Thursday, November 28, 2019

Make Believe Play free essay sample

Pretend or make believe play has been associated with child development and mental cognition. Piaget and Vygotsky in particular contended that children learn constructively through their interaction with their physical, social and cultural environments and that make believe play enhances their development. Enculturation, language development, the zone of proximal development and scaffolding are aspects of developmental significance considered. Make believe play has been used successfully in educational settings; however, there are gaps between theory and application, in particular, with regard to culture. Make-believe play: theoretical origins, developmental significance and application in educational settings. Introduction Thinking of ‘play’ is often in the context of children and this brings to mind visions of children at school, kindergarten or at home engaged in self-directed, fun, unstructured and spontaneous activities such as playing dress ups or playing grownups with dolls at an imaginative tea party. While such activities may be looked upon with amusement and perhaps indulgence by parents or major caregivers, the concept of play has been the subject of theoretical discussion, some of which has recognized the significance of make believe play to overall child development and mental cognition (Berk, 1994). We will write a custom essay sample on Make Believe Play or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This essay discusses the origins of play and considers some aspects of developmental significance of imaginative play in early childhood through the major theories of Vygotsky and Piaget, specifically linked to enhanced learning in the educational setting. Theories of play Berk (1994) points out there is a plethora of literature exploring theoretical contributions to the understanding of children’s play, most of which views the concept from different vantage points. Stagnitti (2004) highlights the early influences of Spencer (1878), Lazarus (1883) and Groos (1985) who contended that play occurs because children have a surplus of energy to burn and play is an innate process linked to evolution and survival. Through his psychodynamic theory, Sigmund Freud (1961) took another approach and emphasized the role that play has in influencing emotional constraints in development due to problems hidden in the unconscious mind and that play provides an avenue for children to express these problems and control desired outcomes (Stagnitti). The above early accounts of play were precursors to the well known theories of Piaget and Vygotsky who made major contributions to cognitive development and learning (Matusov Hayes, 2000). Vygotsky and Piaget held similar views on learning and development, both contending that children learn and develop through internalising experiences presented in the environment and interacting with that environment (Berk, 1994; Gray, 2002). They both supported the notion that children start with a knowledge of ‘self’ and then through the integration of new ideas and knowledge gained through their physical, social and cultural environments, they become aware of others (De Vries, 2000). Even though they held some similar beliefs, the views of Vygotsky and Piaget originated from two different perspectives Vygotsky approached his theory from a combination of socio-cultural perspectives while Piaget focussed on a constructivist/cognitive view (De Vries). Piaget’s constructivist view contended that children are little scientists spontaneously reacting to and experimenting with stimulus (symbols or objects) presented in their physical environment (Rogoff, 1990 in Gray, 2002). For example, Piaget (De Vries, 2000) argued that a stimulus is not a stimulus until the child had acted upon it. In this case, children internalise their reactions and explorations of the object/stimulus and mentally categorise the functional and physical properties. These reactions are stored as internal representations or schemes, and the child is able to recall and apply the same actions to future objects/stimulus or restructure existing schemes to accommodate new information presented. Children progress through different stages of schemes to improve their ability to mentally ymbolize objects and this progression eventually equips them with the ability to proficiently symbolise objects which are not present: that is, engage in relational and representational thought (Gray, 2002). Piaget held that the representational thought process contributes to the emergence of spontaneous make-believe (Berk, 1994). Where Piaget regarded the child as a little scientist, Vygotsky saw the child as an apprentice who is part of a greater society and actively engages with others to learn from them (Rogoff, 1990 in Gray 2002). Vygotsky attributed significance to experience in the socio-cultural environment and also held that make believe play does not develop spontaneously but it is nurtured through the social interactions of other people (Berk, 1994). Children do not exist in a social vacuum: they are born into a pre-existing culture and their society is made up of family, peers and others, all of whom have an influence on how the child interacts with the environment (Gray, 2002). He contended that the socio-cultural environment provided the impetus for the child to realise the existence of other people and understand through cooperative interaction, the affects of his/her own actions on others. Through the child’s social interactions, exposure to language results and becomes the major communication tool used in that environment. Vygotsky linked language with symbolism and acknowledged the child’s ability to internalise the symbols into verbal thought (Gray). Vygotsky’s social and cultural environments promoted communication, social rules, self-control of actions and significance of culture (Gray, 2002; Berk, 1994) and he considered that together, all these aspects develop from make believe play (Vygotsky, 1933, as cited in Berk, 1994). Make believe play its significance to development Through the examination of the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, it is possible to draw some conclusions as to why make believe play is significant. For example, they both agreed that make believe play occurs as a result of the interaction of the child with its environment and vice-versa. While Berk (1994) contends that evidence from the socio-cultural viewpoint mostly justifies the importance of make believe play in cognitive development, both point to the significance of make believe play. Children learn the social norms and rules of society through the mechanism of make believe play, although Vygotsky and Piaget view the basis for this differently. Vygotsky contended society and culture dictate that implicit and explicit rules, morals and social norms exist to ensure acceptable behaviors. During infancy, the child’s main caregivers expose them to these rules and together with peers, help shape the child’s behaviors and competencies for acceptance and meeting social expectations (usually facilitated through verbal guidance and pretend play) (Gray, 2002). In contrast, Piaget argued that it is through their own intelligence that children know how to act and behave and as they are ‘solo thinkers’, the emphasis of social guidance (through mechanisms like pretend play) affects their thinking and not their actions (Matusov Hayes, 2000). Through their short-term longitudinal study comparing nonsocial peer play behavior with emotionality, regulation and social functioning, Spinrad et al. (2004) cautions against nonsocial behavior. They found that solitary play (nonsocial play) appeared to be linked with peer exclusion and rejection, thus resulting in anxiety problems. These studies therefore support the importance of the social contact given in pretend play to enhance growth of self-esteem and social acceptance. Research supports the notion that make believe play enhances language development and communication processes in young children (Berk, 1994). While Piaget believed that language is a side effect of the development of thought, and not essential to it (Gray, 2002), Vygotsky believed language to be major foundation for the development of thought and the main basis for social interaction. Lewis (2003), in a study considering the relationship between language and play, concluded that there is a connection, although this can be mediated by how parents and their children interact while they are playing. An area of importance to pretend play pertains to Vygotsky’s ‘zone of proximal development’ (ZPD): he believed that children increase developmental potential under the specific guidance of an adult/teacher or better skilled peer (Gray, 2002). Through interaction, the child learns from heir peers and advances their level of knowledge (Berk, 1994). Vygotsky’s view on educational practices connected with the ZPD saw the teacher as modeling the program, guiding the child through demonstrations and asking leading questions (De Vries, 2000). In contrast, Piaget felt that the concept of a ‘skilled peer’ or the teacher as the superior created the possibility of an abuse of power (Matusov and Hayes, 2000). He also considered the Vygotskian view of the teacher’s role a little directorial and not child-centered. His own model proposed ‘cooperation’ of equal partners instead (i. e. child and teacher on equal footing) in which the teacher asks guiding questions and offers hints, and essentially interferes as little as possible (DeVries, 2000). The various research on ZPD fluctuates between support and disagreement on what constitutes the level of competence needed to influence a child’s ZPD. For example, Vygotsky’s view was that the teacher/skilled peer is more competent than the child and this is supported through research conducted by Gray and Feldman (2004). They studied the interactions between adolescents and young children in terms of pretend play and other associations at the Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts, USA, and found that after adolescent intervention, the children acted in advanced ways more so than they normally would have if they had been interacting with same-age peers. The implication is the child’s ability to act in their own ZPD is enhanced by the pretend play facilitated by the older peers. The concept of a ZPD is closely related to ‘scaffolding’, the process by which the more competent peer/ teacher assists or controls the less competent child to successfully complete an activity or problem that they would not have been able to do on their own (Matusov Hayes, 2000). Scaffolding contributes to successful social collaboration between the child and peer/teacher and therefore to make believe play (Berk, 1994). As the child becomes more competent at an activity, the peer withdraws their assistance bit by bit, until the child is competent in their own right (Gray Feldman, 2004). Piaget and Vygotsky supported the idea of scaffolding in different ways; however, the common theme was that the teacher’s role is to be encouraging and non-interfering. Make believe play in educational settings Scaffolding is an excellent enhancement in the educational setting, especially in a special learning environment. An example of this is in autistic education: due to congenital abnormalities, autistic children’s modes of social reasoning, emotions and understanding of others is not developed (Gray, 2002). Their language is usually compromised and they do not exhibit mutual social interaction skills. As a result, this fundamentally affects their ability to process or display imaginative or make believe play (Salazar Smith, 2004). Given that make believe play plays a significant role in a child’s social and cognitive development, a child with autism would find it difficult to function in the social world. Yang, Wolfberg, Wu and Hwu (2003) conducted research into the use of IPG (integrated play groups) models to promote play in autistic children. They emphasized a child-centered approach, which entailed evaluation of the child’s abilities and limitations, continual encouragement and systematically scaffolding to higher levels of unstructured social interaction and play. As a result of the study, the autistic children developed the ability to partake in social play and, notably, there was an increase in pretend play (Yang et al. , 2003). The importance of enhancing make-believe in the educational setting can be further supported by a longitudinal study conducted in Ypsilanti, Michigan (High/Scope, 2002, in Almon, 2002). Three groups of randomly selected young students were assigned to two curriculum approaches: child-initiated activities (play orientated) and direct instruction activities. All three groups did well with increases in their IQ, however, the study found that the groups who were assigned to the child-initiated activities excelled in social developmental aspects of personal and social responsibility (High/Scope, in Almon, 2002). While applications in educational settings can enhance and address shortfalls in social and cognitive development, sometimes there is a gap between theory and reality. Research by Cheng (2001), for example, shows that in attempting to apply the application of pretend play in Hong Kong, difficulties were encountered for both the teachers and the learners, the children of two kindergartens. These difficulties related both to the teachers’ understanding of pretend play theory as well as how ‘pretend play’ could work in a tradition that does not normally involve play in learning. One key issue identified by the researchers related to culture. In this case, there were clashes between the ideological underpinnings of the theory and the culture into which the theory was to be applied. For example, given a tradition of formal, didactic teaching, an apparent non-directive encouragement of ‘play’ instead of a focus on academic results was difficult to incorporate into the teaching curriculum and almost alien. Conclusion In summary, make believe play is important to cognitive development and functioning in children. Early theories established a survival-oriented approach to explaining the significance of make believe play, however, Vygotsky and Piaget established a developmental framework that emphasised the role make believe play has in enhancing social and cognitive development. While this essay has not explored every aspect, its role in developing social norms and rules, the connection with language, the implications for the zone of proximal development, and scaffolding are considered. While the significance of make believe play has been established in a western educational context, it may not be so easily transferable, in practise, to other cultures and this would seem to be an interesting avenue of investigation.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The Guide on How to Write a Law Term Paper Properly

