Statistic paper 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Statistic paper 1 - Essay Example How does a consumer know which one contains the lowest calorie amidst so many brands? This assignment establishes facts that will help customers navigating through the aisles in search for cereal of deserved calorie. This will be achieved by establishing a population mean of calories of 100 gram of cereals regardless of cereal brands. Should a customer plan on finding a cereal packet that contains calories lower than the mean, the customer would need more time to find it than the packet with the mean value. Data Collection Breakfast cereal population, in this case, is different brands that are available at the website the calorie counter (â€Å"The Calorie Counter†). The data of each sample represents the published calorie value of 100 grams of breakfast cereals. Therefore, sample unit for this study is breakfast cereal, and the response unit is calorie per 100 gram. The population study reveals that General Mills, Kellog, Kraft, Malt – o- Meal, and Quaker companies are principal manufactures of the breakfast cereals (The Calorie Counter). General Mills produces 48 brands, Kellog produces 40 brands, Kraft produces 24 brands, Malt – O – Meal produces 9 brands, and Quaker produces 44 brands. The population consists of 165 brands. The study uses samples of 30 individual breakfast cereals selected randomly from this population. The population consists of 5 strata. This study uses stratified sampling technique to collect sample data. Numbers of samples from each stratum are calculated using the formula; (Population of the stratum / entire population) x 30. Sample size, n = 30 is determined on literature review for determining the sample size for statistical analysis (â€Å"30 Samples†). Description and Presentation of Data This research uses retrospective observational quantitative data; variables with numerical values. Quantitative data have two classes: discrete and continuous. If a variable can take values between a minimum and maximum, it is called continuous variable otherwise it is discrete. Based on the above discussion this assignment will use continuous quantitative data. The sample data of this assignment is presented using stem and leaf, and array tables. Stem and Leaf Table. It presents data in all of its detail. It describes the range and relative frequency of each value in the set. The stem and leaf table helps determine the best grouping level for a frequency histogram. In this assignment, the each value of sample data set consists of three digits. Raw data set is rearranged in an ascending order; first two digits are considered the stem and corresponding leafs are counted for each stem. Table 1 displays the values of the data set in the form of stem and leaf. Table 1. Stem and Leaf Data Distribution Total 31 1 1 32 0 3 2 33 2 4 2 34 0 1 35 0 2 2 36 5 1 37 0 3 3 6 8 5 38 0 1 3 3 7 7 6 39 0 1 2 3 6 6 6 40 0 9 2 41 2 5 2    Subtotal 30 Array Table. It is arranged to present data in a tabular fo rm of columns and rows. Table 3 displays data in ascending order in an array. Data are arranged in three rows, and each row consists of 10 columns Table2. Array Form Data Distribution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 311 320 323 332 334 340 350 352 365 370 373 373 376 378 380 381 383 383 387 387 390 391 392 393 396 396 400 409 412 415 Histogram. Table 2 displays sample data in the array form. The minimum value is 311, and the maximum value is 415. The

Management accounting and decision making Essay Example for Free

Management accounting and decision making Essay According to Burger (2008) â€Å"Accounting is the language of business. A lot of people think its just numbers, but its really a lot more than that. There are a lot of areas outside of numbers that need to be looked at, processes and procedures, what the tone of the company is. Accounting will take you in just about any direction in a company. ~ Wade Becker, CPA, Beard, Miller Co. The job description of many professions is changing nowadays. The skills to perform a certain job require more skills to perform a particular job. If an example of Information Technology is to be taken then it is realized that once they were left to do IT related jobs or make computers work however, in today’s world IT professionals are now moving into higher level management positions which require them to perform many other tasks which may not be directly related to the their profession. Therefore, a stereotypical role of an accountant was once considered a â€Å"number person† but today’s era demands accounting professional to own and use interactive and communication skills to help with the decision making process across all areas of a business. In a managerial accounting world all professionals must communicate their ideas to other companies using ways which are tactful and effective. Siegel (2000) states that â€Å"Management accountants should be great communicators.† Durry C (1992) believes that management accounting is â€Å"concerned with providing information to managers –that is people inside an organization who direct and control the operations.† In the 19th Century financial accounting was considered to be the need of a society which later evolved to Management accounting. Management accounting became a prerequisite for more detailed information for stock control, product costing and decisions affecting the future. Accou nting is facing numerous challenges, as Elkington (1998) states â€Å"business people must increasingly recognise that the challenge now is to help to deliver simultaneously economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity.† All this is making business managers to re-examine the practices that are currently led. Cokins G and Hicks D believe that Managerial accounting is part of an organisations management information system. To follow any business or an organisation aim managers engage in activities which involve an effective cost model as it can be a great asset to an organisation. A business or projects to be a success or failure three things need to be considered, for  example, cost, schedule and performance. A project should be continued within the means provided otherwise stakeholders struggle to finance the project and its abandoned. A success of a manager is when appropriate tools are employed and sound safe decisions are made and follow on with applying substantial level of expertise to have effective cost management. The world today is surrounded by increasingly advanced technology such as computer assisted manufacturing and flexible manufacturing systems. According to Cokins and Hicks organizations to compete effectively need to understand the cost of each product or element of their value chain from product design and purchase of material therefore internal cost is very important as mentioned in Cokins and Hicks article because it becomes critical for competitive action and increasing shareholders wealth in the current globally competitive economy. Management accounting systems are the benefactors of the precarious internal cost information. There has been few criticisms leading to the literature of Management accounting system and it has been labeled outdated and there has been criticisms linked to its consistency as it has been thought that it does not provide consistent information with the current strategic management paradigm. Cokins and Hicks believe that systems designs elements should capture the fundamental technology, promote a business based on effective cost model, quality and lead time. Precise and appropriate cost information is critical to management’s decision making procedures (Cokins and Hicks) and the literature being studied reveals Management accounting system reflects the organizational complications of the current world however traditional Management accounting systems do not replicate current organizational era as all costing procedures were designed around late nineteenth century. In traditional era product line diversity was not very common and cost of materials and direct labour were the main components of production cost but the environment today is surrounded around advanced technology and automation and that has led the prime cost to be the overhead component. The overhead costs are altering product cost because of the old management accounting system techniques. Management accounting needs a unique set of skills and behaviour. According to Cokins and Hicks Accounting Management framework gives business a planned approach to address all factors that will manage accounts interface and todays reality. Cooper and Kaplan believe there are six critical factors which play a crucial role  in Accounting Management framework which also backs Cokins and Hicks journal being studied for this assignment. The first one is organizational structure. It includes factors such as whom and how you manage accounts, why and how you organize around them. The second account management success factor is people as they need the appropriate skills, knowledge and skills to experience and perform the role. The third factor is tools and technology as it must support the account management processes and must balance â€Å"help† as â€Å"control.† The fourth one is compensations structures as they can inhibit change or accelerate adoption. The fifth account management success factors are processes and methodologies as they should align with the customer, drive growth and opportunity plan and the last factor channels and alliances must be managed effectively through the account manager interface.it is up to an organization to structure their useful employees around their key customers and that can create a deep impact on their performance. First few deliberate decisions need to be taken in terms of placement of accounts management resources such as market and territory. Cokins and Hicks believe management team need to plan using methodology a number of factors to create a ranking based on the business goal for the affiliation and ability to deliver. Once these methodologies are selected they can play a vital role in team structure and it will help to deal with issues such as ownership or shareholders Cokins and Hicks discuss the difference between cost accounting and managerial accounting and the strength of their article is that managerial accounting is tied with GAAP whereas cost accounting is used within a business to manage that particular business. Accounting standards of a country provide guidelines to an accountant so they can be used while reporting economic transactions of a business. United Kingdom accounting has improved a lot as mentioned in the journal being studied for this particular assignment. Managers have immense pressure to improve financial management practices to improve service to the community and it is not only done on national level. Managerial accountants have to keep accountant standards fair globally and that is mainly done through Accounting Standards Committee. â€Å"What gets measured gets managed, What needs managed gets measured† (Peter Drucker) famous quotes has cause many criticisms but if the practices and development mentioned in Cokins and Hicks journal are to be analyzed, one can conclude this quote has some truth. Managers of a business  often use this quote indicates that active management of businesses should be given importance instead of accountability to gain desired goals. It w ill lead to survive in today’s world of information age competition therefore businesses should ensure they are using management systems resulting from their strengths. Any business main task is to develop an active measurement system as it is main part of the management process. Good management practices lead to using certain measures to plan, implement and improve certain aspects of an organization. According to Kaplan, (1994) measurement is a difficult task because it is not related to science so there are no facts and does not have rules between variables. Furthermore, systems which are used by management accountants will make sure that actions are taken according to the strategies and objectives developed. There has been an immense amount of research on management accountants and the research evidence has proved that businesses which are using a developed measurement system are developing and gaining profits therefore, Gates (1991) states â€Å"an organizations objectives and severity of measures, varies, depending on people, culture and past experiences of the organization.† The management accountant was developed after 1980s and it was seen a golden era in management accounting research as it saw new techniques and practices beneficial to the management accounting. One of the techniques developed in 80s was strategic management accounting and some of the processes which fall under the category of strategic management accounting are activity based costing and balance scorecard. The balance scorecard emerged after it was realized that there is a need of an integrated system which can be used to measure both financial and non-financial performances. It helps companies to view their performances on a regular basis and it gave a clear view of what should be measured in order to balance a particular business financial perspectives. The balance score card consists of four functions known as learning and growth perspective. It means how to achieve a certain organizations goals and how will a business will sustain its ability to change and improve. the second perspective is financial and its aim is to succeed financially and is mainly concerned with making a good impression to shareholders. Another perspective is based on customers as they can determine sales and to achieve business goals a good impression is to be made upon customers. The last perspective is known as internal business  processes. It mainly deals with how to satisfy customers and shareholders and what business processes must a certain business excel as. (Kaplan and Norton:1996) Balance scorecard is one of the necessities for any organization and it is used by the management to accomplish vision and strategies of an organization and it has few other benefits too such as, making sure managers are managing every single variable within an organization and are not working upon favoritism. If more developments are to be discussed and strength of Cokins and Hicks journal than one must not forget one of the major development in an accounting field known as Activity-based costing. Kaplan and Cooper gave this idea a new beginning as it was not very well known in previous years. According to Kaplan (1996) manufacturing costs are determined by amount of â€Å"activities† and the key to effective cost control is maintaining the effectiveness of the act ivities ABC recognizes better cost pools for indirect costs and then implies cost drivers to relate the expenses in the cost pools to activities of an organization. ABC has become more popular in recent years but faces a lot of criticisms too due to the fact that sometimes businesses face difficulties in implementing this technique. ABC is enhanced further by Activity-based management as they believe in planning and measurement and class them as key factors in a competitive business environment. To conclude, If an organization has accounts managers or not a success can only be achieved if a successful profile is valued. It can be done through an industry as it will help determine to what extent an account manager is an industry expert and the second is through customers as it is vital for an accountant to understand the businesses being worked upon. The profession Accountancy has seen many developments and criticisms however, since 1980s there has been many changes in management accountancy. The new changes are focusing on measurement tools within a business to manage its aims and objectives. Management techniques are discussed briefly in this essay and they emphasize on Cokins and Hicks journal that management decisions can be made better by using effective management measurement tools and it leads to improving the management of an organization. There can be problem with new measurement techniques as nothing in life comes with a guarantee however, new ideas can be used on the basis of guess work and the new contributions could be a way forward.

