Opportunities for Company Essay

Opportunities for Company Q to lead in the area of social responsibility Company Q’s attitude towards social responsibility appears to be nonexistent, possibly through ignorance or disconcert. Either way the lack of social responsibility affects their business and community’s perception of their business. It appears that the company management has never developed and ethics program that clearly defines the corporate culture including provisions for social responsibility. Profits, or at least a lack of losses appears to be a primary motivating factor for company Q’s management’s decisions. Company Q has been attempting to cut losses by closing stores that were losing money instead of finding innovative ways to increase revenues and profitability for the stores. Based on the known information, Company Q still has ample opportunity to build a socially responsible reputation within the community it serves and at the same time create profits for its shareholder s. Simple and cost-effective changes could be implemented in a relatively short amount of time and the benefits to the community, employees and the company itself could be realized within a reasonable amount of time. There are at least three ways that Company Q can make a positive affect within the community that it serves while increasing revenues and profitability for shareholders. First area of improvement: Take those previous customer requests for health conscience and organic products and turn them into reality within their stores. For many years, Company Q’s customers have been requesting health conscience and organic products sold at Company Q’s stores. The company’s efforts to provide this for its customers have been weak at best. The company’s management has the ethical duty to be positively reactive to its customers requests, so long as those requests are not illegal, immoral, irresponsible or unethical. Since requests are for products that benefit the health of customers, company Q needs to act to deliver those requested products in a manner that is consistent with its goals of profitability. In this case, the company has the ability to show social responsibility in bringing healthier products into its stores and have the added benefit that these items are high-margin, delivering profit opportunities to company shareholders. Because the items are high-margin, the costs of purchasing a reasonable supply and variety of items is relatively low as compared to lower margin items that are most  likely currently stocked in each store. The company even has an opportunity to reduce costs in the stores purchases by eliminating similar products that are lower in margin to the ones that they will be bringing in based on customer requests. Promotion of the social responsibility plan is important. With no additional cost in advertising, company Q can promote these new healthy products in its ad vertising. Doing so can bring back some of their lost business as well as bring in new customers to the stores. This situation is a win not only for Company Q but is also a win for customers and employees. The additional profits from higher-margin items will assist the company in creating wages that are appropriate for each position and opportunities for advancement in pay and position for its employees. This can help create an atmosphere that retains employees and reduces turnover, consequently, reducing the costs of obtaining and training new employees on a regular basis. Second area of improvement: Donations to local food banks, shelters and other charities Company Q experiences a direct loss of not only the potential profit from but the actual cost of day-old items that are thrown away. In doing so, the company experiences these costs with no benefit to the company. This method of handling the old items not only costs the company dollars in loss but also does not allow the company to reap the benefits of a socially responsible positive image to its customers and employees. Company Q’s management has taken the approach that by donating the day-old items it leaves the possibility for employees to steal from the company. A thorough plan of documentation for the donation process will help in ensuring that the donations go where they are intended and minimize risk of employee theft. One part of this plan would be to have the food bank pick up the donated items on a daily or weekly basis. As part of the donation process the food bank employee and the store employee would sign an inventory of the items picked up. This inventory tracking could be used by the stores as proof for prospective tax deductible donation on federal and/or state taxes. Any legal reductions in tax liability, improves profitability for the company. Company Q can benefit with a more socially responsible image to its customers and employees each time the food bank truck pulls up to the store and is being loaded with donated food. Food banks are not the only opportunity to show company philanthropy to the community. Making donations and collecting donations from the community for  homeless shelters and other worthy charitable organizations is yet another avenue to show the community that Company Q is active in social responsibility. Shelters and other charitable organizations are in need of items that the stores may not be able to sell to their customers for donation, but when customers and employees bring in donated items such as clothing, personal appliances and possibly furniture, these items could be collected at or near the store and be picked up by these charitable organizations. This gives the store an opportunity to receive business from those that are dropping off donations, by going in to the store and purchasing items that they may need for themselves and do it in one simple trip. These type of donation events can be listed in their existing advertising and give customers another reason to come by the store. Third area of improvement: Create opportunities for employees as well as customers to share in the charitable activities that promote social responsibility. As part of its change in being more socially responsible, Company Q could directly involve its customers by making donation bins available in stores for customers to purchase items and donate to the food bank. Advertising this in the store is good, but including it in their existing ad campaign could bring in customers that appreciate socially responsible businesses. Not only is this the sale of the items additional revenue for Company Q, but it allows customers to be directly involved in donation, which in turn creates even more goodwill for Company Q. In addition to customer involvement, employees can be directly involved in developing a socially responsible image of the company. Company Q could organize and promote employees assisting at food bank locations. These employees could go in for one day each month or each quarter and work within the food bank in one of many areas that the food bank needs physical labor for. Company Q could pay the employee’s their regular wages and be may able to take tax deductions for the wages paid to employees while assisting the food bank. This approach is another win for all parties involved. The food bank wins with donated labor, the employees win by being paid for the time worked at the food bank and Company Q wins by showing social responsibility in its community and gaining goodwill for itself in the process. In conclusion, Company Q can develop an ethics program and implement a plan for social responsibility that helps those within its community and increase its revenue and profits  in doing so.

Introduction to Internet Addiction

Introduction to Internet Addiction Ten years ago, the only people who spent a majority of their leisure time on the computer were paid members of the technology industry. Today, however, surfing the Web has become a pastime as social and marketable as bar hopping or going to the movies. As the web has become a part of mainstream life, some mental health professionals have noted that a percentage of people using the web do so in a compulsive and out-of-control manner.In one extreme (1997)  Cincinnati case, unemployed mother Sandra Hacker allegedly spent over 12 hours a day secluded from her three young and neglected children while she surfed the Web. For better or for worse, this phenomena of compulsive Internet use has been termed ‘Internet Addiction' based on its superficial similarity to common addictions such as smoking, drinking, and gambling. Internet Addiction has even been championed as an actual disorder, notably by psychologists Kimberly Young, Ph. D and David Greenf ield, Ph. D.. However, at this time the true nature of Internet Addiction is not yet determined.In a true addiction, a person becomes compulsively dependent upon a particular kind of stimulation to the point where obtaining a steady supply of that stimulation becomes the sole and central focus of their lives. The addict increasingly neglects his work duties, relationships and ultimately even his health in his drive to remain stimulated. In some cases of addiction (such as addiction to alcohol or to heroin), a phenomenon known as tolerance occurs, wherein more and more stimulation is required to produce the same pleasurable effect.A related phenomena, withdrawal, can also occur, wherein the addicted person comes to be dependent upon their source of stimulation and experiences dramatically unpleasant (and even potentially lethal — as can be the case with alcohol) reactions when he goes without it. Sources of addictive stimulation can be chemical (as is the case with addictive d rugs such as alcohol, cocaine, nicotine and heroin), sensual (as in sex) or even informational (as in gambling or workaholism).What all sources of addictive stimulation have in common is that they provoke a strong, usually positive (at first) reaction in the potential addict, who then seeks out the source of that stimulation so as to obtain that feeling on a regular basis. While many people like to engage in sexual relations, or gamble, or have the occasionally drink because of the pleasure to be had, clearly not all people who do so are addicts. Rather, the term ddiction only applies when someone's stimulation seeking gets to the point where it starts interfering with their ability to function normally and non-neglectfully at work and in relationships. Mental health professionals are split as to whether or not Internet addiction is real. No one disputes that some people use the Internet in a compulsive manner even to a point where it interferes with their their ability to function at work and in social relationships. What is disputed is whether people can become addicted to the Internet itself, or rather to the stimulation and information that the web provides.The controversy surrounding Internet Addiction is precisely whether people become addicted to the net itself, or to the stimulation to be had via the net (such as online gambling, pornography or even simple communication with others via chat and bulletin boards). Some psychologists do not believe in addiction to the Internet itself, but rather in addiction to stimulation that the Internet provides. They suggests that new Internet users often show an initial infatuation with the novelty of the Web, but eventually lose interest and decrease their time spent online back to a normal, healthy amount.Those users who do go on to show compulsive Internet utilization, for the most part become compulsive only with regard to particular types of information to be had online, most often gambling, pornography, chat r oom or shopping sites. This is not an addiction to the Internet itself, but rather to risk-taking, sex, socializing or shopping. In essence then, the chief addictive characteristic of the Internet is its ability to enable instant and relatively anonymous social stimulation. Addicted† Internet users are addicted to a favored kind of social stimulation and not to the Internet itself, although it is also true that the Internet has made it vastly easier and more convenient for someone to develop such a compulsion. Because the Internet is used by many people as a normal part of their career or education, knowing how to separate excessive from normal use becomes difficult and cannot be accomplished using simple measures such as amount of time spent online in a given period. Most fundamental in differentiating normal from problem Internet use is the experience of compulsion to use the net.Normal users, no matter how heavy their usage, do not  need  to get online and do not neglec t their occupational duties or their relationships with family and friends to get online. Help for Internet related addiction is available from multiple sources. Anyone concerned about serious problem Internet usage should consider consulting with a local licensed psychologist, social worker or counselor, specifically one with experience treating addictions. Cognitive therapy based approaches are recommendable due to their systematic and direct focus on reducing problem use and preventing relapse, and the strong scientific support for the approach.Marital and or family therapy approaches may be useful as well when an individual's Internet Addiction is affecting their larger family system (such as might be the case when a husband uses Internet-based pornography as his sole sexual outlet, leaving his wife frozen out). More than a few books and self-help resources (such as audio tape sets) are also available for those who want to educate themselves on the problem. Our Internet Addictio n Treatment article provides further detail.

Family and Life

Cause/Effect Essay Did you know that being connected with your family could be the best tool to help you to accomplish your goals much easier? However, a family can influence sometimes in a good way or sometimes in a bad one. Fortunately my family has influenced me in a good manner that in return I will help my relatives just the same way they did. Growing along with my family has influence and improved my life in significant ways. There are three main ways on how my parents have influenced in my life, such as: no to give up on my goals, being responsible for my acts and being solidarity to others.First, one of the most important things that they told me is not to give up on my goals. As I have been gotten older, my mind starts to realize that life without goals is not life, that life without goals or towards something is pointless. I believe everyone when a kid was had dreams to become someone in the future such as: Attorney, Doctor, Professor, and President of The United States of America. My mother, who has been always telling me to believe in myself, that I can achieve my goals if I work harder and believe in myself.As an effect, I graduated from high school last year with good standing grades. I am currently a freshman at Oakton community college working on my way to a four year institute, and I have a part time job at Marshalls Store Department. This was a big achievement in my life because I would not have done it if both my parents were not there sustaining me. Second, effect that my family has on my life is teaching me how to be responsible for my acts. Being responsible in my acts has been teaching me enormous lessons while growing up. This was caused by my oldest sister.She has been through many difficult experiences that taught her to be more responsible for her own acts. Now, I try to do the best in every step that I have to take. Through the years, I have become a better individual in myself by choosing the best ways to be better person in my acts every day by not hurting my family or anyone in my life with my acts. Third, effect that my family has on my life is how to be solidarity to other. I remember how my grandmother, who passed away two years ago, told me that I needed to be solidarity to others if I wanted to live happier and in peace.Furthermore, helping others gives a feeling that words cannot describe itself because this feeling is special I think. Sometimes this feeling fills up a part of me that I cannot fill up with anything else. I help other people whenever I have the opportunity not just because I want to feel special but because it helps me to be a better individual than the day before. My grandma was like a second mother to me, she taught me many values such as: respect, love, tolerance and other things that are essential to put on practice in this life. A family always will be one of the best tools to count on in your live yet.Because any member of any family could help, advice, guide you to the best way f or your own good and not to make same mistakes that they might have done. A family will always be the main resource to come to for help. However, not all family members would be helpful in good means. Some relatives would be selfish and intolerant to you. Eventually one will notice if the advising is given in a good way or not. All human beings need someone who can talk to, someone to turn back on to, someone who would be there for you in the happiest and saddest moments. We all need someone to talk to because we have feelings for others.

