Working Memory?

Write-Up The field of memory provides excellent opportunity for research, drawing theoretical models and implementing them to check their validity. Working memory, in psychology, is a memory system that holds information to perform various verbal and non-verbal (even physical) tasks. It is very important from the viewpoint of processing information and enacting it in day-to-day life. Though a simple three stage model for memory (Encoding, storage and retrieval) was proposed initially, experts like Baddeley proposed that working memory is much beyond these three phases and memory functions of short-term memory and long-term memory are very complex in comparison to what initial chunking of memory into theoretical aspects initially suggest (Becker & Morris, 1999). He introduced a novel approach to depict working memory as a not as three-part system that temporarily holds information as people perform cognitive tasks but a perennial work-desk on which information is manipulated and assembled to help us comprehend decide, and in problem-solving (Baddeley, 1996, 2003). According to Baddeley’s view of working memory, we can pictorially imagine a managerial executive (Central executive memory) with two helpers (Phonological loop & Visuo-spatial working loop) (Hamilton, Coates & Hefferman, 2010; DeRenzi & Nischell, 1975). This theory and its fractionization have neuropsychological evidence, experimental evidence and developmental evidence. A study states that left posterior hemisphere of the brain is actively involved in working memory. Other studies show that even right posterior is actively involved but in working memory but non-visual aspects. It might be involved in spatial aspects. Despite the heavy argument, involvement of different brain regions in working memory (Phonological and visuo spatial) establishes a base for neuro-psychological evidence (Vallar & Baddeley, 1984; Hamilton, Coates Hefferman, 2010). Laboratory based experiments show how visual short-term memory task is strongly disrupted by visual as opposed to spatial interference, and also spatial memory task was simultaneously more strongly disrupted by spatial interference. This double dissociation supports the theoretically proposed fractionation of working memory (Klauer & Zhao, 2004). Developmental evidence suggests that visual subcomponent of the visuo-spatial sketchpad is distinct from the spatial subcomponent as seen in children aged 5-6, 8-9 and 11-12 (Logie & Pearson, 1997). Thus, arising from strongly evidenced studies, Logie presents a distinct model of two separate systems (Visual and Spatial) (DeRenzi & Nischell, 1975). The visual storage aspect stores information about form and colour whereas spatial control takes care of aspects pertaining to locomotion, limb movements and also rehearsal of information (or series of information in visual cache) (Logie & Pearson, 1997). The proposed study explores the topic of fractionalisation of memory in lines with the above mentioned strong theoretical and research based evidence. However, the trajectory of interest is along the lines of research done by Logie and Pearson (1997) in developmental field. This study examines the visual and spatial development in children and adults. There may be many limitations pertaining to use of methodology. The visual recall of design and Corsi blocks are two distinct materials, not only in terms of format but also in terms of material to be recalled. Thus comparison of two unequal factors may raise questions about the validity and outcomes of the studies. Logie and Pearson’s study focussed solely on children of different age groups, but since it is purported to measure visual and spatial aspects of working memory under a developmental pathway, this study will use children and adults are subjects (Logie & Pearson, 1997; Klauer & Zhao, 2004). Other arguments against the reliability and objectivity of studies in this area have been in terms of usage of participants and individual, genetic, ethnic and anthropologic differences within the patterns of development. It is not possible to outline a single or a group of factors that predict the pathway of development. Our research hypothesis is designed to measure two questions. The first part of the hypothesis seeks to inquire whether according to the fractionation; the visual and spatial systems should develop at different speeds in humans. In accordance to the first part of the hypothesis, the second part inquires whether the developmental trajectory for visual system is shallower than spatial system. MethodParticipantsThe study has 139 participants in all comprising of 65 (46.8%) children and 74 (53.2%) adults. Among these participants are 56 (40.3%) males and 83 (59.7%) are females. The mean age for boys is 15.65 years and that for girls is 18.5 years.MaterialsTwo basic materials (tests) have been utilised viz: Visual recall of designs and Corsi Blocks. The recall of design is a paper-pencil task that requires the experimenter to show a particular design on paper to participants for 5 seconds and the participant recalls it by drawing it on paper (Logie & Pearson, 1997). The Corsi test presents a blue board with nine wooden cubes. The experimenter taps out a sequence of blocks (in increasing order after each successful completion) and the participant taps out the blocks in exactly the same sequence (Fischer, 2001).DesignThe variables design in a classroom based experimental condition testing factors between subjects (Adults, Children) and within subjects (Males, females) performance of Recall of design and Corsi. The visual and spatial working memory development are the Independent variables whereas the developmental trajectory is the dependent variable. Procedure In a classroom settings, both children and adult group were individually given tasks performance on Visual recall of design and Corsi block task. The scores of recall of design and corsi test were done during task administration itself. Calculated scores for each individual in the adult and the children group are put up before conducting statistical analysis. Statistical analysis Statistical analyses used can be divided into Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. SPSS 19.0 was used for data analyses. Graphs, Histograms and Comparitive bar charts along with mean and median related data falls into descriptive statistics category. We have also conducted two unrelated t-tests; one to compare children’s recall of design with adults and the other one to compare children’s Corsi scores with that of adults. The mean score of children on visual memory is 14.17.(Mean=11.02, sd=1.727) and that of adults is 14.42 (Mean= 17.45, sd=2.765). The mean score of children on spatial memory is 11.02 (Mean=14.17,sd=2.275) and that for adults is 17.45 (Mean= 14.42, sd=2.196). The above table clearly shows that with respect to the spatial component there is a statistically significant difference between the adult mean and children’s mean (p=0.000) which is well below the 0.05 threshold. In fact from the above table it can be seen that the adult mean score is 17.45 whilst that of the children is 11.02 meaning that on average the adults scored about 6.4 more than the children. The above table clearly shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the adult mean and children’s mean on spatial component (p=0.000) which is well below the 0.05 threshold which is very highly significant The above table clearly shows that in terms of the visual component there is no statistically significant difference between adult mean and children’s mean (p>0.5) which exceeds the 0.05 threshold. It depicts how the mean difference between adults and children in relation to the visual component is very small resulting in no statistically significant difference in mean scores. Since there is high significance between the children and adult’s spatial component but no statistical significance between children and adult’s visual component, we can say that there might be a different trajectory in children and adult’s development patterns. It doesn’t however completely fulfil the hypothesis. Discussion The findings do not support the hypothesis in all earnest. There is no correlation between children and adult scores on visual component but there is a very significant relationship between children and adult scores on spatial component. It may be said that the difference has emerged because of the previously raised issue of different methods. Since, Corsi and Recall of design are two distinct tasks, it can be argued that their performance cannot be correlated. However, since the spatial component shows good correlation, it signifies that the trajectory may be well defined and that it develops more easily. However, not much light is thrown on why the results have come up the way they have. Further research may be interested in using Multiple regression to predict the possible factors that may have caused a high correlation in spatial scores and if there are any common factors in children and adults, they might as well be highlighted. However, like previous studies, this study support s the Logie -Pearson model as well as justifies the fractionation approach given by Baddeley. Memory is much beyond its’ structural and functional aspects. Though initial divisions on memory and development of theories have described functions and its’ aspects at a superficial level, this research has gone in depth to investigate difference in developmental trajectories. Since, it is a part of developmental aspect, it has many possibilities of further research (Baddeley, 2003; Logie & Pearson, 1997). References Baddeley A (2003) Working memory: looking back and looking forward, nature reviews Neuroscience, 4, 829-839 Baddeley, A (1996) The fractionation of working memory, Proceedings of national academy of sciences, 93(24), 13468-13472 Becker, J.T & Morris, R.G (1999) Working memory, Brain and cognition, 41, 1-8 DeRenzi, E & Nischell, P (1975) Verbal and non-verbal short term memory impairment following hemispheric damage, Cortex, 11, 341-353 Field, A (2007) Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (Ed:3 ), Sage Publications: London (United Kingdom) Fischer, M (2001), Probing Spatial working memory with Corsi blocks task, Brain and cognition, 45(2), 143-154 Hamilton, C; Coates, R & Hefferman, T (2010) What develops in a visuo-spatial working memory developmentEuropean journal of cognitive psychology Klauer, K.C & Zhao, Z (2004) Double dissociations in visual and spatial short term memory, Journal of experimental psychology, 133 (3), 355-381 Logie, R.H & Pearson, D.G (1997) The inner eye and the inner scribe of visuo-spatial working memory: Evidence from Developmental fractionation, European Journal of cognitive psychology, 9(3), 241-257 Vallar, G & Baddeley, A (1984) Fractionation of working memory: Neuropsychological evidence for short term store, Journal of verbal learning and verbal behaviour, 23(2), 151-161

