Category: Uncategorized

Al Qaeda Terror Group

Al-Qaeda is an Arabic word used to describe a terrorist group that operates globally that was formed by its leader Osama bin laden way back in the year 1989.it is mainly made of Muslims of the Sunni group and is made of an army that operates in many nations but does not belong to any country specifically. This group has been accused of many atrocities that include the bombing of the US and its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 and the bombing. The group has been growing in numbers since then to date. This group is characterized by the use of suicide bombing and ensuring that their targets are bombed at the same time. This group has members who have sworn to do whatever is asked of them by their leader Osama bin laden. The training of these individuals is done in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq they are driven by the urge to ensure that the whole world professes to the Muslim faith. They belief that the Jews and Christians are united to destroy them.( HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda” l “CITEREFBergen2006″Bergen, 2006)

The organization of the group

The group was initially organized in such a way that all decisions are made from one central point. But with the current developments the group has had to centre its offices in most area of the world. Despite this, most expe6ts fell that as much as the offices are decentralized, the people receive the orders from their superior, Mr. Osama. They further belief that as much as the group was united with a common goal at first, they have to disintegrate and form so many small groups (Fawaz G ,2005).

Leadership

There is little information about its leadership as provided by Jamal al Fadl. It is believed that Osama was the commander of the group. But since the execution of Osama his deputy took over the leadership of the group. By august 2010, the recognized leader of the group was HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Gulshair_el_Shukrijumah” o “Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah”Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah. (Fawaz G, 2005)

Strategy

According to the information obtained from the HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saif_al-Adel” o “Saif al-Adel”Saif al-Adel’s document that outlines the strategies of the group up to the year 2020, the following were the strategies. First they were to provoke the US into action so that the US can affect any muslin country. They were also to incite the citizens to reject any military forces from entering their country. Consequently, they were to increase the possibility of fighting with the US by increasing their coverage area. They were also increases the activities so that by the time US finishes dealing with them, they will be exhausted. . (Grier P, Faye B, 2004).

Financing

Most of the support came from the original leaders own wealth. It was assumed that Osama had a wealth that was about $3000 million. This group also derives its support from the people who belief in their ideology and also their illegal dealings in heroin. (Grier P, Faye B ,2004).

Conclusion

The group has been disintegrating with time and as at now most of the splinter groups have their own leaders. One of the groups that have been in the fore front in the fight of corruption is the US. This began immediately after the US bombing. They worked in collaboration with the alliance for north afghan to remove all the Taliban’s from the leadership in Afghanistan.

References

HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda” l “CITEREFBergen2006″Bergen (2006) .Wright indirectly quotes one of the documents,

based on an exhibit from the “Tareek Osama” document presented, p. 75.

Fawaz A Gerges, (2005). The Far Enemy: Why Jihad Went Global. Cambridge University Press. Grier P Faye Bowers ,2004).

HYPERLINK “http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0514/p03s01-usfp.html””Iraq’s bin Laden? Zarqawi’s rise”. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Science_Monitor” o “Christian Science Monitor”Christian Science Monitor. HYPERLINK “http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0514/p03s01-usfp.html”http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0514/p03s01-usfp.html. Retrieved 2007-07-13.

Airline Deregulation Act of 1978

The authors’ main argument is that air line deregulation act of 1978 has worked well in airline transport industry even if it is being criticized by few individual hat is has led to deterioration of quality services which used to exist before deregulation. He argues that problems of congestion and limited reemergence of monopoly together with the exploitation of minority customers aren’t failures of deregulation but rather a measure of its success. The problem is on the government which has not taken its responsibility to support the increasing demand for airlines and airports. He claims that since deregulation fares have tremendously reduced to about 10-18% lower than during regulation. He also says that airline productivity has grown tremendously due to removal of the previous detailed restrictions on air line prices and where they could fly. There is efficient hub-and spoke operations under deregulation which rarely existed during regulation hence proving the inefficiency of centralized government planning and free competitive markets superiority.

The quality of service improved with deregulation especially in rural areas but congestion, delays and discomfort has been the major problem travelers in the era of deregulation has experienced. The author claims that this problems aren’t failures of deregulation but a vindication to it eve though the quality of air travel experience has been compromised as a result. Although the author is for deregulation and attribute all the failures in air line transport to government failure I tent to differ with him on this line. Deregulation brings about cut throat competitions for airlines and fares. This competition obviously compromises on quality of the air travel services. Also with congestion of air lines accidents are more likely to occur under deregulation. With this trend of increase of planes and congestion customers are likely to be charged more fare especially those who are moving with urgency in exchange for shorter delays.

The author’s conclusions actually make sense by the fact that free markets practiced by other nations are more revenue generating than regulated markets. Other alternative conclusions which could be made basing on the evidence provided is that deregulation allowed free movement of products from one place to another quickly due to many airlines connecting to the destination instead of relying on one plane with only one airline (hub-and –spoke operations). Also regulation promotes huge potential of economies of hub-and-spoke operations that mark the efficiency and superiority of competitive free markets.

3264535885126545000032645351760220Alain Dairy

450000Alain Dairy

Question 5

Capacity planning at Alain Dairy the process layout of deciding the creation limit required by an association to meet changing requests for its products. In the connection of limit arranging, outline limit is the most extreme measure of work that an association is fit for finishing in a given period. Successful limit is the greatest measure of work that an association is fit for finishing in a given period because of demands, for example, quality issues, delays, material taking care of, and so on.

Equipment capacity

The plant is the most progressive process where going to ensured products quality dairy. On account of expert staff and mentors, Alain glad for properties, for example, quality certification of exactness before and broadness of the dissemination system has components that helped the achievement of Alain. The machines and gear in the Alain Company is New and created and it creates diverse lord of product. Additionally, Alain was creating 2 million liters every year, except today it creates 40 cups in an hour this huge number and enormous hop to wind up effective organization. This means that the company is able to make 12000 bottles of milk in an hour. Full years of diligent work and determination helped Alain to the highest point of milk the first site in the United Arab Emirates and get to be to a greater degree a name known all through the nation. Be that as it may, the normal development rate in Alain, which adds up to 40% every annum because of the consideration paid by Alain essential purchaser, and to resolution and determination in the planning of new products through exploration coupled with improvement.

Land Capacity

Having had a vast land to keep the dairy cattle the company also expanded the firm with an outlay of more than Dh 35 in 2005. This increased the capacity of animals’ hence high production.

Question 6

The process design is vital for each organization to separate itself, particularly that these days there is a high rivalry in the business sector because of high increment in the business part. Then again, Alain process outline depends on separation. Without a doubt, Alain concern in dairy products. Their products are well known in the business because of the fantastic and standard and in addition the sensible and reasonable process for everybody. The Alain Company is considered as clump handling sort in light of the fact that the organization offers semi institutionalized product which is substantial in the business and shops yet Alain Company can and have rights to do few changes or process on the products rely on upon the Flavors and sorts of the product. The expense evaluation is normal in light of the fact that the organization appears to be identical month of the previous year which the purpose of offer show in every month so the expense every unit is moderate relying upon the stock they ask for every month. Additionally, in light of the fact that the administrations, supplies and machines are utilized for broadly useful which can make diverse sorts of dairy products.

