Thursday, October 31, 2019

Rana Plaza Factory Collapse Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Rana Plaza Factory Collapse - Case Study Example Bangladesh witnessed the deadliest Rana Plaza factory collapse in which more than 1000 factory workers were killed (BBC News Asia, 2013). On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza factory, situated in Savar District of Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed for unknown reasons, killing more than 1,021 factory workers in which bodies of many dead workers were decomposed; the main reason behind the higher death toll was caused by the presence of many factories in the Rana Plaza at the time of collapse; similarly, the absence of respect for human lives can be gauged by the fact that the same building was evacuated a few days as some reports highlighted cracks in the building; later on, the factory workers were ordered by the factory owners to return to their work (BBC News Asia, 2013). This single event has highlighted weaknesses, negligence, and incompetence on the part of factory owners and related government departments authorized to ensure the safety and security of workplace environments, especially in densely populated areas. At the same time, it can also be highlighted that the role of workers cannot be undermined as they are main stakeholders.This situation has raised a number of ethical questions: Did the factory owners fulfill their legal and moral duty and role for protecting and safeguarding the lives of their workers? Did they provide enough safety and security measures? Did the related government departments or agencies ensure industrial compliance with the related code of conduct? KantianismKantianism is based on the system of wrongness or rightness of actions (Wood, 2008). Kantianism refers to respecting individuals with dignity and identifies them as ends (Gardiner, 2011). And, it has also been contended that the moral values should not be influenced by the contingency because when it affects actions, the outcome will also be influenced (Patrone, 2005). This ethical framework has numerous perspectives; each has its own rightness or wrongness.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Gun should be ban Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gun should be ban - Essay Example However, the other school of thought suggests that gun control policies and legislations are necessary in order to lower the rate of criminal activities using guns. According to the studies the main reason behind most of the casualties in the world is hand guns. The guns should better be banned because they put everyone’s life at risk and most of the guns in the homes are the reasons of unnecessary shooting and nothing else. In one of the study of the shootings, it was revealed that in almost two third cases the shooter got the gun from someone close, a relative or a friend. Keeping a gun is not protecting people but on the other hand it is the reason behind the increasing homicides. The major aspects of this debate are the sociological, legal and ethical considerations that apply differently to the discussion. The social scientists have their own point of view and according to them the gun control policies are an effective measure taken to reduce the criminal activities that take place with the use of handguns. These regulations are very important for the social security and the wellbeing of the society. From the ethical pint of view, the citizens should be given the right to protect themselves and thus they should be allowed to bear arms. They believe that of the citizens are given the right to protect themselves; there would be no one to be harmed by criminals. However, the most important aspect to this debate is the legal point of view under which the second amendment of the US constitution is interpreted. The constitution says that every person has the right to bear arms. The psychological reason behind keeping a gun in the homes would be the feeling of ins ecurity and the need to believe oneself as powerful (Diener and Kerber, 1979). Guns are being used in most of the mass shootings. And that is the major reason why guns should be banned (Vernick 84). Studies show that the presence of guns is likely to increase the crime rate in

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Principles-Based Accounting Advantages

Principles-Based Accounting Advantages The primary advantage of principles-based accounting rests in its broad guidelines that can be applied to numerous situations. Broad principles avoid the pitfalls associated with precise requirements that allow contracts to be written specifically to manipulate their intent. A 1981 study sponsored by FASB found evidence that managers purposefully try to structure leases as operating leases to avoid incurring additional liabilities. Providing broad guidelines may improve the representational faithfulness of financial statements. Principles-based accounting standards allow accountants to apply professional judgement in assessing the substance of a transaction. This approach is substantially different from the underlying box-ticking approach common in rules-based accounting standards. FASB Chair Robert Herz has stated that he believes the professionalism of financial statements would be enhanced if accountants are required to utilize their judgment instead of relying on detailed rules. A principles-based system would result in simpler standards. Herz has claimed that a principles-based system would lead to standards that would be less than 12 pages long, instead of over 100 pages (BusinessWeekÂÂ  online, 2002). Principles would be easier to comprehend and apply to a broad range of transactions. Harvey Pitt, former SEC chairman, explained this as follows: Because standards are developed based on rules they are insufficiently flexible to accommodate future developments in the marketplace. This has resulted in accounting for unanticipated transactions that is less transparent. The use of principles-based accounting standards may provide accounting statements that more accurately reflect a companys actual performance. It can be proved by the statement made by Australian Securities and Investments Commission Chair David Knott an increase in principles-based accounting standards would reduce manipulations of the rules (Nationwide News, 2002). Financial statements that are prepared under accounting standards that clearly state the accounting objectives, have few, if any, exceptions, and do not include bright-line tests should benefit users. They should be easier to understand, more meaningful and informative, are likely to result in similar transactions and events being accounted for similarly, and more likely to reflect the economic substance of a transaction, in part, because there will be less opportunity for financial engineering. (Heffes, Ellen M ,2004) http://www.allbusiness.com/accounting/258377-1.html Disadvantages: A lack of precise guidelines could create unreliable and inconsistent information in the application of standards across organizations and make it difficult to compare one entity to another. For example, companies are required to recognize both an expense and a liability for a contingent liability that is probable and estimable. On the other hand, a contingent liability that is reasonably possible is only reported in the footnotes. With no precise guidelines, how should companies determine if liabilities are probable or only reasonably possible? The lack of bright-light standards would reduce the financial statements comparability and consistency. For example, how much income willÂÂ  General ElectricÂÂ  actually recognize on a multiyear defense contract under the percentage of completion method of accounting? Will this be comparable to the income reported by its competitors? And most importantly, will the auditors, many of whom have been caught behaving badly recently, abuse their trust and fail to apply the principles in good faith consistent with the intent and spirit of the standards. Principles-based accounting system generally requires preparers and auditors to apply professional judgment to implement and interpret the standards in the absence of sufficient guidance to exercise that judgment. There is a danger because they can be used to manipulate financial results. Since they have often set low standards for themselves in this regard (even failing to meet those), it is a big question if they will rise to the occasion. Advantages and Disadvantages of Rules-based Accounting Standard: Advantages: Rule-based standards are generally considered easier to audit for compliance purposes, and may produce more consistent and comparable financial reports across entities. Requirements are set out in detail and compliance with the rules can be more easily monitored and enforced. Disadvantages: Entities may search for loopholes that meet the literal wording of the standard but violate the intent of the standards. Rules-based accounting has not worked in practice. Critics argue that the present U.S. system does not produce accurate reporting. It focuses on checking the boxes more than portraying an underlying economic reality. It filled with specific details in an attempt to address as many possible contingencies as possible. This has made standards longer and complicated, and has led to arbitrary criteria for accounting treatments that allows companies to structure transactions to circumvent unfavourable reporting. For instance, lease accounting contains hundreds of pages of rules and interpretations while almost no leased assets appear on corporate balance sheets. The system has created an industry of financial engineering and structured transactions designed to circumvent the rules. Many believe that rules closing structuring loopholes will only result in more elaborate ways to evade them. (Raymond Thompson, 2009) http://www.picpa.org/Content/40856.aspx

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Industrial Revolution and Great Britain Essay -- The Industrial Re

Since the advent of man, the human race has gone through many changes throughout history. One of the greatest and most crucial changes was the Industrial Revolution of Great Britain. Although the Industrial Revolution did have a few drawbacks, the positive outcomes of the Revolution far outweighed the negative effects. It pushed Great Britain fifty years ahead of other European countries and morphed the country into one of the strongest nations of its time. The Revolution improved the overall state of Great Britain mainly through the innovation and invention of new technologies, improvement in communication and transportation, and enhancing the lifestyles of the British commoner. During the time period of the Industrial Revolution, Great Britain saw rapid change. Many new inventions and innovations drastically improved both the economic state of Britain and the lives of the people. The introduction of better farming practices and inventions of new farming tools such as the wheat drill, which was a â€Å"sowing device that positioned and covered seeds in the soil† , made farming a lot more efficient and required less human labor. As a result people moved to cities in search of jobs, thus providing a large workforce for factories. During the industrial revolution â€Å"many people left their rural communities to work in towns and cities...working in a factory† . These factories became the powerhouses of the industrial revolution. â€Å"Never before had people been put to work in such a well-organized way† as they had been in factories. This new method of manufacturing goods exponentially increased the economy of Britain as new machines we re introduced. These new machineries enabled cheaper labor and mass production of goods at lower costs, a... ... Heath, 1983. Print. 3) "British Industrial Revolution." British Industrial Revolution. Web. 28 May 2012. . 4) "Canal History." Canal History. Web. 28 May 2012. . 5) "The Fabulous Story of the Postage Stamp." Arpin Philately. Web. 28 May 2012. . 6) "How the Steam Engine Changed the World." LiveScience.com. Web. 28 May 2012. 7) Mooney, Carla. The Industrial Revolution, White River Junction, Nomad Press, 2011. print 8)"The Open Door Web Site : History : The Industrial Revolution : The Development of Roads." The Open Door Web Site : History : The Industrial Revolution : The Development of Roads. Web. 28 May 2012. .

