanen et al., (1982: 32) introduced a verbal picture to help readers understand the difference between both research types as follows: Quality is the essential character or nature of something; quantity is the amount. Quality is the what; quantity the how much. Qualitative refers to the meaning, the definition or analogy or model or metaphor characterizing something, while quantitative assumes the meaning and refers to a measure of it. Furthermore, Bryman (1996) and Cooper and Schindler (2005) noted that quantitative and qualitative approaches are both valid and researchers can use either. Clarke and Dawson (2000) and Gray (2009) suggested that according to the nature of the research, researchers can mix different approaches, as it hard in deciding the better or more useful approach. Miller and Brewer (2003) confirmed that using a mixed method approach decreases the weaknesses and limitations of the research. Table xxx compare quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods procedures (Creswell, 2003: 19). Table xx: Comparison between quantitative and qualitative research (Source: Creswell, 2003:19) Tend to or Typically Qualitative Approaches Quantitative Approaches Mixed Methods Approaches Use these philosophical assumptions Employ these strategies of inquiry Constructivist/Advocacy /Participatory knowledge claim Phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study, and narrative Post-positivist knowledge claim Surveys and experiments Pragmatist knowledge claim Sequential, concurrent, and transformative Employ these methods Open-ended questions, emerging approaches, text or image data Closed-ended questions, predetermined approaches, numeric data Both open-and closed-ended questions, both emerging and predetermined approaches, and both quantitative and qualitative data and analysis Use these practices of research as the researcher Position himself or herself and collects participant meanings. Focuses on a single concept or phenomenon Bring personal values into the study Studies the context or setting of participants. Validates the accuracy of findings Makes interpretations of data Creates an agenda for change or reform Collaborates with the participants Tests or verifies theories or explanation Identifies variables to study Relates variables in questions or hypotheses Uses standard of validity and reliability Observes and measures information numerically Use unbiased approaches Employs statistical procedures Collects both quantitative and qualitative data Develops a rationale for mixing Integrates the data at different stages of inquiry Presents visual pictures of the procedures in the study. Employs the practices of both qualitative and quantitative research. Additionally, there are different ways to implement quantitative and qualitative approaches in one study. Johnson and Onwuegbuzie (2004) summarized these in Figure xx. This study combines qualitative and quantitative approaches in a sequential and equal way. The study starts with a qualitative approach through the analysis of mobile payment players (banks and mobile operators) documents and websites. This will then be followed by a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey of potential consumers of mobile payment services. Time order decision Concurrent Sequential Paradigm emphasis decision Equal Status QUAL + QUAN QUAL à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ QUAN QUAN à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ QUAL Dominant Status QUAL + quan QUAN + qual QUAL à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ quan qual à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ QUAN QUAN à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ qual quan à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ QUAL Figure xxx: Mixed methods approach design matrix (the design used in this study is shown in bold). Note. qualà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ stands for qualitative, quan stands for quantitative, + stands for concurrent, à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ stands for sequential, capital letters denote high priority or weight, and lower case letters denote lower priority or weight. Source: Johnson and Onwuegbuzie, 2004:22. Notation based on Morse, 1991. The Research Methodology: Crotty (2005: 3) identified the research methodology research process as: the strategy, plan of action, process or design lying behind the choice and use of particular methods and linking the choice and use of methods to the desired outcomes. Furthermore, Crotty (2005) made a clarification of research methodology as a strategy built on it, the data collection methods, and linking between the use of research methods and research outcomes. In addition, Crotty (2005) explained that there are different kinds of research methodology, and researchers should select the most suitable for their research topic. The research methods for this study: Having reviewed series of literatures, several factors led to the choice of methods used for this research. Triangulation methods have been proposed for this research and this will complement each other in order to yield a quality result. According to Tshakkori and Teddlie, (2003), triangulation is one way that involves a combination of data collection to get good results. Although the term triangulation has different meanings, it is associated with using combinations of methods with a strategy of convergent validity being common (Bryman 2004). Kholoud (2009) cites Johnson et al., (2007) who identified four types of triangulation: data triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, and methodological triangulation. Kholoud further cites the same authors for defining ways in which quantitative and qualitative methods can be combined. From research on technology acceptance perspective, technology acceptance has a dominant theoretical urge which is positivist in nature. The current research aim is to design