Process Layout

The Alain Company is utilizing process layout which serves mixture of transforming prerequisite and matches the group methodology sort. We picked that the organization is process layout due to the law volume and vast mixture of what the organization delivers and assembling diverse sort of product dairy. Besides, with the process format the organization can deal with a mixture of handling prerequisite. Likewise, it is conceivable to utilize singular impetus frameworks. The factors needed in determining the best layout is the cost of the layout, the reliability and flexibility of the layout. In addition, the sustainability of the layout should also be considered (Luan, Sharp & Lancashire, 2010).

Reference

Gmach, D., Rolia, J., Bash, C., Chen, Y., Christian, T., Shah, A., … & Wang, Z. (2010, October). Capacity planning and power management to exploit sustainable energy. In Network and Service Management (CNSM), 2010 International Conference on (pp. 96-103). IEEE.

Luan, W., Sharp, D., & Lancashire, S. (2010, April). Smart grid communication network capacity planning for power utilities. In Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, 2010 IEEE PES (pp. 1-4). IEEE.

3Names of Group Members________________________________________

SEQ CHAPTER h r 1FCSC 4347 – Advanced Foods

Evaluation of Project (Written Report and Poster Presentation)

Criteria for Written Report:

Possible Pts

Actual Pts

Paper is appropriate length 10 Follows required format 10 Paper is well written with few grammatical errors 30 Objective/purpose clearly stated 15 Hypotheses included and stated appropriately 10 All variables clearly and accurately identified 10 Good justification for research 15 Appropriate literature review 20 Detailed methodology 15 Sensory and objective measures clearly stated 15 Accurate data analysis 15 Appropriate results/discussion/conclusion 30 Problems and/or Suggested improvements to study 10 Appropriate tables and/or figures 10 References 5 Appendices 5 Subtotal (Written Report) 225 Criteria for Oral Presentation: Poster is professional in design and appearance 15 Poster follows required format/includes all required information 20 Student professional in appearance 10 Professional introduction of self and project 5 Student presents research professionally 25 Subtotal (Oral Presentation) 75 TOTAL 300 Comments:

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“Eveline” by James Joyce & “The Day It Happened” by Rosario Morales

Eveline by James Joyce

“Eveline” is a short story by James Joyce. It is the story of a nineteen year old girl called Eveline, who is seated at a window in her father’s house, as she absentmindedly stares at the goings-on in the street outside, in the light of the evening, all the while in her own thoughts, pondering deeply upon a very important decision that she is supposed to make in a very short time, a decision that will shape her entire future life. It is a story of a young girl who is confused as to what to choose, in a dilemma, torn deciding between two equally difficult and unpleasant choices – one, to leave her father’s house and to run away, with the young sailor who has been courting her for some time now, to a distant city called Buenos Ayres, of which she knows nothing about, to start out her adult life anew; or two, to remain behind in a life that holds no future promise for her, yet is a source of steadiness and mixed comfort to her, a place where she has food and shelter, where she is surrounded by people and objects familiar to her, with the presence of a job and the little family she still remains with.

As she mulls over these two options, she compares her current situation with what awaits her if she decides to leave. At home her father is harsh to her, her mother and her elder brother are dead, her boss at the store she works in has a grudge against her, she has to spend all her earnings on her family’s upkeep, and she has to work hard to take care of her younger siblings who have been left in her responsibility. On the other hand there is Frank, the kind and manly sailor whom she has been dating for a while now. Frank has promised to marry her and take her to live with him in his home in Buenos Ayres. She has been charmed by Frank, who sees her home every evening from work, who has taken her to the theater, who sings to her a song that makes her feel pleasantly confused, who calls her Poppens out of fun, and who entertains her with stories of his journeys through faraway countries. At one point in her deliberation she suddenly feels that she has to escape, and that Frank will save her and make her happy, and so she goes off to the station, but when the time comes to board the ship she falters, still unsure of what action to take, and her emotions reverse as she panics, and now she feels that Frank will drown her, so in the final moment she fails to follow him onto the boat despite him calling out to her to do so, and instead remains behind.

Eveline’s decision not to leave with Frank was a sensible decision. She had known him only for a short while. He had promised to marry her but she had no way of confirming his real intentions. She actually knew very little about him, only what he had told her through his tales, which could have been lies for all she knew. She also had no idea what really awaited her in Buenos Ayres. Her decision to remain behind was right; “Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t”.

The Day it Happened by Rosario Morales

“The Day it Happened” is a short story by Rosario Morales about a Hispanic woman called Josie who, when she realizes she is pregnant, and fearing for the life of her unborn child, decides unanimously and bravely to leave her abusive and cruel husband, called Ramon, to whom she has only recently been wedded. This is a story that is captured and narrated by a young girl who is a neighbor to the soon-to-be mother. She narrates how Josie, after consultations with her friends, decides to pack up and leave Ramon once and for all before things get out of hand at their matrimonial home. Josie and Ramon have been married only 6 months, but in this short period of time all their neighbors in their apartment building seem to be aware of the mistreatment Josie is suffering at the hands of Ramon.

On the fateful day, the neighbors have mixed reactions to Josie’s decision but it appears that overall they are willing to support her decision to desert her husband. Josie has been suffering both physical and emotional abuse from her husband for a few months now, but her reason for leaving him at this moment is that she fears for the life of the baby she is carrying. She however, decides to stay a while to give her final goodbyes to her husband. It’s almost five, on a Saturday, and her husband is due home at any moment. When he finally comes home, and realizes he is going to be left alone, with no wife or child, he pleads with Josie not to leave him, but in vain. It appears Josie still loves him but she nonetheless sticks to her decision and with the help of her neighbors, she leaves him.

Josie’s decision was a wise one. Had she stayed, her husband, being the bully that he was, would have continued beating her. She would have ended up with a miscarriage for sure and very possibly with serious injuries to her own self that would have resulted eventually in her premature death. Ramon would never have changed and Josie and her baby were better off without him.

Evaluation of the Outcomes Determined by the Current Public Health Policy for Children Affected by Parental Substances Use in the UK

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Evaluation of the Outcomes Determined by the Current Public Health Policy for Children Affected by Parental Substances Use in the UK

Introduction

The research proposal entails a brief discussion focused on reviewing and evaluating the different outcomes that have resulted from the urge to help children brought up by parents that use substances hence developing different issues. Significantly, parental substance use has been a major issue over the years especially when it comes to the child welfare system; according to research maltreated children of parents with substance use disorders often remain in this system longer and experience poorer outcomes than other children (NSPCC, 2013, 22). However, addressing and countering the multiple needs and problems faced by these children and their families has always been very challenging.

