Needs to be a current argument of something in the health field some Research Paper

Needs to be a current argument of something in the health field some type of controversy - Research Paper Example They ‘without causing’ any harm to the child will help the child body produce antibodies, which will stay in the body for a longer time, fighting off viruses and bacteria in future as well. However, this vaccination process is not without controversy because there is a view among particular sections of population that it could lead to Autism. Autism is a developmental disorder of brain function. Symptoms of Autism usually occur before the age of 3 and include; impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and imagination, and unusual or severely limited activities or interests. People with Autism can exhibit a wide variety of symptoms and behaviors, thus Autism is considered a spectrum disorder. The exact cause of Autism was not yet cornered. However, researches believe it can be caused by specific genes. Other researchers link Autism with vaccinations. Still others believe toxins and pollutants could cause it. Among these reasons for Autism, the reason that vaccination could cause Autism has been subject of controversy for some time, with one section opposing it while another section believing it. The crux of the controversy is that vaccines given to children as part of immunization for various diseases could act adversely and could damage the brain regions leading to Autism. This controversial news entered the public domain in 1998, when British gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield and his team published an article in The Lancet focusing on the detrimental role of MMR vaccines in causing Autism. (Godlee, Smith and Marcovitch 77). Wakefield and his team examined the digestive tracts of 12 children with behavioral disorders, nine of them being Autistic, who were given MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. On examination, they found that the 9 Autistic children had inflammation of the intestines. Based on this

Can Sinkers claim demurrage against the cricket clubs Essay

Can Sinkers claim demurrage against the cricket clubs - Essay Example Vessel will be losing her time and the connected payment. In the present case, reaching the berth and unloading the goods took longer time than expected and the vessel has gone onto demurrage. The popular rule is 'once on demurrage, always on demurrage'. As an exception, demurrage would not occur if the delay was purely due to ship owner's fault and as the repercussion of actions taken by him suitable for his convenience and benefit. "The freighter of a ship is bound not to detain it, beyond the stipulated or usual time, to load or deliver the cargo, or to sail. The extra days beyond the lay days (being the days allowed to load and unload the cargo) are called the days of demurrage. The term is likewise applied to the payment for such delay, and it may become due, either by the ship's detention, for the purpose of loading or unloading the cargo, either before, during or after the voyage, or in waiting for convoy2." A shipowner will be entitled to unliquidated damages for being detained while loading or unloading, or delivering a consignment, within the stipulated time, if the delay happens for no fault of his or his representatives. In some transactions, to be safe, there could be an agreement to pay demurrage, which is usually for preventing the shipowner from demanding an enormous sum if an unfortunate delay occurs. As a result of this written understanding and agreement, if the demurrage is fixed at a certain rate per hour, the shipowner would be unable to demand more money as demurrage. According to John Wilson, "Liability for the payment of demurrage accrues immediately on the expiration of the lay days and runs continuously through Sundays, holidays and other periods normally excluded from laytime, e.g. bad weather working days3." Demurrage or the dead freight can occur at any point of affreightment. It is actually a fixed sum per hour or per day that charterer has to pay the vessel owner for the delays while loading and unloading of his consignments, and the time lost (beyond the stipulated time) and these days are called lay days. "If no demurrage is provided for by the charter-party, and the vessel is not loading or discharging beyond the lay days, the shipowner is entitled to claim damages in respect of the loss which he has suffered by the detention of his ship4" This is mainly to force the charterers to load and unload within the time fixed. If the time is not fixed, then it might be difficult for the shipowner to prove that the ship has run onto demurrage. There are difficult circumstances, honouring difficult judgements too. "Where time under a limitation clause runs from completion of discharge of the cargo, but there was no cargo to discharge, the judge held that the limitation clause does not apply. He refused to imply additional words into the clause that would have allowed time to run from when the cargo should have been discharged since, if the parties had wanted to provide for such a circumstance, they could easily have done so. The judge also held that, in addition to damages for repudiation, the shipowners could claim demurrage that had accrued before the charterparty was repudiated5". http://www.onlinedmc.co.uk/odfjell_seachem_v__continentale.htm As both the clubs are named as consignees in the receipts, even though they did not do the transactions personally through

C P Snow and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Essay Example for Free