Womens Position in Society in Virginia Woolfs A Room of Ones Own Ess

Women's Position in Society in Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own The passage at the end of the Third Chapter in A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf deals with two major themes of this essay. The first being the ways in which women were kept down and made inferior to men, and the second being how this affected women’s writing. Woolf asserts that women were made inferior as a direct result of men’s perceived superiority. This assertment provides a new way of thinking about women’s lower position in society and the subsequent low opinion men held of women and their capabilties as writers. Woolf firmly believes that it is the prerogative of all writers to pay great heed to what is thought of them and to suffer when that opinion is negative. Because the opinion of women’s writing was negative, women could not write freely. Their minds, Woolf believes, were clouded with agendas. They had something to prove or a grudge to vindicate. This is not the ideal situation for writing, or the proper environment for gen ius. Therefore, through her revolutionary way of examining women’s position in society, Woolf proves that the â€Å"masculine complex† and low expectations of women impeded upon their writing process. One major theme this essay illuminates is that of what subordinated women and how that inferiority was maintained. Woolf states, â€Å"Even in the nineteenth century a woman was not encouraged to be an artist† (55). In fact she was discouraged and made to believe such a vocation was beyond her capabilities. Here Woolf turns the issue around showing that women did not consciously choose not to become writers, but were prodded not to write by men. Woolf speculates about the affects of this discouragement saying... ...ganized the traditional way of examining women’s position in society and it’s affect on their art. Her concept of the â€Å"masculine complex† approaches gender relations from a totally different angle. It is male superiority not female inferiority, which perpetuates this system. Men’s dominance is strong and their resistance to the women’s movement was so effective that even strong willed women were humbled. Women were further hindered by the prevailing male sentiment that they were incompetent writers. This naturally fired women’s incentive to prove their capabilities, because all artists are concerned about what others think of them. Yet, this very situation inhibits creativity and continued to prevent women from reaching their full potential. This new line of thinking explains and reexamines the forces that held women down and separated them from their genius.

Temperature and Gas

Looking for a Gas Gas is everywhere. There is something called the atmosphere. That's a big layer of gas that surrounds the Earth. Gases are random groups of atoms. In  solids,  atoms  and molecules are compact and close together. Liquids  have atoms that are spread out a little more. Gases are really spread out and the atoms and molecules are full of energy. They are bouncing around constantly. Gases can fill a container of any size or shape. It doesn't even matter how big the container is. The molecules still  spread out  to fill the whole space equally.That is one of their  physical  characteristics. Think about a balloon. No matter what shape you make the balloon, it will be evenly filled with the gas molecules. The molecules are spread equally throughout the entire balloon. Liquids can only fill the bottom of the container, while gases can fill it entirely. The shape of liquids is really dependent on the force of  gravity, while gases are light enough to have a little more freedom to move. Compressing Gases Gases hold huge amounts of  energy, and their molecules are spread out as much as possible.With very little pressure, when compared to liquids and solids, those molecules can be  compressed. It happens all of the time. Combinations of pressure and decreasing temperature force gases into tubes that we use every day. You might see compressed air in a spray bottle or feel the carbon dioxide rush out of a can of soda. Those are both examples of gas forced into a smaller space than it would want, and the gas escapes the first chance it gets. The gas molecules move from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure.What is the kinetic-molecular theory? The kinetic-molecular theory states: 1) All matter is composed of very small particles called atoms,ions or molecules. 2) All of these small particles are in constant motion, even at the coldest temperature whether vibratory or translatory. 3)The kinetic energy of the particles is a meas ure of temprature. The greater the number of impacts the greater will be the pressure and vice-versa. 4) These particles collide but the total energy remains same. PropertiesThe Link Between  P  and  nThe pressure of a gas results from collisions between the gas particles and the walls of the container. Each time a gas particle hits the wall, it exerts a force on the wall. An increase in the number of gas particles in the container increases the frequency of collisions with the walls and therefore the pressure of the gas. Amontons' Law (PT)The last postulate of the kinetic molecular theory states that the average kinetic energy of a gas particle depends only on the temperature of the gas.Thus, the average kinetic energy of the gas particles increases as the gas becomes warmer. Because the mass of these particles is constant, their kinetic energy can only increase if the average velocity of the particles increases. The faster these particles are moving when they hit the wall, t he greater the force they exert on the wall. Since the force per collision becomes larger as the temperature increases, the pressure of the gas must increase as well. Boyle's Law (P  = 1/v)Gases can be compressed because most of the volume of a gas is empty space.If we compress a gas without changing its temperature, the average kinetic energy of the gas particles stays the same. There is no change in the speed with which the particles move, but the container is smaller. Thus, the particles travel from one end of the container to the other in a shorter period of time. This means that they hit the walls more often. Any increase in the frequency of collisions with the walls must lead to an increase in the pressure of the gas. Thus, the pressure of a gas becomes larger as the volume of the gas becomes smaller.Charles' Law (V  Ã‚  T)The average kinetic energy of the particles in a gas is proportional to the temperature of the gas. Because the mass of these particles is constant, the particles must move faster as the gas becomes warmer. If they move faster, the particles will exert a greater force on the container each time they hit the walls, which leads to an increase in the pressure of the gas. If the walls of the container are flexible, it will expand until the pressure of the gas once more balances the pressure of the atmosphere.The volume of the gas therefore becomes larger as the temperature of the gas increases. Avogadro's Hypothesis (V  Ã‚  N)As the number of gas particles increases, the frequency of collisions with the walls of the container must increase. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the pressure of the gas. Flexible containers, such as a balloon, will expand until the pressure of the gas inside the balloon once again balances the pressure of the gas outside. Thus, the volume of the gas is proportional to the number of gas particles. Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures (Pt  =  P1  +  P2  +  P3  + †¦ Imagine what would hap pen if six ball bearings of a different size were added to the  molecular dynamics simulator. The total pressure would increase because there would be more collisions with the walls of the container. But the pressure due to the collisions between the original ball bearings and the walls of the container would remain the same. There is so much empty space in the container that each type of ball bearing hits the walls of the container as often in the mixture as it did when there was only one kind of ball bearing on the glass plate.The total number of collisions with the wall in this mixture is therefore equal to the sum of the collisions that would occur when each size of ball bearing is present by itself. In other words, the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual gases. Graham's law of effusion  can be demonstrated with the apparatus in the figure below. A thick-walled filter flask is evacuated with a vacuum pump. A syr inge is filled with 25 mL of gas and the time required for the gas to escape through the syringe needle into the evacuated filter flask is measured with a stop watch.

Differences in Nutritional Strategies among Cultures

Different countries have different nutritional strategies including the procuring, selecting, preparing, preserving, cooking and consuming foods. The lifestyle varies from culture to culture. China has the most renowned food preparation and lifestyle. They have many different cuisines. Chinese are food oriented and health conscious. They choose and use many ingredients carefully for their food. They also believe that food is a great factor in one’s health that is why they serve and cook food according to one’s health condition, there should be a balance between fan (grains and starch foods) and tsa’i (meat and vegetables).In traditional Chinese dinner, a complete meal triangle with soup, vegetables, rice and meat were dish up. They want their food served or eaten while it is still hot. Mexican dishes has been the second most varied and vast in the world because of the intense flavors, colorful decorations, and spices of the cuisine. They have many festivals and c elebrations that is why their food preparation seems like there is always a party. American standards of food are easy to make, convenient, and presentable. That is why many rely on fast food restaurants wherein the foods are quickly served.They don’t like putting much effort in preparing food. They also choose foods that look good and make them look good as well that is why many eat in expensive restaurants because it will make them look good. Beer has also been one of the favorite drinks in America. Our choice of food tells about our basic ethics and beliefs. The Chinese value their health and tradition in preparing foods, which could be the reason why they seem to have a longer life and healthy lifestyle than the Americans, who were mostly obese. Proper diet and nutrition is the key for a healthy lifestyle.