Basically, it is very apparent that putting up with a substance misusing parent affects the children’s self-esteem and can cause feelings of isolation as they try to make up something out of their world; generally, it robs them of their ‘right’ to a normal childhood. According to statistics, such a child is seven times more likely to also misuse the substances at an older age which will result to a harmful/ poor lifestyle and aspects like health and education will be affected or even worse indulge in crime (Colin, 2013, 15). This has resulted to the dissimilar outcomes that the paper is looking at to determine whether the public health policy has applied the right and effectual measures to counter the same.

Background literatureParents with substance use disorders may not be able to function effectively in a parental role; this can be due to impairments (both physical and mental) caused by alcohol or other drugs, domestic violence, expenditure of often limited household resources on purchasing alcohol or other drugs, frequent arrests, confinement, and court dates time spent seeking out, manufacturing, or using alcohol or other drugs, and estrangement from primary family and related support (Eileen, 2011, 47).Moreover, children parented by substance abusers also have an increased chance of experiencing a variety of negative outcomes; some of the challenges include: they are at a greater risk of developing the behavior themselves, they are also likely to find themselves in foster care (where they are likely to stay for a long time than others) and more significantly they are likely to have poorer physical, intellectual, social and emotional outcomes (Barnard &McKeganey, 2004, 553).

As a result of this, there has been a budding society toward cooperation among the child welfare, substance abuse and other different systems that offer services for children and families affected by the fact that their parents use substances (both drugs and alcohol). Communication, understanding and active collaboration among service systems such as the United Kingdom Public Health Sector are paramount when it comes to ensuring that child welfare-parents that are involved in substance abuse hence require accurate identification after which they will receive essential treatment in a timely manner (Barnard, 2003, 294).

Over the years, there have been cases where various systems have been put in place to try and effectively counter the problems; some of them have made a great impact to a number of families in the UK while others have failed (Werner, 1993, 152). The Public Health Sector together with some health care organizations has funded a number of discretionary grants to promote demonstration projects with a goal of improved outcomes for children growing up in families where one or both the parents/guardians has a problem associated with substance use (Copelo et. al, 2005, 273). The contributions have involved family support services for grandparents and other relatives who provide care to children whose parents are substance abusers, model development and replication to implement programs involved in identifying and looking after substance exposed newborns and, there have also been grants that were meant to augment the well being of these children and also advance the permanency outcomes for them (Dube et. al, 2001, 1634).

Problem Statement

The project came up as result of the multiple problems experienced by children whose parents are substance abusers.

Objectives

The study is aimed at using different factors and systems that have been used in the past to provide a solution that will basically serve this purpose.

General aims of the study include:

Review the multiple risk and protective factors impacting on child outcomes in families with parental substance misuse.

Consider the scope of the predicament and data available on the numbers of children that have to face parents that practice substance abuse

Scrutinize the situation of children and families in national, state and territory policy.

Analyze the treatment literature to figure out whether there is enough information for services to increase an “evidence-informed” approach to treatment.

After attaining all these factors, the study also aims at coming up with a system that will:

Delivering parent training in the home resulted in better outcomes compared to those interventions that were only clinic-based;

Interventions that focused on teaching specific child management techniques were most effective in changing childrearing practices, but less effective in changing other aspects of parental functioning; and

Individualizing the interventions to the specific needs of families enhanced outcomes.

Research Question

How will the proposed approach counter these problems?

Will it give a better chance for the children being affected by poor parenthood?

Will the chances of these children becoming drug substance abusers reduce?

Project Justification

The projects aim is mainly to help the different children be able to counter the different problems that they experience due to their parents abusing the drugs; moreover, no child deserves to go through such since all child are entitled to the good parenting.

Project Scope

The scope of the project elaborates the limitations of the project proposal in order to develop an utter approach for the children and all the stakeholders enabling them to establish the different problems and handle them appropriately and affecting the children positively.

Aim of the study

Currently, more than two hundred and fifty thousand children have parents with drug problems in the United Kingdom and an estimate of around six in twenty children live in a home with at least one overindulged drinking parent; all these children are a high-level risk of abuse or abandon which in most cases leads to chaotic lives (Joseph, 2007, 8). These children require a program that campaigns or facilitates confidential space to express their feelings, reduce isolation and build self esteem overlooking all the past situations; moreover, the parents also require help when it comes to understanding the comprehensive impact of their substance abuse and mostly on their children (DeBellis et. al, 2001, 940).

Research methods

Some of the research methods to be used include:

Retrospective studies which will literature reviews, case studies and other studies using medical records and misconduct databases as the data sources; moreover, this will also include studies of significant event audit in the retrospective category since although the assessments themselves were reported in real time, the research involving their databases was finished retrospectively.

Prospective/ single method studies using information and data analysed either qualitatively or quantitatively – this will include reporting systems studies in this category since although reported incidents may have happened in the past (retrospectively), reports used in this case will be made especially for the research, or in real time.

Participants, including how and where you will recruit them 

The core participants to be involved are the practitioners who play the key role of offering these services; however, they are those that are involved in offering the treatment to substance abusers but have not acquired training when it comes to mentoring since they are involved with the treatment alone. In such as situation, the first recruit involves those with experience since training may not be offered at the start of everything.

The practitioners will be acquired through the public health sector and other health care organizations; however, the process will take sometime since it will require a lot of convincing and making them understand and trust the whole system after which the approaches will be adapted into their systems.Data collection methods

The research will apply two methods of data collection in the process of conducting this study, and methods will use both primary and secondary sources data. We shall use questionnaires as instruments of data collection, which will be issued to people who are close to these children (not parents) and also children that can be able to fill them. There will be an internet search using the commonly known search engines like Google, with initial search focusing mainly on application of social media marketing by organizations.

Data Analysis Methods

This study will have qualitative data, and a different analysis of this data; where the qualitative be analyzed using the latest version of SPSS. Tables, diagrams, and gridswill be applied in the analysis of qualitative data.Contribution to knowledge

The general factors that these children face as a result of their parents abusing drugs include; high levels of family disharmony, domestic violence, Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, inconsistent, ambivalent or neglectful parenting, he absence of a stable adult figure (such as a non-using parent, another family member or a teacher), parental loss following separation or divorce, material deprivation and neglect, and the family not taking the important step of seeking help (Hanson et. al 2006, 5).Additionally, the common substance-specific factors known include; both parents excessively using the substance, substance misuse taking place in the home, greater severity of the problem, exposure to and awareness of criminal activity like drug dealing, presence of the child when drugs are taken, and witnessing someone inject drugs and lying around the home after they have used the substance (Young et. al, 2007, 142).