C P Snow and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Essay The scientist and the literary intellectual represent two cultures that are drifting apart from each other to such an extent that each is becoming increasing ignorant of and alien to the other, and because they must represent a body of knowledge as a whole, the consequence is that, though specialization, both the scientist and the intellectual are becoming effectively ignorant. Analysis: Though C P Snow claims to be speaking from a common ground between the two cultures that he envisages, I would argue that he is squarely placed in the scientific camp, and is by no means an intellectual. The manner in which he describes the rift between the two cultures has a distinct whiff of â€Å"shallow optimism† about it, which is the intellectual trait of the scientist. He advocates a simple dialogue between the two camps, which is very much reminiscent of Enlightenment thinking, which, before the advent of modern science, maintained that scientific education was the key to overcoming all social ills, and dialogue is but a means to educate each other. Snow is right in thinking that the two camps had grown apart unawares, and that at one time the cultured man endeavored to keep abreast of knowledge as a whole. But a fundamental point seems to escape him, and that is that modern science entails specialization, and neither does he suspect that it could be the root of the problem. While he acknowledges the existence of specialization in science, he tries to make out that it need not be divisive. His advocacy is of a holistic understanding, and on the strength of this plea he wants to effect a negotiation between the two camps. â€Å"Don’t carry your specializations too far,† he seems to be saying to both the scientists and the intellectuals, â€Å"because both the arts and the sciences are important, and one is in danger of becoming ignorant if one loses complete touch with any one of them. † The propositional content of his plea is correct, but the mistake is to sound it on the platform of modern science, which is divisive in its fundamental aspect. If one is committed to the scientific outlook one must live with specialization. We can take his example about the literary intellectual knowing the second law of thermodynamics as a testing point. He thinks that literary intellectual should at least know this law, which is accepted among physicists as being fundamentally significant. The equivalent feat of for a physicist would be of having read a play by Shakespeare, he suggests. But concentrating on the first point, why should one know the second law of thermodynamics if one will never question its validity? Science functions by constant questioning, and no scientist is ever trained to carry absolute dictates about with him. A literary intellectual may come to it in two ways. He may absorb it as in inviolable dictate, in which case it would not be science at all. Or he may come to it with the proper outlook of the scientist, which is the questioning one. If on the second trajectory, he may either be captivated by the question, or he may deem it not worth his while. If he is captivated, and he remains honest to his intellectual proclivities, then he cannot but pursue the question further, to the detriment of usual literary occupation. But it is more likely that he deems it not worth his while, in which case he returns to the field in which he is proficient and interested. And in due course, through neglect, he forgets how to state the scientific principle at all. If the last is the most natural and likeliest outcome, there is little point in pushing the second law of thermodynamics to the literary man. He has arrived at the status quo of not knowing the law at all, because that is the most natural state of affairs for him. In his situation he has better things to occupy himself with. For Snow to suggest that he ought to know the second law smacks of the arrogance of science, which is an arrogance rooted in naive optimism. Then again, a scientist should only be expected to enjoy a performance of Shakespeare, but certainly not to analyze it. Literary understanding calls for a profound understanding of human nature, which is certainly not part of the equipment of the scientist, who is trained to detect only empirical evidence. To tell a scientist to analyze King Lear would only confuse him, and if he tried too hard it would blunt his scientific perception. Snow would be better advised to consider the underlying philosophy of science, rather than external practice of the separate disciplines. It is a tacit understanding among members of the scientific society (of which literary intellectual are a part) that each practice his own specialization. Only the fruits are to be enjoyed by all, and this is the true egalitarian dimension of atomized science. The notion of â€Å"progress† comes from the understanding that the fruits of specialization confer on all, and it is this notion of progress that binds all members of scientific society. In its original conception modern science was defined as an egalitarianism of knowledge, and apparent loss of this is what Snow is lamenting. But such egalitarianism has not disappeared; it has only become impractical for a single person to keep up with the expanding body of knowledge. But more important than knowledge sharing is the philosophy that underpins it, and this philosophy still unites the particle physicist and the Shakespeare man. In calling for a new, and strained, egalitarianism of knowledge, Snow is only betraying his naivete of the world, which is the characteristic naivete of the scientist daring to speak on the humanities. Works Cited Snow, Charles Percy. The Two Cultures. Ed. Stefan Collini. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1993.

