Economic Growth and the Living Standards

Introduction Economic growth refers to the process through which improvement in an individual’s standard of living is achieved (Baumol, Litan Schramm 2007, 34). During the 20th century, most of the developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Japan experienced a rapid improvement in the citizen’s living standards.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Economic Growth and the Living Standards specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This arose from the high rate of economic growth as a result of the high rate of industrial revolution and technological progress. For example, industrial revolution led into an increment in the level of productivity and labor efficiency. On the other hand, technological innovation led improvement in other economic sectors such as communication, transport and other utilities such as medical services. According to Mercurio (2007, 437), economic gr owth has resulted into numerous advantages, conveniences and improvements in individual’s daily lives. Despite these benefits, further economic growth is unnecessary. This arises from the fact that there are a number of costs associated with economic growth (Yemstov 2007, 1). The resultant effect is that economic growth can be counterproductive. According to Clarke and Islam (2004, 35), economic growth should not be considered as a Pareto activity. This is due to the fact that there are costs and benefits involved. Some of these costs relate to increased pollution, rise in inflation, depletion of scarce natural resources, widening in the gap between the poor and the rich. Aim The aim of this report is to illustrate how economic growth contributes towards improvement in the individuals living standards. However, the report argues that currently the level of living standards is so high and therefore further economic growth is unnecessary and can be counterproductive hence outli ving its usefulness. Scope The report evaluates the various ways through which economic growth results into improvement in individuals’ living standards. In addition, the report also evaluates the various ways in which economic growth can be counterproductive. Some of the counterproductive aspects evaluated relate effect of economic growth on natural resources. In addition, the report also evaluates how property development is negatively affecting individuals’ living standards. Finally, a conclusion of the entire report is given.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Analysis Economic growth and living standards Economic growth can be determined by measuring the rate of output for every factor input. Economic growth leads into an increase in the level of productivity. This arises from the fact that the level of employment is increased through creation of jobs in dif ferent economic sectors. This means that accessibility to income which is a key component in improving individuals’ living standard is enhanced (Madsen 2010, 263). As a result, economic growth leads into reduction in the level of poverty within an economy.  Creation of jobs increases the consumers’ disposable income and hence their purchasing power. The resultant effect is that the rate of consumption is increased which is a sign of increased living standards. Additionally, economic growth leads into a reduction in the rate of crime within the society. Economic growth can also lead into improvement in the ability of government to offer public services such as education, health and security. This arises from an increment in the level of government revenue as a result of increased revenue collection for example in form of corporate and income tax (McKerchar Evans 2009, 23). Costs associated with economic growth Despite the fact that economic growth contributes towards improvement of the living standards, a high rate of economic growth can be counterproductive. This means that there are a number of demerits associated with economic growth. Effect on the natural environment Economic growth arises from organization of the available resources in the natural environment a valuable way. For example, availability of natural resources makes it possible for firms in a certain industry to undertake different industrial processes which contribute towards a countries economic growth. This means that natural resources available in the environment act as a catalyst towards attainment of economic growth. There are different natural resources that a firm can exploit in an effort to stimulate a country’s economic growth. Some examples of these resources include the forest, crude oil and mineral deposits. Considering the fact that these resources occur naturally, they are scarce and have diminishing characteristic. This means that they are not renewable. Th is presents a risk to firms which depend on these resources in their operation.  Currently most economic sectors depend on natural environment as their core source of energy. For example, the main source of energy for production purposes is petroleum or fossil fuel. By utilizing these energy sources, firms are able to improve the living standards of the citizens.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Economic Growth and the Living Standards specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source (Alam 2006 34).  Overdependence on fossil fuel such as on petroleum has led into an increase in the rate of climate change. This arises from the fact that carbon dioxide is one of the gases which is emitted in the process of these gas combusting. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. The high rate of global warming being experienced in most economies is one of t he reasons why most regions are experiencing climate change.  If the rate of global warming is not controlled, there is a high probability that other economic sectors which have led to the high living standards in most economies will be negatively affected. For example, some of the economic sectors which can be affected by increased global warming include the agriculture sector. For example, increased global warming may lead into a reduction the amount of rainfall thus affecting agricultural production (Brueckner 2011, 1). Another way in which the environment may be affected relates to increase in the level of pollution. The high rate of pollution indicates that the need to improve the living standard through exploitation of the natural resources can lead into negative environmental impact. The resultant effect is an increase in the price of food commodities (Riley 2006, 127). However, climate change as a result of global warming varies across countries due to existence of diversi ty with regard to needs and priorities. Despite this, climate change has a negative effect is in the living standards of citizens.  Additionally, over dependence on fossil fuels such as petroleum and diesel by firms to undertake their production may result into price shocks. For example, countries which do not have their own fossil fuel deposits have to depend on other countries. Considering the dynamic nature of the international business environment for example as a result of changes in geo-political environment, the price of petroleum fuel may be increased. Currently Middle East countries which are major export of petroleum are experiencing political crisis. This may affect their ability to export petroleum to other countries. This may lead into an increment in the cost of production hence the price of commodities (Barro 2000, 1). The resultant effect will be a decline in the living standards.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In an effort to deal with the rising fuel price so as improve the living standards of their citizens, most economies are considering alternative sources of energy (Chong 2009, 2). Some of the common sources of energy being considered are nuclear energy and gasified coal. However, in the event of a disaster hitting nuclear plants such as the recent Tsunami in Japan which caused leakage in the country’s nuclear plants, the individuals’ health may be affected by nuclear emissions. Such emissions may also affect the environment. Another illustration of how disasters may affect individuals’ living standards is the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. The leakage affected a number of economic activities in the Gulf of Mexico such as the fishing industry and wildlife hence their living standards. Increase in the degree of inequality Economic growth tends to increase the inequality (Smith 1999, 95). This is mainly so in the underdeveloped econom ies whereby there is a large gap between the rich and the poor. A study conducted by Adams (2004, 1) revealed that development is associated with a decline in average income especially amongst the poor. This means that economic growth can lead into an increase in poverty level. According to Kuznets hypothesis, the relationship