Comparing the accuracy of the volatility forecasting models, GARCH, SV and EWMA under different scenarios The WritePass Journal

Comparing the accuracy of the volatility forecasting models, GARCH, SV and EWMA under different scenarios Comparing the accuracy of the volatility forecasting models, GARCH, SV and EWMA under different scenarios Introduction Because of the rapid development of new and complex financial instruments in financial markets, the forecasting volatility of assets is playing a central role on risk management tasks and evaluating asset in finance. However, interestingly, the ability of forecasting accuracy of stochastic volatility always catches people’s eyes, because nobody wants loss his/her profits by inaccurate predictions. Opportunities might be lost due to overestimating of volatility; investors bear risk due to underestimating of volatility. In addition, risk control strategies and profitable portfolio are deeply influenced by accuracy of volatility forecasting models. After the financial crisis happened in 2008, generally, investors concentrate on risk-free investment rather than a risk one. Therefore, my paper is going to examine three different models, GARCH (see, for example, Bollerslev (1986)), SV (Taylor, 1986) and EWMA (see McAleer (2005)), under diverse volatility scenarios. By using those vo latility models, a simulation experiment will take a wide series of volatility scenarios representatives, which are typical in financial market or real assets market, to test their rates of return separately. My dissertation is consisted of 5 chapters including the introduction, literature review, methodology and empirical research, as well as the conclusion. Different chapters focus on different key points, but there are tight relationships within each other and they are constructed as follows. The introduction presents my personal ideas and understanding of fundamental concepts about negative relation between investment return and volatility, as well as three volatility forecasting models mentioned above. Generally, Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and Stochastic Volatility (SV) are main two forecasting volatility methodology, nonetheless, considering the diversification of data source would have different effects on different models, it would be better to employ other forecasting volatility model, like EWMA model, to perform the simulation experiment which makes my results more convincing. Employing other people’s ideas of forecasting volatility from journals and papers, literature review will provide the historical developments of volatility forecasting models in asset markets. Simultaneously, several sparking ideas will be explained with the frame work of previous approaches of volatility forecasting models. Moreover, the problems founded in previous researches can also be avoided. For example, the inherent problem of the conditional variance indirect observed in using models measuring volatility, GARCH family models, SV models or EWMA have been advocated widely in literatures related (Michael, M. (2010)). Fundamentally, the journal of Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity with Estimated of the Variance of United Kingdom Inflation illustrated the frame work of ARCH model (Engle (1982)) that helps us deepen understanding of negative correlation between stock return and volatility, as well as the basic frame of forecasting volatility model. Other academi c journals, like Answering the sceptics:Yes, standard volatility models do provide accurate forecasts (Andersen, T. Bollerslev, T. (1988)), ARCH modelling in finance: a review of the theory and empirical evidence (Bollerslev, T. Chou, R. Kroner, K (1992)), Return to RiskMetrics: The Evolution of a Standard (RiskMetrics Group, Inc. (2001)), Forecasting accuracy of stochastic volatility, GARCH and EWMA models under different volatility scenarios (Nigel, M D. Jie (2010)), which provides strong fundamental theoretical evidences, will be referred to my dissertation and support my original hypothesis accuracy comparison of three different volatility forecasting models in the dissertation. From those academic journals or papers with different approaches with volatility forecasting models, some drawbacks of models can be modified. For instance, as observed by Bollerslev, T. (1987), several stylized facts cannot be predicted precisely by a majority of the latent volatility models. Nonethe less, those factors can be caught effortlessly on financial time series. The methodology discusses briefly empirical demonstration of GARCH, SV and EMWA models separately, including notations and data sources, the results of simulation experiment will also be shown in this section. As mentioned by Nigel(2010), â€Å" for the simulated data, we contrast the accuracy of volatility estimated in-sample and out-of sample using a range of error measures.† Besides, another critical point is to make suitable definition of the volatility space according to three different volatility forecasting models with a triplet of coefficients, for instance, CV2garch is determined by coefficients (). Afterwards, applying the process of realized variance, 100 examples of length=500, 1000, 3000 will be generated corresponding to each parameters. Utilizing 100 examples with T=1100 realization, an SV model, a GARCH model and an EWMA model are used to assess volatility with the decay factor suggested (RiskMetrics, 2001). The front 1000 data points are used for in-sample for ecasting, while the remainder is served as out-of-sample estimation. In order to achieve effectively comparison within three models with observed and estimated volatilities (Brailsford and Faff, 1996), three measures of forecasting accuracy are used (RMSE, MME(U),MME(0)). Empirical research section illustrates the findings employing real data source, which is consisted of 16 financial data sets. The data source is comprised of four equities, four commodities, four FX series and four equity indexes. All data are collected between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010 from data-stream. With difference logarithms of consecutive closing prices, the rates of return of different assets are figured out. In consideration of covering sufficient volatility scenario as much as possible, therefore, in diversified main financial markets, especially, small number of samples with frequent floating price in asset markets would be included. In addition, cross-section data with capturing examples would be chosen and then examined in the simulation experiment. In a word, the empirical research will present strong evidence, with real-financial data source, to prove the original ideas about accuracy comparison of three volatility forecasting models. Meanwhile, due to the im perfection of data source and the volatility forecasting models, which would affect the results of simulation, some acceptable biased results of the simulation experiments will be explained exhaustively. The final section (conclusion) will give a succinct summary of the simulation experiments under a series of volatility scenarios defined with persistence and volatility of volatility. Furthermore, unavoidable drawbacks of the simulation experiments will be explained, and feasible improvements will be promoted in this part, as well as bringing up further research about this topic and its trend of development. For example, analysing typical high frequency data with the seasonal changes, the results of accuracy of these three forecasting volatility models would show any empirical change or not. Reference Anderson, T.G. and T. Bollerslev (1998) Answering the skeptics: yes, standard volatility models do provide accurate forecasts, International Economic Review, 39, 885-905. Bollerslev, T. (1986) Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity, Journal of Econometrics, 31,307-27 Bollerslev, T. (1987) A conditionally heteroscedasticity time series model for speculative prices and rates of return,   Review of Economics and Statistics, 69, 542 – 547. Bollerslec, T., R. Chou and K. Kroner (1992) ARCH modeling in finance: a view of the theory and empirical evidence, Journal of Econometrics, 52, 2-59 Brailsford, T. and R. Faff (1996) An evaluation of volatility forecasting techniques, Journal of Banking and Finance, 20, 419-38 Ding J. and N. Meade (2010), Forecasting accuracy of stochastic volatility, GARCH and EWMA models under different volatility scenarios, Applied Financial Economics, 20, 771-783 Engle, R. (1982) Autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity with estimates of the variance of United Kingdom inflation, Econometrica, 50, 987-1008 McAleer, M. (2005) Automated inference and learning in modeling financial volatility, Econometric Theory, 21, 232 – 261. McAleer, M. (2010) Modelling and Forecasting Noisy Realized Volatility, Department of Economics and Finance, College of Business and Economics, University of Canterbury RiskMetrics Group, Inc. (2001) Return to Risk Metrics: The Evolution of a Standard, New York Taylor, S.J. (1986) Modelling Financial Time Series, Wiley, Chichester.

spanking as discipline pro Essays

spanking as discipline pro Essays spanking as discipline pro Paper spanking as discipline pro Paper Spanking, although controversial is an effective form of discipline for children. Parents and parents to be who are undecided about whether spanking is an acceptable form of discipline should first get educated on what spanking is. A good first step would be learning the meaning of spanking. Equally as important is, knowing what is considered a spanking, as well as, when spanking becomes abuse. In addition, knowing the ways spanking may benefit children would help solidify spanking as the best option for discipline. Spanking as defined by oxford dictionary is, the act of slapping especially on the uttocks as punishment for children. Taking into consideration that no two children are the same the recommended ages for spanking are between 3years of age up to the mid-teens. Any type of physical discipline like spanking before age three is discouraged, children younger than age three cannot communicate well enough to know right from wrong. In contrast, it is understood that teen agers know right from wrong so, parents may benefit from professional help if behavioral issues continue into the late teen years. In summary, spanking is the use of an open hand to slap the lothed buttocks of a child between the ages of 3 and 15. Spanking for disciplinary reasons is done with an open hand, the use of a foreign object could easily be seen as abuse. For example, the use ofa paddle may result in bruising or muscle damage. In fact, any action which may have permanent effects such as, punching, shaking, striking the face, or even pulling the ear would be considered abuse not discipline. Also, in contrast to abuse, the time spent in the act will be minimal, usually lasting only seconds. To summarize, a properly administered panking, should only be done with an open hand, result in mild discomfort, slight redness to the area and should be only seconds in duration. The benefits of spanking are many and of great value. First, as a result of this type discipline being of such short duration, the family can spend more time together. Second, is the enhanced ability to identify and respect authority, a trait that could be useful in the workplace. Third, consider that learning how to accept responsibility and the consequences of actions may lead to better planning abilities. Furthermore, a panking could save a childs life. Had it not been for the memory of a spanking, Johnny would have ran into oncoming traffic in pursuit of a ball. In conclusion, the benefits of spanking as a form of discipline stretch far and wide. Valuable lessons learned like, respecting authority, thinking before acting and learning from mistakes, make children better equipped to handle adulthood. Furthermore, these children tend to become more productive members of society. Subsequently, becoming positive, productive members of society they contribute to a discipline for children.

