Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Things You Should Know About Informational Essay Topics for Middle School
Things You Should Know About Informational Essay Topics for Middle School Type of Informational Essay Topics for Middle School You will need to choose a topic that you can readily find info about. It's possible to pick topics from assorted lists of ready themes. Research-based topics require students to assemble information till they write. If you do decide on a topic they're familiarized with, then present new and exciting info. Broadly speaking, this sort of essay will compare controversial viewpoints about a particular topic. Expert essay has impressive introductions. The important point to remember is these expository essays are based on facts in contrast to the writer's beliefs or feelings. Choose the most suitable essay theme. It is critical to finish the entire informative essay on an epic note in the event the author wants the reading audience to remember his brilliant thoughts and go on researching the issue. You need to provide your readers enough information in order that they fully realize what you're writing about. Think about what you would like to share with the reader. It guides the reader on a specific topic. Choosing Good Informational Essay Topics for Middle School Explain why some students are made to leave school as soon as they are sixteen. Creating expository essays is part of your middle school career, which means you need to learn how to compose them properly. Suggest several ways students may work with each other to enhance the school spirit in your school. Informational Writing Prompts to aid Students Learn About the World Around Us A journal isn't only a safe spot for a student to reflect on their ideas and feelingsit may also be a potent tool that permits the student to find o ut more about what's going on in the world around us. Students will discover that it's simpler to write about topics they're interested in, and it'll make the researching process much simpler. They lead busy lives and often forget about an upcoming deadline. They should be allowed to skip grades in school. They should never be forced to repeat a year at school. When writing a crucial composition, it's highly recommended to pick contradictive topics. Looking for an excellent topic you may also turn to an essay writing agency. Before you start writing an informative essay you'll need to do a little research on the subject and discover out all appropriate information that might be needed. Writing informative essays about this is sometimes interesting. Reading your essay out loud can help you notice areas wherever your writing could possibly be unclear or awkwardly worded. Look at these 21 topics to receive your paper started. Explaining how to spend less by utilizing open-source texts and internet textbook rental websites would result in an extremely informative essay. Students who find it hard to compose an informative essay after reviewing examples and ideas from experts don't have to panic. Read on to find out more about how to construct an informative essay, together with examples of informative essays to aid you in getting started. You've got to compose an informative essay. An informative essay is regarded as one of the most effortful assignments a student can receive. Writing a superb persuasive essay is not an easy job, however, it's achievable. When prior brainstorming is finished, you can begin drafting your essay. Do enough brainstorming to produce the most recent topics and efficient reasoning statements on them. If this is the case, you might have a very good beginning to your expository essay. Many times students choose an arduous topic for which they should conduct a whole lot of research which however makes essay writing difficult. Do not be concerned, EssayPro is here in order to teach our students everything they will need to learn about crafting an informative essay! Successful informative essays need a great thesis. So as to effectively complete the essay, an individual must develop an overall concluding statement. In order to make an authentic writing, it's very important to first understand the subject of the essay piece. The point of this section of the essay is to defend the thesis statement, or so the content in these types of paragraphs have to be tip-top. Order an essay at this time and relish your immediate advantages! Preferably, the author should choose something to compose that interest him. It is imperative to remember that accomplishing academic essays needs a substantial timeframe. The next step is picking a topic.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Book Review This Changes Everything - 1681 Words
Book Review: This Changes Everything, by Naomi Klein, published: Sept. 2014 Summarize the book. What is being discussed? Rob Nixon of the New York Times called Naomi Kleinââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climateâ⬠ââ¬Å"a book of such ambition and consequence that it is almost unreviewable.[1]â⬠Naomi Klein researches the impact of Climate change and its relationship with free market capitalism. She discusses capitalism as failed economic system. She goes into great depth on the subject of resource extraction, pollution and the events of surrounding the affected communities in these regions across the world. However, rather than concluding that things are hopeless Naomi Klein argues that: We can build something better andâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦There are people working to make a buck against their own ethical standards and then leaving dirty energy as soon as they can. The openly recognize that the answer to a better life is right under their noses. There are green jobs that could employ the same pool of people same, but not enough political will to support it. Naomi flashes to Hurricane Sandy and talks about the absence of governmental action, she cites the role of government in greece with the economic crisis there and notes how the mining companies have come to prey on that society. Along with what was being promoted as the way out for Greece, the same thing happened in Spain Italy. It is exploitation of resources and sell off whatever you have mentality that gold mining, oil drilling and ultimately in Kleinââ¬â¢s opinion; the role of capitalism. She notes that in natural disaster capitalism is predatory and vicious. The agencies that respond to disaster have been gutted due to Reagan-era politics by limiting the role of government in the free market. Unfortunately, this brand of politics purports a ââ¬Å"letââ¬â¢s protect our ownâ⬠kind of attitude and ââ¬Å"every man for himself.â⬠She talks about the stories that we tell ourselves; the oligarchs are going to save us or the super-hero billionaires will save us with some techno-fix. The story of Richard Branson[11] CEO of Virgin Airlines, she ta lks about an investment scheme in which Branson invested 10 billion dollars. He said in an interview; ââ¬Å"I will save the planetâ⬠Show MoreRelatedSWOT Analysis: Financial Aspect936 Words à |à 4 PagesSWOT ANALYSIS SWOT Analysis I must say before reading the chapter this week I have never heard of a SWOT Analysis. After reading the chapter it makes perfect sense in how companies use it strategically to be more competitive in the industry that they are in. In choosing which areas of the SWOT Analysis to discuss in this paper I have taken the financial side into perspective. For the Strength I have chosen - Our financial position and credit rating are good. For the Weakness I have chosenRead MoreReview of Peer-E-Kamil1212 Words à |à 5 PagesFreshman English Book Review Submitted to: Ms. Nagina Kanwal Submitted by: Hassan Bashir BBA-12-19 Submission date: 8th January , 2013 [pic] Department of Business Administration, Jhelum Campus UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB [pic] Pir-e-Kamil (SAW) Umera Ahmed Urdu 2005 Feroz Suns (Pvt) Ltd. Lahore Pages : 525 Pir-e-Kamil (SAW) meaningRead MoreAmazon : The Largest Online Retailer1721 Words à |à 7 PagesAmazon is the largest online retailer in America founded in 1994 by Jeffery Bezos. At this time the company he had started was being built in his on garage in Bellevue Washington. Its world headquarters are located in Seattle Washington. Amazon produces services for audiences worldwide with its online product and cloud computing. The website for amazon was set up in 1995 available in many different languages like: English, Chinese, French, German and Japanese. All of these are separate websitesRead MorePerry Barbara 4MAT Review Parrot Essay1318 Words à |à 6 Pagesï » ¿Running head: 4MAT REVIEW, PARROT PARROT 1 4MAT Review of, ââ¬Å"The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoringâ⬠By Les Parrot and Leslie Parrot Barbara Perry Liberty University 4MAT REVIEW, PARROT PARROT 2 ââ¬Å"The Complete Guide to Marriage Mentoringâ⬠By Les Parrot and Leslie Parrot Summary In this book, Parrot Parrot (2005) present a resourceRead MorePleasantville1586 Words à |à 7 Pagesgreat movie with many hidden messages. The not so obvious but informative messages are one of best aspects of this nineties flick. The special effects are impressive considering this movie is indeed from the nineties. Pleasantville touches base on many actual conflicts in America and throughout history in the most subtle but blunt way. My favorite thing about this movie is how it takes this blind community and shows them what they never knew existed: passion and real emotion. I have heard many peopleRead MoreThe Environmental Deficit: Hawkens Blessed Unrest892 Words à |à 4 PagesThe environmental deficit is basically just a way of expressing that the world is having a 2 for 1 sale on our natural resources. In a culture where people everywhere seem to think that the economy is just about getting a good deal on everything, it makes sense that collectively we barely value the goods and resources the Earth seems to offer for free! If we continue with business as usual, by the early 2030s we will need two planets to keep up with humanitys demand for goods and services. ThatRead MoreAmazon s Biggest Bookstore : The Earth s Most Customer Centric Company964 Words à |à 4 Pagesand it has four guiding principals that it follows: customer obsession, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence and long term thinking. (Amazon 12) The company sells books, electronics such as the tablets, TV s, phones, music, clothes etc. It is a virtual shopping mall is filled with everything you could ever want. When Amazon opened its doors in 1995, it was known as Earth s Biggest bookstore (Amazon.com LLC). To be better known around the world, it made its mission to becomeRead More Comparing Marlow of Heart of Darkness and Willard of Apocalypse Now1512 Words à |à 7 PagesComparing Marlow of Heart of Darkness and Willard of Apocalypse Nowà à Whenever books are adapted for film, changes inevitably have to be made. The medium of film offers several advantages and disadvantages over the book: it is not as adept at exploring the inner workings of people - it cannot explore their minds so easily; however, the added visual and audio capabilities of film open whole new areas of the imagination which, in the hands of a competent writer-director, can more than compensateRead MoreThe Shining And Misery : What Makes A Film Adaptation Great?1148 Words à |à 5 Pagesundergone many changes under the direction of Stanley Kubrick. Numerous tangible differences such as the iconic hotel room number being 237, not 217, the protagonistââ¬â¢s name where in the book is called John Daniel Torrance, instead of Jack Torrance, how Wendy is a brunette in the film not a blonde, and the son Dannyââ¬â¢s imaginary friend Tony can be seen in the book instead of only personified in finger movements as it is in the film, and many more (Flint). Bu t the most notably change is the portrayalRead MoreDoing Business In China Summary1605 Words à |à 7 PagesPrior to reading the Harvard Business Review on Doing Business in China, I assumed that business was a universal thing around the world. I assumed that business was the same in all countries. I assumed that every country had the same end goals when it came to business. As a result, I assumed that all countries followed a similar template for how business negotiations work. I was under the assumption that business was all about numbers and money; I didnââ¬â¢t expect to see so much energy focused on creating
Monday, December 9, 2019
Madame Bov Essay Example For Students