Corporate Finance

1. Which one of the following is a means by which shareholders can replace company management? A. stock options B. promotion C. Sarbanes-Oxley Act D. agency play E. proxy fight 2. Decisions made by financial managers should primarily focus on increasing which one of the following? A. size of the firm B. growth rate of the firm C. gross profit per unit produced D. market value per share of outstanding stock E. total sales 3. Which one of the following is the financial statement that shows the accounting value of a firm's equity as of a particular date? A. income statement B. creditor's statement C. balance sheet D. statement of cash flows E. dividend statement4. Which one of the following is the financial statement that summarizes a firm's revenue and expenses over a period of time? A. income statement B. balance sheet C. statement of cash flows D. tax reconciliation statement E. market value report5. The percentage of the next dollar you earn that must be paid in taxes is referred to as the _____ tax rate. A. mean B. residual C. total D. average E. marginal EDCAE6. The cash flow of a firm which is available for distribution to the firm's creditors and stockholders is called the: A. perating cash flow. B. net capital spending. C. net working capital. D. cash flow from assets. E. cash flow to stockholders.7. Canine Supply has sales of $2,200, total assets of $1,400, and a debt-equity ratio of 0. 3. Its return on equity is 15 percent. What is the net income? A. $138. 16 B. $141. 41 C. $152. 09 D. $156. 67 E. $161. 548. Beach Wear has current liabilities of $350,000, a quick ratio of 1. 65, inventory turnover of 3. 2, and a current ratio of 2. 9. What is the cost of goods sold? A. $980,000 B. $1,060,000 C. $1,200,000 D. $1,400,000 E. 1,560,0009. The sustainable growth rate of a firm is best described as the: A. minimum growth rate achievable assuming a 100 percent retention ratio. B. minimum growth rate achievable if the firm maintains a constant equity multiplier. C. maximum growth rate achievable excluding external financing of any kind. D. maximum growth rate achievable excluding any external equity financing while maintaining a constant debt-equity ratio. E. maximum growth rate achievable with unlimited debt financing.10. The internal growth rate of a firm is best described as the: A. inimum growth rate achievable assuming a 100 percent retention ratio. B. minimum growth rate a chievable if the firm maintains a constant equity multiplier. C. maximum growth rate achievable excluding external financing of any kind. D. maximum growth rate achievable excluding any external equity financing while maintaining a constant debt-equity ratio. E. maximum growth rate achievable with unlimited debt financing. DEDDC11. What is the present value of $1,100 per year, at a discount rate of 10 percent if the first payment is received 6 years from now and the last payment is received 28 years from now? A. $6,067. 36 B. $6,138. 87 C. $6,333. 33 D. $6,420. 12 E. $6,511. 0812. The current yield is defined as the annual interest on a bond divided by which one of the following? A. coupon B. face value C. market price D. call price E. dirty price13. Currently, the bond market requires a return of 11. 6 percent on the 10-year bonds issued by Winston Industries. The 11. 6 percent is referred to as which one of the following? A. coupon rate B. face rate C. call rate D. yield to maturi ty E. interest rate14. Big Falls Tours just paid a dividend of $1. 55 per share.The dividends are expected to grow at 30 percent for the next 8 years and then level off to a 7 percent growth rate indefinitely. What is the price of this stock today given a required return of 15 percent? A. $67. 54 B. $69. 90 C. $72. 47 D. $77. 67 E. $78. 1915. Hardwoods, Inc. is a mature manufacturing firm. The company just paid a $10 dividend, but management expects to reduce the payout by 9 percent each year, indefinitely. How much are you willing to pay today per share to buy this stock if you require a 15 percent rate of return? A. $34. 79 B. $37. 92 C. $38. 27 D. $41. 33 E. $42. 09 ACDDB Corporate Finance Consider a project to produce solar water heaters. It requires a $10 million investment and offers a level after-tax cash flow of $1. 75 million per year for 10 years. The opportunity cost of capital is 12 percent, which reflects the project's business risk. Suppose the project is financed with $5 million of debt and $5 million of equity. The interest rate is 8 percent and the marginal tax rate is 35 percent. The debt will be paid off in equal annual installments over the project's 10-year life. A) Calculate APV.APV = NPV + PV of debt tax shield NPV = PV of cash flows – initial investment Initial Investment 10,000,000 Cash flows 1,750,000 Period 10 years Discounting rate12% PV of cash flows 9,887,890 using the PV function NPV (112,110) We now calculate the PV of debt tax shield Year Debt Outstanding at Start of Year InterestInterest Tax ShieldsPresent Value of Tax Shields 1 5,000,000 400,000 140,000 129,630 2 4,500,000 360,000 126,000 108,025 3 4,000,000 320,000 112,000 88,909 4 3,500,000 280,000 98,000 72,033 3,000,000 240,000 84,000 57,169 6 2,500,000 200,000 70,000 44,112 7 2,000,000 160,000 56,000 32,675 8 1,500,000 120,000 42,000 22,691 9 1,000,000 80,000 28,000 14,007 10 500,000 40,000 14,000 6,485 Total 2,200,000 770,000 575,736 NPV (112,110) PV of debt tax shield 575,736 APV 463,626 B) How does APV change if the firm incurs issue costs of $400,000 to raise the $5 million of required equity? With flotation cost , APV = NPV + PV of debt tax shield – flotation cost Flotation cost 400,000 APV 63,626 Corporate Finance There is nothing like optimum capital structure for a firm. The Optimal Capital structure is that Capital Structure at which the weighted Average cost of capital (Ko) is Minimum. It is that combination of Equity and Debt at which the total cost of capital is mini-mum. Trade-off theory argues that there's an optimal amount of debt of each firm. At this level of debt, firms can take the most advantage of debts. Debts can be tax shield so that they can save money for firms to reinvest in other projects so as to earn more profits.However, debts can be quite dangerous because highly leveraged firms may face bankruptcy and financial distress costs (no matter they're direct or indirect) may increase the cost of debt of the company. Therefore, there must be a level of debt that make the benefits of debt and potential danger of debt offset each other. In another word, the marginal revenue of debt equals the marginal cost of debt. But remember, the real cases are not as easy as we put here.Whe n a firm procures funds from investors or owners, there will be an explicit or implicit promise to pay return to them. The return is paid in terms of interest which is compulsory paid to all investors and owners, but the return paid to owners in the form of dividends is optional. The dividend decision by any firm, like the investment and financing decisions is also taken for maximization of market price of the share.The term dividend refers to that the portion of profit (after tax) which is distributed among own-ers/shareholders of the firm and the profit which is not distributed is called as retained earnings Dividend Payout Ratio is determined by the dividend policy adopted by the company, and it is im-plemented to decide about the percentage of profits to be distributed by the firm to its own-ers/shareholders. Dividend is always depends on the total profit that a firm acquired after taxes. There are a few factors that affect the Dividend policy of a company.They are Liquidity , G rowth Plans and Control Dividend Payout Ratio is also called as DP Ratio which is a mathematical value as DP Ratio = Dividend paid to the Shareholders / Net Profit after tax. Capital Structural Theories Capital structural theories are designed with a concept of valuation of the firm; it is the earnings of the firm and the investments made by the firm. Capital Structural Theories also used to find the dividend pay-out for its owners/shareholders. Cost of the capital, investment and return on investment (ROI) are a part of dividend policy.The relationship between leverage cost of capital and the value of the firm can be analysed in different ways. Factors determining Capital Structure are minimization of risk, control, flexibility and the profitability of the firm. A firm's capital structure is a combination of the firm's liabilities (debts) and the assets (equity and profits). For Example: A firm with 100 billion as capital structure has 40 billion from equity (shareholders and owner s) and the 60 million as debt (Loans and Funding), then the firm is said to be 40% – equity fi-nanced and 60% – debt financed. . Traditional Theories Net Operating Income (NOI) approach is just an opposite of NI approach. According to the NOI ap-proach, the market value of the firm depends upon the net operating income or profit and the overall cost of capital. NOI approach is based on the argument that the market values the firm as a whole for a given risk complexion. Thus, for a given value of the firm remain the same irrespective of the capital composition and instead on the overall cost of capital.Mathematically Net Operating Income (NOI) is Value of the Firm = Earnings before Tax / Cost of Equity Capital Net Operating Income approach says that an increase in debt proportion of the capital source will always result in increase of the equity proportion of the firm. Modigliani-Miller Model Modigliani-Miller model which was presented in the year of 1958 on the relatio nship of leverage, cost of capital and the value of the firm. This is widely used capital structure method to analyze the value of the firm.They have shown that the financial leverage doesn't matter and the cost of capital and the value of the firm are independent of the capital structure. Modigliani-Miller methods show that there is nothing which may be called as Optimal Capital Structure – to get high valuation of the firm. Modigliani-Miller model is based on following assumptions: 1. The capital markets are perfect and complete information is available to all the investors free of cost. The implication of this assumption is that investors can borrow and lend funds at the same rate and can move quickly from one security to another, 2.Securities are infinitely divisible; Investors are rational and well informed about the risk-return of all the securities. Modigliani-Miller model says that the total value of the firm is equal to the capitalized value of the operating earnings of the firm. The capitalization is to be made at a rate appropriate to the risk class of the firm. Growth Plans, are involved in capital structural theories in which a certain amount will be allocated for the growth plans. A finance manager should draw a plan according for the dividend policy.For Example: The firm has $10 million as equity capital and $6 million as debt capital and the firm made a profit (after tax) of $2 million, and the fund allocated to the growth plan was $1 million. For suppose there are 10,000 shareholders in the company and as per capital structural theories some amount will be allocated for the liquidity that is five hundred thousand and the remaining amount should be distributed as Dividends. In this case each shareholder or the owner will receive $50 as dividend.Capital structural theories say that if a firm is in profit and it is looking to expand the business, the profit can be rolled over to the investment option. In this case there will be no dividend s or bonuses issued to the shareholders or the owners. For Example: Low-payout consequences, which is done when the cash gets accumulated the finan-cial manager may be tempted to take on more projects that do don't meet the minimum rate of return investments. If a firm has $1 million as operating income with 1000 shareholders and firms adopts to take new projects with the profit.Then this may cause unrelated relationship balances between the share-holders and the management of the firm. Optimal Capital Structure: Even though Modigliani-Miller Model says that there is nothing like Opti-mal Capital Structure, but the non-traditional methods say that a firm can attain profits only by im-plementing Optimal Capital Structure. Some firms adopt this capital structure to minimize the risk, flexibility on the investments and the profitability.The finance manager should be able to identify that optimal point (profit point) for the firm precisely, but not to attempt to track the optimal range for the capital structure. Optimal Capital Structure differs from different firms, Existing Firm and a New Firm. For Example: Existing Firm may require additional capital funds for meeting the requirements of growth, expansion, and diversification or even for working capital management. The decision for a particular source of funds is to be taken in the totality of capital structure, i. e. n the light of the re-sultant capital structure after the proposed issue of capital or debt. The Capital Structure of the new firm is designed in the initial stages of the firm and the financial manager has to take care if many considerations, the present capital structure be designed in the light of a future target capital structure. Future plans, growth and diversifications strategies should be considered and factored in the analysis, so optimal capital structure greatly influences the divi-dend policy of any firm, depending upon there capital structure.Broadly speaking the dividend policy can b e determined by two basic analyses required to find the valuation of the proposed capital structure of the firm, i. e. one from the point of view of profitability and another from view of liquidity. Capital structure will always determine the profits of the firm and the development of the firm. Equity and Debt capital are well managed by the capital structure of the firm. A well designed capital structure will have a very good impact on the dividend policy of the company.