between economic growth and inequality can be explained using an inverted U-shaped curve. This is mainly so amongst the developing economies. Initially, a high rate of economic growth leads into an increase in the level of inequality until these economies attain middle-income status. According to Adams (2004, 1), the high rate of economic growth leads into an increase in the countries Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However the associated benefits are not evenly distributed which makes inequality to persist. The resultant effect is that the gap between the rich and the poor to be large (Hoeven Shorrocks 2005, 23). This is mainly common amongst emerging countrie s such as those located in continents such as South America, Africa and Asia (Andersen and Dalgaard 2011, 3). Property development Over the past decade, the property industry has experienced a significant growth. This has arisen from the fact that a large number of individuals are considering the real estate as a viable investment vehicle. Most investors both local and international are considering the real estate industry as a less volatile sector to invest. The high rate of property development in most economies has led to an improvement in the living standard of citizens. This arises from the fact that most the government is able to increase its revenue through tax levied to property owners.  The tax collected from the property industry can be used to provide other social amenities thus improving the living standards of the citizens. This illustrates that the property industry is a key contribute towards a country’s economic growth and hence the living standards. However , the high rate at which the real estates are being constructed is an issue of concern. For example, if the buildings are not constructed, maintained and used properly, there is a high probability of them experiencing a high rate of depreciation and deterioration. The need to invest in property may affect a country’s food production. This arises from the fact that most of the agricultural land is devoted for property development. Additionally, some of the forest areas may be cleared to give way for construction of houses. This may increase the rate of deforestation and hence desertification. The resultant effect is that the natural resources such as water catchment areas will be negatively affected thus negatively affecting the individual’s living standards.  The high rate of property development has led into emergence of towns and cities. However, some of the urban centers are not regulated which makes them to sprawl haphazardly. Lack of planning is affecting the en vironment. For example, some of the urban centers are contributing to environmental pollution due to lack of effective designing. For example, emerging town centers and cities may not have adequate sewerage systems and waste disposal facilities. The resultant effect is that they increase the rate of environmental pollution. Conclusion Economic growth is one of the macroeconomic objectives which most countries pursue. One of the core objectives of pursuing economic growth is to improve the living standards of the citizens. There are various ways through which individuals living standards can be improved. However, in order to achieve this, there are a number of factors which have contributed towards attainment of economic growth in most economies. Some of these factors include technological advancement and stimulating investment in different economic sectors. The resultant effect has been creation of jobs hence providing a source of income for most individuals. Having a source of inco me is one of the ways through which an individual’s living standard can be improved. Creation of employment contributes towards minimization of social problems such as crime which is in most cases necessitated by poverty (Tesfatsion Judd 2006, 1613). Additionally, the high rate of economic growth in most countries is contribution into governments’ effectiveness in providing various utilities which improve individuals’ living standards. Some of these utilities relate to hospitals, schools, electricity and water. This is due to the fact that the government is able to collect a substantial amount of revenue in terms of tax revenue.  Despite the contribution of economic growth towards improvement of individuals’ living standards, there are negative effects of economic growth. For example, increased economic growth can result into externalities which may affect the natural environment. One of the ways through which this may occur is increase in the rate of environmental pollution. For example, increased utilization of petroleum energy may lead into an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere hence causing global warming. The high rate of global warming is one of the major contributors of the current climate change. Additionally, a high rate of economic growth can lead into a decline in the individuals’ living standards by negatively affecting natural resources such as agricultural land. For example, the high rate at which investors are venturing into the property industry presents a challenge to individuals’ living standards. For example, the environment can be adversely affected through encroachment. This means that agricultural land will be reduced significantly. The resultant effect is that there will be a shortage of food products leading into an increase in price of commodities.  Emergence of urban centers which are not well designed can result into rise in the rate of pollution. For ex ample, there will be a high rate of petroleum consumption which means that global warming will be high. In order to safeguard against economic the growth being counterproductive, it is important for the parties involved in implementing policies aimed at improving the living standard through economic growth to consider the possibility of counter productive effects. With proper wise management of resources and technology, sustainable development is possible and economic growth is not counterproductive or has not outlived its usefulness but an opportunity. Economic growth provides a banquet of opportunities for companies, people and government, to coexist and to find equilibrium between sustainability and growth. Reference List Adams, Richard. 2004. Economic growth, inequality and poverty: estimating the growth  elasticity of poverty. World Development Journal. Vol. 22, issue 12, pp. 1989-2014. London: Oxford. Alam, Shahid. 2006. Bringing energy back into the economy: examining econo mic  growth with energy. Journal of Alternative Energy. Vol. 3, issue 6, p.34. New York: New York University. Andersen, Thomas and Dalgaard, Carl. 2011. Flows of people, ideas and inequality of  nations. Journal of Economic Growth. Vol. 16, issue 1, pp. 1-32. London: Springer. Barro, Robert. 2000. Inflation and economic growth. NBER Working Paper. No. w5632.  New York: Harvard University. Baumol, William, Litan, Robert and Schramm, Jude. 2007. Good capitalism, bad  capitalism and the economics of growth and prosperity. Journal of Entrepreneurial Studies. Vol. 23, issue 4, pp.34-35. New York: New York University. Brueckner, Martin. 2011. The business with the environment. A (different) reader.  Melbourne: Cengage Publishers. Chong, Alberto. 2009. Volatility and firm growth. Journal of Economic Growth. Vol. 14,  issue 1, pp. 1-25. London: Elsevier. Clarke, Matthew and Islam, Sardar. 2004. Economic growth and social welfare:  operationalising normative social choice theor y. Boston: Elsevier. Hoeven, Rolph and Shorrocks, Eliud. 2005. Growth, inequality and poverty: prospects  for pro-poor economic development; a study. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Madsen, Jakob. 2010. Four centuries of British economic growth: the roles of  technology and population. Journal of Economic Growth. Vol. 15, issue 4, pp. 263-290. Prentice Hall: Sydney. McKerchar, Magrate and Evans, Chris. 2009. Sustaining growth in developing  economies through improved taxpayer compliance: challenges for policy makers and revenue authorities. UNSW Law Research Paper No. 2009-17. South Wales: University of South Wales. Mercurio, Bryan. 2007. Growth and development: economic and legal conditions.  University of New South Wales Law Journal. Vol. 30, issue 2, pp. 437-476. South Wales: University of South Wales. Smith, Harlan. 1999. Understanding economics. Armonk, N.Y: M.E Sharpe. Tesfatsion, Leigh and Judd, Kenneth. 2006. Handbook of computational economics.  Amsterdam, Oxford : Elsevier. Riley, Goeff. 2006. AQA AS economics module 1 and 2 digital textbook. New York:  Tutor2U Limited. Yemtsov, Ruslan. 2007. Living standards and economic vulnerability in turkey. Working  Paper Series. New York: World Bank. This report on Economic Growth and the Living Standards was written and submitted by user Aubrianna Mccarthy to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Herrold essays