How to Write a Sales Letter for English Learners

How to Write a Sales Letter for English Learners Sales letters are a type of business letter used to introduce products or services to consumers.  Use the following example letter as a template to model your own sales letter on. Notice how the first paragraph focuses on issues that need to be resolved, while the second paragraph offers a specific solution. Example Sales Letter Document Makers2398 Red StreetSalem, MA 34588 March 10, 2001 Thomas R. SmithDrivers Co.3489 Greene Ave.Olympia, WA 98502 Dear Mr. Smith: Are you having trouble getting your important documents formatted correctly? If you are like most business owners, you have trouble finding the time to economically produce good-looking documents. This is why it is important to have a specialist take care of your most important documents. At Documents Makers, we have the skills and experience to come in and help you make the best possible impression. May we stop by and offer you a FREE estimate of how much it would cost to get your documents looking great? If so, give us a call at and set up and appointment with one of your friendly operators. Sincerely, (signature here) Richard BrownPresident RB/sp Sales Emails Emails are similar, but they do not include an address or signature. However, emails do include a closing such as: Best regards, Peter Hamilton CEO Innovative Solutions for Learners   Sales Letters Goals There are three main goals to achieve when writing sales letters: 1) Grab the Readers Attention Try to grab your readers attention by: Offering a solution to a problem that the reader may have.Telling an interesting (short) story  Presenting an interesting fact or statistic Potential clients need to feel as if a sales letter speaks or relates to their needs. This is also known as a hook.   2) Create Interest   Once youve grabbed the readers attention, youll need to create interest in your product. This is the main body of your letter.   3) Influence Action   The goal of every sales letter is to convince a potential customer or client to act. This doesnt necessarily mean that a client will purchase your service after reading the letter. The goal is to have the client will take a step towards gathering more information from you about your product or service. Useful Key Phrases to Avoid Being Seen as Spam Lets be honest: Sales letters are often just thrown away because so many people receive sales letters - also known as spam (idiom useless information). In order to get noticed, its important to quickly address something important that your prospective client may need.   Here are some key phrases that will help you catch the readers attention and present your product quickly: Are you having trouble ...This is why it is important to have ...At X, we have the skills and experience to ...May we stop by and offer you a FREE estimate of how much it would cost to ...If so, give us a call at X and set up and appointment with one of your friendly operators. Begin the letter with something will catch the readers attention immediately. For example, many sales letters  often ask readers to consider a pain point - a problem that a person needs solved, and then introduce a product that will provide the solution. Its important to quickly move to your  sales pitch  in your sales letter as most readers will understand that your sales letter is a form of advertising. Sales letters also often include an offer to encourage customers to try the product. Its important that these offers are clear and provide a useful service to the reader. Finally, its becoming increasingly important to provide a brochure along with your sales letter providing details about your product. Finally, sales letters tend to use  formal letter structures  and are rather impersonal because they are sent to more than one person.

A problem solving model for Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A problem solving model for Wal-Mart - Essay Example The largest retailing company of the world, Walmart has been facing a decline in sales in the US, continuously for â€Å"nine straight quarters†, according to The Wall Street Journal. This has been partially due to the economic recession and partially owing to the negative image that has been there for this company. In order to suggest a package of solutions to get over with this â€Å"sales slump†, this paper invisages synthesizing different organizational theories, with a focus on three- the neoclassical theory put forth by Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943), the socio-technical theory proposed by Pasmore and the contingency theory evolved by Hellriegel and Slocum (1973). This project will put forth innovative and creative solutions to rectify the sales slouch in Wal-mart, using the problem-solving tools provided by these three theories. Access has been gained into the facts about the organizational design of Wal-Mart by conducting interviews with three senior level managers in charge of organizational structure. Basically, the design of Wal-Mart, as an organization, is that of a divisional structure. It has different divisions like, Wal-Mart Realty, Wal-Mart International, Wal-Mart Specialty Stores, Sam's Clubs, and Supercenters which are separate and partially autonomous units. Each division has its own specific set of goals. Step-2 The three theoretical frame works selected for this paper are chosen based on the advantages they have in addressing the specific issue in focus. For example, most of the complaints against Wal-Mart that have led to legal litigations and negative publicity has been regarding labor issues and hence a worker-centered approach put forward by Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) can help re-model the organization’s functioning in such a way as to avert this criticism. Similarly, the socio-technical theory of Pasmore ((1988, p.87-109) and the contingency theory by Hellriegel and Slocum (1973) have their focus on the environmental aspects of an organization, which can be applied in the case of Wal-Mart which is haunted by many a social conflicts. Neoclassical theory of Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) has as its core focus, the relationship between â€Å"working conditions† and â€Å"employee efficiency† (p.1). Through an experiment, Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) had proven that there was a connection between better working conditions and better performance. In this way, this theory had changed the essence of organizational theories evolved thus far by replacing the mechanistic views by a more humanistic worker-oriented view. This theory had asserted that: An individual is not a mechanical tool but a distinct social being, with aspirations beyond mere fulfilment of a few economic and security works. Individuals differ from each other in pursuing these desires. Thus, an individual should be recognized as interacting with social and economic factors (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). Participative management has been another aspect of this theory, whereby employees are given an appropriate role in the decision making process (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). Any application of the neoclassical theory has to be by keeping in mind, the existence of an informal organization within any formal organization, the socio-psychological factors that influence workers, the inherent illogi cality of human mind, the two-way flow of communication within the hierarchy, and the need of teamwork (Pradeep, p.295). Socio-technical theory of Pasmore (1988) has based all its assumptions on the fact that â€Å"every organization consists of the people, the technical system and the environment† (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). In this theory also, the importance of considering workers a human beings and all the more, social beings, is stressed (Pasmore, p.5). It has been observed that what is meant by an organization is actually an agreement, a contract between and among people and â€Å"changes in the organization will affect this agreement and vice versa†

Cultural differences and e-learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural differences and e-learning - Essay Example Therefore one must be cognizant of these cultural differences when designing an e-learning program. observe and use e-learning.  Introduction With the advent of the Internet, distance education is rapidly becoming an excellent way for students become educated. In the traditional sense, it allows for one to one interaction between the teacher and student but also has the facilities for rich collaborative learning through an on-line environment. E-learning has a number of advantages, as it helps students become competitive in a market increasingly dominated by global,multi-national companies that use on-line learning to teach concepts, as well as helps students become globally astute and enhances their social skills. However, there are a number of aspects of individuals about which designers of e-learning software, as well as instructors, should be aware. One of these is the culture of the learner. Culture is a way that individuals mediate their world, and it is has profound implicat ions for e-learning and learning in general. Some cultures are low context, which means that the written word is paramount, and the non-verbal part of communication is deemphasized. With high-context, this is just the opposite.

Reducing income inequality while boosting economic growth Research Paper

Reducing income inequality while boosting economic growth - Research Paper Example OECD countries entail five groups with regard to their patterns of inequality. For instance, nations like Australia, Ireland and United Kingdom and the Holland reflect dispersed wages and high part- time employment share, putting inequality in labor earning at above the average of the OECD. Means- investigated transfers of public cash and progressive taxes for household reduce the general inequality in income, but it retains its position above the average of the OECD. Similarly, some Nordic nations and Switzerland all entail comparatively low income of labor inequality due to narrow dispersion of wages and high rates of employment. Can transfers are normally universal; hence, they are less redistributive. Inequality in income for such a group is significantly below the average of the OECD. Empirical analysis by Garicano reveals that despite the critical role played by technological change and globalization in fueling labor income distribution, the variation in marked cross- country i s certainly because of differences in institutions and policies. Consequently, a scholar can deduce the following conclusions about the policies and the institutions: firstly, policies of education matter. Policies that raise rates of graduation from upper education and tertiary education as well as advance uniform education access help diminish inequality. Secondly, well- designed policies institutions of labor market can decrease inequality. A significantly high minimum wage minimizes distribution in labor income, however if set at a high level it may diminish employment; hence, dampening its influence on inequality- reducing. Arrangements of institutions that uphold trade unions...The paper presents a modern comprehensive analysis of the state of income inequality in the OECD countries, identifies factors behind such income distribution and offers policy measures to reduce inequality, while maintaining high levels of development. The paper identifies patterns of inequality betwee n OECD countries and demonstrates a new analysis of policy together with non-policy drivers in the countries It has sketched a comprehensive portrait of rising inequality in income among the OECD.It has reviewed changes in the factors, that stipulate such state of things, and it has examined their significant influence on inequality. Particularly, it has examined the role of technological changes and globalization as well as regulatory reforms in tax regulations and benefit. It has assessed what a government can do in addressing rising inequality and it has concluded by examining the likely certain policy avenues. The analysis revealed that income inequality prior to transfers and taxes is entirely driven by labor income diversion and the existence of inactivity and part- time employment. A significant finding reveals that education and policies of anti- discrimination, fully developed institutions of labor market and progressive systems of tax transfer can all help moderate inequality in income. Certain tax reforms and systems of transfer comprise a double divided in inequality diminution and increase of GDP per capita. The paper discussed other reforms such as trade- offs between the policy objectives

Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case - Essay Example The fraud caused investors to lose billions of dollars, and gave rise to a crisis of confidence in the capital markets. In reality, Madoff’s funds had no investment strategy to provide â€Å"hedges† against the usual forms of risk. For over a decade, there had not even been any trading of stock. In Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the early investors were bought off with the money from the later investors; additionally, the payouts to the early investors were used as proof of profitability, to thereby convince later investors that the returns were legitimate. The bankruptcy trustee is implementing remedial measures including a â€Å"clawback† action for the later investors to recover the profits of the early investors. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case, examine the reasons for the fraud to take place over several years, identify the warning red flags missed by the investors, and the preventive and reco very measures to be adopted in Ponzi cases, besides other related aspects. Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi Investment Scheme The investment operation of Bernard Madoff was exposed in December 2008 as an extensive Ponzi scheme. The term is derived from Charles Ponzi who organized such a scam in 1919, and it denotes a fraudulent investment arrangement in which investors give cash and property to the main individual in the arrangement. While misappropriating some or all of the funds, the investment operator reports to the investors that the funds made profits. These professed amounts, and those actually paid to earlier investors are funds received from later investors. The fraud is revealed usually when a large number of investors wish to withdraw their investments at the same time, particularly when there is insufficient in-flow of money from new investors. Thus, Bernard Madoff duped investors of an estimated amount of more than $50 billion, by the time the fraudulent scheme was uncover ed (Mannino, 2010). Madoff’s alleged Ponzi had a reach across the globe of more than $50 billion. The sustained durability of the fraud for nearly two decades is considered to be due to Jewish money managers, severe regulatory shortcomings including ineptitude, and probable conflicts of interest by Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other regulators and auditors. Madoff appears to have taken actions that reveal him as an equal opportunity thief, who unashamedly misappropriated funds from close relatives and charities in his scheme (Vinod, 2009). One of the main reasons for Madoff’s attracting a wide following was that he â€Å"delivered consistently high returns with very low volatility over a long period† (Bernard & Boyle, 2009, p.3). His technique to obtain these low risk returns was to use a split-strike conversion strategy. This requires taking a long position in equities together with a short call, and a l ong put on equity index to lower the volatility of the position. It was eventually revealed that these returns were false. The Madoff case raises obvious questions on why it was not discovered earlier, and the reasons for investors and regulators to miss the various red flags. The need for risk management and regulation through improved capital requirements for operational risk, is evident from the implications of