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Child Labor in India Essay

As a group we choose the topic of Child labor in India, and I am responsible to cover the Sexual exploitation of children’s in this country. My colleagues Olivier Turcotte and Frederic Lamoureux are going to cover others part of the child labor such as the industry labor and why those kids have to work instead of going at school. The objective of our project is to aware people of this reality of the world that medias don’t talk too much about and is kind of taboo. The child labor is something that not much of people are aware or concern about it because they don’t see it , but if we think about it, maybe the t-shirt, the shoes, or even what we eat have been pack by a kid from another country that is only 8 years old and work 30 hours or more per week. In relation with our topic, I will focus on the Sex labor that children are involved and abuse. This illegal activity that has reached a critical level in South Asia, is something that people are not really consciou s about and this is why we need to aware our generation to be less selfish and think about all those that don’t have the same luck to have a happy childhood. Well , about the kiosk, we start having some ideas about the material we will use , like posters and things like that but also we will try to reach association that protect or fight against the companies that abuse of children’s. References Carson, D. K., Foster, J. M., & Tripathi, N. (2013). Child sexual abuse in India: Current issues and research. Psychological Studies, 58(3), 318-325. This article discusses the nature and incidence of the sexual abuse of minors in India and presents an overview of research findings to date. Bandyopadhyay, R. (2012). Child-Sex Tourism, HIV/AIDS, and Social Justice in India. Peace Review, 24(2), 143-146. doi:10.1080/10402659.2012.677320 The article discusses the issues of child-sex tourism, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome and social justice in India. Jaishankar, K., & Haldar, D. (2006). Prostitution in India: Issues and trends. ERCES Online Quarterly Review, 3(2) Retrieved from http://www.ubishops.ca:2048/docview/61624615?accountid=8636 This paper discusses about prostitution in India that is a serious social problem and its solution has been rendered difficult by the problem of poverty. Prostitution is widely rampant in India and its main markets are i n the big cities and involves children’s prostitution. Joffres, C., Mills, E., Joffres, M., Khanna, T., Walia, H., & Grund, D. (2008). Sexual slavery without borders: trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in India. International Journal For Equity In Health, 71-11. doi:10.1186/1475-9276-7-22 This paper presents an overview of the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation in India also identifies the health impacts and suggest strategies to respond to trafficking and related issues Ray, N. (2007). Wither Childhood? Child Trafficking in India. Social Development Issues, 29(3), 72-83. This article reviews the current research on domestic trafficking of children in India. Child trafficking in India is a highly visible reality. Children are being sold for sexual and labor exploitation, adoption, and organ harvesting. Sathyanarayana, T. N., & Babu, G. R. (2012).

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Reflection on Learning with Learning Contract

In this assignment, I need to reflect on the situation that took place during my working group. In this reflection, I am going to use Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle. This model is a recognised framework for my reflection. Gibbs (1988) modal of reflection consists of six stages to complete one cycle which is description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and an action plan. Description I was put in groups for a week to work through a set of tasks. There was a mixture of males and females with a wide range of ages.There were some people that played a part in the group activities and there were some that did not, this was what contributed to the breakdown in communication in my group. The first day we got into groups, we had to do a learning styles questionnaire. In this questionnaire there were four types of learning styles, which where activists, reflectors, theorists and pragmatists (Honey, 1973). In my group of seven we were made up of reflectors, theorists and pragmatists.O n the second day we did a group activity about the skills knowledge and attitudes that a health care professional should have. During this task we were divided has a group even more because we all had different views on what we thought was the ideal health care professional. Day three we did a Kohlberg’s moral dilemma (1981) where we had to choose whether Heinz should steal the drug or not. My group was divided on whether he should steal the drug or not. On day four we did a self and peer-evaluation questionnaire. FeelingsI felt very frightened in the group setting because I preserved that I was the youngest in the group and I did not know anyone, which I was very shocked me because I am normally a very confident person. I also felt very out of place I really did not like being in a group that did not click with each other. I then started to get concerned that we would not get any of our group tasks finished. My second concern was that in a difficult situation that we might a ll argue because we all had such different views. But I was also excited to see what might have come out of the group tasks.I also think there should have been an icebreaker task; this would have eased us in. Evaluation The good experiences of the group tasks were that I learnt about myself and how other people work in small groups. It was also good to listen to other people’s opinions. It was also good to work with people I would not necessarily work with outside of these groups that were chosen for me. The bad points were that we has a group did not gel; there was a lack of communication throughout the whole week. I also think there should have been an icebreaker task. AnalysisThere were no activists in my group and I think this is why there was a breakdown in my group because activists like to be involved in new experiences. They are open minded and enthusiastic about new ideas but get bored with implementation. They enjoy doing things and tend to act first. Where reflecto rs, theorists and pragmatist are more reserved and like to think first and take a back sit (Honey, 1973). Some points of the task went well which were that as a group we found out what learning styles are and what the positives and negatives of each learning style and how we can use it to better are learning enhancement.The other members of the group also contributed on what they thought each learning style meant and if they thought it was a true representation of them. But some just did not contribute I am not sure if this was because they were shy or did not want to say the wrong thing or intimidated by the large group. Conclusion I have learnt a lot for from working in my group, I learnt to put myself in the others shoes and understand why people acted in a certain way. I came away being very emphatic and willingness to understand that not everyone is not the same.But now it has become a normal way of thinking and responding to a particular situation. So I have turned my reflecti on into learning. I have read that the more we read and think about a situation the more we can identify they importance of reflection (Boud et al, 1994). I have also learnt that ‘‘the basic unit of communication is made up of a sender, a receiver and a message set within a particular context’’ (Ellis et al, 1994, p. 4). Action plan If the situation came up again there would be a lot I would change one of hich would be more considerate to the group member’s feelings. Secondly I will continue to reflect and study the causes of why things go wrong. Reflection is based on allowing us to ground our thoughts and keep us focused. This helps to prevent reflection going off the subject. (Dallas et al, 2005). I would also like feedback because feedback is vital for development and change. Feedback is important to the on-going development of us has humans. ‘Feedback is central to developing learners' competence and confidence’ (londondeanery, 2010 )

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Reconstruction

â€Å"Reconstruction: An Unfinished Revolution† Events that have occurred through out history can usually be traced by the writings, theories, and research of that time; what is commonly considered â€Å"Historical facts†. In spite of this dominant idea that the interpretations of those events are factual, Histories interpretations involve both change and progression. As time progresses societies ideas change with it and the interpretations of certain events in history usually evolve with that passing time. This idea that histories interpretation are susceptible to change is seen in the changing attitude towards Americas post Civil War Reconstruction as Eric Foner points out in his essay â€Å" The New View of Reconstruction†. â€Å"In the past twenty years, no period of American history has been the subject of a more thoroughgoing reevaluation than reconstruction- the violent, dramatic, and still controversial era following the Civil War. Race relations, politics, social life, and economic change during reconstruction have all been reinterpreted in the light of changed attitudes toward the place of blacks within American society. If historians have not yet forged a fully satisfying portrait of reconstruction as a whole, the traditional interpretation that dominated historical writing for much of this century has irrevocably been laid to rest†(p. 8) Interpretations of history are subject to changes as new information is revealed, different ideas are heard, and as new interpretations are introduced. Eric Foner demonstrates the changing views on Reconstruction by introducing modern and traditional interpretations of Reconstruction. â€Å"Anyone who attended high school before 1960 learned that Reconstruction was a era of unrelieved sordidness in American political and social life.† The outlook on reconstruction during this time was that the â€Å"ignorant and child like freedmen†¦ were incapable of properly... Free Essays on Reconstruction Free Essays on Reconstruction â€Å"Reconstruction: An Unfinished Revolution† Events that have occurred through out history can usually be traced by the writings, theories, and research of that time; what is commonly considered â€Å"Historical facts†. In spite of this dominant idea that the interpretations of those events are factual, Histories interpretations involve both change and progression. As time progresses societies ideas change with it and the interpretations of certain events in history usually evolve with that passing time. This idea that histories interpretation are susceptible to change is seen in the changing attitude towards Americas post Civil War Reconstruction as Eric Foner points out in his essay â€Å" The New View of Reconstruction†. â€Å"In the past twenty years, no period of American history has been the subject of a more thoroughgoing reevaluation than reconstruction- the violent, dramatic, and still controversial era following the Civil War. Race relations, politics, social life, and economic change during reconstruction have all been reinterpreted in the light of changed attitudes toward the place of blacks within American society. If historians have not yet forged a fully satisfying portrait of reconstruction as a whole, the traditional interpretation that dominated historical writing for much of this century has irrevocably been laid to rest†(p. 8) Interpretations of history are subject to changes as new information is revealed, different ideas are heard, and as new interpretations are introduced. Eric Foner demonstrates the changing views on Reconstruction by introducing modern and traditional interpretations of Reconstruction. â€Å"Anyone who attended high school before 1960 learned that Reconstruction was a era of unrelieved sordidness in American political and social life.† The outlook on reconstruction during this time was that the â€Å"ignorant and child like freedmen†¦ were incapable of properly...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Review of Arthur Millers Play The Crucible