Herrold essays Herrold was the first person to broadcast radio entertainment to people on a regular basis. He was considered a broadcasting pioneer. In 1921 Herrold received a license as KQW. In 1949 KQW became KCBS in San Francisco Charles Herrold was born in 1875 in the Midwest. He was raised in San Jose and he went to Stanford University. He later moved to San Francisco and set up an electrical manufacturing company, but unfortunately the big earthquake hit in 1906 and everything was destroyed. He went to Stockton and taught at a technical college. He later returned to San Jose and he started the Herrold College of Wireless and Engineering. Herrold was very interested in inventing a radiotelephone system. He wanted to make something that would make him very well-known, and very rich. His inventions were not very original scientifically, built they did allow him to broadcast. He received six U.S. patents for this system that he and his students were using to broadcast. It is documented that Herrold was the first to have a radio broadcast station. This happened in 1910. There is a notarized statement made by Herrold that was published in the Electro-importing Company catalogue. It stated We have given wi reless phone concerts to amateur wireless men throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Herrold was very serious and organized about his job. He always had his equipment ready and everything he was going to say before they went on the air. The people listening would wait for it. In 1921 a historian for RCA was trying to say that there is no way that Herrold could be considered the first broadcaster because people who were ordinary citizens could not by radios until KDKA and therefore men like Herrold and de Forest were not really broadcasters because their audiences were amateurs, not citizens. However, Herrold is considered the first to broadcast to an audience on a regular basis. Herrold ended up dying ...

