Evaluate the Organization’s Involvement and Responsibility to the Community Essay Example for Free

Evaluate the Organizations Involvement and Responsibility to the Community EssayEvelyn Hamilton, Aaron Pobleh and Regina Taylor CJA/474 Managing Criminal Justice Personnel November 26, 2012 Instructor Pam McIver The bound motivation and sanction is a universal concept that is hoped to work towards the good of any institution. Motivation and potency does not come from rewards to employees but instead, recognition, responsibility and advancement. leading who argon effective in motivating and empowering their staff have acquired a great achievement, which can increase efficiency, and self development of skills and abilities.When employers are concerned virtually the welfare and needs of their staff, this hand overs trust among staff. The purpose of this paper is to compare motivation and empowerment, define the components of empowerment, analyze the implications of empowerment and delegation in a criminal evaluator organization and analyze the role of trust in personnel iss ues. Compare motivation and empowerment Motivation and empowerment are two words that are very popular in every workplace. Generally when one mention motivation, everyone would think it is what employer gives their employees, unfortunately, motivation in the workplace goes way far beyond that. move your employees gives them authority to do more work for you and do it better. According to businessdictionary. com, motivation is both internal and external factors which desire and energize people to become move to a trouble, role, or subject, or to strive to reach a goal. While empowerment is concern practices which allow the sharing of information, power, and rewards with employees so that they can exit initiative, and dupe decision to solve problems, and improve themselves as well as enhance their performance (www. usinessdictionary. com). Everyone need to feel empowered regarding their work ethic on the job or being assertive in life challenges and changes, but without the key e lements of self-motivation, assertiveness and the ability to make good decision how would they be able to affect others. Mangers of an organization should show through their behavior and actions how provide the necessary skills to be productive and efficient. This in bout will produce happier employees. Define the components of empowermentIn order to be an effective leader a person would need to be empowering by those below them and therefore allow them to head initiative on their own. A leader that has poor management skill fails to empower anyone underneath him. For example, an office manager as well as a beginner incumbent within the work place or in the field must feel good virtually performing on their own and not opinion they will be overly scrutinized regarding their errors. They must not fear the aftermaths or punishments for taking individual decision making.When this happens, employees began to shun management for fear always doing something wrong. Employers should p rovide positive communication to their staff (National say-so ticker). There was a research designed to examine the concept word of empowerment in this programs sponsored by dual examiner of the criminal justice it was first anticipated to create a working definition. After research the elements of empowerment were identified, including access to information, ability to make choices, assertiveness, and self-esteem. Empowerment has both an individual and a group dimension (Tom Roger, 2011).This research studied participants in self-help programs for people with no self-motivation and the need for encouragement. At the beginning of the study, it was stated many of the individuals involved empower in their research. Its obviously the important theory concerning the essential to defining meaning of empowerment as part of the development. Although it recognized that empowerment had elements in common with such concepts as self-esteem and self-efficacy, these concepts did not fully ca pture what was considered a distinctiveness about empowerment (Tom Roger, 2011).In an earlier debates empowerment was considered complex, multidimensional concept, and that it described a process rather than an event. It was never believe that an individual had to display every quality on the list in order to be considered empowered (Tom Roger, 2011). Analyze the implications of empowerment and delegation in a criminal justice organization Today the style and practices of police leading is changing rapidly. The term shared leadership is one being used by many police chiefs all across the country.They believe that this approach to management by sharing power and influence to individuals within the organization, who are otherwise stratified unequal, will view their leadership as a leadership which looks at the broader aspect of giving authority to employees which will allow them to make decisions, solve problems, and be held accountable for their actions (Mussellwhite, 2007). Whenev er officers are empowered they become dedicated to their jobs. Because they are presumptuousness the skills, resources, authority, opportunity to be motivated and committed to their jobs, roles, or duties.Something which is refers to as being dedicated. Employees empowerment in a police department which delegate assignments, allow officers to take responsibility of their jobs results. It also allows them to make decisions about it. When officers are delegated with responsibilities, it makes them think in decision making, take control, behave, and take actions responsively, because they know that they will be held accountable for their actions. jurisprudence departments that apply employee empowerment create an environment in which their officers are empowered, productive and are happy in their jobs.Such police departments do not narrow down their employees to information (Heathfield, 2012). Analyze the role of trust in personnel issues. The role of trust in personnel issues invol ves how employees relate and respond to their employer. For example, if an employer is more concerned about getting the job done employees will pick up on that and will respond to their employer in a negative way. But when employers show that they really care about their employees well being they will respond in a positive way. It would be in the organizations best interest for employers to take time to get to know their employees.Employers should empower their staff by allowing them to make important decisions in reference to their day to day duties. This will cause employees to obligingness their employers which will also lead to trust. When employees trust and respect the organization they will do the best possible work they are capable of doing. This in turn will lead to obligation on the part of the employee (Mussellwhite, 2007). When an employer gains the trust of their staff, they will know how to motivate each individual person for the best outcome of the organization.Empl oyees clear that no organization is a perfect organization. When employees know and feel important to the organization, respect and trust will deepen. Respect and trust will take an organization to higher creativity and increased efficiency (Forbes. com, 2009). Positive communication is the cornerstone to empowerment and trust within an organization. When employers take the time to consider their staff opinions and