Madame Bov Essay Madame Bov: The world is founded on the belief that in order to surviveyou must be better than those searching a common goal. At the dawn of mankind itwas required to perform your own tasks such as seek and catch that which youwere going to eat. If you had neither the intelligence or the strength to dothis on your own you must rely on someone who would be able to, giving thempower. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Category:EnglishPaper Title:Madame BovText:ObjectsThe world is founded on the belief that in order to survive you must bebetter than those searching a common goal. At the dawn of mankind it wasrequired to perform your own tasks such as seek and catch that which you weregoing to eat. If you had neither the intelligence or the strength to do this onyour own you must rely on someone who would be able to, giving them power. Wewill assume now if you are in a position of good physical strength and ofintelligent mind, then you will be powe rful. But, is this true considering wealso rely on material as an essential factor in power. In the past and especially at present, the more you had of a certain objectthe less work you had to do to get it. You actually have power when you havemore stuff than anyone (how the concept of money evolved). Powerbearing less work is something everyone strives for and so defining yourselfwith power or stuff seemed good. We define ourselves with objects we care much about or objects that remind usof certain things. In Madame Bovary, Emma defines herself only through objects. She corrupts everything including love and men and turns them into materials. Emma loves windows. She looks as them as a form of escape from the life whichshe has lived. Through this material she is expressing feeling. Windows are theeyes of the house. They allow liberty and cause discomfort. A servant climbed on to a chair and broke two windowsclose to thepanememories of Les Bertaux came back to her. Her past life wasvanishing (Flaubert 40)The windows where keys to her life. They had been there and seen many thingshappen. She sat by windows thinking of her lovers. One evening as she was sitting by the open window, watchingLestiboudois(Flaubert 81)Madame Bovary did not like what her life was like. She established her idealplan through the reading of romance novels. When she was extremely fake andvague. She was not a genuine person and that is why she was Madame Bovary. She summoned the heroines from the books she readShe merged into herown imaginingsrealizing the long dream of her youth(Flaubert 131)She wanted to escape and the windows provided a passageway for this. A windowcould mean her inner self. Emma believes she is not a wonderful person becauseof the things she must to maintain status as a bougoise. This willeventually lead her to committing suicide and because she does not like herselfthere is no way she can appreciate others. She was boiling with shameshe went out to the passage to open thewindow, and breathe the fresh air to calm herself.(Flaubert 48)A window works like the eyes of the human and the body of the human is thehouse. Since we are talking about material, Emma is like Lake Point Tower on theoutside but she is furnished by the dollar store. Without knowing how materials can form a part of a persons life like Emma,you will loose a lot of the meaning of the book. The whole concept of MadameBovary is that there is not one Madame Bovary. Madame Bovary is a concept ofwomen. In this book there were at least three Madame Bovary. The one thing thatthey all had in common was that they were after the material. They were womenwho did not really care about emotions but rather adventure a concept notdefined if objects in this book are not discussed. We also would not understandthat love itself is a material in this story. Emma damages what love is becauseshe is buying it. Love is not something that is bought and that is why thingsgenerally do not come out as planned. .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .postImageUrl , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:hover , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:visited , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:active { border:0!important; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:active , .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue58e00766eb98b135e7b5811d8a4a65e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Berlin Blockade EssayMaterials and objects affect the way we see ourselves and others. Thedefinitions we use for certain things is dictated by how we focus on objects. Through the understanding of how objects affect our lives we can understand thatpower is nothing more than equal to the artificial happiness we get when actingupon a certain impulse fueled by the longing for a certain object. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Science And Philosophy Essays - Epistemology, Philosophy Of Science
Science And Philosophy In my analysis of the philosophy of science, I will attempt to give an analysis of Aristotle's demonstration and scientific knowledge starting points and how they apply to his theory, his definition in sciences, and scientific enquires of the various questions posted as well as his ideals of explanation, which gives clear ideal of his theory points in his premises. Aristotle starting points of sciences are definitions, existence proposition and general logical truth, which can only be grasped and not demonstrated. They are not verbal but give inner or essential nature of natural kinds, pertaining to the science. From these stating points one may deduce valid syllogisms with further characteristics that necessarily have virtue of essential value, in comparation to Euclid's geometry who's starting points are definitions, postulates and common principles. Aristotle starting points, which is the axioms- the demonstrated truths are its propositions that have been proven. In order to acquire such a scientific knowledge of theorems demonstration must infers its validility from premises, which are true, necessary and unspurious. We think we possess we scientific knowledge, when we assume knowledge of the causes. This is not possible, because having scientific knowledge is being in this condition, and those who think they have this knowledge are not, but those who do really are. Which follows that anything of scientific knowledge cannot be otherwise. Nous (starting -points which are themselves knowable) grasps indemontratible starting points. Therefore, if scientific knowledge is what we say it is then demonstrative knowledge depends on premises of truth, which are primitive and immediate. The conclusion must give the true reasons of facts mentioned. Aristotle example of this is the nearness of the planets and why they do not twinkle. He argues that the starting points of demonstration are necessary because they are truth and demonstration knowledge comes from necessary starting points. Deductive starting points cannot be proven and do not have to be grasped ? these are called posits. A posit assumes that something is or something is not, a supposition; without assumption it is a definition. He is insistent in the usage of appropriate premises and methods of questions under discussuion, being that one cannot give proof by crossing over from another kind. Aristotle requirements for the premises of demonstrations have unwelcome consequences, because scientific laws alone gives no hope of the full explanation of individual events, being that any full explanation must include facts about environment and preceding conditions. Aristotle scientific enquiry proceeds that things in which we seek are those we know, which are the ?that', the ?why', whether something is, and what is. If knowing a proposition that is demonstrated involves knowing the demonstration of it then obviously we must then distinguish two types of knowledge ? ?weak knowledge' the enquiry, and ? strong knowledge', the discovery. Which gives confidence that some proposition is scientifically explicable. The important point being that at any given stage in scientific progress of laws and connections have provided the framework, which are guidelines to determine some newly observed conjunction of events is law-governed. Aristotle's ideal of explanations leaves us to make such additions and qualifications that are necessary to accommodate other essentials qualities of his theory. It seems unlikely to assume that such departures occur and such masses exits in the in demonstration starting points of science. In conclusion, it would be wrong to suggest that science is a matter of explanation, because science is also reasons derived from knowledge. It is not only concerned with good, but also with what is necessary. Science need starting points which must be demonstrated in order to provide proven theories. Nevertheless Aristotle is still venerated in the conscientious role he has played in defining scientific definition in theory, providing us with many of those starting points. He is still accredited today for many of his important ideas and concepts, which has generalized theories of sciences.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Anurognathus - Facts and Figures
Anurognathus - Facts and Figures Name: Anurognathus (Greek for without tail and jaw); pronounced ANN-your-OG-nah-thuss Habitat: Woodlands of western Europe Historical Epoch: Late Jurassic (150 million years ago) Size and Weight: About three inches long and a few ounces Diet: Insects Distinguishing Characteristics: Small size; stubby tail; short head with pin-shaped teeth; 20-inch wingspan About Anurognathus Except for the fact that it was technically a pterosaur, Anurognathus would qualify as the smallest dinosaur that ever lived. This hummingbird-sized reptile, no more than three inches long and a handful of ounces, differed from its fellow pterosaurs of the late Jurassic period thanks to its stubby tail and short (yet extremely strong) jaws, after which its name, Greek for without tail and jaw, derives. The wings of Anurognathus were very thin and delicate, stretching from the fourth fingers of its front talons back to its ankles, and they may have been brightly colored, like those of modern butterflies. This pterosaur is known by a single, well-preserved fossil specimen discovered in Germanys famous Solnhofen beds, also the source of the contemporary dino-bird Archaeopteryx; a second, smaller specimen has been identified, but has yet to be described in the published literature. The exact classification of Anurognathus has been a subject of debate; this pterosaur doesnt fit easily into either the rhamphorhynchoid or pterodactyloid family trees (typified, respectively, by the small, long-tailed, big-headed Rhamphorhynchus and the slightly larger, stubby-tailed, slender-headed Pterodactylus). Lately, the weight of opinion is that Anurognathus and its relatives (including the similarly tiny Jeholopterus and Batrachognathus) constituted a relatively unevolved sister taxon to the pterodactyloids. (Despite its primitive appearance, its important to keep in mind that Anurognathus was far from the earliest pterosaur; for example, the slightly bigger Eudimorphodon preceded it by 60 million years!) Because a free-flying, bite-sized Anurognathus would have made a quick snack for the much bigger pterosaurs of its late Jurassic ecosystem, some paleontologists wonder if this diminutive creature nested on the backs of large sauropods like the contemporary Cetiosaurus and Brachiosaurus, similar to the relationship between the modern Oxpecker bird and the African hippopotamus This arrangement would have afforded Anurognathus some much-needed protection from predators, and the bugs that constantly hovered around skyscraper-sized dinosaurs would have provided it with a steady source of food. Unfortunately, we dont have a scrap of evidence that this symbiotic relationship existed, despite that episode of Walking with Dinosaurs in which a tiny Anurognathus pecks insects off the back of a docile Diplodocus.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Recycling Old Paper to Make Beautiful Handmade Paper
Recycling Old Paper to Make Beautiful Handmade Paper You can make paper from recycled scraps of just about any paperà you can find. By adding decorative items, such as petals, you can create beautiful personalized stationary. This is a fun craft that teaches about recycling while making a useful handmade product. Types of Paper You Can Recycle You can use pretty much any type of paper product for this project, but steer clear of waxed cardboard.à Construction paperPrinter paperMagazinesToilet paperPaper towelsPaper bagsNewspapers (will produce a grayish paper)CardstockNon-waxed cardboardNapkins Decorations There are many materials you can add to the paper for a decorative effect. You may wish to add flower or vegetable seeds to the paper, which can be planted. Flower petalsSeedsFine leaves or grassFoilString or yarnDryer lintFood coloring (for dyeing your paper)Liquid starch (to make your paper less-absorbent so that you can write on it with ink) Build a Frame While you can pulp your paper and make a rough product just by pouring it out and allowing it to dry, you can also form your paper into a rectangular sheet if you use a frame. You can make a frame by duct-taping an old piece of window screen onto a small rectangular picture frame. You could also staple the screening onto the frame to make the mold. Another option is to bend a wire coat hanger into a shape and slip old pantyhose around it to act as a screen. Make Your Own Paper You are going to pulp the old paper together with water, spread it out, and allow it to dry. Its that simple! Tear the paper (feel free to mix different types) into small bits and put it into a blender.Fill the blender about 2/3 full with warm water.Pulse the blender until the pulp is smooth. If you are going to write on the paper, blend in 2 teaspoons of liquid starch.Set your mold in a shallow basin or pan. You canà use a cookie sheet or a sink. Pour the blended mixture into the mold. Sprinkle in your mix-ins (thread, flower petals, etc.). Shake the mold from side to side, keeping it in the liquid, to level out your paper pulp mixture.You have few different options to absorb the excess water. You could remove the mold from the liquid, let the paper dry in the mold, without absorbing the liquid. You can also flip the paperà paper out onto your countertop and use a sponge to wick away excess water or you could press a cookie sheet onto the paper to squeeze out the excess liquid.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
