A Limited Topic Is A Good Topic For A Critical Essay. True False Brainly
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Robin Hood Essays
Robin Hood Essays Robin Hood Essay Robin Hood Essay Showing the change Robin Hood has made since he was a little boy easily allows the reader to better understand how great he really is, and how he Is helping not only himself, but all of the poorer community-Robin Hood was faced with Issues from very early on In his life. HIS mothers death was very difficult for him, but living with his fathers love for another women, after his mother ad died, was just too much for him and he threatened his father that staying with that women would cost him his only sons love. Robin then left for many years, only to come back and discover that his father had been murdered and that the new leader of Nottingham was the Sheriff. Not only was this a great shock to Robin, but all the people of the land were suffering greatly from the Sheriffs corrupt rule. He was very money hungry and greedy, and the lower class community suffered greatly from his readiness. Robin Hood had many different traits that are quite obvious in the story and the movie. For one he is very set on taking from the wealth of Nottingham and giving back to the poorer community so they can live well. His main idea here is to get as much taken from the Sheriff of Nottingham and his sympathizers so they can easily attack and take the kingdom back. In the end his plan works and Robin kills the Sheriff and the Kingdom Is once again his, as well as Maid Maroon. HIS goals are Robin clearly has an expansion Issue tit his men and he needs to start thinking about moving from an Immediate local cause to either a regional or national one. The resources have begun to dry-up locally and his original tactical band of Mermen has turned Into more of a dysfunctional group of followers. If Robin could break his current large group of Mermen Into divisions and branch out to other territories or markets so that he doesnt saturate one particular area too much then he would be able to Increase his Income. Pursuing other rich merchants In new markets would not only keep to Robins Initial cause, but also expand his network of farmers and townspeople to provide for. His constrained resources In the Sherwood Forest would once again flourish with the considerable mass now gone and utilizing other resources In their perspective territories. With the division of the Mermen from one army into smaller Squadrons Robin would be charged with appointing leadership among the new subgroups. The original hierarchy could remain intact with each of the original Lieutenants continuing tenet specials tasks Ana can squadron navels an populate deader who would report directly to their General (Robin). The division of power would allow discipline to be maintained while not overburdening each lieutenant with more responsibility. With increasing territory covered throughout the kingdom, the Sheriff would once again feel pressure from Robin and his new strategic squadrons of Mermen as they turn their local cause into a regional one. There are several metrics that can be used to define the success of the new structure developed within the Mermen. The first and easiest calculation would be the increase/decrease in finances. The abundance of game available for the men would be a metric of provision accessibility. Approval ratings from the townspeople and Mermen can act as a contentment gauge of the people for, and of, the cause. The number of engagements between the Sheriff and the Mermen can disclose the efficiency of the new squadron hierarchy. Each metric would determine the success of the new strategy that was put in place to combat against the original underlying issues of expansion, disorientation, constraining resources, and the Sheriffs offensive effort.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Profile of Serial Killer Joseph Paul Franklin
Profile of Serial Killer Joseph Paul Franklin Joseph Paul Franklin is a serial extremist killer whose crimes were motivated by a pathological hatred of African Americans and Jews. Fueled by the words of his hero, Adolf Hitler, Franklin went on a killing rampage between 1977 and 1980, targeting interracial couples and setting off bombs in synagogues. Childhood Years Franklin (named James Clayton Vaughan Jr. at birth) was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 13, 1950, and was the second of four children in a volatile impoverished home. As a child Franklin, who felt different from other children, turned to reading books, mostly fairy tales, as an escape from the domestic violence in the home. His sister has described the home as abusive, saying Franklin was the target of much of the abuse. Teen Years During his teen years, he was introduced to the American Nazi Party through pamphlets and he adopted the belief that the world needed to be cleansed of what he considered inferior races - mainly African Americans and Jews. He was in full agreement with the Nazi teachings and he became a member of the American Nazi Party, the Ku Klux Klan, and the National States Rights Party. Name Change In 1976, he wanted to join the Rhodesian Army, but because of his criminal background he needed to change his name to be accepted. He changed his name to Joseph Paul Franklin - Joseph Paul after Adolph Hitlers minister of propaganda, Joseph Paul Goebbels, and Franklin after Benjamin Franklin. Franklin never did join the army, but instead launched his own war of the races. Obsessed With Hate Obsessed with hatred for interracial marriages, many of his killings were against black and white couples he encountered. He has also admitted to blowing up synagogues and takes responsibility for the 1978 shooting of Hustler Magazine publisher, Larry Flynt and the 1980 shooting on civil rights activist and Urban League president Vernon Jordan, Jr. Over the years Franklin has been linked to or confessed to numerous bank robberies, bombings, and murders. However, not all of his confessions are viewed as truthful and many of the crimes were never brought to trial. Convictions Alphonse Manning and Toni SchwennMadison, WisconsinIn 1985 Franklin was found guilty of killing interracial couple Alphonse Manning and Toni Schwenn,à both 23 years old.à The couple was pulling out of a shopping mall when Franklin rammed their car from behind, then got out and shot Manning twice and Schwenn four times, killing both. He was sentenced to two life terms.Bryant Tatum and Nancy HiltonChattanooga, TennesseeIn 1977 he pleaded guilty to the July 29, 1978 sniper murder of Bryant Tatum (black) and for attempting to murder his white girlfriend Nancy Hilton.à The couple wasà at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Chattanooga when Franklin, hiding in tall grass near the restaurant, gunned them down. Franklin was found guilty and given a life sentence.Donte Brown and Darrel LaneCincinnati, OhioCousins Dante Brown, 13, and Darrel Lane, 14, were headed to a local convenience store on June 6, 1980, when Franklin, standing on an overpass, shot two bullets into each child. Lane died at t he scene and Brown died a few hours later at the hospital. Franklin was found guilty and sentenced to two life terms. Ted Fields and David MartinSalt Lake City, UtahTed Fields, 20, and David Martin, 18, were friends who shared the reputation for being hardworking, responsible and with bright futures. On August, 20, they went jogging with two women at Liberty Park.à Franklin hit the group with a barrage of bullets, striking Fields three times and Martin five, killing both. One of the women was injured. He was found guilty and received two life sentences.Gerald GordonPotosi, MissouriOn October 8, 1977, Gerald Gordon, Steven Goldman and William Ashà had no idea a Remington 700 hunting rifle was aimed at them while they walked through the synagogue parking lot.à Franklin, who had carefully planned his assault the day before, fired five shots at the men, killing Gordon and injuring Goldman and Ash. In February 1997, a jury found him guilty and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Any Regrets? Eight life sentences and a death sentence has done little to change Franklins radical racist views. He has told authorities that his only regret is that killing Jews isnt legal. During a 1995 article published by Deseret News, Franklin seemed to boast about his killing sprees and the only regret that he seems to have is that there were victims that managed to survive his murderous rage. On November 20, 2013, Franklin was executed by lethal injection in Missouri. He offered no final statement.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Discussion on Loblaw and Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