feedback on daily operations, this can cause higher productivity and increase efficiently. Employers should share information about the organization with their staff.This provides for a clear picture of how the organization is progressing or not progressing. This also produces trust among employees because employers trust their staff (Mussellwhite, 2007). Conclusion In conclusion, this paper compared motivation and empowerment, defined the components of empowerment, analyzed the implications of empowerment and delegation in a criminal justice organization and analyzed th e role of trust in personnel issues. Motivation and empowerment is about providing production and management guidelines to employees and then allows them to hold in in an independent manner.Empowerment and delegation within the criminal justice system involves sharing power and influence to individuals within the organization, who are otherwise hierarchical unequal. This leadership looks at the broader aspect of giving authority to employees which will allow them to make decisions, solve problems, and be held accountable for their actions. The components of empowerment are about communication, feedback and productivity. Employees should be trained properly so that trust is gained through empowerment.A motivated and empowered employee will respect and trust the organization which will lead to accountability and responsibility. Leaders can gain great achievement when they effectively motivate and empower their staff into self development of skills and abilities. References Chris Muss elwhite, 2007. Inc. Motivation=Empowerment retrieved on November 22, 2012 from www. inc. com/resources/leadership/articles/20070801 Employees Empowerment How to Empower employees. Retrieved on November 22, 2012 from www. humanresources. about. com/od/employeeempowerment Empowerment in the Workplace ttp//ezinearticles. com/? Empowerment-in-the-Workplaceampid=6541445 Make sure your employees trust you or else. Forbes. com 2009. Retrieved from http//www. forbes. com/2009/03/23/trust-respect-employees-leadership-managing-blanchard. html. National Empowerment Center Article www. power2u. org/articles/empowerment/workingdef. html Susan Heathfield. 2012. What is Empowerment Retrieved on November 22, 2012 from www. businessdictionary. com/definition/empowerment. html What is Motivation Retrieved on November 22, 2012 from www. Businessdictionary. com/definition/motivation. html

Consumer Purchase Decision Essay Example for Free

Consumer Purchase Decision EssayThere argon many reasons that a consumer chooses a current product. It may be that it is environmentally friendly, a great flesh or it might be as simple as the price of the product. As a business organization we must be able to conduct our research and decipher what is most important to our target market. The consumer buying decision process is a systematic way of looking at how a consumer contracts the decision to purchase a product (any product) in a product category. In our restaurant we entrust determine what products they deficiency and develop a successful strategy on how to market our products and services.As a customer in our restaurant we will engage many choices available to them at a low cost. There are five steps in the consumer purchase decision that Ill explain. Step matchless is need recognition which simply means that we identify what the potential customers need in our market. What kind of foods do they like and what kin d of experience do they want when they go to a restaurant? Step two is searching for the product that the customer wants. We will have many avenues, such as print ads and our website, in which to market our product and inform the public of our food and services. The third step is product evaluation where the consumer gathers information on our products and services. We will have the best computer menu and service in our market to recognize a larger market share in our area. The quaternaryth step is product choice and purchase so it is vital that we successfully advertise and market our restaurant. We will have the best menu, greatest service and the most updated restaurant within a hundred milliliter radius. The fifth step is the post purchase and evaluation step where the consumer will decide whether our food andservice is worth a return visit. We will make a great impression on our customers through our delicious menu and excellent dining experience.A consumers buyer behaviour is influenced by four major factors 1) Cultural, 2) Social, 3) personalised and 4) Psychological. Cultural factors include a consumers culture, subculture and social class. These factors are ofteninherent in our values and decision processes. Our target customers are mostly young families and lower to upper middle class. Social factors include groups (reference groups and member groups), family, roles and status. This explains the outside influences of others on our purchase decisions either directly or indirectly. Personal factors include such variables as age and lifecycle stage, occupation, economic circumstances, lifestyle (activities, interests, opinions and demographics), personality and self concept. These may explain why our preferences often change as our berth changes. Psychological factors affecting our purchase decision include motivation (Maslows hierarchy of needs), perception, learning, beliefs and attitudes. Other people often influence a consumers purchase decisi on. ledger of mouth can be one of our biggest allies or our greatest threat in the marketing of our restaurant. We will make sure that every customer will enjoy their experience from the moment that they walk through our doors. They will be greeted when they enter and when they exit and our servers will be courteous and surviveledgeable. We need to know which people are involved in the buying decision and what role each person plays, so that marketing strategies can also be aimed at these people. Understanding these behaviours as they pertain to our restaurant will help us gain a competitive advantage against all competitors in our area.Market member is defined as the process of defining and subdividing a large homogenous market into clearly identifiable segments having similar needs, wants, or demand characteristics. Its objective is to design a marketing mix that precisely matches the expectations of customers in the targeted segment. We have effectively indentified our market segment as having fewer than ten thousand potential customers in our area with an additional five thousand from outside our area such as truck drivers and customers passing through. Our town has consistently been moving to a junior crowd (Generation X) so our fresh new look and our website should appeal to this younger generation. This market also values environmentally friendly products so we will utilise environmentally safe products in our restaurant. The majority of our market are family oriented so our family style menu and restaurant will be very sympathetic to our customers. We understand that thecustomer has a process that they use to determine where they want to dine. With our excellent customer service, great new menu and low prices we will gain their loyalty and get them back through our doors. Our customers are always number one and our customer service will be second to none. There are many options to dine in our area but we will set ourselves apart from the competit ion.