Project management research approaches

Project management research approaches Contents Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 2 1.1 Determine and validate appropriate areas for research 3 1.2 Determine a suitable research approach.. 3-4 1.3 Develop suitable research questions/ hypotheses for selected area of research 4-5 2.1 Develop a detailed research proposal for chosen..5-6 2.2 Apply relevant research methods for area and type of research.. 6-7 2.3 Analyse ethical issues relating to research.. 8-9 2.4 Analyse research findings and generate valid conclusions.. 9-11 3.1 Evaluate research methods, techniques 11-12 3.2 Present results and conclusions in a suitable format for audience. 12-13 Bibliography.13 Introduction Research is undertaken within most professions. It is a way of thinking, examining critically the various aspects of the professional work. It is the process of collecting analysizing and interpreting information to answer questioins. Determine and validate appropriate areas for research The first task in a research work is to collect data and information about the topic. The researcher uses the data collected in the survey to find solution , within the boundry of random mistake. Performance management can be defined as a process of taking systematic action to improve organizational, team and individual performance. Project management is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficently. Project management process falls into five groups: Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing Every study has two aspects: Study population People Subject Area Problems Program Phenomenon Determine a suitable research approach Generally there are two ways of reasoning used for research: Deductive approach Inductive approach Deductive Approach Deductive approach takes into account, developing a hypothesis which takes into account an already existing theory and then formulating a research strategy to check the hypothesis. ( Wilson, 2010, p.7) Deductive means reasoning from the particular to the general. Deductive approach involves in developing a theory, which is subject to accurate test. This approach infers to generalisation. To make a generalisation through deductice approach, it is necessary to select samples of sufficent numerical size. (Collis and Hussey, 2003). Snieder and Larner (2009) informs that in deductive approach reasoning starts with a theory and leads to new hypothesis, that will be confirmed or rejected as a result of research’ Theory — Hypothesis Observation -Confirmation/Rejection Inductive Approach The research using inductive approach is concerned with human’s behaviour and the context in which certain events take place. This approach allows one to provide subjective reasoning with the help of various examples. It lays emphasises on meaningful understanding of human attachment to the event. This is related to development of human resources in the organization (Ritchie and Lewis 2003). Four approaches are Logical theoretical approach Quantitative approach experimental research Qualitative approach – observational research Participatory – action research. Develop suitable research questions/ hypotheses for selected area of research Research questions Generally interest in a specfic area starts the research process, but it is the familarity with the subject that helps to define an appropriate question for study. Knowledge of present trends and technological advances help in formulating research questions. All questions should be developed at the begnining and planning stage of study. Any additional question should never compromise on primary questions. The more the number of questions, more will be complexity of study and its analysis. Hulley and colleagues have suggested the use of FINER ( Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) criteria in preparing qustions for research. Research Hypothesis The research question and hypothesis should be developed before start of study. The formation of hypothesis results a study with focus. It guides as to which data is to be collected and which not. The hypothesis is developed from main research question and thereafter elements of study – sampling strategy, intervention comparision and outcome variables – are summarizedin the form that prepares ground for testing, stastical and finally clinical sagnificance. The hypothesis should be stated at he begnining so as to guide the objective of study. Hypothesis bring clarity, specificity and focus to a research but are not compulsary for a study. A valid research can be conducted without constructing formal hypothesis. As there are so many ways to ask questions, the questionnaire should be flexible, tested carefully before using on a large scale. Questions should be kept simple and short. Avoid leading questions. Open ended questions allow for a larger variety of responses from participants but are difficult to anlyse statistically because data have to be coded or reduced in some manner. Close ended questions are easy to analyse statistically, but they limit the responses that participants can give. Combination of both beginning with a number of closed ended questions, it ends with a section of open ended questions for more detailed response. 