Work place communication

Communication is essential for effective functioning in every part of an organisation. From marketing, production, finance, personnel, and maintenance, all departments may receive direction from corporate goals and objectives, but communication links them together and facilitates organisational success. The importance of effective communication from team leaders cannot be overemphasised for one specific reason: everything a team leader does, involves communicating.Communication is needed to increase efficiency, satisfy customers, and improve quality. Effective communication is so important for organisational success that not only team leaders, but also the employees must be effective communicators. One role of a team leader is to help employees improve their communication skills. When all members of a team, department, or organisation are able to communicate effectively with each other and with people outside their group, they are much more likely to perform well. The successful team leader, therefore, needs effective communication skills.Communication is the activity of conveying information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient. However, the receiver needs not to be present or be aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus, communication can occur across vast distances in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender.Feedback is critical for effective communication between parties. Communication can be defined as the exchange of opinion, ideas, information, facts, feelings, and values between two or more persons sender and receiver's) with the help of some channels to accomplish the desired purpose. The sender creates a message either in the written or in verbal or nonverbal form. The message is dispatched to the receiver with the help of channels of communication. The receiver takes the delivery of the message and provides feedback to the sender.The sender gets the feedback and determines whether the receiver has received the same message and meaning that the sender had intended to communicate with him; if the sender feels that the receiver has not received the same message and meaning, he/she again initiates the cycle of communication. THE CYCLE OF COMMUNICATION Elements ot Communication 1 . Sender 2. Message 3. Channel of communication 4. Receiver 5. Feedback 1 . Sender: The sender is the person who initiates the process of communication.Whenever the sender feels that there is a need to communicate some information to the other person (receiver), he/she starts the process of communication. The sender must be aware of the purpose of the communication and the receiver's abilities to understand the message in terms of language, interest, etc. 2. Message: The message is created by the sender to convey the inf ormation, facts or opinion to the receiver. The message should be clear and simple so that the receiver can understand it in the same way as the sender desires.While creating a message, the sender should take care of words, language, and meaning of the message if the message is to be communicated in verbal or written form or he/she should take care of body language and facial expression if the message is to be communicated in nonverbal form, along with the abilities and professional competencies of the receiver. 3. Channels of communication: Communication channels are the medium through which the message is communicated to the receiver. Channels of communication play an important role in the process of communication.If the sender selects an appropriate medium or channel of communication, there are more chances that the receiver will receive the same message; or else, there are chances that the message may get distorted. In this hi-tech era, there are a number of channels that can be used to communicate message, e. g. , mobile, e-mail, voice mail, person, radio, TV, Internet, blogs, etc. 4. Receiver: The receiver is the person who receives the message. The receiver may be a single person or a group of persons. The receiver understands the eaning of the message and provides feedback to the sender.The receiver should have the same language ability, comprehension, and cultural background as the sender. If not, it may lead to distorted understanding of the meaning of the message by the receiver. 5. Feedback: It is the most crucial element of communication. It is provided by the receiver to the sender. Receiving feedback is important for the sender to know that the receiver has received the message and interpreted the meaning of the message in the desired way. Without feedback, the process of communication cannot be complete.For example, when you send a mobile SMS to our friend, you get feedback in the form of delivery report that informs you whether your message ha s been delivered or not to the intended receiver; it also happens in the same way the case of e-mail. BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION Communication plays a major role in developing a relationship. It can also a relationship among family members or management in any institute. More specifically, communication influences the effectiveness of instruction, performance evaluation, and the handling of discipline problems.Communication should be straightforward. What can make it complex, difficult, and frustrating are the barriers. Some barriers of communication are the following. Physiological barriers to communication are related with the limitations of the human body and the human mind (memory, attention, and perception). Physiological barriers may result from individuals' personal discomfort, caused by ill-health, poor eye sight, or hearing difficulties. Poor listening skills, listening to others is considered a difficult task. The solution is to be an active rather than passive listener.A l istener's premature frown, shaking of the head, or bored look can easily convince the other person/speaker that here is no reason to elaborate or try again to communicate. Information overload, it is essential to control the flow of the information, else the information is likely to be misinterpreted or forgotten or overlooked. As a result, communication may get distorted. Inattention, at times we Just do not listen but only hear. For example, your manager is immersed in his/her very important paper work and you are explaining to him/her about an urgent problem.In this situation, due to the inattention, the manager will not listen to you (he/she will only hear you); hence, he/she may not get hat you are saying and it may lead to disappointment. Emotions, the emotional state of a person at a particular point of time affects his/her communication with others as it has an impact on the body language (nonverbal communication). If the receiver feels that the sender is angry (emotional st ate), he/she can easily infer that the information being obtained will be very poor.Poor retention, the human memory cannot function beyond a limit. People cannot always retain all the facts/information about what is being told to them especially if he/she is not interested or not attentive. This leads to communication breakdown. Physical and environmental distractions, physical distractions are the physical things that get in the way of communication. Examples of such things include the telephone, an uncomfortable meeting place, and noise. These physical distractions are common in the warehouse setting.If the telephone rings, the usual human tendency will be to answer it even if the caller is interrupting a very important or even delicate conversation. Distractions such as background noise, poor lighting, uncomfortable sitting, unhygienic room, or an environment that is too hot or cold can affect people's morale and concentration, hich in turn interfere with effective communication . Psychological barriers, psychological factors such as misperception, filtering, distrust, unhappy emotions and people's state of mind can Jeopardize the process of communication.We all tend to feel happier and more receptive to information when the sun shines. Similarly, if someone has personal problems such as worries and stress about a chronic illness, it may impinge his/her communication with others. Social barriers, social barriers to communication include conformity, a process in which the norms, values, and behaviours of an individual begin to follow those of the wider group. Social factors such as age, gender, and marital status may act as a barrier to communication in certain situations.Cultural barriers, cultural barriers to communication often arise when individuals in one social group have developed different norms, values, or behaviours to individuals associated witn another group. Cultural ditterence leads to difference in interest, knowledge, value, and tradition. Th erefore, people of different cultures will experience these culture factors as a barrier to communicate with each other. Semantic barriers, language, Jargon, slang, etc. , are some of the semantic arriers. Different languages across different regions represent a national barrier to communication.The Use of Jargon and slang also act as barrier to communication. Past Experience, if someone has awful experiences in the past related to some particular situation, then he/she will try to avoid communication in that situation. Organisational Barriers, unclear planning, structure, information overload, and timing, technology, and status difference are the organisational factors that may act as barriers to communication. Technological failure, message not delivered due to technical failure (e. g. receiver was not in mobile network area and the sender has not activated delivery report in message setting).Time pressures, often, in an organisation the targets have to be achieved within a specif ied time period, the failure of which may have adverse consequences for the employee. In a haste to meet deadlines, usually an employee tries to shorten the formal channels of communication that can lead to confusion and misunderstanding among the various levels of supervisors, hence leading distorted communication. Therefore, sufficient time should be given for effective communication. Complexity in the organisational tructure, the greater the hierarchy in an organisation (i. . , the more the number of managerial levels), the more chances of communication getting destroyed. Only the people at the top level can see the overall picture while the people at low level Just have knowledge about their own area and a little knowledge about other areas of the organisation. Unclear messages, effective communication starts with a clear message. Unclear messages in terms of meaning, grammar, and words may act as a barrier to communication because the receiver may not be able to understand the actual meaning of the message.Lack of feedback, feedback is the mirror of communication. Feedback mirrors what the sender has sent. Without feedback, communication cannot be considered complete. Both the sender and the receiver can play an active role in using feedback to make communication truly two-way. Methods of overcoming barriers of communication, overcoming the communication barriers will be different in different situations depending upon the type of barriers present. The following are some of the important general strategies that will be commonly useful in all the situations to overcome the barriers of communication.Taking the receiver more seriously Crystal clear message Delivering messages skilfully Focusing on the receiver Using multiple channels to communicate instead of relying on one channel Ensuring appropriate feedback Be aware of your own state of mind/emotions/attitude Effective communication techniques are useful to make the communication efficient and meaningful . There are several techniques of effective communication, which can be used. For example, maintaining eye-to-eye contact with the team is essential for ettective communication.Listening actively means to be attentive to what the other erson is saying verbally and nonverbally. Active listening is an effective communication skill. 1 . Stand squarely facing the other team; establish eye-to-eye contact. 2. Keep the posture open. 3. Be relaxed. Using silence during communication process can carry a variety of meanings. The impact from every conversation you have comes from your nonverbal cues. These include eye contact, your posture, and the gestures you make.The nonverbal cues indicate what you think, even if your words say something else entirely. Some people don't like to be touched, and invasion to their personal space is one nonverbal cue ou can easily avoid. Nonverbal cues are Just as important as any other communication technique you're trying to master. The tone of your voice, f or example, if you say that mfou'll be happy to sacrifice this opportunity for someone,† but you're yelling when you say it, the team will clearly notice that you're actually not happy to do it.Be consistent verbally and nonverbally inconsistency in verbal and nonverbal communication by the sender may lead to confusion and misunderstanding of the message. Ask open-ended questions open-ended questions encourage the team to communicate more, whereas, close-ended questions iscourage the team from communicating. Use Language Understood by the team. Accurate, accessible and detailed recording is not only essential it is a vital tool for ensuring accuracy of information, clarity of goals and accountability. Of course, it can achieve none of these aims if it is never read, and so in the first place it must be legible.It is a team leader's responsibility to ensure that, they record conversations, accurately, and that they retain the information available. Electronic copies of any form of communication i. e. emails can be copied saved and stored either into a eparate folder on your computer, or onto a USB storage device, or external hard drive alternately you should ensure that all emails are archived for future reference. Methods of Verbal Communication Face to face informal communication Underused in these days of email, but invaluable for getting the message behind the words.Body language can tell you a lot about what a person really thinks regardless of whether they are agreeing with you verbally or not. Quite often we will email someone who only sits in the next room – or even at the other side of the same room, ‘because an email is recorded'. There is nothing to stop a record of a face to face meeting being created. Meetings Many meetings are badly planned and managed, this is one of the main disadvantages of meetings as no formal records or minutes are kept or recorded. Formal Briefings Useful to reach a mass audience.Beware though if what you have to say is controversial or bad news for some of the audience then you will face a lot of resentment and create resistance, where staff feel unable to challenge you or to ask questions because there are so many people present. Verbal Communication has the following advantages: Saving of Time The greatest advantages of verbal communication is saving of time. Under this system of communication the messages are communicated immediately without consuming any time. Verbal communication is the only way out when a message is important and when immediate action is necessary.Saving of Money As there is no tormal met nod ot communicating the message, no help ot any particular media this type of communication saves a lot of money. More Effective As the message is direct between the Senders of message and the receiver of message the messages prove to be more effective. The sender of the message can also exercise his personal influence over the receiver of message. Clear Doubts Verbal commu nication is also better as it removes any doubts regarding the message, between the sender and the receiver of message.Any doubts can immediately be cleared and the receiver of the message can immediately get the explanations regarding the message. Increase in Productivity and Efficiency Verbal communication is more effective. It increases the productivity and efficiency of workers because they clearly understand it and follow it. Verbal communication has the following disadvantages: Lack of Proof of Message The greatest disadvantage of verbal communication is that there is no proof of the message being communicated.Not Suitable for Future Reference As there is nothing in writing supporting the message communicated under this method, it is not suitable for future reference. If there is any dispute at any point with the message. Not Suitable in Case of Distance if the receiver and the sender of the message are living at a distance from each other, this method of communication is not suitable because it will increase the cost of communication, it ill not be effective because of lack of personal touch and it may not be clear and explanatory.Many times, when people think of the word communication, they think of an exchange of information and ideas through words. However, verbal communication is just one small part of communication. There are many different methods of communication. Written You can't avoid written communication in the workplace; it's everywhere. Emails, memos, reports, and other written documents are all part of everyday business life. Written communication is the most appropriate when detailed instructions are equired, when something needs to be documented, or when the person is too far away to easily speak with over the phone or in person.Email is a lifesaver for many people, especially in the business world. If you rely on emails and memos to conduct your business, it's very important to portray a professional image. Don't use abbreviations unle ss they pertain to your field, and always use spell check and read over your email before you send it to make sure it's clear and concise. Emails should be brief and to the point. Non-verbal communication plays a large role in the way you communicate with thers. Unless you're using sign language, however, you probably dont want to rely on it as your sole means of communication.You do, however, need to be aware of it. Your gestures, eye contact and movement, and the way you stand and sit all convey a message to the person you are communicating with. Use gestures appropriately, or leave your hands at your sides. Don't fidget, which is distracting, and avoid crossing your arms, which sends off the appearance of being angry or closed off. Always look the person you are speaking to in the eye, and don't roll your eyes or stare while they talk. Email Effective where supported by the organisation, and where sent by the right person.Emails that look as though they are selling something or t hat come from people the recipient has never heard of, are at high risk of being deleted without being read as they will be seen as potential spam. Newsletters Newsletter can be good for general awareness, but will normally only be well read if the newsletter is usually interesting and colourful. Notices/signs/posters Effective for messages or promotion of single issues although notice boards are not always the best place to put a notice that you want read. Signs need to be displayed where they can be easily seen but there is still no guarantee that they will be read.Blogs Blogs are a good way of keeping people up-to-date, again, providing that there is a good reason for people to visit and read you blog these can also be limited to people with only a passing interest. The importance of keeping oral records Any oral communication where a decision or commitment is made, and that is not otherwise documented, needs to be captured and placed in your recordkeeping system. For example: A meeting or conference call where a decision is made, if formal eeting minutes or notes are not taken. A voice mail message committing to take action.A telephone call responding to a member of staff. The issuing of verbal warnings. What types of communications are included? Face-to-face meetings Telephone calls Voice mail messages (including telephone or computer) What is the best way to capture conversations that are records? Write a memo in your diary. Be sure to include: Date and time of the communication Type of communication (e. g. , voice mail, telephone call) Participants Subject Details on any decisions or commitments What kind of electronic communications might be a record?Any electronic communication where a decision or commitment is made, and that is not otherwise documented, needs to be captured and placed in your recordkeeping system. For example: E mails. A voice mail message committing to take action. All other forms of on line communication. E mails Any on line corres pondence What is the best way to capture conversations that are records? Save to a file on your computer, or onto a USB drive, or external hard drive be sure to include: Date and time of the communication Type of communication