Effects of Ethical Conflicts in Business

Effects of honourable Conflicts in BusinessEthical Relativism or Imperialism The Effects of Ethical Conflicts on Top Manager Behavior under Host Country Context and world-wide Joint Venture Performance.Defined by Shenkar Zeira (1987) Ren et.al (2009), international roast ventures (IJVs) are jointly owned organisational entities by two or more legally distinct organizations, in which the headquarters of at least whiz is located outside the country of operation of the entity. Alliance literary works suggests that the ability to bridge cultural differences is often found important to the success of IJVs and the lack of much(prenominal) ability is a major contributor to failure (Yan Luo, 2016). Among various dimensions of cultural differences, cross-cultural ethical conflicts have a great allure when two firms from assorted countries manage an IJV together, because what is considered an unacceptable practice in a Western context because magnetic core principles would be violat ed, may be acceptable in another because those core principles would not be violated e.g. monetary gift giving (Irwin, 2012). So, how do top four-in-hands re pointing partners in an IJV reconcile these ethical conflicts under certain boundary conditions, and how does this reference of reconciliation ascertain strategic decision-making and eventually affect IJV performance?Prior research has shown that the cultural differences between alliance partners play a pivotal portion in affecting alliance performance (Boyd Webb, 2008). Culture differences between joint venture partners have usually been considered a major factor that might influence venture failure or unsatisfactory performance (Cartwright Cooper, 1993). Among various forms of alliance, IJVs are particularly susceptible to damage by cultural differences because top managers representing different purifications essential work in concert to achieve mutual goals in IJVs, and the strength and success of an IJV rest on th e interactions of its people (Yan Luo, 2016). Previous research has focused on cultural differences in strategic alliance from national and organizational levels (Sirmon Lane, 2004). E.g. Homburg Pflesser (2000) argue that there are various dimensions to any alliance partners organizational civilization including shared values, norms and artifacts.Besides looking at analyses of national and organization levels, a few research has explored how individual level factors affect IJV performance. For example, Leung et al., (2013) argue that top heed trust influences IJV performance. Yet the impact of ethical conflicts at individual level under certain boundary conditions on IJV performance remains largely undeveloped. Do top managers representing partners in IJVs show different patterns of behavior in different countries? How do ethical conflicts affect the decision-making behavior of top managers and in turn influence IJV performance? Considering the important managerial implication s, the author addresses these questions by drawing on ethical relativism theory. According to conventional ethical relativism, what is right for you as an individual depends upon what your culture thinks is right for you (Beebe, 2003). Therefore, the author contends that among top managers who hold higher standards of ethics, ethical relativism will be triggered under lax drove country regulations, which means the managers will via media to fit in phalanx transmission line context which might facilitate IJV performance. Reversely, ethical imperialism will be triggered in response to more stringent host country regulations, which means the managers will maintain high standards of ethics to avoid breach of regulations which might damage IJV performance.In this article, I strive to explore the high-voltage relationship of individual level reaction of decision-making, which is elicited by ethical conflicts under host country regulations and the impact on IJV performance. By providi ng theoretical and mulish insights, I propose that the association between cross-cultural ethical conflicts and top manager ethical relativism/imperialism is moderated by host country regulations, and the reaction of top manager decision-making will in turn influence IJV performance. I test my hypotheses by conducting a survey on top managers and their direct staff working for IJVs, create by Sino-US firms which operate either in mainland China or in the U.S.The contribution of this research is twofold. First, the present research contributes to the knowledge of culture differences and alliance literature at the individual level by revealing that ethical conflicts affect top manager behavior in IJVs under certain boundary conditions. Second, the present research contributes to the managerial practices considering that ethical conflicts elicit the altering of strategic decision-making of IJV top managers towards ethical relativism or ethical imperialism contingent upon how lax or s tringent host country regulations are. The managerial implications of the results will help top management squad members better understand the impact of ethical conflicts and the possible options when forming and managing IJVs under certain business contexts.References Boyd, D. E. and K. L. Webb (2008). Interorganizational ethical conflict within alliances A conceptual framework and research propositions. Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing 15(1) 1-24.Cartwright, S. and C. L. Cooper (1993). The role of culture compatibility in successful organizational marriage. The Academy of Management Executive 7(2) 57-70.Homburg, C. and C. Pflesser (2000). A multiple-layer model of market-oriented organizational culture Measurement issues and performance outcomes. Journal of marketing research 37(4) 449-462.Irwin, J. (2012). Doing business in China An overview of ethical aspects. UK Institute of Business Ethics.James R. Beebe. Ethical Relativism. University at Buffalo, Copyright 2003.Pot hukuchi, V., et al. (2002). National and organizational culture differences and international joint venture performance. Journal of International Business Studies 33(2) 243-265.Ren, H., et al. (2009). Performance of international joint ventures what factors really make a difference and how? Journal of Management 35(3) 805-832.Shenkar, O. and Y. Zeira (1987). International joint ventures Implications for organisation development. Personnel check 16(1) 30-37.Sirmon, D. G. and P. J. Lane (2004). A model of cultural differences and international alliance performance. Journal of International Business Studies 35(4) 306-319.Yan, A. and Y. Luo (2016). International joint ventures Theory and practice, Routledge.Wai On, L., et al. (2013). Top management team trust, behavioral integration and the performance of international joint ventures. Journal of Asia Business Studies 7(2) 99-122.