Discussion on Loblaw and Wal-Mart - Essay Example To fit in market competition the Wal-Mart decided to reduce the cost of their product. This turned to great threat to the Loblaw Company (Financial post 2006). In 2006, the Loblaw Company lost completely its market to Wal-Mart stores. During this year the Loblaw reported a loss of 219 Canadian dollars due to increased competition (Ian 2007, P. 1). To counter the competition raised by Wal- Mart the company introduced new products in the market. After that Loblaw utilized the strategy of constructing large superstores in its effort to pre-empt Wal-Mart in the market. For instance, Loblaw Company limited has more than one thousand and fifty stores located in various locations in Canada such as Fortino, Loblaw and Zehrs (Marina 2010). In 2002, it constructed a large superstore with the label Real Canadian Superstore (RCSS) acting as the companyââ¬â¢s competitive strategy. In addition to that, in 2004 the company constructed 13 stores and similarly in 2005 it was supposed to construct seven more stores. On the contrary, since 2002, Wal-Mart Company limited has not constructed any megastores apart from its ââ¬Å"5 Sum Storesâ⬠situated in Ontario (David, David, Mark S., and Scort., 2006, p. 226). However, through utilization of adequate competitive strategies, Wal-Mart can effectively compete with Loblaw and deter entry and exits into their market arenas. The importance of entry and exit barriers and strategies that firms can use to deter entry Entry and exit barriers are significant for firms that are competing. In that case, firms such as Loblaw and Wal-Mart should develop strategies that will help them in entry deterring. Entry barriers are extremely essential because they are crucial in many cases of competition. It is thus important for companyââ¬â¢s presidentââ¬â¢s to consider barriers to entry while assessing dominance and in their determination whether unilateral conduct might discourage new entrants from taking part in the market. Most importa ntly, barriers to entry might dampen, retard or nullify the usual market mechanism utilized in checking market power in terms of arrival and attraction of new rivalry. Additionally, substantial barriers to entry are essential in proving that the existence of a high level of market share translates into a superior market in abuse or monopolization of dominance cases (Turut and Ofek, 2000, p. 576). Over decades, various arguments have existed among economists on how to define entry barriers. Generally, the term refers to an obstruction that makes it extremely difficult for firms to get into a market. A hot debate has persisted on which hindrances should qualify to be termed as barriers to entry.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Organizational information technology budgeting criteria and solutions Essay
Organizational information technology budgeting criteria and solutions - Essay Example The domain of information technology has come to take up from the most basic of functions to the most advanced of functions executed in the organizational structure. In addition, information technology has impinged the functions of most basic level employees to the most senior levels of management in any organization. The modern economy has a lot to credit information technology with. However, the management of this vital tool for the organizational structure is a complicated process depending on the particular constraints in place. Information technology requirements tend to differ from one organization to the next even if the basic business functions are more or less the same. This tends to happen as information technology requirements are differentiated on the basis of an organizationââ¬â¢s internal factors as well as external constraints. The choice of particular systems to use and the choice to embed the systems to certain levels of depth in an organization all require meticulous attention to detail. It must be taken to note that information technology is not limited merely to computer equipment or more aptly hardware. Instead, information technology, when applied to an organizationââ¬â¢s business support functions, refers to hardware, software as well as the manning required to run the show. The budgeting aspects of information technology often fall to deaf ears since the budgeting authorities may not be as acquainted with information technology as desired. In most organizations, information technology budgeting comes through the accounting office where there is little appreciation for information technology constraints.... Budgeting Criteria The three basic tenets that are used to construe the information technology budgets for most organizations can be classified broadly as hardware, software and human resources. Almost all organizations that have some kind of an information technology setup tend to have some proportion of these three components working together to create a complete information technology support system. The proportion of each of these components tends to differ from organization to organization especially when budgeting concerns are explored. The components are discussed in greater detail below under the appropriate heads. Hardware Hardware is essential to the functions of any information technology setup. Some quarters might argue that hardware in the hardcore sense is fast disappearing from organizational information technology culture but in effect its proportion is changing. This change is occurring as more and more organizations are pursuing cloud computing solutions that are fa r more flexible and cheap when compared to conventional information technology setups for organizations. In conventional information technology setups, the organization tends to procure most pieces of information technology equipment that it uses except for larger network equipment that connects it to the World Wide Web. The procurement typically tends to include basic computing equipment such as keyboards, mice, towers, monitors as well as more advanced equipment such as barcode scanners, weighing devices, various kinds of flow meters etc. Again, the nature of the advanced equipment is determined by the nature of the business operations. However, the nature of the basic equipment
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Mystery of Free
Mystery of Free Will and Moral Responsibility Essay We all seem to think that we make decisions on our own and have the ability to choose from making different decisions. We do what we want to do because it seems as if we have many options to choose from to be in control of our own destiny. The basic question of the mystery of free will is that, ââ¬Å"Are we able to really make our own decisions or are the decisions we make already predetermined (with it being inevitable of us making that certain decision)? â⬠Our futures seem to be undetermined and have an infinite amount of possibilities of which we are able to choose freely among. Think of your life as a garden of forking paths with each path being a certain decision you make that affects your future. However, many philosophers believe that the thesis of determinism threatens this model of free will. If you may know, determinism is the theory that the universe at any point in time is entirely fixed by the state of the universe at a prior time, in combination with the laws of nature. So the reason why this threatens the ââ¬Ëgarden of forking pathsââ¬â¢ model of free will is that how can we have so many options to choose when determinism has already chosen one for us? This leads us to another central issue, which is: ââ¬Å"Can free will and determinism co-exist? â⬠The two ways philosophers go about considering this question is either with a ââ¬Ëyes, they can co-existââ¬â¢ or ââ¬Ëno, they cannot. ââ¬â¢ If you were to believe that, yes, free will and determinism can co-exist, then you would be considered a compatibilist. Answering no, free will and determinism cannot co-exist, you would be considered an incompatibalist. Peter Van Inwagen, a prominent figure in the philosophy world, created the consequence argument. In his argument, Van Inwagen explains that if determinism is true, then our acts are just a consequence of the laws of nature and events in the remote past. And since itââ¬â¢s not up to us what went on before we were born nor what the laws of nature are, the consequences of these things (including our present acts) are not up to us (PowerPoint 1, Slide 23). In short, he explains that if determinism were to be true then no one would ever or has ever made a choice on their own about anything. So if no one has power over the facts of the past and the laws of nature and that no one has the power of the fact that the facts of the past and laws of nature entail that only future is possible, therefore, no one has power over the facts of the future. To further demonstrate his reasoning of the consequence argument, Van Inwagen created the No Choice Principle (NCP). In this example, let ââ¬Ëpââ¬â¢ = ââ¬Å"Plato died long before I was born. â⬠Let ââ¬Ëqââ¬â¢ = ââ¬Å"I never met Plato. â⬠Now, if I have no choice about ââ¬Ëpââ¬â¢ and no choice about the fact that (if ââ¬Ëpââ¬â¢ is true, then ââ¬Ëqââ¬â¢ is necessarily true. Therefore, I have no choice about ââ¬Ëqââ¬â¢ (PowerPoint 1, Slide 26). How can one have a choice about something that is inevitably going to happen if one has no choice about it happening? Van Inwagenââ¬â¢s consequence argument is based on the NCP. Now, if determinism and free will can co-exist (Compatibilism is true) then the No Choice Principle must be false (Remember, you would have no free will and no choice of ââ¬Ëqââ¬â¢ happening because it was never in your control to choose so). But, the NCP is not false, therefore the Compatibilism theory is not true and with this being said the free will thesis and theory of determinism cannot co-exist. I believe that free will is incompatible with determinism, but free will exists because the thesis of determinism is false. I choose this opinion because, going to back to the ââ¬Ëgarden of forking pathsââ¬â¢ model, if I come across a path with three forks in it I have the ability to not take one or two of those paths and have the ability to freely choose which path I would prefer to take. I know that I have the ability to choose because I can take either 3 paths, but I only choose to take the one which I desire most. Determinists may say that I took that path because it was inevitable. Whichever of the 3 paths I took, it would be inevitable that I took it. The reason why I believe in free will and not the coexistence of both free will and determinism, and determinism itself is because there is no way to prove something of happening inevitably in every occasion. Determinists could say that just about anything was inevitable of happening, whatââ¬â¢s their proof?