CRJ 422 Week 3 discussions 1 and 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CRJ 422 Week 3 discussions 1 and 2 - Essay Example Social control theory could be said to be the basis of control with regard to the juvenile justice system. The juvenile justice system operates under the core principle of rehabilitation. Application of social control theory in the juvenile justice system avails several structures like the school, community and rehabilitation centers as a mechanism for instilling the right values and culture into young individual as a way of avoiding crimes (Janowitz, 2005). The application of social control theory in the real world becomes a challenge due to the disorganization of the fabrics of the community. The current structure of the society does not provide a good breeding ground for modification and transformation of social behavior, thus making majority of the youth be involved in violent and delinquent behavior. Improvement in the application of social control theory would thus necessitate the use of existing structures like the schools as the most viable grounds for the destruction of the fabrics of antisocial behavior. Miranda v. Arizona (1966) is arguably the most significant landmark federal justice case that has helped in shaping and promoting social justice in the present American society. In the case Miranda v. Arizona (1966), Ernesto Miranda was arrested by the police on counts of rape, kidnapping, and robbery. Nevertheless, the police proceeded to interrogate him without informing of his rights. In the process of interrogation, Miranda was recorded self-confessing of the crimes and incriminating himself. Miranda, however, was mentally unstable and had not finished his ninth grade that posed the question of his mental acuity at the time of the confession (Goldstein et al., 2013). Application of Miranda rights have thus helped in transformation of the social and criminal justice whereby the law demands that a person must be informed of his or her rights at the time of arrest and be provided with the services of an attorney. The

Brochure on Islam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Brochure on Islam - Assignment Example The Five Pillars of Islam include fasting, hajj, zakat, prayer and ritual dedication of faith. Islam worship, study the Quran and pray at mosques with Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem regarded as sacred places (Berkey, 2009). The Holy Islamic book of Quran Major Festivals Islamic faithful celebrate quite a number of festivals. Such festivals include Eid ul Fitr  and Eid ul Adha among others. Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting, coming as the last ceremony of the holy festive month. The early Muslims first staged this celebration in the year 624 CE (Berkey, 2009). On this day, usually a public holiday, Muslims give thanks to Allah for giving them strength to exercise self-control during the period of fasting. The festival kicks off upon an official sighting of the new moon in the sky. During this occasion, Muslims put on their finest clothes, decorate their homes and pay visits to friends and family members. Additionally, Muslims practice special acts of generosity and grat itude by feeding the poor, giving donations to the mosques and holding processions in the streets. Finally, the day ends by sharing a meal during daytime for the first time in the month of fasting. Forgiveness and repentance are encouraged during Eid ul Fitr. Eid ul Adha is termed as the Festival of sacrifice to mark Prophet Abraham’s sheer obedience to the will of Allah when he was asked to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Berkey, 2009). This festival is celebrated on the last days of hajj, which represents one of the pillars of Islam and the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims join those on the pilgrimage to celebrate the occasion to remind themselves of their commitment to offer any form of sacrifice He demands of them. According to the Quran, God sent Abraham to Mina to sacrifice Ishmael but later replaced him with a ram. During Eid ul Adha, Muslims sacrifice a lamb or another type of domestic animal with the family, friends and the poor getting a third of the total share. Meditation in Islam Muslims practice meditation, which according to the Quran is a method of reaching the Divine Presence of Allah. Meditation can be undertaken in any silent place including the mosque or at home. It is practiced by sitting in a preferably dark room, covering oneself and to cut any connection with the surrounding. During meditation, Muslims should not only feel, hear or think of nothing but also being in the presence of Allah. Meditation can last from five and more minutes but it is never a ride in the park (Perreira, 2010). An individual is believed to be successful in meditation when they are able to attain ultra-power which translate to some supernatural signs like flying away according to the Muslim teachings. During meditation, Divine Presence offers one an audience with Allah leaving everything behind so that no physical harm can be inflicted. The partaker of meditation enters their spiritual being. This can only be achieved by following strictly the special r ules of Islamic meditation. Meditation also offers relaxation and delivery from stress (Perreira, 2010). Islamic Rites of Passage Rites of passage in a Muslim’s life are marked to signify important transitions of life including birth, marriage and death. These practices together with the Five Pillars regulate the religious lives of every Muslim. Moreover, the Quran also prohibits practices such as smoking, usury, gambling, eating pork and drinking alcohol (Berkey, 2009).

Topic related to Native American Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Topic related to Native American Culture - Essay Example On this basis, this essay will discuss the common characteristics of the Native American culture and also highlight on the history of the Native American flute. To start with, the way of life of the different Native Americans was dictated by the climate and natural resources present at the areas they inhabited. According to the American Indian Heritage Foundation, Native Americans share a principle that emphasizes care of the land and respect for nature (1). In this respect, the Native Americans adopted a lifestyle that promoted conservation of nature and natural resources. Therefore, the Native American culture differed depending on the natural resources available to specific communities. For instance, some communities living in forested regions, relied on hunting and gathering for their living while others, living in the highlands, depended on farming practices. However, it is worth pointing out that some elements of the Native American culture were eroded by European settlers, who colonized and exploited the indigenous American communities. Before colonization, the Native Americans shifted their ways of life to conform to the changing se asons based on the environment they occupied (National Humanities Center 1). Interestingly, the Native Americans shared common values in relation to family setups. In reality, the family structures of the Native Americans varied widely but there exist common core values and beliefs (National Association of School Psychologists 1). To begin with, many Native American families are ‘big’. Traditionally, most families were extended in nature, comprising of nuclear and extended family members living in a close proximity. Moreover, according to the National Association of School Psychologists, the Native Americans possessed high fertility rates hence increased prevalence of single mothers resulting from out of wedlock childbirth (1).

Symposium by Plato Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Symposium by Plato - Essay Example Diotima’s is a woman who has described the whole concept of love to Socrates, which he describes in his speech in Symposium. This book is the representation of the genesis, nature and purpose of love which was held by Socrates and later by Plato (Plato 179-185). This concept of love, which is illuminated in this book by Plato, is also the origin of his concept of Platonic Love. This paper is aimed to explicate the relationship of philosophy with love as has been explained in the speech of Socrates. It also presents the comparison among Socrates’ concept of love with others’ description for the idea of love in their speeches. The idea of love which Socrates presents completely differs and rejects the positions which were held and proposed by other individuals. The book is consists of several Greek concepts about the nature and purpose of love in the form of speeches by several general ancient Athenians including Socrates. Socrates begins his speech at the sixth pl ace and starts by being skeptic about the speech of Agathon. Socrates tells that a lady named Diotima had taught him about the real idea of love before which he had similar concepts which others contain. Socrates explicates that, according to Diotima love is not any god or any mortal entity which regulates the order of human beings or things existing in the universe. Love is neither contained with any of the divine attributes like wisdom or beauty (198A-201D). Love is a desire to attain these attributes. It is the spirit which hatches by the bonding between the resource and need. Diotima describes that love is attributed to the form of beauty. Every human being is attracted towards beauty; however, this is usually and fundamentally limited to the material world. Human tends to seek beauty in objects and in other humans by which the desire and spirit of love is developed between the object of beauty and the lover. On this material level, human individual desires to reproduce the beau ty in the physical sense which is the basis for human reproduction through the course of sex (200B-201-C). The love is the desire to have the object of beauty to posses its beauty, as has been stated in the book that, â€Å"Eros would be nothing else than love of beauty† (201A). This love of beauty in the material sense requires refinement to acquire the actual of love that is the desire for the form of beauty. According to Diotima, every object which is beautiful shares the form of beauty. Human beings lack in identifying and realizing the essence of that beauty and tend to possess the object itself which shares the form of beauty (202D-204B). However, the actual love is with the beauty as a form which is pure rather than the object which shares that form and manifest in this world. This realization occurs by the assistance of philosophy. The actual love for wisdom leads an individual to identify the difference between real, which is ideal love, and material love. The essenc e of love is to desire for the form of beauty which is the purest of all love. The desire for the pure form of beauty is the most refined desire which is the gist of love (204C-207A). By this explication of Diotima, the relationship of philosophy and love is prominently clear. A man is necessarily contained with the desire for beauty which he initially seeks in objects and other humans in this world. Objects can be possessed and kept; however, the element of beauty in other human is represented to be attained through the course of sexual reproduction. After reproducing beauty, the desire for beauty still remains in the individual which is required to be realized (207A-208B). This realization is acquired with

Service operations management-Porcinis Pronto Assignment

Service operations management-Porcinis Pronto - Assignment Example This will be implemented through the limited menu that values the products and services at moderate or appropriate prices. The company has limited resources and also capabilities that are needed in establishing an effective and efficient brand presence. Hence, it is very challenging to initiate the brand power strategy, and also enhance the market growth and development. There is a dilemma in making a decision on which brand approach will be effective in both the domestic market and the international market. The brand to be decided on depends on ownership category that is either syndication or alternatively franchising. The main aim of the most appropriate ownership model is to propel the effectiveness of the organizational brand. Appropriately integrating the interests of organizational stakeholders is a challenging experience for the management of the organization. In the new business venture, the company must strive to maintain its core value of excellent food, and hence the quality of the services and the food products must be above board. The high standards of the organization is illustrated through the performance determining factors like, adequate pricing, high service, quality food products, appropriate branding, and suitable business venues. The campaign initiative aims at ensuring the business performance achieves a minimum of 6% of the hu rdle rate of the company. This performance can be achieved through majorly concentrating on quality improvement approaches (Heskett & Luecke, 2011). Several approaches are adopted to ensure the effectiveness of the Porcini’s Pronto brand, and also improve the operations of the company through approaches like expansion. The food service business was initiated in 2010. The outlets of the company are placed strategically along the interstate highway. The outlet locations are very suitable for attracting the travelling customers who desire high standards of food products and also food service. The locations are

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economics - Essay Example In an oligopoly market structure there are a limited number of firms operating in the marketplace. In the market structure in which Ford operates the barriers of entry are high (Amosweb, 2011). This is one of the reasons why there are a limited number of participants in the auto industry. One of the major barriers of entry is capital. It takes billions of dollars to create the infrastructure necessary to become an auto maker. The learning curve to become efficient at producing cars is long, thus experience is extremely important. The price elasticity of demand in the auto industry is medium. Customers care about price, but there are lots of other features that add value such as reliability, warranty, luxury, and performance which ultimately determine the price point of the automobile. A strategy Ford has used in the last couple of years is introducing hybrid vehicle models. One of its best selling models is the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The economic profits in an oligopoly market structure depend on the other players (Answers, 2011). For example when one company has clearance sales, other firms follow and implement similar strategies. Players in oligopoly markets such as Ford have power over their suppliers. References Amosweb.com (2011). Oligopoly and Monopolistic Competition. Retrieved March 7, 2011 from http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=wpd&c=dsp&k=oligopoly+and+monopolistic+competition Annual Report: Ford Motor (2009).