History and Features of Baroque Music

History and Features of baroque MusicThe main characteristics of Renaissance unison (1450-1600) is practice of medicine based on modes, but gradually more accidentals creep in, richer texture in four or more parts, blending rather than tell strands in the medicineal texture, harmony and church music and secular music. Renaissance music is like ancient Greek and Rome. Renaissance means rebirth. Church music in spiritual rebirth period was more than one and only(a) part and had moving chords. They usually had more accidentals and was song a Capella without instruments.A renaissance composer tried and true to have the music more blended together rather than separated. Secular music was more independent of churches it was non-religious. Lied, frottala, chanson, madrigal and villancico was the main types of songs.German chorales are Protestant hymns. A collection of English words and Italian madrigals were published in 1588. English madrigal were performed in rich peoples homes. Th ere are three kinds of madrigal. The madrigal proper, the ballet and the ayre. The madrigal proper is a lot of word painting music. The ballet texture was mainly chordal. The ayre could be performed in a lot of ways. It could be performed with or without instruments.The main characteristic of Baroque music (1600-1750) is the basso continuo, one mood throughout the entire piece, important string departments, modes were replaced by the major/ pincer key system, many different forms are used, many types of music, energetic rhythms, long melodies, many ornaments and contrast dynamics. Baroque music had monody. Monody is a single component line that is supported by a bass line. Instrumental music became very important in the baroque period.The Italian overture began with three section quick, slow and quick. Scarlatti designed the arias in his operas. The French overture is slow, quick and slow. The baroque opera in England was smooth by Purcell.Oratorio was a type of music that was ve ry similar opera. They had recitatives, arias and choruses. The only thing that was different was that oratorio was based on sacred stories. Passion is an oratorio telling a story most(prenominal) Christs crucifixion.Cantata means song. Bach composed about 200 church cantatas. A fugue is a contrapuntal piece. Its written in three or four parts. The structure of a fugue can be complicated. The chorale prelude is usually for an organ and they were composed in Germany.A suite is dances for one or more instruments. They were written for harpsichord. They contain a German allemande. A German allemande is in 4/4 time and at late speed. A French courante is in 3/2 time at a moderately fast speed. A Spanish sarabande is in slow three-base hit time. A gigue is in compound time. After a gigue a composer might introduces a dance like the minuet. A suite began with the prelude. The pieces were in the same key.Baroque sonatas were for two violins and continuo. Composers usually called these trio sonatas. Sonata means sounded. The sonata de camera were meant to be played in peoples homes. The sonata de Chiesa were played in churches. They were more serious than chamber sonatas. Purcell, Bach, Corelli, Handel, Scarlatti and Couperin all composed sonatas.The concerto Grosso was the idea of opposition and contrast led to contrasting groups of instrument. A smaller group of soloists called the concertino. The word concerto means together. The solo concerto has a single instrument and a string orchestra. There are solo sections and tutti sections.The orchestra started to take shape during the baroque period. The string section became a self- contained section. There was still a continuo. There was a lot of contrast, especially in the dynamics.The difference between Renaissance and Baroque music is renaissance was constrained and it was the foundation of baroque music. Baroque music embarrass voices and instruments. Renaissance music was smooth and baroque music was metrical .The tone of baroque music was tonal architecture and renaissance music had systematic point. Melody with backup man was noted during the baroque period. The channel during renaissance was imitative. The texture of renaissance is polyphonic and baroque uses bass and shifts from polyphonic to homophonic.The scale of baroque is major and renaissance is modal. The melody of renaissance is smooth and baroque is based on the principle of continuous. The harmony of baroque is based on the major-minor system and renaissance is consonant 3rds and 6ths.The rhythm of the renaissance was simple meters and recurring accents. The rhythm of baroque is vigorous, tireless drive and carried by bass part. The dynamics of the renaissance is subtle changes and baroque music is terraces dynamics.Josquin des Prez was born(p) in henedouwen. He died on august 27, 1521. He died in escaut Josquin studied under the earlier renaissance lord Johannes ockeghem. Josquin was a Flemish French intercommunicate composer of the renaissance.At the beginning of his career he was appointed at the French court. In the beginning of 1480 he moved to Italy. Josquin composed motets, masses and chansons. Martin Luther said Joaquins was the master of notes. He blended traditional forms with innovations.In his motets he gave free reign to his talent. He was expressing sorrow in poignant harmonies.Josquin used cantus firmus style. He learned how to start motet style. He used the technique of canon and melodic imitation. He didnt do the rondeau or the ballade. He used five or six voices. arrest a sharp rhythm and clarity texture.Henry Purcell was born in London in 1659 and died on November 21, 1695. Henry Purcell was an English composer of the baroque period. Henry was most remember for the miniature opera dido and anenea. He composed church, stage, court and private entertainment. Henrys father was the chapel royal.

