Stereotypes Exist Because They Are Grounded in Truth

Stereotypes Exist Because They Are Grounded In Truth Has anyone ever said that ‘unicorns exist in real life and that they have seen them’? Or that they ‘felt hot while it was snowing’? Or that ‘cats can bark like dogs’? Clearly there is no truth to these statements. This is simply because unicorns do not exist in real life, you cannot feel hot if it is snowing, and that cats simply cannot bark like dogs. Life cannot exist without water, what goes up must come down, and similarly any statement which is accepted by thousands of other people must have some hint of truth to it.As Kanazawa says â€Å"Many stereotypes are empirical generalizations with a statistical basis and thus on average tends to be true. If they are not true, they would not be stereotypes† (â€Å"The Scientific Fundamentalist†). Although some people argue that stereotypes are just over generalizations, and that people use them to perceive the stereotyped groups†™ characteristics, most stereotypes are true as what is generally accepted in society must be somehow grounded in reality. Moreover, many stereotypes have been proven by science, and conducted psychological studies such as stereotype threat.People who believe that stereotypes are false, argue that stereotypes are just over generalizations. They argue that stereotypes represent just a small minority of the group being stereotyped against. They give the example of the stereotype that â€Å"all blondes are dumb. † And state that while some blondes may be dumb, not all of them are, in fact many are quite smart. They say that one's hair color has no effect on ones intellectual capability. While this may be true for some of the stereotypes, many of the stereotypes actually represent the majority of the group being stereotyped.For example the stereotype that ‘college educated people have bigger incomes than those who have only completed high school’ is a valid assessm ent. Yes, this might be true in some cases. But as proven by the â€Å"The College Payoff† a report published by the Georgetown University, while there might be a small handful of people who are only high school educated and who earn more than many of the college educated people, still most of the college educated people have a higher salary then high school educated people (Carnevale, Rose, and cheah â€Å"the college payoff†).So although there may be some stereotypes that are false or depict over generalization, most of the stereotypes in fact are based on assessments and actions of the majority of the group being stereotyped. Furthermore, people who argue that stereotypes are false state that people continue to cling on to stereotypes because it is quick and comfortable. It allows people to think they are gathering information about other people, without having to stop and actually spend time understanding the person or groups true personality. They claim that becau se of this many of the people or groups are misunderstood.However, what these people do not realize is that many of these stereotypes quite rightly show some of the traits of the group or individual being stereotyped. An example is the stereotype, ‘Jews are adept money handlers'. The fact is that this stereotype is true to quite a great extent. According to ‘The Weakonomics’, â€Å"you see an overwhelming representation of Jewish people within industries that revolve around the exchange of money†¦ Not only have they dominated finance†¦ † (â€Å"Why Do We Associate Jews with Money? †). While some of the Jews are either lawyers or doctors, most of them are in a field related to finance such as banking.In fact most of the people in top positions related to finance are Jews like the treasurer of the United States, and the Secretary of the Treasury. In fact most of the people running the American Treasury happen to be Jewish. Another example is the stereotype that Asians are smart and studious. Some people say Asians are smart because they are taught differently in their home country, others claim that Asians are smart because they are very studious, and still others say that Asians are studious because they feel academically at a loss when they come to foreign places to study and to compensate study harder.Whatever may be the reason, the truth remains that Asians are smarter and more studious than most of people. Thus, while some stereotypes might contain some discrepancies, most of the stereotypes show the truth about the group being stereotyped. Stereotypes do not just come out of thin air; they were based on actual observations of people or their actions. An event must have occurred to have that formed these stereotypes.For example according to Meltzoff, Cvencek and Greenwald, the stereotype that boys are better in math then girls forms almost as early as second grade when boys start to associate with math and start do ing better than girls in the subject (766-799). In fact all of the stereotypes have evolved from an origin. The stereotype that ‘blacks are good at sports’ came about because in almost every sport there is a black athlete who dominates the others. As sports sociologist Ben Carrington points out, at the beginning of the 20th century, whites were considered to be superior to blacks intellectually, aesthetically and even physically.However by the 1930s, this logic began to change as blacks started to be viewed as physically superior to whites in matters related to sports (Interview of Carrington, University of Texas). Another example is the stereotype that ‘Italian men are very romantic’. This stereotype exists because of the Italians' constant flirting with girls and their traditions which involve kissing a girl on her hand as a greeting. As Megalio says, Italian men â€Å"tell you that you're beautiful and really mean it, feed you to show their affection, c ry rarely but genuinely and work hard in honor of the woman they love† (â€Å"Why Women Can't Get Enough of Them†).Another example is the stereotype that ‘Italian men have an unhealthy obsession with their mothers. ‘ According to Pike and Allen; married or not, one in three Italian men sees his mother every day (The Guardian). Thus, stereotypes are formed based on history and statistics, but in order to survive they must be regularly reinforced. While there might be some stereotypes that do not apply to the majority of the group being stereotyped against, or are exaggerated truths, many of the stereotypes have in fact been proven by science.For example, according to Susan, quite a lot of gender stereotypes have been proven to be true by science (â€Å"Gender Stereotypes That Science Says Are True†). These stereotypes include ‘Women Love to Talk’ and ‘men are comparatively color blind’. As per the stereotype women love to talk , Susan talks about how the areas of the brain responsible for language are larger in women than men, and how the female brain processes language in both hemispheres of the brain (â€Å"Gender Stereotypes That Science Says Are True†).Moreover, regarding the stereotype ‘men are comparatively color blind', Susan talks about how the gene for seeing red is carried by the X-chromosome, and men have one X-chromosome while women have two, which puts men at a disadvantage at seeing the color spectrum (â€Å"Gender Stereotypes That Science Says Are True†). Another example is the stereotype that black people can't swim. In the first of its kind survey by USA swimming, it found that nearly 60% of black children have not been given aquatic training. (Quoted. in msnbc).Therefore, as we can see from the examples given, many stereotypes have actually been proven by science to be true and are hence more than just exaggerated truths. Lastly, another way in which stereotypes are t rue is the fact that they actually reinforce stereotypical behavior. This phenomenon is known as stereotype threat, whereby an individual is constantly exposed to negative images of his/her racial or ethnic group, this person starts to accept the same social and personal characteristics of these images as self characteristic.In fact psychologists, Steve and Aronson, conducted several experiments in which they proved that the phenomenon of stereotype threat does exist. When female participants were primed before a test of not being as smart as their male counterparts, their scores were significantly lower as compared to when the women were led to believe the tests did not reflect these stereotypes(â€Å"A threat in the air† 613-629). The same experiment was run again using African-Americans and Americans with the same results (â€Å"Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance† 797-811). Thus proving that the person acts like the way he/she was stereotyped to be.Stereotypes might be flattering or insulting. They might have positive effects or negative ones. But at the end of the day the fact remains that most of the stereotypes are true because they are grounded in actual observations of people, they have been proven by science, and because of the concept of stereotype threat. As David Cronenberg says â€Å"All stereotypes turn out to be true. This is a horrifying thing about life. All those things you fought against as a youth: you begin to realize they're stereotypes because they're true. † Therefore, just as smoke cannot exist without fire, stereotypes cannot exist without truth.Works Cited Kanazawa, Satoshi. â€Å"The Scientific Fundamentalist. † Psychology Today. 24 April 2008. Web. 12th March 2012 ;http://www. psychologytoday. com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/200804/all-stereotypes-are-true-except-i-what-are-stereotypes;. Carnevale, Anthony P.. Rose, Stephen J.. Cheah, Ban. â€Å"The College Payoff†. Geo rgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce. 5th August 2011. Print. ; http://cew. georgetown. edu/collegepayoff/; â€Å"Why Do We Associate Jews With Money? † The Weakonomics. 27th July 2009. Web. 12th march 2012 ; http://weakonomics. om/2009/07/27/why-do-we-associate-jews-with-money/ ; Cvencek, D. , Meltzoff, A. N. and Greenwald, A. G. (2011), â€Å"Math–Gender Stereotypes in Elementary School Children Child Development†, 82: 766–779. ;http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1467-8624. 2010. 01529. x/abstract; Blacks, Sports and Lingering Racial Stereotypes: A Q;A with Sports Sociologist Ben Carrington. Interview by University of Texas. 25th August 2010. Web. 12th march 2012. ;http://www. utexas. edu/opa/blogs/shelflife/2010/08/25/blacks-sports-and-lingering-racial-stereotypes-a-qa-with-sports-sociologist-ben-carrington/;Meglio, Francesca Di, â€Å"Italian Men: Why Women Can't Get Enough of Them†?. Our Paesani. Web. 12th ma rch 2012. Pike, Rebecca; Allen, Carmel. â€Å"Mamma mia†. The Guardian. 14th May 2002. Web. 12th March 2012. < http://www. guardian. co. uk/world/2002/may/14/gender. uk> H. Susan. â€Å"6 Absurd Gender Stereotypes (That Science Says Are True)†. 10th May 2010. Web. 12th March 2012. â€Å"Nearly 60 percent of black children can't swim†.Associated Press. Msnbc. 5th January 2008. Web. March 12th 2012. ;http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/24411271/ns/health-childrens_health/t/nearly-percent-black-children-cant-swim/#. T2CsyBHxrNl; Steele, C. M. â€Å"A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance†. American Psychologist. 1997. Print. 52, 613-629. Steele, C. M. , and Aronson, J. â€Å"Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance of African-Americans†. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1995. Print. 69, 797-811. Cronenberg, David. Brainy Quote. Web.