Gender and Sexual Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gender and Sexual Studies - Essay Example Thirdly, racism and ethnic background are important aspects governing the professions (Kempadoo 10). Sex workers and domestic workers move from their native countries in search of better economic activity (Kempadoo and Mahdavi). In other words, sex work and domestic work are used to generate income that is aimed at the family’s welfare and survival (Kempadoo 4). Fourthly, some of the participants in the professions are victims of human trafficking and are often mistreated and beaten in carrying out their duties (Mahdavi 63). Fifthly, a considerable number of those who were interviewed detest their work and practice it as they lack a better option (Mahdavi 77). Finally, most of the participants are young women from countries with poor economic conditions resulting from globalization (Mahdavi 63). Misperceptions about These Careers. Most professions in the world have prevalent misconceptions which spread across the globe. The first misconception about domestic work and sex work is that people tend to think that all the partakers of the profession were forced, therefore conclude that all transnational workers were trafficked and recruited into the professions against their will (Mahdavi 62). Most certainly, there are those who are victims of this crime, but on the contrary there are those who willingly engage in these jobs. The second misperception views sex work and domestic work as an identity rather than sources of income. This notion has impeded the recognition of sex work and domestic work as labor thereby prevents probable protections that can strengthen labor laws relating to the professions. Last but not least, there is a worldwide misconception that ending trafficking is relying on the demand for sex. (Mahdavi 63). This is wrong since it assumes that trafficking is synonymous to sex work and domestic work (Mahdavi 63). Reasons for Heightened Vulnerability in this Profession. Consequentially, sex workers and domestic workers are prone to abuse from their employers, family members and other people in the environment. Some cases have been reported however, most of them are not reported to the relevant authorities. There are various reasons to resulting to this. On one, side, sex workers work in a male dominated world, and they are often mistreated and viewed as objects of pleasure (Mahdavi 63). Both professions lack legitimacy and recognition thus increasing vulnerability of the workers (Kempadoo 3). The society has tainted the profession and do not accord the much needed respect. These workers work in a poor working environment, face identity issues in society and suffer from human rights abuse (Mahdavi 3). These women migrate from their home countries in order to stay away from economic problems and opt to go through hardships so long as they can generate income (Mahdavi 76). Additionally, sex workers and domestic workers are prone to abuse since people tend to think they are in a desperate situation. Since they are in a despe rate situation, they have to accept all manner of abuse from the people they interact with. These two industries are marred by high levels of racism and ethnicity hence workers from some parts of the world are prone to discrimination (Mahdavi 81). There are no clear policies with regards to domestic work and sex work. As a result, the perpetrators will continue abusing sex and domestic work

Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case - Essay Example The fraud caused investors to lose billions of dollars, and gave rise to a crisis of confidence in the capital markets. In reality, Madoff’s funds had no investment strategy to provide â€Å"hedges† against the usual forms of risk. For over a decade, there had not even been any trading of stock. In Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the early investors were bought off with the money from the later investors; additionally, the payouts to the early investors were used as proof of profitability, to thereby convince later investors that the returns were legitimate. The bankruptcy trustee is implementing remedial measures including a â€Å"clawback† action for the later investors to recover the profits of the early investors. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme Case, examine the reasons for the fraud to take place over several years, identify the warning red flags missed by the investors, and the preventive and reco very measures to be adopted in Ponzi cases, besides other related aspects. Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi Investment Scheme The investment operation of Bernard Madoff was exposed in December 2008 as an extensive Ponzi scheme. The term is derived from Charles Ponzi who organized such a scam in 1919, and it denotes a fraudulent investment arrangement in which investors give cash and property to the main individual in the arrangement. While misappropriating some or all of the funds, the investment operator reports to the investors that the funds made profits. These professed amounts, and those actually paid to earlier investors are funds received from later investors. The fraud is revealed usually when a large number of investors wish to withdraw their investments at the same time, particularly when there is insufficient in-flow of money from new investors. Thus, Bernard Madoff duped investors of an estimated amount of more than $50 billion, by the time the fraudulent scheme was uncover ed (Mannino, 2010). Madoff’s alleged Ponzi had a reach across the globe of more than $50 billion. The sustained durability of the fraud for nearly two decades is considered to be due to Jewish money managers, severe regulatory shortcomings including ineptitude, and probable conflicts of interest by Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other regulators and auditors. Madoff appears to have taken actions that reveal him as an equal opportunity thief, who unashamedly misappropriated funds from close relatives and charities in his scheme (Vinod, 2009). One of the main reasons for Madoff’s attracting a wide following was that he â€Å"delivered consistently high returns with very low volatility over a long period† (Bernard & Boyle, 2009, p.3). His technique to obtain these low risk returns was to use a split-strike conversion strategy. This requires taking a long position in equities together with a short call, and a l ong put on equity index to lower the volatility of the position. It was eventually revealed that these returns were false. The Madoff case raises obvious questions on why it was not discovered earlier, and the reasons for investors and regulators to miss the various red flags. The need for risk management and regulation through improved capital requirements for operational risk, is evident from the implications of

Thesis Research_How Chinese International Students deal with Research Paper

Thesis Research_How Chinese International Students deal with Acculturative Stress in their First Year of Studying in Canada - Research Paper Example The study also involved the collection of primary data from two online forums and mapping students in various places. The study shows that a majority of Chinese international students experience acculturative stress in the Canadian environment. The study also reveals that many of the students prefer to live, study and work in groups from which they get social support. The study further reveals that apart from relying on social support, the students maintain positive thoughts and engage in a variety of activities to overcome acculturative stress. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that Chinese international students engage in various constructive activities, maintain positive thought and seek social support to as a way of dealing with culture shock and acculturative stress. A Study on How Chinese International Students Deal with Acculturative Stress in Their First Year of Study in Canada Ever since the late 70s, the government of China implemented a policy that aimed at facilitating students’ learning of advanced western technology by studying in western universities and colleges. Today, statistics indicate that China is the biggest exporter of students in the world according to Gu (2013). ... The general trend toward the preference to study abroad among Chinese students is driven by the belief that education outside the boarders of China is more systematic and comprehensive, and that the experience is better than they otherwise would get in China. Other students are motivated by the fact that they do not have to sit for and pass university entry exams when they select to pursue education in foreign educational institutions (Anonymous, 2013). One of the main motivations that Chinese students cite for preferring to study abroad is the experience of other cultures. While this is the case, the students are often subject to culture shock and acculturation challenges within their first few months or years of their introduction to the new culture. Having left behind their friends, family, and homeland, many of these international students face numerous challenges and difficulties in their new environments. Like other immigrants, Chinese students studying in foreign countries nor mally experience acculturative stress and its effects as they struggle to adapt to the new culture and environment. Several studies have been conducted with respect to acculturation and culture shock in different parts of the world. Most of the studies that have been conducted regarding acculturative stress focus on immigrants to the U.S. from different parts of the world. While this is the case, no study has been conducted on how Chinese international students deal with acculturative stress in their first year of study in Canada. This study seeks to fill this knowledge gap. My objectives are listed as below: 1. To establish how Chinese international students in Canada suffer from acculturative stress in their first year study 2. To explore the different

The Theme and Narrative Elements Essay Example for Free

The Theme and Narrative Elements Essay The story of â€Å"The Welcome Table† by Alice Walker (1970), theme tells the story of an old black woman name Clara Ward, who worked as a slave for the whites the majority of her lifetime, who knows the feeling or fears of being an aged black woman, alone and no longer had a use or a purpose in her life. I say this because it was mentioned at the beginning of the story, and mist of the story the whites were not accepting of her, and at the end the black saw her in the streets walking in the cold and offered her no assistance, Every story narrows a broad underlying idea, shapes it in a unique way, and makes the underlying idea concrete. Thats how theme is created. In other words, the theme in a story is a representation of the idea behind the story (Clugston, 2010). Points of view, Tones, settings †¦ The setting of this story seems as though it takes place during the progressive era, during the age of segregation or the end of slavery in the U.S. My knowledge of this was gathered when Clara stumbled into a white church, and the pastor of the church told her she was in the white church, and the message was also clear to me when she was asked by the usher with blond hair to leave the church, and told her she needed to go to â€Å"Your Church†. Alice Walker the author set the story up in a fashion that named jobs or roles the old lady played as a house slave, this was another view point of her from the white church people, the pastor of the church called her his aunt (she helped raise him), and the usher in the church called her grandmother (she helped raise him). See more: how to start a narrative essay The old lady in the story began to fall ill walking in the cold weather, and she began to imagine an experience with Jesus; she sees the image of a Jesus who was white, the same image that was white, the same image that was on the picture she took from a white woman she use to work for (Clara hoped that Jesus would over look that). Clara had a vision of herself walking and talking with Jesus, who she loved and trusted all her days and she was able to tell Jesus, how the white people mistreated her, through her life, and shortly after she pasted on to heaven. The narrative expression in the story spoke of details explaining the old ladies appearance, the wording pictured her as poor, and did the best she could when it came to her appearance, and the narrator told the story as if we were in her shoes, making me as a reader to fill pity on the old lady. The narration also expressed the fact that Ms. Clara the old woman was a former slave who raised a generations of white children, who grew to be adults and they still showed her little to no respect (underlying theme); Where they should have been very appreciative, but because this was a time of segregation in the United states, a time when the whites and blacks live separate lives. Clara still praised Jesus in the white church, the Jesus who she knows as white, she never lost her faith, but the white people in the church who knew her kicked her out of the church, they unknowingly contributed to her losing her life. Clara died in the same she was treated in life cold and alone. Reference: Alice Walker (1970). The Welcome Table (Short story); Literary Cavalcade, Vol. 55 Issue 5, p32 Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into Literature. San Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Assessing The Hopes And Fears For Pakistan Politics Essay