Chiang Rai Thailand Health And Social Care Essay

Chiang Rai Thailand Health And Social Care EssayThis is a vicenary copk critical review on a carry conducted in 2008 in the northern nation of Chiang Rai, Thailand. The study investigates the causal relationships between age, antiretroviral treatment, accessible declare, symbol experience, self-care strategies, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people living with HIV/ assist (PLWHA) in the northern region of the said country. Four hundred twenty-two subjects were selected to participate in the inquiry and from them selective information were collected with the use of four divers(prenominal) questionnaires. The results revealed that symptom experience had a significant negative direct effect on the HRQOL as opposed to age, sociable game, antiretroviral treatment and self-care strategies which had significant positive effect on the HRQOL. Further more(prenominal), it was seen that social take over and antiretroviral treatment had an indirect effect on the HRQO L through self-care strategies. With these findings, it was recommended that promotion of social support and adherence to antiretroviral treatment must be gaind to enhance the quality of life of people living with HIV/ AIDS.The title is laconically stated which included a minimal number of words but still adequately describes the contents of the paper (Day Gastal, 2006). It is concise yet does non compromise its relevance and does not near uninteresting. It is truncatedly put unneurotic but still is reasonably extensive to explain the search with push through overwhelming readers with too much information. Moreover, the title is formulated in a strong and simple manner which is very important in ensuring readers will not be distracted or conf employ. The title presents the subject of the research which is the health-related quality of life in people living with HIV/ AIDS in the northern region of Thailand.The researchers of this study are Thitiarpa Tangkawanich, Jintana Yunib hand, Sureeporn Thanasilp, and Kathy Magilvy. Thitiarpa Tangkawanich, RN, Msc, Jintana Yunibhand, RN, Msc, PhD, and Sureeporn Thanasilp, RN, Msc, DNS are members of the Faculty of nursing in Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand while Kathy Magilvy, RN, PhD, FAAN is a professor of the College of Nursing of the University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA. With all these academic credentials and qualifications, the researchers can be considered credible personalities in their respective fields of specialties. The research was made by respected professors and registered nurses. All of them have masters degree while Tangkawanich is the only one without a doctoral degree.The article uses an indicative or descriptive abstract to provide a brief summary of the main points of the research (Day Gastal, 2006). Since the research studies a social happening in a quantitative approach, the researchers used this kind of abstract as it describes what transpired during the entire research process. The abstract mentions the condensed form of the research aim, which is to find out the causal relationships between age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, symptom experience, self-care strategies and health-related quality of life. The methodology used in conducting the research is mentioned although some information was excluded as they were discussed in detail in the succeeding parts of the research. Four different questionnaires were used to collect data from the 422 respondents chosen for the study. Using the Likert rating scale, the data were analyzed and were then subjected to statistical treatment with SPSS and LISREL. The abstract alike reports the major findings (Day Gastal, 2006) which come on that symptom experience has a significant negative effect on the HRQOL while the other remaining vari adapted-bodieds had a significant positive effect. Additionally, social support and antiretroviral treatment were also found to have an indirect effect on HRQOL via self-care strategies. Lastly, the abstract of the study suggests a recommendation for the health-care team, together with the family and community, to promote social support and ensure antiretroviral treatment to enhance the quality of living in people living with HIV/ AIDS considering the research findings. It also illustrates the studys significance to clinical practice.The research problem is intelligibly presented in the introduction of the article as it explains the rationale behind the conduct of this study (Walsh Wigens, 2007). The aim in this study is to investigate the causal relationships between age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, symptom experience, self-care strategies and the HRQOL in people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Thailand. It examines whether or not relationships between these factors exist, what kind of relationships exists if thither are any and how does it implicate the people with the infection and the probable interventions to be inter preted by health care team as well. The introduction was also able to give a situation about how people with HIV/AIDS