The use of surveying in mapping features within the physical Landscape Essay

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Open Veins of Latin America Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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Motor Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motor Industry - Essay Example The government is trying to reduce people's reliance on cars and get them to use the public transport network, which may well be good news for buses. Unfortunately they appear to be using the stick and stick approach to getting people out of their cars. Consumer confidence in the new car market is currently in a downturn. This is due to a number of factors. Firstly, rising interest rates mean that the cost of car ownership is increasing (due to the increasing cost of loans needed to pay for owning me a new car). Also the rise in interest rates means that there is less income available for spending on a new car. There is also a lot of consumer uncertainty in the costs of fuel. Taxation is also playing a part; taxation rules now view company cars as a benefit to the employee rather than its necessity of doing the job. And as such taxation rules regarding them are tightening sharply it is no longer much of a benefit to have a company car - although they can be considered a status symbol. A higher proportion of households now have more than one vehicle and this has led to a number of interesting effects. There are a growing number of women in the workplace, and as such or ownership amongst women is going up. In addition as households have more than one vehicle, those vehicles are becoming differentiated. ... A household may well a people carrier or large vehicle for family use and a smaller or sportier car for personal use. T - Technological - How new and emerging technology affects our business There are two main technological challenges to the modern motor industry. Firstly there is a change to the way people buy cars. Due to the internet people are able to research their choices more thoroughly. For example, J.D Power and Associates studied nearly 30,000 car buyers in 2002 to discover that more than half the buyers look at the internet before making a buying decision about a car. Additionally nearly 90% of car buyers visit the car manufacturer's website to get a better idea about the look and feel of the car. Therefore, the use of technology in this area is an essential requirement for car manufactures of today (Baki et. al., 2004). And secondly a quotation from the introduction to the Automotive Electronics show: "What sort of car will you be driving in ten years time The most significant difference will be the use of electronics to make cars safer, smarter, less polluting and more enjoyable to drive. Tomorrow's road vehicles will have significant in-car processing power to lighten the driver workload and will be able to communicate with the road infrastructure receiving advance warning of congestion or other hazards. The possibilities appear endless and limited only by our imagination. The two major drivers will be to reduce road accidents and pollution as car ownership rises in the decades to come." L - Legal - How local, national and world legislation affects us The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders did a survey in 2006. Nearly 90% of respondents said that legislation had