Vincent van Goghs Starry Night Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Vincent van Goghs Starry Night - Essay Example When analyzing iconography, the viewer defines the components of a work of art when considering its implications to the society. The ancient artists used art to interpret their ideologies and beliefs to the society. This study would help the viewer to highlight the main components of the art piece of visual image, and interpret it in a language that is easily understandable in the common society’s context. The renaissance artists applied variable techniques in their works to communicate to the society and gain recognition within the pieces that they had created. An artist of the post-impressionism period was Vincent Van Gogh. Bold use of color and vibrant brush strokes characterized his pieces to create magnificent artworks that applied the emotion involved in their completion. The painting was created when he had been confined due to insanity and is believed to depict the images that he viewed from his room. The painting is characterized with a cloudy night filled with swirly clouds that appear to be created using bold brush strokes. The stars and moon are distinctively placed to complement the entire atmosphere. The painting gives a feeling of close interaction with the heavens and leads an individual to assume a religious ambience. The application of the strokes in a swirling motion lead the viewer to a motion state where the scenery is not constant. Through applying the swirling lines and believed to be using the paints directly from the tube. Van gogh’s painting is told to have been completed during his confinement in the asylum. The paining suggests that he had completed its composition applying tremendous energy, and wild imagination to distort the figures to satisfy his ambition to generate an expressive art form. Below the swirling cloud, ar e hills that appear distorted with a village below in the painting. The mood of the towns depicts a serene atmosphere with the integration of fresh and dull colors to contrast the bright sky. The contrast depicts the mood created in the development of these elements and suggests that Vincent had cherished the calm moments. The image of the town obeys the principles of perspective with the buildings further into the picture presenting bright colors with fewer details. He tries not to involve the application of black color and combines a darker shade of blue to create the shadows. There is a distinct image within the center of the structure as a steeple emanates from what is seen as a church. This has been articulated in the faith that he might have possessed in the supernatural. Perhaps, he had been desperate and looked for an alternative to solving the unresolved mystery that he had sought in his lifetime. It is positioned to provide a pillar within the entire composition and hold t he pieces in place at the center of the town. The most dominant feature in the painting is a, tall dark, structure that in most principles of an artwork should be made more detailed as compared to the entire piece. However, one notices that the element had involved the application of dull colors to inhibit the details, but the use of the strong strokes suggested a distinct style that van gogh had been identified. The structure is not defined properly hence a conclusion to its nature is difficult in the composition. However, it extends to the sky and appears to have been amongst the finishing touches applied on the painting. His application of white and yellow strokes within the sky created a chaotic mood within his style and immediately attracted the viewer to the sky. The stars and the moon stand out in the midst of the dull colored sky creating a high tonal value in the sky. The color is applied carefully to determine his emotions with the violent strokes creating a disturbance in the peaceful atmosphere that the blue color is applied for. His expertise to