2.1 Develop a detailed research proposal for chosen area of research Research Proposal Research is a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem. Both qualitative and quantitative methoods be used appropriately in the research. Research proposal reviewer will lookatthree primary criteria: Relevance of the research from both managerial and an academic perspective. Managerial: will the research bring added value to improve managerial practices? Academic: will your research bring new knowledge to your field? 2 Research feasibility Within specifiedperiod Data accessibilty Primary data collection 3 Proposal Quality Writing style Logical articulation of arguments Structure and organization Some skills that need to be developed in areas of research: Decision making Prioritizing Valuating To respond to problems, experiences and opportunities and to learn from them To generate ideas without limits of policy ir structure or feasibility Involving other people Communicating. 2.2 Apply relevant research methods for area and type of research There are two types of data Primary Data – collected for the first time. Secondary Data – which has already been collected and analysed by some one else. Primary data collection Observation Method It is collection of primary data by researcher’s own team under his observation, without asking from respondents. Observatons can give information which people are not willing or unable to provide.e.g. observing a large number of plates containing uneaten portions of same menu item indicates that food was not satisfactory. But because of certain limitations, research is generally supplemented with survey research. Survey method This approach is suited for collecting descriptive information. Structured Survey- uses formal list of questions for all the participnts of the survey. Unstructured Survey – in this process interviewer probes the participants and guide the participants according to their answers. Research can be direct or indirect. In direct approach researcher asks direct questions about behaviour and thoughts, e.g., why don’t you eat at this restaurant? But in indirect approach the question asked will be, what kind of people eat at this particular restaurant? Contact Methods Survey can be conducted by collecting information through mail, telephone, or postal interview. Mail questionnaires is used to collect large amount of information at low cost. As no interviewer is involved to bias the respondents answers. In this case response rate is lw and there is no control over who answers. Telephone interviewing is a quick method, allows greater sample control and response rate is higher than mail. Its cost is higher. Interviewer’s manner of talking maay effect answers. Personal interviewing is very flexible and can be used to collect large amounts of information. It may cost more than telephonic survey. It can be biased by the interviewer. Sample design The conclusions are genarally drawn by taking a group as a sample. A sample is a segment of popukation selected to represent as a whole. Secondary Data Collection Secondary data is others data, and is shared by other people as a view of their perception. Many researchers requires collection of primary data to support the secondary data. The secondary data is collected from existing sources e.g. official ststistics, annuak appraisals, journals, history and articles. Types of Research There are different types of research for different purposes Audience research Market research Production research 2.3 Analyse ethical issues relating to research The collection of data through any methos involve some ethical issues relating to both the researcher and the participants. Ethical issues concerning Participants Collecting Information: If one cannot justify relevance of the research, he is wasting his participants time ,which is unethical. Seeking Consent: In every field it is unethical to collect information without knowledge of participant and their expressed willingness and informed consent. Consent should be voluntary and without any kind of pressure. Providing incentives: Giving a present before data collection is unethical. Seeking Sensitive Information: Certain information is considered sensitive or confidential by some people. For most people questions on income, age, marital status, drug use, etc. are intrusive. It is not unethical to ask such questions, if we tell the participants type of information you are gong to collect clearly, and give him sufficient time to decide if he wants to participate. Possibility of causing harm to participants: Collection of data should not harm participants in any way. If the way information sought creates anxiety or harrashment, steps be taken to prevent it. Maintaining Confidentiality: Sharing information about a participant with others for purposes other than research is unethical. Information provided by participant be kept anonymous. It is unethical to identify an individual’s responses. Ethical issues relating to Researcher: Avoid Bias: Bias is an attempt to either hide orhighlight something disproportionate to its true position. Bias on the part of researcher is unethical. Provision or deprivation of treatment: Both provision and deprivation of a treatment/ intervation may pose ethical dilemma for a researcher. Ensuring informed consent, minimum risk and frank discussions as to the implications of participation in the study will help to resolve ethical ssues. Using appropriate research methodology: It is unethical to use a method or procsedure known as inappropriate e.g. selecting a highly biased sample, using an invalid instrument or drawing wrong conclusions. Incorrect reporting: To change report findings in a way to serve your own or someone else’s interest is unethical. Inappropriate use of the information: The use of information in a way that it dirctly or indiretly affects the participants is unethical. 