The parents also try to apply protective factors that, through one way or the other affect the children; these mostly comprise: the presence of a stable adult figure, (who does not use the substance at all or uses it least), close positive bond with at least one adult in a caring role (e.g. parents, older siblings, grandparents), little separation from the primary career in the first year of life, parents’ positive care style and characteristics, being raised in a small family, larger age gaps between siblings, engagement in a range of activities, individual temperament, positive opportunities at times of life transition, and continuing family cohesion and harmony in the face of the misuse and its related effects (e.g. domestic violence, serious mental health problems) (Smith et. al, 2007, 153).Concurrently, these protective factors encourage resilience which is evident due to a number of factors; deliberate planning by the child that their adult life will be different, high self-esteem and confidence, self-efficacy, an ability to deal with change, skills and values that lead to good use of personal ability, a good range of problem-solving skills, feeling that there are choices, feeling in control of own life and previous experience of success and achievement (Little et. al, 2004, 110).

With the knowledge of these different factors and knowing where they result from one can easily establish and come up with a solution and approaches to the different problems considering the unrelated outcomes.

The first step would be establishing an approach that will cover prevention and treatment whose core components will circle around giving a lot of attention on early identification of at-risk families in substance abuse treatment programs (‘prevention is better than cure’) where prevention services are provided to ensure that children are safe and doing well in the home. Parents are also coached and mentored as the go through their treatment, recovery and also parenting; all together, shared family care is offered where the affected child (maltreated) is placed with a host family for support and mentoring too.

There is also provision of inpatient treatment for mothers in the facilities where they can have their children with them and also get first priority access to substance abuse treatment slots.

Some changes should also be included as part of the solution so as to make the collective approach more effectual and successful. These changes include: stationing addiction counsellors in child welfare office all over UK or rather ongoing teams of child welfare and substance abuse workers can be formed; moreover, cross-system partnerships can be developed to ensure that the services being offered are coordinated and well-administered. The public health policy can also involve providing wraparound services that streamline the recovery and reunification; and at the already existing drug courts can be modified to ensure treatment access and therapeutic monitoring of compliance with the given court orders.

Other changes involve conducting cross system training to the personnel offering the services which can be made successful by recruiting (new) and training a diverse workforce which is included in cultural competence. The countries public health sector can also consider exploring various funding stream to support the efforts being put into the matter by maybe using a significant amount state or local funds to get the most out of child welfare funding for substance abuse related services or even making alliances with other organizations that are directly or indirectly related to the matter.

Bibliography

Barnard, M. &McKeganey, N. 2004Impact of parental problem drug use on children; what is the problem and what can be done to help: Addiction. Vol. 99, p.552–559

Barnard, M. 2003, Between a rock and a hard place; the role of relatives in protecting children from the effects of parental drug problems: Child and Family Social Work. Vol. 8, p.291–299.

Colin, S, 2013, Improving Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes: Department of Health/ Voluntary Organizations. Vol.1 (1), p. 1-53, web < HYPERLINK “https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214928/9328-TSO-2900598-DH-SystemWideResponse.pdf” https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214928/9328-TSO-2900598-DH-SystemWideResponse.pdf> [Accessed 11th December 2013]

Copello.A, Velleman, R & Templeton, L 2005 Family interventions in the treatment of alcohol and drug problems: Drug and Alcohol Review. Vol.24, p.369–385

DeBellis, M. D., Broussard, E. R., Herring, D. J., Wexler, S., Moritz, G.,& Benitez, J. G. 2001. Psychiatric co-morbidity in caregivers and children involved in maltreatment: A pilot research study with policy implications: Child Abuse & Neglect. Vol.25, p.923-944

Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Croft, J. B., Edwards, V. J., & Giles, W. H. 2001. Growing up with parental alcohol abuse: Exposure to childhood abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction: Child Abuse & Neglect. Vol.25, p.1627-1640

Eileen, M, 2011, Munro Review of Child Protection (Final Report): A Child Centred System/ Crown Copyright. 5 (11), p. 1-178, Web < HYPERLINK “https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/175391/Munro-Review.pdf” https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/175391/Munro-Review.pdf> [Accessed 11th December 2013]

Hanson, R. F., Self-Brown, S., Fricker-Elhai, A. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., &Resnick, H. S. 2006. The relations between family environment and violence exposure among youth: Findings from the National Survey of Adolescents.Child Maltreatment 11(1), p.3-15

Joseph, R. 2007. Parenting and the Different Ways It Can Affect Children’s Lives: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Vol.1 (1), p. 1-16

Little, M., Axford, N. &Morpeth, L. 2004 Research reviews: risk and protection in the context of services for children in need: Child and Family Social Work. Vol.9, p.105–117

Masten.A, Best, K&Garmezy, N. 1990, Resilience and development; Contributions from the study of children who overcome adversity: Development and Psychopathology. Vol. 2, p.425–444

Meier, P., Donmall, M. and McElduff, P. 2004. Characteristics of drug users who do or do not have care of their children: Addiction. Vol.99 (8), p.955–961

NSPCC, 2013, Child Abuse and Neglect in the United Kingdom Today: Information, Research and Findings. Vol.1 (1), p.1-205, Web < HYPERLINK “http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf” http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf> [Accessed 11th December 2013]

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Ryan, J. P. 2006. Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) waiver demonstration: Final evaluation report.The State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Web < HYPERLINK “http://www.cfrc.illinois.edu/pubs/Pdf.files/AODA.01.06.pdf” www.cfrc.illinois.edu/pubs/Pdf.files/AODA.01.06.pdf> [Accessed 11th December 2013]

Smith, D. K., Johnson, A. B., Pears, K. C., Fisher, P. A., &DeGarmo, D. S. 2007. Child maltreatment and foster care: Unpacking the effects of prenatal and postnatal substance use: Child Maltreatment. Vol.12 (2), p.150-160

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Velleman, R. 2004 Alcohol and drug problems in parents: an overview of the impact on children and implications for practice. In Seriously Disturbed and Mentally Ill Parents and their Children: Cambridge University Press. Vol.1 (2), p. 185–202

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Young, N. K., Boles, S. M., & Otero, C. 2007, Parental substance use disorders and child maltreatment: Overlap, gaps, and opportunities: Child Maltreatment. Vol.12 (2), p.137-149

Airline Service Quality

The Airline Industry, just like any other service provider, has had to confront issues associated with service quality. Service quality involves understanding customers’ expectations in comparison to company’s performance. Quality of the service determines customer’s satisfaction which is essential in a competitive market. Customer’s satisfaction highly depends on the dimensions of service quality referred as SERVQUALwhich includes various considerations like reliability, tangibles, assurance, empathy, and responsiveness. SERVQUAL guarantees not only customers’ satisfaction but also loyalty, retention, and company’s performance superiority (Parasuraman, 1988). This shows that quality in a service industry is vital in its marketing strategy.

In the airline industry, service quality has become a key consideration in marketing strategy since the beginning of airline deregulation. Competition in the airline industry has led to improvements in the services offered in this industry. To meet the standards required, and to be ever improving, companies have to deal with issues associated with service quality (Keith, 1961). These issues involve customers’ satisfaction, expectations, service performance, and changes in services.