Assessing The Hopes And Fears For Pakistan Politics Essay Pakistan has vibrant and diverse society with different cultures live as a federation. We have past and present in front of our eyes, which could help us to predict future and take necessary steps to make it even better. In present International scenario, Pakistan is important country and this status along with several internal problems in particular has created many fears for the country. We have to develop hopes for better future. By analyzing todays fears and tomorrows hopes we can do this. We have to visualize society of the future. Absence of democracy in Pakistan is the biggest problem and internal threat for Pakistan. Pakistan is a federation of different cultures and sects and the only way by which they can participate in countrys affairs is democracy. Dictatorial, autocratic or military regime provokes only irrelevance in public to the national affairs. People begin to feel that, they have no representation and there is no one to raise voice for them. When people are not involved in policy making, they become irrelevant and every step taken by such government regardless of what intension is, they just develops anti government sentiments. This situation in country creates dangerous conflicts between different sects and cultures. Example of this situation is FATA and Baluchistan in particular and allover Pakistan in general. Present regime decided to take part in so-called war on terror after 9/11 bombings. Unconditional cooperation by unelected regime made people angry and bombings in FATA area raised this d isagreement to the point where conflict changed to collision. This war inside Pakistan has widened to settled areas from tribal areas and has compelled people to create law order problem who by no other way can raise their voices. Suicide attacks, bombings and extremism in Pakistan are caused because of war on terror and extreme use of brutal force by own army on its own people. This law and order situation is very dangerous for integrity of Pakistan. It is an understood fact that wherever religious or different sects of same origin came across each other, sectarianism is found in varying forms. Sometime they exist peacefully but sometime they have fierce conflict. This fierce conflict is often called sectarian violence. This situation in Pakistan was not so dangerous until 80s when different cultural and religious sects were made to fight for sustaining dictatorial government. Religious sectarianism was supported by some Arab powers and some other nations also played their role in provoking violence and hatred against each other; Cultural and Language diversity normally plays important role in progress. But in Pakistan this has played negative role in the absence of democracy where there has been unfair and unjust allocation of resources. This has weakened Pakistan as Pakistan is a federation and if any federating unit is unhappy or angry this will weaken Pakistan. This is said that if there is no politics and lack of tolerance t hen there is violence. Solution to this problem is real democracy through free and fair elections held under neutral caretaker government. Elections should be held in free and fair environment where everyone has liberty to select his representatives who will truly represent wishes of people. Initially the change might not be considerable but with time it will show its effects if and this is big if, if no more interruptions are made in political democratic process it will show its results. Independent election commission shall be made to conduct elections in free fair environment as it is normally said that it doesnt matter to whom you cast the vote, what really matter is who counts the vote The role of agencies in threatening opposite candidates and their involvement in rigging is also needed to be finishes forever. Free and fair environment will also increase turnout in elections showing interest of people in policy making of Pakistan. Creating awareness through open tolerant discussions via media will a lso play important role. Corruption and poverty are other major problems faced by Pakistan. Pakistans economy has been affected by corruption very much. The high-level corruption, which involves politicians, military and civil bureaucracy and feudalists, has damaged countrys economy. This corruption is done usually by borrowing large loans from banks and by borrowing loans from international financial institutions for development purposes and then these loans is not returned; rather these are transferred to personal bank accounts. These increase debts on Pakistan have crushed its economy. These debts are than returned by general public through high taxes. Taking high rates of commission and giving tenders of public projects according to likes and dislike instead of merit is also common type of corruption. SGS Coteckna case, Mehran Bank scandal, Surrey Palace scandal, Paper mills scandal, Steel Mills case and privatization of PTCL, Illegal agricultural land acquisition are common examples of corruption. Pakis tans number in corruption is still too high. The high-level corruption has been the major reason of poverty in Pakistan. This poverty has raised corruption in lower level that is under immense pressure of continuous inflation. To eradicate corruption we need to make sustainable and people friendly economic policies. If inflation will not be high the lower level corruption will eradicate. To eradicate high-level corruption we need to strengthen accountability process through powerful and independent minded judiciary. Apart from this we have shown some improvement, as our GDP growth rate is 7%, GDP of agriculture is 21.6%. GDP of industry is 25.1% and per capita has increased to $3004, our Karachi Stock exchange has been acclaimed as one of the top stock exchanges of world where more than 750 companies are registered. So we need to concentrate and be efficient more to develop. Education and health sector in Pakistan has been neglected more. Only around 2% of budget is allocated for education, which is around Rs 9556.44 million (9.55 billion). Our literacy rate is 56% with 87.3% enrollment in primary, 44% in secondary and just 4.6% in post-secondary. 10 million children in Pakistan are not getting basic education. Percentage of enrollment in higher grades is low because of poverty and high fees, which they cannot afford. Same sort of situation is with health, Poor facilities of health will not be able to protect future generations from disease. We need to increase this part of budget from 2% to at least 8% to 10%. Politics and political activities in any society show, how tolerant, vibrant and alive society is, and on what lines the country will progress. Political culture and structure of our country is also one of the biggest fears. Long dictatorships have weakened the political system, and now this system is mostly running for sole purpose of grabbing throne instead of providing services to people. Breaking promises corruption and feudal setup has made people fed up of politics. Core problem of politics lies in feudalism. Feudalism is a system in which one person is like owner (who is feudal head) and all other are like his property, despondent of any social rights. When feudalisms grip is tightened and people are kept in their social cage for years, people become thoughtless. Thus they are molded into their slaves for many coming generations. This could be understood by one example, for instance if we put a six feet high human in 3 by 3 cage, he will be transformed into dwarf. These people are then used as their supporters. These feudal possess huge land areas, and have back support of governments and politicians. These feudal become MPAs and MNAs or support them to be elected, so they are always in power. They never let people become educated because it creates awareness of right and wrong, which could be dangerous for their never-ending rule. These feudal could be non-religious people or even religious feudal. This is biggest social problem of our society. Solution to this problem is land reforms, awareness of rights and most important is Education for all. Every prosperous and developed society in world has dissolved this system through land and educational reforms. Best examples are Bangladesh and India; as they had dissolved feaudalism immediately after independence. In this context the light for hope is dim but not yet vanished. There were many doubts about civil society that because of continuous intervention of military in democratic process and absence of independence of judiciary, have made civil society irrelevant of national affair. But 9th march of 2007 and events followed proved that civil society of Pakistan is still alive, though was silent. This was proven that citizens could fight for rights; they just need a right man. That man the leader came from superior judiciary. When a dictator tried to take on judiciary, which was providing true justice to people, civil society reacted. Reaction from lawyers community, media and civil society was unprecedented. No one had ever expected that people would come on streets in large numbers to defend Independence of judiciary. In past judiciary in Pakistan was not regarded as independent, and always criticized by people, mostly for its decision in favor of establishment and against the popular wis hes of people. History of these decisions starts from 1954; Justice Munirs decision in which he developed the law of necessity and later on gave legal cover to first Martial law. This history continued to 2000 and somehow after. Establishment, dictators and even politicians when in power always crushed judiciary and independent minded judges. But when Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudary was made Chief Justice it was felt that government and bureaucracy (establishment) and intelligence agencies are also accountable to someone. This made above elements angry and they attacked judiciary. Unlike past this time a historical unprecedented movement initiated by lawyers, which was one of its kinds in present history, specially the bar councils bar associations. These people also become heroes of people of Pakistan. The media, which has gained its independence through long struggle, was in support of this movement and civil society was there for all time, for instance the Rally of 5th May Is lamabad to Lahore where millions of people came on street to salute this non-political leader, their Chief Justice, who had made them conscious of their respect. So we have reached the conclusion that there are still hopes as judiciary, media, and lawyers and most important the civil society is still alive. There are still hopes because we have potential to develop and there are still hopes because we are conscious and aware of our rights. There are only two fears, first is absence of democracy and second is that we havent still identified those forces which are creating differences between us. If we could solve these two problems we will be able to develop harmony and tolerance in our society and could achieve highs of success.

John Howard Griffin :: Biography Biographies

John Howard Griffin The black man in the Deep South of America was greatly despised during the 1950’s. The world that the Negroes lived in was not the same as whites in their society. In this book, John Howard Griffin Sacrifices his life as a middle-class white man and becomes a dirt poor Negro, trying to survive in the South. He simply did all of this in order to bring out the truth about what it is really and truly like to be a Negro in the South during the 1950’s. John Howard Griffin is a white journalist with a wife and three children. He began his project of being a Negro, while he was reading a chart about suicide rates. This chart displayed that the Southern Negro man had a rapidly increasing rate of suicide, because they could not see a reason to go on as the second class citizens that they had become due to their skin color. The whites thought that the Negroes had it made since they had given them â€Å"so much† during reconstruction. Griffin realized that the only way to really see the truth about what the Negroes had to endure from day to day was to become a â€Å"Negro† himself. While Griffin was expecting prejudices against himself as a Negro, he went into his project with an open mind trying to discover the truth. He took note of all the prejudices of whites against and took in consideration any acts of kindness. Therefore Griffin’s journal was straightforward and unbiased. Griffin’s main goal in writing this journal was to break the gap between blacks and whites. He was not trying to totally offend whites, but aware them of their injustices towards the Negroes. The fact that he wrote his whole adventure as a journal clearly shows his intentions. He went into the world of the second class Negro, wrote a straight out account of every event that happened by writing a journal. Then the reader saw what his experience was like and believed it more so since it was in a journal setup instead of a story setup. The entire approach of Griffin’s research was ingenious, very creative, and even a bit daring. Not many people would like to experience that drastic change of lifestyle. However it was a very efficient way of discovering precisely what it was like to be a black man in the 1950’s.