The Effectiveness of Time Management Strategies for Improving Academic Performance Among College Freshmen

The Effectiveness of Time Management Strategies for Improving Academic Performance Among College Freshmen Iris Hill University of West Alabama Author Note Iris R. Hill, Education Department, Class 504- Techniques of Educational Research, Dr. Reenay Rogers, the University of West Alabama. This research was not supported by any institutional grants or additional financial support. The author would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Reenay Rogers, for support and guidance during the preparation for the manuscript. The research reported does not reflect the views of the Mississippi State University, or the University of West Alabama. Iris R. Hill, 300 Carver Drive, Livingston, AL 12345. [email  protected] edu Abstract As college freshman search for ways to â€Å"fit-in† during their first few months of college life, it is important that they are introduced to time management techniques and strategies to improve their chances for academic success. The effectiveness of time management strategies among college freshmen at Mississippi State University, will be examined during the implementation of a freshman orientation class. A group of students that participate in a freshman orientation class will be introduced to time management strategies, to observe if academic improvement occurred. Another group of students will participate in another freshman orientation class without the time management component, to observe if academic improvement occurs or if grade point averages remain the same. Together, these findings will suggest that time management strategies do help to improve academic performance among college freshman. Keywords:academic performance, stress variables, grade point average, peers, aptitude, time management The Effectiveness of Time Management Strategies for Improving Academic Performance Among College Freshman Numerous occasions college students have not had to regulate their time systematically before attending college because they are smart and weren't really challenged in high school. This situation often differs in college because everyone who goes to college did academically well in high school, but the full selection are allocated. Students who received A's and B's, or above average grades in high school, are now receiving C's and D's, or average to below average grades in college. Those students receiving lower grades are likely no less competent than those receiving higher grades, but often their study habits, including time management, are less productive. A correct rule to manage time does not exist; however, it is critical for a person to become familiar with his or her self, so that they can make substantial decisions about how to use his or her time. We all are given 168 hours in a week to use, however, some individuals make better use of this time than others. Previous research suggested that many academically achieved students do not investigate their academic success. They tend to be successful and are satisfied with the study skills and time management techniques they have cultivated to guarantee that they accomplish their objectives (Balduf, 2009). Problem to be Investigated This study examines the problem of whether or not the effective use of time management strategies will improve academic performance among college freshmen. This is a problem because far too many first-time college freshman find themselves not prepared for the rigors of college life and academics. When college students learn how to effectively incorporate time management strategies into their daily, weekly, and monthly schedules and itineraries, it can help to reduce stress and fatigue, achieve goals and objectives, and improve academic achievement. Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is to discover if effective time management strategies and techniques can improve academic performance among college freshmen. The time management strategies that will be used in this study are demonstrated to be effective, adaptive, task-oriented, and individualistic. If these strategies and techniques are effective, then college freshmen academic performance will improve. It is assumed that then colleges and universities could implement the time management strategies to improve academic achievement and performance among college freshmen. Justification of the Study Time management is a very important part of any person's life. Somehow, it never really becomes relevant until a person is in college, for the first time. Effective time management skills should be used in all aspects of a college student's life. This study, if evidence supports this position, will improve academic performance by introducing time management strategies to first-time college freshmen. Time management is how a person manages his or her time according to Atkinson (1970). At times, many high performing students do not wonder about their academic achievement. Colleges should be aware that even their academically successful applicants may lack the skills necessary to succeed (Greene, 1986). One of the ways that college freshmen are introduced to time management skills, is through a freshman orientation class, that is required for all college freshmen during their first year of college. Through experimentation, the researcher plans to provide others with useful information regarding the correlation between the effectiveness of time management strategies and student academic achievement. Research Question and Research Hypothesis The research question is: Will the use of effective time management strategies improve academic performance among college freshmen? The research hypothesis is: Applying time management strategies and techniques will result in an improvement in academic performance among college freshmen. This hypothesis suggests the correlation between the dependent variable academic performance and the independent variable time management strategies. Definition of Terms Constitutive definitions- The following definitions were obtained from: www. dictionary. com Academic Performance is defined as â€Å"the execution or accomplishment related to certain areas of study†. †¢ Stress Variables is defined as â€Å"the physical or mental strain exerted on one thing by another that is apt to change or alter behavior†. †¢ Grade Point Average is defined as † a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade p oints received by the total number attempted†. †¢ Peers is defined as â€Å"a person or group who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, grade, background, and social status†. Aptitude is defined as â€Å"the readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence, ability – innate or acquired capacity for something†. †¢ Time management is defined as â€Å"the analysis of how working hours are spent and the prioritization of tasks in order to maximize personal efficiency in the workplace and/or school†. Operational definitions †¢ Stress variables will be any potential outside factors that may negatively affect academic performance. †¢ Aptitude will be given in a form of a pretest or survey prior to the experimentation and a post-test will be given upon completion of the experiment. Pre-tests and post-tests will be given to all experimental and control group participants. A comparison will be used to determine if time management strategies improved academic performance. Brief Overview of the Study The research would match the hypothesis in that, applying time management strategies will result in an improvement of academic performance according to academic grade point averages. The research study would include a random selected sample of 80 first- time college freshmen from a local university. The 80 students will participate for two semesters. At the end of the first semester, without anyone receiving the time management strategies training, the entire group's grade point averages will be recorded. The 80 students would be given a pretest in the form of a time management survey before the research period begins. The time management survey would determine the student's familiarity with using time management strategies as well as the lack thereof. The 80 first- time college freshmen would be split into two groups consisting of forty students in each group. One group would be the experimental group, that would receive the time management strategies during a freshman orientation class. The time management strategies that the 40 in the experimental group would receive, consist of: assessing and planning, adjusting and implementing, and evaluating. The other group would be a control group, that would receive a normal freshman orientation class without introducing time management strategies. This study would last for a nine month research period. At the end of the second semester, all of the student's academic grade point averages would be recorded to determine if improved academic achievement actually occurred for the students in the experimental group, that received the freshman orientation class with the ime management strategies incorporated into the class curriculum. The differences in the in the grade point averages would be examined. Background and Review of Related Literature In order to understand student achievement in regards to persistence at learning objectives, and time management, many contemporary motivational models consider how much students are moti vated to succeed in their school work. However, student achievement and persistence may not only be affected by their amount of study motivation, but also by the motivation to engage in alternative activities, as suggested by Atkinson (1970). Time management is therefore an important aptitude, also for students (Vanheste, Lens, & Vandenberghe, 2001). Students must learn how to split their time over the various areas of interest, because spending too much time in challenging activities might keep them studying and climax in unsatisfactory achievement, as suggested by Gergen (1991). Theory Past studies have confirmed the importance of time management skills and undergraduate student's academic performance. The consequences of other uses of time are still in debate. Some researchers have discussed that students engaged in activities that command ambition and energy also accomplish more in the classroom, while students who participate mainly in docile activities, perform less than adequately (Balduf, 2009). Other researchers have discussed that students who are tied to the college campus or university through residence, work, or extracurricular activities, function better as an overall student, while those who are apart from the college or university campus tend to function less than average (Schwartz, 2000). Many students are realistic about having to plan their work independently, and having to use time management skills to adjust to college life. Coleman and Freedman (1996) contend that many students find it difficult to regulate their self-study and keep up the rigors of college work. College students were not always sure how to prioritize their time. It is argued that colleges and universities should attempt to play a more â€Å"active role in helping first-year students to make sense of time management (Coleman and Freedman, 1996, p. 34). Studies Directly Related In previous studies of academically challenged college students, both motivation and goal determination were key factors in evaluating why students do not succeed academically. In a recent study, Hsieh, Sullivan, and Guerra (2007) found students whose grade point averages put them on academic probation (below a 2. 0) had goals that were counter-productive to academic achievement. The students that performed badly were less likely to seek out assistance in changing their academic outcomes (Hsieh et al. 2007). Shim and Ryan (2005) found that students who valued accomplishment- accomplishing the academic content regardless of the academic gain, had higher levels of motivation, while staying away from challenge and situations that could result in failure-connected to lower motivation and less than average time management skills. In a previous study, Whitmore (1989) discussed the causes of each person's causes of academic failure. Participants associated their high school academic achievement to insignificant efforts. They did not have to work hard to obtain the achievement they wanted, these students were never instructed, nor ever instructed themselves, on how to persevere through challenging issues. When these participants experienced challenging class work in college, they were not prepared to handle it. In addition, many other factors of the participants' experiences played a part in their college underachievement: insufficient study habits, poor time management skills, and internal versus external motivation. Research shows that when first-year college students or freshman, use time management strategies, it will help to improve their academic performance. McCown, Petzel, and Rupert (1987) contend that † the student's pre-entry characteristics, perceptions of the learning environment, reported work discipline, the use of deep information processing strategies, time management skills, and current academic performance† (p. 782) all play significant roles in the future academic development of the student. There is a large amount of literature based on the influence of institutional characteristics on student achievement as well. Common sense infers and educational studies displays that individual contrasts in academic success are a result of disparities in cognitive and other abilities, but also from disparities in motivation. Parents and teachers both, often times associate disappointing academic school performance results, to a lack of motivation, rather than to inadequate abilities. They argue that more academically motivated students spend more time and effort in their school work, which, in turn, lead to higher levels of academic success. The old proverb, â€Å"Practice makes perfect† may not always be true, but many underachieving students would benefit from devoting more time to school work. McCowan, Petzel, and Rupert (1987) found an important positive correlation of . 60 between extraversion and procrastination. Extraverted students need stimulation and they want to find and investigate their environment, so they actively look for challenges, they are less likely to be curious in a broad wide range of activities. However, these expansive and varied interests might hinder them from studying, and heighten their study procrastination. The student's habit of study procrastination is often not a development of low motivation or elevated concern of failure. Extraverted students do not possess the time management skills because other more exciting things always are more important. The other factors involved can viewed as potential stress variables. As societal expectations about attending college have grown, professors report increasing numbers of students who are unprepared for the rigors of postsecondary education- not just more students with learning disabilities, but students (with or without special admission status) who are academically at-risk because of inadequate reading, writing, study, and time management skills. This study by Graves (2011) provided professors and their graduate assistants, those in the lead concerning the interactions with students, with strategies and techniques they can use in the classroom, to assist with at-risk students, and help to raise their skills so that those students can effectively complete their studies. Graves (2011) discussed confirmed techniques that not only interest all students in a class, but also create the environment, while maintaining integrity and high expectations, to ensure at-risk and under-prepared college students to flourish academically and graduate with high grade point averages. Rimm (1997) also explained how to work successfully with academic support components on campus. Within the system of recognizing those students who need help, building a rapport with them, implementing inclusive teaching techniques, and extending suitable instruction, the article submits the theory teachers will need, and efficient classroom techniques. Natale (1995) covered teaching philosophy and goals; issues of improving time management and study skills, as well as the application of â€Å"universal design† strategies. The concepts discussed in the article can be easily integrated into any classroom, at any school or university. Studies Tangentially Related In a study by Dealtry (2004), it was suggested that a collaboration between higher education stakeholders is needed to develop an academic plan or centralized advising center to assist college freshman with selecting a major, time management, campus resources, and future goals to increase persistence and graduation rates. Administrators and faculty should work to develop programs to address retention needs of first-year students. Further research should be conducted to examine how participation in co-extracurricular activities, living and learning on-campus communities, campus climate, and social integration and institution commitment components contribute to student retention and persistence. In some cases, there may be other causes or factors involved that may be related to a student not being able to utilize time management strategies. Schwartz (2000) explained that some students who appear to be lazy, simply lack the executive skills they need to stay organized and get their work done. Schwartz (2000) told a story about a student with attention problems, whose academic performance started plummeting in high school. With the help of a peer advisor, Josh learned to manage his time better and complete his assignments. Schwartz (2000) shared several time management strategies that schools can use to help students become better prepared for college life. Procedures This study is a randomized pretest/posttest control group design. The hypothesis suggests a relationship between these two variables: academic performance (quantitative) and time management strategies (categorical). Some possible extraneous variables that might affect the results are that students may not be receptive to the time management strategies shared by the graduate students and professors teaching the freshman orientation class. Also, students may or may not receive help implementing the time management strategies outside of the orientation class. The potential for harm to participants in this study are as follows: 1. ) The group of students not receiving the time management strategies or skills training may have lower academic performance than the treatment group, 2. Some freshmen may not be motivated to do the time management strategies as others, and therefore, some students may not receive quality time management skills training during the freshman orientation. To handle these potential problems, the researcher will: 1. ) Implement the time management strategies for the group not receiving the training after the experiment is completed. 2. ) Require that only graduate students be us ed to incorporate the time management strategies training, and those students would exemplify high levels of academic performance. The possibilities of problems with confidentiality include: 1. ) If graduate students revealed the names of the students participating in the time management skills training class or 2. ) If the names of the students, who received the time management training, were revealed with academic performance scores. This study is of no risk to human subjects and the proposed research is conducted in â€Å"commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices†, in accordance with IRB category level I. Description of Research Design A random sample of 80 first- year college freshmen would be given a pretest or time management survey to determine their current knowledge and application of time management strategies. The random sample of 80 students would also submit their grade point averages prior to the beginning of the study. The grade point average measures a student's academic achievement at a college or university. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted. The 80 first- year college freshmen would be divided into two groups. The experimental group, consisting of 40 students, would receive the time management strategies integrated into their freshman orientation class. The time management strategies that the 40 students in the experimental group would be receive is based on a time management plan developed by Weinstein (2003). Students would be given a three step plan consisting of: 1. ) Assessing and planning the schedule. 2. ) Adjusting the schedule. 3. ) Evaluating and implementing the schedule. These strategies will be taught and monitored weekly by professors and graduate assistants. The control group, consisting of the other 40 first- year college freshmen, would receive the freshman orientation class without the time management strategies implemented. The study will be conducted over two semesters. Upon the completion of the study, all 80 students will submit their grade point averages and time management survey or quiz developed by Weinstein (2003). The differences in the academic improvement would be examined. Description of the Sample The sample includes 80 first- year college freshmen out of 1200, from a university in the southeast. The 80 students are divided into two classrooms. One classroom will participate in the time management strategies training and the other will not. The students range in age from 19- 22 years old. In this study, each classroom consists of 20 females and 20 males. The ethnic breakdown is as follows: 75% Caucasian, 15% African American, 10% Hispanic, and 10% Asian American. The group of students for this study represented a various mixture of socioeconomic statuses, ranging from low-to high levels, as well as different levels of academic achievement (i. . , GPA's from 1. 0- 4. 0). Each of the professors for the classrooms have taught time management components earlier in their careers. The graduate assistants who will monitor and observe the freshmen during this study, have successfully used time management strategies to enhance their own individual academic performance. Description of the Instruments Used The student's grade point average is an existing instrument that will be used in this study. The grade point average measures a student's academic achievement at a college or university. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted. The grade point average adequately and logically measures the student's comprehension in each subject area. The grade point average formula is appropriate for first-year college freshmen because it measures student academic achievement. The grade point averages will vary; however, the GPA formula is the same for each student. To check reliability over time, the GPA would be used to ensure the results are similar over the research time period. The second instrument will be used to check for internal consistency, known as the â€Å"Time Management Quiz† and â€Å"Where Does Time Go? † survey and questionnaire developed by Weinstein (2003). The Cronbach alpha (1975) instrument will measure the reliability of the answers from the surveys and questionnaires. the Cronbach alpha instrument is very useful because not only is it easily calculated, but it is also quite general and can be applied universally. The Cronbach alpha (1975) formula can be applied through a variety of tests and other measurements. In referring to the Cronbach alpha (1975), the alpha level is a degree of reliability measurement which allows for the forecast of whether there is a probability of committing a Type 1 error, which is the prediction of chance that X exists. The Cronbach alpha (1975) assesses the reliability of a rating (measurement based on a pre-determined factor) by summarizing a group of test or survey answers (samples taken from a population or a population sample or census) which measure some underlying factor (e. g. some attributes of the test- taker). A score is computed from each test item and the overall rating or scale, which is defined by the sum of these scores over all the test items. To establish whether the measures are consistent, a correlation is computed between the results obtained on the first administration of the survey or quiz to the following administrations. There are four uncontrollable variables of 1. ) practice and 2. ) fatigue 3. ) too short an interval, or 4. ) too few of the first test takers are not available for the posttests or surveys. To check internal consistency, the Cronbach alpha (1975) instrument will be used to evaluate the scores on the â€Å"Time Management Quiz† and â€Å"Where Does Time Go? ‘ surveys at the beginning and the end of the research period. For checking validity, the Cronbach alpha (1975) tool will be used to compare the scores at the start and the end of the research period, and also with the GPA's of the experimental group, the student's receiving the time management strategies incorporated into their freshman orientation class. All of these instruments together will measure current academic levels (GPA), time usage, habits, and attitudes, as well as basic concepts (conceptual knowledge), and applications by using open-ended questions assigned to numerical values. To ensure validity and reliability, the time management strategies are well described in the research proposal, so others can conduct the study if desired. Explanation of Procedures Followed A random sample of 80 first- time college freshmen would given a time management survey, and asked to submit their grade point averages prior to the research period. Prior to starting the research, a consent form is mailed out to each randomly selected student. The form must be signed and returned before the student can participate in the study. The student's names would be kept confidential by assigning numbers to students so that when data is reported, scores are identified only by a specific number. Also, the graduate students would be refreshed about confidentiality rules, and the importance of keeping names of students included in the study, confidential. The time management would determine the student's current knowledge and implementation of time management skills usage, habits, and attitudes, as well as basic concepts (conceptual knowledge), and applications by using open-ended questions assigned to numerical values. The time management strategies that the 40 freshman students in the experimental group will recieve, consists of: 1. ) Assessing and planning the schedule. 2. ) Adjusting the schedule. 3. ) Evaluating and implementing the schedule. The control group, consisting of the other 40 first- time college freshmen, would take the freshman orientation class without the time management strategies incorporated. Both classrooms will be taught by the university professors with the assistance of graduate assistants for observation and monitoring. The research period will last a total of two semesters, to adequately measure and record academic achievement in regards to the implementation or lack of time management skills. The student's would be given the time management quiz again, the posttest, along with the submission of their GPA's. The differences in the improvement of academic performance would be examined. Discussion of Internal Validity There are four threats to internal validity in this study. The four threats are subject characteristics, testing, history, and subject attitude. Subject characteristics could be a threat because the groups may be different according to gender, motivation, IQ, GPA's, socioeconomic status, and attitudes. In this study, to control validity, groups will be randomly assigned while maintaining an equal number of males and females chosen for both groups. The second threat to validity is testing. Testing is a threat to validity because it can produce anxiety for students involved. To control validity, testing or surveys will be given to both groups at the same time and on the same day, with the nine month period between both tests, while assuming that the pretest or survey has an equal effect on both groups. The third threat to internal validity is history. History is a threat because poor use of time management (i. e. , previous bad grades, study habits, extracurricular activities, and academic boredom) at the school may affect students' attitudes and interest towards time management and academic achievement. To control this threat to internal validity, documentation of any event that may occur and have an effect on the students, must be kept. It is also assumed that both groups would be affected equally by these events. The final threat to internal validity is subject attitude. Subject attitude is a threat because there is always the possibility of subjects altering or changing the behavior during a study. If the comparison or control group knows that the experimental group is receiving an enhanced version of the freshman orientation class (learning useful time management strategies and techniques), it may affect posttest scores. To control this threat, a regular freshman orientation class invigorated with fun, unique, and original enhancements should be provided. Discussion of External Validity This study will be generalized to all first- time college freshmen attending Mississippi State University, which is the accessible population. The study will be able to generalize to all first-time college and university freshmen in the state. Most of the schools in the state are similar in characteristics to the chosen university, thus making the school a representative population to the state. The study's results will not be able to generalize past the region because of the population's distinct characteristics. The results will be generalized to first-time college freshmen and academic improvement and not any other subject, because that is the subject the study involves. Time management strategies were not tested on other subject areas (i. e. , relationships, work), only academic achievement, in this study. References Atkinson, J. W. & Birch, D. (1970). The dynamics of action. New York: Wiley. Balduf, M. , (2009). Underachievement among college students. Journal of Advanced Academics, 20, (2), 274-295. Coleman, H. L. K. , & Freedman, A. M. (1996). Effects of a structured group intervention on the achievement of academically at-risk undergraduates. Journal of College Student Development, 37, 631-636. Cronbach, L. J. (1975). Beyond the two disciplines of scientific psychology. American Psychologist, 30: 671-84. Dealtry, R. , (2004). The savvy learner. Journal of Workplace Learning, 16, 101-110. Gergen, K. J. (1991). The saturated self: Dilemmas of identity in contemporary life. New York: Basic Books. Greene, L. J. (1986). Kids who underachieve. New York: Simon and Schuster. Hsieh, P. , Sullivan, J. R. & Guerra, N. S. (2007). A closer look at college students: Self-efficacy and goal orientation. Journal of Advanced Academics, 18, 454-476. McCown, W. G. , Petzel, T. , & Rupert, T. (1987). An experimental study of some hypothesized behaviors and personality variables of college student procrastinators. Personality and Individual Differences, 8, 781-786. Natale, J. A. (1995). Making smar t cool. The Executive Educator,17, 20-24. Rimm, S. (1997). An underachievement epidemic. Educational Leadership, 54, 18-22. Schwartz, B. (2000). Self-determination: The tyranny of freedom. American Psychologist, 55, 79-88. Shim, S. , & Ryan, A. (2005). Changes in self-efficacy, challenge avoidance, and intrinsic value in response to grades: The role of achievement goals. The Journal of Experimental Education, 73, 333-349. Vanheste, T. , Lens, W. , & Vandenberghe, R. (2001). Motivation and learning styles among college freshmen. Leuven: University of Leuven. Weinstein, C. E. , (2003). Learning and study strategy inventory. Clearwater, FL: H & H Publishing Company. Whitmore, J. R. (1989). Re-examining the concept of underachievement. Understanding Our Gifted, 2, 1, 7-9. www. dictionary. com Appendix A Consent Form Iris Hill The University of West Alabama Research Proposal Title: The Effectiveness of Time Management Strategies for Improving Academic Performance Among College Freshmen 1. What is the purpose of the study? The purpose of the study is to discover if time management strategies can improve academic performance among college freshman. There will not be any behavior modifications used; however, the study will be based on the information received prior to the beginning of the study and after the time management strategies are implemented during the study. 2. How was I chosen? Eighty first-time college freshmen were andomly selected to participate 3. What will be involved in participating? The eighty in-coming college freshmen would be divided into two groups. The eighty students will complete a pretest before the research period begins. The pretest will assess whether or not the student actively uses time management strategies and the current academic performance levels. The control group, consis ting of forty students, will not receive any time management skills training during the freshman orientation class. The experimental group, consisting of forty students, would receive time management skills training during the reshman orientation class. Graduate students would be used to monitor and assist the freshman group with utilizing the time management strategies (experimental group) during the six month research period. At the end of the research period, both groups will be given a posttest, which is identical to the pretest. The results of the posttests of the experimental group will be compared to the results of the comparison group to determine if the effectiveness of time management strategies improved academic performance. 4. Who will know what I say? It is planned for the study to be published in a professional journal. 5. What risks and benefits are associated with participation? The risks are that there will be no change in academic performance, or time management strategies might be used and not needed. The benefits are that there are possible improvements in academic performance. 6. What are my rights as a respondent? You may ask questions regarding the research, and they will be answered fully. Your participation in the study is voluntary; you may withdraw at any time. 7. What will be published? Following the completion of this research proposal, I plan to maintain my records for use in future publications and scholarly presentations. I plan to publish my findings as articles in professional journals, with the ultimate goal of publishing a book or a chapter in a book. 8. If I want more information, whom can I contact about the study? This study has been approved by the University of West Alabama’s Internal Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. This board can be contacted through the office of Mrs. Patricia Pratt. In addition, my research advisor, Dr. Reenay Rogers, can be contacted at (205) 652-5423. ____________________________________________ Iris Hill, Project DirectorRespondent’s signature, date Appendix B Permission to Conduct Research The University of West Alabama Iris Hill, Graduate Student 300 Carver Drive Livingston, AL 12345 September 1, 2011 Dr. James Stewart, Student Affairs Director Mississippi State University 123 College Avenue MSU, MS 39760 Dear Dr. Stewart, I would like to conduct a study using a random sample of in-coming college freshman for the 2011-2012 school year. The study proposes to research the effectiveness of time management strategies and skills on academic performance. The results of this study will improve the educational practice of professors and directly impact the study habits and skills, in regard to the academic achievement of students. The study will take place from September 15, 2011 to March 15, 2011. It will be conducted by me, Ms. Iris Hill, a current graduate student. I feel that this research study is a very worthwhile endeavor for the students and the school. Please review the enclosed information in order to make a decision concerning the school’s ability to conduct this research. A consent form has been included. Sincerely, Ms. Iris Hill The University of West Alabama Appendix C Explanation of Instrument or Copy of Instrument The student's grade point average is an existing instrument that will be used in this study. The grade point average measures a student's academic achievement at a college or university. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted. The grade point average adequately and logically measures the student's comprehension in each subject area. The grade point average formula is appropriate for first-year college freshmen because it measures student academic achievement. The grade point averages will vary; however, the GPA formula is the same for each student. To check reliability over time, the GPA would be used to ensure the results are similar over the research time period. The second instrument will be used to check for internal consistency, known as the â€Å"Time Management Quiz† and â€Å"Where Does Time Go? † survey and questionnaire developed by Weinstein (2003). The Cronbach alpha (1975) instrument will measure the reliability of the answers from the surveys and questionnaires. the Cronbach alpha instrument is very useful because not only is it easily calculated, but it is also quite general and can be applied universally. The Cronbach alpha (1975) formula can be applied through a variety of tests and other measurements. In referring to the Cronbach alpha (1975), the alpha level is a degree of reliability measurement which allows for the forecast of whether there is a probability of committing a Type 1 error, which is the prediction of chance that X exists. The Cronbach alpha (1975) assesses the reliability of a rating (measurement based on a pre-determined factor) by summarizing a group of test or survey answers (samples taken from a population or a population sample or census) which measure some underlying factor (e. . some attributes of the test- taker). A score is computed from each test item and the overall rating or scale, which is defined by the sum of these scores over all the test items. To establish whether the measures are consistent, a correlation is computed between the results obtained on the first administration of the survey or quiz to the following administrations. There are four uncon trollable variables of 1. ) practice and 2. ) fatigue 3. ) too short an interval, or 4. ) too few of the first test takers are not available for the posttests or surveys. To check internal consistency, the Cronbach alpha (1975) instrument will be used to evaluate the scores on the â€Å"Time Management Quiz† and â€Å"Where Does Time Go? ‘ surveys at the beginning and the end of the research period. For checking validity, the Cronbach alpha (1975) tool will be used to compare the scores at the start and the end of the research period, and also with the GPA's of the experimental group, the student's receiving the time management strategies incorporated into their freshman orientation class. All of these instruments together will measure current academic levels (GPA), time usage, habits, and attitudes, as well as basic concepts (conceptual knowledge), and applications by using open-ended questions assigned to numerical values. To ensure validity and reliability, the time management strategies are well described in the research proposal, so others can conduct the study if desired.