a predictive viable model of behaviour intentions of users of technology services (in this case mobile payment). This objective requires the means of a structured, well-defined framework, and definite measurements that could establish relationships between variables, such that inferences could be made from the research study sample to a larger population. Most of these qualities can be addressed by quantitative research methods (Johnson et al., 2007). The stimulus of this study is to test hypotheses which relates to the proposed conceptual framework model as well as different hypothesized relationships previously accepted in technology acceptance context. The conceptual drive of this research is deductive in nature. The research proposes to follow a confirmatory strategy of research that needs empirical analysis (a way of proving or disproving previously assumed hypotheses related to mobile payment acceptance). Despite the fact that this study will be mainly quantitative, qualitative methods will be employed at the initial stages of the study. Structured observations will be employed allowing for in-depth assessment of mobile payment schemes in the country in order to determine those that could be researched. Figure xxx shows the eleven main steps in a quantitative research process. To answer the research question, this study aim to follow the path in the order in which they appear as shown below. However, the steps at times might overlap during the course of the research. Figure xxx: Process of Quantitative Research as outlined by Bryman Bell (2007). In this study, theories and literatures underpinning this study will be advanced to guide the research deductively. Research Designs: The major reason of this research is in testing the hypotheses which could explain the variance in the dependent variables. Such analyses fit a correlation study design as described herein. Correlation Designs: Correlational design measures two or more variables with the eventuality of measuring the dependent variables. It does not manipulate one or more independent variables. The major premise of this research was that if a statistical significant relationship was in existence between the independent and the dependent variables, there would be the possibility of predicting the dependent variable using information available in the other variable. Within quantitative methods, the investigation used correlation research design (see Figure xxx) to determine if there was an existence of some relationship between independent constructs and the dependent constructs of behaviour intention to use mobile payment. Figure xxx: Illustration of the Research Designs according to Mugenda (2008, p. 65) In this kind of scenario, the research study will apply reliability coefficients, multiple correlation coefficients, generalized linear regression model coefficients; and path model coefficients for different study assessments of the collected data. These will be discussed below: a) Reliability analysis will be carried out using Cronbachs Alpha commonly called coefficient for Internal Consistency (IC) and inter-item correlation coefficient. According to De Vellis (1991), reliability is a measure of the degree to which a research instrument would yield the same results after repeated trials. Cronbachs Alpha provides information on the degree to which each item in the construct correlates with at least one other item of the construct. The analysis can estimate the proportion of true score variance that is captured by the indicators by comparing the sum of indicator variances with the variance of the sum scale. Cronbachs statistic was computed as follows: Cronbach = ÃŽÂ ± = number of items * number of items ÃÅ' ¶ 1 Where s ² denotes the variance for the number of individual items; s2 denotes the variance for the sum of all questions or items (which is esoteric and unique, and, therefore, uncorrelated across respondents), then the variance of the sum will be the same as the sum of variances of the individual questions/items. Therefore, coefficient alpha will be equal to zero. If all items are perfectly reliable and measure the same thing (true score), then coefficient alpha is equal to 1. In this investigation, the construct would demonstrate an acceptable level of reliability if the Cronbachs alpha was at least 0.6. b) Multiple correlation coefficients (R ²), will be used to describe the extent to which a dependent variable was explained by a set of independent variables. The statistic was used to measure the predictive power of the model that has been estimated. The value of R ² ranges from 0 to 1, and in this study, neither threshold nor the minimum value is pre-determined but instead the statistic only state the percentage variation in the dependent variables as explained by the independent variables. Symbolically, the (R ²) statistic is defined as follows: R ² = Where observ is the measurement of random variable observ on individual i. The est.observ and est.mean are the predicted measurements and mean values respectively. The mean of measurements for the n individuals is also factored into the calculation in equation 3.1 in order to obtain R ². A complete analysis of the entire model requires an examination of the goodness of fit using R ² and adjusted R-squared. The goodness of fit measures how well the model parameter estimates is able to explain the variations in the dependent factor of the model and reproduce the sample covariance matrix. The adjusted R ² equally measures the goodness of fit as does the R ², but instead, the former statistic takes into account the degrees of freedom (expressed as the number of observations and number of estimated coefficients) as stated in equation 3.2. Thus, Adjusted R ² = 1 c) The Generalized Linear Regression model (GLM) coefficients are weighted coefficients that indicate the magnitude, direction and significance of the possible linear relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The