The Guide on How to Write a Law Term Paper Properly Conducting legal research and writing a law term paper is inevitable for anyone taking a law-related course, be it the Essentials of Employment Law, Introduction to Contract Law, or Criminal Law. Professors are aware that being a legal professional requires long nights spent leafing through the old cases and analyzing court decisions. Therefore, they normally assign numerous pieces of research and term papers to their students to prepare them for what is waiting them as lawyers, attorneys, judges in the future. The task may seem exigeant at first. Nevertheless, the more one invests in the research process, the easier it gets. As it always is in the legal field, being meticulous ensures the success. Since a term paper is a major assignment, students are normally required to write no more than two of those throughout the term. They are most likely to write several minor research papers before being assigned a term paper in Law. It means a person is more or less familiar with the legal research process by the time he/she is to write a term paper. However, it is still a time-consuming and challenging process that should be approached step-by-step. So follow this law term paper writing guide! Choosing a Topic for a Law Term Paper Since professors want a term paper to represent how well students manges to master the course/the part of the course, they usually give the students a list of topics to choose from. These topics are related to the course materials. In such cases, choosing a topic is neither complicated nor particularly exciting. One should simply decide which of the course materials he/she has the most to write about. However, sometimes, professors would like to see whether students are able of choosing an appropriate topic by themselves. While some believe that they are given the green light, in reality, it is an additional way for a professor to check students’ knowledge. Choice of the topic shows understanding of the course and legal system in general. There are several rules to be followed when choosing an appropriate topic for a law term paper. Most importantly, it must fall within the same area of the subject as the course. If one takes a Consumer Protection course, writing about the legal issues associated with cyberbullying is a no go; Besides, the chosen topic should not be overly broad: as pressing as the problem of sexual assault is, one’s topic should not be Sexual Assault; It is better to narrow the focus and write about a specific aspect of the problem, for instance, Sexual Assault on Campus; Finally, one should make sure that his/her chosen topic is neither under-researched nor over-researched. If the topic is overly specific or explores a newly arisen problem, the research process can get excruciating. At the same time, although topics akin to marijuana legalization, gun control, and statutory rape are fascinating to write about, the amount of academic and non-academic literature on them is enormous. It will be difficult for a student to say something original. Be attentive with a topic choice! Good Topics for Your Term Paper from 4 Legal Areas Administrative Law: The Prisoners’ Right to Vote in the United States: Pro et Contra; The Effects of the USA Freedom Act; The Functions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Criminal Law: Mandatory Sentencing in the United States: Pro et Contra; Mens Rea in Sexual Assault; Dissociative Identity Disorder Used in Insanity Defence. Environmental Law: The Future of the Tri-State Water Dispute: Possible Outcomes; X Legal Problems of America’s First Energy Plan; The Concept of Intergenerational Equity. Employment Labor Law: The Legal Procedure of Bereavement Leave in the United States; X Pre-Hire Drug Tests in Law or Not? The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification in the New York State. Unsuitable Topics to Avoid in Your Term Paper Workplace Discrimination. The topic is too broad. It is better to choose one type of discrimination, for instance, because of religion and belief. People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson. The O. J. Simpson’s case is over-researched. Besides, after the first season of American Crime Story was aired, the number of students’ papers about the infamous case increased even further. Some professors were forced to include it into the list of taboo topics because they grew tired of reading the same material over and over again. Active Euthanasia in the United States. Taking into account that it is not legal in the United States, it will hardly be possible to write a law term paper on euthanasia. Assisted suicide is probably a better option. The Ethics of ‘Torture Lite.’ It is rather a topic for an ethics or philosophy paper than for a law one. Identifying the Research Type of Your Law Term Paper The types of legal research are countless and include, among others, such approaches as: Deductive vs. inductive, Fundamental vs. applied, Qualitative vs. quantitative. However, since writing a term paper is a part of the educational process, professors normally expect their students to stick to the so-called ‘educational research.’ It is the same as in any other course and implies gathering the information on the topic and analyzing it. Nevertheless, one should at least decide whether his/her term paper is a theoretical or a reform-oriented one. The former is supposed to investigate the chosen topic in detail without proposing any solutions. In contrast, reform-oriented research is aimed at evaluating the existing legislative rules/procedures and suggesting the alternatives that the writer finds more reasonable. Developing a Hypothesis for Your Term Paper in Law Once the topic is chosen, and the research objective is more or less established, the next stage of the writing process is to develop a hypothesis. A thesis statement (the last sentence of the introduction) expresses the author’s stance on the problem and gives readers the idea of what he/she is arguing in the paper. However, at this point, it is unlikely that one can formulate the final thesis. Instead, students should develop its draft version, a hypothesis, which can be reviewed and refined in the course of research. A hypothesis, as well as the final thesis, is supposed to make the author’s position clear in a concise and well-articulated manner. Not every thesis statement has to be argumentative; however, it is always appreciated when students attempt to say something new in their papers, to refute a popular opinion on the subject and suggest their own. It shows the professor that they are invested in the topic. Finding Appropriate Sources for a Law Term Paper Credible and meaningful sources is a significant component of a high-quality term paper. As important as formulating a unique thesis is, it does not ensure the paper’s success unless a student backs up all of his/her ideas with relative evidence from appropriate sources. When writing for a law course, one is going to use both legal and non-legal ones. The former includes two types of sources: Primary authority of law including the constitution, statutes, treaties, basic laws, administrative regulations, court opinions, executive orders, and other documents/statements of law. There are several databases where one can access the primary authority of law sources, but LexisNexis and Westlaw are probably the most well-known ones. Secondary authority of law that explains a primary authority. It includes legal textbooks and encyclopedias, law review academic articles, government publications that comment on laws, legal briefs, and more. The sources representing a secondary authority are as essential as those from the first group. They help students to familiarize themselves with a certain area of law, learn the key terms, and find out about the cases related to the chosen topic. The most convenient way to search for such sources is through regular academic databases, such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, EBSCO, etc. They are easy to navigate and extensive enough to provide one with all the necessary background information. It is also helpful to use legal encyclopedias, for instance, Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS). Finally, non-legal sources include everything that is not exactly law-related: the memoirs of the people involved in famous cases, prominent legal professionals’ (auto-) biographies, books that explain a specific country’s or community’s culture (these are needed for a paper on international law), and more. Even if a student does not include non-legal sources in the bibliography, they help one to establish the context and make the law term paper writing deeper. Composing an Outline of Your Law Term Paper Skipping this stage is not going affect the grade for the term paper. However, the writing process will become significantly more chaotic and, therefore, slower. Students should not neglect an outline for the paper not to appear puzzle-headed. Composing an outline does not take more than twenty minutes and helps you stay focused when writing a term paper. The best approach to come up with a helpful outline is to list the main points that you are going to address. Organize them in a coherent way. Professors sometimes require students to submit the full-sentence outlines several weeks before the final paper to track the progress. In other cases, it is up to students how to organize their outlines. In fact, a simple point-by-point one is normally more than enough. One can merely map out the topic sentences and brief bullet points for each of the paragraphs. The Structure of the Term Paper in Law Law term papers have a standard structure. Unless the professor’s guidelines suggest otherwise, it is as follows: Abstract An abstract is optional and whether students should include it or not depends solely on the guidelines given by the professor/university. In case an abstract is required, one should use it to give a summary of the entire paper including the suggested solutions to the problem if applicable. An abstract should not be longer than 150-200 words. Most journal articles have one and can give students an idea of what it looks like. Introduction An introduction takes about 10% of a paper’s word count and is supposed to prepare readers for what is to come. It should articulate and briefly explain the problem explored, identify its significance, and outline the key points of the paper. The last sentence of the introduction section is a thesis statement the hypothesis revised upon the research. Methodology Not all law term papers must have a methodology section. As well as in the case of abstract, it depends on the professor’s requirements. Normally, a mere educational paper does not contain the overview of methodology. If in doubt, one should either ask his/her professor or refer to the newest edition of Research Methods for Law by Mike McConville (Edinburgh University Press, 2017). Body The main body is the section where a well-composed outline pays off. One should follow the list of the paper’s main points and unfold the idea paragraph-by-paragraph. Normally, a decent term paper includes at least the following: relevant background information about the chosen problem; the analysis of the sources and key issues within the chosen topic; a student’s contribution to the topic/proposed solution. Each of these components should take several paragraphs. One thing to remember is that one paragraph=one subtopic; merging several issues within a single paragraph makes the writing messy. Conclusion One way to understand what a proper conclusion looks like is to think of television series that start each episode with the phrase â€Å"Previously on Hannibal/Supernatural/Lost etc.† Similarly, a conclusion should remind the reader what the paper discussed point-by-point. Since a thesis is the paper’s key element, it must also be restated. As well as an introduction, a conclusion should be concise, about 10% of the paper’s total word count. Bibliography This section contains the list of all the sources cited in the paper referenced according to the required referencing style. More often than not, students are expected to use either Harvard or OSCOLA (Oxford Standard for Citing Legal Authorities) formats in law term papers. Still, it is better to double-check not to lose points for using the wrong referencing style. Referencing citations guides are available online, for instance, here for Harvard, here for OSCOLA. Besides, websites like CitationMachine.net and CiteThisForme.com offer citation generators. They can be especially helpful for freshman students and those who would like to save their time by having the references auto-generated. Post-Writing Tips for Your Law Term Paper from Our Writers Once the paper is completed, it is advisable to check it for plagiarism. Even when a student writes responsibly and is not tempted to ‘borrow’ someone else’s ideas, it does not guarantee that there is no unintentional plagiarism in his/her paper. Sometimes, in the process of writing, some vaguely familiar phrase comes to mind. One may miss the fact that he/she has seen it before in a journal article or book. Most professors check students’ assignments on Turnitin or regular plagiarism checkers. Not to be accused of the violation of academic integrity, everyone should do the same prior to submitting the paper. BibMe and PlagScan are not as sensitive as Turnitin, but they are a good place to start. Finally, the paper must be proofread at least twice: right upon it is completed and in an hour or so. If there is enough time until the deadline, putting the paper aside to proofread it one final time the following day is even better. It is easier to notice the logical fallacies and grammar mistakes that way. Also, there is nothing embarrassing about reading the paper out loud to oneself. We are sure you move closer to success in writing a term paper in Law. Don’t step back!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Netflicks case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Netflicks - Case Study Example Netflix strategies To remain in the market as the most online subscriber of movies in United States, Netflix had to employ unique strategies since competition was high. One of strategies that the firm had emulate in order to remain an ever-growing subscriber of online movies was provision of large scope selection of DVDs titles to it customers (Emerson 79). This meant that a lot of DVDs were available to the subscribers. Secondly, the firm aimed at acquiring new content by building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with entertainment video providers. Thirdly, Netflix provides enjoyable movies to the subscribers and making sure the subscribers are the one to choose from a list of movies. The fourth strategy that they use to remain in the market is giving the subscribers time to watch streaming content or receiving quickly delivered DVDs via the mail. Additionally, the company spends a lot of funds in marketing to attract more customers while still making sure that thei r brands and services are available in all major markets. Ethics and social responsibility of Netflix One of the ethical issues of Netflix is to provide online streaming of videos to individuals that are not pirated (Peter 23). Netflix aim is to revolutionize the way many people rented movies and introduce streaming of movies via online. One of social responsibility that the firm had to provide to the subscribers was to make sure that movies were readily available to them (Vitorovich 36). Through maintenance of strong relationship among the employees and ensuring their safety in the work place, the firm has afforded to outdo their rivals like Blockbusters who were engaging them to stiff competition (Den and Koopman 35). In addition, Netflix focuses at shipping about 2 million DVDs on average to daily subscribers and this goal is almost to be achieved since they had been able to get 61% of company’s subscribers who were watching movies on TV episodes. Marketing and promotions Netflix uses different marketing strategies to attract subscribers including banners, text on popular sites that a lot of people were associated with like yahoo, radio stations, regional and national television. These marketing strategies are able to get 194 millions visitors annually; this was five times the number of blockbuster customers (Janko 56). Discounts to subscribers who were active in online purchase were given, this motivated the subscribers. Netflix Company was able to advertise programs to studios and in return they got cash considerations from the studios (Chavez 70). Free movies were offered during advertisement to make sure that the brands were accepted in the market. Advertisement expenses were $205.9 million in 2009, $181.4 million in 2008, and $207.9 million in 2007. Due to the company culture of marketing and promotions, it has emerged as a top performer in the online marketing (Kolb 45). Finance and accounting Netflix revenues grew from $500 millions in 2004 to 1.2 billions. Later in 2010, the figure rose to $2.1 billions comparing with their rivals who showed sharp decline of$569 million loss in revenue (Stelter 61). In 2010, Netflix boards of directors authorized expenditure of up to $300 millions to purchase share of common stock. Netflix recorded a profit of US $6.5 millions and revenue of $272 millions Human resource of Netflix Netflix is run by a group of