White-collar Crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

White-collar Crime - Essay Example White-collar crimes normally take place within a business and can involve embezzlement, lying, cheating, fraud, or blackmail. The individual uses resources that their business has to offer to allow them to achieve whatever their crime is, though they mainly involve money or stealing items or services to sell illegally to others. However, there are also instances of white-collar crime that consists of a high social class, respected individual committing a crime someplace other than their place of employment. Examples of this would be an individual attempting to fraud a bank, becoming involved in racketeering, or even a person using someone else’s position in business for personal gain (Wand, 2009). What sets white-collar crimes apart from other crimes, such as street crimes, is not so much the individual committing the crime, but the crime itself. White-collar crimes tend to be sophisticated in nature, as well as less violent. A street criminal would hold up a convenience store at gunpoint to obtain money, yet a white-collar criminal would fraud a bank or counterfeit money. A street criminal may harm someone in the process of his robbery, but this is uncommon in white-collar crime, though it still has the chance of happening. Reference Wand, K. (2009). White-collar crime. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage Learning.

UK IT Related Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

UK IT Related Laws - Essay Example Illegally obtained data, records or information about an individual are often used in crimes that involve identity theft. Other usage of data about a person includes blackmail, kidnapping and other crimes. Data Protection Act of 1998 The Data Protection Act of 1998 was in response to the European Directive of 1995 that required member states to protect the right to privacy of every citizen in the European Union. Recognizing the borderless nature of internet transactions, the need for this law to be passed in every state is of outmost importance to ensure that no European will be victimized within the European Union by fellow Europeans engaged in criminal activities. The Data Protection Act was very explicit in limiting the information to be gathered by organizations from an individual to ensure that only what is needed by the organization can be gathered. The Data Protection Act also mandates that the information gathered from an individual or generated for an individual by an establ ishment should not be kept longer than necessary. The provision cited herein has the intention of ensuring that no data or information can be obtained that can be used in stealing and replicating an identity. However, there are instances where problems still occur. In September 2010, Brighton General Hospital was robbed of Hard Drives that contained confidential information of patients of the said hospital. Although, the Chief Executive of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trusts stated that the Hard Drives have been released to a contractor who was paid to destroy the Hard Drives, unfortunately the contractor sold them on E-Bay. As soon as they have been informed of the theft, they were able to catch and recover the hard drives with the help of the local police. The Information Commissioner’s Office stated that the watchdog suggested that the fine of the hospital be 375,000 pounds. The 375,000 pound fine is the biggest fine that the Information Commissionerâ€℠¢s Office has issued. (OUT-LAW.com, 2012) Kent County Council has been named as the number one organization that loses private data of their clients in the United Kingdom. There had been 72 reports of theft between the years 2008 and 2011. One incident was mentioned in the article where a worker lost a USB drive that contained information regarding students somewhere. Most of the Kent County Council’s loss of data incidents includes the loss of laptops, documents that were misplaced or accidentally left outside a car. Another incident mentioned were parents receiving a report of a different child. Although the Kent County Council was not held liable for some incidents which is illustrated in an incident where one family posted case notes pictures on Facebook, making it accessible to anyone. However, it is no big surprise that they came out as Number One with respect to data loss since they are a big authority in the United Kingdom. (BBC, 2011) Zurich Insurance was issued a fi ne of 2,300,000 million pounds by the Financial Service Authority for the data loss incident in August 2008 involving 46,000 of its customers. The data loss occurred when they were transferring data to storage

Business professional Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business professional - Essay Example I came to know that this condition is called as â€Å"gynecomastia† which means â€Å"female like breasts†. I was surprised to read that a significant population of the males in the US acquires gynecomastia at some point in their teenage. The condition sustains in some and recedes in the others with the passage of time. I came to know that the most authentic treatment for the gynecomastia is surgery. I decided to see a surgeon for more information with an intention to seek an amicable solution for my friend. This became the basis of my interview with the surgeon. In the 45 minutes of extremely informative interview, I saw a ray of light for my emotionally distressed friend. I searched for some famous surgeons practicing in this field. I came across some videos of Dr. Blau on the Youtube. I contacted Dr. Blau and seeked an appointment with him. He agreed to give the interview within a week. I reached Dr. Blau’s clinic on time. I had already prepared a set of questions to facilitate the discussion. I wanted it to be a semi-structured interview, in which I would have my questions answered, but would allow the surgeon to take the explanation to any level. I might find new questions along the way so as to make the interview all the more informative and useful. The questions I had prepared included; How long have you been serving in this field? What is gynecomastia? At what age does it start occurring? How does it occur? How common is it? Why does it occur? What can be done to keep it from occurring? Is it fatal? Can it be lived with? What are the options for the treatment of gynecomastia? Which of the treatments is the most cost effective? Which of t he treatments is the most effective? What is the ideal age for the treatment? Is the surgery painful? How long does it take to perform the surgery? How long does it take for the pain to relieve?