2.4 Analyse research findings and generate valid conclusions When analysing data start from review of research goals, this will help organizing data and focus analysis. For example if one want to improve a programme by identifying its strengths and weaknessess, you can organize data into program strengths, weaknesses and suggestions to improve the program. Processing and analysing data is based on a number of closely related operations performed for summing up the data collected and arranging these in a manner that they answer the research questions. Data Processing operations are: Editing Classification Tabulation Basic analysis of quantitative information Make copies of data , and sore your master copy. Use copy for making edits,cuttings and pastings etc. Tabulate the information i.e. add up the number of ratings, rankings, yes’s, no’s for each question. For ratings and rankings consider computing a mean or average Cosider conveying range of answers e.g., 20 people ranked ‘1’, 30 ranked â€Å"2† etc. Basic analysis of qualitative information Read through all data. Organize comments into similar catogeries, suggestions,strengths, weaknesses, similar expriences, program inputs, recommendations, outputs, outcome indicators.etc. Label the categories in themes, e.g., concerns or suggestions, etc. Attempt to identify patterns or associations and casual relationship in themes. Keep all commentry for a long period after completion in case need arise for future reference. Qualitative research involves collectiuon, analysis and interpretation of data that can not be easily rsduced to numbers., as this data relate to social world and the concepts of the behaviors of people within it. It can be found in all social sciences and all applied fields that derive from them. The initial phase of data analysis is to examine the quality of data ( presence or absence of extreme observations), the quality of measurements and if the implementation of study was in line with research design. In main phase of analysis either an exploratory or confirmatory approach can be adopted. Both approaches have their place in reserch, both have their strengths and weaknesses. In some studies one has to combine both approaches. For example to find types of cuisine/accomodation available in a city and extent of their popularity in the city. Types of cuisine is a qualitative aspect of study and extent of popularity is a quanititative aspect as it is based on finding the number of people who visit restaurant. Quantitative data can be analysed by regression analysis, where relationship between dependent and independent variable is measured. It help one to find out how the value of dependant variable changes when one of the independent variable is varied, and other independent variables are held fixed. Qualitative data can involve coding, key concepts and variables are assigned a shorthand and data gathered is broken downinto those concepts of variables. Coding is the process of categorizing the qualitative data so that data becomes quantifiable and thus measureable. How data is coded depends on researchers, the same qualitative data can be coded in so many different ways giving attention to different aspects of the data. One such example is given in the figure below. Coding Without a valid design, valid scientific conclusions cannot be drawn. Internal validity concerns the degree to which conclusions about the casuality can be drawn. External validity concerns the extent to which results of the study are generalizeable. 3.1 Evaluate research methods, techniques and findings and comment on validity of research. Evaluation of the project is planned for right from the onsetand is going on as the different milestones are tackled. Type of evaluation that goes on during the project is referred as formative evaluation, because the project is being formed. The evalustion conducted at the end commonly referred as summative evaluation, because the project is being summed up. All research, no matter how well they are controlled, carries the potential to be wrong. Most After conducting research, analyzing it and evaluating the results is an important work. Statistics are manuplated everyday to change the conclusions drawn. Before accepting the results of a study one must evaluate the research techniques used, the study protocol and other factors to determine if the study’s claims are valid. There must be randomization of the sample groups and necessary care and intelligence shown in allocation of controls. Internal validity and trustworthness are at the core of any research design. External validity is the process of examining the results and questioning whether there are any possible casual relationship. Any scientific study only puts forward a possible cause for the studied effect. There are always chances of another unknown factors contributing to the results and findings. If the study was designed to contain validity and reliability then scientific community is more likely to accept the findings. The high degree of validity and reliability provides not only confidence in data collected but trust in successful application and use of results. The validity of a research settles down to whether the study is giving results what it was claiming to do. For example if someone is buying a research report from an organization claiming to calculate how people prefer marketer’s production than its competitors’ products, the marketer should know how the data was secured to help knoiw if the research really gives the information the way the research company wants it to do. Since most analysis are based on observational studies rather than on results of a controlled experiment, avoid drawing results concerning casuality. When studying changes over time, short term trends should not be focused without checking them in light of medium and long term trends. Where possible avoid arbitrary time reference points. 