Review of Arthur Miller's Play The Crucible Of all Arthur Millers classic dramas, The Crucible remains his most difficult play to convincingly produce. One wrong choice from a director, one wrong gesture from a performer, and the play will elicit laughter instead of gasps of pathos. From a literary standpoint, the story and characters are easy to comprehend. Set in Salem, Massachusetts the plot moves at a brisk pace and the audience quickly learns that the protagonist, John Proctor, is the object of young, wicked Abigail Williams desire. She will stop at nothing to recapture the heart of this married man, even if it means accusing others of witchcraft and igniting the deadly flames of hysteria, a paranoia that will ultimately lead many to the gallows. Summary John Proctor carries a dark weight in his soul. A respected farmer and husband, he has committed adultery with a seventeen-year-old girl (Abigail). Yet, although he hides this fact from the rest of the community, he still values truth. He knows that the allegations of witchcraft are vengeful lies. John struggles throughout the play. Should he accuse his former lover of lying and attempted murder? Even at the cost of being publicly branded an adulterer? The conflict intensifies during the plays final act. He is given a chance to save his own life, but to do that he must confess that he had worshiped the devil. His ultimate choice provides a powerful scene that every leading actor should strive to play. Other complex characters within the play are a boon for actresses. The character of Elizabeth Proctor calls for a restrained performance, with occasional bursts of passion and grief. Perhaps the juiciest role of the play, though she doesnt get as much stage time, is that of ​Abigail Williams. This character can be interpreted in many ways. Some actresses have played her as a childish brat, while others have portrayed her as a sinister harlot. The actress who takes on this role should decide, how does Abigail truly feel about John Proctor? Was her innocence stolen from her? Is she a victim? Or a sociopath? Does she love him in some twisted way? Or has she been using him all along? Producing The Crucible Now, if the plot and characters are amazingly coherent, then why should this play be a challenge to successfully produce? The scenes of pretend witchcraft can evoke a comic effect if performed the wrong way. For example, many high school productions have gone over the top during the possession scenes. The script calls for young women of Salem to gyrate as if in a demonic fit, to envision birds flying around them, and to repeat words as though they are hypnotized. If done correctly, these scenes of mock-witchcraft can create a chilling effect. The audience will be able to understand how judges and reverends could be fooled into making a deadly decision. However, if the performers become too silly, the audience might chuckle and chortle, and then it might be hard to make them feel the profound tragedy of the plays end. In short, the magic of this play will come from the supporting cast. If actors can realistically recreate what life was like back in 1692, the audience will have a vicarious experience. They will come to understand the fears, desires, and disputes of this small Puritan town, and may come to relate to the people of Salem not as characters in a play, but as real people who lived and died, often in the face of cruelty and injustice. Then, the audience will be able to experience the full weight of Millers exquisite American tragedy.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

How to Write a Strong Dissertation Introduction

How to Write a Strong Dissertation Introduction Learn How to Create a Powerful Introduction for Your Dissertation The introduction to a dissertation may not be the first part of your dissertation a reader encounters, but it’s still one of the essential parts of the work. An introduction sets the tone of your work, allowing the reader to get a better idea about the kind of things they will get out of the dissertation. That is why a sloppily written dissertation introduction can spoil the success of even the most brilliant piece of writing. A strong dissertation introduction needs to be concise and clear. Even more importantly, it should completely match the topic of your work, so that the readers get a logical picture while reading your dissertation chapter by chapter. What Is a Dissertation Introduction? If you’ve come to the point where you need to write a dissertation, it means you’ve created a fair share of other written assignments and are already familiar with the concept of an introduction as a piece of writing. The introduction of the dissertation is the opening chapter of the work that describes the subject of the dissertation, introduces a thesis statement, and gives the readers an idea of what they will find in work. The Purpose of the Introduction in a Dissertation Any dissertation introduction has several clear objectives: To demonstrate the value of your dissertation and the practical relevance of the work; To get the readers acquainted with the fascinating topic of your dissertation; To explore the idea behind the subject with relevant examples. The Content of a Dissertation Introduction So what exactly should the introduction of your dissertation contain? The answer to that question largely depends on the specifics of your work, but there are also certain elements that should be present in every dissertation introduction, regardless of the subject: The indication of the problem; The scope of the work; The relevance of the research in the theoretical and practical field; The objective of the research; The current state of the problem; A description of the research design; Now let’s take a closer look at each of those elements. Indication of the Problem In this part of the introduction you need to explain what caused you to research this particular topic. The topic should stem from your own interests to be equally fascinating to your readers. Scope Using the indication of the problem, define the subject of your dissertation and how it is represented in scientific sources. Don’t include too much research in this part analyze the literature to find a new angle to look at the problem. Relevance Use this part of your dissertation introduction to explain how your work will have both theoretical and practical value. You can use the discussion parts of scientific sources to better formulate the relevance of your research for the scientific community. Current State of the Problem Using relevant scientific literature, let the readers know whether the subject of your dissertation is widely discussed in the scientific field or there has been very little research on the subject. Objective Formulate a brief and concise research objective and the problem statement of your work, which are two separate parts of the introduction. Designing research questions and hypothesis will help you create a more convincing problem statement. If you’re struggling at this stage, consider reviewing the literature first and then returning to the problem statement. Research Design The description of the research design is essential for a successful dissertation introduction, but don’t make it too detailed, as you’ll describe the research design later in the paper. Just state the primary conditions of the research. Outline Introduce briefly the structure of your dissertation here. Use one sentence to describe each chapter. Make sure you word your outline description in an academic and engaging manner. Writing a Research Proposal A dissertation introduction may be one of the first instances where the reader is acquainted with your work, but you are not required to write every chapter of the dissertation in the same order. Writing a research proposal before the introduction will give you more ideas on what to include in your introduction. Plus, as your work progresses, you can always come back to the introduction and improve it. Verb Tenses It’s an unwritten rule of scientific work that when describing your research plans, intentions, and actions, it’s better to use the present simple tense. Indicating previous research or background information calls for the past simple or present perfect tense. Introduction Length There are no rules on how long the introduction of your dissertation should be; the length of this chapter of the dissertation should be dictated by common sense and the nature of your work. Trying to fit the introduction into a single page may result in omitting some important information, but you also shouldn’t use the introduction to describe your work to the smallest detail there will be plenty of opportunities to do it throughout the dissertation. Editing and Proofreading One of the reasons why you should spare enough time for writing a dissertation introduction and shouldn’t leave it to the last minute is that you should be able to revise it before submitting the work. Editing and proofreading your work helps you not only eliminate possible spelling and grammar mistakes but can also give you some ideas on how to make your introduction even better. How to Write a Strong Dissertation Introduction Here are some universal tips on how to make the introduction for your dissertation stronger: Try not to make any claims that you will not be able to substantiate later; Use straightforward academic language to write your introduction; Avoid cramming too much information in the limited space of the introduction you’ll get a chance to describe everything in details later; Pay special attention to the first sentence of the introduction use it to grab attention of the readers. Potential Struggles Most students face some problems while writing the introduction for their dissertation, and here are three most common ones: The introduction is too long; The student tries to get into details, making the reader less interested in continuing reading; The introduction was written according to some formula without any consideration for the specifics of the particular work. Steps to Writing an Effective Introduction Since the job of the dissertation introduction is to attract the attention of the reader, you need to focus on making the introduction engaging and effective, and these are the steps you need to take: Let the readers know about previous researches done in this area; Introduce the topic to the readers in a way that instantly convinces them of its worthiness; Find gaps in previous researches or new aspects of the problem to locate your own niche in the study. To occupy the niche, you’ve found during the research, you’ll need to establish the importance of the work you’re doing and describe the value of your dissertation. Get Professional Writing Help If for any reason, you feel like you won’t complete the dissertation introduction the way you want to, you have one last option order the introduction for your dissertation from our experienced writers and get an introduction that meets each of your goals. Enjoy reasonably priced writing services from the most competent authors on the internet and improve your academic record!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Are Multinational Corporations Free from Moral Obligation Essay

Are Multinational Corporations Free from Moral Obligation - Essay Example This work will critically analyze the issue of there being any ethical consideration in the working of international organizations. According to Velasquez (1992, 319), morality does not exist in international corporations. This is simply because these corporations are not subject to the law of any nation in the world. In this way, they cannot be held responsible for breaking any law. Velasquez argues that morality is held and maintained when there is a higher authority to monitor any aspect of immorality. International corporations do, however, operate under now authority of any nation. His explanation for lack of morality is that according to Hobbsian Theory, men are likely to behave the way they want if they are not regulated. In this respect, men are likely to behave in ways that are targeting to gratify their personal interests. Velasquez argues that those international corporations that have some aspects of morality get discouraged by various issues. One of them is that if an international corporation is working within other organizations that do not value ethical considerations, it is subjected to high competitive pressure. On another hand, any international organization that works within an environment where ethical consideration are not regarded feel guiltless when they fail to observe the morality. When an organization is working within such environment, it is considered unfair if they continue to adhere to the laws of morality, which other organizations are not following (Velasquez, 1992, 320). Fleming (1992, 324-325), argues on a different point of view. This is by considering facts of presence of chief executive officers of organizations, managers and governments of nations in which these international corporations operate as important authority to foresee ethics. According to him, these agents have power to dictate moral and ethical considerations in any organizations. This is regarding their positions as decision makers of such