Nutrition project 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Nutrition project 3 - Essay Example ject, is to plan one week’s meals for yourself based on the information from USDA ChooseMyPlate – SuperTracker (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html). If you have access to the Internet, be sure to use the interactive feature to generate the exact pyramid based on your age, gender, and activity level. (Throughout this assignment, you may substitute another food guide pyramid for SuperTracker if you find one that more closely suits your needs, but you need to include it—or the reference information for it with this project.) After you get your meals planned, make a list of all of the ingredients needed to make them (or the prepared items to buy). Take this to your local source(s) for food (grocery store, restaurant, farmer’s market, bakery, etc.) and record the price of each item on the list. (You will not need to purchase these items, simply record their costs.) 8. Conclude with a short description of what you learned about planning and implementing a healthy diet. What requirements of SuperTracker did you find most difficult to meet, either financially or by food preference, or both? What do you anticipate will be your biggest challenge(s) to meeting your nutritional needs as an adult? How you organize this project is up to you, just remember that organization is part of your overall grade. If you choose to create an interactive project or website that is published to the Internet, be sure to insert the URL and any access information in the space below. The total amount of calories consumed at the end of each day is 2200. Based on the daily food plan from the food tracker, each day must include 7 ounces of grains, 3 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of dairy products and 6 ounces of protein foods. Below is my menu for a week; The shopping list for each of the food categories is tabulated below. At the bottom of each row of foods, the total amount that it would cost to purchase the foods is written in US dollars.

The Securities and Exchange Commission Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Securities and Exchange Commission - Essay Example The International Monetary Fund approximated â€Å"more than $1 trillion on toxic assets and from bad loans† were lost by big western banks â€Å"from January 2007 to September 2009† (Reuters 1). The individual losses and exposures were undisclosed by these institutions in order â€Å"to prevent ‘runs’ on their banks or trading against their positions by their competitors in the markets† which can further escalate their losses (Dobbs & Minyard 1). Hence, what the banks and other companies/institutions did was to refrain from lending money â€Å"among themselves or to other businesses† since they were uncertain as to their trading partners’ financial health and considered that â€Å"the risk of loss was too high,† opting to preserve their cash to compensate for any probable future losses (Dobbs & Minyard 1). The â€Å"sources of liquidity† was said to have desiccated for a number of companies with capital markets failing to perform properly (Dobbs & Minyard 1). This resulted to breakdown and bankruptcies of influential companies or â€Å"land-rich/cash-poor situation† for energy companies (Dobbs & Minyard 1). The global economy then was said to be in recession as â€Å"the financial markets seized† (Dobbs & Minyard 1). ... SEC 1). The federal statutes and rules require companies to have â€Å"full disclosure and transparency† whenever it â€Å"sells stocks or bonds to the public† (Johnson 993), or to supply â€Å"a detailed public disclosure document† to both â€Å"investors and regulators† (Securities Act of 1933  §Ã‚ § 5, 10, 15 U.S.C.  §Ã‚ § 77e, 77j (2006); 17 C.F.R. pt. 230 (2011), whenever private businesses make public offerings (Johnson 993). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reviews â€Å"these disclosure documents,† which in the case of Groupon, the SEC they required the latter to revise its disclosures in order to improve their accuracy (U.S. SEC, Letter from Larry Spirgel 1-14). This requirement however is not applicable to private placements wherein â€Å"a company sells an investment outside of the normal public securities markets† (Securities Act of 1933  § 4(2), 15 U.S.C.  § 77d(2); 17 C.F.R.  § 230.506 (2011)), which often times evade examination by federal and state regulatory bodies (Johnson 151). Because these placements are private, they are concealed (Johnson 993) and the issuers tend to divulge â€Å"far less information to investors† than that required for public offerings (SEC v. Ralston Purina Co., 346 U.S. 119, 125-26 (1953) and SEC rule 506 under 17 C.F.R.  § 230.506). Issuers also divulge this information â€Å"only to qualified investors† (17 C.F.R.  § 230.506 and 17 C.F.R.  § 230.501(a) (2011)). â€Å"Regulators and even academics have little or no access to the private placement disclosures† (Johnson 993). Private placements are also said not to be liquid, â€Å"difficult to price,† and bear significant risks (Johnson

Hydro Power Essay Example for Free

Hydro Power Essay Worldwide, hydropower plants produce about 24 percent of the worlds electricity and supply more than 1 billion people with power. The worlds hydropower plants output a combined total of675,000 megawatts, the energy equivalent of 3.6 billion barrels of oil, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. There are more than 2,000 hydropower plants operating in the United States, making hydropower the countrys largest renewable energy source. In this article, well take a look at how falling water creates energy and learn about the hydrologic cycle that creates the water flow essential for hydropower. You will also get a glimpse at one unique application of hydropower that may affect your daily life. 1.INTRODUCTION The basic principle of hydropower is that if water can be piped from a certain level to a lower level, then the resulting water pressure can be used to do work. If the water pressure is allowed to move a mechanical component then that movement involves the conversion of the potential energy of the water into mechanical energy. Hydro turbines convert water pressure into mechanical shaft power, which can be used to drive an electricity generator, a grinding mill or some other useful device. 2.HistoryThe use of falling water as a source of energy is known for a long time. In the ancient times waterwheels were used already, but only at the beginning of the nineteenth century with the invention of the hydro turbine the use of hydropower got a new impulse.Small-scale hydropower was the most common way of electricity generating in the early 20th century. In 1924 for example in Switzerland nearly 7000 small scale hydropower stations were in use. The improvement of distribution possibilities of electricity by means of high voltage transmission lines caused fainted interest in small scale hydropower.Renewed interest in the technology of small scale hydropower started in China. Estimates say that between 1970 and 1985 nearly 76,000 small scale hydro stations have been built there! 3.Advantages and disadvantagesHydropower is a very clean source of energy. It does not consume but only uses the water, after use it is available for other purposes (although on a lower horizontal level). The conversion of the potential energy of water into mechanical energy is a technology with a high efficiency (in most cases double that of conventional thermal power stations).The use of hydropower can make a contribution to savings on exhaustible energy sources. Each 600 kWh of electricity generated with a hydro plant is equivalent to 1 barrel of oil (assuming an efficiency of 38 % for the conversion of oil into electricity). The main advantages of hydropower are: * power is usually continuously available on demand, * given a reasonable head, it is a concentrated energy source, * the energy available is predictable, * no fuel and limited maintenance are required, so running costs are low (compared with diesel power) and in many cases imports are displaced to the benefit of the local economy, * it is a long-lasting and robust technology; systems can last for 50 years or more without major new investments.Against these, the main shortcomings are: * it is a site specific technology and sites that are well suited to the harnessing of water power and are also close to a location where the power can be economically exploited are not very common, * there is always a maximum useful power output available from a given hydropower site, which limits the level of expansion of activities which make use of the power, * river flows often vary considerably with the seasons, especially where there are monsoon-type climate s and this can limit the firm power output to quite a small fraction of the possible peak output, * lack of familiarity with the technology and how to apply it inhibits the exploitation of hydro resources in some areas. 4.From water to WattsTo know the power potential of water in a river it is necessary to know the flow in the river and the available head.The flow of the river is the amount of water (in m3 or litres) which passes in a certain amount of time a cross section of the river. Flows are normally given in cubic meters per second (m3/s) or in litres per second (l/s).Head is the vertical difference in level (in meters) the water falls down.The theoretical power (P) available from a given head of water is in exact proportion to the head H and the flow Q.P=Q Ãâ€" H Ãâ€" c c = constantThe constant c is the product of the density of water and the acceleration due to gravity (g).If P is measured in Watts, Q in m3/s and H in meters, the gross power of the flow of water is:P=1000 Ãâ€" 9.8 Ãâ€" Q Ãâ€" HThis available power will be converted by the hydro turbine in mechanical power. As a turbine has an efficiency lower than 1, the generated power will be a fraction of the available gross power. Applications. Hydro power is also utilised by large scale companies as a private use. Many large mining companies or aluminium manufacturers use vast amounts of electrical so rather than buying from the state they can generate their own power by using hydro power generation.