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Christianity & Paganism in Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays
à à à à à Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The acceptance of feuds and the courage of war are just a few examples of the Pagan tradition, while the Christian mortalities refrain from the two. à à à à à Beowulf is torn between his Christian heart to help the people as well as the selfish reward of Paganism. Though he wants the Christianââ¬â¢s respect he thrives for the satisfaction of fighting. Beowulf is known as a hero and in that aspect he believes he should be the one to defeat Grendel. Beowulf despises weapons but relies on his strength. This is just one of many battles that suggest Beowulf was a Pagonist. He also would drink and tended to kill people and creatures, which also leads to the speculations of Paganism. à à à à à Even though many Pagan influences appear in the poem, Christian influences override them. An example would be when Beowulf saved the Danes from Grendel. He also expressed a fair attitude towards battles when he refused to use a weapon. The idea of loyalty, a hero, and a giver are all signs of Christianity. Beowulf could be seen as Christ when trying to help the people as Grendel could be compared to Satan who tries to destroy happiness and well-doing. à à à à à The last battle in Beowulf was against the fierce dragon that could also be saw as the power of Satan. During this battle Beowulf chooses to use a weapon because of the dragonââ¬â¢s deadly venom, it would only be fair. It was a hard fight but Beowulf wasnââ¬â¢t capable of defeating the dragon. This battle could be compared to the will of Christ, in which Christ gave his life for the people, while Beowulf did the same. The dragon now represents the evil a man must fight in order to preserve the good in life. Although Beowulf was defeated, it was not shamelessly, just like Christ he saved the people. Beowulf had a good heart but was sometimes overturned by the bad influences in life. He represents the fact that everyone makes mistakes, you canââ¬â¢t be perfect all the time, everyoneââ¬â¢s bound to lose. à à à à à Grendel was a very hateful and disturbed creature.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
What Are the Effects of Poor Communication in a Project
Faculty of Business Department of Management and Project Management Baccalaureus Technologiae Project Management Project Research IV Lecturer: L. Jowah RESEARCH METHODOLOGY PROPOSAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Hypothesis ââ¬â The matrix management structure hinders the project manager when executing a project. 1 Research Question 1 Topic 1 KEY WORDS 1 CONCEPT DEFINITIONS 1 2 CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM ORIENTATION 2 1. 1 INTRODUCTION 2 1. 2 BACKGROUND TO STUDY 3 1. 3 PROBLEM FORMULATION 4 1. 4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 5 1. 4. 1 Primary objective 5 1. 4. 2 Theoretical objectives of the study 5 1. 4. Empirical objectives 5 1. 5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 6 1. 5. 1 Literature review 6 1. 5. 2 Target population 6 1. 5. 3 Sample selection and method of sampling 6 1. 5. 4 The method of data collection 7 1. 5. 5 Statistical Analysis 7 1. 6 CHAPTER CLASSIFICATION 7 1. 6. 1 Chapter two: Literature review 7 1. 6. 2 Chapter three: Research Design and Methodology 7 1. 6. 3 Chapter four: Res ults and Findings 7 1. 6. 4 Chapter five: Conclusions and Recommendations 8 1. 7 SYNOPSIS 8 REFERENCES 9 Questionnaire 11 Part A ââ¬â Project Planningâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦.. 1 Part B ââ¬â Organisational Supportâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦. 12 Part C ââ¬â Organisational Characteristics â⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦Ã¢â¬ ¦.. 13 Hypothesis ââ¬â The matrix management structure hinders the project manager when executing a project. Research Question ââ¬â How does the matrix structure affect the project manager's effectiveness? Topic ââ¬â Organisational structures influence the effectiveness of a projec t manager. KEY WORDS organisational structures management project management CONCEPT DEFINITIONS Project: According to the PMBOK ââ¬â A temporary endeavor ndertaken to create a unique product or service. Temporary means that every project has a definite beginning and a definite end. Unique means that the product or service is different in some distinguishing way from all similar products or services A project management guide, and an internationally recognized standard, that provides the fundamentals of project management as they apply to a wide range of projects. PMBOK ââ¬â Project Management Body of Knowledge: Management Organisational structures: 1. Effective use and coordination of resources such as capital, plant materials and labour to achieve defined objectives with maximum efficiency. . People responsible for directing and running and organisation. 1. Arrangement of the work of the organisation into units and management positions between which there are defined relat ionships involving the exercise of authority and the communication of instructions and information. 2. Determination and specification of appropriate operational and functional roles and the resulting relationships. The aim of organisational structuring is to provide for an effective organisation structure which enables the best use to be made of the minds, judgements and energies of the members of the organisation. CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM ORIENTATION 1. 1 INTRODUCTION Project management is the discipline of planning, organising, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives (Cleland & Gareis, 2006:1-4). According to Burke (2007:28-30), modern day project management started in the early 1900ââ¬â¢s with Henry Ganttââ¬â¢s development of the barchart, and project management techniques which were specifically developed for the military and aerospace projects of the 1950ââ¬â¢s and 1960ââ¬â¢s in America and Britain. Today, companies are encouraged to change their management systems to adapt to the project management environment. A project is defined as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service (PMBOK, 2004:4). According to Sandhu & Gunasekaran (2004:673-690), a project is a set of inter-related tasks that are undertaken by an organisation to meet defined objectives, that has an agreed start and finish time, is constrained by cost, and that has specified performance requirements and resources. Projects are usually led by a project manager who is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project. However the project manager has to interface with the line management, according to Kerzner (2006:7). Projects are performed by people and managed through people, so it is essential to develop an organisation structure which reflects the needs of the project (Burke, 2007:304). Organisations use project management to bring key people together to achieve specific goals (Palmer, 2002:101-105). According to Gido & Clements (2003:336-339), Conflict can arise from poor or organisational issues can cause conflict in a project. mbiguous project communication, lack of information sharing, or failure to make timely decisions. Problems caused by conflict include: confusion; waste of time, money and opportunity; diminished productivity; de-motivation of individuals and teams; internal conflicts and power struggles and ultimately project failure (Box & Platts, 2005:370-387). 2 Due to the numerous working interfaces, complicated networks, and diversified team members of a large project, coordination efficiency among members of the team is vital to the projectââ¬â¢s success (Cheng, Su & You, 2003:70-79). One of the simplest, yet most effective things upper management can do is to set out the companyââ¬â¢s policy for project management; thus establishing the vision for how the company wants to best utilise project management concepts and gives a clear downwards communication (Eve, 2007:85-90). Successful executives and managers must maintain an appropriate balance between strategic and operational concerns, as they conduct the affairs of their organisation in a project management environment (Czuchry & Yasin, 2003:39-46). The first and most basic lesson learnt regarding project management implementation, is that top management must demonstrate its unequivocal and visible support for a transition to the project management way of goal achievement (Brown & Botha, 2005:1-7). When senior management place the responsibility for project success with the project manager, without providing adequate authority and at times, implemented changes that further undermine the project managerââ¬â¢s authority; it leads to project failure (Kennedy & Marx, 2009:368-373). The starting point for ensuring that matrix structures work effectively is to ensure that there is a genuine need for them (Rees & Porter, 2004:189-193). Matrix structures should not be introduced simply on the basis that they are fashionable. It is also important to note that work teams do not exist in a vacuum, but are part of a larger organisational system with distinct cultural and structural characteristics (Tata, 2000:187-193). 1. 2 BACKGROUND TO STUDY An organisational structure is a mainly hierarchical concept of subordination of entities that collaborate and contribute to serve one common aim. Organisational structure allows the expressed allocation of responsibilities for different functions and processes to different entities such as the branch, department, workgroup and individual. 