in the involved study setting live their lives. It gave a brief discussion about HIV/AIDS which significantly provides a good jumpstart in explaining the entirety of the research. The introduction states the scarcity in research corporal that focus on the relationships among the variables identified, HRQOL and PLWHA, establishing the need for the study to be conducted. Although the introduction was able to discuss the major points and variables in the study, it did not include the limitations. Additionally, the introduction also did not explain the main topic from a bigger international scope to a narrow and more specific level (Day Gastal, 2006). In sum, the introduction was able to establish a clear logic, an analysis of previous works, background information and the main purpose of the research (Walsh Wigens, 2003).The wide literature review used in the researc h was able to give a good background about the major points in the study. However, many another(prenominal) other materials still could have been used to win strengthen the studys literature review. It is noteworthy that the study is supported by up to date information which makes it more agely and relevant. The literature review utilised articles from many other researchers whose research outputs have greatly provided helpful data to the study. The description of the present living conditions of the respondents (Sukati et al., 2005), the self-care strategies that they use (Panuwatsuk, 1998), the symptoms and their correlation to HRQOL (Dodd et al. 2001), the current antiretroviral treatment (Heckman 2003), all these and others, were interpreted from researches conducted from year 2000 through 2007. The literature is able to present in text the theoretical structure from which the study was anchored. With the amount of referenced articles presented in the literature, the balanced military rating of supporting and opposing materials for the proposition is demonstrated. Since only few researches studies were made regarding the indirect effect of the many factors identified on the HRQOL in PLWHA, the necessity to develop a model that could present the direct and indirect effects of the predictors on the HRQOL in PLWHA has clearly risen as stated in the literature review. Moreover, important references were acknowledge accordingly to but reinforce the soundness of the study. Notwithstanding, it may have given an extensive overview on the study, but still it was not able to present a few significant points. Although the literature illustrated a comprehensive background on the study and the variables involved, it did not overtly cite the fundamental theoretical framework.The study is a quantitative research which tries to explain a social phenomenon. This connotes that no alteration of the environment was made and the respondents were not subjected to any form of controlled setting, thus, variables involved are limited. Since this is a quantitative research, it must have a sound hypothesis which will serve as its backbone. But it is not stated instead, an implied hypothesis was used to see whether or not relationships exist among the predictors age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, self-care strategies and symptom experience on health -related quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS. This is an standard of a non-directional hypothesis (Wood Haber, 2006), where the hypothesis being tested is two-sided but can be tested by acquiring data and subjecting them to statistical analysis.The researchers used words that are mostly clear and understandable. They did not use too many jargons in the stud. Abbreviations like HRQOL, PLWHA and HIV/AIDS are also clearly defined to avoid confusion. Terms also have consistent and coherent definitions throughout the study, especially those operationally defined for this research (Walonick, 2005).The study uses a cross-section(a) quantitative study with a non-experimental research design in identifying the respondents level of HRQOL in relation to their age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, symptom experience, and self-care strategies. It means that an observational study utilise a collection of data on one occasion was made with a specific group of population all at the same time (Walsh Wigens, 2003). It is the appropriate method to be used as it gives a snapshot of what happens in a chosen target group or a phenomenon at one point in time (Babbie, 2010). It is also fit for this research as it is commonly used in social and medical science. However, it also has its flunk or limitation since it only captures the data at one specific time as opposed to longitudinal studies which involve a series of measurements taken over a period of time (Babbie, 2010). Being a non-experimental research, no manipulation of the variables was done and there was no attempt mad e to change the condition, behaviour or the environment of the variables as they are measured and analysed as they are. The respondents were just made to answer questionnaires that will reflect their own personal experience and at the same time provide data for the researchers perusal.The subjects chosen for the study are 422 people living with HIV/AIDS who visited eight chosen outpatient hospitals in the state of Chiang Rai in the northern part of Thailand. Of which, 188 are males and 234 are females, with ages ranging from 21 to 51 years old. The number of respondents may not be sufficient to completely array the target population in the research setting but in many circumstances, a smaller sample size may be more significant and usable in investigating a situation in depth from different perspectives, while a large sample would be peanut especially in social researches (Myers, 2000).The researchers employed the lottery method without replacement in randomly selecting eight hos pitals out of the seventeen hospitals in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand. A random sampling method was