Labour Economics, Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Labour Economics, - Essay Example Discussion and Analysis Theoretical Models of Economics of Education The most frequently used model for the assessment of education economics is the schooling model. The model perceives education as a form of investment by which the people who are taking the services get themselves trained with certain skills that in future help them to work and earn wages. For example, workers who had not taken specialised training for making pins would not be able to deliver the products and earn money. On the other hand, the person who has technical training would be able to work for some organisation that would add to his living. Hence it is extremely essential to acquire skills. In the same way, both of a high school pass-out and a graduate would be able to earn money, but the former would have less specialised education and thus would always earn less than the graduate unless he upgrades himself with the necessary education. Thus the return out of higher education is definitely positive and it adds value to the earning capacity of a person in the later stages of life. The second most popular theory regarding the economics of education is the signalling model. This theory states that when a person completes his education it signals for the labour market that he is capable of doing work efficiently and therefore the person can be employed. It determined the employability of the person. The Marxist approach to education is somewhat different from the approaches discussed above. According to Marx, skill development and education were two different phenomena. The capitalist society would encourage the development of skills so that more and more workers get specialised skills and help to increase in the total productivity. This would only benefit the capitalists by increasing their profits. Instead Marx emphasises on education and states that proper education would liberate the individual from the exploitation of the bourgeois and would make the economy a socialist one (Carneir o and Heckman, 2003, p. 4). The following graph describes the relationship between the age of a person and the return on investment. The opportunity cost of funds is constant over the entire period of time. It must also be noted that there is a trade of between the time that a person engages himself for education and the time that is spent for earning some income. In the figure we find that the marginal rate of return on investment decreases over the life of the person. At the preschool level the return is the highest it is the lowest at the post school level where the curve becomes asymmetric. Hence if the person is engaged more in higher education, then he has to bear a lot of opportunity cost because the time that the person spends in educating himself could have been used for earning a livelihood. Instead the person has to bear an expense. Empirical Approaches and Difficulties in Measuring Rate of Return on Education Most of the empirical researches have proved that in all cases of high enrolment in particular countries, the growth rate has increased. Thus a positive correlation is found to exist in the level of education, rates of educated and the growth rate of the economy (Boser, 2011, p. 8). There is also a noticeable corollary along with this. The countries that have shown the least difference in the male and female

Nurse Staffing Issues and Patient Care Quality Essay

Nurse Staffing Issues and Patient Care Quality - Essay Example From the paper it is clear that there are various factors which have contributed to reduced staffing levels in nursing. The nationwide gap between the number of available positions and the registered nurses qualified and willing to fill them is increasing. The needs of today’s higher acuity patients for more care contributes to the staffing crisis. As the research stresses poor remuneration of registered nurses have prompted most of them to practice in the private sector and neglect the public sector which serves majority of people in the population. Patients’ higher acuity calls for skilled nurses who can give them specialized care they need. The number of qualified nurses to give such care is small contributing to the gap. In policy making, there is a misconceived perception that hiring fewer nurses can reduce the costs and increase profitability in the health care sector. However, increasing the nursing staff in a hospital leads to higher quality patient care and hence increased profits. Adequate staffing and balanced workloads are central to achieving good outcomes in nursing. The problems associated with inadequate staffing of nurses include heavy workload leading to burn out and hence poor health care delivery. Adverse events such as nosocomial infections, shock and failure to rescue patients needing intensive care are some of the problems associated with inadequate nurse staffing in hospitals.

Globalization and its Impact on World Politics and National Essay

Globalization and its Impact on World Politics and National Sovereignty of States - Essay Example This paper offers a critical complex analysis of the aspects of the globalization phenomena in different fields of human activities, such as politics, economics, social sphere. In addition, this research paper seeks to measure the impact that the globalization has on the the paradigm on national sovereignty Global interaction has resulted to a marked reduction in political instruments effectiveness available for any government. The transfers of ideologies, cultural intercourse, sharing of commodities, capital and services have led to e border controls becoming less restrictive. There is an argument that globalisation is linked to neo-liberalism as well capitalism, which, seem to have generated a debate on whether the notion encourages wealth or self indulgence. Globalization has a big influence in geopolitics in terms of raising warfare costs through economic integration and other ways. At the same time, it creates new power sources beyond the classic military of tanks, planes and missiles thereby creating a new pressure source on nations to change the normal organization ways. Exchange rate, trade balance, rising investment transnationalization, production, and consumption basically now tend to determine any economic policy. Globalization has transformed the paradigm on national sovereignty by making it hard for the state to capture any historical time by tradition appropriation and national identity construction and reconstruction.

Clinical log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Clinical log - Essay Example Easily perishable stuff such as milk is refrigerated. Every foodstuff is stored in its category for ease of distribution. The shelves in the facility are chronologically arranged with food types stacked in their respective categories.AFAC serves over 1600 families per week categorized as 3500 adults and 1500 children. Food donated is stored here and later redistributed to the intended recipients. AFAC target vulnerable society members like elderly people that live alone and cannot afford food. Jobless people, college students from poor backgrounds, sick people with no working family members also form part of those who benefit from it. The AFAC Young professional is a group of young people between the ages of 21-40 years who raise awareness and food drives to in aid of the facility. AFAC has a management team and a small full time staff. They heavily rely on members of the community who sign up as volunteers. The whole community with schools, firms and churches pitching in to lend their help supports the project. What doing my clinical analysis I interacted with most members of these interested groups, who, form part of the larger community. The management team is drawn from members of these interest groups with gender been a factor. Foodstuff is mostly donated in bulk mostly in big, heavy packaging’s to be redistributed in smaller portions. These bulky packages are moved around the warehouse by the small team of staff aided volunteers. Lack of proper lifting machinery and technology forces the staff and volunteers to manually do this work. This is a constant health risk to the staff and volunteers with potential injuries always lurking. Muscular aches and back pains are the most common complaints from staff and volunteers. Malnutrition especially amongst children is also a potential program since some vital foods are not on provided on regular basis especially fruits and vegetables, which have important

Ground Engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ground Engineering - Essay Example Pile foundations are chosen for the situations where structures transmit huge loads and suitable soil layer capable of supporting these loads are available only at greater depths. The piles are long and slender members capable of transmitting the loads of the structure into the hard soil layer or the rocks successfully even if very poor or soft soils that are considered to be inferior to meet this purpose is present in the upper layers. Based on the load carrying function piles are classified as end bearing pile, friction pile or combination pile that undertakes both the functions appropriately. The friction piles are suitable for the locations where granular soil is present and frictional resistance between the pile and the soil could be utilised in the resistance. While the end bearing piles helps to transmit the entire load a hard stratum through the tip resistance. A sketch of the load action on the end bearing pile and friction pile are shown in the figure 1. The basic structura l components of any pile are pile cap and the body of the pile. And (iii) All piles carry only vertical force. ... Figure 1(a) : End bearing pile Figure 1 (b) : Friction pile (Abebe and Smith, 2005) (Abebe and Smith, 2005) Pile load computation Following assumptions are incorporated in the load estimation on piles (i)All piles are considered as rigid (ii) The pile is pinned at the top and bottom And (iii) All piles carry only vertical force. The different loads that the pile need to carry would be direct loads from the columns and any other imposed loads on the structure. The direct loads from the columns to the pile are already given in the problem. The other loads are the load from the glass facades and the imposed loads. The glass faade load is the load along the edges of the floor and it could be computed by multiplying the unit load of the faade by the distance between the columns. The details of computation is as follows Glass faade load between the columns 1 & 8 Distance between the columns 1 and 8 = 20 metre Unit load of facde between the column 1 and 8 = 35 KN/m The load from the faade is assumed to be transferred equally to both the columns . So the loads are computed as 35 20 / 2 = 350 KN So the columns 1 and 8 would carry load of 350 KN each from the glass facades. Glass faade load between the columns 4 & 5 Distance between the columns 4 and 5 = 20 metre Unit load of facde between the column 4 and 5 = 35 KN/m The load from the faade is assumed to be transferred equally to both the columns . So the loads are computed as 35 20 / 2 = 350 KN So the columns 4 and 5 would carry load of 350 KN each from the glass facades placed between the columns 4 and 5. Glass faade load between the columns 1 and 4 The columns in this span are 1,2,3

Musical Autography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Musical Autography - Essay Example This essay suggests that through music, various important mysteries in the society have been able to be solved. Music has therefore for a long time presented itself as a tool of expression and mediation among different groups of individuals. Music usually expresses who people are and how they feel, thereby bringing them closer and together. Music has been used by the society as a tool of self-expression, since through music, various people have the chance of expressing their joys, fears, secrets etc. It is therefore significant for the researcher to look at how various sons or instrumental pieces relates to political, cultural and religion identities. It is stated that musical autobiography has had an impact to both the cultural, religion and political spheres. The general tastes and preferences of individuals change over time. Personally, my tastes and preferences for music have changed from the â€Å"Asian like† type of music to that of more westernized ones. This has been l argely due to the education that the researcher has acquired abroad which has enabled him to mingle with people from other communities. However, these tastes differ with those of my other family members who still prefer the Asian type of music and they have not been influenced to listen to other genres. In conclusion, the researcher mentiones that music has helped the researcher to construct his identity in various ways, and through music he has been able to interact with people from various geographical locations.