Friday, October 18, 2019

Issues with Executive compensation and benefits Research Paper

Issues with Executive compensation and benefits - Research Paper Example Moreover, assessing the strategies adopted by those organizations to mitigate such challenges, recommendations for the management of EL Camino Hospital will be drawn on how to resolve the situation. Historical View of El Camino Hospital El Camino Hospital is regarded as one of the oldest non-profit healthcare organizations operating in the state of California, the United States. The construction of the hospital building started in the year 1958 with a total investment of around US$ 7.3 million. It is worth mentioning that the funds invested were generated though issuance of funds to the general public. The hospital started operating in the year 1961 with a total of 300 beds, which gradually increased over the years. The hospital often been regarded to be the first to implement computerized medicinal information system. This particular development attracted a larger volume of people to avail the services offered by the hospital. Since its establishment, the hospital has also acquired a substantial number of well-known medical institutions under its name, making it one of the biggest as well as oldest non-profit healthcare organizations in the state of California (El Camino Hospital, 2013). Assessment of Current Challenges As revealed in the article, i.e. ‘El Camino Hospital Officially Files Lawsuit over Executive Pay Cap’, the hospital has filed a lawsuit against Service Employees International Union (SEIU). SEIU is a form of international labor union, which aims to protect employee welfare and to mitigate the problems faced by the labors while conducting various sorts of operational functions (SEIU, n.d.). The prime intention of the lawsuit can be interpreted as to negate a voter-backed initiative that would limit the compensation of the executives of the hospital. Thus, from this particular notion, it can be affirmed that the current challenge faced by El Camino Hospital is linked with executive compensation. Relating to the article, it can furthe r be observed that the people or the individuals within the hospital county voted to support the clause measure M taken to restrict the compensation obtained by the top-level management of the hospital, which was then accounted to be less than twice the salary of California’s governor. The lawsuit of the hospital identified two officials named Kary Lynch and Laura Huston as defendants, stating that they were found to be the main individuals who supported the clause (measure M). It is worth mentioning that the hospital also filed a suit against the chief Human Resource Manager of the hospital for being equally liable in motivating the employees to support the clause under the guidance of SEIU. Lawyers were also appointed by the non-profit healthcare organization to restrict the measures into healthcare districts, which were being supported by the SEIU. It is worth mentioning that although the hospital did not mention the name of SEIU, Mr. Lynch and Ms. Huston were directly add ressed in the lawsuit (Herman, 2013; Modern Healthcare, 2013; Embarcadero Media, 2013). Review of Other Organizations That Had Similar Situation and the Strategy They Used To Address the Issue In the current phenomenon, there are certain organizations, which have to face similar issues concerning the arrangements of executive compens

The Marketing Plan (optional company your pick) Research Paper

The Marketing Plan (optional company your pick) - Research Paper Example 1- 6). McDonalds primarily targets children and young adults for its products. This as a result identifies three major categories of the company’s audience. The first category is parents who take their children to restaurants. Another category consists of grown up children and youths who visit the stores on their own. Adults on tight work arrangements also form part of the company’s target population (McDonalds, p. 3). McDonalds’ pricing strategy is based on continuous research that identifies customers’ perceived value of its products. The company, as a result, builds its image and develops loyalty and utility among its customers. This is then used to determine prices at which customers are willing to pay for the products. Though the food industry is competitive, the company does not adopt pure price reduction because of it has marketing disadvantages (McDonalds, p. 5). The company is majorly a retail enterprise and focuses its distribution channels to its outlets. Strategic location of its outlets is therefore the main element of its product distribution (McDonalds, p. 1). McDonalds adopts a diversified approach to promoting its products. Its promotional initiatives include advertisements, â€Å"sales promotions, point of sales display, merchandising, direct mail, telemarketing and loyalty schemes† among others (McDonalds, p. 5). Advertising also employs different media forms that include print media in posters and magazines, audio media such as radio stations, and audiovisual media (McDonalds, p. 5). McDonalds major marketing strengths include its brand imaging and research based marketing strategies. Its major weakness is lack of innovation that leads to monotony in its product mix (McDonalds, p. 3). Wallace and Forte explains that a good market plan is economical, precise, â€Å"simple and easily understood, informative and customer oriented†

Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Personal Statement Example His personality, appearance and communication should be qualified enough to motivate people to follow the guidelines. The leader should be competent, goal-targeted and loyal to the profession. Communication style carries an important position in leadership. Every individual has some strengths and weaknesses, be it a leader, manager or an employee. However, the success of a person depends on his ability to judge his strengths and weaknesses. Once weaknesses are identified it becomes easier for the individual to overcome them. However, the strengths motivate him to maintain them and further research what needs to be done for a more successful outcome. Hence, it can be said that strengths and weaknesses both are important for a sustained excellence in the leadership profession. My knowledge about these important issues help me come over my weaknesses and enhance my strengths. I want to be a leader or a manager because I have identified certain traits in my personality which may help me in becoming a good and efficient leader. Some of these traits are discussed in this paragraph. Firstly, the habit of communicating my own ideas and asking questions about those ideas from others may be a helpful tool in strengthening the leadership and communication skills. In addition, my researching abilities and keenness to improve will help me as a helpful tool to gain a more competent position in any organization. Additionally, my personal experiences in working as teams throughout my school and college life have affirmed the importance given to appreciation and rewards. This importance provided to them has encouraged me to use them for a more effective team of subordinates. I have also observed that in order to get a better result it is important to involve the subordinates in the decisions more and more. This is also helpful for me in creating a better reputation in their view. In the cases where the views of subordinates do

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria Lab Report

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria - Lab Report Example We used standardized procedures in the process of cultivation of bacetia. We received pure culture of unknown organism. Using Bunsen burner the loop was sterilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with free hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. ... erilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with fre e hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. Gram stain For completing the Gram stain we needed Gram stain reagents (crystal violet, Gram's iodine, 95% ethyl alcohol, and safranin), microscope slides and bacterial cultures. In preparation of the Gram stain asepttci principles were used. Inocultion loop was sterilized by burning on a Bunsen burner until bright red color appeared. Five loop of the unknown colony were placed on a microscope slide and the material was sread even on the surface of the slide. The material was left to air-dry and room temperature. After this

Interactions with your Preceptor Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Interactions with your Preceptor - Assignment Example Both need reinforcement, support, reassurance, and encouragement. The preceptor/student relationship shapes the student nurse midwife is role transition and development, which affects the students self-confidence and performance in the clinical setting. My preceptor is a nurse educator who assists me in my practicum project in a nursing home. Although there have been some challenges in my practicum projects, I usually have a positive working relationship with my preceptor, who teaches and guides me through practical projects in evidence-based practice for the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia using ventilator bundle in long term Care (Gables, Reis, Impett &Asher, 2004). Since the time that I started my practicum, my preceptor has been helpful, understanding and patient. Despite the age differences, my communication with my preceptor is always open. She is usually open to assist me in any problem involving my projects and other aspects of nursing. She responds to questions positively. She has been offering me wise counsel on how to face challenges while in line of duty. The cooperation with my preceptor has enabled me to gain confidence and competence in handling pneumonia cases in long-term care, has enhanced my socialization capacity especially with patients and other nursing practitioners, has opened up employment opportunities, and has given me an opportunity to begin a transition from a student life to a general nurse professional life. In addition, she guides and teaches me different practices in the ventilator unit (Myrick, Sawa, Phelan, Rogers, Barlow &Hurlock, 2006). My nursing practicum experience is developed through partnership. My partners are my preceptor and the liaison instructor. Each partner has a special role in ensuring the goals of the practicum are met. In the partnership triad, the liaison instructor organizes for the practicum and the preceptor, provide communication link