techniques measures both direct and indirect effects of the independent variables on dependent variable respectively. The technique handles the moderating effects in the analysis of linear models. The GLM was appropriate because of its nature of handling fixed factors, covariates and the interaction effects. The model results, will allow a direct comparison of the variance explained from both estimation measures. In the context of this study, it was hypothesized that three factors; performance expectancy, relevancy and social influence (culture) determine behaviour intentions. On the other hand, behaviour intentions together with facilitating conditions (technical support/training) determine usage. It was further postulated that the independent variables in the model were moderated by gender, age, experience and awareness, all of which required an appropriate modelling technique. Thus, the GLM that handled both direct and indirect effects were used in the form of the following equation (Eq. 3.4). Y = X ß + (X * M) ÃŽÂ ¸ + U Where Y is a matrix with multivariate measurements of the response or dependent variables X is a matrix of the block of independent variables; ß is a matrix of parameters to be estimated; U is the vector of the error terms. d) The path model employs the path analysis statistical technique for decomposing correlations into different pieces for interpretation of effect. It allows one to compare the direct effects of variables in a complex system of relationships. The path model measures direct effects or the possible inclination of the independent variables on the dependent variable in the network of variables. The path model only establishes linear relationships between variables and also indicates the predictive power of the model being evaluated. The mathematical relationships between the variables may be expressed as a set of linear equations, called the path model. According to Keeves, (1972) the fundamental principle of the path model that allows the linear equations to be estimated is: rà ¡Ã‚ µÃ‚ ¢ = Æ © p * r Where i and j denote two variables in the network and the index k includes all variables from which paths lead directly to the dependent construct (j), r is the correlation coefficient and p is the path coefficient. Equation 3.5 can be expanded by successive applications of the formula itself to r. In this case, the errors from behaviour intentions and facilitating conditions all point at usage behaviour. Expressed in expanded form can be read directly from the path diagram by using the following direct relationships in this study: BIC = ÃŽÂ ±PEC + ÃŽÂ ±REC + ÃŽÂ ±SOC BUC = ÃŽÂ ±FOC + ÃŽÂ ±BIC EBC = ÃŽÂ ±BUC Where BIC is Behavioural Intention, PEC is performance expectancy, REC is relevance, FOC is facilitating conditions, BUC is usage behaviour and EBC is expected benefits constructs respectively. In this study, a path coefficient with a negative sign implies an inverse relationship between constructs whereas a coefficient with a positive sign implies that there is a direct relationship between two constructs. Survey Designs: There are two types of surveys used when evaluating acceptance and use of technology as discussed in 3.2.1. These are longitudinal surveys and cross-sectional survey. Since mobile payment services being investigated are in their early years of introduction, the best survey method is a cross-sectional. By using cross-sectional survey, the study would be able to predict future usage. i) Cross-sectional survey The study proposes to use a survey approach to collect data that could be a representative of the real phenomena in the population from which the study sample will be drawn. The study will focus on the link between end-users behaviour intentions to use mobile payment services. In IS/IT evaluation studies, cross-sectional survey methods are not new because they have been used by several authors, Gefen et al., (2002), Chau and Hu (2001), Venkatesh and Davis (2000) and Venkatesh and Morris (2000). A cross-sectional survey design will be utilized to gather quantitative data to assess the relationships between the study variables. A cross-sectional study/research involves data collection that covers a one-off time period. Data collection of individual observations can occur at one point in time or may be over a period of days, weeks or months. In the case of the current study, the data collection aim to be for a period of three months. According to Mugenda (2008), Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), this sort of survey helps to establish whether significant associations among variables exist. The additional value of this type of survey is that one can generate testable hypotheses, which the current study aims to do. Cross-sectional designs have three distinctive features: there is no time dimension, only differences between groups are measured rather than changes over time; there is reliance on existing differences rather than change following any intervention and there is no allowance for differences to emerge over time; and grouping individuals in the sample is based on existing differences or according to a category or the independent variable to which they happened to belong rather than random allocation. The researcher was aware of the limitations of this type of investigation, but the research timeframe might not permit the use of a longitudinal study. When data is collected at more than one point in time and then later on, the study is considered longitudinal (Crestwell, 2003). Longitudinal studies are feasible when there is need to describe the pattern and direction of change and stability (De Vaus, 2001). The objective of this study is to understand usage behaviour as a dependent variable that would predict the actual usage of the services in future. The current study will employ cross-sectional survey and college students will be used for this study. Behaviour intention is