Duty Of Care In Health,Social Care Or Childrens Settings

Task AWhen looking after children you have a duty of care to them, this means it is your responsibility to keep the child safe and free from harm. The younger the child the greater the duty of care is,you need to be vigilant and pay attention to keep children safe. Mentally risk assessing situations as they arise will help you see any potential dangers to the child and help you plan to avoid any risk. You also need to be aware of a child's feelings and help them develop them so they understand how words as well as actions can hurt others.Duty of care contributes to the safeguarding and protection of children as you have to follow certain procedures to keep children safe,such as safe guarding policies, risk assessments and precautions to avoid accidents or the spreading of infections. Assessments and observations on a children could alert you to any problems that may need addressing, these may then require discussions with parents and/or other professionals.Task BPotential conflict or dilemma: Child's parents don't want child taking part in certain activities due to their religion. How to manage the risk: Insure there are activities the child can take part in when the others are doing theirs, communicate with parents to avoid any such conflict. Where to get support and advice: Parents, online,library.Potential conflict or dilemma: Child swearing.How to manage the risk: Discuss with children about appropriate behaviour from the beginning. Where to get support and advice: Review ‘managing behaviour' policy regularly.Potential conflict or dilemma: Child wants to watch telly all day. How to manage the risk: Discussion with child,offer alternatives. Where to get  support and advice: The child- find out likes and dislikes.Task CHave in place complaints procedure and policy.

Bureaucracy and Scientific Management Essay

Bureaucracy, which is an important model of organization defined by rules and series of hierarchical relationships, has been the dominant role for understanding organization for decades (Grey, 2007). Since the 1960s, numerous criticisms in mainstream thinking keep emerging toward the bureaucracy asserted that the imminent death of bureaucracy is coming because the defects associated with applying rules would lead to several problems such as poor employee motivation and goal-displacement. In view of this, the implication of a move from bureaucracy to post-bureaucracy has emerged and it is being depicted as a new label of flexible specialization in volatile market. Based on trust and empowerment, post-bureaucracy and other terms including post-hierarchical, post-fordism and post-modern organization are also employed in the same sense (McSweeney, 2006). While some expert judge that the post-bureaucracy are actually more rhetorical than real and it has its own problems such as the risk, unfairness and loss of control, others highlight that the advent of the new post-bureaucratic era is still arriving since the market has been experienced a moving from mass production towards niche production in today’s business environment. While it can not be denied that the concern on the aspect of its design and efficiency in mainstream thinking toward the bureaucracy did lead to some problems in a sense, this essay will attempt to demonstrate that the bureaucracy is still relevant for understanding organizations in current business environment and the existence of post-bureaucracy should be questioned. In order to demonstrate this, according to the mainstream thinking, critiques towards bureaucracy at different perspectives and the feasibility of post-bureaucracy will be discussed at the beginning. Then it will argue the limitation of the mainstream thinking and how bureaucracy can still be relevant for understanding organizations by using examples from literatures. According to Weber, rational-legal is the basis of bureaucracy and it becomes widely adopted because it refers to a highly efficient form of organization while critiques towards the bureaucracy in mainstream thinking are basically to do with the aspect of its design and efficiency in contrast. In the popularist critiques, bureaucracy is viewed as a form of organization which is like a predictable machine with standard operations and leads to the unnecessary delay and excessive obsession with rules. Based on the mainstream thinking, Grey (2007) summarized some important problems from the popularist critiques related with the inertia and ‘Red Tape’ mentality. Specifically, because simply following the rules in bureaucracy gives rise to have little personal commitment and low interest for the workers in the organization, job satisfaction and responsibility in their minds will not be guaranteed and leads to a poor motivated customer service as well as the procrastination in paper work. In the view of the customers, due to the impersonal rules from bureaucracy, sometimes it facilitated the employees in organizations to be ‘jobsworth’ and lead to ‘buck-passing’ by hiding behind the rules when no decision is being made towards a rule-against problem until ‘authority’ comes because the typical mind in their heads. However, some managerialists such as Crozier (1964, cited in Grey, 2007) and Gouldner (1954, cited in Grey, 2007) might deal a blow to the idea that bureaucracy is rigid and impersonal because rules sometimes are completely ignored by employees in their observation. For example, safety regulations as well as equal opportunities regulations in organizations are usually being ignored because they are viewed as a commonplace and sometimes the inconvenience would get in the way of the their jobs. But it was not assured that whether the result of the observation is suit to the organizations in other industries. Yet, more overriding controversial problem in bureaucracy is the goal-displacement within organizations. In the managerialist critiques, as Robert Merton (1940) addressed in his study, bureaucracy would not always lead to the best outcome because people are more likely to follow the rules as a goal rather than its effect. In this way, it gives rise to deliver sub-optimal outcomes in organizations by ‘doing the thing right’ rather than ‘doing the right thing’. A defense for the goal-displacement would be that solutions are not all the optimum ones in every case, but bureaucracy offers an optimum average at overall level. However, another particular version of goal-displacement given by Philip Selznick (1949, cited in Grey, 2007) also poses a blow to the bureaucracy. He suggests divisionalized structures on organizations would lead to different aims towards the divisions by pursuing divisional interests but not the whole organization as the rules designed. Individual prejudices would play a central part in decision making and different aims in divisions within the organizations would very much debunk the rational image of bureaucracy. These insights above are very much pointing to the emergence of post-bureaucracy in organization. Admittedly, apart from overcoming the demerit of bureaucracy, as new forms of organizations with an open boundary based on trust and empowerment, post-bureaucracy would be more suitable for the organizations while the market is even more volatile in today’s business environment. However, post-bureaucracy has its own problems on the aspect of control and risk in mainstream thinking. Without applying rules in organizations, it is not easy to sustain the operation of organizations in an open boundary while trust and empowerment is so fragile that there is a danger that post-bureaucracy will descend into anarchy. Besides, giving employees more freedom to work in their ways would lead to the risk of making wrong decisions. Because employees might have adopted an even less efficient approach to the problems, the efficiency in the post-bureaucratically organizations would be less efficient at all times (Grey, 2007). However, some experts would try to advocate the post-bureaucracy in a different perspective. While the present business environment is moving from mass production towards niche production, organizations are chasing the trend of fitting with the flexible specialization in producing (Piore and Sabel, 1984, cited in Grey, 2007) and the rise of the network society and network organizations also provide a favorable environment for the post-bureaucracy (Castells, 1996, cited in Grey, 2007). But managerialists such as Warhurst and Thompson (1998) and McSweeney (2006) acute that the critiques towards the mass production is by no means decreasing over the world, and the new forms of operation with post-bureaucracy based on trust and empowerment are actually more rhetorical than real because few and limited practical cases of detailed type post-bureaucracy could be found in recent period so far. Therefore, the existence of post-bureaucracy within organizations should be questioned in a sense. Back to the argument discussed in the front, some limitations are worth noticing in the mainstream thinking. Although bureaucracy has its shortcomings in multiple perspectives, Paul du Gay (2000) claims that bureaucracy actually embodies fairness. It is true because people would chase for the maximum efficiency due to the demand of instrumental rationality. Ethic of impersonality and fairness in bureaucracy are required so that employees and customers are treated without prejudice and discrimination. In George Ritzer’s The McDonaldization of Society (2000), it also provides the idea that impersonality is the central of bureaucratic ethos that guarantee fairness as du Gay mentioned and this can be related to the merit of standardization in organizations. Specifically, Ritzer utilizes Mcdonaldization and sees it as the template for contemporary forms of bureaucratization. By focusing on the four dimensions including efficiency, calculability, predictability and control through non-human technology, he exemplifies the logic of standardization in bureaucracy has several advantages including economic and material reasons and contends that the proliferation of standardization has spread into more and more sectors in all kinds of area. Scientific management in bureaucracy is still very evident in organisational systems over the period. Another noticing limitation could be found on the one-sided aspect of the restriction focused on efficiency. The critiques towards bureaucracy as well as post-bureaucracy in mainstream thinking might have a different understanding if the vision is shifted from different perspectives. According to du Gay (2000), it is fundamentally doing with the power. But more importantly, it is about the question of a binary logic. Mainstream thinking concerning about the efficiency towards bureaucracy is more likely to divide whether the bureaucracy is good and post-bureaucracy is bad or post-bureaucracy is good and bureaucracy is bad. However, the division between bureaucracy and post-bureaucracy was actually much less clear-cut in current business environment. For example, in Richard Sennett’s (1998) study, he revisits what previously was a Greek bakery operating with bureaucratic rules and workers are stable unionized few decades ago. However it becomes a multinational firm with large scale and uses shifting workforce of non-unionized workers for operating the bakery machines. In this way, products are easily to shift from type to type while workers know nothing about the techniques of baking but just simply pressing the button on the bakery machine. It clearly shows how new working environment of post-bureaucracy about flexibility in production do not simply imply an empowered kind of organizational life and the ways of working are as dehumanizing as before — the combination of bureaucracy and post-bureaucracy. Bureaucracy is still very much alive in the new forms of organization. In conclusion, the concern on the aspect of its design and efficiency in mainstream thinking toward the bureaucracy did lead to some problems in a sense. However, while bureaucracy has been proclaimed is ending since 1960s and it leads to the view of emergence towards the new form of organization, post-bureaucracy has its own problems and its existence should be questioned. However, bureaucracy actually does embody fairness. While the world is stepping into a new business environment, organization operate in bureaucracy still has several advantages including economic and material reasons and the proliferation of standardization has spread into more and more sectors in all kinds of area. Bureaucracy is still very much alive and evident in modern organizational and social life, even combined within the new organisational systems.