A competitive airline company has to first and foremost address complaints emanating from unsatisfied customers. This helps in knowing what they lack in order to determine what needs to be improved in the company. For instance, time in air travel is one of the major factors that contribute to airline satisfaction. Customers gauge an airline company using its on-time performance. Delaying of taking off or landing times are things that should be avoided if an airline company has to survive in the industry. Identifying dissatisfied customers involves research which helps in understanding the areas that need improvements. Every company faces a hard task in implementation of changes geared towards improvements since its different customers have different opinions about the services offered. In trying to satisfy all customers a company has to increase its expenditures in offering of first, economy or tourist classes in order to accommodate all types of clients. This fact has seen many airline companies that emerged after deregulation in the United States exiting the market for failing to meet the customers’ needs (Dawna & Dawna, 1998).

Discovering customers’ requirements and expectations is also an important aspect in researching for improvements in service quality in the airline industry. The comfort of aircrafts seats is a requirement that customers use in selecting an airline company to travel in. An airline company has to discover what customers require in their seats such as adjustments, texture, and proximity to the window among others. Providing all seats adjacent to the windows is uneconomical since it will mean reducing the number of seats. Each row usually has two or at at least three seats and removing the seats not adjacent to the windows however reduces the number of passengers boarding the aircraft which in turn reduces the income earned by the airline company. This issue can be tackled by offering different classes that suit customers’ needs in regard to what they can pay (Caves, 1962).

An airline company has to forecast future expectations. This involves its expectation about the market together with customers’ future expectations of the firm. Forecasting helps in improving the quality of services and understanding what changes are to be made. Most customers expect prices to fall in the future. In dealing with the issue of prices, an airline company has to come up with better marketing strategies that will ensure that they meet the expectations of their customers. Such strategies include Frequent Flier Program (FPP). FPP is a program that offers low fares to frequent customers. FPP mostly works for small or emerging airline companies competing with large and already established airline companies.

Change in service is also an issue associated with service quality. Change in routes is an example of changes of service in an airline industry. An airline industry may decide to change its route due to many reasons such as weather, war, cost, or increase in customers in a certain route. This change may be advantageous to others and disadvantageous to some. Changes need to be gauged for in terms of their effectiveness. A change in service has to fulfill the company requirement and at the same time guaranteeing customers’ satisfaction. Gauging effectiveness of any changes implemented is based on certainties which call for expert assessment (Merlin & Fareena, 2001). In addition to making changes a company has to keep track of the repercussions of their changes. Monitoring of the changes is essential in determining their effectiveness.

In service quality, a company performance has to be assessed in comparison with its competitors. Since the airline deregulation, companies have always sought out to outdo each other. Any company’s performance is vital to its survival in the industry. An airline company performing well increases its customer’s base. The need of expansion entirely depends on the current performance. If an airline company is to expand its business operations, it has to assess its financial position in the targeted market.

In addition, service performance can be assessed by the appraisal and rewards a company offers to its workers. An example of reward an airline company can get is the World Airline Award. Such an award is a measure of performance which shows that the quality of services offered by the company is the best according to worldwide standards. Appraisal of a company’s employees also motivates its staff in their performance.

References

Caves, R. (1962). Air Transport and its Regulators: An Industry Study. Cambridge, MA: HarvardUniversity Press.

Dawna L. R. & Dawna L. R. (1998). Service quality in the US airline industry: progress andproblems. Journal of Managing Service Quality, 8(5), 306-311

Keith J. Mason. (2001). Marketing low-cost airline services to business travelers. Journal of AirTransport Management, 7, 103-109

Merlin C. S. Jr & Fareena Sultan. (2000). International service variants: airline passengerexpectations and perceptions of service quality. journal of services marketing, 14(3), 145148.

Parasuraman, A., Berry, L.L. and Zeithaml, V.A. (1988). SERVQUAL: A multiple-item scalefor measuring customer perceptions of service quality. Journal of Retailing, 64(1), 12-40.

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Business Essay

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Airlines sets Deadline on Talks with Italia (International Business)

Significantly, Etihad airways, the national airline of the UAE, has had a lot of success over the years mainly through expansions: for instance, in 2012, it expanded its commercial team to Saudi Arabia and also added new sale positions in two major offices (new appointments were Aiyaz Khot as manager of Central Province, based in Riyadh and Imran Rakhangi as manager of Western Province, based in Jeddah).

This was a core step for Etihad as one of the front-line officials of the airline put it out that the country was a key part of the airway’s networks which was true since Saudi Arabia’s sales force reflected the developing significance of that market for Etihad airways. Definitely, the year 2012 was significant to Etihad airways since shortly after the Saudi Arabia expansion the great experience from the two appointed managers who had extensive knowledge in sales and business analysis broadly increased the sales in the western and central provinces of nation.

The main point here is that Etihad has made grave impact in the airlines industry and the Alitalia investment should not be any different from the rest of the commercial expansions and stakes that Etihad has been able to acquire over time (Clark 1). Reflectively, Etihad bought a twenty four percent stake in India’s Jet Airways (JETIN) and a forty nine percent stake in Air Serbia; additionally, the carrier increased its stake in Virgin Australia (VAH) by ten percent, holds a twenty nine percent stake in Air Berlin, 40 percent of Air Seychelles, three percent of HYPERLINK “http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/AERL:ID” Aer Lingus (AERL), and recently added a stake in a Swiss regional carrier.

Basically, Etihad’s investment on Alitalia will be a mark of ‘presence’ on the European segment of the business even though it has stakes in Air Berlin and Swiss-based airline a full service legacy carrier would be great for the airway’s reputation: moreover, Alitalia has been trying to recover from some major losses that caused the airline greatly depicting a negative picture to the international market (Kamel 1). Initially, Air France owned about twenty five percent of Alitalia and they had a good thing going on until early last year when AF declined to invest further in the airline after Italia wanted to raise funds under the notion that the carrier belonging to the Italian sector was not yet per to its conditions.

After Etihad made its announcement about investing in Alitalia, Air France refrained from commenting on the matter which could mean a lot of things; for instance, they might be of the idea that it is a bad corporate move that they would not recommend but they don’t want to get in the way or AF might be feeling inferior since Etihad is willing to take on a task that the AF could not counter. All the same, the decision and aim of Etihad still remains at light though there is no way that such Etihad, an internationally recognized airline could enter into such a deal without having done more than enough homework. James Hogan, the Chief Executive of Etihad backed this notion by saying that as a successful corporation, they do not invest for the sake of doing it and only step in when they are sure of a solution; additionally, Etihad has claimed to have already devised ways that they will apply and enable Alitalia to get back on their feet.