Pathology And Laboratory Medicine Organisation Health And Social Care Essay

Pathology And Laboratory Medicine Organisation Health And Social Care Essay My aims of this section will be achieved through independent research, reading and reviewing articles, books, newspapers and accredited websites which will be demonstrated throughout this process of reflection. State the activities that you have carried out to help you to achieve your learning goal? To build a basic understanding in pathology and laboratory medicine organisation several activities were carried out to reflect the learning goals. Initially, through the attendance of lectures, the basic understanding of the five major disciplines such as microbiology, histopathology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, Haematology and transfusion science was developed which enabled me to appreciate the various roles in pathological science. In supplementation to the notes taken, a variety of books related to the learning objectives of each lecture, were analysed in order to build upon the knowledge gained. This was done through the use of taking notes after actively processing information absorbed. Subsequently, detailed research was undertaken to gain up to date information on the quality standards laid by accredited governing bodies such as IBMS and HPC. To demonstrate, focused learning took place that reflect individual learning goals by looking at relevant journal articles, webs ites, government reports and newspaper articles. Furthermore, peer group discussion helped in expanding knowledge beyond the scope of the module content by discussing the financial factors which influenced the delivery of pathological and laboratory medicine. To conclude, a continual process of reflection will take place to appreciate setbacks, changes and developments in the learning process. How have these activities helped you with your learning? Activities undertaken have had a varied impact on my learning and development of the subject matter. Attending lectures and listening has enabled me to actively process the information by writing down notes. Notes have enabled me to have a basic understanding of the subject matter for example, one of my learning goals was to understand the different disciplines involved in pathological and laboratory medicine. Subsequently, learning objectives were used as a basis for further research in literature. For example, one of my learning objectives was current and future settings for the delivery of pathology and laboratory medicine organisation. The relevant chapters within and beyond the recommended reading lists was read and further notes were taken to supplement my notes thus, further developing my understanding. Moreover, a more complex understanding of certain aspects with in the subject matter was achieved through the activity of reading and analysing current journals and government reports for instance, the Carter Report on National Health Service (NHS) pathology services. Furthermore, examining peered reviewed websites, which were easy to access, gave me valid and up to date information on the quality standards lay down by different governing bodies such as the Health Professional Council (HPC). This enabled me to gain a more focused understanding of the subject content as required. Another activity which aided my learning was taking part in peer group discussion in tutorials. This provided me with knowledge beyond the subject content. For instance, financial impacts on the role a biomedical scientist undertakes. Finally, rigorous reflection has supported my learning by allowing me to change and adapt my learning goals and developed my thought processes. Describe your progress with this topic during the previous three weeks Development within each week was made in accordance to the learning goals I set myself in that week. I created a logical sequence in order to meet aims set within each week, as demonstrated below: Week 1: Learning goals: 1, 5 and 7 To achieve my first learning goal, I attended week 1 lecture on What is pathology and laboratory medicine. This lecture and written notes gave me the understanding of the five major disciplines and sub-specialities and the professional roles associated such as doctors and clinical scientists. Moreover, the relevant books were read to gain a more detailed understanding, these were biomedical science practice: experimental and professional skills and articles such as general pathology helped in consolidating and extending my understanding of the subject. Subsequently, learning goal five was accomplished through lecture 1 and, again, written notes which were highlighted and condensed gave me a broader understanding into quality standards laid down by different governing bodies such as CPA and MHRA and how stringent guidelines, which are followed by pathological laboratories, enable quality and accurate service to be provided. In addition, books and articles such as biomedical science practice: experimental and professional skills chapter 19 were read. Moreover, specialist website such as www.CPA.org.uk and www.mhra.gov.uk/index.htm was looked at to gain an idea of the specific guidelines that need to be followed by laboratories. Finally, learning goal seven was achieved through lecture 1 and written notes gave me and understanding of the current and future settings for the delivery of the pathological medicine and how the current hospital based lab may become a factory warehouse to maximise space and meet the demands of the workload. To supplement this goal, articles such as the Carter Report was read to further focus my learning on how changes such as Hub and Spoke working could increase effectiveness of the delivery of pathological medicine. Week 2: Learning goals: 2 and 3 The second learning goal was achieved through attendance of the second lecture on pathology and laboratory medicine organisation. This lecture and written notes, again, enabled me to gain the understanding of the services provided by pathology and how it is split into core and specialists services. Furthermore, e-books such as An introduction to biomedical science in professional and clinical practice and from NHS specialised services website, information on specialist services was looked at to supplement my learning. Lastly, learning goal three was accomplished by the end of week 3 through the combination of lecture two and notes taken from e-books and articles such as Pre-analytical Variables in the Chemistry Laboratory helped to further enhance and focus my learning; presenting to me different prospective on the same matter thus, allowing me to reach my own conclusion Week 3: Learning goals: 4, 6 and 8 To attain learning goal four, lecture three in pathology and laboratory medicine allowed me to gain an understanding of the different professional bodies within pathology and their purpose. Notes and further reading in the relevant materials allowed me to actively process the information presented to me and develop my knowledge. To help supplement by progression towards achieving this learning goal, I looked at specialist websites created by the governing bodies in pathology medicine, such as www.cpa.org.uk to enable me to gain a specialist insight for instance, the role the professional bodies play in the successful delivery of BSc (Hons) in Biomedical science degree. Moreover, lecture three also allowed me to achieve learning goal six which was to understand the overall contribution of pathology medicine on healthcare. It demonstrated to me how the work undertaken by pathology laboratory is vital to the success and treatment of many diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB). Also, further research in to books like Biomedical sciences: essential laboratory medicine allowed me to gain appreciation of the broad spectrum of work carried out by biomedical scientist and their influence on healthcare. Finally, goal eight was also, achieved in lecture three as it gave me an brief insight into the role of private health care, NHSBT and pharmaceutical companies on pathology medicine. Furthermore, notes and further reading in newspapers such as the Guardian allowed me to understand that Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) is a way of creating Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to alleviate the financial constraints on the NHS as it cannot afford to do all the tests that is required of them however, in return for their funding, the repayments on the debt owed, is more than what was put in. Describe any setbacks that you have encountered in trying to achieve your learning goal. I believe the word setback can be seen as a positive step in achieving my goals in academia because they are not setbacks but, steps I should avoid when trying to achieve other goals. Setbacks came in many different forms when accomplishing goals in this section. To begin with first setback that I encountered was that my goals didnt reflect the objectives of the lectures. This meant that it was harder to come into the lecture prepared with a brief understanding as I had prepared for different learning goals which were in accordance with my plan. To overcome this I will try to create a plan that can adapt to change and try not to let this have too much of an impact or have an effect on performance within the lecture. Furthermore, another setback was that different array of resources were available in trying to achieve each learning goals. For example, for my first learning goal a wide array of resources was available such as books to articles to newspapers whereas, for some goals not all the types of resources were available. To overcome this I will try to allow more time for researching a particular goal and then while I am gathering information on the topic, I wi ll research again to look at more focused learning sources such as articles. Moreover, on some occasions, when I did locate the necessary articles the abstract was only available. This gave a brief insight, it would have been easier to draw valid conclusions and understand the subject content proposed, if the whole information was available. This was only a slight setback as to overcome this just meant refining my research so that I could locate the complete articles. Another setback was that we did not have a tutorial after the first lecture in pathology and laboratory medicine organisation this meant this impeded my ability to test whether the information that was taught in the lecture was understood and tutorial were also used to provide me with any further detail. However, this was no fault of mine but I just felt a tutorial after the first lecture would have been beneficial in testing the understanding of the lecture. Simply, for this setback I will continue to attend all futur e tutorials. Lastly, another setback was to try and complete the necessary section in time with the interim deadlines that I set myself, to effectively complete the learning log to a decent standard. This was because I did not anticipate the duration of which some the sections of the learning log will take. For example the section where it stated explain what you have learnt took longer than expected due to the further reading that I did. To overcome this I will set myself more realistic interim deadlines which are more reflective of ability to achieve them. Explain what you have learnt Gain an understanding of the different disciplines involved in pathology, for example, microbiology and histopathology, and the professional careers associated. As defined by Bezabeh et al. (2004) [online]), pathology is the scientific study of disease. It is derived from the Latin words patho meaning disease and logy meaning study. Therefore, pathology is the study of disease using scientific methods for example a haematologists will examine blood content by taking a blood test. There are five major disciplines and sub-specialities under pathology: Microbiology and Virology Histopathology Cytopathology and immunology Clinical Chemistry Haematology and Blood Transfusion Microbiology It is the study of pathogens that penetrate the bodys defences and cause disease. A microbiologist will understand the mode of function of a variety of different fungi, bacteria and parasites; they will identify the correct pathogen that has infected the host and recommend the correct antibiotic treatment to eliminate the disease. Many pathogenic diseases identified by microbiologists include tuberculosis, tetanus and meningitis. Virology This is the study of viruses and their mode of action in terms of penetration and infectious ability. Viral diseases that are commonly identified are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chickenpox and German measles. Virologists also have major roles in the production and efficiency of vaccines. Histopathology This is the study of tissue structure and components which can relate to the establishment of disease. Common samples are from living individuals during surgery or deceased individuals in a post mortem. Sample size ranges from small samples such as biopsies to whole organs to identify the ailment afflicting the individual (Glencross, 2011). Moreover, histologists will look at abnormal features or functions of tissue to establish which disease is infecting the individual. Many types of tumours such as benign or malignant ones which lead to cancerous diseases such skin cancers are identified due to their appearance on the skin. Cytopathology This is the study of cells not tissues and abnormal features or components in cellular material will allow cytologists to identify the infecting disease. The samples are from a wide variety of sources such as cervical smears or natural shedding in the mouth when a swab is taken (Glencross, 2011). This is then studied under a microscope. Clinical cytopathologists, medical staff and biomedical scientists work closely together to interpret the results from a patient and administer the correct diagnosis to the affected individual. Immunology It is the study of the immune system and its role in inhibiting infectious diseases such as tumours, parasitic infestations and allergies. Their samples come from a wide array of sources such as blood samples and urine samples. Variety of tests which are carried out by immunologists on samples can be either automated or manual (Glencross, 2011). A disease of the immune system is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is the result of a HIV infection. AIDS disables the immune system thus, allowing infected individual to become more prone to diseases and without a defence mechanism the individual dies. Clinical chemistry Tests on blood or other biological materials such as urine are carried out to understand and diagnose diseases such as diabetes which renders a person unable to absorb sugar properly which can lead to dangerously high blood-sugar levels in the blood plasma which leads to a Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS) which is life threatening (Diabetes UK, 2012) [online]). Toxicology studies on the liver and kidney are also carried out and tests can be done to monitor the development of disease. Haematology This is the study of the physiology of blood samples taken by nurses. Samples are required by medical staff such as doctors to identify diseases such as anaemia or leukaemia. Haematological tests will identify in the blood sample, the amount erythrocytes or haemoglobin is present so that medical staffs and biomedical scientists can determine if the patient is anaemic so that treatment can start immediately. Transfusion science Transfusion science involves the sorting, identification and administration of blood and blood products to individuals