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

History 8UT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

History 8UT - Essay Example One of the policies was measures taken to revive the collapsing banking industry. President Roosevelt introduced a banking holiday, as well as Emergency Banking Relief bill, which sought to give assistance to private bankers so that they can revitalize their businesses. This measure resulted to an increase in bank deposits by the Americans at the time, who had withdrawn all their savings during the Great Depression. Additionally, it gave rise to rich private banks as a result of this booming business. Another policy that favored capitalism was the introduction of acts of the federal government such as the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Agricultural Adjustment Act. These policies sought to revive the dying industries by providing government assistance creating an environment in which businesses could thrive. The effect of this was that it gave rise to large businesses, which dominated specific industries; at the expense of the smaller enterprises. The New Deal domestic program was favored by the majority of farmers, working class as well as the black community in the nation. In efforts to revive the economy, President Roosevelt sought to introduce policies that provided government assistance to those in need during the Great Depression. Those most affected by the Great Depression were these groups of people and, therefore, Roosevelt’s policies significantly favored them hence the overwhelming support (Ayers, 2009). The New Deal introduced a number of polices that favored these groups of people. Effects of the Great Depression in 1929 necessitated these special programs so as to address the economic crisis that the nation was facing at that time. The farmers for instance, got reprieve through the formulation of the Tennessee Valley Authority which was given the mandate to address issues such as irrigation, flood control and manufacture of fertilizer. The Agricultural Adjustment Act also helped a number of farmers by providing government