The Suspense and Atmosphere in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay Example for Free

The Suspense and Atmosphere in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Essay According to the New Edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary, Suspense is defined as being the following: Suspense- state of usu. anxious uncertainty or expectation or waiting for information. According to that same dictionary, the definition of Atmosphere is the following: Atmosphere- mental or moral environment esp. artistic or emotional; pervading tone or mood, esp. attractive one; air (in any place), esp. w. ref. to effects on those present. The definition of Setting according to the New Edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary is: Setting- environment The story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is set in Nineteenth Century London. Therefore the setting or environment was a largely Victorian one. This would involve the lack of any motorised vehicles and at night gas lamps would light the streets. London would have had a very defined poverty line, which meant large and noticeable differences between rich and poor. The buildings and streets would be very much in the style as shown below in this picture of Victorian London: The above picture of Tottenham Court Road, in the late nineteenth century, illustrates very well what the average London street would have looked like at the time of the story. It displays images of a busy, bustling thoroughfare with horses and carts sweeping across it, an image typical of the era. In the story, Mr Hydes residence is said to be in Londons Soho. At that time, this particular area of the city had a very bad reputation for prostitutes, criminals and other undesirables. This is a reflection of the way the reader is encouraged to view Mr Hyde, who himself was an undesirable. It is also representative of the attitude towards what was commonly perceived as an underclass. Dr Jekyll on the other hand, was a cultured, professional gentleman, and lived in a respectable part of town. It was therefore frowned upon by polite society when he was found to be associating with a ruffian such as Mr Hyde. It was seen as being a very unusual act for someone of the Doctors social standing, to mix with an individual who lived in Londons Soho. The setting of parts of the story in Soho, the underbelly of Victorian London, with its seedy appearance, attractiveness to criminals and home to the disadvantaged, contributes to the generally uneasy atmosphere pervading the story. For example, on pages four and five, Mr Enfield, a lawyer and friend of Jekylls, is walking down a prosperous market street. It is pleasant and charming, yet just around the corner, the setting changes, and this has an immediate effect on the atmosphere. Two doors from one corner, on the left hand going east, the line was broken by the entry of a court; and just at that point, a certain sinister block of building thrust forward its gable on the street. It was two storeys high; showed no window, nothing but a door on the lower storey and a blind forehead of discoloured wall on the upper; and bore in every feature the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence. The door, which was equipped with neither bell nor knocker, was blistered and distained. Tramps slouched into the recess and struck matches on the panels; children kept shop upon the steps; the schoolboy had tried his knife on the mouldings; and for close on a generation no one had appeared to drive away these random visitors or to repair their ravages. The quote I have chosen, illustrates how the setting in which the author chooses to place the action, can affect the readers interpretation of the mood of the moment. After reading that passage the atmosphere is immediately intimidating, a feeling reinforced by the thrust of the gable of the building. The latter takes on the characteristics of a face, personifying its owner with subtle references to human physiology and disfiguration e.g. a (blind) forehead, scars and blisters as can be found on skin, and the door representing a mouth. The tramps and the children are like parasites which are found on unclean bodies and the lack of windows suggests that not only are passers-by prevented from looking inside, but that the occupant of the building cannot or does not want to see out. These are all strong visual images, deliberately intended by the author, to create an impression in the readers mind. In this way, a setting can be used when a writer wants to influence his audience into thinking about a character, event, or location in a certain way. The weather also plays an important part in the setting of an event. It can be used by the writer to evoke different emotions in the reader: fear, excitement, happiness, unhappiness, suspicion, romance or even relief. These are all essential elements to create suspense or atmosphere within a story or dialogue. A good example of this can be found on page fifty-three: It was a wild, cold, seasonable night of March, with a pale moon, lying on her back as though the wind had tilted her, and a flying wrack of the most diaphanous and lawny texture. The wind made talking difficult and flecked blood into the face. It seemed to have swept the streets unusually bare of passengers. In this case, the weather is a key element of the setting, in particular the wind. The author has used it to emphasise the feeling of being swept brutally along by a powerful force beyond our control. Even the moon itself appears to have tilted and changed its appearance, with the cutting wind inflicting pain on the few pedestrians brave enough to venture abroad. His deliberate use of the word passengers reinforces the feeling for the reader that they too are on a journey travelling into the unknown, where evil and danger lurk. The reader is now filled with foreboding and slight uneasiness due to the unpredictability (like the weather itself) of what might happen next On page fifty-four, there is another good example of how weather can play a large and important part in the setting of a story, helping to develop a particular atmosphere. The square, when they got there, was all full of wind and dust, and the thin trees in the garden were lashing themselves along the railing. The reference to the weather is vital to the image of the scene. Suffocating dust pollutes the air and the railings are cage-like, preventing escape. The thin, malnourished trees give the impression that they are punishing themselves, whilst at the same time seeking refuge against the elements. This is indicative of the physical and psychological condition of Dr. Jekyll himself at this point in the story. A third example of the impact that the weather has on the atmosphere, occurs on pages forty-nine to fifty, when Mr Utterson is on his way to meet Dr Jekyll: The court was very cool and a little damp, and full of premature twilight, although the sky, high up overhead, was still bright with sunset. This reference to the weather symbolises the split personality of Dr Jekyll. The struggle between the light above and the darkness below, represents the conflict between good and evil. This presents a rather disturbing, image reinforcing our assumption that darkness is likely to prevail. The sinister aspect of this being, that darkness is the absence of light, and goodness. All through the story we have the impression that something is not quite right. This is reinforced by way of constant references to the weather. There is always something strange and unsettling about it. This is a recurring theme throughout. The examples above, illustrate how weather as a part of the setting can build up the suspense and atmosphere of a scene, a dialogue or the tensions affecting an individual character. The writer assumes (successfully) that his use of particular imagery and metaphor will induce certain reactions in his readers e.g. red for danger, darkness for impending doom etc. He does this to almost manipulate the reader into thinking about events or people in a way that enables him to build up the atmosphere and suspense within the story. Another example of this can be found on page thirty-two, when Mr Utterson is walking across the streets of Soho: The dismal quarter of Soho seen under the changing glimpses, with its muddy ways, and slatternly passengers, and its lamps, which had never been extinguished or had been kindled afresh to combat this mournful re-invasion of darkness, seemed, in the Lawyers eyes, like a district of some city in a nightmare. The writer cleverly describes the streets of Soho so that the reader immediately feels a sense of disapproval for not only the neglected appearance of the place but also its unkempt inhabitants (including the infamous Mr Hyde). His use of the word mournful to describe nightfall evokes an unpleasant feeling that bad things may happen under the cover of darkness. Not only Mr Utterson experiences the nightmare scenario but the reader too can identify with his need to escape and awake from danger. However, Robert Louis Stevenson does not always use the setting to create an unpleasant atmosphere. For instance on page one hundred and three, when describing a moment of clarity for Dr Jekyll, he uses it to create a somewhat uplifting atmosphere. I was stepping leisurely across the court after breakfast, drinking the chill of the air with pleasure, When using the word chill the writer evokes a feeling of clarity within the reader, a clarity that Dr Jekyll himself is momentarily experiencing. This creates, if but shortly, an atmosphere of hope and some relief. It represents a sort of snap back to reality for the reader as well as Dr Jekyll. Mostly I have discussed how the setting has affected the atmosphere within the story, in order to evoke specific emotions within the reader. Suspense however is an emotion within itself and I will now look at how the setting directly affects the suspense in the story. This can be found at many points within the book, as it is a very exciting and captivating story. On page fifty-six for instance when Poole knocks on the cabinet door to inform Dr Jekyll that Mr Utterson wishes to speak to him. The Author talks about, the red baize of the cabinet door. Red is a classically forbidding colour. It is a psychological message to the reader, implying that whatever or whomever is in there, does not want to be seen or disturbed. Red can also be a colour that is associated with the Devil. Coincidentally, the cabinet (for Dr Jekyll and those that know him) is also associated with evil, as this is the place where he retires to whenever strange things start happening. This all helps to create suspense, and the reader wonders what awful things are behind that door, and what it is hiding? The use of these kinds of allegories build up tension and adds some mystery to the story, thus making the reader want to continue in order to find out what happens. All these elements, the weather, the buildings, the colours and the people, play a vital part in the setting of a scene or event. The examples that I have given, demonstrate that all of these factors can play a role in creating the atmosphere and suspense within a story. Certain word combinations can cause the reader to experience many different emotions. Therefore by using these word combinations, the writer can encourage the reader to think what he or she wants them to think. In this way atmosphere and suspense are intentionally created through the setting, to suit what the writer wants the reader to think. In the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, these methods have proved to be essential to developing the storyline. Therefore I can successfully conclude that the setting in the story of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde contributes to the atmosphere and suspense in a major and very effective way.