associated with self-predicted future usage of a new technology. Furthermore, measuring behaviour intention as a predictor of future usage behaviour is also important. The researcher believes that the experience college students will gain in using mobile payment services would impact on their behavioural intentions if they intend to use the service in future. As reported in the conceptual framework section, behaviour intentions as a dependent variable measured in a cross-sectional study can help to identify future usage of mobile payment services. It is because of these reasons that the current study proposes to use a cross-sectional survey method which will be carried out over a period of three months. STUDY POPULATION Methods of Data Collection: This section presents the final research level namely the research methods. Crotty (2005) defined research methods as the techniques used by researchers to collect and analyse the data required to answer the research questions. Moreover, according to Saunders et al., (2007), research methods are the various procedures used to collect data, such as questionnaire, observation and interviews, and to analyse it, e.g. statistical and non-statistical techniques, according to the nature of the research. Since this study is basically quantitative in nature, questionnaires will be used. Furthermore, to determine the research reliability and validity, the researcher will use multiple sources of evidence. The research method to be applied will be in accordance with the research objective. For this study, the practical objective will be to identify the main elements that influence consumer acceptance and use of mobile payment services. This objective will be achieved by designing a comprehensive questionnaire to identify the main factors that impact on consumers behavioural intentions towards the acceptance and use of mobile payment. In this regard, about 1000 questionnaires are proposed to be distributed to college students willing to participate in this research study. Structured Interviews: Researchers prepare themselves in advance by setting up a predetermined list of questions with limited option responses (closed questions). Usually structured interviews are associated with social surveys which aim to interview as wide range of respondents as possible to collect large volumes of data (Bernard, 2000; Denscombe, 2003). Saunders et al., (2007) classified the structured interview as a type of questionnaire which is administered face-to-face. Questionnaire Survey: Based on the proposed research model, the research questionnaire will be designed to identify the main constructs that impact consumer behavioural intentions towards the acceptance and use of mobile payment. Thus, a questionnaire survey method will be applied in this study. Robson (2005) clarified the full benefits of using questionnaires in business research within a survey strategy. Fink (1995:1) identified survey as: A survey is a system for collecting information to describe, compare, or explain knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour. Survey involves setting objectives for information collection, designing research, administering and scoring the instrument, analysing data, and reporting the resul

Greenwashing in Media Essay -- Ethical Issues, Misleading Customers

Research ProjectGreenwashing in Media In this day and age companies have mastered the technique of misleading customers by fabricating false claims about a green product or service that they swear to provide. This insincere display of information is called ‘Greenwashing’, a spin-off of ‘Whitewashing’. Greenwashing could be said to be a global phenomenon and it’s commonly seen in advertisements, on products packing, websites, emails, speeches, and videos (just to name a few). Greenwashing is a thought out process, a planned and typically well designed campaign. There is a wide range of reasons why companies are eager to partake in greenwashing; divert attention for regulatory change, to persuade critics or consumers, expand the company's market, and to make the company seem appealing. The goal of this paper is to provide three examples of ‘greenwashing’ and to relate these examples to Downing et al. concepts. To help further explain these misleading claims, a well recognized company by the media is called Terrachoice. â€Å"The Terrachoice Environment Marketing Consulting practice converts knowledge of markets, science and marketing into winning, client-centered solutions to help sustainability leaders deliver results† (â€Å"The "six sins," 2007). Terrachoice has conducted a study of the â€Å"Environmental Claims in North American Consumer Markets† and found shocking results that made them want to give warning to potential consumers about the ‘six sins of greenwashing. The Terrachoice Company was designed to improve the communication between the purchasers and consumers, helping to enhance, strengthen, and prove market relationship. Companies that carry out greenwashing commonly use the words, ‘green’, ‘energy efficient’, and ‘clean’ to expo... ...efit† (p. xx). More and more individuals will run into greenwashing ads from the news to even advertising; however it’s important to recognize the exaggeration, persuasiveness and omission of information in these ads. It’s evident that any form of media is filled with manipulation; pulling the perception, actions, fears, desires, and values out of the consumer. In our text Downing et al. begins saying, â€Å"empiricist communications research†¦are concerned more with questions, problems, and perspectives than with the mere recitation of detailed facts. Indeed, critical scholars would argue that facts by themselves are impossible to interpret if they are not placed into some model or theory about how the media and society work† (xxviii). I think this sums up why we all should be critical in a positive manner, and should use the theories that help us analyze media material.