Alfred Binet and His Life

Binet attended law school in Paris, and received his degree in 1878. He also studied Natural Sciences at the Sorbonne. His first formal job was as a researcher at a neurological clinic, Salpetriere Hospital, in Paris from 1883 – 1889. From there, Binet went on to being a researcher and associate director of the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology at the Sorbonne from 1891 – 1894. In 1894, he was promoted to being the director of the laboratory until 1911 (his death). After receiving his law degree in 1878, Alfred Binet began to study science at the Sorbonne.However, he was not overly interested in his formal schooling, and started educating himself by reading psychology texts at the National Library in Paris. He soon became fascinated with the ideas of John Stuart Mill, who believed that the operations of intelligence could be explained by the laws of associationism. Binet eventually realized the limitations of this theory, but Mill's ideas continued to influence his work. In 1883, years of unaccompanied study ended when Binet was introduced to Charles Fere, who introduced him to Jean Charcot, the director of a clinic called La Salpetriere. Charcot became his mentor and in turn, Binet accepted a job offer at the clinic. During his seven years there, any and every of Charcot's views were accepted unconditionally by Binet. This of course, was where he could have used the interactions with others and training in critical thinking that a University education provided. In 1883, Binet began to work in Jean-Martin Charcot's neurological laboratory at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris. At the time of Binet's tenure, Charcot was experimenting with hypnotism. Binet was strongly influenced by this great man, and published four articles about his work in this area. Unfortunately, Charcot's conclusions did not hold up under professional scrutiny, and Binet was forced to make an embarrassing public admission that he had been wrong in supporting his teacher. When his intrigue with hypnosis waned as a result of failure to establish professional acceptance, he turned to the study of development spurred on by the birth of his two daughters, Madeleine and Alice (born in 1885 and 1887, respectively). In the 21 year period following his shift in career interests, Binet â€Å"published more than 200 books, articles, and reviews in what now would be called experimental, developmental, educational, social, nd differential psychology† (Siegler, 1992). Bergin and Cizek (2001) suggest that this work may have influenced Jean Piaget, who later studied with Binet's collaborator Theodore Simon in 1920. Binet's research with his daughters helped him to further refine his developing conception of intelligence, especially the importance of attention span and suggestibility in intellectual development. Despite Binet's extensive research interests and wide breadth of publications, today he is most widely known for his contributions to intelligence. Wolf (1973) postulates that this is the result of his not being affiliation with a major university. Because Binet did not have any formalized graduate study in psychology, he did not hold a professorship with a prestigious institution where students and funds would be sure to perpetuate his work (Siegler, 1992). Additionally, his more progressive theories did not provide the practical utility that his intelligence scale would evoke. Binet and his coworker Fere discovered what they called transfer and they also recognized perceptual and emotional polarization. Binet and Fere thought their findings were a phenomenon and of utmost importance. After investigations by many, the two men were forced to admit that they were wrong about their concepts of transfer and polarization. Basically, their patients had known what was expected, what was supposed to happen, and so they simply assented. Binet had risked everything on his experiment and its results, and this failure took a toll on him. In 1890, Binet resigned from La Salpetriere and never mentioned the place or its director again. His interests then turned toward the development of his children, Madeleine and Alice, who were two years apart. This research corresponds with that done by Jean Piaget just a short time later, regarding the development of cognition in children. A job presented itself for Binet in 1891 at the Laboratory of Physiological Psychology at the Sorbonne. He worked for a year without pay and by 1894, he took over as the director. This was a position that Binet held until his death, and it enabled him to pursue his studies on mental processes. While directing the Laboratory, Theodore Simon applied to do doctoral research under Binet's supervision. This was the beginning of their long, fruitful collaboration. During this time he also co-founded the French journal of psychology, L'Annee psychologique, serving as the director and editor-in-chief. n 1899, Binet was asked to be a member of the Free Society for the Psychological Study of the Child. French education changed profusely during the end of the nineteenth century, because of a law that passed which made it mandatory for children ages six to fourteen to attend school. This group to which Binet became a member hoped to begin studying children in a scientific manner. Binet and many other members of the society were appointed to the Commission for the Retarded. The question became â€Å"What should be the test given to children thought to possibly have learning disabilities, that might place them in a special classroom? † Binet made it his problem to establish the differences that separate the normal child from the abnormal, and to measure such differences. L'Etude experimentale de l'intelligence (Experimental Studies of Intelligence) was the book he used to describe his methods and it was published in 1903. Development of more tests and investigations began soon after the book, with the help of a young medical student named Theodore Simon. Simon had nominated himself a few years before as Binet's research assistant and worked with him on the intelligence tests that Binet is known for, which share Simon's name as well. In 1905, a new test for measuring intelligence was introduced and simply called the Binet–Simon scale. In 1908, they revised the scale, dropping, modifying, and adding tests and also arranging them according to age levels from three to thirteen. In 1904 a French professional group for child psychology, La Societe Libre pour l'Etude Psychologique de l'Enfant, was called upon by the French government to appoint a commission on the education of retarded children. The commission was asked to create a mechanism for identifying students in need of alternative education. Binet, being an active member of this group, found the impetus for the development of his mental scale. Binet and Simon, in creating what historically is known as the Binet-Simon Scale, comprised a variety of tasks they thought were representative of typical children's abilities at various ages. This task-selection process was based on their many years of observing children in natural settings. They then tested their measurement on a sample of fifty children, ten children per five age groups. The children selected for their study were identified by their school teachers as being average for their age. The purpose of this scale of normal functioning, which would later be revised twice using more stringent standards, was to compare children's mental abilities relative to those of their normal peers (Siegler, 1992). The scale consisted of thirty tasks of increasing complexity. The easiest of these could be accomplished by all children, even those who were severely retarded. Some of the simplest test items assessed whether or not a child could follow a lighted match with his eyes or shake hands with the examiner. Slightly harder tasks required children to point to various named body parts, repeat back a series of 3 digits, repeat simple sentences, and to define words like house, fork or mama. More difficult test items required children to state the difference between pairs of things, reproduce drawings from memory or to construct sentences from three given words such as â€Å"Paris, river and fortune. † The hardest test items included asking children to repeat back 7 random digits, find three rhymes for the French word obeisance and to answer questions such as â€Å"My neighbor has been receiving strange visitors. He has received in turn a doctor, a lawyer, and then a priest. What is taking place? † (Fancher, 1985). For the practical use of determining educational placement, the score on the Binet-Simon scale would reveal the child's mental age. For example, a 6 year-old child who passed all the tasks usually passed by 6 year-olds–but nothing beyond–would have a mental age that exactly matched his chronological age, 6. 0. (Fancher, 1985). Binet was forthright about the limitations of his scale. He stressed the remarkable diversity of intelligence and the subsequent need to study it using qualitative, as opposed to quantitative, measures. Binet also stressed that intellectual development progressed at variable rates and could be influenced by the environment; therefore, intelligence was not based solely on genetics, was malleable rather than fixed, and could only be found in children with comparable backgrounds (Siegler, 1992). Given Binet's stance that intelligence testing was subject to variability and was not generalizable, it is important to look at the metamorphosis that mental testing took on as it made its way to the U. S. While Binet was developing his mental scale, the business, civic, and educational leaders in the U.  S. were facing issues of how to accommodate the needs of a diversifying population, while continuing to meet the demands of society. There arose the call to form a society based on meritocracy (Siegler,1992) while continuing to underline the ideals of the upper class. In 1908, H. H. Goddard, a champion of the eugenics movement, found utility in mental testing as a way to evidence the superiority of the white race. After studying abroad, Goddard brought the Binet-Simon Scale to the United States and translated it into English. Following Goddard in the U. S. ental testing movement was Lewis Terman who took the Simon-Binet Scale and standardized it using a large American sample. The new Standford-Binet scale was no longer used solely for advocating education for all children, as was Binet's objective. A new objective of intelligence testing was illustrated in the Stanford-Binet manual with testing ultimately resulting in â€Å"curtailing the reproduction of feeble-mindedness and in the elimination of an enormous amount of crime, pauperism, and industrial inefficiency (p. 7)† Terman, L. , Lyman, G. , Ordahl, G. , Ordahl, L. , Galbreath, N. ; Talbert, W. (1916). The Stanford Revision and Extension of the Binet-Simon Scale for Measuring Intelligence. Baltimore: Warwick ; York. (White, 2000). It follows that we should question why Binet did not speak out concerning the newfound uses of his measure. Siegler (1992) pointed out that Binet was somewhat of an isolationist in that he never traveled outside of France and he barely participated in professional organizations. Additionally, his mental scale was not adopted in his own country during his lifetime and therefore was not subjected to the same fate. Finally, when Binet did become aware of the â€Å"foreign ideas being grafted on his instrument† he condemned those who with ‘brutal pessimism' and ‘deplorable verdicts' were promoting the concept of intelligence as a single, unitary construct (White, 2000). From 1905 to 1908, Binet and Simon developed a test primarily for kids ages 3 to 15 that would compare their intellectual capabilities to other children of the same age. He did a lot of trial and error testing with students from his area. Binet studied groups of â€Å"normal† children, and also children who were mentally challenged. He had to figure out which tasks each group of students was able to complete, and what would be considered standard in the groups. The tests were held between one interviewer and one student, and determined what level of intellectual thinking the student had achieved. The invention of the intelligence test was extremely important to the field of education. Binet published the third version of the Binet-Simon scale right before he died in 1911, but it was still unfinished. If it were not for his early death, Binet surely would have continued to revise the scale. Still, the Binet-Simon scale was and is hugely popular around the world, mainly because it is easy to give and fairly brief. Since his death, many people in many ways have honored Binet, but two of these stand out. In 1917, the Free Society for the Psychological Study of the Child, to whom Binet became a member in 1899 and which prompted his development of the intelligence tests, changed their name to La Societe Alfred Binet, in memory of the renowned psychologist. The second honor was not until 1984, when the journal Science 84 picked the Binet-Simon scale, as one of twenty of this century's most significant developments or discoveries. He studied sexual behavior, coining the term erotic fetishism to describe individuals whose sexual interests in nonhuman objects, such as articles of clothing. He also studied abilities of Valentine Dencausse, the most famous chiromancer in Paris in those days.References http://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/psychtesting/profiles/binet.htm http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/binet.shtml