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study Research

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study Research Introduction This work is to present the case study as a research approach, showing that its characterization is not an easy task, due mainly to its many different approaches and applications. It highlights its increasing importance as a research tool, exploring its origins, meanings and delineation as an investigation methodology. In order to demonstrate its application, it indicates its most common advantages and constraints, stressing the important role played by the researcher, who must be careful about generalizations, striving constantly for scientific rigor in the treatment of the subject. The case study method is considered a kind of qualitative analysis (GOODE, 1962) and has been considered, according to Yin (1994, p. 10): the weaker brother of the methods of Social Sciences. But despite the weaknesses and limitations, the case study has had widely use not only in social research, but also as a modality research, with applications in many other areas or in disciplines that has a strong orientation to legal practice and administration, besides being used for the preparation of theses and dissertations. The main objective of this work is to present the case study method as a research approach and to consider issues relevant for the conduct using this method, analyzing its advantages and disadvantages that should be considered in light of the kinds of problems and questions to be answered. Case study can accomplish many of the same goals as other methods. For example, the case study can be exploratory (create new knowledge), constructive (solve some problem), or confirmatory (test a hypothesis with empirical evidence). The case study can also use either a primary (the researcher collects the data) or secondary (the researcher uses someone elses data) approach. In the view of Yin, à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"the case study represents an empirical research that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, and includes a method comprehensive, with the logic of planning, gathering and data analysis.à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ã‚  Can include both single case studies as multiple, as well as quantitative approaches and qualitative research. (Yin 1994 p.23), help us, he says, to understand and distinguish the case study method to other research strategies such as the historical method and in-depth interview, the experimental method and survey. The method often is presented as being more appropriate for exploratory research and particularly useful for hypothesis generation and this may have contributed to complicate the understanding of what the study method cases, how it is designed and conducted. (Yin, 1994) According to different authors, the case study has originated in medical research and psychological research, with analysis in detail of an individual case that explains the dynamics and pathology of a given disease. With this procedure it is assumed that one can acquire knowledge of the phenomenon studied from intense exploration of a single case. Besides the medical and psychological, it became a major methods of qualitative research in human and social sciences. Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Study Research Cast in a narrative format, descriptive case studies can make complex science and technology projects accessible and interesting to a non-scientist audience. The potential scope of the case study format is flexible and broad, ranging from brief descriptive summaries to long, detailed accounts. Using a storytelling approach, the evaluator may present the genesis of ideas, explore what happened and why, give an account of the human side of a project, explain goals, explore project dynamics, investigate particular phenomenon, and present outcomes in their complexity without being subject to the confines inherent in most other evaluation methods. The freedom to collect multiple kinds of information makes the case study method useful for exploring ideas and constructing theories about program or project dynamics. Despite its advantages, the case study method is traditionally considered to have several major limitations as an evaluation tool. Descriptive case studies are qualitative and unreliable. And, whether qualitative or quantitative, case studies typically relate to single projects, or, at best, small clusters of projects, such that their results usually cannot be generalized to the entire portfolio of projects. Noting that distinguished scholars frequently use case study as a method of analysis, Yin, in his landmark book on case studies, asks, If the case study method has serious weaknesses, why do investigators continue to use it? (Yin, 1994) Among the possible explanations Yin considers are that people are not trained in the use of other methods, or, for governmentally sponsored research, that the difficult permission procedures required for surveys and questionnaires have made their use a bureaucratically hazardous affair, leading researchers to the case study method, which is relatively unencumbered by restrictions and requirements. Identifying three types of case studies à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory, Yin argues that the case study method qualifies as a serious research tool. He states, In general, case studies are the preferred strategy when how or why questions are being posed, when the investigator has little control over events, and when the focus is on a contemporary phenomenon within some real-life context. (Yin 1994 p.1) One of the biggest disadvantages to using the case study method has to do with external vs. internal validity. Using the case study method, the researcher often does not have control over certain variables and events and, therefore, cannot control them as the researcher could in a lab experiment Consequently, the researcher using the case study method must be content that his/her findings may only be applicable to similar cases. What the case study gains in internal validity, it loses in external validity. Construct validity is especially problematic in case study research. It has been a source of criticism because of potential investigator subjectivity. Yin proposed three remedies to counteract this: using multiple sources of evidence, establishing a chain of evidence, and having a draft case study report reviewed by key informants. Internal validity is a concern only in causal (explanatory) cases. This is usually a problem of inferences in case studies, and can be dealt with using pattern-matching, which has been described above. (Yin 1994) External validity deals with knowing whether the results are generalizable beyond the immediate case. Some of the criticism against case studies in this area relate to single-case studies. However, that criticism is directed at the statistical and not the analytical generalization that is the basis of case studies. Reliability is achieved in many ways in a case study. One of the most important methods is the development of the case study protocol. The secondary data is data previously gathered and recorded by other researchers. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using secondary data for research purposes. One of the most important advantages is the fact that a research can be built on previous research using required experience and knowledge. Moreover, secondary data are usually much cheaper than primary data and very often is freely provided. In addition to this, the collection of secondary data can be extremely rapid due to high-tech information accessibility and other media. However, the disadvantages of secondary data are equally very important and it must be gathered and used carefully. In most cases such data have been taken during past research with a specific target and this may not link with other research. Therefore, the circumstances under which secondary data have been created should be examined in detail; otherwise it has no value at all for further research (Zikmund, 2003). When a researcher uses this kind of data he/she should be aware of the time period these data refer to. Another disadvantage of secondary data is that researchers sometimes give different definitions for the same problem making the estimation of the final research result confusing. In addition, there can be many other difficulties when using secondary data. The researcher has to know extensive details about the process which has produced the data, such as the samples that have been used and whether the process has taken all the necessary into account. In many cases, adequate information is very difficult to be found or even impossible (Zikmund, 2003). Quantitative data also has advantages and disadvantages. A major advantage is that it is numerous and it is easily understood. Furthermore, the results are subjective. This means that if it is a result of a large sample, this result can be generally applied and it is scientific. Another great advantage is that quantitative data is considered as reliable. This means that if a researcher repeats research following the same process, he will find the same results. A major disadvantage of this kind of data is that they are narrow. In other words, it represents a reality without providing any explanation for the result. In a way, it gives picture of the symptoms and not the real problem. Qualitative data also has advantages and disadvantages. A major advantage is that produces more in-depth, comprehensive information. It emphasizes the importance of looking at variables in the natural setting in which they are found. Use subjective information and participant observation to describe the context, of natural setting, of the variables under consideration, as well as the interaction of different variables in context. A major disadvantage of this type of data is that the very subjectivity of the inquiry leads to difficulties in establishing the reliability and validity of the approaches and information. It is very difficult to prevent or detect researcher induced bias. Its scope is limited due to the in-depth, comprehensive data gathering approaches required. In conclusion this work presents some discussion of case study in terms of its advantages and disadvantages. Case studies are considered valuable in research as they enable researchers to examine data at depth analysis. As an alternative to quantitative or qualitative research, case studies can be a practical solution when a large sample population is difficult to gain. Although case studies have various advantages, in that they present data of real-life situations and they provide better understandings into the detailed behaviours of the topics of interest. The case study method, like all research methods, is more appropriate for some situations than others. When deciding to use this method of research, an investigator should keep in mind the dangers and criticisms that are usually made to the method in question and must take precautions and care necessary to avoid them or minimize their consequences. Nevertheless, the Case Study Method offers significant opportunities for the researcher; it may facilitate the study of many cases that wanted to be investigated. This method, as well as qualitative methods is useful when the phenomenon being studied is large and complex, where the body of knowledge is insufficient to support the proposition of causal questions, and where the phenomenon cannot be studied outside the context where it naturally occurs. The researcher must use the designated data gathering tools systematically and properly in collecting the evidence and need to define its object study, the type of research focus, control that the investigator has over actual issues, and the focus on contemporary phenomenon rather than historical and, from there, build a research process, limiting the universe to be studied. Throughout the design phase, researchers must ensure that the study is well constructed to ensure construct validity, internal validity, external validity, and reliability. A common point among several authors (GOODE, 1962 and Yin, 1994) is a recommendation for great care when the design phase, researchers must ensure that the study is well constructed to ensure construct validity, internal validity, external validity, and reliability. Like all research has advantages and limitations of its application, and deserves the care needed when the search for generalizations. Case study method has always been criticised for its lack of rigour and the tendency for a researcher to have a biased interpretation of the data. But despite the criticisms, weaknesses and limitations, the case study has had widely used in all areas. However, its importance is undeniable as an instrument research and the study should be located in academic discussion. External validity reflects whether or not findings are generalizable beyond the immediate case or cases; the more variations in places, people, and procedures a case study can withstand and still yield the same findings, the more external validity. Techniques such as cross-case examination and within-case examination along with literature review help ensure external validity. Reliability refers to the stability, accuracy, and precision of measurement. Exemplary case study design ensures that the procedures used are well documented and can be repeated with the same results over and over again.