The Volcker Rule and its Consequences for the Financial and Banking Essay
The Volcker Rule and its Consequences for the Financial and Banking System - Essay Example Federal Reserve has publicly announced that the banking system of US does not need to accept and operate according to the rule before the month of July of 2014 but the banks will have to conduct the process of ââ¬Å"good faith planning effortsâ⬠to get ready to accept the rule in the future and during the temporary phase. As banks and the financial system is still not aware of the bans that will be levied, there will be a cloud of uncertainty that these systems will experience for two years (Ciro 2012). These systems are experiencing ambiguity in understanding what does the Federal Reserve means by good faith planning efforts. The ambiguities are making condition worse thus decision makers should make the scenario clear and present the effects of the rule on US and other nations. The cloudy situation was made clear when a draft of the regulation was prepared and this draft consisted of details regarding the services offered by financial system and the way these services are use d by the common public. The situation is still quite unclear for financial institutions as even the draft wasnââ¬â¢t clear enough to identify the effects that the rule will have on financial sector. The European Union and other countries have even showed concerns as they expect that the rule will decrease the liquidity in world financial markets, thus it is quite clear that the rule will impact the financial systems negatively. Body The delay in implementing and clearing the effect of the rule may not help the banks and make situation worse as banks do not have the correct idea of when the rule will be implemented and banks will have to accept the rule legally regardless of whether they understand its effect or not. Legally it is stated that those banks that have operated in good faith effort during the temporary implementation phase will experience less problems in complying with the actual rule. The policy makers should make the scenario clearer instead of making the financial system of US and overseas operate according to their own guess work. The delay is making the financial system take decisions under ambiguous situation which is already hurting the system. Volcker Permitted Bank Activities According to the rule there are certain permitted activities that can be performed by the banks, these activities comprise of banks acting as market maker, underwriter, hedger, deals of government securities and other activities that are stated under the act as permitted activities. These activities have been permitted to ensure that banks continue to provide liquidity to the markets and help companies in raising capital. But these activities have been restricted to ensure that banks do not cross the line and the funds with the bank do not become unsafe. If the permitted activities cannot be conducted in a safe environment and without risky conditions, then the federal system has the right to barge banks from conducting such activities or increase charges and fines on these activities so these activities become unfavourable to the banks. The activities that have been stated as acceptable in the rule are done on the basis that the bank conducts these activities for the customer and only to meet the short term demands of the customers. Rule Effect The Volcker Rule has received its name from the Paul Volcker who was the Federal Reserve Chairman during the period of the financial crises of 2008. The
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Electronic Portfolio Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Electronic Portfolio - Assignment Example Generally, my education was more closely aligned to the Jeffersonian model of education as compared to others. I joined Virginia University at the age 15 years, obtaining a post-graduate four years later. Naturally, I am an analysts and bibliophile, all to which I give credit to my teachers and parents. I am strong opponent of division within the society and as such, an advocate of an equitable society. Nonetheless, I disdain ethno-racial abhorrence. My thoughts are largely influenced by Marxââ¬â¢s ideas. Additionally, my perceptions are inspired by a distinguished educationist, Horace Mann. I have risen across various professional levels to reach my current position. I started out as an army recruiter in 1997 after completing my degree in General Studies from Central Texas College, Grantham University. Consequently, I have risen across ranks to reach the current position, JROTC Instructor. In general, I am an accomplished professional possessing experience directing logistics, an d transportation of freight for the US Army and Federal Express. Where I stand today: I believe life has given me immense opportunities to reach where I am today. I have nothing to regret about my past. Today, I am lucky to be amongst the few Indians to attend IB schools. This is a great opportunity for me. Educational/learning philosophy I believe education offers every individual a unique opportunity to explore and make use of their potential. Each person is uniquely endowed with some intrinsic potential which if well nurtured within an educational setting, can offer immense benefits to the society. An educational setting must therefore offer a secure and stimulating environment which allows emotional, physical, social and intellectual growth to the individuals. It is my belief that a good educational environment should have a guide (teacher), a curious learner (student), and more importantly, respect from both parties. Other than the aforementioned, it is my sincere belief that e ducation is only useful if learners have the opportunity to build knowledge through a self-discovery opportunity and access to practical skills in realistic environments. Offering learners a hands-on approach and sufficient time and space to make use of their potential and knowledge gained. In essence, I hold a strong opinion that self-discovery is just as important as is the opportunity to study and implement new ideas. Such should revolve around meaningful and relevant educational experiences. In general, school act as a pillar, social institution in human life, which provides individuals with a comprehensive learning program, and trains them on the ways necessary to lead a cultured and disciplined life. Given that the educators takes learners through disciplines in formal ways and fulfills their educational necessities, it assists them get qualified and ready to participate in economy building. Professional training accumulated during my career I must say my work experience has b een unique and one of its kind. Through this uniqueness, I have been able to accumulate immense professional training. I started out as an army recruiter and I must say dealing with different people from different backgrounds taught me a lot. Not only did I learn the importance of being able to accommodate and tolerate different cultures but also ways through which you can delve into these cultures and find that potential your organization really needs. Coming from the army recruiter position, I
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Wales Hunt For An Elite Overseer Essay Example for Free
Wales Hunt For An Elite Overseer Essay Wales place are rather popular nowadays because the number of players who are willing to achieve potential competition there is swiftly increasing. The application process for an elite hunt ends in May and the World Cup will take place in September. Instead of applying, Gareth Jenkins, however, decided to continue his career as a national coach. Kevin Bowring, ex-coach of elite hunt, is the head of coach development in Wales and he is satisfied with his new post. Therefore, WRU suggests that Wales team members should come from rugby and other kinds of sport, commercial and business environment. Roger Lewis, group executive of WRU, admits that the goal of coach department is to develop talent of the team, as well as to identify proper players and to nurture them. Elite performance and the national squad are also believed to succeed. The idea is to choose the best players in Wales in order to make them able to deliver the game that will be remembered in sport environment. RFU claims that their aim is to show that elite coaches are able to create highly talented performance of the game. The EPD supports positions taken by RFU noting that EPD will be present on the WRUââ¬â¢s executive board in order to reassure that everything is done to achieve the desired success. Special attention will be paid to whether facilities and resources are available. EPD is expected to on board, though the crucial point is to find the right person, as Roger Lewis mentions. Tete-a-tete conversation will take place between WRU and high-profile individuals in order to realize better the demands and requirements. Background works have been already done and the positive moment is that WRU managed to create detailed job descriptions.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Technology Through the Decades :: essays papers
Technology Through the Decades Technology has come a long way since the first institutionalized classroom. The bounds in advancement have been their greatest in the past 100 years alone. But the classroom we know today in American culture has made many adjustments and achievement over many centuries of work, but this paper will only address the past 2 centuries. The modern classroom, with computers, internet, graphing calculators, and video apparatusââ¬â¢, would not exist if not for the many people who worked to invent the machines we have. The 1800ââ¬â¢s produced many advancements to the classroom that, though very rudimentary to todayââ¬â¢s standards, became the foundation for learning on a large scale. Some of which are still in use today. In 1841 the chalkboard was introduced into the classroom. This was very beneficial to learning integrating audio and visual techniques to learning. Teachers could now draw for students concepts such as atoms and molecules, that were complicated to express. Students found this invention beneficial because now the student knew what teachers were saying, what key points they needed to know were, and nothing was lost in the communication. The inclusion of the radio in the 1920ââ¬â¢s (Studio Miramar), was also a beneficial invention. When the radio was invited to be a part of classroom learning, teachers were able to more effectively keep the students on top of current event, involve othersââ¬â¢ opinions or knowledge of different topics, and be able to include culture into history classes. This last reason would become the base for broadening of curriculum multiculturally. Another major change to the curriculum came in the 1940ââ¬â¢s when movies became a part of the classroom scene (Studio Miramar). This had an impact both politically and with general education. Politically, propaganda or reprogramming with videos would be a purpose that movies would play. With such films as those that expressed how the ââ¬Å"proper Americanâ⬠should act could be view, such as during World War II with ââ¬Å"Duck and Coverâ⬠or ââ¬Å"Evil Communistsâ⬠or even ââ¬Å"Uncle Sam Wants Youâ⬠videos became a meaningful nationalism method of reaching children. But movies also play the part of an educational tool. Films about chemicals, of both the dangers and benefits of them, or safety films like ââ¬Å"Stop, Drop, and Rollâ⬠became prevalent. Like the radio, television, introduced in the 1950ââ¬â¢s to the educational scenes (Studio Miramar), has become an even easier method of keeping students on top of current event.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Lawrence’s Use of Time in Sons and Lovers