Monday, November 18, 2019

Poem Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Poem Analysis - Essay Example Love grows in the hearts of the lovers in all directions like the octopus. A fire-walker walks on the fire for a few seconds but a lover walks for life with his heart afire. In one of the poems discussed, the lover mentions about love even after death. The interaction with the beloved and her words keeps millions of hopes of the lovers alive! The beats of the hearts of lovers are mutually controlled and the lovers respond accordingly. The bird of love moves with tantalizing speed within the hearts of lovers. Love is the eternal call that keeps the hearts of the lovers ever engaged. If God has to condemn someone, he does so by giving the lover a broken heart. After the first tremor of love, the heart is never the same forever. All such thoughts engulf my mind when I read the poems. The silken thread of love runs through the poems The Folly of Being Comforted (W. B. Yeats), My Last Duchess (Robert Browning, 1812-1889), Sonnet 116 (William Shakespeare) and Sonnet 43 - How Do I Love Thee (Elizabeth Barrett Browning). To live through the pangs of love is a great experience and the one who has gone through that process alone can understand how invaluable those moments of suffering are. True love goes on multiplying and passion diminishes with time. Love is the precious raw material for the man-woman relationship and the gift of God to humankind. In the poem â€Å"The Folly of Being Comforted† by W.B. Yeats, the speaker makes a sincere effort to describe through intellect on a subject which is the domain of heart. In the war related to love, mind and heart can never come to terms. The wise saying goes— there is a beauty in the sunrise and also in the sunset. The theme of the poem is â€Å"love transcends the physical changes in the body and, thus, it conquers time†. The poet gets upset and in an effort to find through the mental condition of unrequited love, enumerates the physical changes that happen with time, and how the body of his beloved sur renders to the demands. He pleads with the heart to be satisfied and accepts the state of beloved’s ebbing beauty. The lover is unwilling to agree that the waning beauty of his beloved is the cause for concern. The poet employs euphemism to express sympathy. He sees her hair â€Å"threads of grey† and â€Å"little shadows come about her eyes† that indicate darkened skin with small wrinkles. But they are inconsequential and the lover is still fascinated by her beauty. The lover’s intellect comes to his rescue and supports his arguments, that with the passage of time, the heart will respond better and will be able to accept the realities related to the body, the loss of beloved’s beauty and her apathy towards him. The flush of passion, in spite of beloved’s age, is emphasized by the poet in the words â€Å"fire that stirs about her, when she stirs.† This is a beautiful metaphor for fire. In the ultimate analysis, heart wins and Yeats re fuses to accept the argument of the intellect relating to the advancing age of his beloved. This poem is an unusually formed sonnet. The poet has employed simple words to produce a good sonnet, which tenders an eloquent argument against the argument that women become less beautiful with advancing age. â€Å"Sonnet 116† by William Shakespeare expresses more or less the same sentiments as expressed in â€Å"The Folly of Being Comforted† by W. B. Yeats, but with more emphasis. The first five lines indicate the true definition of love and the

Friday, November 15, 2019

Uncertainty in Illness Theory Analysis

Uncertainty in Illness Theory Analysis UNCERTAINTY IN ILLNESS THEORY MIDDLE RANGE THEORY ASSIGNMENT BYÂ  STEPHANIE MORRIS Background and credentials Merle Mishel strives to enhance patient outcome and care during uncertainty by identifying uncertainties and addressing them. Mishel has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Boston University and Master of Science in nursing from the University of California. She also has a Master of Arts degree in psychology and a postgraduate degree in psychology (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Mishel had an experience with uncertainty via her father. Mishel’s father had colon cancer and his experience influenced her to develop the theory of uncertainty in illness. Mishel’s father was not able to understand what was happening to him and was unable to cope with the disease. Mishel’s father tried to control some aspects of his life while dealing with uncertainty of his disease. Mishel started focusing on uncertainty after she began her doctoral study in psychology. Her dissertation focused on the development of uncertainty measures and testing of the measures (Polit Beck, 2008) . She developed the theory of uncertainty in illness to understand how patients can deal with uncertainty caused by their illness. Mishel described the patients experience as ambiguity over uncertainty. She developed a scale to test perceived ambiguity in illness and later renamed the scale to Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS) (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Middle range nursing theories provide clear guidance for nursing practice and they are less conceptual and abstract as compared to other theories (Alligood, 2014). The uncertainty in illness theory is considered a middle range theory as it fits into the definition above. Mishel used scientific and empirical evidence to develop the theory and the MUIS tool (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Theoretical source and empirical evidence Mishel used empirical and scientific evidence to develop the theory. Study findings on uncertainty were used to develop the antecedents of the uncertainty in illness theory. Research in cognitive psychology and uncertainty in diseases was useful in developing the antecedent concept. The appraisal concept was developed utilizing clinical data and discussion with friends. Clinical data showed uncertainty was a preferred state in some situations. She also used empirical evidence on stress and coping to develop the theory (Liehr Smith, 2014). Primary sources Mishel used different sources to develop the theory of uncertainty in illness. She combined research in different areas including managing dangerous events, cognitive processing and uncertainty. She used studies published before on stress and coping that examined uncertainty as a stressful event. She reevaluated her previous concept and used existing models from Warburton (1979). She used various different other studies and research such as Budner’s (1962) study which analyzed a certain event as the cause of uncertainty. Mishel significantly considered the stress-coping-adaptation method of Lazarus and Folkman (1984) in her theory. (Bailey Stewart, 2014). These theorist’s views influenced how she viewed uncertainty as a cognitive state instead of an emotional response, and helped her to examine uncertainty as a complex cognitive stressor. Basic considerations The main concept in the theory of uncertainty of illness is uncertainty. Uncertainity is the lack of ability to determine the meaning of events related to a disease. For instance, patients are unable to determine the outcomes correctly and assign value. Another concept is cognitive schema. Cognitive schema is an individual’s subjective interpretation of events related to the disease. There are three major themes related to the concepts identified above (Polit Beck, 2008). They include antecedents of uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty and coping with uncertainty. Antecedents of uncertainty refers to things that happen before the disease experience that impact the patient’s thinking. They include pain, perception and earlier experiences. Appraisal of uncertainty entails placing value on the uncertain circumstance. Coping with uncertainty refers to activities the patient uses to deal with the uncertainty (Liehr Smith, 2014). Mishel has discussed the metaparadigm concepts in her theory including the environment, health, nursing and person. A person is an individual who experiences uncertainty in diseases. The uncertainty affects interpersonal relationships as the body changes. The environment refers to the healthcare environment where the theory is applicable. Uncertainity caused by diseases affects a patient’s health and patients should develop coping mechanisms to cope with the uncertainty. Healthcare professionals use MUIS tool to identify areas of the disease that are causing uncertainty. Then they address the areas to help the patient develop coping mechanisms that will enhance his health. Nursing is aimed at helping patients and families comprehend uncertainty in diseases and learn new ways of life. Nurses play a critical role in helping patients understand uncertainty in diseases and cope (Liehr Smith, 2014). Mishel made various assumptions when developing the theory. She assumed uncertainty is a cognitive state that represents insufficiency of a current cognitive schema to support the interpretation of events related to a disease (Polit Beck, 2008). Besides, she assumed that uncertainty was a neutral experience not harmful until it is appraised as harmful. She also assumed that individuals can cope with uncertainty in diseases and hence improve their outcome and quality of life. She also claimed that people do not function in an equilibrium state and they need time to concentrate on self. Thus, they are unable to incorporate the uncertainty into their view of life if there is not enough time (Liehr Smith, 2014). The uncertainty in illness schema consists of different themes related to the main concepts. The themes are antecedents of uncertainty, appraisal of uncertainty and coping with uncertainty. The antecedent theme comprises of stimuli frame, structure providers and cognitive capacity. Stimuli frame refers to the form and structure of the stimuli an individual perceives. The stimuli frame consists of symptom pattern, event knowledge and event congruence (Polit Beck, 2008). Symptom patterns imply the extent to which symptoms have a pattern. Event familiarity is the extent to which a situation has recognized cues. Event congruence implies the consistency between the expected disease related events and the events experienced. Cognitive capacity and structure providers impact the stimuli frame. Cognitive capacity refers to a person’s ability to process information (Liehr Smith, 2014). Logical Form The development of nursing theories should follow a logical process and must be in line with the underlying objectives (Polit Beck, 2008). Concepts and sub concepts should be clearly stated and described consistently without ambiguity. The uncertainty in illness theory is well developed as the concepts are clearly presented and easily understood. After Michel reexamined her concept in 1990 the uncertainty of illness theory became deductive due to her using qualitative studies and chaos theory. These research studies lead her to change the direction of the theory. The theory now states that people’s uncertainty is always changing due to major life events and illnesses (Bailey Stewart, 2014). Relationship to Research, Education and Advanced Practice in Nursing The theory of uncertainty in illness can be applied in different areas including education, nursing research and advanced nursing practice. The theory is used in advanced nursing practice to address uncertainty in different diseases and hence patient concerns regarding their diseases. This improves their outcome and quality of life. Patients learn how to cope with uncertain events by understanding the disease process. The theory can be applied in nursing research as it helps researchers understand experience of patients with chronic and terminal diseases (Polit Beck, 2008). The uncertainty in illness theory has been used in studies that focus on uncertainty related to cancer to understand sources of uncertainty in the population how to resolve them. It also used in education to equip nursing students with knowledge and skills required to understand disease uncertainty and coping mechanisms. Implications The uncertainty in illness theory has implications on advanced nursing practice. The theory influences caring of patients as it permits nurses to offer information to patients and families with uncertainty about the disease. Nurses are supposed to provide support to patients and families with uncertainty about their diseases. As a result, patients become emotionally and physically healthier and have strength to cope with the disease. The empowerment offered to patients and families enables them view life differently and increases quality of life (Liehr Smith, 2014). The uncertainty in illness theory can be used to care for a cancer patient the theory is useful in helping a cancer patient cope with the disease and eliminating uncertainty. Cancer can lead to stress because of the uncertainty around the disease, treatment and side effects. Cancer patients are unable to understand events related to the disease and these results to uncertainty and negatively impact their health. The theory can be used to help the patient understand the disease situation and make meaning and thus participate in the plan of care. Therefore, the theory is useful in educating the patient about cancer and addressing their concerns (Liehr Smith, 2014). Summary Merle H. Mishel’s theory of Uncertainty in Illness was initially focused on the person’s ability to resolve uncertainty. Although, she reevaluated and added the notion that uncertainty may never resolve, but will become part of the person’s identity and affect their perceptions and quality of life. The uncertainty in illness theory is essential in transforming patient care and experience. The theory helps patients understand uncertainty related with their illness and address the causes of uncertainty. They developing coping skills and hence are able to cope with the disease. The concepts are clear and well described. The theory can be used in nursing practice, nursing research and education as it is easy to understand and apply. References Alligood, M.R. (2014). Nursing theorists and their work. (8th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby Inc. Bailey, Jr., D. E., Stewart, J. L. (2014). Uncertainty in Illness Theory. In M. R. Alligood, Nursing Theorists and Their Work (8th ed., pp. 555-573). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Liehr, P.R.., Smith, M. J. (2014).Middle range theory for nursing. New York, NY: Springer Polit, D.F. Beck, C. T. (2008).Nursing research. Philadephia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Appendix A: Schematic