And Then There Were None by Christie Agatha Essay -- Vera and Lombard,

Vera felt as though it was only right to follow the poem. Every time somebody died or disappeared a little china figure would break or disappear but at the end Vera toke the last one standing with her as a token saying that they made it to the end. While she was hanging herself the little figure broke, â€Å"The little china figure fell from her hand. It rolled unneeded and broke against the fender† (Christie 268). She also thought that’s what Hugo wanted her to because she was responsible for his nephew death. The antagonist of And Then There Were None is Judge Justice Wargrave. He was also known as Issac Morris to hide his real identity from all the other characters. He was the judge of all of the characters cases and he found them guilty and thought it was right for them to die. He knew almost everything about all of the characters, how they would think, how they would react to certain things, and some of the decisions they would make. Wargrave lead the characters to have both internal and external conflicts. For example external conflicts â€Å" They felt now like the people just awaking from a nightmare. There was danger, yes, but it was danger in daylight. That paralyzing atmosphere of fear that had wrapped them round like a blanket yesterday while the wind howled outside was gone† (Christie 243). These people are so terrified they are not getting sleep, barely eating, and hardly talking. They are living they worst nightmare. Not only that Wargrave is killing people but he is also scaring the people that is alive more and more which is causing them to have internal conflicts. For example Vera Claythorne ,the protagonist went through the deepest internal conflict â€Å"What was that-hung from the hook in the ceiling? A rope with a noose ... ...why. They all did a crime and thought they got away with it. In conclusion Agatha Christie wrote this very popular novel called And Then There Were None , to teach the readers that free or not you are never free from justice. By using both external and internal conflicts with the characters, symbolism with the poem Ten Little Soldiersand the china figures both symbolizing each character and irony of Justice Wargrave. This book is one of the reasons why Christie became the first grandmaster recognized by the mystery writers of America Works Cited â€Å"Christie, Agatha.† Literary Lifelines. 1998. Print. Christie, Agatha. And Then There Were None. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1939. Print. Kunitz, Stanley J., ed. Twentieth Century Authors. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1973. Print. Stade, George and Karen, Karbiener., eds. British Writers. 2003. Print

Permission To Hate :: essays research papers fc

What makes a person hate? Who gives the permission to hate to hate? Some claim God gives the permission; others claim hatred stems from oppression, or society. Leonard Pitts, a syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald believes that the third, society, grants the authorization to hate. However, what is society? Is society an individual or a group of individuals? What form of society bestows the consent to hate? The major White Supremacy Groups: the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and the Aryan Nation, both claim the Bible, thus God, gives them the permission to hate. The Klan and Aryan Nation’s members proclaim themselves Christians, and followers of the teachings of the Bible, they declare, "Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin†¦Whoever does any of these detestable things will be cut off from the community of Israel.† (The New Living Translation, Leviticus 18:22,29) or "The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have committed a detestable act and are guilty of a capital offense.†(The New Living Translation, Leviticus 20:13). They claim God justifies their actions against homosexuals in the previous passages. Yet, they overlook the other laws entailed in the same chapters of Leviticus, claiming they are outdated. Examples of these laws include, â€Å"do not eat meat not drained of its blood.† (NLT, Leviticus 19:26), â€Å"yo u must not defile yourself by eating any animal or bird or creeping creature that I have forbidden (i.e. pork).†(Leviticus 20:25) or â€Å"Never cut your bodies†¦or mark your skin with tattoos.†(Leviticus19:28). However, even if the KKK and Aryan Nation did follow all the laws of the Bible, they still would have no right to condemn homosexuals, because as written in the gospel of John, â€Å"They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!’† (John 8:7) No one, no matter how holy, is without sin. Furthermore, when the KKK refers to non-whites, they assume they are â€Å"an unholy coalition of anti-white, anti-Christian, liberal socialists† and imply that they are â€Å"savage†¦killers and rapists† (The Church of the American Knights, para. 1, 3) they break the cardinal rule, â€Å"Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.† (Leviticus 19:18). Finally and most importantly, they have forgotten kindness and forgiveness mandated in the words of the Bible, â€Å"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Dr. Maya Angelou (personality theory) Essay