Conversely, Alitalia also needs the investment even though they appear to be reluctant on the matter but this is mainly as a result of the management avoiding more embarrassment; all the same, Alitalia’s despair can be seen from their uptight compliance with Etihad’s management (Clark 1). Leave alone Alitalia itself, everyone else supports Etihad in their want for investment; resultantly, Abu Dhabi and his government, who helped prop up Alitalia have promised to step aside and let things go according to plan –‘they would not want to be imposters of the agreement in any way’ (Kamel 1) In another situation, a partner at Clyde and Co was also of the idea that the investment would be a breakthrough for Alitalia giving an illustration of the company being given ‘a shot’ after struggling for a significant period of time; sincerely, Etihad’s best and proven practices plus the three hundred million Euros will create a platform for the airline’s development and its future.

Generally, buying a stake in Alitalia will enable Etihad’s management tap a major Economy in western European that has been drawing major airlines like Emirates and low cost carrier EZI and at the same time they will seek to capitalize on the local airline’s afflictions.

Works Cited

Clark, Nicola. Airline Sets Deadline on Talks with Alitalia: International Business/ The New York Times. 2014. Web, February 3, 2014 < HYPERLINK “http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/business/international/etihad-sets-deadline-on-investment-talks-with-alitalia.html?ref=international&_r=0” http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/business/international/etihad-sets-deadline-on-investment-talks-with-alitalia.html?ref=international&_r=0 >

Kamel, Deena. Etihad Sets Deadline to Decide on Alitalia Investment: Bloomberg News. 2014. Web, February 3, 2014 < HYPERLINK “http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-02/etihad-sets-30-day-deadline-to-decide-on-investment-in-alitalia.html” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-02/etihad-sets-30-day-deadline-to-decide-on-investment-in-alitalia.html >

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To spank your child or not

While spanking a child in an ideal world is not necessary, it is imperative to note that it may be necessary in some occasions. However, based on researched scholarly articles is spanking effective in disciplining children?

Evaluation of the sources

The sources used in this articles are relevant, reliable , up to date as well as accurate, most of the information in the sources are footnoted in a correct manner and the articles are referenced to acknowledge the copyright owners of the articles they are pulled from, and the sources are also consistent with the existing body of knowledge on the child punishment and discipline.

Day, R.; Peterson, G. W.; McCracken, C. (1998). “Predicting Spanking of Younger and Older Children by their Mothers and Fathers”. Journal of Marriage and the Family 60 (1): 79–94.

The effective of spanking of children is relative to the person spanking, for example, while it is a common thing in schools, it may not be effective at home. This is because most chidklren do not view parental spanking as a fair punishment but as away by which are not show their dislike and rejection. Most children become even worse after spanking. Longitudinal studies show that there is e marked negative outcomes in spanked children. The argument for this study is that spanking may be effective, if offered by authorities other than the parents.

Taylor, CA. Manganello, JA. Lee, SJ.; Rice, JC. (May 2010). “Mothers’ spanking of 3-year-old children and subsequent risk of children’s aggressive behavior”. Pediatrics 125 (5): e1057–65.

Delivery of punishment should ever be personal, most of the punished children end up becoming aggressive as the punishment remains in the memory of the of the child and has psychological effects on the child, these children base their reasoning on the memory of their parents punishments in reaction to their daily experiences and are always aggressive.

Statistics Sweden. (1996). Spanking and other forms of physical punishment. Stockholm: Statistics Sweden

According To statistics Sweden (1243), there are strong correlation between child spanking and juvenile delinquency. Most of the children who are spanked heavily by their parent tend to become more delinquent at a very young age. Most of them run away from home after punishment and end up in the street where they meet their peers and become initiated in to the crime wave. This article proposes that child punishment should be commensurate to the mistake made and if possible should be delivered by authorities such as school heads.

Park, Alice (3 May 2010). HYPERLINK “http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1983895,00.html” “The Long-Term Effects of Spanking”. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29” o “Time (magazine)” Time (New York).

Spanking is also reserved for the worst offenders and nit just every child. Spanking children with minor mistakes might lead to disastrous events such as suicide, and aggressiveness. Wrong spanking might not produce the desired results in children. This may also lead to loss of respect.

Baumrind, Diana. Cowan, P.; Larzelere, Robert. (2002). HYPERLINK “http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bul1284580.pdf” “Ordinary Physical Punishment: Is It Harmful?” Psychological Bulletin, American Psychological Association, Vol. 128, No. 4, 580–58.

Children should be warned that negative behaviors might lead to quick and certain discipline. Unlike spanking, warnings are effective and non humilitive. Warnings help children learn the clear boundaries. This article also vouches against punishments.

Straus, Murray A. (1971). “Some Social Antecedents of Physical Punishment: a linkage theory interpretation”. Journal of Marriage and the Family 33 (4): 658–663.

This article vouches for spanking but argues that spanking may not be effective, if the behaviors leading to spanking do not deserve e spanking. Children may view spanking as personal fight and not disciplinary action. It is important to understand and determine the kind of behaviors that deserve spanking. However, it argues that toddlers and teens must be allowed to make mistakes and have those behaviors that are appropriate. This punishment should be geared at establishing authority in a mature way and with love.

Conclusion

Most Parents tend to love their children and may feel pain spanking their beloved children not until they realize that their love is appreciated and the child is spoilt beyond help. It is also imperative to note that they use of non abusive punishments is healthy. On the other hand, many child psychologists tend to support spanking as a disciplinary action on children. However, if a child is spanked with fairness, love and care, is a very effective disciplinary technique? The best recommendation is that the usefulness of child spanking is relative to parents spanking their children

Works cited

Day, R.; Peterson, G. W.; McCracken, C. (1998). “Predicting Spanking of Younger and Older Children by their Mothers and Fathers”. Journal of Marriage and the Family 60 (1): 79–94.

Straus, Murray A. (1971). “Some Social Antecedents of Physical Punishment: a linkage theory interpretation”. Journal of Marriage and the Family 33 (4): 658–663.

Baumrind, Diana. Cowan, P.; Larzelere, Robert. (2002). HYPERLINK “http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bul1284580.pdf” “Ordinary Physical Punishment: Is It Harmful?” Psychological Bulletin, American Psychological Association, Vol. 128, No. 4, 580–58.

Park, Alice (3 May 2010). HYPERLINK “http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1983895,00.html” “The Long-Term Effects of Spanking”. HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28magazine%29” o “Time (magazine)” Time (New York).

Statistics Sweden. (1996). Spanking and other forms of physical punishment. Stockholm: Statistics Sweden.

Taylor, CA. Manganello, JA. Lee, SJ.; Rice, JC. (May 2010). “Mothers’ spanking of 3-year-old children and subsequent risk of children’s aggressive behavior”. Pediatrics 125 (5): e1057–65.