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Road Construction in the Amazon :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Road Construction in the Amazon When one thinks of the Amazonian rain forest, it is very unlikely that paved roads and highways will come to the imagination. Unfortunately, in the past 35 years road construction has been the main reason for the deforestation in Brazil's Amazon basin. In an effort to expand its frontiers and develop economically the impenetrable areas of the country, Brazil's government has launched a series of projects aimed at improving the infrastructure in the Amazon region. This included mainly the building of big transport arteries such as the Trans- Amazon highway and the subsidizing of small-scale farming along those arteries. The National Development Plans (NDP's) did not meet their initial goals since few people settled in the newly expanded areas and those who settled still suffered from low income, lack of educational opportunities and low life expectancy.1 The negative impact on the environment of the planned human expansion is tremendous. It has been estimated that 10 million hectares of the Amazon forest have been destroyed due to clear-cutting, burning, slash-and-burn agriculture and conversion to pastures. Deforestation is caused mainly by road construction since 74% of the converted areas is within 50 km of roads.1 This clearly shows that frontier expansion and colonization for economical and social reasons has a devastating effect on the environment. The Brazilian Amazon is the largest piece of undisturbed rain forest and, unfortunately, this natural treasure is being damaged very carelessly and at an extremely high rate. Despite the above grim conclusions, the Brazilian government persists in its effort to expand the infrastructure by appropriating more and more land from the heart of the Amazon basin. In 1999, the government started a new program, called Avanà §a Brazil (Forward Brazil), which intends to add 6,245 km of paved highways and 1,600 km of railroads to the existing transportation network. The highlights of the project include the construction of the Santarem-Cuiaba and Porto Velho-Manaus highways, which would traverse pristine forest areas.1 There is a heated debate about the effects on the environment of the new construction project. Researchers and environmentalists predict that "Avanà §a Brazil" will cause deforestation at a rate between 269,000 and 506,000 hectares per year. They also accuse the Brazilian government in negligence and corruption, because "Avanà §a Brazil" was approved without the necessary environmental assessment reports from the Ministry of the Environment.2 Government officials claim that measures have been taken to minimize the negative impact on the environment, but do not present facts and examples of how this is being done.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Coffee Shops Essay