Family ReResiliency Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Family ReResiliency Assessment - Essay Example Strong families solve problems with cooperation, creative brainstorming, and openness to others. (Walsh, 2006) A family's ability to recover from crisis is influenced by life stressors and by family perceptions. A family's goals, values, problem solving skills, and support networks impact its adaptation to long-term stress and crisis. Family resiliency includes characteristics, dimensions, and properties which help families to be resistant to disruption in the face of change and adaptive in the fact of crisis situations. (Walsh, 2006) Children and adults who learn the values and skills of resiliency will cope with stress, manage relationships, and contribute to others' lives more consistently than those without such strengths. This assignment asks me to explore my own family resiliency and to analyze our strengths and weaknesses. The question, at the end of this paper is "Are we resilient" I cannot say that the research I have completed on my family actually answers the question. I imagine that I am subconsciously biased in my presentation and accordingly, may not be capable of completing an untainted assessment. However, I can say that in the grand scheme of research our coping skills are appropriate. The father of my family is the one seated with power. He ultimately makes the rules and my mother conforms to it. While this does not fit in well with the American culture, it is a backboard of the Haitian Culture. (McGoldrick, 2005). I would consider my family to be over protective. I include myself in this label. We monitor each other as concerns what we feel are crucial life choices. This includes selecting friends, and intimate relationships. We also watch out for each other financially. My ability to help my family financially is a tremendous source of pride for me. (McGoldrick, 2005) Those who assist their family members with finances are highly respected in the Haitian culture. (McGoldrick, 2005). Indeed, when one family member cannot contribute financially to the family, it can see as a reason to break ties. (McGoldrick, 2005). Thankfully, I have not found myself in that situation. When each of us makes a life choice, it is discussed with the entire family. For example, taking this course as part of my education is something that was part of my family discussion. This is not to say that had they advised me, not to take this class that I would have followed their advice. Although we are protective with one another, we respect each other and respect the decisions, made by one another. Thus, if one of us made the wrong decision, my family would not throw it in one another's face and create conflict. Rather, they would say, "yes, you made a mistake, and you learned from it, now move on". I suppose I would liken my family to the Haitian proverb "During times of hunger, sweet potatoes have no skin". This proverb is meant to convey how my culture remains strong during times of adversity. (McGoldrick, 2005). We feel that as a family, we stick together and thus feed off of each

Gary and Gretas Corporation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Gary and Gretas Corporation - Research Paper Example Gary and Greta have operated a loss for the previous five years meaning that their total expenses exceed the total income hence having a loss for purposes of tax. Unless my client is a loss attributing qualifying individuals, they will not be able to pass the loss (Hoffman, et, al, pg26). Gary and Greta have adapted to the use of the losses from these rental assets to offset the rental income they have been charging their corporation for operating in their home. My client has been carrying losses forward (Barkas, pg 41). The last three individual tax return, the grumpy have shown income from leasing office space to their corporation of $40,000, $24,000 and $22,000 losses. Losses incurred in the rental properties have been in a surplus of the proceeds from the rent of the offices hence the duo has a loss carryforward of some amount, section 448 (d) (2). They did offset the lease income with the losses from the rental properties (Brownlee, pg 20) section 6013. The corporation is an entity that is legally established under company’s laws. Qualities as a corporation for purposes of tax are based on the form of companies in most taxing jurisdiction (as defined in section 448(b) (2). Since Gary and Greta have a separate corporation, this means that tax may be imposed on the corporation as a separate entity from the two. In this scenario, both Gary and Greta are not subjected to tax on the corporation’s earnings until that point in which they are distributed. According to the Tax Act, these corporations may be taxed on their incomes and properties. We have a specific range of rates on taxable income as defined in the system. The spouse needs to keep records that do relate to the cost, income, and expenses. For instance, a price at which the house, apartment building and the condo were purchased, depreciation accumulated and the security deposits (Brownlee, pg 20). They will also be required to keep records of expenses involved such as maintenance and repair costs, cleaning, advertising, real estate taxes and mortgage interest expenses.

Finance and Growth Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Finance and Growth Strategies - Essay Example In fact, more mature companies tend to have better payout ratio, with regular increases in the rates. The firm's dividend policy is generally affected by a number of factors like; 1. Future Expansion Plans and Capital Requirements: If the company has expansion plans, diversification plans etc. then it will prefer to have a large reserve of its resources and funds readily available for the new venture. The requirement could be in the form of capital for setting up a new production facility or liquid funds to launch a marketing blitz for a new range of products or tapping a new market. 2. Competitive Environment: Today we are living in an era of globalization and liberalization. This has led to intense competition in many sectors and industries. This is particularly the case for companies in consumer goods and retail industry. Beckett-Camarata et al. (1998) present a conceptual overview of relationship management in a rapidly changing global environment: "In a global economy, all system members are interdependent and are customers. Companies are restructuring (i.e. downsizing) to fund only those core competencies that are key to their profitability and long-term survival. Managing relationships with their customers - especially with employees, channel partners, and strategic alliance partners - is critical to the firm's long-term success" (p71) Therefore companies try to reach all stakeholders in equal measure. For the customers it tries to rationalize the prices in order to attract them towards the product while it is equally crucial that the company tries to keep all its stakeholders in good humor, by paying out good returns on their respective holdings. 3. The overall business scene in the sector/s: Dividend payout decisions are also influenced by the number of companies and the kind of requirements that the business sector has. For example the diamond exploring companies in some of the South African countries do not generally find intense competition and the sector itself is a specialized one, with labor intensive inputs in the industry. In such a scenario, the company will have a committed number of investors and financers who understand the sector well and realize its potential benefits and drawbacks. On the other hand, a telecom services company will have intense competition not only from with the regional telecom companies but from other companies as well. Therefore, in such a scenario the company will be hard pressed for remaining in good books of the investors, coming from a wider spectrum of society. 4. Profit earned during the financial year: Dividend is certainly dependent upon the revenues and profits earned during the year. If the company can keep apart a sufficient amount, in addition to reserves and other liabilities, then the investors can expect better payouts. 5. Political scenario prevailing in the country/ region: The dividend policy is indeed impacted to a great extent by the political environment prevailing in the country or the region. If the political class is supportive of firms' business activities and the firm can chart out a future course of action, the firm can be quite liberal in its payout policy as well. But,

Business information system Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business information system - Case Study Example This led to the system having success such as technical failures and network failures. It being a cloud-sourced system, network failure rendered the system useful. Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd is an Indian drug distributor. It distributes drugs from manufacturers by selling to retailers. In the first decade of the 21st century, the firm experienced increased growth over time and it was growing at a rate of 30% annually. However, this bust of growth was not to last forever because the growth, presented by a number of challenges, ended up declining. Not only did the growth decide eventually, but it also brought up issues for Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd because it now had to deal with a larger customer base. The need for use f IT became imminent and the managers had to consider procuring an ERP in order to help in serving the customers better. Some of the problems that led to Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd requiring them to acquire a system were as follows; The market in India was starting to gain a new structure and this increased completion for Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd (NDPL). As identified in the case study for Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd, the Indian drug market was very structured and regulated by the government as compared to the western drug markets. As a result Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd had to respond to this new challenge in the market. Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd (NDPL) had to know how to use this new strategy. Apart from having to make the decision to use technology to deal with its strategic issues, the mangers at Neelkanth Drugs Pvt. Ltd (NDPL) had to also make the critical decision as to what approach to use. The possibilities were many and varied and deciding what is the best way to deal with the issue was not an easy decision for ht managers. They had to decide to use a cloud according approach to the technology or they could use the licensed software to

Kerouac and Moon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Kerouac and Moon - Essay Example These two people are Dean and Sal. In the course of their journeys around New York, there are several fascinating encounters the two friends come across that both enlightens their views and opinion about the American person and also gives them a peculiar identify of where they two of them also belong in the American society or system. On his part, Heat-Moon William Least in writing Blue Highways takes the story from the perspective of someone who is not meeting love right away but bitterness and pain. This was because the journey that is described in this book was embarked upon by someone who had just separated from his wife and also lost his lost. As a way of finding solace from not just the brighter side of life but the ugly part of it also, the voyager decides to travel along the rural part of America that is often marked by a blue line in Rand McNally road atlas and thus the Blue Highway. It could briefly be said that both works are similar because they are all based on journeys of the life of real people while the setting of the journeys and the causes of the journey brings out the differences in the two books. Likes among both writers Both authors exhibit in their writing and the narration of their journeys, certain things they like about America that are common in both instances. One of these is the seemingly clear love for alcohol. This is shown because Kerouac emphasizes his love for big party with alcohol (Kerouac, p. 53). Similarly, Moon reiterates his love to drink a lot of alcohol (Moon, p. 6). Clearly, reasons as to why these two writers both love the abundance of alcoholic drinks in America could be traced to the circumstances surrounding their trip. On the part of Kerouac, it could be said that he was just putting himself in the most common kind of mood that new friends and lovers put themselves in, which has to do with the sharing of drinks and alcohol to make themselves feel so good. On his part, Moon might have taken to the love for alcohol a s a way of dealing with the pain and grief that his heart bore. The love for alcohol is thus similar among the two writers but the reasons for liking alcohol is quite different. Both writers also exhibit their likeness for music and dancing. Though Moon traveled through the rural part of America and Kerouac travelled through New York, it is common to find that music and dance is something that is synonymous with all parts of America being it rural or urban. This is because while Kerouac who was in the heart of the city wrote that he loves music and dance (Kerouac, p. 53), Moon who was also in the rural setting also wrote that he loves to enjoy his life by dancing off his stress (Moon, p. 9). Regardless of this similarity however, it can be said that the sources of enjoyment that came with music and dance for the two writers were different. For instance in the city, one is likely to party in places like the discotheque or club while in the rural area, all that there is to offer are p ubs and little bars and restaurants. Again, there exist differences in terms of causes of action. This is because while Kerouac’s action was caused by the desire to make himself happy with his friend, Moon’s action was caused by the need to throw off his sorrows. Dislikes among both writers As normal people, it would not be every single thing that these two individuals see about America that they will love. This is especially so as the two had to travel around different places in America. Indeed once a person is travelling around; it is common that he fellow will come across different people and different events that will trigger the person’