Dr. Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Baily Johnson, was a doorman, and, later a dietician for the navy. Her mother, Vivian Johnson, was a registered nurse. When Angelou was three years old, her parents were divorced. They sent her and her four-year-old brother, Baily, Jr., to live with their paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas. Henderson ran a small general store and managed to scrape by. She continued to do so after her grandchildren joined her. Angelou’s grandmother was one the many strong who trained her, helped her, and provided her with role models. The people of her church also nurtured her and gave her a sense of belonging to a community. But her child hood in the south was a nightmare. In 1982, Maya Angelou told Ebony Magazine about Stamps. She said: â€Å"When I was taken to California by my grandmother, I vowed never to return to the grim, humiliating south. Except for a tentative trip to visit when I was eighteen, I didn’t break my promise until I was forty years old.† When she was seven and a half, Angelou left Stamps to visit with her mother. While there, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. He was tried, found guilty, and kicked to death in prison. The confused little girl felt responsible for his death and withdrew into herself. â€Å"I was mute for five years, I wasn’t cute and didn’t speak. I thought he was killed because I spoke his name that was the only logic I was able to employ. So I thought if I spoke, anybody might die.† In frustration, her mother sent her back to Stamps. Her emotional withdrawal caused many to think of her as backward, but her grandmother did not give up on her. â€Å"My grandmother told me all the time, ‘Sister, Mama don’t care what these people say about you being a moron, being a idiot. Mama don’t care. Mama know, Sister, when you and the good Lord get ready, you’re gonna be a preacher.'† Angelou was also helped by a woman named Bertha Flowers, who i ntroduced her to literature. By the time of her graduation from eighth grade, she was at the head of her class. While attending high school, she took drama and dance lessons. She then decided that she wanted to be a streetcar conductor in San Francisco. Although San Francisco had never had a Black conductor and was not eager to hire one, she persisted and, with her mother’s support managed to attain her goal. At sixteen Angelou gave birth to her son, Guy. She did not plan her  pregnancy but has always been grateful that it happened. â€Å"The greatest gift I’ve ever had was the birth of my son. Because when he was small, I knew more than he did, I expected to be his teacher. So because of him, I educated myself. He began to ask questions I didn’t have the answers to, so I started my lifelong love affair with libraries . . . I’ve learned an awful lot because of him. â€Å" Still, her life at this time was not easy. In addition to teaching her son, she also had to support him. She was a cook and a nightclub waitress and, for a short time, â€Å"madam† for two lesbian prostitutes. She began doing drugs but then quit after seeing what they had done to her brother. When she was twenty-two, Angelou married Tosh Angelos, a white former sailor. Two years later she left him and became a professional dancer. She then moved to New York to pursue a career and study with Pearl Primus. In 1954, she was cast in a production of Porgy and Bess that toured Europe and Africa. When she came back to the United States, in 1960-61, she was northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In 1961 she also appeared in an acclaimed off-Broadway production of the Blacks, by Jean Genet. The show was highly successful and ran until 1964. By this time, Angelou was writing poetry, short stories, and songs. Her reputation was growing. In 1970, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published. It became a best seller and an instant classic, and became a made-for-television movie. In 1971, her screenplay Georgia, was made into a film, making her the first Black woman to have an original screenplay produced. The four other volumes of her autobiography are, Gather Together in My Name (1974), Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas (1976), The Heart of a woman (1981), and All God’s Children Need Travelin Shoes (1986). She also published several volumes of poetry and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for one of the, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie (1971). In 1973, Angelou appeared on Broadway in Look Away and was nominated for a Tony Award. In 1977 she received an Emmy nomination for her performance in the mini series Roots. She was appointed to the Bicentennial Commission by President Gerald Ford and to the Commission of International Women’s Year by President Jimmy Carter. For many  Americans, one of the most memorable moments during the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, on January 20, 1993, came when Maya Angelou recited the poem, â€Å"On the Pulse of Morning† not since 1961, when Robert Frost read his work at the ceremony for president John F. Kennedy, had a poet taken part in a presidential inauguration. Dr. Angelou is best known for the first volume of her autobiography, in it, she bravely speaks of her battle to overcome abuse, rape, and poverty. For thousands of young Black women reading the book, it is a way of passage for those who have been similarly victimized, it is like a soothing ointment that helps heal the wounds. Angelou gives a voice to the voiceless; she says, â€Å"You’re not alone. In happened to me too. You are not to blame. You will survive.