A Semiotic Analysis of a Newspaper Story Essay Example for Free

A Semiotic Analysis of a Newspaper Story Essay A logical place to start may be to ask ‘what is news?’ Professor Jonathan Bignell suggests that ‘news is not just facts, but representations produced in language and other signs like photographs.’ The newspaper is just one medium of news communication; other media include television, radio, magazines, and the Internet. We will concentrate on a particular news item as covered in three different British daily newspapers, namely The Sun, The Telegraph, and The Times. The story which is being covered is that of the death of a female police officer who was stabbed by a man whilst she was on duty. The medium of the newspaper is particularly interesting as signifiers are presented simultaneously thus offering a concrete display of signs which the reader can consume at their own pace and can also be re-read, as opposed to television or radio news which can only be watched or listened to at particular times. The process of selection is central to the production of all newspapers. This involves selecting events which are considered to be worthy of being printed as news, and excluding news which is considered to be irrelevant, insignificant or unworthy of news coverage. Thus news is a social construct dependent on what is deemed to be important by those who work in the ‘news industry’ based on certain codes of behaviour which have been learned by news workers in order to do their job. The codes of behaviour which have been learnt by news workers undoubtedly depend on the particular newspaper for which they are working. It could be suggested that in British society most adults would be aware of the conventions of different newspapers. We will attempt to examine the types of sign systems within which a particular news story is encoded in a selection of newspapers, and how these different sign systems may affect meaning. It is clear when looking at The Sun, The Telegraph, and The Times articles, which were all published on Saturday, April 18th, 1998 that each newspaper attaches significance to different news items. This is made clear by looking at the front pages of each newspaper, with The Suns main front page story concentrating on the relationship of Patsy Kensit and Liam Gallagher, compared to The Telegraphs main story which concentrates on a ‘shake-up’ of scientific committees that advise government ministers on food safety; and The Times main front page story which covers the story of the new National Lottery Big Ticket show which is facing the BBC ‘axe’. Although we will not be concentrating on the comparison of the front pages of the newspapers in this term paper, these examples demonstrate how drastically the different newspapers differ in what constitutes front-page news. The examples also demonstrate the interpretation of newspaper conventions, as we analyse the stories which are considered to be the intended main news of the front-page. As can be seen with the front page of The Sun the main story is clear as it dominates most of the available space on the front-page. However, with the other newspapers the distinction is not quite as clear. The main criteria when deciding on which was the main story of the front-pages of The Telegraph and The Times was the size of the typeface of the headline. This emphasises that the reader comes to the newspaper with a set of codes with which to decode the text, and these codes may differ from individual to individual. This leads to the point that the text is open to a variety of interpretations depending on the ideological standpoint of the reader, and whether the reader is familiar with the newspaper and the codes which. it employs to communicate the ‘news’ which it has selected. Connotations of the linguistic and visual signs which are presented by newspapers are central to the meaning of the news item to the reader. The connotations of the news item are perceived within a coded framework and there are recognisable codes within different newspapers. It is clear that different newspapers use particular narrative codes when representing the same item of news. This can be seen in the three headlines which refer to the particular news item which I have chosen to examine. The Sun headline states ‘SCANDAL OF PSYCHO FREED TO KILL HERO COP NINN, The Telegraph ‘WPc was knifed to death after removing armour’, and The Times ‘WPc paid with her life for dedication to duty.’ Each of these narrative codes used in the headlines instantly provide a framework on which to build the meaning of the news item. The headlines are linguistic syntagms which aim to attract the attention of the reader to the topic of the news story, and the linguistic signs which are employed in the headline suggest to the reader the appropriate codes which are needed to understand or decode the news item. It is clear that the newspapers use different linguistic codes as a means of representing the news item. The Times and The Telegraph are similar in their use of language. However, both differ dramatically with The Sun. It is clear that The Sun uses orally based vocabulary, and dramatic and sensational language. This can be seen in the first sentence of the news item, which reads ‘A. violent cop-hating nut killed brave WPC Nina Mackay after a catastrophic catalogue of blunders by Crown prosecutors and police allowed him to roam free.’ The article also employs alliteration for emphasis , as in ‘catastrophic catalogue’ and ‘scandal of psycho’. The linguistic codes of the news item certainly connote speech which in turn connotes familiarity, informality, and camaraderie. The article also implies familiarity with the victim (We Nina Mackay) who is referred to throughout as ‘Nina’ where as a distance is created between the reader and the offender who is referred to throughout by his surname, Elgizouli. This code of familiarity is significantly different to that which is employed by The Telegraph and The Times who refer to the victim either in her professional capacity (WPc Nina Mackay) or by her full name. However, it is perhaps significant that the offender is referred to by his surname in all of the different representations of the news items. This strategy of distancing the reader from the criminal is blatantly employed by all three of the newspapers, clearly suggesting that the preferred reading of the texts should involve no sympathy with the offender. Another drastic difference between the newspaper representations of the news item are the typographic devices used to break up the text. Again, The Sun differs dramatically to The Telegraph and The Times using bold text to start the article, serving to extend the role of the headline in attracting the attention of the reader to the topic of the news story. The use of bold and one word sub-headings which are employed throughout the text serve to direct the reader in making meaning of the text and make blatantly obvious the points which the newspaper deem to be of particular significance to the understanding of the news item. The Telegraph and The Times do not employ the same typographic codes as The Sun, apart from bold type which is used for the headline, and the bold type used to name the journalist/s of the article. The narrative of the news story uses the same type and size of font throughout the item. Arguably, this connotes authority and formality to the reader which is also demonstrated by the fairly long sentences, the correct spellings and the lack of colloquial language such as ‘cop’ which is used in The Sun. This perhaps implies that the ‘quality’ press such as The Times and The Telegraph provide better news than tabloids such as The Sun. However, this kind of value judgement is inappropriate as both types of newspaper are constructions of the news with the ‘quality’ newspapers aiming to connote authority and formality and the ‘popular’ tabloids aiming to connote an attitude of ‘telling it how it is.’ Thus both types of representation of the news items present mythic meanings. Linguistic and typographic codes are not the only codes employed in news discourse. Graphic codes must also be considered. The photographs used in the press have also undergone a process of selection. One image will be chosen over another as it connotes a message that the selectors of the photograph want to communicate. Barthes (cited in Bagnell, 1977:98) suggests that the newspaper photograph is ‘an object that has been worked on, chosen, composed, constructed, treated according to professional, aesthetic or ideological norms which are so many factors of connotation.’ The ‘treatment’ of photographs which is referred to by Barthes can be seen in the different newspapers which I have chosen. Interestingly, each version of the news item has used the same photographs, but treated them differently according to the required connotation. Each representation uses the same picture of the victim in her police uniform looking directly at the camera, and the same pictu re of the offender looking vacant and away from the camera. Again, The Times and The Telegraph use similar codes, and The Sun employs a drastically different strategy despite using the same original photographs. The most drastic difference is that The Sun presents the photographs in colour, connoting realism and the dangerousness of the offender. This is also connoted by the size of the photographs, with the graphic representation dominating a large proportion of the overall available space on the page, which is another drastic difference between The Suns representation of the news item and the other two newspapers. Despite these major differences it is significant that the newspapers have all used the same photographs, and it is interesting to look at why these particular photographs might have been chosen. Paradigmatically, photographs involve connotations, and thus the significance of the particular photographs which have been chosen can be seen more clearly when considering what other paradigmatic connotations might have appeared in their place. For example the connotations of the picture of the police officer would change considerably if she was not in uniform. Likewise, the connotations of the picture would change if the offender was looking directly at the camera and smiling, instead he is pictured looking away from the camera with a blank expression, connoting lack of emotion. The contrasted pairs which seem to be involved in the paradigms are innocence and guilt, justice and injustice. These contrasted pairs are made more clear by the way in which the meanings of the photographs are anchored in a small amount of text beneath the photographs. The Times offers its own contrasted pair in the text beneath the pictures, namely ‘killer’ and ‘killed’. As Bignell (1997:99) suggests, the caption underneath the picture enables the reader to ‘load down the image with particular cultural meanings and the photograph functions as the proof that the texts message is true.’ The pictures are also shown in different contexts in the three newspapers with The Sun using a different strategy to The Telegraph and The Times. The Telegraph and The Times use similar sized pictures of the individuals involved. In The Sun the size of the photographs of the individuals differ considerably with the ‘killer’ being represented as significantly bigger than the ‘killed’. Also, the photograph of the police officer is presented in a photograph-like frame connoting sentimentality, and elevating her position in comparison to the ‘killer’. This emotionalism is carried over into the other picture which The Sun represents which shows the coffin of the police officer being carried by her colleagues. This is a cultural sign which most readers will be able to relate to, and connotes sympathy, tragedy and injustice. This discussion of several newspapers representations of the same news item show how semiotic analysis can determine the meanings of such news items, as a result of the linguistic and visual signs used within the texts. However, semiotic analysis cannot determine how an individual reader might interpret the representations of the news items in a real social context. Semiotic analysis does offer an insight into the factors at work in the production of a news item and distinguishes the various codes which are employed by different types of newspaper when representing a particular news item.