Makioka Sisters & Pedro Paramo :: Free Essay Writer

Makioka Sisters & Pedro Paramo Though the two books, The Makioka Sisters and Pedro Paramo appear to be a part of two entirely separate worlds, some connections can be seen throughout the works. Junichiro Tanizaki uses The Makioka Sisters to tell the tale of four beautiful sisters who’s lives are encompassed by a world of tradition and propriety. While at the same time Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Paramo is exploring these same ideas of obligation and in the best term, formalities. This is the key to these two works, formalities. Each culture and time is experiencing pressures and obligations due to the characters’ belief in observing formalities and traditions. Both books open to a dilemma that plagues the characters and can be tied back to the observation of formalities. The Makioka family is desperately seeking a husband for the third sister, Yukiko. Sachiko explains â€Å"In†¦hopes of finding Yukiko a worthy husband, they had refused the proposals that in earlier years had showered upon them. Not one seemed quite what they wanted† (9). This prestigious Osaka family presumes that they must adhere to every formality to its highest degree in order to uphold their reputation and honor. A suitor has yet to meet what they believe must be their standards. The head of the family, Tatsuo has been displeased with the men that have sought Yukiko’s hand, he believes that the â€Å"old and once-important family† cannot afford to take in a man who might humble or disgrace â€Å"the dignity of the Makioka name† (8). The family is weaving itself into a web of pain and humiliation through their insistence to comply with t he precedence of exalting and sheltering the Makioka name at any cost, even that of love and happiness. Juan Preciado is also being thrust into a dilemma when he makes attempts to follow through with empty civilities. Rulfo opens this story with Preciado traveling to the small, desolate village of Comala. After the death of Preciado’s mother, he decides to uphold the promise he made to her by visiting his estranged father, Pedro Paramo, whom he never knew. Preciado admits, â€Å"I didn’t intend to keep my promise. But then I began to think about what she told me, until I couldn’t stop thinking and even dreaming about it, and building a whole world around that Pedro Paramo. That’s why I came to Comala† (1). Preciado is brought to this insufferable village because of an empty promise that he made to his dying mother.