3.2 Present results and conclusions in a suitable format for audience Information on how the survey was done, as anyone may want to repeat it. This information is often included in the appenixes to the main report. It includes full questionnaire, detailed sample design, fieldwork procedures, interviewer’s instructions, data entry instructions and recommendations for futures study- as how to do better next time. This report should containall the details given below. Focus the article on important variables and topics. Arrange ideas in a logical order. Keep languge as simple as possible. Use graphs in additiuon to text and tables to communicate the message. When tables are used take care that overall format adds to clarity of data and prevents misrepresentation. Explain rounding practices and procedures. Satisfy confidentiality requirements of the source whose data isbeing analysed. Include information about data sources used and shorcomings in the data that may have affected the analysis. Include information about analytical method and tools ysed. Include information regarding quality of results. Ensure that all refercences are accurate. Check for errors in the article. Check accuracy of external data and simple arithmatics. Ensure that intentions stated in the introduction are fulfilled. Get the results reviewed by others for relevance, accuracy and comprehensibility. As a good practice consider presenting the results to peers prior to finalizing the text. Refer to available documents that could provide further guidance for improvement. Bibliography Stolley, Karl.Primary Research. Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved 21 May 2013. Snieder, R Larner, K, 2009, The Art of Being a Scientist: A Guide for Graduate Students and their Mentors, Cambridge University Press http://www.ihmctan.edu/PDF/notes/Research_Methodology.pdf www.boundless.com/sociology/sociological-research/the-research-process/analyzing-data-and-growing-conclusions/ www.managementhelp.org/businessresearch/analysis.htm

Art Exhibit on Brown Versus Board of Educaiton Essay -- African Americ

Like A Fish out of Water I’ll be the first to admit it: I cannot understand art for the life of me. That being said, I’m somehow always tricked into thinking I do. I’ve tried my hand at being one of those intellectuals who goes to art museums for recreation, and enjoys analyzing pictures, paintings and monochromic blobs. But every time I drag myself to a museum, I end up discovering the same three truths about myself: 1. I’m horrible at grasping the artist’s message. 2. I get frustrated with things I don’t understand. 3. When I get frustrated, I get mad. That being said, it was only natural that I go to the Krannert Art Museum to see the Brown v. Board of Education exhibit. I’ve never been to the Krannert Art Museum, and honestly did not expect very much. I mean, how much worthwhile art can a college museum in the middle of a cornfield house? I cautiously entered the building, trying to pretend like I had been there before. The golden rule of playing such a part is simple: never make eye contact. Once that happens, the jig is up. Somebody will realize I belong in the computer labs north of Green St. and immediately deport me back to the banks of boneyard. So I began calmly racing through the museum, never stopping to look at signs, (regular visitors don’t need to look at signs) hoping to find a giant Brown v. Board of Education sign somewhere. And after a couple of laps around the building, I found where I needed to be. I was actually impressed with the number of people who were checking out the exhibit. I expected to be the only one in the room, but instead saw a good number of people, mostly African-American, slowly inspecting every piece. I guess there are peopl... ...ny thing is, my parents came to America to raise a family in a better standard of living than India. They wanted all of their children to obtain a quality education and receive opportunities unavailable to them as youth. But without Brown v. Board, I would have been better off growing up in India. The message of Arundhati Roy’s portrait was simple: the civil rights movement affected more than Black America – it opened doors for all minorities. I took a step back from the portrait, and started walking out of the art museum. An as I left the museum, I did so with a little more gratefulness. While I may not understand the giant pile of bricks in the foyer, or why a man inside an imac keeps shouting â€Å"do you understand?†, I realized it doesn’t matter. Not everybody is cut out to be the art-connoisseur. But hey, at least I have the opportunity to give it a shot.