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria Lab Report

Isolation and identification of unknown bacteria - Lab Report Example We used standardized procedures in the process of cultivation of bacetia. We received pure culture of unknown organism. Using Bunsen burner the loop was sterilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with free hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. ... erilized by heating the entire wire into the flame of the burner until it glows with bright red or orange color and afterwards the loop was left to cool. The culture of uknown bacteria was held in inoculation tube in a form of liquid culture and the inoulation tube was sealed with sterile cap.. We maintained aseptic conditions during the handling of the culture. During the whole process the caps and the tubes were held in hand were not allowed to be contaminated by contacting the table or other source of environmental bacteria. The openings of the inoculation tube was sterilized by burning with the Bunsen burner twice in order to avoid contamination with environmental bacteria. With the cooled loop, carfully not to touch the sides of the tube we collected one loop of material and after that the edges of the tube were again burned with flame from the Bunsen burner and the caps were put . The loop was then inoculated on two separate TSA plates. The lid of the plates was opened with fre e hand and the material was seeded with gentle strokes of the loop using T streak method in order to allow optimal contidions for growth. The lid was then put back on the plates and the loop was again sterilized by burning until glowing bright red on the Bunsen burner. Gram stain For completing the Gram stain we needed Gram stain reagents (crystal violet, Gram's iodine, 95% ethyl alcohol, and safranin), microscope slides and bacterial cultures. In preparation of the Gram stain asepttci principles were used. Inocultion loop was sterilized by burning on a Bunsen burner until bright red color appeared. Five loop of the unknown colony were placed on a microscope slide and the material was sread even on the surface of the slide. The material was left to air-dry and room temperature. After this

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Analyze the Effects That the Wealthiest Individuals of the Gilded Age Had on America Essay Example for Free

Analyze the Effects That the Wealthiest Individuals of the Gilded Age Had on America Essay As the American Civil War came to an end, an era of phenomenal economic growth was spurred by a second Industrial Revolution. It touched all geographic areas of America, evident in increased farm output and labor efficiency. The magnificent flow of goods generated could be efficiently transported by freshly lain transcontinental railroads made of Bessemer steel. Presiding over these late nineteenth century developments was a new class of extremely wealthy industrialists, the main beneficiaries of the era’s prosperity. They dominated substantial sectors of the new economy such as steel, oil, banking, and rail transportation. While these individuals created and donated outstanding wealth, they also engineered one of American history’s most corrupt and unequally heterogeneous time periods, dubbed the Gilded Age by Mark Twain. Such ambiguity blurs the legacy of these incredible few, who some call â€Å"robber barons† and other call â€Å"captains of industry†. However, neither polarity is completely accurate. The wealthiest Americans during the Gilded Age had both positive and negative effects on American society. While a large group of individuals amassed incredible wealth during the Gilded Age, there existed an even more elite group consisting of individuals that rank among the richest men in history. It included John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Jay Gould, James Fisk, and J. P. Morgan. To understand their later deeds, one must understand the strikingly similar environments in which these men came of age. For example, all of the aforementioned men were born in the Northeast during the Second Great Awakening, an environment in which principles such as self-discipline, frugality and efficiency were highly valued. Preachers of the time period endorsed the Calvinist view that â€Å"where you find the most religion, you find the most worldly prosperity†, while poverty was considered a condition of the lazy and spiritually weak (Chernow 55). Like many others have done in history, the wealthiest industrialists established religion as the concrete foundation on which they justified their actions. With the exception of J. P. Morgan, the most affluent robber barons also grew up with little material means. Carnegie worked as a bobbin boy at age 14, earning about $1. 20 a week, and Rockefeller picked potatoes for 37 cents a day in his youth (â€Å"Andrew Carnegie†, Chernow 32). These challenging living conditions further instilled frugality and grit inside the destined business leaders of America, qualities that would help them conquer industrial America. Most of the future industrialists also entered the business world in their teenage years. Sixteen-year-old Rockefeller so furtively pursued employment that he visited businesses from early morning to late afternoon six days a week for six weeks until he finally found a job as a bookkeeper (Chernow 44-45). Additionally, they were all in their early twenties when the Civil War began. Amusingly, not one of them enlisted; each hired a replacement for $300 instead (Zinn 255). The young entrepreneurs sought to benefit financially during the war instead of fighting in it, although most supported the Union cause (Chernow 70). The road that each of these extraordinary men walked led them into a monumental era. War raged, new industries boomed, and they had the chance to take advantage of their rapidly changing surroundings. Few in history had as fortuitous opportunities as these men who were born in the right place at the right time. The Civil War gave young industrialists an opportunity to flaunt their business acumen during â€Å"wartime prosperity†. However, with the exception of John D. Rockefeller, who quadrupled his and his associate’s company profits and then bought the company through fair and hard work, their ascent during the period was generally cluttered with acts of questionable morality. In one notorious negotiation, J. P. Morgan bought 5,000 rifles for $3. 50 each and sold them for $22 each to an army general, making a handy $90,000. It was later found that the rifles shot off the thumbs of the soldiers using them. However, no compensation was given because the purchase was an authentic legal contract (Zinn 255). In addition, Jay Gould and James Fisk heftily profited from trading railroad stocks. With inside information, they unfairly beat out rival speculators. James Fisk also commonly sold war commodities for triple their market price to desperate armies (Josephson 66). These young men were still largely in a developmental stage during the Civil War, but their actions during the time period heavily foreshadowed their later actions. Postbellum America was said to be â€Å"the most fertile in American history for chemers and dreamers† (Chernow 97). The young industrialists naturally continued to increase their wealth in the decades after the war with blazing speed, but the actions they made to do so further polluted their legacy and adversely affected American society. Perhaps the most notorious robber baron was John D. Rockefeller. During the war, the twenty-five year old had bought his condescending associates out and then opened Cleveland’s largest oil refinery. â€Å"It was the day that determined my career† he later said (Chernow 87). After the war, Rockefeller sought to further expand his business. He established the Standard Oil Company, a trust with $1 million dollars in capital, with the goal of controlling all of the oil industry (Chernow 134). An action that largely epitomizes his company’s chicanery is the formulation of the South Improvement Company, a collusion with three powerful railroads to increase Standard Oil stakes. Under the SIC, Standard Oil would receive a payment for every barrel of oil shipped by his refineries as well as other refineries, a deal that would discourage railroads to ship oil from refineries outside the SIC, virtually rendering it impossible for small refineries to survive. In exchange, Rockefeller promised to meet a daily shipping quota which would stabilize railroad profits (Chernow 136). When struggling Cleveland refineries heard of the SIC plan, they immediately protested. The plan eventually failed; however, while the plan was intact, Rockefeller bought 22 out of 26 Cleveland refineries in one month, a shopping spree dubbed the Cleveland Massacre (Chernow 145). One Cleveland refiner’s daughter said â€Å"Father went almost insane over this terrible upset to his business. His whole life was embittered by this experience†. Countless similar stories were told as Rockefeller ruthlessly conquered the oil industry by means of horizontal integration. â€Å"The day of combination is here to stay. Individualism has gone, never to return† he said (Chernow 148). Whenever legitimate competition arose, Standard Oil took extreme measures to corral it. When a rival pipeline company threatened Standard Oil’s dominance, Standard Oil hired lawyers to act as farmers and landowners who opposed pipeline construction, bought entire valleys of land, persuaded companies to not sell construction supplies to the rival company, and generously bribed legislatures (Chernow 207-209). Using similar coercive means as well as outright bribery, Rockefeller came to control 95% of the oil industry by 1877, eventually accumulating a fortune that makes him the richest man in American history (Bailey, Kennedy, and Cohen 541, Chernow 505). His success inspired countless business leaders to form trusts that further disproportioned American wealth, hence indirectly harming America socioeconomically on top of his colossal direct harm. Other industrial captains also amassed their fortunes at the expense of others. Railroad builders such as James Hill, Vanderbilt, and the Big Four employed Irish and Chinese workers at the cost of one or two dollars a day. Hours were long and the work was dangerous. In just 1889, 22,000 railroad workers were killed or injured (Zinn 256). The most famous demonstration of railroad labor unrest was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 which was triggered by wage cuts. 100 people died, and millions of dollars of property was damaged (Carrigan). The steel industry also generated aggrieved workers. Two-thirds of the workers at Andrew Carnegie’s largest steel manufacturing plant, Homestead, earned $1. 40 every 12 hour workday, barely enough to keep a family above the poverty line of $500/year. Asked about working conditions, one Homestead worker said, â€Å"I lost forty pounds the first three months I came into the business. It sweats the life out of a man. I often drink two buckets of water during the twelve hours; the sweat drips through my sleeves, and runs down my legs and fills my shoes† (Reilly 8). The wealthy inequality created by big businesses like Carnegie’s begot class warfare. In 1892, Homestead workers went on strike after the manager decided to cut wages and break the union. When Pinkerton detectives failed to stop the riot, federal troops were called in (Zinn 276). The Gilded Age naturally produced monopolistic big businesses that were owned by immensely wealthy individuals due to the nature of the technological innovations of the time period. They established an unfortunate precedent of greed and â€Å"survival of the fittest† in American society. One must also never forget the hundreds of thousands of forgotten men who toiled twelve hour workdays to enlarge a few men’s coffers. Much like the actions of the Spanish conquistadores, those of the wealthiest industrialists of the Gilded Age are mainly noted for their detrimental effects. However, this Black Legend of the late nineteenth century is not entirely accurate. It is true that greed and inequality loomed over them; however, they also developed the American supereconomy. For example, aided by the Bessemer process, Andrew Carnegie led a dramatic increase in steel production. In 1880, one million tons of steel were produced. By 1910, output reached 25 million tons, largely thanks to Carnegie’s innovative vertical integration (Zinn 254). Incredibly, before the 20th century, Carnegie Steel Company was producing more steel than all of Great Britain (Roark, Johnson, and Cohen 633). Rockefeller also utilized his unmatched executive skills to create a remarkably efficient business machine. For example, by applying thirty-nine drops of solder on cans of oil instead of forty, he saved $2,500 a year early in his career. In time, this tweak saved the Standard Oil Company hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Rockefeller constantly sought for such minute enhancements (Chernow 180-181). His genius can be seen in his jaw-dropping wealth; in 1902, his income was $58 million, over a billion dollars in 1996 dollars (Chernow 504). From 1865 to 1900, the American economy grew eightfold, and this was largely thanks to the talents of the industrialists who aided America in becoming the world superpower it is today (Watts). The 19th century industrialists also did not solely harm the common man. For example, Rockefeller’s monopolization of the oil industry ruined many common men, but it benefited even more by making kerosene widely available. This was because of Standard Oil’s foundational principle: â€Å"that the larger the volume the better the opportunities for the economies, and consequently the better the opportunities for giving the public a cheaper product without the dreadful competition† (Chernow 150). Rockefeller accomplished just this, as the price of refined oil was cut in half as a result of his enterprise. Because of Rockefeller, millions could light their homes for a penny an hour, a cost that would be much higher if not for Rockefeller’s dominance (Folsom 83). Perhaps the advances he gave to the common man outweighed his sins against the relatively few in the oil industry. Adhering to the doctrines of Andrew Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth, the wealthiest industrialists donated stupendous amounts of money to charitable causes. In 1911, the Carnegie Corporation was founded, a charitable enterprise with $125 million in starting capital founded by none other than Andrew Carnegie. To this day, it is one of the highest ranked charitable foundations with over $2 billion in assets for education, prevention of deadly conflict, and strengthening of human resources (Traub). As an extremely devout Christian, Rockefeller donated money from his very first paycheck, a fact that renders any extremely stingy and greedy portrayal of him false. â€Å"I have my earliest ledger and when I was only making a dollar a day I was giving five, ten, or twenty-five cents† he said. What distinguished Rockefeller from other great donors was his generous funding of medical research, an interest sparked by his father’s shady career. When asked about building medical facilities, Carnegie once said â€Å"That is Mr. Rockefeller’s specialty. Go see him†. In 1901, the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research was founded. Its work produced the first American Nobel Prize for medicine (Chernow 478-9). In 1910, Rockefeller fought hookworm on a global scale and within five years, it was nearly eradicated (Chernow 481). In donating to charitable causes, Rockefeller managed his charitable expenditures as he would with Standard Oil. By his death in 1936, he had given away $550 million, making him American society’s greatest philanthropist (Bailey, Kennedy, and Cohen 576). One area that almost all of the late nineteenth century capitalists contributed to was education. Rockefeller himself supported UChicago, Huntington, two Negro colleges, and the famous Tuskegee Institute. Carnegie personally contributed $60 million to the construction of public libraries (Bailey, Kennedy, and Cohen 576). Many others also contributed to America’s education. Cornell, Duke, Vanderbilt, and Stanford were all captains of industry. The colleges that they founded are among America’s top colleges to this day. Largely thanks to the donations of the industrialists, the illiteracy rate fell from 20 percent in 1870 to 11 percent in 1900.. It has been said that â€Å"a free government cannot function successfully if the people are shackled by ignorance† (Bailey, Kennedy, and Cohen 573). Thus, the donations of the wealthiest industrialists have had a profound effect on American society as young men and women in schools and libraries across the country to this day have been influenced by them. During the Gilded Age, the combination of laissez-faire economics, post-war sentiment, and technological innovation led to a spur of rapid change that forever altered the American landscape. The wealthiest industrialists of the time period became wealthy by taking advantage of its developments. In retrospect, late nineteenth century American society can largely be viewed as the results of the influences of the industrialists. The effects had no definitive net impact, but they did forever shape American society.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Health And Safety In The Workplace