then made to determine the 422 subjects who will be part of the study. They are people living with HIV/ AIDS who visited the eight chosen outpatient hospitals. The use of lottery method in conjunction with simple random sampling makes the selection of respondents more effective and valid as it ignores repeat selections of element and gives more precise estimators (Kalton, 1983). Clearly, the approach used in sample selection and the sample size are undoubtedly stated.The researchers were able to methodically discuss the procedure undertaken in data collection. They used four questionnaires to gather data from the participants social support questionnaires, symptom experience questionnaire, self-care strategies questionnaire and health-related quality of life questionnaires. separately of these questionnaires has been carefully chosen and drafted for the study. The th ree questionnaires for social support, self-care strategies and health-related quality were all adapted from previous research while the questionnaire for symptom experience was drafted basing on the review of literature. The hardness and reliability of the questionnaires were greatly anchored on the internal consistencies used for each questionnaire. The questionnaires are meticulously reviewed by the researcher to ensure its ability to measure what it intends to measure (Foddy, 1993). However, no mention about pilot testing was made and this may be considered one of the studys weaknesses.Creswell (2003) stated that ethical issues arise most commonly in data collection where confidentiality and anonymity are in careful scrutiny. These concerns are recognised and acted upon by the researchers by ensuring respondents were given due protection and their safety is not abridged. The researchers acquired the laudation of the Ethical Review Committee for Research Involving Human Subject s and/or Use of Animals in Research, Health Science Group of Faculties, Colleges and Institutes, Chulalongkorn University, and the Ethical Review Committee for the biomedical Group, Chiangraiprachanukroh Hospital, Thailand. With human subjects involved in the study, such approval was obtained. The purpose and methods of the study were explained to the participants through the informed consent which acknowledges the participants rights are protected (Creswell, 2003).The results of the study were presented clearly in graphical form and text. The results of the statistical treatment of the data were explained in four concise yet highly informative paragraphs while the demographics of the subjects were presented in a more visual and understandable table (Kumar, 2005). The internal consistencies of the data, using the Cronbachs alpha were also presented accurately, for social support 0.8, for symptom experience which was clustered into six symptoms, fatigue 0.88, malady 0.92 , diarrhoea 0.93, depression 0.92, neuro racewayy 0.93 and anxiety 0.92 for self-care strategies 0.77 and finally for HRQOL 0.85. Given all these figures, readers are assured that the results are well calculated and analysed to ensure that high level of inclemency and reliability is achieved.Four different and highly-structured questionnaires (Overseas Learning Faculty 2004) were used in collecting data. The use of questionnaires is the appropriate technique in obtaining data for cross-sectional knowing research or social surveys as it acquires first-hand information from the subjects without alteration or manipulation of their responses (Bryman Bell, 2003). On the other hand, SPSS and LISREL, statistical computer programs that perform higher calculations and morphological equation, were used for statistical analysis. Statistical treatments done with the said statistical tool are considered highly correct (Norwegian School of Management, 2009). The results of the data analysis show that pa th relationships between the variables were investigated to ensure that significant differences are not attributed to variations in other relevant variables. It can also be noted that the data analysis adequately showed the complete information with the test value, degree of freedom and probability for each identified variable, thereby giving more established results.The discussion of the research findings ties together all the pieces of the study and gives a picture of the study as a whole. It relates and translates the figures to literature review thus making it more comprehensible and balanced (Russel, 2002). The researchers were able to go back to literature and discuss that most of their research findings are consistent and similar with the works previously done by other researchers on HRQOL in PLWHA. It also tackled the implications of the subjects socio-economic status, gender, age, social support, antiretroviral treatment, and symptom experience and self-care strategies to t heir health-related quality of life. The limitation of the study was also acknowledged where the use of cross-sectional model was perceived to be the models weakness since it only gives a snapshot of the existent observable fact at one point in time (Wood Haber, 2006). Thus, it was suggested that future studies should be conducted to further establish the causal relationships between the variables longitudinally over a longer period of time to acquire enduring and more reliable research results.The determination coheres with and is supported by the results obtained. The researchers conclude that a causal model of HRQOL in PLWHA indicate that most factors have direct and indirect effects on the HRQOL. Consequently, age, social support, antiretroviral treatment, symptom experience, and self-care strategies are considered to be significant factors in explaining and predicting the HRQOL in Thai PLWHA. Furthermore, self-care strategies link social support and antiretroviral treatment w ith HRQOL in Thai PLWHA. The researchers also presented the implications of the study which are very instrumental in the studys final recommendations.With