1. To describe consumers’ decision making in different market segments when they choose retailers of coffee using CDP. 2. To identify additional research that should be conducted to validate assumption about consumer decisions at each stage of the CDP model. 3. To learn how to organize marketing program should be provide for our customers after recognize their decision making process. 4. To see the impact of brand positioning to the consumers decision making. 5. To recommend marketing strategy after learn about consumers decision making process. 1. 0 Summary 2. 0Problem Identification Figure 1: Crimson Cup market segments As a wholesaler of coffee and tea and a provider of marketing programs to independent coffee shops and retailers, CrimsonCup has experienced growth over the past decade and is within range of becoming the nation’s second- or third-largest alternative to Starbucks. Figure 1 show about the segmentation of the Crimson Customers which divided into primary customers and ultimate customers. Primary customers are the independent coffee shops, grocery and restaurant. However the ultimate customers are divided into two groups; first is the consumers that buy the coffee from the primary customers and brewing at home; second is the consumers go to the coffee shops to drink coffee. The important of understanding of the ultimate customers are very important because the demand of the primary customers comes from the demand of ultimate customers as consumers. This company branding mission has focused on creating the independent retailer as the brand, rather than the product supplier. The CrimsonCup brand is featured on packaged coffee sold by retailers for office or home consumption, on mugs and cups provided to retailers and in some other promotional materials, and the firm is now considering the issue of weather it should be more aggressive in its promotion of the CrimsonCup or Coffee for Independent Thinkers brands as well as how best to develop its strategy of helping the independent coffee shops it serves. In understanding of the consumers’ wants and need, they search for many information and from the case, there is one consumer research already give some result about coffee consumption that made the university students or people that closely related to the university environment as focus group. The information get from this research need some additional approval from others finding to made their assumption about the behavior of the consumers to the Crimson Cup product or information related to the coffee consumption will be more meaningful to understand the attitudes of the consumers. By using the consumer decision making model, we are trying to analyze the consumer behavior in consuming coffee and make our recommendations about what strategy should be focus by this company and to suggest some alternatives to solve their problems and to get more opportunities in this industry. 3. 0Analysis We are using the consumers’ decision making model to analyze the consumer behavior of this company. 3. 1Market Segmentation Evaluation The differences of consumers in making decision will make them divided into difference segments in the market. Before we continue to discuss about the consumer decision making process that shows in figure 2, we underline first the environmental influences and individual differences because this two elements in the CDP’s model will be important to most of part in the consumer decision making process. Environmental Influences We found that the environmental influences for this product are culture, family and situation: 1. Culture: The customer segments in this case change over the past year. The American coffee culture brought on by an insurgence of gourmet coffee retailers and than evolved to a point where â€Å"getting a coffee, going out for coffee, is our little space in the workday to call our own†. The evolution of the culture show that how important of coffee in the American culture and they consume it anytime that more than just take the coffee in their breakfast early in the morning. 2. Family: From the research, one of important factors that influence purchasing decision is recommendation from family or friends. 3. Situation: The consumption of coffee in this market segments can also influence by occasion factor means when the whether at that time in winter, they will take more coffee rather than during summer. Figure 2: Consumer Decision Process Model Individual Differences 1. Consumer resources will make individual influences because the consumers in this case have different resources especially time, students or people that working in the university will have limited time to spend for searching location for the coffee shops. They will choose the nearer shops to take a little break to make them fresh. For the money resources, they are not constraint of it because from the research price is at sixth factor that encourage them to buy the coffee and seventh factors that discouraged them to not take it. We can predict that, the consumers in this coffee drink market are not price sensitive because of enough money resources. 2. Attitudes: The beliefs and feeling that more on quality and convenience place when they consume the coffee will make differences to their individual factors. Percent Beliefs and feeling 1. 58 Regularly buy coffee at coffee shop said coffee shops offer better-quality coffee. 2. 33 They think coffee shops sell better coffee than those of their competitors 3. 37 Purchase their coffee at coffee shops instead brewing it at home normally goes to the closest one. 4. Personality: person that need more energy and have busy lifestyle will take more coffee rather than people that consume it because of social activities like to spend time with their friends with coffee. 3. 2Need Recognition. Consumers in the coffee market will start recognize that they need to take a cup of coffee at least when there is environmental influences occurs, when their mind set that they must take coffee as the term as ‘consumption norms’ in their culture, they will need to take it anytime. That is the reason why the American will take coffee not only in the morning like Malaysian in their breakfast but anytime when it crosses to their mind. They also will take coffee more in the winter season because their need to make themselves hot and tasty, as well as the routine and tradition of sharing a drink with friends as a social event. For individual differences, the need of the student and people in the university will be differences each of them depends on their psychological affect that when they want to have energy or avoid sleepy when they doing their work, they have to take a coffee. The need recognition for this group will be high when they have many assignments that must be done every time and have to stay up at night. 3. 3Search When the consumers had need recognition process in their mind, they will start with making internal search. In their memory will have some information when they are exposing and have retention to some coffee brand before in their mind. Marketer must stimuli the consumer memory with their activity and non-marketer also give some conformation in this process that consider as external search. Even from the research said that brand is not factors that really encourage or discourage them to choose the coffee but how the marketers positioning their brand still are important. In this case, the marketers generally make TV commercials, store displays, give free samples in the mall and fliers and newspaper coupons to influence the consumers but approach that use by the Crimson Cup to position their product using: 1. Their position statement is â€Å"coffee for Independent Thinkers† as approval to consumers that they will get quality drinks in a clean and friendly environment. From the report said, â€Å"People see ‘coffee for independent Thinkers’ and come in to the coffee house. They like the message. † 2. The Crimsoncup believe that quality can make consumers perceive more better to their product and because of that, they offer quality coffee bean that: Have Fair Trade Certified Organic coffee are certified by USDA (Quality Certification Services) Signature blends. Flavored coffees in light, medium, and dark roasts with Class I Specialty Grade Coffee. Non-marketer also will stimuli them because in this case, word-of-mouth from other people experience will influence them to get information about a new coffee house. Recommendation from family and friends also will influence them to choose the coffee shops. The more effective stimuli expose to the consumer the more intention the brand will be keep it the memory of the consumers. 3. 4Pre-Purchase Evaluation of Alternatives Again this process will influence by environmental influences and individual differences. If they have and experience before with satisfaction after consume the coffee drink, positive reinforcement will be happened to encourage them to use this information in the pre-purchase evaluation alternatives process. But the most important element here is the influence or recommendation from the family and friends to choose the coffee shops or to buy the coffee brands. Here, factor that encourage and discourage will be play in the consumer mind while making evaluation. Research finding is like table 1 and table 2 that mention about factors encourage and discouraged consumers to return to the coffee shops. Table 1: Factors encourage consumers to return to the store Factor Description Score 1. Location Highest score show that the consumers prefer to choose the closest store/shops. 6. 6 2. Taste – 6. 43 3. Atmosphere When going for social reason, atmosphere is important, but less when going alone. 6. 04 4. Price Ranked fifth 5. 19 5. Brand For a favored brand was a reason to purchase coffee for office or home use. 4. 95 Table 2: Factors discourage consumers to return to the store Factor Description Score 1. Taste Highest score 6. 90 2. Price Ranked fourth 6. 00 3. Brand. Brand ranked low as a reason for choosing a store or determining frequency of visits to the store. 4. 56 Even the locations the first choice but the reason of consumers will return to the store are combination of taste, price and location. Speed of service was also mentioned as a factor when deciding to go. 3. 5Purchase When they purchase the coffee, the factors that will attract them to come to the shop are the location and the quality that they will receive from the shop like the taste of coffee as the second encourage factors and also clean and friendly environment. From the report of the Crimson Cup Independent retailers said ‘People see ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ and come in to the coffee house. They like the message’. This shows the success of the retailers to attract the consumers using the brand slogan and the services that will provide clean and friendly environment. 3. 6Consumption From the research found that the most positive items sometimes bought at a coffee shop were breakfast food such as list in table below: Table 3: others items buy in coffee shop. Food Percentage 1. 2. 3. 4. Bagel and muffins Sweets (cookies and cakes) Chai tea Not ever purchase other items 55 14 8 13 Because of the culture of American like coffee, so there is no special time for them to get a cup of coffee but for the students, the probability is drinking coffee early in the morning to boost energy before start work or at night to retain and maintain energy to stay up doing assignment until early in the morning. 3. 7Post-consumption Evaluation. From the case, if they have a bad experiences to the coffee they will make punishment with tell others consumer to not take the coffee at that shop but when they have positive experience they will came again. The research finding tell us that taste of the coffee will be the second important factors why they choose the coffee drinks and the first factor they not return to the coffee shops. So, even location will be the first factor to encourage them to come again to the shops but the taste still be most important as the first things that should be focus by the Crimsoncup to maintain the product quality. Quality is more refer to the taste and the convenience is more refer to the location. The level of satisfaction is encourage by this both factors that make the consumers perceive they receive a good quality product at the right location plus with quality extra services in clean and friendly environment. 3. 8Divestment They did not mention about anything for this process. We will suggest them to make research to identify some information like what the customers do with the bean if they brew it at home, the packaging and maybe the cup to serve the coffee. This information can be use by Crimson Cup to complete building an effective marketing strategy. 4. 0SWOT analysis of Crimson Cup coffee From the case, we analysis their company using SWOT analysis like figure below: Strength Weaknesses Statistics shows that small prepared coffee retailers are growing faster than the mighty Starbucks. Crimson Cup is has specialize in this industry by served independent coffee houses, teaching independent coffee shop owners the skills needed to operate a viable and competitive business. Greg Ubert as a founder of this company is the author of ‘The Seven Steps to Success: A Common Sense Guide to Succeed In Specialty Coffee’. We see this directly to share skills and information with the independent coffee shops retailers but indirectly influence the consumers that they will get quality services from the coffee shops. They have their own website that can search from website address www. forindependenthinkers. com or www. crimsoncup. com . Its expert baristas have opened well over hundred coffee shops around the country. Its starts-up program includes every things needed to operate independently without the constraints of franchise agreements. The coffees that they serve have quality certification like we discuss at the previous chapter. The slogan ‘Coffee for Independent perceive positively by the consumers. The Crimson Cup just focus limit their activities on the coffee and not serving bagels and muffins or sweets even there is demand of the item that found from the research. Opportunity Threat Coffee consumption is very important in American cultures. There is winter season every year in that country. There is demand for items purchase with coffee in the shops (i. e. : muffins or cookies) . Recommendation from family or friends is one of the five most important factors for influencing purchase. 