Operation Strategy Of Toyota :: Business Analysis Strategy Toyota

Introduction Toyota is Japan's biggest car company and the second largest in the world after General Motors. It produces an estimated eight million vehicles per year, about a million fewer than the number produced by GM. The company dominates its home market, with about 40% of all new cars registered in 2004 being Toyotas. Toyota also has a large market share in both the United States and Europe. It has significant market shares in several fast-growing South East Asian countries. The - 1 -company produces a large range of vehicles which are highly regarded for their quality, engineering, and value; their designs set global standards for safety, reliability and ease of maintenance. The Company Philosophy "Do the right thing for the company, its employees, the customer and the society as a whole." Origins The story of Toyota Motor Corporation began in September 1933 when Toyoda Automatic Loom created a new division devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder's son, Kiichiro Toyoda. Soon thereafter, the division produced its first Type A Engine in 1934, which was used in the first Model A1 passenger car in May 1935 and the G1 truck in August 1935. Production of the Model AA passenger car started in 1936. Although the Toyota Group is best known today for its cars, it is still in the textile business and still makes automatic looms (fully computerized, of course), and electric sewing machines which are available worldwide. During the Pacific War, the company was dedicated to truck production for the Imperial Army. Because of severe shortages in Japan, military trucks were kept as simple as possible. For example, the trucks had only one headlight in the center of the hood. Toyota earns $1250 per vehicle produced while GM loses $2311 per vehicle produced. Toyota is producing nearly 50 percent more cars than in 2001 and this year it will almost certainly pass General Motors to become the world's largest auto company. Toyota alone earned more than all the rest of the world's 12 largest auto manufacturers combined - $11.4 billion. And it is pioneering a new technology for the 21st century that will shrink gasoline consumption and limit greenhouse gases. FORTUNE GLOBAL 500 (Year 2005) Toyota Motor Rank: 7 (2004 Rank: 8) Employees: 265,753 $ millions % change from 2003 Revenues 172,616.3 12.7 Profits 10,898.2 5.9

American reform movements of 1825-1850 Essay

In the period from 1825-1850, a majority of the reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals. However, some did so indirectly and unintentionally. The reform movements were spurred by the Second Great Awakening, which began in New England in the late 1790’s, and would eventually spread throughout the country. The Second GA differed from the First in that people were now believed to be able to choose whether or not to believe in God, as opposed to previous ideals based on calvinism and predestination. According to Charles G. Finney, the role of the church is to reform society. In 1834, he said, â€Å"When the churches are†¦awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow.† Finney had been influenced by Second Great Awakening ideals. He goes on to say that â€Å"drunkards, harlots, and infidels† would also be converted do to reform by the church. In this sense, the Second Great Awakening helped expand democratic ideals by bettering the moral standards of the common man. In 1835, Patrick Reason created an engraving depicting a black female slave in chains. Above her is the quote, â€Å"Am I not a woman and a sister† This reflects how the abolition and women’s movements often tied into one another. Both of these movements helped expand democratic ideals in that they desired increased rights (specifically suffrage) for minorities. However, women and blacks were simply trying to increase their own influence in society, and were not otherwise looking to expand democratic ideals for the benefit of everyone (Native Americans, Irish immigrants, etc.). The Grimke sisters (Angelina & Sarah) were southern abolitionists who also played a role in the Women’s Movement. Susan B. Anthony, a Quaker, and therefore opposed to slavery on moral grounds, also played a role in both movements. Anthony was a disciple of Eliizabeth Cady Stanton. Nativism was also an important reform movement of this time period. Nativism was the belief that only white Anglo-Saxon Protestants should be allowed suffrage and other rights. People believed this partly from fear of a  Catholic takeover, and partly because they did not want foreign immigrants competing with them for jobs. Samuel Morse was a key supporter of nativism. In his Imminent Dangers to the Free Institutions of the United States, written in 1835, he stated â€Å"that no foreigner who comes into the country after the law is passed shall ever be allowed the right of suffrage.