Health And Safety In The Workplace Human resources are one of the most important features of many businesses. A business success relies heavily on the effectiveness to which this resource is managed. Policies and practices used by the firm, set out the standards to which they seek to aspire. They are designed to govern the operation of the business; especially in todays economy where there is such a rise in service industries (Biz/ed, 2010). This topic is of importance to us because it has proven to be a neglected field in todays corporate world; especially in Grenada. In this regard, this paper seek to highlight the importance of Workplace Health and safety to the business, to develop an understanding of how its effective management can affect the performance of a business, outline how this can be effectively carried out with the interest of the company in mind. It is often said that, the health of a nation is the wealth of a nation (Fraser, 2004), the same concept applies to business. The health and safety of a companys human resource is an enormous contributor to the success of that business. Human resources account for a large proportion of many companys costs; it is the people that invariably drive a business (Biz/ed, 2010) According to the Bureau Veritas, Workplace Health and Safety refers to, the evaluation of risks relating to the health and safety of an organizations workers and others (including the public) who may be affected by its activities (Bureau Veritas, 2007). Who establish workplace health and safety? The health and safety of a workplace is established through different sources. Firstly, on a national level occupational health and safety is instituted in accordance with legal regulations that were created by legislative decisions and is enforced and monitored by agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), for the U.S., and the Ministry of Labour in Grenada. OSHA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labour, has the responsibility of assuring the safety and health of Americas workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging (OSHA, n.d.). On a national and/or on a company level there are also instances of regular inspections by a safety representative. This can be self requested or legally mandated. This is done to ensure that companies follow the stipulated guidelines that are set to govern the safety and health of the workplace. Also, from a corporate standpoint, the health and safety standards of the company can be establish by the declaration of it in the Companys general worker manual and/or in the separate manual set aside for clearly laying out, the standards by which the company seek to keep its work environment and the people that use it safe and healthy. A more informal, but still an effective method is employee observation. This is simply employees reporting hazards that go unnoticed to the inspection representative and/or management. These options are in place to ensure accordance of a company to monitor and control the health and safety of the workplace, and to maintain it. In-adherence of regulations set by the above regulatory bodies can result in an employer being fined or sentenced to jail time (Cascio, 1998). Reasons for Maintaining Workplace Health and Safety There are reasons why a business should maintain a safe and healthy workplace. It purges the environment of possible risks to everyone that uses the facility. An organizations productivity is directly related to the health and safety of its workforce. Therefore, proper health and safety practices safeguard the productivity of its employees. When the workforce is unhealthy it affects productivity; quantity and quality. Proper practices maintain the health of the workers and it protects human rights; the human right to a safe and healthy environment and the human right to a safe and healthy workplace (PDHRE, n.d.) A major reason for maintaining health and safety in the workplace is that failure to do so cost too much. The consequences of not up keeping proper health and safety practices can range from having expensive monetary payouts, to death (users of the workplace). Other repercussions are Lower productivity levels sick or injured worker do not produce the same quality and quantity as do health workers. Poor quality products and services the direct relation between quality of workforce and quality of products or service they produce. High levels of complaints from customers lower quality of products or services delivered to customers would make them unhappy. Loss of customers and subsequently lower revenues if the quality of the production isnt addressed it can result in a loss in the customer base and later loss in revenues because of lower sales. Higher costs this increase in cost can come from different sources including: payment of insurance claims for damages, cost of substitution for sick or injured workers (training and wages), and benefits for sick or injured workers. Higher staff turnover as persons get sick or injured on the job they tend to leave. If the health and safety practices of the workplace are dreadful employees would not stay therefore higher turnover. Poor industrial relations poor health and safety practices would attract attention from unions who fight for the rights of employees. Thus, addressing safety and health issues in the workplace saves the employer money and adds value to the business (OSHA, n.d.). When workers remain safe and healthy, the direct cost-savings to businesses include: lower workers compensation insurance costs reduced medical expenditures smaller expenditures for return-to-work programs fewer faulty products lower costs for job accommodations for injured workers less money spent for overtime benefits Safety and health also result in substantial decreases in indirect cost (OSHA, n.d.). This is as a result of: increased productivity higher quality products increased morale better labour/management relations reduced turnover better use of human resources Employees and their families benefit from safety and health because (OSHA, n.d.): their incomes are protected; no financial shock because of illness or injury their family lives are not hampered by injury; no loss of income destabilization because of illness and injury they have less stress; because of a com Workplace health and safety extend way beyond the boundaries of the worksite. The families of workers and other users of the worksite can also be impacted by health and safety in the workplace (OSHA, n.d.). It is of a misconception that health and safety in the workplace only entails ensuring that there arent any hazards on the worksite however it should be noted that the hazard can be the employees themselves. Employees who are sick (communicable/non communicable), who have a drug or alcohol problem, who have psychological problems can also pose great threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace. Violent employees can also be classified as a hazard (Cascio, 1998). In this regard testing of the individual together with the worksite is necessary; drug and alcohol testing, psychological tests etc. Whose responsibility is it? The health and safety of a workplace should be part of the business HR strategy. It should be an initiative that is deeply rooted into the culture of a business. No one person should be responsible for it. Given this, all employees, supervisors and managers should undergo training in this area to suit their position. Managers especially should possess an attitude that support good health and safety practices because it is usually mirrored by employees; if the manager care about health and safety, the employees will do too (OSHA, n.d.). Both the employer and the employee are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is healthy and safe for all users. Employers are legally obligated to maintain and provide a working environment that is conducive for comfortable operations. They also have to provide safe systems of work and facilities that would sustain the welfare of its employees. They are also responsible for providing employees with any information, instruction, training and/or supervision that is needed to ensure that workers are safe during operations no matter the job. As a result of this responsibility to ensure employees are safe at work, an employer may institute regulations and policies that would call for the attention from and compliance of employees (Directgov, 2010). Employees are also expected to play a part in ensuring proper health and safety of the workplace. They are to make certain their own personal health and safety and that of other persons in the workplace; whether colleague, customer, supplier, etc. Importantly, workers are expected to adhere to the directions given by management to guarantee health and safety. If workers are to ignore these directives it creates a hazard in the workplace not only for themselves but also for others (Directgov, 2010). Effective management of the resource Each workplace is different and dynamic. Therefore the strategy used to effectively manage the human resource should also be different and dynamic. This strategy should include clear and concise plans for the addressing the types of accidents that and exposing the health and safety hazards that could occur at the worksite (OSHA, n.d.). An effective plan, as based upon the safety and health program management guidelines given by OSHA in January 1989 is the Four Point workplace Program. The Four Point Workplace Program as its name suggests, it is a program that contains four elements in approaching optimum effective health and safety standards. These elements Commitment and Employee Involvement The manager or management team leads the way, by setting policy, assigning and supporting responsibility, setting an example and involving employees. Worksite Analysis The worksite is continually analyzed to identify all existing and potential hazards. Hazard Prevention and Control Methods to prevent or control existing or potential hazards are put in place and maintained. Training for Employees, Supervisors and Managers Managers, supervisors and employees are trained to understand and deal with worksite hazards. Conclusion: The success of a business rests to a large degree on the quality of the workforce successful management of this crucial resource is critical (Biz/ed, 2010) The Employer has a responsibility to ensure that his/her employees are safe at work, and so may institute regulations and policies to ensure this. It is now the responsibility of the employee to make certain that they follow these rules. As an employee, one has rights and responsibilities for their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues and by extension the public (customers) (OSHA, n.d.). The key to the success of a safety and health plan is to see it as a part of the business operation and to see it reflected in the day-to-day operations.  As the implemented plan is incorporated into the business culture, health and safety consciousness will become engrained into the psyche of everyone. (OSHA, n.d.). Protecting people on the job is in everyones best interest our economy, our communities, our fellow workers and our families. Safety and health add value to businesses, workplaces and lives (OSHA, n.d.).