that require it. For example, anaemic patients, patients suffering from blood loss or individuals involved in a road traffic accident. The primary source of blood is from blood donors who can donate their blood which is then stored and prepared for re-administration to individuals that require it (Glencross, 2011). Blood is regarded as a product so, it is highly regulated by the MHRA which makes sure that hospitals and other organisation follow EU directives which were transferred into UK law through the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 in UK Blood transfusion and tissue transplantation service (UKBTS), 2012) [online]. There are many professional careers that are in pathology. They are: Doctors Clinical Scientists Biomedical Scientists Assistant Practitioners Cytoscreeners Medical Laboratory Assistants Anatomical Pathology Technicians Administration and Clerical staff There are many routes to each of the professions for example, to become a biomedical scientist, who can specialise in any of the five departments of pathology after further training, a Bachelors of Science (BSc) degree in biomedical science must be obtained and state registration on the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) register is also required to be able to practice as a biomedical scientists in the National Health Service (NHS) or other organisations. To understand the organisation within pathology and laboratory medicine including the variety of specialist services provided. There are services in pathology and laboratory medicine that can be classified under: traditional, core and specialist services. The five major departments within pathology are categorised under these three services. As stated by Beastall (2008) the NHS laboratories have always provided twenty-four hour services in clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion. However, services in microbiology and histopathology have been provided by core laboratories may that be not always on a daily basis. The above services cover the five major departments which should be provided to everyone and at most if not every NHS hospital. Specialist services as defined by (NHS specialised services, 2012) [online] is a service that has a planning population of one million which means that it will not be available to everyone or by every hospital, typically, it is provided by less than 50 hospitals. Such services relate to rare disorders or conditions such as mutations in lymphomas and leukaemia s which require specialist equipment in pathology laboratories for diagnosis and treatment. There are a variety of services of specialist services that have developed for example Ophthalmic Pathology Services which diagnoses and provides advice on eye conditions. Services include diagnosis for malignant and non-malignant conditions for a variety of specimens including eyelid, conjunctiva and cornea. Moreover, a more recent development of specialised services in histopathology and haematological oncology services is molecular pathology which looks at genetic analysis for the diagnosis and prognosis of tumours in breast cancers, lymphomas and leukaemias. A demonstration of good practice is the Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) testing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2) in breast cancer to select patients suitable for Herceptin  ®. Herceptin  ® is the first monoclonal antibody which binds onto the HER2 receptor blocking human growth factor from binding thus preventing the chance of uncontrolled replications which lead to tumours. To determine whether patients require Herceptin  ® patients are tested using immunohistocompatibility (IHC) test which detects HER2 proteins through staining tumour cell membranes (Breastcancer.org, 2012) [online]. Many other specialist services are provided by the pathology laboratory medicine departments in the NHS to treat complex disorders that your average NHS hospital cannot deal with such as Bone Marrows, Colourimetric in Situ Hybridisation (CISH) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. To understand the process that takes place when the samples arrive in pathological lab to when it leaves There are three stages in the processing of samples from when it arrives to when it leaves, these are: Pre-analytical Analytical Post-analytical Pre-analytical It is a phase in the process which deals with the request for a sample to be taken to when it is ready for the analytical phase in a laboratory. In this phase nearly 32 75% of errors occurs which delays and makes the job of a biomedical scientist harder (Magee (2005) [online]). There are many types of errors than can occur, these are: Patient Identification: this is important as you need to take the sample from the correct patient. If it is done incorrectly then this can contribute to laboratory error Patient Preparation: this is again very important because if one needs to take a blood sample to test glucose level, the patient has to fast prior to the sample collection so that when the sample is taken it will not give an inaccurate reading Proper Tube Mixing: once the blood sample has been taken correctly then good mixing needs to occur to distribute the clotting factors in the tube evenly so that the sample does not clot in anyway Correct Specimen Volume: this s essential as each specified volume on the tube has the correct additive and if too much is added to a tube which is above the specified, it will distort the blood-additive ratio thus contributing to a lab error (Magee (2005) [online]) There are many other errors that could occur, above is a synoptic view of the wide variety of errors that could occur. Analytical phase This phase is when the specimen that has been taken, for example, a blood sample is tested in an auto analyser or other analytical machines to get a full blood count of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This is done electronically and there is a very low error rate. The possibility of error only occurs with human intervention during reading and recording result or when the specimen is put into the machine. An error could also occur if the machine is faulty and that its fault is not picked up in time. Post-analytical phase This phase involves the time form when it has been fully analysed to when it arrives back at the organisation from where it came from. This phase also can have a lot of errors in it which again reduces the accuracy of results. There are many errors that could occur, for example: If an analyst is under pressure to produce test results required urgently, he or she may be tempted to present the results which look credible but has been achieved through the breach of Westgards rules which is identified through internal quality control (Pitt and Cunningham, 2009, pp. 111) [online]). This error or factor may highlight someone as ill when they are not, which is very serious. Post analytic data entry error: this is dangerous as it can highlight someone as ill when they are not Oral miscommunication of results Error in reporting to downstream printer and fax Provider fails to retrieve test result: this causes further delays and the sample has to be searched and retrieved Failure to communicate critical value Provider misinterprets lab result: this and the above error again could harm the patient as they could be given drugs that they do not require There are many other errors that could occur in this phase and these errors are a direct result of human error. To make the system more efficient the pre and post-analytical phase should become more automated to reduce the risk of human error however, this action may reduce the number of jobs available to medical laboratory assistants which again is another factor to consider when trying making pathology medicine more efficient. To find out about the different professional bodies within pathology and their purpose There are four main professional bodies that governs pathology, they are: Institute for Biomedical Science (IBMS) Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) The IBMS is a professional body for biomedical science in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1912 and has 16000 active members. The body aims to promote and develop biomedical science and its members. It has three primary roles in biomedical science: General This involves setting standards of practices for biomedical scientists to protect patients. Also, the institute represents the interests of biomedical science to the universities, media and government. Furthermore, they promote public awareness and advises government departments on all matters relating to biomedical science Educational The institute accredits university degrees and assess qualifications for registration with the HCPC. Also, they assess the competence for biomedical scientists to practice and they award Chartered Scientists status. Scientific They update members through meeting and professional events and organise continual professional development schemes. Furthermore, they publish scientific research and professional development documents. They help part fund critical research in the development of medicine. Also, they can be assessors for senior job interviews The role of the IBMS is not explicitly narrowed down to the above as they also, work closely with the institute of HCPC to help develop and accredit competent biomedical scientists. The HCPC is a UK-wide regulatory body which is responsible for setting and maintaining standards of proficiency, professional training, performance and conduct of healthcare professionals. The purpose of imposing regulations is to protect the patient, the professionals and to prosecute anyone who breaks their rules and regulations. Moreover, the HCPC publishes a wide variety of documents to help registered scientists to understand exactly what is required of them when practicing. Also, in the documents on the HCPC website, there are several rules on how to act in the best interest of your patient and how to keep high standards of personal conduct. For example, one of the rules is that you should be aware that conduct outside your programme may affect whether or not you are allowed to complete your programme or register with us (HCPC (2012) [online]). This means that the conduct of a biomedical scientist regulated in and out of the work place and any wrongdoing of a biomedical scientists will be referred to the HCPC for conduct unfitting for a professional outside of work and although this does not mean they will be struck of the register, there is still a possibility of this happening (Ricketts, 2012). Moreover, to continue to remain on this register, it is obligatory to sign a personal declaration every two ye ars, confirming that he or she meets their standards of proficiency and competence to practice. Also, evidence for Continual Professional Development (CPD) is required to prove the validity of the personal declaration document (Glencross, 2011). The CPA originated in 1992, from a collaboration of four institutes: the Royal College of Pathologists, the Association of Clinical Pathologists, the Institute of Biomedical Science, and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry. CPA primarily accredited medical laboratories but now they have extended their accreditation to External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes. The CPA is a non-profiting distributing institute that act in the best interest of the public (CPA (2012) [online]). Moreover, the CPA evaluates and declares the capability of the medical laboratories and External Quality Assessments (EQA) schemes in the UK and overseas. This will give the public the confidence that there specimens, are sent to laboratories that adhere to the strictest regulations and will be treated properly. Although this registration for laboratories is voluntary, if they do enrol it will demonstrate that they have been assessed against the accepted standards and will ensure that there is the highest standards in the NHS laboratories (CPA (2012) [online]). There are many other governing bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which regulate the blood products in a pathological laboratory. This is essential in pathology as peoples lives are at stake and the results are needed to be accurate as it can determine whether a patient is critically or not. This gives the public confidence that the tests are carried to the highest accuracy and that the laboratory abides by the strictest rules to provide highly quality outcomes. To learn about the quality standards laid down by different governing bodies which all biomedical scientists and pathological laboratories are obliged to follow. The environment of healthcare is very controlled, with internal and external quality control checks to ensure that the highest standards are maintained at all times. To assess this conformation, there are formal standards to comply with also there are clinical and non-clinical checks by independent assessors of the laboratory from the CPA, if the laboratory is registered with them. This will ensure a high standard is maintained in every individual associated with the laboratory. There are many governing bodies, United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), CPA, Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and MHRA, which assess clinical laboratories against a wide variety of standards. This is done through professional quality inspectors and peer assessors from within the profession. The CPA which is a part of UKAS works to accredit medical laboratories to standards laid down in ISO 15189, Medical laboratories Particular requirements for quality and competence which incorporates ISO 9001 which are adhered to by the CPA. In these international standards, they cover eight major areas: Organisation and quality management system (A standards) Personnel (B standards) Premises and environment (C standards) Equipment, information systems, and materials (D standards) Pre-Examination process (E standards) Examination process (F standards) Post examination process (G standards) Evaluation and quality assurance (H standards) CPA assessment will take place every four years by three assessors, two from UKAS and one peer assessors which are normally clinical experts in specific fields such as immunology (Glencross, 2011). All of this is done to ensure that patient specimen examinations are done accurately, to a high standard and conform to high health safety standards to give the patient the highest confidence that the tests will be carried out properly and the results will be accurate. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines, medical devices and equipment used in healthcare and investigates harmful incidents. Also, they regulate blood and blood products to ensure that when administered to patients that the blood sample has been treated, stored and administered in accordance with the rules set down by the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR) (MHRA (2008) [online]). MHRA inspection takes place when a laboratory fills in an online compliance report to the MHRA, they will then assess the report in accordance to the BSQR and then if any further action is required, MHRA will send an inspector who will check the traceability, quality and storage of blood to ensure the laboratory is complying to the MHRA standards, this will normally take about a day to complete (Glencross, 2011) Also, MHRA publish standards on medicine and medicinal devices to ensure that any medical product has been stringently regulated to ensure highest patient safety. They regulate a variety of thing such as new biological compound or chemical compounds, new forms of existing medicines and r