† The Humanistic approach can be applied to Dr. Maya Angelou’s biography in a number of ways. In order to do so, I attempted to take each piece by piece to gain a clear understanding of both. Beginning with the four elements of the approach: it is obvious that she accepts personality responsibility for her life, and doesn’t blame anyone else for anything bad that may have happened to her. She hasn’t allowed anyone else to make her decisions. Her need for personal growth doesn’t seem like it has been met due to the fact that she continues to work and strive for more. I would consider Dr. Angelou to be a fully functioning person because she trusts her own feelings, and experiences them very deeply. It is easy to tell that she really cares about other people and is a true humanist (motivation by growth need). When looking at Manslow’s hierarchy of needs, it is obvious that her physiological needs have been met, simply because, she is still alive. Since her life as a child was very chaotic and her future was unpredictable, her safety needs were not met at that time. Statements such as â€Å"All my life, everything has been about survival. All of my words are meant to say. ‘You may encounter many defeats but you must not be defeated. In fact the encounter may be the very experience which created the vitality and the power to endure, â€Å"‘ lead me to believe the she has, however, managed to find a way to stabilize her life and have those needs met. â€Å"What I would like said about me is that I dared to love.† She said to Essence Magazine. â€Å"By love I mean the condition in the human spirit so profound it encourages us to develop courage and build bridges and learn to trust those bridges and cross the bridges in attempt to reach other human beings.† This shows that her belongingness and love needs have been met because she knows that they are important and has allowed them to be. I believe that the kind of love adopted by Angelou is B-love because she is really concerned with the well-being and growth of others. I could tell that her self-esteem needs have also been met because if they weren’t, she wouldn’t be as successful as she is. One statement in the book that really stood out to me about self-actualization was made by Manslow†: An artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be. He must be true to his own nature.† I feel that although Angelou is doing something that makes her happy, and that she loves, her self actualization needs have not been met because she continues to do more. I personally believe that if these needs are met, then people lose their motivation and drive to live, because there is nothing to achieve, no goals to reach, which results in nothing to look forward to anymore. Maya Angelou is a psychologically healthy person because she does posses self-actualizing creativity, which is shown in her writing, she accepts herself, and expresses herself freely. I think her life seems to be full of optimal experiences, one of which is writing. She has stated that she â€Å"can write for eighteen hours straight in complete solitude and not notice it.† She also seems to have no problem with disclosure, which is obvious because she is a writer. She continuously puts her feelings and emotions on display. She discloses events that are traumatic as well as those that are not, which seems to be good for her self-development because it is a great release. I’m not really sure if Dr. Angelou has experienced loneliness, but it is possible because everyone has felt that way at one time or another. â€Å"One would say of my life-born loser-had to be: from a broken family, raped at eight, unwed mother at sixteen . . . in fact but that’s not the truth. In the Black community, however bad it looks, there’s a lot of love and much  humor.† This statement shows that there are many ways in which race, and sex have affected Angelou’s life because she would not have gone through a lot of the experiences that she has if she simply were not a Black woman. â€Å"You’re going to be famous,† Billie Holiday told Maya Angelou in 1958, â€Å"but it won’t be for singing.† The first part of this prophecy was fulfilled. The second part, in the most superficial sense, was true as well. Angelou’s fame did not grow from the nightclub singing she was then doing to support herself and her son. But in a way Holiday was wrong. Since she first put paper to pen, Maya Angelou has been singing. In closing, by taking all of the aspects of the Humanistic approach into consideration, I believe that it does, give a few possible explanations about Dr. Angelou’s personality when directed to the little information that is given about her in her biography. By writing this paper I feel that I have gained a deeper insight on how to appreciate and apply this approach to the life and personality of anyone. I understand how this approach can apply to many people that I come into contact every day and possibly explain why they behave in the manners that they do. If they are writers and all that they put forth are sad pieces, if they are singers and mostly talk about sex. Whatever the case may be, there is a reason behind the things that people do. The humanistic approach can apply to all areas of life with no exclusions based on race, class, or gender.