3 A hierarchical organisation is an organisational structure where every entity in the organisation, except one, is sub-ordinate to a single other entity. This arrangement is a form of a hierarchy. In an organisation, the hierarchy usually consists of a singular/group of power at the top with subsequent levels of power beneath them. This is the dominant mode of organisation among large organisations; most corporations, governments, and organized religions are hierarchical organisations with different levels of management, power or authority. Organisations have recognised that performing organisational projects has increased both organisational efficiency and effectiveness, thus organisational projects are becoming more of a norm than an exception these days. Each type of organisation has advantages and disadvantages pertaining to project implementation. The organisation should establish firm, standardized project management systems. The matrix structure leads to institutionalised conflict which, if properly channelled, should lead to a number of advantages, such as efficiency and flexibility in used of resources, technical excellence of solutions, motivation and development of employees and the freeing of top management from routine decision making (Rowlinson, 2001:669-673). According to Brown (2008:1-9), a seven step organisational process needs to be formally instituted in an organisation through a thoroughly planned strategy to ensure that appropriate project management processes and tools. . 3 PROBLEM FORMULATION In recent years, managers of for-profit private organisations have been under considerable market pressures to re-orient the strategies, operations and business models of their organisations. In a response to these pressures, the organisational structures of these organisations have been steadily re-engineered from mechanistic, rigid and closed system-oriented to a more organic, flexible and open sy stem-oriented (Gomes, Yasin & Lisboa, 2008: 573-585). 4 Most managers focus on how the project methodology can adapt to itââ¬â¢s organisational context, however, in doing so, they sacrifice the flexibility and dynamism of the project approach for the bureaucratic, control-based view of functional organisations (Thiry, 2006:22) The questions to be addressed in this study are as follows: â⬠¢ How does the organisational structure affect the project manager's effectiveness? â⬠¢ To what degree is the effectiveness of the organisational structure sabotaged by the human factor? â⬠¢ Which organisational structures are best suited for project management? 1. 4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY . 4. 1 Primary objective The purpose of this study is to verify whether organisational structures influence the effectiveness of a project manager. 1. 4. 2 Theoretical objectives of the study The following theoretical objectives were established in order to support the primary objective. â⬠¢ Conducting management. â⬠¢ Conducting a literature stud y on factors of influence in project management. â⬠¢ Reviewing organisational structure models commonly employed by companies in the project management environment. â⬠¢ Contrasting the literature studied with observations in the industry in practice. 1. 4. Empirical objectives The following empirical objectives were formulated in support of the primary and theoretical objectives. â⬠¢ Identifying key elements of influence on project management success. a literature study on organisational structures in project 5 â⬠¢ Identifying organisational structures employed by companies to ensure support project management. 1. 5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 1. 5. 1 Literature review Published material in the form of books, journals, magazines, newspaper articles, government publications and the Internet formed part of establishing a well-informed theoretical background. . 5. 2 Target population The population was restricted to companies in the Western Cape Province, for econom ic reasons; as most companies are within easy reach. The population comprised project management practitioners. For the purpose of this study, project management practitioners are persons practising project management, who are given the responsibility and accountability for implementing projects in an organisation. In industry, the title varies from company to company. The commonly used titles are Project Supervisor and Project Manager. The companies to be included in the study must be practising project The companies must have a formal project management for more than five years. management structure in place. It is anticipated that many companies may not be keen to share information on this subject. Therefore, to increase the probability of reaching the required sample size, organisations in the entire province were chosen. 1. 5. 3 Sample selection and method of sampling A combination of convenience and judgement sampling was used, in light of the geographical dispersion of the organisations. Care was taken to include a broad variety of project management practitioners. The organisations were grouped according to industries. In the absence of previous research, a minimum sample size of one hundred project management practitioners will be chosen for the study. The sample size has been determined on the basis of the cost of the exercise and accessibility to the various companies. 6 1. 5. 4 The method of data collection The survey method will be used. A personal interview using a structured questionnaire will be used to obtain the required information. This method was chosen as it is simple and allows for clarity of questions. 1. 5. 5 Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics will be used for the initial analysis. The MoonStats package will be used for data analysis. Cross-tabulation and correlation will be used to establish simple relationships between the organisational structure and itââ¬â¢s effects on project management in the business. 1. 6 CHAPTER CLASSIFICATION 1. 6. 1 Chapter two: Literature review An overview is provided of strategies, strategic business levels ad their relationship to each other. This chapter concentrates on organisational structures, competencies and the dynamics of project management. It also explores the need for strategic organisational decisions to further support project management objectives. structures are also highlighted. Different organisational 1. 6. 2 Chapter three: Research Design and Methodology The emphasis of this chapter is on the design of the research, the measuring instruments and population target. employed are outlined. The data analysis procedure and the statistical techniques 1. 6. 3 Chapter four: Results and Findings In this chapter data is analysed, interpreted and evaluated. 1. 6. 4 Chapter five: Conclusions and Recommendations The recommendations emanating from the study are suggested. limitations of the research are highlighted. The benefits and 1. 7 SYNOPSIS This paper is primarily addressed at the decision makers about project management in an organisation. In the arenas of business and management, the principles of project man agement are relatively simple and much of it actually common sense. However, this paper aims to confirm that the implementation and acceptance thereof, in a functionallyonly structured organisation, is quite a complex process. The paperââ¬â¢s prime purpose is herefore to highlight, that after the decision to implement project management is made, a number of not so obvious implications for the organisation, as well as structural, organisational culture and systems changes, have to be thoroughly managed to ensure success. In this chapter the background and scope of research are described. The Research objectives are utilized in an effort to address the research problem. In the next chapter the literature used as background for this study, will be discussed, while the different levels of project management organisational structures and how they are interrelated will be outlined. REFERENCES Cleland, D. , Gareis, R. 2006. Global project management handbook: Planning, McGraw-Hill Organ izing and Controlling International Projects, Second Edition. Professional. Project Management Institute. 2004. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge ââ¬â 3rd edition. Pennsylvania: PMI Publications. Burke, R. 2007. Project management Techniques college edition. South Africa; Burke Publishing. Gido, J. and Clements, J. P. 2003. Successful Project Management ââ¬â Second Edition. USA. South-Western. Kerzner, H. 2006. Project Management ââ¬â Ninth Edition, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling. Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons. Sandhu, M. A. and Gunasekaran, A. 2004. Business process development in projectbased industry. Business Process Management Journal. Vol. 10 No. 6:673-690. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Box, S. and Platts, K. 2005. Business process management: establishing and maintaining project alignment. Business Process Management Journal. Vol. 11 No. 4:370-387. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Palmer, M. 2002. How an effective project culture can help to achieve business success: establishing a project culture in Kimberley-Clark Europe. Industrial and Commercial Training. Volume 34. Number 3:101-105. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Czuchry, A. J. and Yasin, M. M. 2003. Managing the project management process. Industrial Management and Data Systems. 103/1 :39-46. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. 9 Rees, W. D. and Porter, C. 2004. Matrix structures and the training implications. Industrial and Commercial Training. Volume 36. Number 5:189ââ¬â193. Emerald Group Publishing Limited à · ISSN 0019-:189-193 Gomes, C. F. , Yasin, M. M. and Lisboa, J. V. 2008. Project management in the context of organizational change. International Journal of Public Sector Management. Vol. 21 No. 6:573-585. Tata, J. 2000. Autonomous work teams: an examination of cultural and structural constraints. Work Study. Volume 49. Number 5:187-193. MCB University Press. Rowlinson, S. 2001. Matrix organizational structure, culture and commitment: a Hong Kong public sector case study of change. Construction Management and Economics. 19, 669-673. Spon Press. Brown, C. J. and Botha, M. C. 2005. Lessons learnt on implementing project management in a functionally-only structured South African municipality. South African Journal of Business Management. 