Examine the authorââ¬â¢s handling of time. The use of time by the author is an important component of prose, as it provides the framework for the entire novel by manipulating the themes and characters by the use of techniques such a setting and narration. Sons and Lovers is set in the early 1900ââ¬â¢s during the second industrial revolution in a small mining town in England. By choosing this time period and place, Lawrence isolates the themes to be addressed, as well as provides context for the relationships, occurrences and behaviour in the novel.The activity of coal mining is an important one in the book as it provides income for the Morels as well as many major problems. This reflects the views of Lawrence who grew up in a similar situation and explains his interest in the theme of industrialisation and its impact on individuals. Lawrence, as a writer of the Romantic Movement great opposed industrialisation as he believed it severed the bond with nature and ruined relationsh ips between persons.These views are evident in his writing as we can see the impact of Morelââ¬â¢s job as a coal miner on his family; this represents the situation in many households during the period. This also explains the emphasised relationships that many main characters have with nature such as Paul, Miriam and Mrs. Morel. This relationship represents their spirituality and their escape from industrialisation, especially so by Mrs. Morelââ¬â¢s refusal to let her children work in the mines as she believes it will dehumanise them, as it did her husband.The use of nature imagery, pathetic fallacy and the accentuated description of nature throughout the novel highlight Lawrenceââ¬â¢s own sentiment toward nature. This theme is one characteristic of the era and is only able be addressed because of Lawrenceââ¬â¢s choice in setting. The narration and structure are other techniques use to influence time. Sons and Lovers a semi-autobiographical, psychological novel that addre sses the relationship between a mother and her son and the psychological consequences of this relationship.Lawrence purposefully arranges his novel in chronological order so as to trace the development of the characters throughout the years. This technique allows a change in protagonist, from Mrs. Morel to her son Paul. This change is necessary to highlight the mother-son relationship and its growth and development throughout the years as well as their relationships with other characters. When we are first introduced to Mrs. Morel, she had been married for eight years. Lawrence uses flashback to briefly explore her relationship with her father as well as illustrate her first meeting and eventual marriage to Morel.Here he establishes the theme of parent-child relationships and their effect on romantic love in the novel and provides necessary information the reader needs to understand Mrs. Morelââ¬â¢s behaviour. The use of a chronological sequence also functions to increase the rea der interest as it keeps them curious to the outcome of events and the resolution of conflicts between the characters. Although the book is chronologically sequenced, the events are not evenly spaced. Lawrence carefully chooses events that are of importance to the development of his characters rather than simply narrate their day to day activities.This allows the reader to observe the changes in relationships in a concise manner, such as the deterioration of the Morelsââ¬â¢ relationship and the events that led to it. We are able to see how Morel cutting Williamââ¬â¢s hair and locking Mrs. Morel out affected their relationship and caused her to depend on her childrenââ¬â¢s affection rather than her husbandââ¬â¢s. The transfer of affection from William to Paul after Williamââ¬â¢s death is also made evident. Paulââ¬â¢s growth and development into adolescence and the increased possessiveness his mother as a result of his relationship of Miriam is also a key occurrence. This manipulation of time serves to keep the audience interested rather than overwhelm them with monotonous details as well as highlights only key events in the life of the Morels so as to ensure readers are made aware of the themes that Lawrence wishes to highlight, especially those dealing love and relationships. Lawrenceââ¬â¢s deliberate manipulation of time serves to effectively depict the themes he wished to address, such as industrialisation, family and romantic relationship through the use of setting, sequencing and structure in a timeless way that still continues to engage audiences.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Critical Discourse Analysis, Organizational Discourse, and Organizational Change Essay
Discourses is an element of all concrete social events (actions, processes) as well as of more durable social practices, though neither are simply discourse: they are articulations of discourse with non-discoursal elements. ââ¬ËDiscourseââ¬â¢ subsumes language as well as other forms of semiosis such as visual images and ââ¬Ëbody languageââ¬â¢, and the discoursal element of a social event often combines different semiotic forms (eg a television programme). But the use of the ââ¬Ëterm ââ¬Ëdiscourseââ¬â¢ rather than ââ¬Ëlanguageââ¬â¢ is not purely or even primarily motivated by the diversity of forms of semiosis, it is primarily registers a relational way of seeing semiosis[i], as one element of social events and practices dialectically interconnected with other elements. The overriding objective of discourse analysis, on this view, is not simply analysis of discourse per se, but analysis of the dialectical relations between discourse and non-discoursal elements of the social, in order to reach a better understanding of these complex relations (including how changes in discourse can cause changes in other elements). But if we are to analyse relations between discourse and non-discoursal elements, we must obviously see them as ontologically (and not just epistemologically, analytically) different elements of the social. They are different, but they are not discrete ââ¬â that is, they are dialectically related, in the sense that elements ââ¬Ëinternalizeââ¬â¢ other elements, without being reducible to them (Harvey 1996, Chouliaraki & Fairclough 1999, Fairclough 2003, Fairclough, Jessop & Sayer 2004). A realist view of social life sees it as including social structures as well as social events ââ¬â in critical realist terms, the ââ¬Ërealââ¬â¢ (which defines and delimits what is possible) as well as the ââ¬Ëactualââ¬â¢ (what actually happens). There is a general recognition that the relationship between structures and events must be a mediated relation, and I follow for instance Bhaskar (1986) and Bourdieu (Bourdieu & Wacquant 1992) in regarding social practices as the mediating entities ââ¬â more or less durable and stable articulations of diverse social elements including discourse which constitute social selections and orderings of the allowances of social structures as actualisable allowances in particular areas of social life in a certain time and place. Social fields, institutions and organizations can be regarded as networks of social practices. Networks of social practices include specifically discoursal selections and orderings (from languages and other semiotic systems, which are counted amongst social structures) which I call ââ¬Ëorders of discourseââ¬â¢, appropriating but redefining Foucaultââ¬â¢s term (Foucault 1984, Fairclough 1992). Orders of discourse are social structurings of linguistic/semiotic variation or difference. Realist discourse analysis on this view is based in a dialectical-relational social ontology which gives ontological priority to processes and relations over objects, entities, persons, organizations etc, yet sees the latter as socially produced ââ¬Ëpermanencesââ¬â¢ (Harvey 1996) which constitute a pre-structured reality with which we are confronted, and sets of affordances and limitations on processes. Epistemological priority is given to neither pre-constructed social structures, practices, institutions, identities or organizations, nor to processes, actions, and events: the concern is with the relationship and tension between them. People with their capacities for agency are seen as socially produced, contingent and subject to change, yet real, and possessing real causal powers which, in their tension with the causal powers of social structures, are a focus for analysis. Social research proceeds through abstraction from the concrete events of social life aimed at understanding the pre-structured nature of social life, and returns to analysis of concrete events, actions and processes in the light of this abstract knowledge. Discourse and non-discoursal elements of social events and social practices are related in many ways. I distinguish three main ways: representing, acting (and interacting), and being. At the level of social practices, orders of discourse can be seen as articulations of specific ways of representing, acting, and being ââ¬â ie specific discourses, genres and styles. A discourse is a particular way of representing certain parts or aspects of the (physical, social, psychological) world; a genre is a particular way of (inter)acting (which comprises the discoursal element of a way of inter)acting which will also necessarily comprise non-discoursal elements); a style is a way of being (the discoursal element of a way of being, an ââ¬Ëidentityââ¬â¢, which will also include non-discoursal elements). I shall use the term ââ¬Ëtextââ¬â¢[ii], in a generalized sense (not just written text but also spoken interaction, multi-semiotic televisual text etc) for the discoursal element of social events. Texts are doubly contextualized, first in their relation to other elements of social events, second in their relation to social practices, which is ââ¬Ëinternalââ¬â¢ to texts in the sense that they necessarily draw upon orders of discourse, ie social practices in their discoursal aspect, and the discourses, genres and styles associated with them. However, events (and therefore texts) are points of articulation and tension between two causal forces: social practices and, through their mediation, social structures; and the agency of the social actors who speak, write, compose, read, listen to, interpret them. The social ââ¬Ëresourceââ¬â¢ of discourses, genres and styles is subject to the transformative potential of social agency, so that texts do not simply instantiate discourses, genres and styles, they actively rework them, articulate them together in distinctive and potentially novel ways, hybridize them, transform them. My focus in this paper is on organizational change, and this version of CDA has indeed been developed in association with research on discourse in social change. Social change comprises change in social structures, social practices, the networking of social practices, and (the character of) social events; and change in languages and other semiotic systems, in orders of discourse and relations between orders of discourse, and in texts. With respect to orders of discourse, social change includes change in the social structuring of linguistic/semiotic variation, therefore change in discourses, genres and styles, and change in their articulation in orders of discourse, and change in relations between orders of discourse (eg political and media orders of discourse). With respect to texts, social change includes tendential change in how discourses, genres and styles are drawn upon and articulated/hybridized together in various types of text. The process of social change raises questions about causal relations between different elements. Causal relations are not simple or one-way. For instance, it would seem to make more sense to see new communication technologies (ICTs) as causing the emergence of new genres than vice-versa ââ¬â changes in discourse caused by changes in non-discoursal elements. In other cases, change appears to be discourse-led. A pervasive contemporary process (for instance in processes of ââ¬Ëtransitionââ¬â¢ in central and eastern Europe) is change initiated through the recontextualization[iii] in an organization, a social field, or a country of ââ¬Ëexternalââ¬â¢ discourses, which may then be enacted in new ways of (inter)acting including new genres, inculcated as new ways of being including styles, and materialized in for example new ways of organizing space. These enactments, inculcations and materializations are dialectical processes. There is an important proviso however: these processes are contingent, they depend upon certain conditions of possibility. For instance, when a discourse is recontextualized, it enters a new field of social relations, and its trajectory within those social relations is decisive in determining whether or not it has (re)constructive effects on the organization, social field etc overall. In contexts of social change, different groups of social actors may develop different and conflicting strategies for change, which have a partially discursive character (narratives of the past, representations of the present, imaginaries for the future), and inclusion within a successful strategy is a condition for a discourse being dialectically enacted, inculcated and materialized in other social elements (Jessop 2002, Fairclough, Jessop & Sayer 2004). Discourses construe aspects of the world in inherently selective and reductive ways, ââ¬Ëtranslatingââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëcondensingââ¬â¢ complex realities (Harvey 1996), and one always needs to ask, why this particular selection and reduction, why here, why now? (For a discussion of