Sakis Stories and the Impression they Create about Adult-Child Relatio

Saki's Stories and the Impression they Create about Adult-Child Relationships In order to answer this question I am going to be focusing on three of Saki?s stories; the story-teller, the lumber room and the open window. Children at the time Hector Munro (Saki) was writing these stories would have had very vivid imagination; this is shown in Saki's story 'The Open Window' when the niece makes up the saga of Mr Sappleton's death, illustrates how imaginative children can be, and that adults are very easily fooled. Fooling adults is a key theme in Saki's stories; another time when it occurs is in the story 'The Lumber Room' when Nicholas dupes his aunt into believing that he is somehow trying to get into the gooseberry garden, but instead has no intention of doing so but does sn...

Dubious Heros in Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

Questionable Heros in Julius Caesar      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Julius Caesar, a play written by William Shakespeare, had many characters who could have been questioned in terms of their motives and will.   Some may have had good intentions, but others were not motivated by their concern for the well-being of the Romans.   The aim of this paper is to take a look at why the main people in this tragedy did what they did.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Julius Caesar, the center of the big ordeal, is the first logical person to take a look at.   When he first arrives, he is hailed as a great man and offered the crown numerous times, refusing it each time.  Ã‚   He is clearly the hero of the people for that time.   The question of his heroism comes when his previous actions are looked upon.   He has just returned from killing Pompey and Pompey's sons.   He did this to gain complete control of Rome instead of sticking with the triumvirate that had currently ruled.   He was ambitious, or so it was said, and he wanted only power.   This alone shows that his motives were not as pure as was first thought.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The next person to be looked upon in Mark Antony, apparently Julius Caesar's right-hand man.   He plays the part of the hero as he takes Caesar's side after death and rallies the people against the conspirators.   As he speaks to Octavius, though, he shows that he is mainly after the power also in saying that the third person of their new triumvirate, Lepidus, is not a worthy adversary and is only good enough to carry messages.   Antony goes on to say that they should have him (Lepidus) killed, along with all the other people they were making a list of.   He was going to have them eliminated just because they might stand in their way to gaining complete power.   He also ordered to have figured a way to cut some of the money out of the will to the people and keep it for himself.   His intentions weren't so good after all.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cassius, the apparent originator of the conspiracy in the first place, is at first hard to figure out if he would take action in good will or in greed

Zarathustra by Me :: essays research papers

Zarathustra by Me Published 1895 translation by Gerardo Published 1999 ________________________________________ PREFACE This book belongs to the most rare of men. Perhaps not one of them is yet alive. It is possible that they may be among those who understand my \\"Zarathustra\\": how could I confound myself with those who are now sprouting ears?--First the day after tomorrow must come for me. Some men are born posthumously. The conditions under which any one understands me, and necessarily understands me--I know them only too well. Even to endure my seriousness, my passion, he must carry intellectual integrity to the verge of hardness. He must be accustomed to living on mountain tops--and to looking upon the wretched gabble of politics and nationalism as beneath him. He must have become indifferent; he must never ask of the truth whether it brings profit to him or a fatality to him... He must have an inclination, born of strength, for questions that no one has the courage for; the courage for the forbidden; predestination for the labyrinth. The experience of seven solitudes. New ears for new music. New eyes for what is most distant. A new conscience for truths that have hitherto remained unheard. And the will to economize in the grand manner--to hold together his strength, his enthusiasm...Reverence for self; love of self; absolute freedom of self..... Very well, then! of that sort only are my readers, my true readers, my readers foreordained: of what account are the rest?--The rest are merely humanity.--One must make one\\'s self superior to humanity, in power, in loftiness of soul,--in contempt. FRIEDRICH W. NIETZSCHE. 1. --Let us look each other in the face. We are Hyperboreans--we know well enough how remote our place is. \\"Neither by land nor by water will you find the road to the Hyperboreans\\": even Pindar1,in his day, knew that much about us. Beyond the North, beyond the ice, beyond death--our life, our happiness...We have discovered that happiness; we know the way; we got our knowledge of it from thousands of years in the labyrinth. Who else has found it?--The man of today?--\\"I don\\'t know either the way out or the way in; I am whatever doesn\\'t know either the way out or the way in\\"--so sighs the man of today...This is the sort of modernity that made us ill,--we sickened on lazy peace, cowardly compromise, the whole virtuous dirtiness of the modern Yea and Nay. This tolerance and largeur of the heart that \\"forgives\\" everything because it \\"understands\\" everything is a sirocco to us.