36(4):1-7 Cheng, M. Su, C. and You, H. 2003. Optimal Project Organizational Structure for Construction Management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. January/February:70-79. Brown, C. J. 2008. A comprehensive organisational model for the effective management of project management. South African Journal of Business Management. 39(3):1-8. Kennedy, D. A. and Marx, T. 2009. Going Against Traditional Wisdom: Running Proj ects in a Functional Structure. Proceedings of the 2009 Industrial Engineering Research Conference. 368-373. Thiry, M. 2006. The Matrix Evolves. PM Network. Apr. 20,4:22. Eve, A. 2007. Development of project management systems. Industrial and Commercial Training. Vol. 39. No. 2:85-90. 10 Questionnaire For each planning product written, please mark the most suitable answer referring to the projects you were recently involved in, according to the following scale: 54321ABThe product is always obtained The product is quite frequently obtained The product is frequently obtained The product is seldom obtained The product is hardly ever obtained The product is irrelevant to the projects I am involved in I do not know whether the product is obtained Please choose between 1-5 and A or B. Part A ââ¬â Project Planning Planning Product Never Always Do not know Irrelevant 1. Project Plan 2. Project Deliverables 3. WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) Chart 4. Project Activities 5. PERT or Gantt Chart 6. Activity Duration Estimate 7. Activity Start and End Dates 8. Activity Required Resources 9. Resource Cost 10. Time-phased Budget 11. Quality Management Plan 12. Role and Responsibility Assignments 13. Project Staff Assignments 14. Communications Management Plan 15. Risk Management Plan 16. Procurement Management Plan 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 11 Part B ââ¬â Organisational Support Planning Product Never Always Do not know Irrelevant 17. Project-Based Organisation 18. Extent of Existence of Projectsââ¬â¢ Procedures 19. Appropriate Project Manager Assignment 20. Extent of Refreshing Project Procedures 21. Extent of Involvement of the Project Manager during Initiation Stage 22. Extent of Communication between the Project Manager and the Organisation during the Planning Phase 23. Extent of Existence of Project Success Measurement 24. Extent of Supportive Project Organisational Structure 25. Extent of Existence of Interactive InterDepartmental Project Planning Groups 26. Extent of Organisational Projects Resource Planning 27. Extent of Organisational Projects Risk Management 28. Extent of Organisational Projects Quality Management 29. Extent of On Going Project Management Training Programs 30. Extent of Use of Standard Project Management Software (e. . Ms-Project) 31. Extent of Use of New Project Tools and Techniques 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 A A A A A A B B B B B B 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 A A A A A A A A A B B B B B B B B B 12 Part C ââ¬â Organisational Characteristics a. Organisation type: ? (1) Engineering ? (4) Construction ? (7) Services ? (2) Software ? (5) Communications ? (8) Government ? (3) Production ? (6) Maintenance ? (9) Other: ______ b. Project type: ? (1) Engineering ? (4) Construction ? (7) Services ? 2) Software ? (5) Communications ? (8) Aeronautics ? (3) Electronics ? (6) Mechanics ? (9) Other: _____ c. Evaluate the following indexes in the scale of 1 to 10 (1-low, 10-high): Index Low High Quality of planning of project you are involved in Project performance at the end of the projects Customer satisfaction at the end of the projects Risk level at the beginning of the project 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 d. Your personal involvement in projects: ? Project Manager ? Project Team Member ? Other: _______ 13
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Super Essay
Writing an Essay See also: Super Tips ââ¬â Differences between Essays, Reports and Journals Super Tips ââ¬â Writing in an Appropriate Style Essays are usually written: â⬠¢ to inform your reader about your position in relation to a particular issue â⬠¢ to argue for change or recommend action â⬠¢ to analyse problems and present solutions â⬠¢ to present and evaluate research findings Writing an essay is an opportunity for you to develop new ideas and apply concepts and theories from your course. Youââ¬â¢ll develop a thesis (or position) and use reasoning and evidence to support your point of view. A tertiary essay is similar to essays youââ¬â¢ve written at secondary school, particularly those written in your last couple of years at school. However, there are some differences you need to be aware of: â⬠¢ Citing all the sources you use is extremely important. If you donââ¬â¢t, youââ¬â¢ll be guilty of plagiarism, which is taken very seriously by the University. You can find out how to cite your sources and write reference lists in the Learning Links ââ¬â Referencing leaflet. Most essays will be longer than youââ¬â¢ve written at secondary school (most are between 1500 and 2500 words) and will be worth a large percentage of your semesterââ¬â¢s marks. Youââ¬â¢ll usually be expected to analyse issues at a deeper level than you did at secondary school. â⬠¢ â⬠¢ This resource has some useful hints on how to analyse your essay topic, plan and write your essay. Steps in the essay writing process Although no two writers work in the same way, there is a general system that many good writers follow. This system involves following the step-by-step process outlined below. Skim through the main points now, and when you need to write an essay, check out the extra information about each point. 1. Analyse the question ââ¬â underline key words ââ¬â put question into own words ââ¬â look for hints on structure ââ¬ËBrainstormââ¬â¢ the question ââ¬â to take stock of what you already know 2. Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 1 ââ¬â to give you a focus for your reading ââ¬â to give you the beginnings of a plan 3. Start your research ââ¬â begin with general reading ââ¬â look for potential ways to structure your essay ââ¬â remember to record bibliographical details and page numbers of references as you go Plan the essay ââ¬â write down the main points/arguments, preferably using a mind map ââ¬â write any secondary points and their relationship to the main points Continue your research ââ¬â this is focused research, where you seek further information about each of the main points/arguments Write! most people find it easier to concentrate on the body first, then the conclusion, followed by the introduction â⬠¢ decide on a logical order for your points/arguments â⬠¢ remember that each paragraph should contain one idea, which is stated in the topic â⬠¢ sentence. Other sentences in the paragraph should explain, give evidence for and possibly give examples. â⬠¢ concentrate on one point at a time, but in your final editing, make sure each paragraph is linked to the next â⬠¢ expect to write several drafts â⬠¢ donââ¬â¢t worry about spelling, grammar, sentence structure or finding the ââ¬Ërightââ¬â¢ word until youââ¬â¢ve finalised the content of the essay. . 5. 6. Analysing the question Once youââ¬â¢ve selected your topic, you need to be sure you understand what it means before you begin any researching or reading. A common problem is to make a quick assumption that you know what it means and whatââ¬â¢s expected of you. However, if youââ¬â¢re wrong, even if you write a great essay, you wonââ¬â¢t get very high marks if it doesnââ¬â¢t do what the topic says it will do. Here are some strategies: â⬠¢ Underline or highlight the key content words or phrases and direction words (such as discuss, evaluate, analyse, etc. and make sure you understand them. Itââ¬â¢s easy to overlook the direction words, but if you just describe something when youââ¬â¢ve been asked to analyse it, your essay is likely to get fe w marks. Check here to make sure you know the meaning of each. Hereââ¬â¢s an example of the process: Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 2 Essay topic: ââ¬ËExplain the double-binds that managers are faced with in hierarchical organisations. The key content words are: double-bind; manager; and hierarchical organisations. The direction word is explain. You probably think you already know what these words mean, but it pays to make sure youââ¬â¢re not overlooking some part of the meaning. For instance, if you really think about these words, you might come up with these definitions: Explain: to analyse, focusing on the ââ¬Ëhowââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ëwhyââ¬â¢ of a particular issue; to identify reasons, causes and effects; to go beyond describing and summarising. ouble-bind: a dilemma; an argument forcing an opponent to choose one of two equally bad alternatives a person conducting a business or institution; manager: a person controlli ng activities of a person/team hierarchical organisations: an organised system, or set of connected things or parts in some type of order such as order of importance. â⬠¢ Re-write the topic in your own words. This is a useful way of checking whether youââ¬â¢ve really understood the question. For example, for the topic mentioned above, two possible ways of re-writing could be: ââ¬ËAnalyse why and how the dilemmas come about that are faced by people who lead, guide and direct systems (organised with levels and ranks). Identify the causes and effects of these dilemmas. ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËAnalyse the causes and effects of dilemmas faced by persons leading, guiding and directing ranked systems. ââ¬â¢ â⬠¢ Identify what concepts or ideas from your course apply to this topic (refer to your lecture or class notes and any other readings). Think about any controversies or arguments in relation to this topic (your lecturers or teachers will probably have referred to these). Write out a short statement giving your position on the topic. This may change after youââ¬â¢ve done some research and thought more about the topic, but if you do it at this stage itââ¬â¢s easier for you to keep focused. Write down relevant information about the topic. Make notes about the areas of the topic you need to research. â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 3 â⬠¢ Write a possible outline of the essay. This is likely to change as you research the topic but itââ¬â¢s useful to think of the organisation of your essay even at this stage. Brainstorming the question Brainstorming is a useful process to find out what you already know about the essay topic. Get a large piece of paper and let your mind go ââ¬â write down anything that comes to mind when you think of the essay topic. Itââ¬â¢s important that you donââ¬â¢t stop to think about whether what youââ¬â¢re writing is relevant or not. The next step is to look at what youââ¬â¢ve written and look for the beginnings of a plan for your essay. At this stage you can cross out anything you donââ¬â¢t think is relevant and, of course, add other things you think of. Beginning your research Now you need to locate appropriate references. You need to first read widely to get an overview of the topic, problem, issue or debate, then narrow your reading down to a few specific authors or key issues. You should find reference material in the library, in resources or bibliographies from your teacher or lecturer, and on the Internet. A word of warning when using the Internet, however ââ¬â check to see that the information comes from a reliable and reputable source. Remember, also, that the RMIT librarians can help you. Remember to make notes as you go, and to record all bibliographic information as soon as you make a note or photocopy. It can take weeks of backtracking to find out where you got that wonderful quote you need to use! When you feel confident that youââ¬â¢ve read enough material, you need to develop a thesis statement. This is your position in relation to the topic. Itââ¬â¢s the driving force throughout your essay. Planning your essay An essay outline is like the skeleton of your argument. You can do this linearly (writing a list of main points with secondary points indented) or visually (for instance, drawing a mind map or other diagram). Whichever format you use, youââ¬â¢ll need to identify: â⬠¢ the main point â⬠¢ your supporting points or elaborations â⬠¢ the evidence youââ¬â¢ll use to support each point. Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 4 For an example of a linear and a mind map outline for an essay and the sample essay that was developed from them, check out the Learning Links ââ¬â Sample Essay leaflet. Continuing your research This is the easy part of your research because you know what information youââ¬â¢re looking for. Youââ¬â¢ve done your preliminary research and organised this information into an outline, and now your task is to find more information about each of the points on your outline. At this stage, as well as more information about points on your outline, you may find another point or two that you need to add. This is OK ââ¬â just reorganise your essay outline. Writing your essay Finally, you can begin writing. You donââ¬â¢t have to write your essay in the same order that people read it. Sometimes you might find that writing the introduction first helps you to be clear about the content and intention of the essay. However, at other times you might find that itââ¬â¢s better to write in this order: â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ Write the body first (because this is the most important part) then write the conclusion (so you can sum up while your main arguments are fresh in your mind) and finally write the introduction (because sometimes itââ¬â¢s difficult to write it until youââ¬â¢re clear about what it is youââ¬â¢re introducing). This is the stage when you need to think of the writing style. You need to write in an academic style (check out the Learning Links ââ¬â Writing in an Appropriate Style leaflet) and you need to write clear paragraphs and sentences. Writing the body of the essay In the body of the essay, all the preparation youââ¬â¢ve done so far comes together. Follow the outline youââ¬â¢ve made already and write paragraphs with: â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ Main Points Supporting Points Elaboration Main Point Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 5 Write down one of your main ideas, in sentence form. If your main idea is ââ¬Ëprivate enterprise should not run public utilities', you might say this: The Longford Gas Inquiry revealed to the community the damaging consequences of private ownership of public enterprises. Supporting Point Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point. One of your supporting points may be: Private companies are obliged to run their operations in an entirely different way to government. Elaboration You may find the visual outline useful here. In the space under each supporting point, write down some elaboration for that point. Elaboration can be further description, explanation, examples, support from research or discussion: When the main point of an operation is to make a profit, efficiency and safety can be the first to suffer. A private company is not answerable to the Victorian community in the same way that the government is. Public utilities remain a matter of political importance even when they are privatised. You flesh out your body paragraphs in this way, and use joining sentences and quotations. Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, one for each main point, you are ready to continue. For example: When the Kennett Liberal government came to power in 1992, it considered that part of its mandate was the privatisation of a number of public enterprises. The first utilities to be sold off were gas and electricity. Although Esso had always operated a gas plant at Longford, (near Sale in East Victoria) it had previously done so in partnership the government through the Victorian Gas and Fuel Corporation. Esso now ran the plant and supplied the gas through Vencorp, a private company that had replaced one of the delivery functions of the Gas and Fuel Corporation. On Thursday 24 September 1998 a series of explosions at the Esso Longford plant left two people dead and eight injured. The explosion left gas supplies at dangerously low levels, with the only gas available for consumers being what was left in the pipes. Victorians faced a crisis in terms of dwindling gas supplies and naturally enough turned to their government for leadership. Whilst the governments was able to invoke special powers to protect gas supplies, it was not in fact responsible for the continuing delivery of gas to consumers. In this paragraph, which would probably be the first body paragraph, we have introduced our main point of privatisation, and sub-points of how that particular example worked. We have fleshed it out with factual information surrounding the situation, and closed the paragraph with reference to the explosion at Longford. In the second body paragraph which follows this one we might include a description of the explosion and its aftermath, and possibly why and how it happened Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 6 Writing the introduction The introduction should be designed to attract the readerââ¬â¢s attention and give an idea of the essayââ¬â¢s focus. You need to set out clearly, concisely and forcefully your approach to, and interpretation of, the question as well as your point of view on it. You might wish to agree with part of the question but disagree with other parts. If so, make sure this is clear in your introduction. The introduction should also include a general broad outline of the more detailed arguments you will write about in the main body of your essay. Most introductions have information organised from the general (broad) to the specific (narrow). Introductions should include: * A general statement introducing the topic * A thesis statement expressing your point of view * A statement outlining the areas and perspectives to be discussed * An outline of the organisation of the topic (optional) * Any definitions necessary for the reader to understand the topic (but if there are many, or if they need explaining at length, itââ¬â¢s better to do this in the next paragraph) Writing the conclusion A good conclusion should draw the arguments together and reinforce points made in the body of the essay. There is more variation in the contents and organisation of a conclusion than there is in an introduction. However, there are some features many have in common. A conclusion should: â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ remind the reader of the thesis of the essay provide a summary of the main points and arguments point to the significance of your findings point out the implications of the issues not simply restate the introduction. contain no new material (i. e. it should not introduce any new points). Check the instructions for formatting and style Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. du. au/lsu February 2005 7 When you prepare your final draft, itââ¬â¢s important to follow all of the instructions youââ¬â¢ve been given. Some Departments, Schools and Faculties have a style guide for student writing, or sometimes youââ¬â¢re given a sheet at the beginning of the year with formatting and style instructions. If you havenââ¬â¢t been given any inform ation, ask your lecturer or teacher if they or the department have any style preferences. Here are some style and formatting questions you should find out: â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ How big should the margins be? Is there an official cover sheet? What information (eg date, lecturerââ¬â¢s or teacherââ¬â¢s name, course number, etc) must you include? Should I double-space my lines? Should I put it in a folder or plastic sheet? What referencing style should I use? Check your writing This is the stage when you need to review, edit and proofread so you can improve the way you present your ideas. A good way to do it is to read your paper when itââ¬â¢s finished and then put it away for a couple of days. Read it again and answer these questions: â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ Does it make sense? Is there a logical development of ideas? Do the sentences flow smoothly from one to another? If not, add some words to help connect them. Look at transition words youââ¬â¢ve used, such as therefore and however. If youââ¬â¢ve used the same transition words throughout your essay, check out some others you could use. Is your spelling, punctuation and grammar OK? Have you used the formatting requested by your lecturer or teacher? Have you used the referencing style expected by your lecturer or teacher? Have you checked your references list or bibliography to see that it is correctly formatted? â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ â⬠¢ Once youââ¬â¢ve checked your work, give it to someone else to read (preferably someone who isnââ¬â¢t familiar with your topic). Other people often pick up the simple mistakes or ââ¬Ëtyposââ¬â¢ such as writing and for an. When we read our own work, we often read what we think is there rather than whatââ¬â¢s actually there. The final thing for you to do is to make sure you have another electronic copy as well as another printed copy just in case your essay goes astray. Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 8 These materials were produced by the RMIT Learning Skills Unit. For further information or comments please email judy. [emailà protected] edu. au Learning Links Super Tips/writing an essay www. rmit. edu. au/lsu February 2005 9
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Various Subsections of Anthropology
Various Subsections of Anthropology Studying humanity journey Introduction Anthropology is the study of human beings in time and space. The central theme of anthropology is to trace the development that has occurred to the human race from the past to the present in different geographical locations. In fact, it uses both scientific and humanistic means for its data analysis that is gotten from various studies and researches that are conducted on the human race and its close relatives.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Various Subsections of Anthropology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anthropology explores various issues that pertain to the existence of life for humans and the physical, biological as well as geographical differences exhibited by the human race. From time in memorial, humans have evolved to display the differences that they have among themselves and other animals which share the same ancestral origin. For ease of study, anthropology as a discipline is divided into various study categories such as physical or biological anthropology, cultural anthropology and forensic anthropology among other sub-sections. Each of these sectors studies a certain aspect of human life aimed at bringing a clear and concise understanding of the human race. This paper aims at explaining the various subsections of anthropology and the role they play in enhancing the understanding of the value of anthropology. The value of studying human evolutionary sequence Of interest to anthropology is the idea of evolution which is pivotal to the explanation of emergence of different forms of life. Evolution theory can be traced back to the work of Charles Darwin who introduced it to modern biological and evolutionary thought. Physical anthropology as a branch deals with evolution of biological characteristics observed in human beings. Evolution can be described as the process by which living organisms have developed mostly through adaptation, natural selection and survival for the fittest to be what they are today. This theory uses genetical adaptation and inheritance to explain why some organisms have survived while others have become extinct (Thompson 1). The study of anthropology has helped in many ways both in understanding human beings and solving various problems that persistently arise. Physical anthropology understanding is crucial in the field of medicine.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Most scientists believe that biological evolution can help in preventing and inventing cures as well as getting the local population to change their attitude towards medication. It is evident that many problematic diseases have their roots from the genetical inheritance that has occurred from the past. Medical researchers in this field need to study evolutionary biology to trace and get the cure of these early diseases. Evolu tion has played a key role in shaping the current anatomy, physiology and behavior that either exposes us to diseases or provides an immune system against the infections. Natural selection has acted through nature to eliminate mal-adapted organisms through diseases and other natural calamities. In the process, various organisms might have either survived or passed on defective genes. Major emphasis is laid on diseases and conditions that are passed through genes, from parents to offsprings which may need inference from biological evolution (Downie 3). Through studying humankind journey via evolution, we are able to understand the position of man in the current world of organisms. It sheds light on why humans are more developed than other organisms although origin of life seems to have been at similar interval. Past human activities that are recorded by archaeological undertakings help to explain the current changes in both humans and the environment we live. It is apparent that thro ugh beings evolution, archeologists have had great impacts on the natural environment by altering it to suit them (Brunet et al 146). Archaeology brings forth information from the ancient life and helps to reconstruct the extent to which human beings have changed. Adaptation to environment is a major tool used by human beings to survive and propagate. Humans globally exhibit different characteristics and behavior as per their geographical regions. These perceived differences are due to the influence of the geographical regions and cultural differences. Human variation (HV) studies the various differences exhibited by human beings namely behavior, color, genetical differences and adaptation measures. HV has evolved from the past through adaptive means to what is currently perceived. Through it, scientists are able to deduce whether humans have the ability to continue adapting successfully to the fluctuating environmental conditions or not. From this kind of data obtained from genetic pools of various past and present humans, scientists are able to advise human beings on potential dangers (Becks et al 989).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Various Subsections of Anthropology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Further, HV helps to explain disease prevalence in certain communities or geographical regions as opposed to others. For example, where the malarial disease has high prevalence, certain genetic traits are also prevalent. The study of HV shows that it is important in maintaining adaptive populations, biological variance for the functioning individual communities and ecological systems. Loss of HV may cause instability in human communities, negative effects in innate systems and genus viability (Becks et al 995). Archaeology is an anthropological discipline that is concerned with the history of people and their extinct cultures. It relies on the remains of left objects and materials called artif acts for the study and analysis. Archaeology is devoted to the search and excavation of the material remains to reveal the history of people and reconstruct their early life. It produces visible evidence to support the evolution theory. Historical archeology also relies on material culture and its exploitation but combines it with perspectives in anthropological field to bring an understanding of early lives of various groups of people whose material culture has been excavated (Paynter 169). Archaeology provides vital information on various issues that pertain to the extinct population. Information on diseases, cultural way of life, eating habits and other important aspects of human life can be gotten from archaeological analysis. Importance of understanding anthropological sub-fields Understanding the various sub-fields of anthropology has great importance in the life of individuals and that of the complete society. It is a common phenomenon for people to have a biased approach on others due to their differences in culture, color, eating, dressing habits and various aspects of community life. Countless conflicts occur due to the misunderstanding generated by difference in cultures (Brunet et al 148). Through understanding various topics, the prevention of such conflicts is possible. Besides, it prepares an individual for any occurrences that require great understanding of human dynamics.