ââ¬Ëglobalisationââ¬â¢ discourse in these terms, see Fairclough & Thomas forthcoming. Locating discourses in relation to strategies in contexts of social change enables us to connect particular representations of the world with particular interests and relations of power, as well assess their ideological import. Discourses do not emerge or become recontextualized in particular organizations or fields at random, and they do not stand in an arbitrary relation to social structures and practices, forms of institutionalization and organization. If we can construct explanations of change in non-discoursal elements of social reality which attribute causal effects to discourses, we can also construct explanations of change in discourses which attribute causal effects to (non-discoursal elements of) structures and practices, as well as social and strategic relations. The social construction of the social world may sometimes be a matter of changes in non-discoursal elements caused by discourses (through the concrete forms of texts), but discourses (and texts) are also causal effects, the dialectics of social change is not a one-way street. We can distinguish four elements, or moments, in the social trajectories of discourses: their emergence and constitution (through a re-articulation of existing elements); their entry into hegemonic struggles from which they may emerge as hegemonic discourses; their dissemination and recontextualization across structural and scalar boundaries (ie between one field or institution or organization and others, and between one scale (ââ¬Ëglobalââ¬â¢, macro-regional (eg the EU), national, local) and others; and their operationalization (enactment, inculcation, materialization). These are distinct moments with respect to the causal effects of discourses on non-discoursal (as well as discoursal, ie generic and stylistic) elements of social life, and they are all subject to non-discoursal as well as discoursal conditions. CDA claims that social research can be enriched by extending analysis of social processes and social change into detailed analysis of texts. More detailed (including linguistic) analysis of texts is connected to broader social analysis by way of (a) analysing texts as part of analysing social events, (b) interdiscursive analysis of shifting articulations of genres, discourses, styles in texts (Fairclough 2003). The latter locates the text as an element of a concrete event in its relationship to orders of discourse as the discoursal aspect of networks of social practices, and so allows the analyst to (a) assess the relationship and tension between the causal effects of agencies in the concrete event and the causal effects of (networks of) social practices, and through them of social structures (b) detect shifts in the relationship between orders of discourse and networks f social practices as these are registered in the interdiscursivity (mixing of genres, discourses, styles) of texts. Text can be seen as product and as process. Texts as products can be stored, retrieved, bought and sold, cited and summarized and so forth. Texts as processes can be grasped through seeing ââ¬Ëtexturingââ¬â¢, making texts, as a specific modality of social action, of social production or ââ¬Ëmakingââ¬â¢ (of meanings, understandings, knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, feelings, social relations, social a nd personal identities, institutions, organizations). The focus is on ââ¬Ëlogogenesisââ¬â¢ (Iedema 2003:115-17), including the texturing of entities (objects, persons, spaces, organizations) which can, given certain preconditions, be dialectically internalized (enacted, inculcated and materialized) in non-discoursal elements of social life. See for instance the discussion of the significance of nominalization as a logogenetic process in texts in processes of organizing, producing organization objects, in Iedema (2003). Organizational Discourseà I shall construct my very selective comments on organizational discourse analysis around the following four themes: organization and organizing; variation, selection and retention; understandings of ââ¬Ëdiscourseââ¬â¢; and intertextuality. Organization and organizing Mumby & Stohl (1991) argue that researchers in organizational communication most centrally differ from those in other areas of organization studies in that the former problematize ââ¬Ëorganizationââ¬â¢ whereas the latter do not. ââ¬ËFor us, organization ââ¬â or organizing, to use Weickââ¬â¢s (1979) term ââ¬â is a precarious, ambiguous, uncertain process that is continually being made and remade. In Weickââ¬â¢s sense, organizations are only seen as stable, rational structures when viewed retrospectively. Communication, then, is the substance of organizing in the sense that through discursive practices organization members engage in the construction of a complex and diverse system of meaningsââ¬â¢. Another formulation of this shift in emphasis from organizations as structures to ââ¬Ëorganizingââ¬â¢ (or ââ¬Ëorganizational becomingââ¬â¢, Tsoukas & Chia 2002) as a process is that of Mumby & Clair (1997: 181): ââ¬Ëwe suggest that organizations exist only in so far as their members create them through discourse. This is not to claim that organizations are ââ¬Å"nothing butâ⬠discourse, but rather that discourse is the principal means by which organization members create a coherent social reality that frames their sense of who they areââ¬â¢. Despite the disclaimer at the beginning of the second sentence, this formulation can as argued by Reed (forthcoming) be seen as collapsing ontology into epistemology, and undermining the ontological reality of organizational structures as constraints on organizational action and communication. From the perspective of the realist view of discourse I have outlined, it makes little sense to see organizing and organization, or more generally agency and structure, as alternatives one has to choose between. With respect to organizational change, both organizational structures and the agency of members of organizations in organizational action and communication have causal effects on how organizations change. Organizational communication does indeed organize, produce organizational effects and transform organizations, but organizing is subject to conditions of possibility which include organizational structures. The paper by Iedema, Degeling, Braithwaite and White (2004) in the special issue of Organizational Studies is an analysis of how a ââ¬Ëdoctor-managerââ¬â¢ in a teaching hospital in Australia manages ââ¬Ëthe incommensurable dimensionsââ¬â¢ of his ââ¬Ëboundary position between profession and organizationââ¬â¢ by positioning himself across different discourses, sometimes in a single utterance. The authors identify a heteroglossia ââ¬Ëthat is too context-regarding to be reducible to personal idiosyncracy, and too complex and dynamic to be the calculated outcome of conscious manipulationââ¬â¢. They see the doctor-managerââ¬â¢s talk as a ââ¬Ëfeatââ¬â¢ of ââ¬Ëbricolageââ¬â¢, not as a display of ââ¬Ëbehaviours that are pre-programmedââ¬â¢. Nor is it an instantiation of a ââ¬Ëstrategyââ¬â¢, for ââ¬Ëstrategies are they assume ââ¬Ëconsciousââ¬â¢. Although the authors recognize that organizations can ââ¬Ëset limitsââ¬â¢ on what workers can say and do, impose ââ¬Ëclosureââ¬â¢, they see the doctor-manager as successfully ââ¬Ëdeferring closure on his own identity and on the discourses that realize itââ¬â¢. One can take this as an interesting and nuanced study of organization as the ââ¬Ëorganizingââ¬â¢ that is achieved in interaction (nuanced in the sense that it does not exclude organizational structures, though it does suggest that they are more ââ¬Ëfluidââ¬â¢ and less ââ¬Ëcategoricalââ¬â¢ than they have been taken to be, and it does recognize their capacity to impose ââ¬Ëclosureââ¬â¢). I would like to make a number of connected observations on this paper. First, one might see the doctor-managerââ¬â¢s ââ¬Ëfeatââ¬â¢ in this case as a particular form of a more general organizational process, the management of contradictions. Second, discourse figures differently in different types of organization (Borzeix 2003, referring to Girin 2001). The type of organization in this case seems to be in Girinââ¬â¢s terms a ââ¬Ëcognitiveââ¬â¢ (or ââ¬Ëlearningââ¬â¢, or ââ¬Ëintelligentââ¬â¢) organization, in which the normative force of (written) texts (rules, procedures) is limited, and there is an emphasis on learning in spoken interaction. There seems to be, in other terms, a relatively ââ¬Ënetworkââ¬â¢ type of structure rather than a simple hierarchy, where management involves a strong element participatory and consultative interaction with stakeholders. Third, connecting the first two points, spoken interaction in this type of organization accomplishes an ongoing management of contradictions which contrasts with the management of contradictions through suppressing them by imposing rules and procedures. Fourth, the doctor-managerââ¬â¢s ââ¬Ëfeatââ¬â¢ can be seen as a performance of a strategy as long as we abandon the (somewhat implausible) claim that all aspects and levels of strategic action are conscious ââ¬â the doctor-manager would one imagines be conscious of the need to sustain a balancing act between professional and managerial perspectives and priorities, and of certain specific means to do so, but that does not entail him being conscious of all the complex interactive means he uses to do it. Fifth, while particular performances of this strategy (or, indeed, any strategy) are not ââ¬Ëpre-programmedââ¬â¢, the strategy is institutionalized, disseminated, learnt, and constitutes a facet of the type of organization as a network of social practices, ie a facet of organizational structure. Sixth, it strikes me that bringing off a sense of creative bricolage is perhaps itself a part of the managerial style of this type of organization, ie part of the strategy, the network of social practices, the order of discourse. My conclusion is that even in a case of this sort, rather more emphasis is needed on the relationship between organizing and organization, performance and practice, ââ¬Ëfeatââ¬â¢ and strategy[iv]. Organizational discourse studies have been associated with postmodernist positions (Chia 1995, Grant, Harvey, Oswick & Putnam forthcoming, Grant, Keenoy, Oswick 2001), though the field as a whole is too diverse to be seen as simply postmodernist. Chia identifies a postmodern ââ¬Ëstyle of thinkingââ¬â¢ in organizational studies which ââ¬Ëaccentuates the significance, ontological priority and analysis of the micro-logics of social organizing practices over and above their stabilized ââ¬Ëeffectsââ¬â¢ such as ââ¬Ëindividualsââ¬â¢. As this indicates, the focus on organizing rather than organisation is strongly associated with this ââ¬Ëstyle of thinkingââ¬â¢. Like the dialectical-relational ontology I advocated earlier, this ââ¬Ëstyle of thinkingââ¬â¢ sees objects and entities as produced within ontologically prior processes. The key difference is that this ââ¬Ëstyle of thinkingââ¬â¢ tends towards a one-sided emphasis on process, whereas the realist view of discourse analysis I have been advocating centres upon the tension between (discoursal) process and pre-structured (discoursal and linguistic, as well as non-discoursal) objects. This form of realism is not subject to the tendency within modernist social research which is criticized by Woolgar (1988) to take the objects it arrives at through abstraction (which would include in the case of CDA orders of discourse, as well as language and other semiotic systems) to be exhaustive of the social reality it researches. The key difference in this case is whereas this form of modernist research moves from the concrete to the abstract and then ââ¬Ëforgetsââ¬â¢ the concrete, the dialectic-relational form of realism I have advocated crucially makes the move back to analysis of the concrete. CDA is not merely concerned with languages and orders of discourse, it is equally concerned with text and texturing, and with the relations of tension between the two.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Globe Limited Model of Organizational Behavior