Evaluation Of Two Empirical Studies

In the study “Prevalence of Prostate Cancer among Men with a Prostate-Specific Antigen Level ≤4.0 ng per Milliliter” by Thompson et al (2004) set out to undertake a study aimed at investigating prevalence of prostate cancer among men with a prostate-specific antigen level less than or equal to 4.0 ng/mL. In a slightly different fashion and approach, Kelly et al (2008) undertook a study titled “Learner Outcomes for English Language Learner Low Readers in an Early Intervention” that aimed at investigating the “efficacy of Reading Recovery (RR) with first grade English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools by evaluating the literacy effects of ELLs in comparison with their native English- speaking (NES) counterparts, who were also enrolled in the same RR.” By focusing on the two above mentioned studies, this discourse looks at the approaches each study used in terms of research rationale, philosophical basis, methodology used, extent to which the research objectives were formulated and achieved and conclusions derived from the entire study after conducting the research study. To achieve this, the discourse takes a convergent approach by focusing on each subject matter and delving by the first research study before moving on to the second. The study by Thompson et al (2004) opens the assessment followed by the study by Kelly et al (2008).

Thompson, I. M. et al (2004) Prevalence of Prostate Cancer among Men with a Prostate-Specific Antigen Level ≤4.0 ng per Milliliter. New England Journal of Medicine, 350:2239-224,

With respect to study objective, the research study the main objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of prostate cancer among men with a particular antigen that is prostate-specific with antigen level less than or equal to 4.0 nanograms per milliliter. From the objective, it is evident that data gathering must involve real measurement to establish if the antigen level is within the desired levels.

Approach and Methodology

The first part of the methodology research critique looks at the study conducted by Thompson et al (2004) that sort to investigate prevalence of prostate cancer among men with a prostate-specific antigen level less than or equal to 4.0 ng/mL. The study identifies its corporate sponsor as the National Cancer Institute. In terms of sampling technique, the study used random sampling to come up with a sample size comprising a randomly selected sample drawn from 18,882 men based on fulfillment of initial selection criterion that entailed having no more than 3.0 ng per milliliter prostate-specific antigen. Other qualifications for the selection included the patient being at least 55 years of age, having a normal digital rectal examination, exhibiting an American Urological association symptom and posses no clinically significant coexisting conditions. This was a good start based on the fact that the criteria laid down for selection would reduce possibility of erroneous conclusion.

Research ethics and consent are very important aspects of any research study involving human subjects since the participants must not be coerced (Creswell, 2009). The study points out that the participants gave their written informed consent and that this was based on the fact that the participants had been provided with the details of the study. Since the study had different stages or phases, each phase mattered for the purpose of participants’ informed consent hence some participants who were eligible for the inclusion the final sample did not consent to undergo biopsy. Despite this, the study drew a connection between declining to undergo biopsy and age noting that those who declined were older than 75 years at 99% confidence level.

On the part of methodology, as already explained above, stratified random sampling was used whereby participants were randomly selected after meeting some initial qualifications. The study design took a randomized quasi-experiment approach with a placebo-controlled group included (Creswell, 2009). The PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) measurements were carried out in one central laboratory. This sounds like a good measure to ensure that same conditions are prevalent for all the measurements and accountability is easier to track. The study took a period of over 7 years. While the study reported that eligibility entailed, among other factors, having PSA level no more than 3.0 ng/mL and at another time having no more than 4.0 ng/ml, those who were found to have the PSA level more than 4.0 ng/mL were recommended for prostate biopsy.

Therefore, from the initial setting of standards for the study, there seems to be a confusion of whether the study took 3.0 ng/ml or 4.0 ng/mL to be the threshold of PSA levels. Nevertheless, there is a reason provided for including those having more than 4.0 ng/mL PSA levels in the study. The study included them as a measure to ensure generalizability of prevalence of prostate cancer for men with PSA ≤ 4.0 ng/ml to the general population. Therefore, only the control group (that was given the placebo) was used for the analysis. Among other features, the study assessed the relationships among base-line characteristics and prostate cancer. Therefore, prostate cancer was the dependent variable while independent variables included prostate-specific antigen.

Analysis and Results

The study used a confidence interval of 99% hence rejection or acceptance of a hypothesis was based on a p-value of 0.001. Final sample size included for data analysis was 2,950 men. Average PSA level for 96.2% of the initial participants is reported to have been found to exceed 7. At the end of study biopsy the study established that about 15.2% of the 2950 men had prostate cancer when end-of-study biopsy was carried out. However, there was no significant difference in cancer between those who underwent sextant biopsy and those who underwent biopsy with more than six samples taken.

The study identifies limiting factors that might have hindered the ability to detect correlation between age and risk of cancer given that risk of cancer increases with age. These factors included setting age limit for inclusion for participation and setting PSA level to 4.0 ng/mL. However, these factors helped in setting the control group which was administered with placebo. The study found a positive correlation between PSA and risk of prostate cancer noting that during the seven-year period of the study there was an annual increase in PSA levels noted among 449 men who had prostate cancer. The correlation was however not significant. The 449 men with prostate cancer had PSA mean of 1.78 ng/mL with standard deviation of 0.92 ng/mL as compared to the 2501 who had no prostate cancer and who had a PSA mean of 1.34 ng/mL with 0.86 ng/mL standard deviation.

It can be concluded that the study effectively accomplished its objectives of investigating the relationship between PSA levels and prostate cancer and its stage-wise approach allowed to even come out with supplementary findings. For the recommendations for future inquiry and professional nursing practice, the study recommends that even men with lower PSA levels should be screened for cancer as the results point to the possibility of men with lower PSA levels having cancer (also Krumholtz et al 2002). Therefore, they recommend a change in the practice cancer diagnosis.

Kelly, E. P., et al (2010) “Learner Outcomes for English Language Learner Low Readers in an Early Intervention” TESOL QUARTERLY Vol. 42, No. 2, June 2008

Approach and Methodology

From the outset, the study by Kelly, et al takes a mixed methodology approach to investigate how learner outcomes for English learner low readers differ from those of the English language learners. Even though the researchers do not explicitly indicate that they used the mixed methodology approach, a few characteristics of the mixed methodology are sufficiently indicative of it being used. First, the researchers used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to achieve the objectives of their study. For instance, measurements are carried out to establish the triple jeopardy of socio-demographic risk, low reader and ELL status and the outcomes for the associated students.

In matters concerning the sampling procedure and inclusion into the study, the researchers mention that inclusion into the study involved careful purposive sampling technique that ensured that the readers included in the study had reading level of 20% and below. Using this technique, the researchers came out with 8,581 ELLs and 121,961 Native English Speakers that undertook the RR program for school year covering between 2002 and 2003. It is notable that from the start of the research study, the researchers endeavored to place the study in theoretical settings and explain the study using theoretical frameworks such that even categorization of children in terms of English readership using the 4 levels helps the study in classifying the participants at the beginning of the research and at the end of the study when it is necessary to gauge the efficacy of the RR program.

From the qualitative study point of view, the study has several elements that clearly fit into a phenomenological study in that it involves collection of in-depth information and insights relating to the English language readership and these are initially achieved through extensive observation of the participants using several inductive, qualitative techniques. Other methods that are used by the researchers that help in boosting the claim of a phenomenological qualitative approach include the use of interviews, participant observations, interviews and discussions. Creswell (2009) note that phenomenological qualitative approaches take a different direction from other qualitative approaches by focusing on illuminating the precise subject matter and identifies phenomena through the way they are recognized by the actors in the particular situation.