Economics; question and answer Essay

Introduction Question 1 War unrest in Middle East has negatively impacted on the price and quantity of oil in the market. The expectation of war from Syria and Iraq to spread to Middle East countries cause fear of possible shortages of supply as people may possibly do without oil. As a result people will buy more to store in preparation for future shortages. As the demand increases, price of oil goes up as people anticipate war unrest in the near future. When eventually the war sets in oil production is disrupted but people do not demand more since they had enough to cushion the scarcity (Kemp, 2013). In the graph illustration below, assuming the market was initially at the equilibrium. Since scarcity is expected in future people will by more (high demand) to spare for future. As the demand increase from 150 units to 350 units, the price also increases accordingly from $0.25 to $ 0.35. Graphical illustration    Question 2 Car and petro are complimentary good that are consumed together. Taxation on one of the complimentary products greatly influences the price of the other good. The increase in price of one good causes a corresponding decrease in the price of the other good and vice versa. For instance, taxing petrol increase its price, leading to high demand for high fuel efficient cars. Increase in demand for high fuel efficient cars results to increased price and vice versa. On the other hand increase in price for petrol leads to decrease in demand for low fuel efficient cars thus leading to their low price (Dwivedi, 2012). Many thus will buy high fuel efficient cars. Graphical illustration. Question 3 The fact that suppliers cannot sell live chicken directly to consumers coupled with the fear of mass death due to anticipated chicken flu results to high supply in the market. When supply increases beyond demand the price falls down. In addition since the health official are the only buyers a monopolistic competition comes into play since the price for chicken is not control by the market forces of demand and supply (Taylor,   &   Weerapana, 2012). The equilibrium the will shift to the right.    Graphical illustration    Question 4 Price elasticity of demand is the measure of responsive of the quantity demanded of a product to price change with other factors held ( Dwivedi, 2012). Price Elasticity of Demand (PEoD) = percentage change in quantity demanded (%ΔQ) à ·   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   percentage change in price (%ΔP) %ΔQ = 35 -50 / 50 Ãâ€"100 = -30% %ΔP = 8 -6 / 6 Ãâ€"100 = 33.33% Therefore, PEoD = -30 %/ 33.33% = -0.900 As economists we are not interested with the negative sign of our price elasticity of demand and therefore we take the absolute value. Therefore, the price elasticity of demand when price increases from $6 to $ 8 is 0.9. Interpretation. For the above case the demand for the good is price inelastic. This means that the demand for the product does not respond highly ton price changes. As evident in the computation, an increase of price by 33.3 % of the price results to a corresponding decrease of quantity demanded by 30%. The demand thus is not very sensitive to price changes. Question 5(a) Externality is an effect or a cost of the consumer behavior that may not be borne by the consumer but by the society. This mean s that the effects are caused by the consumer but the society bears the consequences. Tobacco smoking is among the activities that cause externalities. For instance narcotic in tobacco is believed to cause lung cancer to smokers. However the external cost of providing medical care to smokers is borne by non-smokers, by smokers and the government. Additionally environmental pollution due to smoking is borne by the family members of the smoker’s friends and even non-smokers strangers. Moreover, smoking has environmental externalities that involve deforestation to create room for tobacco growing.   Agrochemical used in tobacco production also adds to environmental pollution and degradation. Cigarette wastes are common in all cities, sidewalks and around homes. Although majority of these wastes are biodegradable, the filter and plastic wrappers and remain in the environment for long and the consequences of such pollution are felt by the larger society. Question 5(b) The Australian government in its attempt to control and minimize the external costs resulting from tobacco imposes high tax on tobacco. High taxation on tobacco increases the cost and as a result the demand for tobacco decreases. The tax imposed is transferred by producers to the consumers (smokers). When this happens, the demand curve will shift from right to left as indicated in the graph. Question 6 When entry barriers are eliminated in the market huge number of firms enters the industry resulting to excessive supply of commodities. In a market where entry barriers are limited the price of commodities is determined by the market forces since no firm has control over the market. Excessive supply that is created results to low prices of goods and services offered. In response the price the price goes down due to competition from other firm. As a result, the profit that firms were making initially decreases due. Graphical illustration Question 7 Oligopolistic market structures is a type of market where by small number of larger firms control the market jointly. The firms trade in almost similar goods. Oligopolistic firms do not engage in price competetion (Vives, 2001). Basing our argument on the game theory; where the actions one firm depend on those of other firms, it is evident that when for instance one firm lowers its price compared to other firms, customers will be attracted by the lower prices resulting to other firms making economical loss in their operation. In response to this the other will lower their price slighted below the initial firm eventually attracting the customers. The other firms in the market will make loss and eventually respond by making their prices much lower compared to other firms. This process continues until the firms sell at economically a low price that is illustrated by kinked curves (Vives, 2001).There to remain competitive and make profit do not engage in price competition.    Alternatives to price completion Oligopolistic firms compete by using alternative modes such as advertisement, product differentiation and barrier to entry in the market. Oligopolistic firms undertake a vigorous advertisement of their products both in national and international levels. Advertisement is made to make potential customers aware of the existence of the product in the market and the good qualities associated with such good and services (Taylor & Weerapana, 2012). Advertisement is carried out through mass media and product promotion. In addition oligopolistic firms constantly differentiate their products in terms of quality and always struggle to come up with new products design that outshine those of competitors. In the recent era, product differentiation has been enhanced by ever-growing technology and innovation. Since oligopolistic firms compete in almost similar goods and services coming up with new products with good qualities gives a firm advantage over its market rivals. For instance, phones manufacturing firms have constantly developed phone with new applications to remain competitive. Furthermore, the firms create market entry barriers to new firms, a strategy that ensures that the existing share of market. The common market barriers include the patent rights, important government franchises and the existing economies of scale. These are the barriers that ensure the market is not flooded by many firms, which in the end may reduce the existing firms’ share of the market control. References Dwivedi, D. N. (2012). Microeconomics. New Delhi, India: Pearson Education/Dorling   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kindersley. Kemp, G. (2013). War with Iran: Political, military, and economic consequences. Lanham,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Taylor, J. B., & Weerapana, A. (2012). Principles of microeconomics. Mason, OH: South-  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Western Cengage Learning Vives, X. (2001). Oligopoly pricing: Old ideas and new tools. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.: MIT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Press

A Portfolio Reflection of Three Teaching Strategies and There Usage Essay

This writer has been teaching for the past twelve years; the introduction came at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus after graduating with a BSc. in Sociology and Politics where I first started tutoring in Introduction to Caribbean Politics and Sociology in the undergraduate programme. After three year of working in administration full-time and tutoring part-time, I decided that desk work was not for me as I felt as though I would go out of mind (literally, as the job held no challenges for me and there was no prospects of promotion to anything else but more ‘paper pushing’. To that end I applied to a number of universities in the United Kingdom and was successful. While studying in the United Kingdom for my Masters of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, I taught English as a Foreign Language to French and Italian students that summer in 1999. On return from the United Kingdom n September 1999, I started teaching in the Division of General/Continuing Education where I taught Caribbean Politics & Society, Ethics and Citizenship (Cores) and Introduction to Sociology (Elective) to the general college student population; and resume tutoring in the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Cave Hill Campus. In April 2000 I started teaching in the Division of Commerce in the Department of Government and Political Studies and have since become the Head of the Department with responsibility for the Politics programme. During the summer of that year I lectured Introduction to Sociology in the Summer School Programme. I was asked to design a course for the Regional Police Training Centre to replace a previous course; this was called The Sociology of Crime and I was asked to teach the same. My interest in teaching also led me to create a number of courses at the college and one such course, The Sociology of Crime (Corrections Aspect) was adopted by the Training Division for an accelerated training course 2 for Prison Officers at Her Majesty’s Prisons; this I was also co-opted to teach as well. To date I remain the Head of Department, Government and Political Studies and I am a part-time lecturer/tutor in FOUN 1301 – Law, Governance, Economy and Caribbean Society at the Cave Hill Campus, a part-time lecturer in Drugs and Society (Summer School Programme), a part-time Tutor at the Regional Police Training Centre and Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds. The portfolio has been defined as â€Å"a systematic and organised collection of evidence used by the teacher and student to monitor growth of the student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a specific subject area† (Blake et al. 1995). Others (DeBruin-Parecki, et al. , 1997) have provided a more contemporary view which envisions the portfolio as â€Å"a purposeful, collaborative, self-reflective collection of student work generated during the process of instruction†. This paper is intended to help the writer to systematically gauge her progress toward the teaching profession by developing a portfolio. More importantly, it is intended to help other teacher candidates think reflectively on their decisions and experiences. Institutions of higher learning across the nation are responding to political, economic, social and technological pressures to be more responsive to students’ needs and more concerned about how well students are prepared to assume future societal roles. Faculty are already feeling the pressure to lecture less, to make learning environments more interactive, to integrate technology into the learning experience, and to use collaborative learning strategies when appropriate. The emphasis of learning to learn in curriculum reform has signaled to teachers to adopt student-centred strategies of teaching and different modes of assessment. The basis for the foregoing can be found in the Ministry of Education White Paper on Education Reform (1995). During the researcher’s years of teaching she has observed some unfavourable social skills being displayed by students in the classroom. Simple courtesies such as sharing or 3 saying â€Å"good-morning† appear to be disappearing from the habits of some students. This is symptomatic of the serious underlying problems in our society that need to be addressed urgently. The regularity with which some reference is made to the conduct of our youth, whether it is by teachers, parents, the media or society as a whole is disconcerting. If not curbed, these children take negative behaviours into their adult lives and this can be detrimental to the society as a whole. Cooperative/collaborative learning, portfolio assessment and problem solving/critical thinking, as an alternative assessment, are increasingly being used in higher education facilities around the world and here at the Barbados Community College, specifically in the Department of Government and Political Studies. Before embarking on this course of study, much of the knowledge this writer operated with and under was done based on what was never wanted as a student, the old way of mere â€Å"pallaring†. Notably, the change from listening to teachers teach and answering examination questions to taking the initiative to learn and demonstrating competence with self-selected evidence is a great challenge to the students. This paper first discusses the various constraints and difficulties of using, cooperative/collaborative learning, portfolio and problem solving/critical thinking as assessment and instructional strategies. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for successful use of these three strategies as a useful form of teaching and assessment can be measured at the same time. Included in this paper will be examples of artefacts of each teaching strategy along with a rationale and description of teaching strategy. It can be asserted that many students find the transition into Higher Education quite difficult, particularly if they have not studied for some length of time; also coming from the high school environment the same is obtained as many of these students have been ‘spoon fed’ and find it hard to adopt the new mode of teaching. It is against this backdrop that the writer layout this paper reflecting on various teaching strategies, namely Cooperative/ Collaborating Learning, Portfolios, and Problem Solving/Critical Thinking. Teaching strategies can be defined therefore as ways in which instructional material and activities are presented and conducted in an effort to meet the needs of every student. Notably, teaching strategies will vary from tutor to tutor and is usually based upon which method/strategy (ies) a particular tutor is most at ease in using and its effectiveness. On the other hand a teaching method is a way of presenting instructional materials or conducting instructional activities. The use of this portfolio is designed as an educational tool to present knowledge gain through thorough reading and based on the information presented by the various groups in the course. This teaching strategy can be used to improve the attitudes and performance of Tutors and Teachers within the classroom. It consists of reflections, artefacts and projections on each teaching strategy i. e. ooperative/collaborative learning, portfolios, and problem solving/critical thinking. Notably, establishing clear, practical classroom rules at the start of the school year can help you keep students on track to learning while promoting good behaviour and responsibility. Strategies focused on increasing student participation and learning were developed and implemented in three statics sections of varying sizes over the last two years. Overall student perception of these strategies and their impact on learning in three sections of different size is very favorable. In addition, analysis of student ratings grouped by cumulative GPA indicates different strategies are perceived as helpful by different groups of students. However, implementing a combination of strategies seems to help all groups. Many of these strategies work across all class sizes and do not require significant investment in technology or hardware. However, more work needs to be done to determine the effect of these strategies on actual student learning or performance. 5 A word of caution is appropriate. This paper describes different strategies but it is important to note that strategies by themselves may not improve student learning. How strategies are implemented by the instructor and the instructor’s attitude plays a significant role in student learning. An appropriate quote comes from Louis Schmier: â€Å"Education without caring, without a soul, without a spirit, without purpose beyond subject matter is as viable as a person with a brain but without heart. Pedagogy, technology, and techniques are no substitute for love and caring†. A Reflective Paper on the use of Cooperative/Collaborative Learning as a Teaching Strategy Cooperation is working together to accomplish shared goals. Within cooperative activities individuals seek outcomes that are beneficial to themselves and beneficial to all other group members. Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximise their own and each other’s learning. The idea is simple. Class members are organised into small groups after receiving instruction from the teacher.