Globe Limited Model of Organizational Behavior Introduction Organizational behavior is the field of study that focuses on application of knowledge to solve organizational problems. It pertains to how individuals and groups behave in the organization. The concept of organizational behavior utilizes the system approach to address various problems afflicting the organization. It interprets the relationships between workers and the organization in order to determine the position of the firm in the market.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Globe Limited Model of Organizational Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The aim of organizational behavior is to create a superior relationship by realizing individual objectives, organizational aims and social objectives. The field encompasses a wide range of topics including human behavior, transformation, leadership and teamwork. Organizational behavior holds that employees should be guided by organizationââ¬â¢s philosop hies, values and goals. Organizational principles should drive organizational culture, which consist of formal and informal associations, as well as social environment. Organizational culture determines leadership style, nature of organizational communication and group dynamics. Furthermore, employees view organizational culture as the value of life, which influences their motivation in the organization. The results of good management is high performance, employee satisfaction and individual growth and improvement in the organization. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of organizational behavior in increasing sales at the globe limited. The organization should adopt some models and theories in order to encourage its salespersons to achieve maximum benefits for the organization. The paper looks at some theories that are related to organizational behavior as well as techniques of motivating salespersons. The paper concludes that Globe limited must adopt supportive and collegial mod els of organizational behavior in order to realize its objectives. The organization must keep off from autocratic model, which suggests that employees must be forced to deliver positive results. Even though there is a problem at the company, the management must consider other techniques of motivating workers and adopt autocratic model as the last resort. Importance of Motivation Motivation is critical to management in the organization because it puts human resources into action. Each objective demands that physical, monetary and human resources are organized in order to realize it. Scholars have established that it is only through motivation that human resources can be used maximally. Motivation instills the spirit of willingness and cooperation in employees. Employees might be able but unwilling to use their proficiencies to achieve organizational goals and aims. Motivation would allow Globe limited to make use of both human and capital resources.Advertising Looking for ess ay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, motivation would improve the efficiency of salespersons, which would lead to high performance. Effectiveness of employees does not only rely on their academic qualifications and capabilities (Murphy 43). Motivation helps in filling the gap between capability and willingness. Through motivation, salespersons would improve their productivity, the firm would reduce the costs of operations and finally overall efficiency could be realized at the Globe limited. Nonetheless, motivation leads to realization of organizational goals and objectives because organizational goals are only achieved when there is efficient use of human resources and teamwork. This means that salespersons at the Globe limited should be goal-directed in order to behave in a purposive manner. Therefore, goals can be attained if harmonization and teamwork occurs concurrently, which ca n only happen through motivation. Recent researches show that motivation builds friendly relationships among employees. It naturally follows that motivation is a significant aspect of employee satisfaction. Top managers at the Globe limited should always remember this aspect and try to frame an appealing incentive plan that would benefit sales persons. In this regard, scholars have established some plans that can be used to motivate employees, which include financial and non-monetary inducements, promotion opportunities and sanctions for non-performing salespersons. Policy makers at the Globe limited must adopt these plans in order to motivate salespersons to perform better. Adoption of the above plans would guarantee effective collaboration, which might bring about constancy in the organization hence boosting sales. Unnecessary conflicts and inconsistencies among employees would be eliminated through adoption of the plans. Globe limited could be facing difficulties because some emp loyees are against change. The above plans could allow some employees to accept change and aspire to fulfill the wishes of the employer. Finally, motivation, especially monetary inducement, would allow salespersons to align their interests to those of the organization. The outcome of both financial and no-monetary motivation would be profit maximization because of increased productivity. Motivation encourages stability in the organization because it promotes a good reputation and benevolence. In fact, research confirms that employeesââ¬â¢ loyalty is tied to the actions of the management. If employees are involved in decision-making processes, they tend to take active roles in the organization.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Globe Limited Model of Organizational Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Salespersons are tempted to develop extra-skills that they can use to convince customers to accept Globeââ¬â ¢s products. Customers are encouraged to buy Globeââ¬â¢s products because of the assurances from salespersons not the company. In this respect, changing employeesââ¬â¢ perception is critical to the performance of any organization. Motivated employees are easy to convince and manipulate. From the above analysis, it is noted that motivation is a complex concept that can only be understood by the management. Motivation is related to internal feelings, which makes it hard for any individual to understand its nature. Only managers can comprehend it because they are usually in close contact with employees. Therefore, managers are supposed to frame sound motivation plans that can boost sales at the Globe limited. It is also true that motivation is a continuous process mainly because it is based on limited needs. Increasing Sales Some actions, programs, conditions and incentives can be employed by the management to improve sales at the Globe limited. One of the actions is making use o f what is under control in the organization. The salespersons have the ability to influence buyers to purchase company products. This calls for careful handling of customers, by taking care of their demands. Some customers have no time to meet or talk to the sales team but the salespersons must strategize in order to be awarded some time by customers. In case a customer decides to talk to one of the salespersons, maximum time must be awarded to such a customer. This would give the salesperson a chance to convince the customer to accept company products. It is believed that the more the salesperson spends time with the customer, the more he/she makes sales. Whenever a salesperson handles a customer, he/she must present him/her self in the best way possible. Customers are influenced by the sellerââ¬â¢s attitude and impression. In this case, customers must be handled with all the care that they deserve. Their concerns must be addressed fully and salespersons should always have posit ive impressions towards customers. Salespersons must be taken through orientations in order to be able to differentiate between potential and stubborn customers. Some customers may perhaps inquire about products but they do not intend to buy them. Another action would be encouraging salespersons to familiarize themselves with the companyââ¬â¢s products, as well as competitorââ¬â¢s goods and services. This would help salespersons to be prepared than their competitors in the market. Through this strategy, sales persons would be ready to answer any question from customers touching on Globeââ¬â¢s limited products. However, this cannot be achieved unless salespersons are made to trust and believe in company products.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Motivation Theories A number of theories have been formulated to explain the conduct of employees in relation to motivation in an organization. Surprisingly, not all theories have the same postulations hence it is the role of managers to apply the best. These theories apply well under different circumstances. It should be remembered that there is no a powerful theory than others. Fredrick Winslow Tailor formulated the first theory at around 1856 to 1917. The scholar observed that workers are motivated by financial incentives. The theory was coined within the context of scientific management. The theory notes that workers are not interested in working because of various reasons. In this regard, they should be monitored closely to ensure that they comply with the companyââ¬â¢s rules and regulations. For efficient supervision, managers should group workers into small units. Each unit is assigned a specific task and a deadline for each task is put in place. Tailor suggested that work ers should be paid according to their productivity. The less productive workers are subjected to sanctions such as demotion and salary cuts while hardworking employees are given salary increment and promotion. Each employee would be encouraged to work hard in order to keep away from negative sanctions and try to win the confidence of managers (Cofer and Appley 90). Tailorââ¬â¢s theory is closely related to autocratic theory of administration. At the Globe limited, Dave should apply this theory as the last resort. The model is however successful because Ford utilized it in Europe and realized high results. Globe limited can also use it successfully, especially after other techniques have failed. Dave should in fact embrace Mayoââ¬â¢s theory, which argues that employees are not simply interested in money. Other social needs can easily distract workers from their tasks. Dave must identify that workers are human beings whose performance rely on satisfaction. Economic contentment i s not the only type of happiness that workers pursue. Other things must be considered carefully. Mayo suggests that improving communication would be helpful in boosting sales. There must be clear lines of authority and workers must have a way of airing their views and concerns. Furthermore, Davies must participate actively in sales because it boosts the morale of employees. Mayo supports Tailorââ¬â¢s sentiments that workers should be encouraged to work in groups that is, forming a team with clear objectives. Maslow was not far from Mayoââ¬â¢s ideas when he formulated his theory that is closely related to human relations theory. In fact, his theory is referred to as Neo-human relations school. The theory focuses on psychological needs of workers. According to Maslow, employees aspire to fulfill five human needs. The needs are hierarchically arranged meaning that one is fulfilled after the other. Workers are motivated to fulfill the higher need in the hierarchy after the lower n eed in the hierarchy is fully met. Maslow posits that psychological needs such as hunger and thirst are met first. An employee dying of hunger would work hard to acquire basic salary that would help him/her obtain basic needs such as food. It is therefore the role of managers to identify the needs of each worker and move on to fulfill them. In this respect, not all employees are motivated at the same time. Therefore, managers need to learn the character of each employee in order to design an appropriate incentive. Learning Theory Apart from motivation theories, scholars have also formulated social learning theory to explain the behavior of workers in organizations. The theory postulates that human behavior can be explained in terms of continuous reciprocal interactions among cognitive, behavioral and ecological determinants. The theorists holding this view observe that an individual is not dependent. Therefore, the environment influences his/her behavior. In every organization, an i ndividual has to follow some laid down regulations. This is achieved through learning, which takes time. Unless employees are given time to adjust accordingly, they cannot deliver in their work. The management must therefore realize this and try to help workers to adjust. Dave must learn the experience of each salesperson and award tasks basing on qualifications. Some employees could have attained their experiences in different settings, which are incompatible to the existing environment (Ishmael 76). Dave must investigate this and act immediately in case sales are to increase. Human beings have five capabilities that are used in strengthening skills and knowledge. The first one is symbolizing, which is concerned about processing visual experiences. This helps an employee to sharpen his/her wits in future. Another important technique is forethought that enables workers to plan their actions in advance. Other capabilities include observation, self-regulation and self-reflection. Cof er, Charles and Appley, Mortimer. Motivation: Theory and Research. New York, NY: John Wiley Sons, 1967. Ishmael, Jones. The Human Factor: Inside the CIAs Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture. New York: Encounter Books, 2008. Murphy, Jim. Inner Excellence. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Uneasy vs. Uneased