58% of respondents who regularly buy coffee at a coffee shop said coffee shops offer better-quality coffee and 33% perceive that the coffee quality of this shops better than competitors There are many competitors in coffee industry that serve with multi-style of marketing strategy such as Starbucks. The negative impression of the consumers to the coffee shops will make them distribute the information using word-of-mouth as a punishment or negative reinforcement for them our others consumers. 5. 0Alternatives There are many problems we identify before so the alternatives we provide here will give suggestion to the entire problem that we will use the make effective recommendation in the next chapter. The alternative will be dividing into: Additional research that should be done to make assumption. Brand focus Marketing strategy Marketing program (IMC) 5. 1Additional Research for More Understanding of the Consumer Behavior. After we make analysis, we put the research that had been done and come with the additional research that possible to be done to make more effective assumption for this company target market like table 4 below: Table 4: Consumer Research Stage Process Done Additional 1 Need recognition Environmental influences Culture Family Situation Individual differences Knowledge Attitudes lifestyle Environmental influences Social Class Individual differences Consumer resources Value 2 Search Stimuli (to general finding) Marketer (TV commercial, etc) Non-marketer (word-of-mouth). The research should be done more focus on the Crimson Cup. 3 Pre-purchase evaluation of alternative Factor encourage and discouraged to return to the coffee shops What make consumers satisfied and come again to the coffee shops. 4 Purchase Location Price Nature/quality of assortment Store clientele can be good research because it will be influence by the social culture. 5 Consumption How they consumer When they consume Where they consume How much they consumer? 6 Post-purchase evaluation Dissatisfaction ? (punishment) Satisfaction? Reaction? 7 Divestment There is no research state in this case. How customer’s divest packaging /cups? 5. 2Brand Focus Here is the evaluation of the alternatives for the brand focus; ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ Advantages: 1. Consumers like the statement, ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers ’. Once they see this slogan shows in the window of the coffee house, they will go in the coffee house. Besides that, those coffee houses which display this slogan on the window of the coffee houses are promise to offer quality drinks in a clean and friendly environment. 2. University students are the group of people that public perceives them as independent thinkers. So, by emphasis on ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ brand, drinking CrimsonCup coffee can be a trend or lifestyle for the students. 3. When consumers see the seal, they know this coffee house is offer good quality coffee and nice environment for them to enjoy the coffee. As a result, ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ slowly becomes the seal of guarantee for quality coffee. This action also fulfills the need of the consumers that the taste of the coffee is the most important reason that makes consumer to come back again. So, when the consumers see the seal ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’, 4. Crimson Cup primary customers is the independent coffee shops, other than attracting the consumers, they also can influence the independent coffee shops retailers to perceive positively this brand slogan. 5. The impact of the slogan show from the research that 58% of respondents who regularly buy coffee at a coffee shop said coffee shops offer better-quality coffee and 33% perceive that the coffee quality of this shops better than competitors. Disadvantages 1. Another disadvantages of promoting ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ brand is CrimsonCup brand has exist for a long time. Most of the people know about CrimsonCup brand because anything about the coffee will makes consumers think of CrimsonCup. For example, when we mention about CrimsonCup, consumers will start thinking of a company who sells good quality coffee bean; a company that provide training for those who would like to open a coffee house; a company offer good quality coffee and etcetra. 2. If suddenly the company changes CrimsonCup to ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’ brand, consumers will get confused whether this is a new brand or another company cooperate with CrimsonCup. ‘Crimson Cup’ Advantages: 1. It already establish from 1991 and use by the company. Disadvantages: 1. Consumers are not really care about the brand of the coffee when they just simply want to drink coffee. Only those consumers who purchase the coffee mainly for office or home use will care about the brand of the coffee. So, with only focusing on the CrimsonCup, the impact of promotion or advertising activities not give high impact the consumers intention. Under this kind of situation, they will just choose which coffee house is nearer and convenient for them. 2. Consumers has possibility to ranked this brand quality is same like competitors. 5. 3Marketing Strategy To overcome with the marketing strategy, we divide the alternatives with 4 P’s. For these alternatives, we are using push strategy to encourage the demand from the consumers and pull strategy to encourage the primary customers to run their own activities that can encourage the increasing of sales. 5. 3. 1Price strategy Pricing strategy for the primary customers: Alternative 1: Allowance Alternative 2: Discount Here are the alternatives for the consumers (ultimate customers) Alternative 1: Membership price. Membership price usually entitle for primary customer who purchase constantly and loyal customers. Most of them are independent coffee shop or restaurant. Here customers need to fill in the membership form. This membership duration can last for one year. Crimson Cup provide them special price and keep their purchasing track record. For ultimate customers, every time they purchase at our coffee shop they have to present the membership card and membership number, so they are entitle for 8% discount for each cup of coffee. Each time they purchase by using the membership card they can collect the points and redeem it at our coffee shop. Other than that the advantage being a membership of CC is; based from the track record and base from the personal details we have, we will appreciate our customer during their birthday by giving them birthday coupon and they can redeem it at our coffee shop. Alternative two: Quantity discount Crimson Cup chooses by giving an ‘extra amount’ is one of the good idea to encourage customer to buy in large amount especially independent coffee shop. Every 2kg customers will enjoy 200grms extra. Customer pays for 2kgs price but enjoy 2200grms coffee. From 200grms coffee can cover at least 10 cups of coffee and coffee shop can gain an extra profit from it. For our coffee shop, customers who order five items in a single receipt worth $70 and above entitle for a regular cup of cappuccino for free. This idea is to encourage customer to come in a big group. 5. 3. 2Product strategy A product is define as anything that can be offered to the market for attention, use or consumption and that might satisfy a want or need ( Armstrong and Kotler 278). Alternative 1: Crimson Coffee CrimsonCup is a specialty coffee roaster. Their coffee beans are a special blend that Armando created, which is called Armando’s Blend. It’s smooth, no aftertaste, and smells delightfully good and full fill the coffee drinker’s need. Alternative 2: Coffee Cup Coffee can use disposable cup to serve their coffee with Crimson Coffee name and tagline ‘Coffee for Independent Thinkers’. This is because we want customers to drink with passion. The brown color paper with Crimson Coffee name is actually one different layer of paper. The main function of it is actually to absorb hit and cold; meaning that if customers buy some hot drink they can easily hold the brown layer to avoid them from hot especially kids. It is also same if they buy cold drink, the brown layer is use to absorb the water so that customer no need to ask for tissue paper. Alternative 3: Paper Bags. Fair Trade is an innovative, market-based approach to sustainable development. Crimson Cup is certified organic and shade grown. This means that the products you buy maintain biodiversity, provide shelter for migratory birds and help reduce global warming. Crimson Cup Coffee use paper bag and the material can easily recycle. At the paper bag stated clearly the Crimson Coffee Brand and tagline ‘Coffee For Independent Thinkers’ . Behind the paper bag consumers can search the map for the nearest Quality Certified stores on the CrimsonCup website. Alternative 4 : Product labeling They should show the Crimson Cup Logo at the packaging of the coffee bean that sell in the grocery or coffee shops. All off the certification they get also should be publish at the packaging or cups and mugs use to serve the coffee. Alternative 5: sell muffins, bagels, cookies and cake. They should sell items like bagels, muffins; cookies and cake because of there are demands of the products that consume together with the coffee. 5. 3. 3Promotion Strategy Making joint venture Making joint venture can be one of the methods for its marketing recommendations. For an example making joint venture with famous fast food companies such as MacDonald in order to put coffee in its menu. Now a day’s making joint venture is one of the ways for companies in order to make themselves more popular like PepsiCo which joint venture with KFC or Lipton. 5. 3. 4Place strategy. Clean, friendly environment because consumers more perceive on quality and convenience. Service delivery if the place is too far. Make a target for the range of shops in one town. 5. 4Integrated Marketing Communication program (IMC) Before we suggest alternatives for the IMC, actually the goals of the marketing program are: 1. To increase more awareness about the Independents coffee shops, grocery, and restaurant those serves the coffee from Crimson Cup or sell the coffee beans from this company. 2. To increase the knowledge of the consumers about the coffee and this activities will stimulate them to come to coffee shops or brewing at home. Alternatives 1:Barista4aDay Contest One of the programs which are launched is Barista4aDay which is a program for coffee lovers as customers (ultimate customers) or even independent coffee shop owners (primary customers). The program is simple. One coffee lover gets to spend a day learning the art of Barista. A Barista is a professional who is highly skilled in coffee preparation, with a comprehensive understanding of coffee, espresso, roast degree and espresso equipment. Point of purchase Try the coffee in front of the coffee shops. Crimson Cup travel to the focus group. Go to university or potential place by lorries. Leader’s opinion 6. 0Recommendation of Strategy After we list the all alternatives for all the problems that we underline in second chapters, we come with the recommendations below in the combination of strategy that will be run to influence the consumers’ decision making process. 4 P’s Price: Alternative 1: Allowance Alternative two: Quantity discount Product: Alternative 1: Crimson Coffee Alternative 2: Coffee Cup Alternative 4: Product labeling Alternative 5: sell muffins, bagels, cookies and cake. Promotion: Making joint venture. Package to make them try the muffin as new product Place: Clean and friendly environment. IMC (annual program) Baristas4aDay with personality Research Store clientele 7. 0Plan of action Program Responsible Duration Description 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 0Contingency Plan 4 P’s Price: Alternative 1: Discount during winter season Alternative two: Quantity discount Product: Alternative 1: Crimson Coffee Alternative 2: Coffee Cup Alternative 4: Product labeling Promotion: Place: Clean and friendly environment. IMC (annual program) Point of purchase at the store Word of mouth by a leader 9. 0Conclusion. Consumer decision making model is very useful to analyze the behavior of consumers start from need recognition process until the divestment process. But, to get information for the every step or process in the model, some research should be run because research will supply more reliable and valid information to make our assumption more accurate. The assumption will be use to make prediction to the consumers decision making and this information are useful when the marketer trying to strategize their marketing programme or marketing activities to supply the products that can really transfer value the consumers. Reference: Blackwell, Miniard and Engel (2006), Consumer Behavior, 10th Ed. , Thompson, Southwestern Kotler, P. (2006) Marketing Management 12th edn. , Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; Perentice Hall. Kotler, P and Gary Armstrong (2006). Principles of Marketing 11th edn. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA: Prentice-Hall Inc http://www. wikipedia. com http://www. mplans. com http://www. forindipendentthinkers. com.