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Rudolph Guilianis ÂLeadership :: Leader Leadership Management

Rudolph Guiliani's ‘Leadership Leadership style and behaviour are key determinants of effective organisational management. The leaders are "The people who co-ordinate and balance the interests of all who have a stake in the organisation, including- the executive team, all other managers and those in team leadership positions or with a subject leadership role" Witcher (2007) argues that POSIES gives us an impression of a sequence of tasks, top-down strategic planning idea. Leadership style depends on how strategic management is managed by top managers. There are different leadership styles and therefore there are different ways that leaders review strategic priorities. In Rudolph Guiliani's book ‘Leadership', his philosophy is to identify the core purpose of an organisation and align the resources and focus along with that purpose. He also believes strongly in organizing around a purpose. In order to develop an organisation structure Giuliani's first question is always "What's your mission?"- not a day to day but on a long term basis. Therefore he proposes to analyse the Purpose, Objective and Strategy of an organisation before setting the structure. Weber (1924) classifies types of leadership in relation to types of authority. These vary from a commanding leadership, where people must have obedience to orders, to an inspiring type. This inspiring type may also be related to John Seddon's ‘systems thinking'. He argues that leaders should work the work. They should manage how people do things, not what they do. Chester Barnard (1938) argues that Executives primary job was to facilitate co-operation and that authority should not be imposed. Leadership is sometimes associated with visionary and a personalised form of management. Witcher gives us the example of Ford who had a clear idea of his vision for his car company. His vision was creating simple model cars at low cost and this vision produced the Model-T car, the modern mass production assembly line that made it possible. However, Witcher argued that this form of leadership may encourage short term, individually based goal setting, rather than team work. Senge (1990) advocates a dispersed leadership for the learning organisation where progress is achieved through small steady changes. A great leader in his view is one who encourages others to say, "We did it ourselves". Collins (2002) mentions that the difference between good to great performers is a consistent system with clear constraints. Discipline is a very important aspect with vision and faith. Strategic understanding is necessary and he stresses on the idea of getting disciplined people who engage in disciplined thought and who then take disciplined action.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Anyone lived in a pretty how town :: Literary Analysis, E.E. Cummings

â€Å"Anyone lived in a pretty how town,† by E.E. Cummings, is a poem that alludes to the circle of life and how birth and death are a natural part of this cycle. This meaning is conveyed by a complex metaphor; broken down, this metaphor slides away to reveal the true social commentary behind it. This poem is an allegory; the speaker uses pronouns with unclear antecedents to mask the true meaning and add poetic flair to the simple belief he or she presents. The first poetic device the speaker uses to convey his or her meaning in this poem is the unorthodox grammar and sentence structure. The poem starts with the lines â€Å"anyone lived in a pretty how town / (with up so floating many bells down)† (1 – 2). In this case, this improper grammar reinforces the point that is the story of â€Å"anyone† (1). As such, the â€Å"how town† (1) represents the fact that the name of the town does not need to be specified, as this happens to everyone in every town. The speaker therefore alludes that the events of this poem are natural and they happen to anyone anywhere. E.E. Cummings deliberately uses â€Å"anyone† (1) and â€Å"no one† (12) as pronouns with ambiguous antecedents to generalize the poem’s meaning to society and all people in it. In this way, the speaker uses these thoughts as social commentary. The speaker also manipulates time to bring out his or her message. Lines 3, 8, 11, 21, 34, and 36 all contain some order of either â€Å"spring summer autumn winter† (3), as in lines 11 and 34, or â€Å"sun moon stars rain† (8), as in lines 11, 21, and 36. As the order of these seasons changes, it indicates the passage of time. This manipulation of time draws attention away from these lines and towards the lines with deeper meaning hidden within. However, there is another form of time: the progression of life. The speaker comments on the growth of children in terms of their maturity levels and how as they get older, children tend to forget their childish whims and fancies and move on. He or she says that they â€Å"guessed (but only a few / and down they forgot as up they grew† (9-10). He or she then goes on to say that â€Å"no one loved [anyone] more by more† (12), hinting at a relationship in development, foreshadowing a possible marriage.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Face-to-Face Versus Online Education Essay