Uneasy vs. Uneased Uneasy vs. Uneased Uneasy vs. Uneased By Maeve Maddox I read the following quotation in a newspaper account of a local city council meeting: Im uneased by the fact that we have land in the city [that is not zoned]. Surely, the councilman meant to say that he was uneasy about the fact! At once I began a Web search and discovered that this strange use of uneased is not- so far- in the millions, but its out there in the thousands: I am uneased by heights, but I love zip-lining for some reason. I am personally uneased by even letting my kid walk to the front door by himself. They were uneased by your appearance and took a few days before getting used to seeing you about town. Its not always clear what uneased in the expression uneased by is intended to convey. Sometimes, as in the councilmans quotation, it seems to be used where uneasy would be idiomatic, but sometimes it seems to mean uncomfortable, in pain, or frightened. In the following paragraph on a professional medical site, any of the four could be intended: A mammogram should never be painful. This common conception is the reason many women put off scheduling their annual mammograms. If you ever are uneased, inform your mammography technologist so that they may alleviate your discomfort. Note: This illustrative quotation contains other writing errors, but for now, letââ¬â¢s just consider uneased. The word ease can be either a noun or a verb. For example: Miss Hannigan desired a life of ease. (noun) We admire aid workers who ease the suffering of refugees. (verb) The verb ease (ease, eased, has eased) has acquired numerous meanings since its earliest OED citation: to give ease to (1340) to relieve or lighten a burden (1374) to give ease of mind (1385) to relieve the bowels (1440) to relax (1863) to make to fit (1891) to break in gently (1892) The following examples (all in past tense) illustrate these meanings: Joplin home eased orphans plight Following advice he had received from Pollard, Woolf had eased up on Seabiscuit, allowing his horse to see his rival, then asked for more effort.à The home mortgage market improved last quarter as demand increased and many banks eased their lending standards for the most creditworthy borrowers, Black and White Ointment quicklyà easedà the itching, burn and sting. The A E crisis hitting hospitals all over the country could be eased if the paperwork burden was eased on family doctors. Defra hasà easedà restrictions on the movement of animals in England. The man eased the injured foot into a shoe. The carpenter planed and eased the dragging door. The new governor eased the misery of the people by lowering taxes. Confessing to the lie eased his conscience. Far removed from the conveniences of indoor plumbing, the people eased themselves in the bushes. A conscience or a pain might go uneased, but in standard usage, people are uneasy about things that bother them. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Masters Degree or Master's Degree?26 Feel-Good Words8 Great Podcasts for Writers and Book Authors
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Writing class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Writing class - Essay Example ermine the types of technical writings done by biomedical engineers and the importance of technical writing in the field, I conducted interviews over the phone; I was lucky to interview a Biomedical Engineering Technical Assistant (BETA) with a 2 months experience in the job, a Design Engineer with a working experience of 3 years, and a systems engineer who had an experience spanning over 6 years. This paper presents the various technical writings done by the professionals in the 3 different levels as well as the importance of technical writing in the field. The BETA engages in different types of writing almost on a daily basis within the work environment (2, par 1). These ranges from emails, descriptive writing of various procedures, proposals, and technical handbooks, technical guides, and reports on primary or laboratory research (2, par 2). However, the writing of research reports is more common being done almost on a daily basis. For the Design Engineer, writing of technical guides, technical handbooks, evaluation reports, feasibility reports, and recommendation reports are common. Despite the many kinds of technical reports the Design Engineer is required to produce, feasibility reports are most common at this level. The Design Engineer produces almost a feasibility report on a weekly or two-week time as may be necessitated by circumstances. The Systems Engineer primarily focuses on preparation of reports that detail standard operating procedures regarding the operation of various systems, technical specification reports, descript ive reports, user manuals, troubleshooting guides, and white papers. While writing is rare at this level, the Systems Engineer confesses that user manuals are most common, and prepared almost on a monthly basis to guide lower level employees on the use of different software. The BETA admits that while he is required to write the many reports, it is somewhat challenging considering his limited experience in the job. Though not so
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Microbiological Aspects of Decontamination Essay
Microbiological Aspects of Decontamination - Essay Example Although not recorded by La Duc et al. (2007, p. 2600) as a common member of clean room microflora, Staphylococci can pose serious health risks to patients and must be looked out for when determining clean room biocontamination. They are the main pathogenic microorganisms in medical device-related infections. Much of their success is caused by their strong surface adhesion and biofilm formation. Biofilms are especially important because they impose a resistance to host defense and antibiotics (von Eiff, et al., 2005, pp. 182). If clean room conditions are suddenly compromised, the sterility of devices prepared in it will be compromised as well. Once the contaminants grow significantly large in the body, localized inflammation, sepsis, or even death can occur (von Eiff, et al., 2005, pp. 183). And because antibiotics do not seem to work, removal of prostheses thus becomes inevitable (von Eiff, et al., 2005, p. 186). It is thus imperative that possibilities for contamination in clean room environments for neurological prostheses production are kept to a minimum. This review looked at rooms for improvement on the current procedures used by The Future Technology Company in ensuring pathogen-free production area for active implantable neurological prostheses manufacture. However, this review was limited to suggesting improvements on the current biocontamination control and sampling methods done in the newly-prepared clean room of the company. However, this review did not suggest improvements that will entail reconstruction of the clean room, as it might pose significant financial pressure onto the company. Nonetheless, reconstruction is not discouraged, and its implementation is with the consent of the company. The company was successful in preparing a formal system of biocontamination control.Ã
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Assignment-Progress Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Assignment-Progress Report - Essay Example This was in a blind taste that was being conducted by the French wine experts. This was a significant victory for the company, mainly because it established Stag Leap cabernet as a leading wine manufacturer. It further made countries such as Australia, American, and North America to be recognized as leading wine manufacturers. One of the famous wine products for the organization is the Cask 23, and it is a blend of the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from the Fay and SLV vineyards. This wine is not produced yearly, but seasonally, based on the availability of grapes in the above mentioned vineyards. Other wine products include the single and estate vineyard collection, as well as the Chardonnay, a wine product from the Arcadia vineyard owned by the company. The Napa Valley collection is also a series of wines, made from the vineyards found in the Napa Valley (Phillips, 2010). These wines include Karia, Merlot, Artemis, etc. In gathering information for this project, I am going to use internet sources, journals and books. The internet is a rich source of information, and I would benefit from the companyââ¬â¢s website, and online wine reviews, while gathering information concerning this project. Journals are also important sources of information, and they are reliable because information contained in them is pe er reviewed. The books to be used will be the most current books, and written by reputable authors in the field of
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Effectiveness of Guidelines in Improving Patient Care
Effectiveness of Guidelines in Improving Patient Care This brief considers the empirical literature on the use of clinical guidelines in patient care. It is argued that negative guideline characteristics and justified concerns amongst doctors negate satisfactory adherence. Clinical guidelines have been part of the UK landscape for many decades, as a means of improving health care for patients (Woolf et al, 1999). Research evidence suggests that a significant proportion of physicians do not adhere to clinical guidelines in patient care (e.g. Grol et al, 1998; Forsythe et al, 1999; Sherr et al, 2001; White, 2001; Thomas et al, 2003). Sherr et al (2001) investigated adherence of Obstetric Units in the UK and Eire to antenatal HIV testing policies. The Department of Health and Royal College of Obstetricians have both issued specified guidelines, which require that antenatal HIV testing be offered to all pregnant women, and adherence to these benchmarks has generated some debate. Data from 89% of antenatal units was analysed. Only 10% of units offered testing to all presenting women, and these units were concentrated in areas of high HIV prevalence (i.e. London). Other units operated selective screening policies (offering antenatal testing to some women, identified on the basis of clinical criteria) or ââ¬Ëon requestââ¬â¢ screening. Forsythe et al (1999) studied adherence of senior NHS staff (consultants, general practitioners) towards BMA guidelines on the ethical responsibilities doctors have towards themselves and their families. The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, and the General Medical Council both endorse these guidelines, which generally require that doctors do not assume responsibility for their own personal (or familyââ¬â¢s) health care. Questionnaire data was collected from four randomly chosen NHS Trusts and three local medical communities in the London (South Thames) area. Personal use of health services was the outcome measure. Results showed that although most doctors (96%) were registered with a GP, the majority (63% of GPs and 59% of consultants) had not consulted their GP in the past year. Almost a quarter (24%) of consultants stated they would never see a GP before obtaining consultant advice. The majority (71% of GPs and 76% of consultants) self-prescribed drugs ââ¬Ëusuallyââ¬â¢ or ââ¬Ësometimesââ¬â¢. Forsythe et al (1999) concluded ââ¬Å"senior doctors are not following the BMA guidelines on looking after their own and their families healthâ⬠(p.608). Clinical guidelines are thought to have significant benefits for patient care (Woolf et al, 1999). However, research findings on the impact of guidelines are mixed (Morrison et al, 2001; Bennewith et al, 2002; Bousquet et al, 2003). Bousquet et al (2003) conducted a randomised controlled trial assessing the value of guidelines of the International Consensus on Rhinitis (ICR) in caring for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. GPs were randomised into two groups: one group followed ICR guidelines (patients received an oral anti-histamine, a topical corticosteroid, and/or a topical ocular cromone) while the other group were free to choose appropriate treatment for patients. Outcome measures were degree of impairment[1] and symptom medication scores. Patients treated by the guidelines strategy GPs generated lower symptom scores over a three-week period compared with patients assigned to free-choice GPs. Furthermore, patients in the guideline group reported greater reductions in their degree of impairment compared to the free choice group. This trial clearly demonstrated the benefits for patients of implementing clinical guidelines. Diggory et al (2003) reviewed the results of five audits relating to cardiovascular-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the Mayday University Hospital. At least one audit focused on doctorsââ¬â¢ adherence to elderly care policy and guidelines recommended by the Royal College of Physicians. Documentation of a CPR decision, review of all patients, and documentation of any changes to the CPR decision became policy in the emergency department. CPR decisions were documented by both trainee doctors and consultants for >91% of cases. Consultants reviewed 93% of patients within 24hours, and documented a CPR decision in 81% of cases. Benefits for patients seemed to present in a reduction in DNAR[2] orders. Other research suggests that the benefits of guideline adherence for patients may be more limited. Morrison et al (2001; Bennewith et al, 