Voting Rights of Prisoners

Voting Rights of Prisoners How would you feel if you got your rights taken away from you because you did something bad? Its like saying them boys across the street said a bad word in public and now they cant talk no more. This is how felons feel about getting their voting rights taking away from them. Saying bad words isnt all that bad depending on what word or words him or her would say. Getting him or hers first amendment right taken away is completely uncalled for. Now putting him or her in detention or some kind of punishment for saying a bad word is completely understandable. Using foul language isnt that bad depending on what your using it for and how your using it. For instince say a man was cursing at his truck because it wouldnt start and a police officer over heard him and he got his 1st Amendment right taken away just because of that and he got put in jail because of that and he did his jail time and served what he had to serve for what he did and he never got his rights restored back to him. Restoring the rights of individuals who have served their time and re-entered society is the right thing to do (Virginia governor restoring felons). The situation with the man and his truck is very realatabel to the quote because the man served his times and did everything he had to do and he never got his rights back and the right thing to do is to give it back to him since he served his time. Restoring voting rights lessens ex-prisoners stigma and helps them rejoin their communities and reducing the risk of recidivism(Restore voting rights for felons whove done their time. ) Restoring a ex-convicts voting rights helps them rejoin their communties and not feel like a outsider or a criminal no more. Doing him or hers time for for the crime that they did and getting their voting rights taken away from them is not understandable because they did their time that they had to do so they could get their voting rights back. A 20 year old man was racing his car and he got caught by the cops and he got a ticket for racing and he had to do comuntiy service for a month also and he could not drive his car for one month. After he got done with community service for one month he asked if he could get his car back from the law and the law said no even though he served his time for what he did. In Alabama, Felons Face Difficult Road To Regaining Voting Rights. (For millions of Americans, being convicted of a crime means they can no longer vote. ) The 20 year old man was convicted of a crime and if he is he can no longer Should ex-convicts have the right to vote? Maryland now says yes.(When you cant vote, you dont have a seat at the table, he said. Obviously, theyve made mistakes, but these are our family members, our friends, our neighbors. These folks pay taxes) When the man wants to vote but he can not because of what happened he is going to probably be angry. Even when the man did his community service he was still not allowed to get his car back or vote. Getting your voting rights taken up is bad even when you are really political and when you want to choose who is going to be your leader of your country. When a man or a women is very political they can get into real detail about everything. Even when it comes to rights they can get all into it. Should ex-convicts have the right to vote? Maryland now says yes?(You cant leave 40,000 people out of the conversation on subject matters that directly and indirectly impact them.) Leaving all your community out that has done bad things is bad because it can impact them bad by them looking at everyone and them not being there and making the ones that had their voting rights taken up feeling like outsiders. Should ex- convicts have the right to vote? Maryland now says yes(When you cant vote, you dont have a seat at the table,) Everyone needs their right to vote so they can vote for who they want to vote for. Everyone needs their voting rights in the country they live in so hey can vote who their leadear will be espically if you done what time you served and how did it. Your voting rights are yours and they will remain yours. But if your ex-convict and you served your time you should get your voting rights back because you served what you have done. Therefore the ex-convicts should get there voting rights back because they have served their time for what they did. References Chen, Cathaleen. Should ex-convicts have the right to vote? Maryland now says yes. Christian Science Monitor, 9 Feb. 2016. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSICsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA442852435it=rasid=2322ae6c427fa5d5087830d035cba82f. Accessed 6 Feb. 2017. In Alabama, Felons Face Difficult Road To Regaining Voting Rights. All Things Considered, 15 Feb. 2016. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSICsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA444342339it=rasid=04f0f656a3bb7eddb47bf0185ac388f3. Accessed 6 Feb. 2017 Restore voting rights for felons whove done their time. USA Today, 9 May 2016, p. 07A. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSICsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA451977993it=rasid=959ae03d3dc24734458862593b6277f1. Accessed 3 Feb. 2017 Virginia governor restoring felons voting rights one by one after court rejects order. UPI News Current, 22 Aug. 2016. Research in Context, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=MSICsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA461270523it=rasid=0ae7f0f1ece9f72c3bdd85807432ab56. Accessed 6 Feb. 2017.

The Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers

"The Scarlet Letter" Roger Chillinworth was once a good puritan who lived a good puritan life and he was married to Hester Prynne. Then he went to travel. When he came, instead of getting a good and warm welcome from his beloved wife he saw her standing on the town scaffold with a letter of shame on her chest. He stood there, completely wrecked and knew that his life as he knew it so far was all lost. Ever since Roger Chillingworth's heart was broken and his life destroyed by Hester, he has deticated his life to revenge her and her adulterer, Dimmesdale. Being unable to return to his normal and good life practically destroyed and as he revenged them he becomes a devil (Chillingworth: 'I have already told thee what I am! A fiend! Who made me so?'; 'It was myself'; cried Hester, shuddering.). That revenge is what made him try to prevent Dimmesdale from confessing in the last scaffold scene. The scarlet letter had hurt Hester every day and every moment a lot, so Chillingworth let it do the avenge work alone without interfering (Hester: 'Why hast thou not avenged thyself on me?'; 'I have left thee to the scarlet letter';replied Roger Chillingworth.). But for Dimmesdale he had a whole different plan. He came back to town as a different person with a different name. Now he was Roger Chillingworth (We don't know his name before the first scaffold incident), a well-appreciated and educated physician. He came to help Dimmesdale, who was very sick. He became his close physician and they became very close friends. But the truth was that Chillingworth was constantly investigating Dimmesdale and reaching to the depth of his heart and prying his secrets and by that constantly hurting him. Dimmesdale was hurt because he lived a life of lies. To the world he was clergyman Dimmesdale - a wise man who was considered a saint, but in his heart he knew a different image of himself, as a sinner who is afraid to confess. Throughout the story it is hinted that if he had confessed he would have been relieved a long time ago and would not have been so sick.

Macbeth Character Flaw :: essays research papers

Brian Bozarth  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bozarth 1 Mrs. Thurmond English IV – 6 February 22, 2001 Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Every one has a character flaw. Some are more serious than others. For instance, some people pick their nose, while others drink milk directly from the carton. After a while a person’s character flaws will come back to haunt them. Shakespeare is a master at pointing out one’s character flaws and showing how those flaw bring down that person or society in general. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth he does just that. Macbeth is a tragic hero whose character flaws are ambition and avarice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The play opens with Macbeth, a popular noble who quells a military coup against the King of Scotland by a Scottish nobleman, Macdonwald. This is looked at by other nobles as and honorable deed. The King then gives Macbeth the late Macdonwald’s former title. In this instance ambition is a good thing: but alls to week for brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name (I ii 16). The king even said â€Å"O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman†(I ii 24). His ambition was use to do a good thing, but if you stop to think; would any of this happened had he not killed Macdonwald.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the next scene we see the witches doing things that witches like to do. Then enters Macbeth with Banquo. They spot the witches and Banquo insults them. The witches turn to Macbeth and tell him he will be king: All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter (I iii 50). That single line is what sparks Maspeth’s evil ambition. This is the also the point when Macbeth start to turn evil. The witches also tell Macbeth he will become Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth replies to all this: to be king stands not within the prospect of belief (I iii 75). At this point Macbeth is skeptical, but then Ross tells him he is thane of Cawdor. Macbeth starts to believe he can become king. He is now successor to the throne of Scotland.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since Macbeth is heir to the throne of Scotland, all he has to do is get rid of King Duncan. In scene IV Duncan names his son the Prince of Cumberland. Macbeth is outraged:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On which I must fall down, or else o’erlap,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let not light se my black and deep desires:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be

Ethical Issues and Issues of Sensitivity in Sociological Research Essay

Ethical Issues and Issues of Sensitivity in Sociological Research Ethical issues are the considerations that can have an important influence on the research process. They are moral principles- beliefs about what is right and wrong, which often guide research. Sociological associations in many countries have a set of ethical guidelines for conducting research. There are six main ethical issues; I will explore them below. Sensitive issues are issues that need to be dealt with tactfully because of their subject matter. This could include subjects such as death, health issues, sex etc. These are potentially sensitive subjects as the people being researched may have had an unpleasant situation with them. The first ethical issue I will investigate is "informed consent". This is the idea that those the researchers are studying should be given the opportunity to agree or refuse to participate in the research. This means covert observation could not take place, as this involves not letting people know they are being observed. Informed consent means that the researcher must provide information about the aims of the research, what the conduct of the research involves and the purpose to which the research will be put. This issue was raised when James Patrick did his research on "A Glasgow Gang Observed". This involved him becoming part of a "gang", only one member of the gang knew he was a researcher undercover. From spending time with the group, he gained information about what they did, what their attitudes were and how far they were willing to go e.g. breaking the law. This research did not involve informed consent, as the majority of ... ...o depends on what sort of person the researcher is, are they highly principled? Or are they willing to cut a few corners to make their research easier or more accurate? How strict a researcher is can definitely benefit/ruin their research. Telling the complete truth to participants about the research could undermine the research or cause research problems, as if the participants know they are being observed it could cause them to act very differently. A lot of issues are not straightforward, some conflict and often need a great deal of thought put into them. To do completely accurate and valid research, the balance between respecting participants' privacy, not deceiving them, being careful not to put them at risk of harm and making sure the data collected is true has to be right, and this is a difficult balance to get.