Should Mobile Phones Be Allowed in Schools

Children should be allowed to use their mobile phones in class because they can serve as ‘learning aids', a study claims today. Academics are calling on schools to rethink bans on phone handsets after trials suggested that functions such as calculators, stopwatches and email can be ‘educational'. However, the call is certain to infuriate many teachers and parents, who will be concerned that pupils will be unable to resist the temptation to put the devices to less productive uses, such as cyber-bullying or cheating in tests.During a nine-month experiment involving classes aged 14 to 16, pupils either used their own mobiles in lessons or the new generation of ‘ smartphones' which allow internet connection. They were used to create short films, set homework reminders, record a teacher reading a poem and time experiments with the phones' stopwatches. The smartphones also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system, or transfer electronic files between school and home.The study by researchers at Nottingham University involved 331 pupils in schools in Cambridgeshire, West Berkshire and Nottingham. ‘At the start of the study, even pupils were often surprised at the thought that mobile phones could be used for learning,' Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young will tell the annual conference of the British Educational Research Association in Edinburgh later today. ‘After their hands-on experience, almost all pupils said they had enjoyed the project and felt more motivated. One teacher told researchers that students like mobiles and they know how to use them. ‘Using this technology gives them more freedom to express themselves without needing to be constantly supervised,' the teacher said. However, the report admits that some teachers think greater use of mobile phones in schools could prove problematic. Increased temptation to steal phones belonging to the school was one worry. ‘I thought, well, four of the se smartphones†¦ Should Mobile Phones Be Allowed in Schools Mobile phones are extremely helpful after school when you’re travelling home. Your parent/ guardian can contact you regarding family matters and also after school if you have to walk your parent can phone you to make sure you’re secure. Likewise Mobile phones also provide safety and protection in times of need. If for example you are in danger of some sort you can phone someone quickly and inconspicuously. In addition if the child goes missing the police can track the mobile and parents can check in on the Childs location.Also mobiles can help if there is an emergency; your parents can phone you direct instead of phoning the office which would take longer. This would be more effective because your parent can tell you exactly what’s going on instead of having a message passed to you. If for example your Gran was ill in hospital your mum or dad etc. could phone or text you updates through out the day. Mobiles also brings families together –They don’t seem to have much time to spend together anymore due to overtime and after-school activities, having the ability to communicate with any one of your family member helps bringing families together.Similarly if you forget something important like homework or your lunch you can contact your parent /guardian and they can drop it off. This would help when you have an important essay, for example, due but you forgot it at home. This would help make sure that all your homework is on time and would help teachers when they have to mark homework. Likewise if you are unwell in school, you can phone your parent to let them know. This would be helpful because your parent would be able to pick you up or can tell you what to do.Moreover mobile phones could save money because they could be used as calculators and can be used to record/ write notes. This would save a lot of money on paper which would make the school more eco friendly and money could be used on other equipment instead of just calcula tors which can be found on all phones, although teachers would have to supervise and trust pupils not to stray from the task. Another benefit would be that pupils can record important dates in their phone to help with important deadlines and exams.A final reason is that mobiles could be used for a wide range of educational purposes, including creating short movies, setting homework reminders, recording a teacher reading a poem and timing science experiments. Mobiles which can connect to the internet, also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system, or transfer electronic files between school and home. Experts have claimed that using a mobile gains children’s confidence because the technology is familiar to them.

Dave essays

Dave essays Imagine standing on a stage, overlooking 70 tiered rows in what is possibly the most beautiful amphitheater in the world. As Dave Matthews and his fellow band mates walk on stage, the crowd cheers wildly. You are at Red Rocks and the scene is set for the Dave Matthews Band. Red Rocks Amphitheater is located in Morrison, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver. It provides seating for 9600, and has some of the best acoustics found anywhere on Earth. Since 1941 it has been home to many concerts and performers and is the perfect backdrop for a live performance. Recorded on August 15, 1995, "Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95" was created at the height of the bands musical talent and at the bottom step of their climb to fame. It was shows like this that left fans mesmerized by the funky, jazz-infused riffs that the band played. It is this kind of energetic and intimate live music that keeps the fans coming back. The members of the Dave Matthews Band (or DMB for short) are each very unique, especially i n the instruments that they play. This is what makes the band and its music really work. Dave Matthews provides lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Boyd Tinsley plays the violin, Stefan Lessard is on bass guitar, Leroi Moore blows the woodwinds, and Carter Beauford plays the drums. Matthews is a very talented musician. He provides very unique singing styles and an abstract, awkward ability to play the guitar. Tinsley plays the violin like no other. It is odd to find a band with a violin, but his talent forces it to work. Lessard, who joined the band when he was only 16, provides funky bass lines that fill in the empty spots. Leroi Moore plays flute, saxophone, and clarinet which mixed with modern instruments, create an odd combination of sounds, finally Carter Beauford, known for his excellent improvisational skills and perfect fill-ins, lights up the drums with a talent that few have. These five musicians joined together on the night of August 15,...

Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Essay Example

Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Essay Example Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Essay Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Essay Fatty Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Its often from a sense of discontent, feelings of incompleteness, or even a twinge of true unhappiness that the seeds of great accomplishment are sown After studying the case of Jerry Sanders emerging as one of the greatest entrepreneurs of his times, one can easily figure out what It takes to go through all the up and downs and be an extraordinary one. From the skills of negotiation, decision making and risk taking to self-confidence, selflessness and contentment, we can see how efficiently he has utilized them over time. In my opinion each one of the above mentioned qualities are very much important for someone to get the best out of something but in case of Jerry Sanders it was The discontentment that he had and that made him so deferent and sophisticated that he never stopped taking risks and making decisions. He has been listened many times saying the fight sentient over. Discontentment or dissatisfaction is what keeps you going on setting a goal, achieve it and move on to the next one, bigger and better. Jerry Sanders had some excellent capabilities, some of which were innate expressed in his personality and some of them were developed through a course of time, Like It has been mentioned that sometimes you have to adopt new attributes and then act as a chameleon to be able to adjust In a new environment. Even though he got what he wanted but still there was a constant urge of doing something better. Referring to case study we can see that he spent some of his time with the Shaw Group to help hem achieve a milestone. Though they had quite a profitable business but it was Jerry who wanted to take all those lessons that he learnt there and make his next move not in the same field but in another one. He also took help from his skills like making connections and expanding his social circle to add more people in his life that would channel him to a better spot. His meeting with Simulative is one of the examples.

Sicily Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sicily - Research Paper Example While being a highly-developed cultural nation, Sicily represents an agricultural type of economy. It specializes mainly on exporting orange and lemon. Moreover, the beautiful orchards of Sicily attract many tourists mainly to the rural regions. There are also places of great historical interest such as Necropolis of Pantalica and Valley of the Temples. Excavations keep going on the island bringing out new evidence from history. The Sicilian people are honored to be citizens of the islands, though they identify themselves as Italians but not Sicilians. â€Å"Despite the existence of major cities such as Palermo, Catania, Messina and Syracuse, popular stereotypes of Sicilians commonly allude to ruralism, for example the coppola is one of the main symbols of Sicilian identity; it is derived from the flat cap of rural Northern England, which arrived in 1800, when Bourbon king Ferdinant I had fled to Sicily and was protected by the British Navy†. (Spadi 2001) The majority of Sicilians have two native languages Italian and Sicilian. Despite the relative balance between these two languages, Italian has the dominant position - it is even taught at Universities and in schools as the language of mass media. Sicilian is mainly used by youth in every-day life. Speaking about religion it is necessary to point out that Roman Catholicism is widely spread on Sicily. The church weddings are even more popular than civil ceremonies and people usually visit church at least once a week. Jewish people, who appeared on Sicily 1,400 years ago, possess the second place in religion. The third place belongs to Islamic faith since many Arabs came to Sicily in the 19th century. And the minorities are represented by Eastern Orthodoxy, Evangelist Church and Sikhism. When it comes to national cuisine it should be mentioned that this island is called ‘God’s kitchen’. The reason for this is the abundant amount of wines, pizzas and other meals that originated on Sicily and have

Technology Assessment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Technology Assessment - Research Paper Example To align IT or IM with the organizational strategy in a health care is would call for determining the objectives of the management and to set the objectives of the technological system to move ahead in that direction. In any health care unit, generally the task for organizing the required technology of the unit is kept under the Chief Information Officer (CIO). This person is given the responsibility to develop a complete understanding of the different clinical information systems, its regulatory and the reporting requirements as well as the usage of this information in the strategic planning process and decision support. The CIO must attend all meetings and must have close associations with the fellow clinicians, the accountants, and complete staff unit and most importantly with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the concerned health care organization. The CIO needs to understand the management structure in the organization in a proper way which has to be better than any other emp loyee as because he would be held responsible for the concerned designs, its implementation and the sustainability of IM/IT systems. As has been found in many reports both the clinicians and the end users usually want more as well as faster information. This has clearly become the most challenging and pressing need for the modern health care technology. A few years back the average life span of an individual used to be around 45 years of age. As time passed by and greater improvements were made in technology, especially in IT, there has been many improvements in improving the quality of health care. As said by Mr. Thomas Goetz, the executive editor of Wired and the author of the new book, â€Å"The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine† (Lohr, 2010) the potential revolution witnessed in public health would be because of improvements in digital