2002) assessed the impact of clinical guidelines for the management of infertility, in both primary and secondary care settings. . Figure 1 Clinical investigations completed for intervention and control practices (Morrison et al, 2001) Over 200 general practices and NHS hospitals accepting referrals for infertility in Greater Glasgow were randomised to a control or intervention condition. The intervention group received clinical guidelines. No group differences were found in referral rates, albeit referrals from intervention practices were more complete, incorporating all essential clinical investigations (e.g. semen analysis, rubella immunity) (see Figure 1). No group differences emerged in the percentage of referrals in which a management plan was achieved within one year, in the mean duration between first appointment and date of management plan, and costs of referrals. On the whole, this study demonstrates a differential effect of guideline adherence across different criteria of patient care. Despite the (modest) increase in the number of recommended clinical investigations performed prior to referral, clinical guidelines were no more cost effective than having no guidelines. Overall, research findings are mixed regarding the benefits of guideline adherence for patient. Nevertheless, improvements in some aspects of care have been demonstrated. What guideline characteristics are pertinent to adherence? Michie et al (2004) assessed the reasons why GPs do not always conform to guidelines. The focus was on guidelines set by the UKs National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). London based GPs, who were classified as either ââ¬Ëhigh implementersââ¬â¢ (adhered to five or more of 6 CHD standards) or ââ¬Ëlow implementersââ¬â¢ (adhered to 1 or 2 guidelines), were interviewed on their beliefs, self-reported behaviours, and organisational context. Several issues differentiated the two groups: views about evidence based practice; control over clinical practice; and the repercussions of adhering to guidelines. Low implementers were more sceptical about evidence-based practice, more worried about the lack of control over the development and implementation of guidelines, and their own professional duties as doctors, and adverse consequences for GPs/patients that outweigh any benefits. This study highlights the importance of GP attitudes towards guideline adherence. Irani et al (2003) emphasised the methodological characteristics of the guidelines themselves. They assessed the quality of national clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on benign prostatic hyperplasia, and lower urinary tract symptoms. Two independent assessors appraised methodological quality of the CPGs using the St.Georges Hospital Medical School Health Care Evaluation Unit Appraisal Instrument. This tool incorporates items gauging three criteria: rigour of development (e.g. ââ¬ËIs there a description of the sources of information used to select the evidence on which the recommendations are based?ââ¬â¢), context and content (e.g. ââ¬ËIs there a satisfactory description of the patients to which the guidelines are meant to apply?ââ¬â¢), and clinical application (ââ¬ËDoes the guideline document suggest possible methods for dissemination and implementation?ââ¬â¢). Analysis revealed substantial variability in quality across CPGs. Grol et al (1998) found an association between guideline characteristics and adherence. An observation design was used to study 47 specific recommendations from 10 clinical guidelines in relation to 12 different guideline characteristics. For example, evidence base, clinical experience, concerned with daily practice, and ambiguity. Regression analysis revealed three key characteristics that predicted most of the variance in compliance rate: ââ¬Ëthe recommendation is vague and not precisely definedââ¬â¢, ââ¬Ëthe recommendation demands change of fixed routinesââ¬â¢, and ââ¬Ëthe recommendation is controversial and not compatible with current valuesââ¬â¢. Figure 2 Rates of compliance across guideline attributes (present or absent) (Grol et al, 1998) Figure 2 illustrates differentials in adherence rates as a function of the presence or absence of different guideline attributes. In general practitioners were more likely to comply in the presence of an evidence base, capacity to solve clinical problems, precisely described, and media publicity. Compliance was also more probable in the absence of capacity to provoke patients, requiring change to clinical routines, significant consequences for management, demanding new skills/training, controversy, complexity, and ambiguity. Clinical guidelines in the UK have historically been prescribed by a multiplicity of agencies, notably the Department of Health, and profession-specific bodies, such as the Royal College or Surgeons, Royal College of Nursing, and British Medical Association. The National Centre for Clinical Excellence (NICE) currently sets clinical guidelines. This body continually publishes benchmarks for most areas of clinical practice. The Department of Health has also established Essence of Care standards, which have a more generic focus (DOH, 2003). Guidelines are purportedly based on empirical evidence, notably randomised control trials, hence satisfying the requirement for evidence-based practice. However, reservations amongst GPs about the notion of evidence-based guidelines, which often fall outside their clinical experience, has been identified as one reason for low adherence amongst doctors (The BRIDGE Study Group, 2002; Michie et al, 2004). GP scepticism is partly justified. Morice and Parry-Billings (2006) discuss the validity of such ââ¬Ëevidenceââ¬â¢, identifying several important important issues. Firstly, NICE, the DOH, and other relevant prescribing bodies rely on clinical trials, many of which select patient groups ââ¬Å"to give the trial treatment maximum scope to show an effectâ⬠. Then there is publication bias ââ¬âstudies showing positive or dramatic effects are more likely to be published than studies showing no difference/effect. Guidelines are often linked to meta-analyses, which by definition will be ââ¬Ëinfectedââ¬â¢ by the research biases already mentioned. What is worrying is that many national guidelines are adapted locally, in the form of hospital policy (e.g. Sherr et al, 2001; Diggory et al, 2003), and these adaptations may have an even weaker evidence base than the national benchmarks set by NICE, DOH, and other prescribers. None of this is likely to improve GPs attitudes towards guideline adherence. Do doctors need guidelines? In a discussion of heart disease regulations in the UK, Petch (2002) argued that the specification of treatment criteria has not been very successful in the USA and other countries. Adherence to guidelines is criticised on three grounds. Firstly, guidelines imply universal health care, an ideal most nations cannot afford, least of all the UK, which relies on rationing (i.e. waiting) due to limited health resources. Attempting to implement similar standards for every single patient is expensive. Secondly, recommended treatments can often have complications/side effects, so that certain treatments may be inappropriate for certain patients, but yet be a mandatory therapy, which the doctor is compelled to follow regardless. Thirdly, administering the same treatment to all patients is not cost-effective. The treatment may not benefit every patient. It is usually not clear ââ¬Å"which patients will benefit from which drugs and hence the victim of a heart attack will be recommended to take aspirin, a statin, a à ² blocker, and an angiotensin converting inhibitor, in addition to other drugsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (p.474). Nevertheless, guidelines remain an integral element of patient care. This raises an important question: what kind of support do GPs require in order to adhere to guidelines? Marshall et al (2001) investigated factors that facilitate guideline acceptance in health professionals. Representatives from general practices in the NHS Northern and Yorkshire region were interviewed. Thematic analysis highlighted several issues including the need for training (staff often lacked the requisite clinical expertise to implement some guidelines), a conflict between responsibility and control (nurses/doctors are responsible for implementing criteria, but have no say over resource allocation), the and ââ¬Ëcul-de-sacââ¬â¢ of patient non-compliance (e.g. little can be done if patients refuse treatment, and this is interpreted as failure of staff to adhere to guidelines). CONCLUSION Several key issues have emerged from this review. Firstly, research findings are mixed regarding the benefits of clinical guidelines for patient care. There is clearly a need for more randomised controlled trials. The benefits for patients probably vary across disease types, clinical setting, and doctor and patient characteristics. Doctors have serious concerns about the use of guidelines in patient care, and these reservations are mostly justified. Perhaps the most defensible concerns relate to questionable evidence base, the need to account for differences in how individual patients respond to treatment, and poor guideline characteristics, such as ambiguity. Unsatisfactory guideline implementation by doctors will probably persist until these problems are fully addressed by NICE and the Department of Health. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bennewith, O., Stocks, N., Gunnell, D., Peters, T.J., Evans, M.O. Sharp, D.J. (2002) General practice based intervention to prevent repeat episodes of deliberate self harm: cluster randomised controlled trial. British Medicalà Journal, 324, p.1254. Bousquet, J., Lund, V.J., van Cauwenberge, P., Bremard-Oury, C., Mounedi, N., Stevens, M.T. El-Akkad, T. (2003) Implementation of guidelines for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomised controlled trial. Allergy, 58, pp.733-741. Diggory, P., Cauchi, L., Griffith, D., Jones, V., Lawrence, E., Mehta, A., Oââ¬â¢Mahony, P. Vigus, J. (2003) The influence of new guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) decisions. Five cycles of audit of a clerk proforma which included a resuscitation decision. Resuscitation, 56, pp.159-165. Forsythe, M., Calnan, M. Wall, B. (1999) Doctors as patients: postal survey examining consultants and general practitioners adherence to guidelines.à British Medical Journal, 319, pp.605-608. Grol, R., Dalhuijsen, J., Thomas, S., Veld, C.I., Rutten, G. Mokkink, H. (1998) Attributes of clinical guidelines that influence use of guidelines in general practice: observational study. British Medical Journal, 317, pp.858-861. Irani, J., Brown, C.T., van der Meulen, J. Emberton, M. (2003) A review of guidelines on benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms: are all guidelines the same? British Journal of Urology, 92, pp.937-942. Marshall, J.L., Mead, P., Jones, K., Kaba, E. Roberts, A.P. (2001) The implementation of venous leg ulcer guidelines: process analysis of the intervention used in a multi-centre, pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial.à Journal of Clinical Nursing, 10, pp.758-766. Michie, S., Hendy, J., Smith, J. Adshead, F. (2004) Evidence into practice: a theory based study of achieving national health targets in primary care. Journal ofà Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 10, pp.447-456. Morice, A.H. Parry-Billings, M. (2006) Evidence based guidelines ââ¬â a step too far?à Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 19, pp.230-232. Morrison, J., Carroll, L., Twaddle, S., Cameron, I., Grimshaw, J., Leyland, A., Baillie, H. Watt, G. (2001) Pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate guidelines for the management of infertility across the primary care-secondary care interface. British Medical Journal, 322, pp.1-5. Petch, M.C. (2002) Heart disease guidelines, regulations, and the law. Heart, 87, pp.472-479. Sherr, L., Bergenstrom, A., Bell, E., McCann, E. Hudson, C.N. (2001) Adherence to policy guidelines ââ¬â a review of HIV ante-natal screening policies in the UK and Eire. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 6, pp.463-471. The BRIDGE Study Group (2002) Responses of primary health care professionals to UK national guidelines on the management and referral of women with breast conditions. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 8, pp.319-325. Thomas, A.N., Pilkington, C.E. Greer, R. (2003) Critical incident reporting in UK intensive care units: a postal survey. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 9, pp.59-68. White, S.M. (2001) An audit of audit and continued educational and professional development. Anaesthesia, 56, pp.1003-1004. Woolf, S.H., Grol, R., Hutchinson, A., Eccles, M. Grimshaw, J. (1999) Clinical guidelines: potential benefits, limitations, and harms of clinical guidelines.à British Medical Journal, 318, pp.527-530. Footnotes [1] Using the Standardised Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). [2] ââ¬ËDo not attempt resuscitationââ¬â¢
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