Education is essential to the future of our society. Many adults, including scholars and teachers, are constantly searching for the best way to educate students today. Face-to-face education, being the genuine form, seems to be the first choice of many students. However, online education is becoming more popular and is being used more often at universities. Online courses are convenient for some who have busy schedules which obstruct them from attending face-to-face courses. Online education may be the most convenient form of education, but is it an effective form? Several valid arguments have been made by scholars and other individuals claiming it meets both of these standards. The main question students and scholars would like to know is whether or not one form is better than the other. There are several differences between online and face-to-face education. Lecture classrooms are common in universities. They are an easy way to teach a large number of students at once, however, many students dislike lectures because it places them in the majority. In a lecture classroom setting, students may not have the chance to communicate with the professor or even their peers. Students may feel shy and intimidated by the amount of people around them. The online discussions, chat rooms, and e-mail features in web-based classes makes it virtually impossible to avoid communication with fellow students or teachers. The social barriers which exist in face-to-face communication often seem to be non-existent in online communication and students feel a lot less pressured to speak up, or should I say â€Å"type up†. Online communication, however, does not allow for nonverbal cues and this tends to limit the quality of certain discussions and lecture notes. Some  students may feel they need to be face-to-face with the person teaching them in order to better understand and comprehend the material being presented. Being able to hear what the professor has to say can draw the attention of some and distract the attention of others, sometimes depending on the excellence of the professor. Students are encouraged to try web classes if they have trouble learning from what they hear and find it easier to comprehend what they read. The convenience of online learning is possibly its most brilliant quality. Students find it practical that they can attend a class while sitting in the comfort of their own home. Soldiers, pregnant women, and others with tight schedules are all able to complete their course work in a timely manner through web-based courses. A man who works full time as an assistant at law firm and wants to continue working, while attending classes so he can become a lawyer himself, may want to take online courses instead of face-to-face in order to accomplish both goals. I think situations like this one makes online learning brilliant since it opens doors of opportunity to certain people. By posting information in discussion forums up to several times a day, professors can keep students working, but the students can respond when they have the chance. Online courses allow convenience for time and patience also. Think about the amount of time you spend driving to school and walking to classes, or the frustration of trying to get to a class on time while searching for a parking space in which you won’t be towed or ticketed. I spend up to twenty minutes of some school days driving in my car, congested with my vulgarity and frustration, searching for a parking space. Even with the beauty of all its aspects, some say convenience should not be an alternative to higher education. â€Å"Even though convenience is a positive attribute about the online classroom, it may not be enough to provide for the social and educational needs of students.† (Barakat) Students have claimed that they like the idea of not having to attend class â€Å"but disliked the process of communicating in a delayed, impersonal manner.†(Barakat) Through my online education experience, I have found that there are benefits  and disadvantages communicating on the web. Since times and meeting places are not specified in online group work, members of the group cannot make excuses on why they cannot attend. The assignments can be worked on by each group member on their own time. The group members can then cooperate with one another through postings or e-mail to equally combine their contributions. We don’t have to worry about the group members who did not participate receiving credit (as commonly happens in in-class group work) because we submit only the names of those who participated in the assignment. Having experienced both online and face-to-face education, I have come to the popular opinion: Online education has its positive aspects in relation to convenience and quantity of communication, however, I believe that face-to-face education produces better quality of communication which, in the end, is more essential to the learning process. Online education is convenient and can grant students opportunity to communicate more often with their professors and peers through postings and mail forums. Face-to-face education allows students to learn in a more personal nature which may make the learning process easier and more enjoyable. Neither form of education has been declared the right, or best form. Different individuals have varied beliefs and opinions on which type of education is the best. In order to form an opinion as to which form of education is best for you develop a hypothesis and then experiment by experiencing both forms. Finally, ask yourself, â€Å"Is online education as effective as traditional face-to-face education?† References Barakat., Dr. Samer A. On-line Education Versus Classroom Face To Face Education. www.sharjah.ac.ae/academic/engineering/e-forum/Abstracts-htm/a2-4.htm#. Kindred, Jeannette. Thinking About the Online Classroom: Evaluating the â€Å"Ideal† Versus the â€Å"Real†. www.acjournal.org/holdings/vol3/Iss3/rogue4/kindred.html. Chamberlin, Sean W. Face-to-Face vs. Cyberspace: Finding the Middle Ground. Syllabus Magazine. Thu., Mar. 4, 2004. J. R. Bourne, A. J. Brodersen, J. O., A Model for On-Line Learning Networks in Engineering Education, Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 85, No 3

Thursday, October 10, 2019

How to Make College More Affordable Essay

Many of the protesters occupying Wall Street and other places say they are upset about the rising price of going to college. There is little dispute today that the number of students who have debt has increased, and that the amount of money they have borrowed has gone up (Billitteri). Many students incur large amounts of debt that will never pay dividends in higher wages or greater job satisfaction, and they graduate into a world with weak employment prospects. It’s a betrayal of the American social contract that says if you work hard and invest in yourself through education, you’ll be able to build a better life. The current system is badly in need of an overhaul, and this paper will present several ways to bring about this needed change. The seriousness of the current situation has worsened during the last few decades. Since 1982, the average cost of college tuition and fees has increased by 439 percent, while the typical family’s income has increased by a mere 147 percent (_Measuring_, 8). After adjustment for inflation, students are borrowing twice what they did a decade ago, and total higher-education debt has surpassed credit-card debt for the first time, rising to $1 trillion at the end of 2011 and continuing to climb (Cauchon). And it’s no wonder students are feeling the pinch, when one understands the diminishing role federal grants have in providing education dollars for today’s students. â€Å"Today a federal Pell Grant covers only about one-third of what it costs for a public four-year college in-state,† says Lauren Asher, president of The Institute for College Access and Success in California. â€Å"In the 1980s it covered about half; in the 1970s it covered more than 70 percent.† (Abramson). The reality is that for young people today, it is harder to educate one’s way into the middle class, and college costs are leaving many in this generation without the credentials they need to thrive in the 21st century economy. One  radical solution that recently has been proposed is that the federal government should completely cancel student loan debt to stimulate the economy (Caffentzis, 31). However, history has shown that in the case of tax rebate checks, people tend to spend any rebates to pay off other existing debt, or they simply save them. This does little to stimulate the economy, and one suspects that the same would happen with across-the-board loan forgiveness (_Harris_). However, there are several measures that can be taken to make college more affordable. Let’s start with the student loan and grant system. The government should increase the number of need-based Pell Grants awarded to students, but there should also be more grant money given to the students willing to chose a cheaper public college or start their academic career by attending community college. Most colleges would consequently want to keep their tuition costs low to remain attractive to prospective students. This goes hand in hand with the fact that administration costs at colleges could be cut. One reason tuition never seems to drop is that universities are not getting more efficient the way other industries are. Today, administrators and staffers safely outnumber full-time faculty members on campus. College administrations frequently tout the fiscal advantages of using part-time, â€Å"adjunct† faculty to teach courses. They fail, however, to apply the same logic to their own ranks. Unlike businesses, which cut losing operations, colleges simply hike their tuitions (Ginsberg). In addition, private student loans could require school certification, be abolished outright, or private loans could be required to offer the same interest rates and repayment options as federal student loans. There should also be an increase in the income limits for student loan deductibility, and changes in the repayment rules. Second, we could move the country’s tax rates back to 1950s levels. This would increase the tax burden on the wealthy, which would help to fund student grants. According to the Tax Policy Center (a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution), from 1950 to 1963 individuals paid 91% or 92% of their income above $200,000 to the federal government. The current rate is around 35%, where it has been for the last decade.  (â€Å"_Historical_†). Our current American business model is based upon short-term gains by building capital, and industry has successfully lobbied Washington for lower tax rates for years. However, this is arguably not sustainable in the long term because technology-based business ventures will be forced to shift back to more industrial ones if they don’t have a readily available educated workforce. Corporations that do not pay their share of taxes will eventually suffer the consequences as their ability to hire a tech-savvy, educated workforce diminishes. Third, we currently have a bankruptcy system that does not allow student loans to be discharged, and there is no statute of limitations on collections of student debt. The government can legally garnish money from a low-income student borrower’s Social Security benefits and Earned Income Tax Credit. Garnishing money from low-income students contradicts the stated U.S. policy goal of reducing poverty, and is therefore hypocritical. Most other kinds of debts can be discharged, but not student loans. Since the beginning of the federal student loan program in 1965, the freedom to change lenders in order to find better interest terms for a loan has also been denied (Caffentzis, 35). To single out education loans as the one type of debt that our system specifically prohibits from standard bankruptcy is wrong. Unless education debt can be forgiven through bankruptcy proceedings, as most other debt can, the system will never be fair to student borrowers. There’s no reason to treat student loan debt differently from other types of debt, other than as a gift to the banks. After all, how many other loans carry a guarantee from the federal government for payment and restrict the borrowers’ options in the way student loans do? Lastly, colleges need to use their resources more efficiently. This includes outsourcing resources such as food operations, IT services, building maintenance, student bookstores, and recreation centers. Collaborative purchasing could be used as well. Private companies like Wal-Mart already use their enormous purchasing power to negotiate low prices from suppliers. Colleges that band together to buy goods and services can often obtain lower prices on goods and services used, than if they buy separately. On the teaching front, more classes could be taught online. Not all instruction can  be offered effectively on-line, but large numbers of students can benefit from the savings by reduced commuting and room-and-board costs. In addition, libraries could be encouraged to digitize their holdings, and professors could be required to select textbooks that are also available in e-book format and are usually cheaper (â€Å"_25_†). We need to re-evaluate our country’s spending priorities, and recognize that global competiveness will be increasingly based around our ability as a nation to compete in a technologically advancing world. The current cost of higher education puts our future prosperity as a nation at risk. If our populace is not educated, we will not remain competitive in an increasingly global marketplace. Many other countries already provide free or heavily subsidized inexpensive university education. In order to be competitive in a global economy, the US must do the same. Works Cited Abramson, Larry. â€Å"Why Is College So Expensive?† _NPR.org_. National Public Radio, 25 Nov. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. Billitteri, Thomas. â€Å"Student Debt,† _CQ Researcher_ 21 Oct. 2011: 877-900. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. Caffentzis, George. â€Å"The Student Loan Debt Abolition Movement in the United States.† _Reclamations Journal_ Aug/Sept. 2011: 31-41. Web 27 Nov. 2011. Cauchon, Dennis. â€Å"Student Loans Outstanding Will Exceed $1 Trillion This Year.† _USA Today_ 25 Oct. 2011: B1. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. Ginsberg, Benjamin. â€Å"Administrators Ate My Tuition.† _Washington Monthly_ Sept/Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. _The Harris Poll ®_ September 10, 2008, â€Å"Rebate Checks: No Economic Stimulus† Web. 2 Dec. 2011. _Historical Top Tax Rate_. Chart. Tax Policy Center. 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. _Measuring Up 2008_. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education_._ Web. 26 Nov. 2011. _25 Ways to Reduce the Cost of College_. The Center for College Affordability and Productivity. Web. 1 Dec. 2011.