Police stress Essay Example for Free

Police stress Essay Introduction Stress is a psychological factor and a common feature of almost every kind of work. But it is important to note that it was only in the mid-70s that industrial psychologists focused their attention on the importance of stress in the workplace. â€Å"To serve and protect,† is the law enforcers’ motto as he works to accomplish the goals of his job which is primarily to provide protection to the citizens of his state. There accompanies with the work the kind of people whose shady and dark characters pursue the primary purposes in life which are to commit a crime and study ways to evade the long arm of the law. In policing work, stress is not underestimated but rather an important and critical aspect of the job (â€Å"it goes with the territory,† so to speak); stress comes in different forms. It is a given then, that police work is pictured as a form of service where the challenges are not the same as the regular kind of job; more so when the person is in active post or duty and expected to meet the most difficult types of experiences but usually on a regular basis. It is this scenario that this paper explores and presents to the reader the nuances of the job, the stresses a police officer regularly encounters, possible consequences on his personal and home life, as well as probable interventions. Significance of the study Two reasons are suggested why there was a growing recognition of the importance of stress on the job. First, there is the general awareness that stress-related diseases have reached epidemic proportions. More people die or are disabled today as a result of stress than at any other time. Because stress is so physically damaging and pervasive in people’s lives and because it is primarily psychological in nature the discipline of psychology as a whole and especially the specialty area of health psychology is interested in studying and treating stress and other psychosomatic disorders (Chang et al. 2006). The second reason for the growing awareness of the importance of stress at work is practical. The effects of stress on the job are costly and are reflected in a lower productive efficiency. Stress has been known to reduce drastically employee motivation and the physical ability to perform the task well thus, increasing absenteeism, turnover, and tardiness (Cahill 2003; Chang et al. 2006; Williams 2003). Statement of the Problem What is stress at work and how is this demonstrated in a particular individual worker like the police officer? What has personality trait or individual differences do with the development of stress as well as how do people cope with stress when the source is the place of work? This paper attempts to define, describe and explain the nature of stress, factors that contribute to the development of stress in an individual, and in particular what job stress or stress in the workplace can do to an individual. Discussion ~ The Nature of Stress Inside the body, dramatic physiological changes take place under stress. Adrenalin, released from the adrenal glands, speeds up all bodily functions. Blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, and extra sugar is released to the bloodstream. The increased circulation of the blood brings additional energy to the brain and muscles, making us more alert and stronger sp that we can cope with the sudden emergency (Landy 1985). A stressful situation mobilizes and directs one’s energy beyond its normal level. But if a person remains in that state of supercharged energy for too long, the body’s reservoir of energy will dissipate. Rest is needed to replenish the energy supply (Williams 2003). Prolonged stress leads to psychosomatic disorders. Remember that psychosomatic diseases are not imaginary. They are real and involve specific tissue and organ damage even though their cause is psychological. In prolonged stress, the body may suffer physiological damage and the person may become ill (Landy 1985). A. Individual Differences in Vulnerability to Stress One factor that affects vulnerability to stress on the job is social support, one’s network of social and family ties. The person who is alone physically and psychologically is more vulnerable to stress than someone who has strong social relationships. Social support on the job is also important to reduce stress and to have better health (Cahill 2003; Chang et al., 2006; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). One’s physical condition also relates to one’s vulnerability to stress effects. Persons in better physical condition suffer fewer effects of stress than those in poor physical condition (Cahill 2003; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Level of ability to perform a job can make people more or less resistant to the stresses of that job. Employees with a high level of the skills needed for the job finds the work easier and less stressful than employees with a lower ability (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Personality seems to be related to one’s ability to tolerate stress. This is particularly apparent with those of apparent with those of Type A and Type B personalities and their susceptibility to heart disease, one of the major effects of stress (Landy 1985). The Type A personality is highly prone to heart disease by middle age, independent of physical factors or their type of work. The two primary characteristics of a Type A personality are a very high competitive drive and a constant sense of urgency about time. Type A personalities are hostile people although they successfully hide it from others. That is why Type A personalities are always in a state if tension and stress (Landy 1985; Williams, 2003). Persons with the Type B personality never have heart attacks before the age of 70, regardless of their jobs or their eating and smoking habits. Type B people may be just as ambitious as Type A people, but they have none of their characteristics. They function under far less stress in all aspects of life including work (Landy 1985). B. Stress at work There are occupations that are considered very stressful. The following twelve are those that engender highest levels of stress: law enforcer, labourer, secretary, inspector, clinical lab technician, office manager, first-line supervisor, manager or administrator, waiter or waitress, machine operator, farm worker, miner, painter. This is taken from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Other occupations considered to be in high stress are the fire fighters, computer programmer, dental assistant, electrician, fire fighter, social worker, telephone operator, and hairdresser (Landy 1985). Survey is also found that among working women, the most stressful jobs are in the health care industry. For example, nurses, medical, dental, and lab technicians and social workers (Cahill 2001). Psychologists renamed the concept of overwork into the term overload and have identified two types: 1. Quantitative overload 2. Qualitative overload Quantitative overload is the condition of having too much work to do in the time available. Qualitative overload involves not so much work to do but work that is too difficult (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Another stress factor in the workplace is change. Many changes occur in the workplace. The introduction of a new work procedure may require employees to learn and adapt to different production methods (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Performance appraisal is a source of stress for a great many people. Few people like the idea of being evaluated whether at school or work. An employee’s role in the organization can be a source of stress. Role ambiguity arises when the employees’ work role is poorly structured and ill-defined. Role conflict arises when there is a disparity among the demands of a job and the employees, personal standard and values (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Problems of career development may lead to stress at work. Stress can arise when an employee fails to receive an anticipated promotion (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Being responsible for other people is a major source of difficulty for some supervisors and managers (Landy 985).   Contact with a stress carrier is also a cause of stress. A person free of stress can be infected by someone who is highly stressed (Landy 1985). Assembly-line work has been associated with stress because it is characterized by repetition and monotony (Landy 1985). Overall, then, each person must confront and deal with a large and recurring number of stress-producing events everyday both at home and at work. Although most people experience at least some of the harmful effects of stress at one time or another, most people, fortunately, do manage to cope (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). One effect of stress on the job resulting from overwork is called burnout. The employee becomes less energetic and less interested in the job. He or she becomes emotionally exhausted, apathetic, depressed, irritable, and bored; finds fault with everything about the work (Cahill 2003; Chang et al, 2006; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Figure 1.0 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Model of Job Stress (Source: NIOSH, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/stresswk.html) Burnout develops in three distinct stages: 1. Emotional exhaustion, with a feeling of being drained and empty (Cahill 2003; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). 2. Cynicism and the lack of sensitivity toward others (Cahill 2003; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). 3. Futility, the feeling that all the effort put forth previously was wasted and worthless (Cahill 2003; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Employees with burnout become rigid about their work, following rules and procedures blindly and compulsively because they are too exhausted to be flexible or consider alternative solutions to a problem (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). There is a price to pay for such overwork over a long period of time. Stress accumulates and leads to the psychological and physiological ailments described earlier. These people work so hard that they burn away their energy faster than the body can replace it. Such persons have been described as workaholics, or employees addicted to work (Cahill 2003; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Nature and Dangers of Police Work Studies done by Malloy and Mays (p 177 1984) point to the importance of understanding the kind of job that policing involves. The authors not only examined the stress levels within the workplace but a comparative study was made as well with the amount of stress experienced by law enforcement officers and other workers in other organizations or institutions particularly in government entities. The findings show that few jobs can equal the kind of stress that police work entails; fire fighters may come close though the frequency of negative or distressful events or occurrences become a regular fare for law enforcers contributing to the overall danger and threat to their personal well-being. Reports of suicide or attempted suicide have reportedly been high despite increasing awareness to the stresses of the job (Brown 2008). Symptoms may be there already but the few people close to the person refuse to recognize or identify the signs. These include irritability, lowered sex drive, digestive upsets, fatigue, muscle aches like backaches, insomnia or restlessness, overeating or drinking too much, muscle tics or rashes, a pounding heart, headaches and light-headedness may be evident on the individual. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or mental health issues can be some of the effects when prolonged stress is experienced and may even affect the immune system’s ability to protect the person’s body from everyday illnesses. Because an officer regularly deals with stress and anguish experienced by people they meet on the job, emotions can easily be bottled up, or set aside and compromise one’s health or in many instances, affect the officer’s ability to deal with the issues and problems in his own personal and family life.   Studies self-management skills program for the police officers show that there is a great difference when police officers go through programs that help them understand the emotional upheavals that go with the job. There was the reduction of signs and symptoms of imminent distress or physical and psychological manifestations of stress (McCraty et al 1999). Other techniques specifically used in other studies make use of films as tools to help debrief these individuals (Mann 1973 p 63). C. Interventions and organizational techniques The techniques for dealing with stress on the job involved both the prevention of stress and its reduction and elimination. Techniques that individual employees can practice on and off the job include relaxation training, biofeedback, and behavior modification. Some methods provided by organization include altering the organizational climate, providing employee assistance programs and treating victims of stress-related illnesses (Cahill, 2003; Landy, 1985; Williams, 2003). Industrial/organizational psychologists have proposed several organizational techniques for managing stress at work especially with police work: 1. Emotional Climate Control. Because of the stressors of modern organizational life is change, the organization must provide sufficient support to enable employees to adapt to change. This can be accomplished by providing a climate of esteem and regard for employees and by allowing them to participate in all decisions involving change in their work and in the structure of the organization (Chang et al. 2006; Landy 1985; Williams 2003). 2. Provision of social support. Social support can reduce one’s vulnerability to stress. Organizations can enhance social support by facilitating the cohesiveness of work groups and by training the supervisors to be supportive of their subordinates (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). 3. Redefinition of employee roles. To reduce the stress caused by role ambiguity, managers must clearly state to their subordinates what is expected of them and what the precise scope and responsibilities of their jobs are (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). 4. Elimination of work overload and work underload. Proper selection and training, equitable promotion decisions and fair distribution of work can do much to eliminate these causes of stress. 5. Provision of assistance to stressed employees. More and more organizations today are recognizing the harmful effects that stress can have on employee health and productivity. As a result, they are providing in-house counseling programs that teach individual stress-control techniques and supplying facilities for physical exercise (Landy 1985; Williams 2003). Some stress is necessary for normal functioning. The nervous system apparently needs a certain amount of stimulation to function properly. But stress that is too intense or prolonged can have destructive physiological and psychological effects. The actions of autonomic nervous system that prepare the organism for emergency can, if prolonged lead to such physical disorders as ulcers, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Severe stress can also impair the organisms’ immune responses, decreasing its ability to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. It is estimated that more than half of all medical problems are believed to be related to emotional stress. Psychosomatic disorders such as allergies, migraine, headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers and even acne are among the illnesses that are related to emotional stress (Hilgard, et al., 1983). Conclusion Frustrations occur when progress toward a goal is blocked or delayed and when two motives conflict, satisfaction of one leads to the blocking of the other. For as long as a human individual is alive and functioning in whatever milieu he is in, these forces are at work, often straining and draining him. Coping and defense strategies oftentimes become indispensable but later become debilitating for most if no longer controlled and regulated. The severity of stress depends on the situation’s predictability, the potential for control, the individual’s cognitive evaluation, his feelings of competency, and the presence of social supports (Halonen and Santrock, 1996). Works Cited: Atkinson, R.L., R.C. Atkinson, E.E. Smith, D.J. Bem, and S. Nolen-Hoeksema, Introduction to Psychology, 13th ed. (1993). New York: Harcourt College Publishers. Brown, Hal. Introduction to Police Stress. Accessed February 27, 2008 http://www.geocities.com/stressline_com/introduction_to_police_stress.html Cahill, C. A. 2001. Women and stress. In Annual Review of Nursing Research, 19, 229-249. Chang, E. M., Daly, J., Hancock, K.M., Bidewell, J. W., Johnson, A., Lambert, V. A., Lambert, C. E. 2006. The Relationships Among Workplace Stressors, Coping Methods, Demographic Characteristics, and Health in Australian Nurses. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(1), 30-38. Landy, F.J. 1985. Psychology of Work Behavior. 3rd Ed. Dorsey Press. Malloy, Thomas E., G. Larry Mays. â€Å"The Police Stress Hypothesis: A critical evaluation. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 11 (1984): 197-224. Sauter, Steven, et al., â€Å"Stress at Work† NIOSH publication. Retrieved December 20, 2007 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/stresswk.html Williams, C. 2003. Stress at Work. Canadian Social Trends, Autumn, 7-13. Halonen, J.S. and J.W. Santrock. 1996. Psychology: Contexts of behavior, Dubuque, IA: Brown and Benchmark, p.810. Hilgard, ER, RR Atkinson, and RC Atkinson, 1983. Introduction to Psychology. 7th ed., New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanich, Inc. Mann, Philip A. â€Å"Stress Training.† In Psychological Consultation with a Police Department: A Demonstration of Cooperative Training in Mental Health, by Philip Mann, 62-64. Springfield Illinois; Charles C, Tomas, (1973). McCraty, Rollin, Dana Tomasino, Mike Atkinson, Joseph Sundram. â€Å"Impact of the HeartMath Self-Management Skills Program on Physiological and Psychological Stress in Police Officers.† Institute of HeartMath, Publication No. 99-075. Boulder Creek, CA. (1999). Morris, Charles G. Albert Maisto, 1999. Understanding Psychology. 4th ed. Prentice Hall, Inc. P. 73.