the findings and conclusions at hand, the researchers strongly recommend feasible propositions to help people living with HIV/AIDS achieve a higher quality of living as they hurdle challenges of immense proportions, including HIV-stigma, lack of social support, and mental health issues such as depression (Jiraphongsa et al., 2009). The researchers gave pauperization on the promotion of social support from the family and the community as it was found to be positively correlated with a better quality of life (Fogel, 1998). sacrament to antiretroviral treatment, early symptom detection and prompt intervention and practice of self-care strategies must also be ensured to achieve a higher quality of living. The researchers also pointed out the need to conduct future research on this topic to overcome the limitations they met in conduc ting this academic work for stronger and more reliable results.(2,770 words)

Lesbian Photographers :: Photography Homosexuality Sexuality Essays

Lesbian PhotographersJoan Scott makes many assertions in her historical essay on sexual activity. The key point that plays into my own research is that gender is a primary way of signifying relationships of power. Power, in the case of women and photography, is controlling the political economy of photography--- as in the ability to control or inform two the denotations, and connotations of a photograph. My research project on homosexual and queer photography from the 1930s to today in America illustrates that there is unequal distribution of power, with a strong correlation to race, class, and gender. This mal-distribution of power changes over time and large shifts link with other large shifts in genial change. Through oral histories I conducted with lesbian photographers I learned firsthand that telling lesbian or queer history means understanding the politics of shifting power of photographic representation. As Barthes explains in his essay The Photographic Paradox, sch olars must look at both the denotations and connotations of a photograph in order to completely understand its meaning. A long history of lesbian photography shows how as social changes reconstructed ideas of women, lesbian photography both reflected changes and offered challenges, particularly with gender, sexuality, and race. As in the case for many social groups, the power to produce the lesbian image is skewed over race, class, and gender. An unequal distribution of resources because of race, class, and gender means that there are fewer resources to spread among those who render to take pictures. In the early days of photography, those with access to photography were overwhelmingly white, male, and middle or upper class. Race, class, and gender also affected the imagining of documentation by photography, the availability of personal space, capital to purchase equipment, and funds to support taking pictures as a living. Furthermore, in order to get pictures publ ished, the photographer needed connections or money. These prohibitive costs prevent an unforeseen number of women, minorities, and poor from imagining that they could record their lives by photograph, so many of these individuals and groups came to be represented by pictures taken by those whose primary identity may lie outside that group.A lack of photographers from the inside of the group did not mean that a group wouldnt be photographed.

Coherence and Epistemic Rationality :: Mathematics Science Theories Papers

Coherence and Epistemic RationalityThis paper addresses the question of whether probabilistic coherence is a requirement of reason. The concept of probabilistic coherence is examined and compared with the familiar notion of consistency for simple beliefs. Several reasons are given for thinking rationality does not require coherence. Finally, it is argued that incoherence does not necessarily involve fallacious reasoning. Most work in epistemology treats epistemic attitudes as bivalent. It is assumed that a mortal either believes that there is an apple on the table, or that there is not, and that such beliefs must be either warranted or unwarranted. However, a little reflection suggests that it is rational to have degrees of assertion in a proposition when the available evidence is not conclusive. The rationality of such judgments, formed in response to evidence, will be my concern here. Degrees of pledge have mainly been discussed by Bayesians as part of a general theory of rati onal belief and decision. Bayesians claim that rational degrees of confidence satisfy the standard Kolmogorov axioms of probability1. Pr(A) = 02. If A is a tautology, then Pr(A) =13. If A and B are mutually exclusive, then Pr(A v B) = Pr (A) + Pr(B).It should be observed that people do not generally assign point values to propositions, which is required if their degrees of confidence are to conform to the axioms. Moreover, it is doubtful that an date of point values to propositions is usually reasonable, since it seems that our evidence rarely justifies such precision. Such vague degrees of confidence can be treated somewhat more realistically, as interval valued, by associating them with sets of probability functions. For simplicity, I will take degrees of belief here as point valued in my discussion here. The claim that degrees of confidence should satisfy the probability axioms is most often defended by appealing to the so-called Dutch Book argument, which was first presented by Ramsey in his famous paper rectitude and Probability. The idea is that degrees of belief that do not satisfy the probability axioms (commonly termed incoherent) are associated with betting quotients that can be exploited by a cagey bookie to produce a sure loss. Ramsey held that an agents degrees of belief can be measured roughly by the bets that she is willing to accept. If they are incoherent, there will be a series of bets, each of which she will be willing to accept, but which are certain to result in a net loss for her.