Friday, November 8, 2019

College Essay Writing Tips

College Essay Writing Tips College Essay Writing Tips This guide is devoted to college essay writing tips presented by professional essay writers for those who have many essays to write and yet lack time to read through lengthy guidelines. We believe that the whole process of college essay writing can be condensed into eight specific steps. Of course, each step requires varying length of time and scope of your attention. With our help, college essay writing is no longer a nightmare! If you find the following college essay writing tips useful and yet do not feel like writing a good essay tonight, you may confidently rely on our college essay writers and get your assignment done by professionals! Eight College Essay Writing Tips Tip 1: Brainstorming This is the first step of college essay writing. You need to think about the topic, decide on the specific aspects you want to cover, write down all thoughts running through your head in the process of topic analysis, and be ready for the next step. Tip 2: Outlining The second step of college essay writing is outlined creation. Why do you need a college essay outline? College essay outline helps you organize your ideas more effectively as it allows presenting your thoughts in a logical manner. Tip 3: Freewrite During this third step of college essay writing, your task is to turn ideas into sentences and paragraphs. While your essay may not be perfect from the very beginning, the purpose of this step is not to write a final draft but rather to expand your outline. Tip 4: Edit Now is time to edit your first draft. You may add additional ideas, expand paragraphs, add transitions between the paragraphs, check referencing, and do all other vital elements which affect the quality of your college essay writing: Tip 5: Second Draft So, we have reached the step when first draft is turned into second draft. It should be well-written, logically organized, and answer the essay question in full. You need to check your college essay for all vital aspects and requirements of the instructor. Tip 6: Edit Draft 2 Basically, you need to look at the whole essay with the special attention paid to the grammar, mechanism, spelling, and other mistakes which might have been left without your attention in the process of writing. Tip 7: Print Essay Sounds easy enough and yet you need to print your second draft of college essay. Sometimes, when you have a printed copy at hand, editing process becomes much easier as you start noticing many mistakes including organization, length of paragraphs, and flow of ideas. Tip 8: Proofread Finally, proofread your final draft one more time prior to submission. If you are fully satisfied with your work, do not hesitate to submit your assignment. If not, you may go through steps 5-7 over again. Read also: Example of Argumentative Essay Essay Term Paper on Doing Business in China Term Paper Editing APA Paper Format Literary Essay Hamlet

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Progressive movement essays

Progressive movement essays Black people in the past had a tie period known as the progressive movement. During this time period, they were setting goals and doing things for other blacks to make the world easier on them. The goals were set to better the opportunity of others. While progressive reformers were well educated and middle class, African Americans were not educated at all and they were low class which didnt have anything at all. Progressives didnt focus on black peoples needs because they were not considered important. When they were left on their own, they had to come up with ideas and find a way to live without them. The living conditions of blacks in the 1900s were not convenient. Many had to live in one or two room cabins. It was furnished with straw pallets, a table, a few chairs or maybe boxes to sit on, a fireplace, or wood stove. They were usually farmers who worked about 20 to 30 acres in the heat even when it was well over a hundred degrees with little or no shade all day from dawn to dusk. Sixty percent were farm laborers and the rest were farmers. Half a million children under the age of fifteen were part of the labor force. One Negro in two could not even read or write. The ones that could read would only get so much, but were able to read their Bibles. Booker T. Washington was born in 1856. He is a former slave that believed that Negroes belonged on the land rather in the cities and in the South rather than in the North. He did believe that blacks needed education, skills, and job training. They needed this for good jobs to earn the money they need for the world and for the respect that many long deserve. He is the founder of the Tuskegee Institute. After Theodore Roosevelt became President in 1901, he was the chief advisor on Federal patronage for Negroes. W.E.B. DuBois was a leader of opposition for Booker T. Washington. He is one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Individuals Differing in Gender Statistics Project

Individuals Differing in Gender - Statistics Project Example Relation with mother Satisfaction with self Max 4 5 3rd Quartile 4 4.25 Median 3 4 1st Quartile 3 3.75 Min 2 2 Table 2 displays the calculations required to be done to plot a box plot of the variable data. The calculations are done using standard formulae in Excel 2007 Table 3 Frequency Distribution of the variables Variable Key Frequency Relation With Mother Not in touch/no mom (1) 0 Not very close (2) 3 Somewhat close (3) 13 Very close (4) 12 Like The Way I am FALSE(1) 0 Mostly false(2) 1 Sometimes false sometimes true(3) 6 mostly true(4) 14 true(5) 7 Death of Someone Close Yes= 1 11 No= 0 15 Considered suicide last yr Yes= 1 2 No= 0 24 In Table 3, a frequency distribution of scores of various variables is provided. Thus it can be observed that no individual is observed to have no contact what so ever with their mother. Some or the other form of relation is maintained in all the individuals. Also most individuals are somewhat or very close with their mother. Table 4 Values of statistical calculations of the variable scores Variable Standard DeviationRange Interquartile Range Relation With Mother 0.816496581 4 1 Like The Way I am 0.792658109 5 1.5 Death of Someone Close 0.816496581 2 2 Considered suicide last yr 0.817862341 2 3.75 The standard deviation explores the spread of scores which is calculated by looking at the differences between individual values and the mean. Thus, with a small SD we would known that a lot of values are close to the average value. Whereas, a large SD would indicate that values...Thus an idea about the shape and distribution of the data is obtained. Hence for the variable of relationship with mother the clustering around score 3 corresponds that most individuals share "somewhat close" relationship with mother whereas a clustering around score 4 for satisfaction with self implies that most individuals are at most times satisfied with their own selves from the legend. In Table 3, a frequency distribution of scores of various variables is provided. Thus it can be observed that no individual is observed to have no contact what so ever with their mother. Some or the other form of relation is maintained in all the individuals. Also most individuals are somewhat or very close with their mother. The standard deviation explores the spread of scores which is calculated by looking at the differences between individual values and the mean. Thus, with a small SD we would known that a lot of values are close to the average value. Whereas, a large SD would indicate that values are generally further away from the average value. Here in Table 4 we observe a more or less uniform standard deviation of around 0.8 which indicates that all variables have scores distributed comparably. The range gives us an idea of the limits in which the spread of the scores is occurring.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Finance accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finance accounting - Essay Example Lastly, the reserves of the company is estimated and their modes of utilization so that the write-down of the company can be avoided. Impact of Australian Accounting Standards When the net realizable value for all of the subsequent period. Due to a certain circumstances the inventories of the company needs to be written down below the cost that no longer exists or with the evidence related to the net realizable value caused as a result of the changed economic circumstances (Walton & Aerts, 2006, p.120). This leads to the reversing of the write-down where the amount if restricted to original write-down, so much so, the new carrying amount of the company will be lower than the revised net realizable value along with its associated cost. With the selling of the inventories the carrying cost of the inventories is treated as the expense in the period in which the revenue is recognized. This result in the written down value of the inventory is considered as the cost or occurrence of losses . The concept of reversal write-down value generally occurs from the increase in the net realizable value of the concerned company; which is recognized as a fall in the amount of inventory as an expense in the period of reversal write-down occurrence (Johnston & Johnston, 2005, pp.62-63). Reversal write-down The concepts of the reversal write-down under the Australian Accounting Standards will have a great impact on the current situation of BHP Billiton’s US Shale Gas assets related to the financial statements of the company. The inventory cost of the company will reduce thus reducing the carrying cost of the Shale Gas assets to a remarkable extent. Thus the increase in the net realizable value of the company will be projected at a low rate than now. This in turn will lower the intrinsic value of the company resulting in the valuation of the company being similar to the market value of the company or lower than the market value. Hence the company will be in the condition to r evive of the present condition to a certain extent (Australian Government, 2009, p.17). Current and non-current assets and methods of valuation Yes, the current and non-current assets of the company, BHP Billiton’s have been valued in the financial statements of the company. The income and the deferred tax of the company accounted under the head of other assets of the company has taken the deductible temporary differences resulting in the deferred tax of the company amounting to US$3119 million as against US$2195 million in 2010. These amounts have not been recognized due to the probable future taxable profits as the deductible temporary differences do not expire under the tax legislation. The trade receivable of the company is the considered as the impaired assets of the company. All the financial assets of the company are computed at the fair value price under the consideration of payment and receipt. The fair value method is the not a completely independent process. It is based on the results of weighted average value of the items of the company. In spite of providing a balanced figure of valuation yet its limitation the valuation of the business model still persists. However, the fair value accounting process conveys important information related to