† The law he referred to was a proposed law to replace the current Naturalization Law of the time. This movement did not seek to expand democratic ideals. Education reform was also an important movement of this period. Universal manhood suffrage created the need for education reform. The common laborer began to demand education for his children. This movement sought to expand democratic ideals in that more educated people meant more people would be able to be productive members of society. Emma Willard played a role in this movement as well as the Women’s Movement. She opened the Troy Female Seminary in 1821, which trained women to be members of the clergy. William H. McGuffey invented the â€Å"McGuffey Reader.† This was a standard reader that all children read based on their grade. In a passage from a McGuffey Reader from 1836, a poor young boy discusses how his parents are â€Å"very good to save some of their money in order that I may learn to read and write.† He is referring to tax-supported public schools, which were a result of the education reform movement. Alcohol abuse was becoming widespread throughout the early 1800’s. This was due in part to Elijah Craig’s invention of bourbon in 1789. Alcohol abuse led to decreased efficiency of labor, which was a problem for businessmen and consumers alike. The Temperance Movement began in an effort to end alcohol abuse. The American Temperance Society was formed in Boston in 1826, and urged people to give up alcohol. Neal Dow supported prohibition, and is considered the â€Å"Father of Prohibition.† He supported the Maine Law of 1851, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol. William Lloyd Garrison was an abolitionist who also supported temperance. An 1846 cartoon entitled â€Å"The Drunkards Progress. From The First Glass To The Grave† shows what a detrimental effect alcohol had on the life of the common laborer. The Temperance Movement sought to expand democratic ideals in that it protected the common man from himself. It improved the common man’s productivity as well as his well-being by discouraging him from the evils of alcohol. The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 sought to expand democratic ideals more vigilently and radically than perhaps any other event of any movement. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton both played important roles in the convention. They produced a â€Å"Declaration of Sentiments† which stated that â€Å"all men and women are created equal.† They also produced a resolution formally demanding women’s suffrage. In an excerpt from the Seneca Falls Declaration (August 2, 1848), Stanton states that the women are â€Å"assembled to protest against a form of government, existing without the consent of the governed–to declare our right to be free as man is free.† Here she refers to the government-by-social contract philosophy of John Locke. She goes on to declare that â€Å"strange as it may seem, we now demand our right to vote according to the declaration of the government under which we live.† Here she refers to the Declaration of Independence of 1776, which stated that â€Å"all men are created equal.† Dorothia Dix travelled over 60,000 miles touring asylums across America. Her journals would help spread the idea that crazy people were actually mentally ill, and did not simply choose to be crazy. Her work led to 15 new hospitals and improved conditions in current hospitals of the time. While she did not seek to expand democratic ideals, she did improve the conditions in asylums, which is an indirect increase in the rights of the mentally ill. In the period from 1825-1850, a majority of the reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals. However, some did so indirectly and unintentionally.