Universal Motives Essay Example for Free

Universal Motives Essay What are universal motives? What are some examples of universal motives?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the aspect of psychology, scientist study and determine the behavioral characteristics of each individual based on their personal motives and interest On this aspect, human person basically react, decide, or simply act towards the achievements of their motives and interest. Thus, ensuring the achievement or the satisfaction of these factors can significantly motivate or encourage a person towards a certain reaction or behavioral conditioning. Because of which, the factor of motives and interest become an important factor in the determination of the behavioral pattern and characteristics of each individual.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the field of behavioral pattern and psychological characteristic, several factors are considered to be of universal nature as the general society display similar interest towards the achievement or satisfaction of these certain factors. Due to which, the scientific society established these factors to be universal motives as they are rooted in the innate needs and characteristics of the human behavior in general. Included in this category are the motives for food or survival, job for biosocial function, sex for reproduction and physiological pleasure, friends or family for social acceptance, bodily comfort, health, specific fears, and others. These motives are commonly shared by the universal human population or certain social regions thus, becoming a similar factor in the field of human behavior. The manifestation and development of these universal motives in each individual likewise become a unique characteristic based on the origin of these influences such as environmental factors, social inheritance, biological structures, and others. In general, these motivational factors are commonly shared by the human population giving them their universal characteristics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The satisfaction of these universal motives are generally important in the behavioral modification and conditioning in the social perspective as these factors serves as the common interest of the people. Likewise, the achievement of these universal motives are essential as they are based on the basic needs of each individual in the physiological and biological nature thus, important for their welfare and survival. As such, considering these factors is important in understanding the human behavioral characteristics and patterns in both the individual and social perspective. Bibliography Gorman, Philip (2004). Motivation and Emotion. Routledge Publication. ISBN-10: 0415227704.