Creswell (2009) further notes that, when conducted in the human sphere, phenomenological approach usually translates into collecting deep information and insights by use of inductive, qualitative techniques, which include interviews, participant observations and discussions. The information gathered through these techniques is presented from the research participants’ perspective. Therefore, phenomenological approach is focused on studying experience from the perspective of the individual and subjective knowledge of the individual in a way that emphasizes paradigm of personal perspective and interpretation. The approach is helpful in boosting understanding of individual’s motivations or actions while transcending the muddle of assumptions that are taken for granted and other conventional wisdom. It is further reasonable to argue from the perspective of a phenomenological approach from the formulation of research questions that are provided in the results at the end of the study. For example:

“Is the rate of students who discontinue successfully their series of lessons comparable between ELLs and NESs? lb. Do both groups have similar outcomes on the text reading and phonemic awareness tasks?” Kelly et al (2008, 247)

Comparison of Methodologies

With respect to comparison between the two studies, the study by Thompson et al (2004) used a quantitative research where numerical data about the patients was collected. The quantitative data was then quantitatively analyzed. On the other hand, the study by Kelly et al (2008) employs a mixed methodology approach with triangulation design through the convergence model. Creswell and Plano Clark (2011) describe triangulation mixed methodology as a strategy that can be explained as a single-phase research design where both qualitative and quantitative methods are implemented within the same time frame. This therefore brings out a clear understanding of the triangulation mixed methodology as involving qualitative and quantitative techniques in a similar time frame.

While the triangulation design has various approaches, the convergence triangulation model is employed when it is desired that the quantitative and qualitative data should be merged concurrently (Bazeley, 2007). This approach allows for thorough comparison of data hence brings out a better understanding of the phenomenon being investigated. Therefore for the research study by Kelly et al (2008), it must have been desirable that qualitative aspects of the study such as lesson designs and structure and the quantitative aspects such as the measurements of the words read to enable the categorization as used by the researchers.

With respect to whether the researchers take a deductive approach or inductive, research study by Kelly uses deductive research approach which is a type of reasoning that works from a more general to a more specific area. The research begins by formulating research theory from which the hypotheses are developed which are then evaluated and confirmed based on the observations generated from formulated study approach. It can be seen that the other research study by Thompson et al employs an inductive research approach, which works contrary to the deductive research approach in that for the study by Thompson et al (2004) the researchers work from specific observations developed by observing the various patients and participants and then develop these specific observation into broader generalizations that can be applied in other broader sense settings and situations of similar conditions. For the study by Thompson et al (2004), the researchers or investigators collect data from the field to facilitate him/her to develop a theory in inductive research approach (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011).

An important question that must be tackled is how the two studies deal with the issue of generalizability of their findings. The two studies, while dealing with totally two different topics and areas of study, were chosen for the way they approach generalization of their findings despite taking greatly diverse kind of participants. In the study by Thompson et al (2004), the researchers based their inclusion on PSA levels less than or equal to 4.0 nano-grams per milliliter. However, the study also included individuals having more than 4.0 ng/mL PSA levels in the study. The study included these individuals as a measure to ensure generalizability of prevalence of prostate cancer for men with PSA ≤ 4.0 ng/ml to the general population. Therefore, only the control group (that was given the placebo) was used for the analysis. For that study, prostate cancer was the dependent variable while independent variables included prostate-specific antigen.

On the other hand, the study by Kelly et al (2008) focused on comparing native English speakers and English speakers whose first language is Spanish. This alone would warrant generalization of the results and conclusions drawn from the study to the general population. Nevertheless, Kelly and the fellow researchers in the study still found a reason to generalize the findings to the general population of English Low Learners. This was achieved by invoking theoretical models already introduced at the beginning of the study and also referring to past studies that had similar findings but which targeted English low learners of other racial descent.

In summative perspective, it is notable that while the two studies took totally different perspectives in the research approach and dealt with topics of totally diverse nature, there was ample realization implications of the study findings must be well articulated and generalization well established and justified. This justification must not necessarily be expressly highlighted but it can be deduced from the way the whole generalization issue is achieved. Secondly, the study conducted by Thompson was basically a quantitative one and issues dealing with validity and reliability are emphasized through the scrutiny of instrumentation used.

In contrast to the above, the study by Kelly is more of qualitative than quantitative and the issues relating to validity or reliability are handled through scrutiny of credibility, dependability and transferability of the results. For qualitative research, internal validity is taken as credibility and this involves ascertaining that the results of the qualitative research are credible from the point of view of the participant. The external validity as applicable in quantitative research is referred to as transferability in qualitative research and it basically entails the extent to which the results can be generalized with respect to other related contexts and settings. This is increased through subjective judgment and thorough description of context and underlying research settings.

With respect to validity, qualitative research calls for dependability by assessing the need for accountability of the researcher in terms of the ever-changing context within which research studies are conducted. Therefore, while Thompson et al (2004) were justified to undertake random sample of participants, ensure consent and take measurements seriously to ensure validity and credibility, Kelly et al (2008) were justified when they thoroughly described the underpinning contexts and settings of the research study and then also provided an account of the ever-changing context within which the research study was conducted. These measures ensured generalizability to have a strong philosophical backing.

Reference:

Bazeley, P. (2007). Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc

Creswell, J. W., (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Creswell J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2011) Designing and Conducting Mixed methods research. (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Krumholtz JS, Carvalhal GF, Ramos CG, et al. (2002) Prostate-specific antigen cutoff of 2.6 ng/mL for prostate cancer screening is associated with favorable pathologic tumor features. Urology 2002;60:469-473

Pauler DK, Gower KB, Goodman PJ, Crowley JJ, Thompson I M. (2003) Biomarker-based methods for determining noncompliance in a prevention trial. Control Clin Trials New England Journal of Medicine,;23:675-685

Thompson I. M, Goodman PJ, Tangen C. M, et al. (2003) The influence of finasteride on the development of prostate cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 349:215-224

Thompson IM, Tangen C, Goodman P. (2003) The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial: design, status, and promise. World J Urol 2003; 21:28-3

Thompson, I. M. M.D., Donna K. Pauler, Ph.D., Phyllis J. Goodman, M.S., Catherine M. Tangen, Dr.P.H., M. Scott Lucia, M.D., Howard L. Parnes, M.D., Lori M. Minasian, M.D., Leslie G. Ford, M.D., Scott M. Lippman, M.D., E. David Crawford, M.D., John J. Crowley, Ph.D., and Charles A. Coltman, Jr., M.D. (2004) Prevalence of Prostate Cancer among Men with a Prostate-Specific Antigen Level ≤4.0 ng per Milliliter. New England Journal of Medicine, 350:2239-2246