Student Learning Achievement In Cambodia

Since the prostration of the Pol Pot government until early 2000s the term Student Learning Achievement was on occasion mentioned. The authorities at that clip basically focused on how to garner kids and grownups to travel to school to larn from the people who merely had better cognition than their pupils. As a consequence, merely between 1998 and 2003 the per centum of kids come ining primary school expanded by about 36 per centum ( EMIS, 2003 ) . But with the singular additions in Numberss of pupil registration the instruction quality, in general, seem to be difficult to better. MoEYS recognizes that careful attending must be given to guarantee that policy-led determinations are harmonic with improved larning achievementaˆÂ ¦ Most schools do non carry through expected minimal contact hours per twelvemonth. Continuous schoolroom monitoring of single pupils ‘ command of indispensable acquisition competences and accomplishments, linked to ongoing redress, and regular, independent ‘auditing ‘ of educational quality and criterions have yet to be translated into plans that can be implemented countrywide ( EFA National Plan 2003-2015, p.25 ) . If the quality issues had been asked for, specifically the pupil larning results, the chief mechanism that many people normally have been referred to, even up to now, is through national scrutiny. But is it sensible if national scrutiny will be used for turn outing the pupil larning results? While analysis of scrutiny consequences can supply penetrations into pupil accomplishment and can place schools in which pupil public presentation is weak, its value is limited. One restriction is that public scrutinies normally test merely narrow countries of a course of study. This is partially because a limited figure of topics can be examined ; it is besides because within these topics, the focal point of the scrutiny tends to be on course of study content and competences that will maximise favoritism between pupils who will be selected for farther instruction and those who will non. The accomplishments of lower-performing pupils as a consequence may non be adequately represented ( Kellaghan and Greaney, 2004, P. ? ) . It is agreed with the statement of Kellghan and Greaney and is believed that scrutiny is non the right manner for measuring the pupil larning results. Additionally, Bethell stated that: â€Å" The premier intent of an scrutiny system is to supply each campaigner with a consequence which accurately reflects her/his degree of accomplishment. The usage of the consequence, e.g. for university choice or as an employment making, is aimed at the person. In contrast, the intent of a sample-based national appraisal is to supply dependable informations on the effectivity of the system as a whole ( 2003, P. ? ) . † Furthermore, Hernes, Director of International Institute for Educational Planning ( IIEP ) , noted that â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ Assessment has become over the old ages an of import key to the betterment of the quality of instruction. It is one of the most dependable ways of placing jobs, whether these are the system degree, of school degree, or concern the single pupil † ( UN ESCO, IIEP 2001, P. ? ) . The constructs of Education Assessment have been applied in many countries/ organisations, although they have different intents, models and attacks, such as Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality ( SAQMEC ) , Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study ( TIMSS ) , Programme for International Student Assessment ( PISA ) and so forth. TIMSS, for illustration, is an international appraisal of the mathematics and scientific discipline cognition of 4th and eighth-grade pupils around the universe. TIMSS is conducted every four twelvemonth. The chief end of TIMMS is to supply comparative information about educational mathematical accomplishment across states to better instruction and acquisition in mathematics and scientific discipline ( TIMSS International Report, 2007 ) . The TIMSS consequences so provide comparative positions on tendencies in academic achieving in the context of different educational systems, school organisational attacks, and instructional patterns. PISA, on the other manus, is a collaborative attempt undertaken by all member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, ( OECD ) and a figure of non-member spouse states to mensurate how well pupils, at age 15, are prepared to run into the challenges they may meet in future life. The PISA appraisal takes a wide attack to measuring cognition, accomplishments and attitudes that reflect current alterations in course of study, traveling beyond the school based attack towards the usage of cognition in mundane undertakings and challenges. The accomplishments acquired reflect the ability of pupils to go on larning throughout their lives by using what they learn in school to non-school environments, measuring their picks and doing determinations. The appraisal, jointly guided by the take parting authoritiess, brings together the policy involvements of states by using scientific expertness at both national and international degrees ( PISA, 2006 ) . In peculiar the continent of Africa, the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality ( SACMEQ ) is an international non-profit developmental organisation of 15 Ministries of Education in Southern and Eastern Africa. The state members decided to work together to portion experiences and expertness in developing the capacities of instruction contrivers to use scientific methods to supervise and measure the conditions of schooling and the quality of instruction, with proficient aid from UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning ( IIEP ) . The consequences of SACMEQ have been used extensively by assorted institutions/stakeholders, Ministries of Education ( MOE ‘s ) , international/bilateral organisations, universities, and single educational contrivers and research workers, within the take parting states as a resource for instruction sector surveies and as baseline information that can be employed in policy treatments and arguments about t he conditions of schooling and the quality of instruction ( SACMEQ, 2010 ) . The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training ( MoET ) launched a large-scale monitoring survey of primary instruction in 2000, the first of its sort in the state. The survey tested students and their instructors in the last class of primary instruction ( Grade 5 ) , utilizing a sample cross sectional study in two key capable countries, reading comprehension in Vietnamese and mathematics. The survey tried to happen the chief issues and propose policy recommendations in order to raise the pupil accomplishment, to better the system effectivity, to shut the spread between the top and bottom through compensatory support, to compensate emerging societal differences, and to mensurate the student accomplishment through regular testing ( mentions? ) . At the present twenty-four hours, there is a turning consciousness of similar issues in Kampuchean instruction policy paperss such as the Education for All ( EFA ) program 2003-2015, Education Strategic Plan ( ESP ) 2006-2010 and Education Sector Support Program ESSP ) 2006-2010.The inquiries of quality, the steps to accomplish the quality ends and marks have been received more and more attending. Additionally, in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport ( MoEYS ) course of study reform lineation, the minimal criterions for classs 3, 6 and 9 in topics of Khmer, Social Study and Mathematics were established ( MoEYS, 2006 ) ; and late, a new establishment that considers instruction quality ( called the Quality Assurance Department ) has been established ( MoEYS, 2009 ) . Statement of the Problem Although the schemes to accomplish the results and marks of the policy were set in about the full Ministry policy paperss, for illustration, â€Å" Implement the minimal criterions of pupil accomplishment for classs 3, 6 and 9 countrywide, guarantee a shared apprehension of minimal criterions amongst instructors, parents and other stakeholders and follow up on the consequences of the trials in the countrywide school study cards ( ESP 2006-2010, p.14 ) , † The minimal criterions of above classs were illustrated, the information or indexs on existent accomplishment in quality and results of larning have non been yet presented, except some proxy indexs demoing about publicity and repeat rates. The supra related information can be seen in some instruction spouse surveies such as UNICEF ( Prak Phalla, 2005 ) and World Bank based undertakings, Education Quality Improvement Project ( Marshall, 2004 ) , Save the Children Norway ( SCN,2007 ) and Cambodia Education Sector Support Projec t ( CESSP, 2006, 2008, 2009 ) . In the Education Strategic Plan ( ESP ) 2006-2010, the Sector Performance Milestones and Targets tables shows the marks for about all indexs but there are spaces for indexs of per centum of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Khmer and Math based on standardised trial at Grade 3, 6 and 9 ( Appendix A, Table II: Quality and Efficiency, ESP 2006-2010 ) . Furthermore, if the inquiry about how good the pupils at grade 3 or 6 or 9 can accomplish compared with the course of study criterions the reply will non be easy to happen. There is really small grounds in Cambodia related to prove execution. One of them is a study from execution of a undertaking called Education Quality Improvement Project ( EQIP ) which was supported by the World Bank from 1999 to 2003. One of the EQIP undertakings was to prove all Grade 4 pupils of the undertaking coverage states ( Kandal, Kampot and Takeo ) . Specifically, the chief intent of the trial was to detect the impact from the execution of undertaking grants on assorted activities by the schools, i.e. to compare the pupil accomplishments in Numeracy and Literacy at the beginning of the undertaking and terminal of the undertaking period ( EQIP Final Report, 2004 ) . In 2005, MoEYS/Pedagogical Research Department ( PRD ) with aid from UNICEF started implementing a undertaking on Grade 6 Learning Achievement by carry oning the trial on mathematics and Khmer. The aims of the undertaking were to supply information on pupils ‘ larning accomplishment in the province school including the Child Friendly Schools ( CFS ) to MoEYS, UNICEF and relevant stakeholders ; to set up a baseline degree for Grade 6 larning accomplishment for the new course of study and criterion ; to compare the pupil consequences between CFS and non-CFS schools ; to roll up informations for usage for a alteration of the Grade 6 course of study, text editions and instructors ‘ manuals and auxiliary teaching/learning stuffs ; and to happen out the existent state of affairs of larning accomplishment in primary schools. In his study, Prak ( UNICEF, 2005 ) recommended that â€Å" more standard points should be put in. This is because in this trial non all Grade 6 course of study criterions on Khmer and Math have been tested owing to a clip and budget restraint ( p. ? ) † . Purpose and Significance The course of study criterions ( minimal criterions ) for Grade 3, 6 and 9 had been established since 2006 ( Appendix B ) but until now there is no papers or study depicting how the pupils perform compared with the criterions. This paper, hence, efforts to exemplify the consequences of one of the above class degree ( Grade 9 ) , so the research findings will non merely be used for carry throughing the losing informations in the ESP papers for the defined twelvemonth but besides to show how good the Grade 9 pupil can accomplish comparing with the official curriculum criterion. More significantly, the findings will explicate why the pupils are perchance really good or hapless in some content countries of the course of study, for illustration, what possible grounds cause them to be good in work outing job by utilizing graph or, contrastingly, they are hapless in happening length of discharge Besides this, as we live in the planetary context and as the instruction systems are bit by bit developed we need to exemplify that sort of consequences to compare with other states in the parts or/and well-known organisations such as TIMMS, PISA, etc. Research Question More specifically, this papers tries to reply these research inquiries: What is the overall mean degree of pupil larning accomplishment in Mathematicss in sample schools in comparing to the national criterion? How make the norms in Mathematics vary by content and sub-content country? Are there important differences in the acquisition accomplishment by location, gender and socioeconomics by quintile?Research MethodsWith the support from the Kampuchean Education Sector Support Project ( CESSP ) / MoEYS, the National Assessment unit has conducted several trials in different class degrees, three, six and nine, since 2005. The overarching intent of the MoEYS appraisal work is to supply a system-wide diagnosing of school quality and pupil acquisition. This is done utilizing standardised trials that measure the functionary, or intended, course of study based on points created by MoEYS forces. Since I am one of the members of this unit I have discussed with the squad members to plan some peculiar undertakings for this survey purpose along with the chief undertakings of the undertaking. Sampling Technique and Sample Size This is a theoretical account of diagnostic appraisal which requires merely representative sample of schools to stand for the state as the whole. With a full support from CESSP/World Bank a scope of trying technique and sample size was produced. The type of sample was defined as two-stage bunch sample. This was done in five stairss: 1 ) specifying the population: the class nine population is restricted to take down secondary schools, EMIS information 2008, that have at least one grade nine category with 20 or more pupils ; 2 ) make up one's minding how many schools are required: 200 schools were selected by utilizing trying package produced by IIEP ( called IIEPSAMP ) with the Effective Sample Size ( ESS ) of 400 ( Appendix C ) ; 3 ) specifying the strata: the strata here referred to the three chief parts in the state: Urban, Rural and Remote ; 4 ) choosing the schools: the package so produced 50 schools in urban, 139 in rural and 11 schools in distant countries ( Appendix D ) ; and, 5 ) choosing the pupils within each school: 30 pupils per school were indiscriminately selected so the sum of pupils were about 6,000. Restrictions of the method adopted. Research Tools The range of this survey is really seen as a really large survey nevertheless, as above mentioned, the readying for this survey was carried out alongside with the MoEYS undertakings which being involved by related ministry departments/staff therefore some of the related results/findings can be considered and used as the findings of this survey. With the intent of comparing the degree of pupil accomplishment in math the curriculum trial design ( Appendix E ) , test brochures and official course of study criterions are basically needed. In add-on, in order to detect the deduction to the pupil achievement the information from pupil and instructor interview is besides required. Datas Analysis The points produced by the MoEYS specializers covered the content and sub-content countries of the intended course of study in general ( Appendix E ) . For this survey purpose the points related to course of study criterions will be defined. Descriptive Statisticss: This will summary the information particularly the pupil accomplishment in mean per centum correct ( average ) and standard divergences are besides used when appropriate. Comparisons of Meanss: Since the sample is divided into three types of school locations ( parts ) , male and female pupils participated and the pupils came from different socio-economic position t-test, ANOVA or/and chi-square could be used for gauging the differences among those variables. By making this we can demo the differences existed in the content and sub-content countries, later, we will research for what countries have the highest comparative tonss, what is the lowest, etc. Then the consequences that relate to the course of study criterions can be explored, and therefore we can reason about how the Grade 9 pupils achieved when they finished their category. The spreads between pupils like urban-rural, poor-rich, boys-girls, etc will besides be demonstrated. More significantly, from consequences in Numberss we will seek to research what make consequences intend in footings of what pupils can really make and why they performed ill in some peculiar content countries of the course of study. The consequences, so, will go the first findings in such field and may likely essential for some stakeholders.AppendixAppendix A:Table Two: Quality and Efficiency ( Promotion and repeat 2003-04 rate are used for baseline 2004-05 )IndexBaselineTargetTargetTargetTargetTargetBeginn ing:2004-052005-062006-072007-082008-092009-10Pupil teacher ratioEMIS – Primary 53.5 51.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 – Lower Secondary 27.7 37 41 45 45 45 – Upper berth Secondary 29.4 35 38 40 40 40Promotion rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Class 1 64.8 % 65.4 % 64.2 % 92 % 92 % 92 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %A– Class 3 77.3 % 78.9 % 75.7 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %A– Class 6 86.6 % 86.3 % 86.9 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %ARepeat rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Class 1 23.6 % 22.4 % 24.9 % 6 % 6 % 6 % 5 % 5 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 %A– Class 3 13.2 % 11.3 % 15.4 % 6 % 6 % 6 % 5 % 5 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 %A– Class 6 2.6 % 2.2 % 3.1 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 1 % 1 % 1 % 1 %ACompletion rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Primary 46.8 % 45.7 % 47.9 % 60 % 60 % 60 % 70 % 70 % 80 % 80 % 90 % 90 % 100 % 100 %A– Lower secondary 20.6 % 20.0 % 21.2 % 30 % 30 % 30 % 40 % 40 % 50 % 50 % 60 % 60 % 75 % 75 %ALiteracy rate 67.1 % 60.3 % 74.7 % 70 % 67 % 73.1 % 75 % 73 % 80 % 78 % 85 % 84 % 90 % 90 %ANumber of pupils go throughing grade 12 scrutiny33,834 37,500 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 EMIS% of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Khmer Language based on standardised trial at:APRD/DGE – Class 3Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 6Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 9Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA% of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Mathematicss based on standardised trial at:PRD/DGE – Class 3Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 6Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 9Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedAAppendix B: Grade 6 Curriculum StandardStrandGrade 6NumberRead, count, write, order and compare whole Numberss non transcending 7 figures and Numberss with denary fractions to two denary topographic points Read, write, order and comparison fractions and assorted Numberss. Round denary Numberss to the nearest whole figure. Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole Numberss utilizing three types of brackets ( [ , ( , { ) Add and subtract fractions with the same denominator. Add and subtract denary Numberss with two denary topographic points. Multiply and divide Numberss up to 4 figures by 2 figures. Use appraisal schemes to look into generation, add-on and division of whole Numberss. Rename common fractions ( less than one ) as decimals and per centums Calculate simple ratios and direct proportions ( eg 2 people need 4 cups of H2O so 6 people need 12 ) . Calculate norm costs, net income and loss, and write and verify grosss.MeasurementUse criterion mensurating instruments and read graduated tables to the nearest step to find: Length from kilometers to millimeters ( eg. wood, roads ) Capacity from liters to milliliters ( eg. medical specialty, cooking oil ) Weight ( mass ) from kg to gms ( eg veggie, rice and meat ) Time from hours to seconds Read and show accurately clip in parallel, digital, 12 and 24 hours representations Interpret a simple graduated table saloon on a map and utilize the map to cipher distance between topographic points Calculate norm travel times utilizing given velocities and distancesGeometryName types of angles ( ague, right, obtuse and consecutive line ) up to 180A ° and concept angles utilizing swayers, protractors and compasses Draw and label circles utilizing the undermentioned footings: radius, Centre, diameter and perimeter Make theoretical accounts of prisms, cones, pyramids, cylinders and domains Measure and happen the margin and country of trigons, squares, and rectangle Find the volume of solids made up of unit regular hexahedrons.StatisticsConcept and construe informations presented in tabular arraies, line graphs, saloon chart and pie charts.AlgebraANDFormFind the value of simple algebraic looks utilizing permutation methods affecting add-on and minus. ( eg. 3 + B = ? , 8- b= ? where B is 4 ) Simplify simple algebraic looks utilizing add-on and minus methods. ( eg. 4x + 2x = ? )ReasoningExplain a short concatenation of concluding used to near and work out a job that involves an analysis of informations through the choice and usage of mathematical techniques.Appendix C. Sample Design TableMegahertz:Intraclass Correlation ( ICC ) :0.200.300.400.500.6020 Schools 150159197235 273 Students 3,0003,1803,9404,700 5,460 25 Schools 150151190228 266 Students 3,7503,7754,7505,700 6,650 30 Schools 150150185223 262 Students 4,5004,5005,5506,690 7,860 35 Schools 150150181220 259 Students 5,2505,2506,3357,700 9,065 40 Schools 150150179218 257 Students 6,0006,0007,1608,720 10,280 Beginning: TIMSS 2004 Report, Chapter 5 ( Table 5.2 ) . Notes: For this survey a Minimum Cluster Size ( MCS ) of 30 was used, although in a little per centum of schools there were fewer than 30 grade nine pupils enrolled. Calculations of the ICC from old pupil appraisals in Cambodia suggest an norm of approximately 0.30. The MoEYS grade nine sample of 200 schools and approximately 6,000 pupils is larger than the minimal sample predicted for an MCS of 30 and ICC of 0.30.Appendix D: Comparison of School Strata in Population and SamplesStratums:Schools in Population:Number of Schools in Sample:Raw TotalPercent*( % )Raw TotalPercent*( % )Weighted Percent ( % )1. Urban 140 28.0 50 25.028.02. Rural 776 70.7 139 69.970.83. Remote 28 1.3 11 5.01.2Sum: 944 100.0 200 100.0100.0Beginning: EMIS and MoEYS Assessment, 2007-2009 *Refers to per centum of entire pupil population, non per centum of schools. The Numberss in the far right column ( in bold ) refer to the leaden sample that is used for the analysis.Appendix E: Grade 9 Curriculum Blueprint and Item Analysis SummariesNo Content Area Sub-Content Area Cognitive Skill Item%Cognition Understanding Application Analyzing 1 Number Operation in Integer 1 1 0 0 20 20 % Operationss in Power 1 2 0 0 Taking figure out of a root 1 2 0 0 Taking figure into the root 1 2 0 0 Operationss on a root 1 2 2 1 Finding a per centum of a figure 1 1 1 0 2 Algebra Linear equation 2 4 1 1 50 50 % A system of equations in two variables 2 3 1 1 Inequality and inequality systems 2 3 1 0 Quadratic equation 2 4 1 0 Distance between two points in Orthonormial grid 2 3 1 0 Equation of line 3 4 2 0 Solving a system equations and inequality by utilizing graph 2 4 1 0 3 Statisticss Probability 1 2 1 1 10 10 % Representative statistics 1 1 0 0 Analysis statistics 1 2 0 0 4 Geometry Thales theory 2 3 1 1 20 20 % Similar trigons 2 3 1 0 Trigonometry 1 2 1 0 Finding the length of discharge and angle of circle 1 2 0 0