Technology and Social Issues in Africa

Technology and Social Issues in Africa Nigel McKelvey   For many in the western world, the perception of Africa is one of starving children and war torn countries. But 21st century Africa is a continent that is attempting to dispel the old imagery and is ready to compete with the rest of the world when it comes to embracing technology. The major success of the mobile phone industry has revolutionised how the people of Africa live, work, learn and communicate. Technology has changed industry in Africa, while natural resources are still being mined by international companies with no benefit to its people, there is now an opportunity for individuals to reap the rewards of this new revolution as the skills are accessible and have allowed many individuals to empower themselves and realise their potential. A technical hub in Nairobi, Kenya is a huge success storey that can be replicated anywhere throughout Africa; because it is the people that are the greatest resource and not the blood diamonds or crude oil that others have been exploiting for decades. The hub has become so successful it has been dubbed Silicon Savanah. There are currently developing a 5000-acre site to develop the Konzo Techno City, the first of its kind in Africa. It is attracting major global companies such as Samsung, Blackberry and Huawei and when completed in 2025 will have 200,000 people working and living there. This is working proof that the African people given the same opportunities as the western world can serve as major competitors in the global market. Africa, colonisation, poverty, mobile phones, child labour, cocoa farming, Silicon Savanah. The media have been consistently severe in their portrayal of the African continent throughout the years. The Africa that the west perceive is one that Chavis,(1998) suggests as being as dark as the pervasive fear conjured up in the their minds. With constant images of famine and skeletal children viewed on television screens by millions throughout the decades, it is difficult to invoke a reimaging of the country as the problem still exists to a lesser extent. Many African countries are still suffering and reports that another major famine is imminent, which could affect forty-nine million people across southern Africa (Robb, 2016). In the last six years, there have been more wars in Africa than anywhere else on the planet (Arieff, 2016). The wars are ongoing and it is a struggle to establish economic and social growth in countries that are at war and those surrounding them. In Northern Africa, there are nine countries at war or have internal unrest, in central Africa there are three, in the east there are four while South Africa is also looking at unrest as support for the ANC is declining due to accusations of corruption (Timeslive, 2016). It is one of the major problems that affects the progression of a vast continent, each country has such varied and unique characteristics to offer the world, yet hindered by government corruption, conflict and poverty. In addition to this Birrell (2012) suggests there is a disconnect between what the western perception of Africa is and its fast-changing reality causing a lack of financial investment. Although these issues currently impede the economic growth of Africa and the social welfare of its citizens that live in the 54 countries that make up the continent, there is a change taking place where the digital age is being embraced and in doing so a new Africa is evolving. With a country that has only 40% reliable energy supply and 20% having access to the Internet, there is a new wave of optimism coming from an impending digital and cultural revolution (Kanza, 2016). This paper will look at how the social issues have improved with the introduction of new technologies especially the success of the mobile phone; it is a technology that has united the continent. Subscriptions for mobile phones have now surpassed half a billion and it is expected that 54% of the continent will be connected by 2020 (GSMA, 2016). The largest market for mobile phones are Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, with countries such as Kenya, who have a population of 45 million having subscriptions of 38 million (Mutiga, A., Flood, Z.,2016), which is more than 84% of the people in the country. The lack of infrastructure with unreliable and scarce fixed line telephone has contributed to the success of these devices and has given countries throughout the continent a freedom and new opportunities unheard of before. The effect of colonisation in Africa since the 1870s by European countries has played a major part on how the continent is perceived today. Before the European Renaissance, Africans were building cities earlier than the Greeks or Romans and had developed writing skills in the form of scripts such as Demotic and Hieratic (Pheko, 2012). It was a continent that was always rich in resources such as oil, coal and diamonds, but few countries within the continent rarely profit from them only other countries and multinationals (BBC News, 2012). Since the end of colonisation, little has changed in the way the many African countries have suffered, especially at the hands of their own governments who made deals with the devil. Multinational companies and foreign countries are still instrumental in the unethical exchange of billions of dollars to leaders and warlords to extract rich resources that they will greatly profit from while they allow the countries people to starve and be murdered. Any profits that are generated are never invested back into the country or its people (Pear, 2014). A continent that was historically ahead of its time had become a mere shadow of its former self. When the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a trip to Gambia in 1943, he was shocked at the conditions its people were living in and was quoted saying Its the most horrible thing I have ever seen in my life. The natives are five thousand years back of us. The British have been there for two hundred years for every dollar that the British have put into Gambia, they have taken out ten. Its just plain exploitation of those people. 74 years later countries are still being pilfered and little has changed in the way of financial investment in many countries that could greatly benefit from a fraction of the profits made by foreign countries or global corporations. With Africa having one of the youngest populations in the world, and an average age of 19.5 years (Worldometers, 2017), with 60% under 35 years old (Some, 2014); it is not surprising that it is a continent embracing the technical revolution. With new technology, brings an innovative era for millions regarding information relating to social aspects such as health, farming, business and education issues. The mobile phone market has grown so much in Africa, that it will generate one tenth of the GNP by 2020. Mutiga, and Flood (2016) suggest that by the end of the decade there will be 657 million mobile broadband connections, contributing $300 billion to sub-Saharan Africas economy. It is ironic that the success of this new technology has created a child labour market in its own continent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces half the worlds supply of Cobalt; a metal that can retain it magneticity at high temperatures, which is used in the manufacture of mobile phones, car batteries and computers (Bell, 2016). The 16 multinational brands that use this metal, including Apple, Microsoft and Sony; are aware that the mines that they are purchasing from use children as 7 years old, getting paid $1 a day for working in life threating conditions companies (Kelly, 2016). Amnesty International have been investigating the practice and have traced the supply chain of the mined metal to companies such as Volkswagen, Daimler and Samsung. Having received the list of companies that were recorded as customers of the battery manufacturer that uses the metal, only one admitted that they were aware of the connection of the cobalt mines and the batteries. None of the companies could provide any details to verify where they were sourcing their battery products (Amnesty International, 2016). The car companies involved use the metal as a key component in the lithium-ion batteries, while the marketing focus is encouraging the potential buyer to consider purchasing their product because it is environmentally responsible thing to do. The demand for electric cars is expected to reach 17 million by 2030 which will invariably increase the demand for cobalt and the expectation is already pushing up the price of the metal (Desai, 2016). While the process of extracting coba lt has now become mainstream knowledge, it has not hindered the sales of smartphones or electric cars nor will it as the public want to enjoy the benefits of having these goods without wanting to know what was involved in its production. Child labour does not only extend to the mining industry; the farming community also exploit children for labour and involved in the slave industry. Cocoa farming in countries like Ghana and the Ivory Coast contribute to a large part of its exports with over 60% of revenue generated alone from cocoa. Large international companies such as Hersheys, Mars and Nestlà © use the farms to supply the demand for their chocolate bars. The farms are generating so much money for the countries, that their governments are turning a blind eye to the amount of child slavery and kidnapping that is prevalent in these countries to keep up with demand and keep prices low for the large global customers. There are now estimated to be 1.8 million children working in dire conditions, where they are barely fed and working with dangerous pesticides and tools. In Ghana, 73.6% of rural children work in these types of farms with children as young as five have been reported to be working, with little chance of g etting a decent education; they may spend the rest of their lives been exploited by these farmers (Mull and Kirhorn, 2005). With the chocolate industry, worth $100 billion (OKeefe, 2016), the demand for young workers will not stop. This can only be stopped through government intervention and the chocolate manufacturers paying a reasonable price for the cocoa they procure for a minimal cost at the expense of the countrys children. The governments behaviour in the past, only further damages the chance of fair working practices and pay. Three journalists who reported the findings of a government probe into the corruption in the cocoa export trade, were detained until they disclosed the source of the findings, whilst another journalist went missing in 2004 when investigating the practices of the Ivory Coast Government and the cocoa industry (Crawford, 2005). The cocoa farmer is at the mercy of the suppliers, who along with the corrupt governments dictate the price they receive for their crops, ensuring the farmer and the workers stay in uneducated and poor because it suits their needs. The responsibility of the multinationals and the consumers of chocolate must decide where their conscience lie. The more consumers demand that the cocoa that produces the chocolate they so readily enjoy; comes from ethically sourced farms, only then can there be some movement in how the farmer can relieve young workers from their farms. By using mobile technology as an information tool cocoa farmers can use mobile devices to gain essential market knowledge relating to crop and animal prices. They also can sign up to information centres where they can educate themselves about best practice and the introduction of new techniques in different areas of farming that can help with increasing productivity and profits, whilst informing about proper pest control and correct disease management of their animals. In Senegal, a company called Mlouma offer farmers a service where they are informed on a timely basis of the best prices for selling and buying agricultural products (Omondi, 2014). This gives the farmers a market knowledge they never had before and enables them to get the best price for the product they work so hard to produce. A similar premise called Esoko began in Uganda and is now also successful in Tanzania and Kenya. It offers a central virtual market place, where the farmer is informed of market prices by SMS and part of their services includes a call centre where illiterate farmers can have access to the same information while also allowing farmers to put money aside or borrow money to buy necessary farming equipment (esoko, 2017). The cocoa industry may be corrupt, but by the farmers becoming more knowledgeable about the prices that are available, there may come a time where they get to demand a fair price for their goods based on what the information acquired through the established network creating using this technology. There are similar services throughout Africa that exist to empower individuals throughout the many areas of the production within the continent. Fishermen, fish processors and traders can avail of the service called EFMIS-ke. It is an electronic fish market information system that was launched in Kenya to combat the waste of post-harvest fish which was costing over 450,000 Euros annually. Data from fish landing sites and markets are continually uploaded onto a central database to be processed, which in turn is shared with users who can make informed decisions on where to sell or buy the fish depending on the going price (Nyabundi, 2017). While technology has allowed farmers and fishermen to gain a new perspective on how get the most from their product, there are still many social issues that blight the way. Strass, (2016) suggests that Africa must overcome 6 major challenges to make way for a better future. Low Economic growth rate. This is due to the oil prices and exports falling and the richer economies suffering from the after-effects of the Arab spring Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. This is all about to change according to Barton (2016), who believes technology is one of the 3 trends that will ensure an economic and social change for Africa in the future. The first, by having the largest working population in the world by 2034. The second where the cities are becoming ever larger and becoming more productive and the third where technology will help bypass the infrastructure issues that are so prevalent within the continent. Lack of Industrial Development. Industrial development in Africa has not grown since the 1970s. Page (2014) believes it is a combination of bad luck and government policy that has left the continent 40 years behind the rest of the world. Bad luck, in terms of the economic crisis that occurred globally in the 1970s and 1980s, which brought about a macroeconomic strategy where governments and banks made policies to keep inflation to a minimum. When Africa came out of its economic recession, the rest of the worlds economy had grown with inflation and Africa could no longer compete. Bad policies were put in place to reduce imports and attempt to increase exports, but little understanding of the global market place meant they were doomed to fail. Poverty, hunger, poor education, ill health and violence. Although the situation is slowly improving, the living standard in comparison to the rest of the world seems bleak. The Democratic Republic of Congo; Africas second largest country, is the poorest country in the world. Out of 20 of the countries in the world with the worst food and nutrition provisions, 19 of those are in Africa (Barton, 2016). Only through education and intervention from governments can there be any kind of social escalation in these countries. Urban slums. 60% of people living in African cities are living in slum areas. As more of the surrounding land becomes urbanised, the larger the slums are growing. Programs are in place such as the UNHabitat who are working with governments to acquire lands, but the slums are growing faster, with expectations that by 2050 1.26 billion people will be living in cities; only further exasperating the issue. Corruption The chair of the Transparency International Josà © Ugaz said Corruption creates and increases poverty and exclusion. While corrupt individuals with political power enjoy a lavish life, millions of Africans are deprived of their basic needs like food, health, education, housing, access to clean water and sanitation, (Veselinovic ,2016). Needs such as attending a doctor do not come easily for some citizens in many African countries. In Liberia, 7 out of 10 people claim to have paid bribes to access services such as healthcare or education. In Zimbabwe, a man who raped a 9-year-old year which resulted in her being infected with HIV; was released in secret because he paid a bribe. It is estimated that nearly 75 million people in Sub Saharan Africa have paid a bribe to officials to stay away from court and for basic services that they badly need (Transparency.org, 2015). Global Trade Partnerships. The African Growth and Opportunity Act is a trade agreement established by President George Bush in 2000, with an aim to develop market access to the United States for countries with Sub-Saharan African countries who adhere to certain human rights conditions and labour laws. This has afforded countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia to export $1billion in clothes to the United States with no tariffs (Schneidman, 2016). The worry for African countries with amendments to the Trans-Pacific Partnership was that other countries were attempting to get tariffs reduced and increase their exports to the United States. Since President Trump has withdrawn from the negotiations on the 23rd of January, the TTP may be dead in the water. What the growing concern now for the United States is that the Chinese are trading with them through the back door as they own many of the clothing factories that are exporting to them (Thomas, 2017). In a continent where hardship and starvation is commonplace, it is difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel from an outsiders perspective. Africa had never experienced any of the fortunes that North Europe gained from the industrial revolution (Armstrong, 2013), but it seems they do not want to bypass the digital revolution that is currently exploding throughout the continent, which to many may seem surprising that a continent so full of old traditions; such as men kidnapping a bride in Sudan (Hearfield, 2014) or negotiating a price for a bride in Southern Africa (Ziddina, 2009). They are a highly superstitious group of countries where the existence of witches is still believed to be true (Radford, 2010); all of which is deemed archaic by the western world, have surprisingly embraced technology with great ease. This may be because the technology that exists today and is being made available to them suits their needs. Technology is defined as the branch of knowledge that deal s with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment. Technology has created so many opportunities in Africa and has allowed it to leap into the 21st century with the same enthusiasm the rest of the world has. TU Delft are a group of Global Initiative Scientists who are using high tech science to find solutions for problems people are facing in developing countries (TUDelft, 2017). They have just been given the green light to start on 7 new projects in Africa; they include: Affordable housing Using technology to develop new design methods for low-cost housing in Addis Ababa where 75% of its people live in slums. Building Adaptive Cities Working with local authorities and it citizens during the stages of urban development to look at solutions on how the city and its people serve each other in the future. Water Balance in the Zambezi River Basin. The Zambezi river basin is shared by 8 countries and is home to 2 of the worlds largest reservoirs. The construction of the 2 dams had a massive impact on the basin and the studies will be carried out to predict floods and water levels which have affected its natural habitat and its people. Diagnosis of Tuberculosis and Detection of Malaria New technology in mobile phones is being proposed in the detection of Tuberculosis which kills millions of people each year, while an optical device is being developed to identify the presence of malaria. Biogas Fuel Cell System in Rural Areas Biogas Fuel Cell System is where a fuel such as gas is converted into electricity, a technology that IKEA is known for using in the United States (Bioenergy, 2017). TU is hoping to use this technology in remote areas (Holland, 2016). These new technologies can only be good for a continent that has suffered hardship throughout the last 400 years; from the colonisers to the corrupt governments and leaders who live lavish lifestyles while they let their people suffer. The technologies are a plaster on a large wound that requires proper attention. The mobile phone and tablet technology however is an accessible one that everyone can benefit from and requires little or no technical ability to use. It is why it has been so successful in areas such as banking where in Kenya, Sudan and Gabon have 50% of adults using online banking. This is also true of online education tools that are so popular that the market is set to be worth $530million this year. These types of online tools are helping young people get an education they may otherwise not afford to or have access to without this technology. Health education is also another use of the mobile technology where information is disseminated to the masses at the click of a b utton, which was unthinkable in the 1980s (Ogunlesi, 2012). It is now an opportunity for Africa to shine as it once was and to lose its unfounded title that once was the dark continent. References Chavis, R. (1998). Africa in the Western Media. Available: http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Workshop/chavis98.html. Last accessed 22nd February2017. Robb, S. (2016). 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