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion Anthropology offers important scientific and humanistic knowledge on human beings. Anthropological information traces the descent of mankind from primitive forms to the developed forms that offers insight into the unobserved and observable characteristics which are helpful in a wide-range of scientific and humanistic application. Despite curricula importance, anthropological knowledge has wide individual application in real life. Archaeology and Palaeo-anthropology Introduction Archaeology is the humanistic and scientific study of ancient form of human beings through the use of material culture obtained via recovery and analysis. Material culture are the remains of environmental objects left by the ancient form of human beings including artifacts, building remains, biological remains namely plants, bones, ashes and other archaeological records. Archaeology traces human descent from the first primitive form of human life up the evolution ladder to the present form of human life which takes several million years ago. From paleolithic era to the development of complex human life, archaeology provides information on human evolutionary journey (Renfrew and Bahn 13). Palaeo-anthropology is the study of human fossils in support of evolutionary theory of human beings. However, fossil are the hardened parts of a human body that have been preserved for a long time through the action of nature such as in snow, burrows and in caves. It incorporates intelligible cultural practices like burial practices that man acquired in the process of evolution. Palaeo-anthropology uses both paleontology and physical anthropology to study human fossils. Indeed, physical anthropology is concerned with evolution based on biological inherited characteristics that are essential in the maintenance of human evolution path. Paleontology conversely studies the prehistoric life to determine the evolution and the interactions that occurred among early human beings which might have resu lted into the exchange of cultural practices evident in excavated human remains. Paleontology provides an extensive evolution view of the primary forms of life which are found within the context of early human life (Laudan 58). Human evolution Existing human beings are as a result of a long chain of evolutionary processes that has seen them develop from primitive forms to complex form. The study of their evolution is attributed to palaeo-anthropological studies that get their raw data from archaeological excavations. In the evolution sequence, human beings have adapted biologically to changing environmental conditions. Humans are believed to share a common ancestry with the apes but developed and adapted differently resulting to the differences observed between the ape family and human beings. Mutually, these species share various common and similar characteristics both genetically and cultural although apes display primitive form of human behavior (Laudan 59). The earliest form of human life is traced back to the appearance on the face of earth of an upright walking ape, approximately 6 million years ago. The human species were named hominid and was differentiated from that of the close human like apes named the chimpanzee on traits of uprightness and the use of opposable thumb. This difference is attributed to the use of tools that required the big finger to move constantly to allow for the gripping of the tool. These fossils are dated 7 million years ago. Further excavations yielded other fossils closer to human beings and were classified under the genera Australopithecus and Homo (Renfrew and Bahn 16). Through biological evolution initiated largely from the effects of environmental fluctuations, the general homo developed to Homo sapiens which are associated with the current day human beings. Fossils have been excavated all over the world bearing characteristics that have enabled archaeologists and palaeo-anthropologists to rank them accordingly in the hum an evolution sequence. From the earliest sahelanthropus species, humans have evolved through various stages each with different adaptations that have helped it to survive the torrid natural environment which has been changing from time to time. Natural selection in these species has determined which species were to prosper and propagate while others perished. Through nature, environment chose the best adapted forms of species to pass on to the next level to human evolution. The earliest fossils that had resemblance to human beings were discovered at Taung, near Kimberley in South Africa and were assigned to the genus Australopithecus (Dart 196). This hominid form was more like a chimpanzee and lacked the ability to create tools. Recent discoveries of Kenyanthropus hominid in Kenya that date 3.5 to 7 million years ago reinstated the idea of accepting a separate genera and species for the human beings. Palaeo-anthropologists cite that the separation between the chimpanzee family and t he human family ideally took place nearly 3.5-7 million years ago but each family developed on its own (Dart 197). Biological differences such as teeth pattern and bi-pedalism have been used extensively by palaeo-anthropologists to differentiate human beings forms and other close relatives. The evolution of hominid family was later followed by the excavation of the hominid ardipithecus from the Middle awash region in Ethiopia. This hominid displayed characteristics of terrestrial bi-pedalism which was linked to early human forms. This fossil similarly contained dental system that was close to hominids. The excavation of further hominid forms in Rift Valley also strengthened the argument of evolution (Brunet et al 147). Dentition was used to differentiate the extent of hominid resemblance. The following summary provides a detailed evolutionary sequence of man. The first fossils attributed to the genus Homo was the Australopithecine found in 1924 at Taung in South Africa by Raymond Da rt. The hominid walked erect, lived on the ground and probably used stones as weapons to hunt small animals. It was dated to be 3.5-7 million years old. The first evidence of the Homo species believed to have walked upright was discovered in Java in 1891. It was named Pithecanthropus Erectus meaning the erect ape man. Another kind of identical hominid was made in China; south-west of Peking called Peking man. The hominid had larger cranial capacity than Australopithecus yet lived in communal existence and used fire. The Acheulean tool making era is associated with this hominid. These tools were made of stone, wood and bone. The hominid is also said to have hunted big games in a communal way and lived in caves. The Home erectus gradually evolved into the Neanderthal man. This primitive man used stone flakes as tools, spears for hunting and is seen to have lived in cave (Renfrew and Bahn 15). The Neanderthals were capable of big game hunting including elephants, rhino et cetera. The f inal stage of man evolution is the appearance of the Homo sapiens hominid that represents the modern day man with all the capabilities to live complex lifestyles. It is to be noted that the evolution of man has taken millions of years and various reshaping of man by natural occurrences. Numerous factors have contributed to this evolutionary sequence. Evolution has been marred by struggle for survival. It included where only the fit survived, variations in both biological and physical traits, survival for the fittest which eliminated the mal-adapted organisms and denied them the chance to pass on their defective genes, hence natural selection (Dart, 198). Through natural selection, nature chooses organisms to propagate based on their ability to adapt to the changing natural conditions. Biological adaptation through genetic variance, mutation and propagation has played a key role in the evolution of man. Genes have enabled organisms that are better adapted to evolve further and deny t hose which are not the chance to evolve and therefore die away. Conclusion The emergence of current day man has been as a result of a long series of evolutionary stages that has been documented by palaeo-anthropologists using archaeological evidence of material remains left by early life forms. This trend has passed through several stages each characterized by different traits that brought closer the emergence of modern day man. Biological evolution through the role played by genetic inheritance has been pivotal in this sequence. Becks, Lutz, Ellner Stephen, Jones Laura and Hairston Nelson. ââ¬Å"Reduction of adaptive genetic diversity radically alters eco-evolutionary community dynamicsâ⬠. Ecology letters 13(2010). Brunet, Michel, et al. A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa. Nature 418.6894 (2002): 145ââ¬â151. Dart, Raymond. ââ¬Å"Australopithecus africanus: The Man-Ape of South Africaâ⬠. Nature 115.2884 (1925):195-199. Downie, John, R. Evol ution in health and disease: The role of evolutionary biological in the medical curriculum, May 1994. Web. Laudan, Ronald. (1992). ââ¬Å"Whats so Special about the Past?â⬠Nitecki, Harman and Nitecki, David. History and Evolution, 2010. Paynter, Ray. ââ¬Å"Historical Archaeology and the Post-Columbian World of North Americaâ⬠. Journal of Archaeological Research 8.3 (2000). Renfrew, Colin and Bahn, Paul. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. High Holborn, London: Thames Hudson Ltd, 2004. Print. Thompson, Paul. Biological evolution. Montgomery, AL. Apologetics Press Inc, 1994.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit - Conversion Table
Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit - Conversion Table You probably dont have a thermometer that has Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit all listed, and even if you did, it wouldnt be helpful outside of its temperature range. What do you do when you need to convert between temperature units? You can look them up on this handy chart or you can do the math using simple weather conversion equations. Temperature Unit Conversion Formulas Theres no complicated math required to convert one temperature unit to another. Simple addition and subtraction will get you through conversions between the Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales. Fahrenheit involves a bit of multiplication, but its nothing you cant handle. Just plug in the value you know to get the answer in the desired temperature scale using the appropriate conversion formula: Kelvin to Celsius: C K - 273 (C K - 273.15 if you want to be more precise) Kelvin to Fahrenheit: F 9/5(K - 273) 32 or F 1.8(K - 273) 32 Celsius to Fahrenheit: F 9/5(C) 32 or F 1.80(C) 32 Celsius to Kelvin: K C 273 (or K C 271.15 to be more precise) Fahrenheit to Celsius: C (F - 32)/1.80 Fahrenheit to Kelvin: K 5/9(F - 32) 273.15 Remember to report Celsius and Fahrenheit values in degrees. There is no degree using the Kelvin scale. Temperature Conversion Table Kelvin Fahrenheit Celsius Significant Values 373 212 100 Boiling point of water at sea level 363 194 90 353 176 80 343 158 70 333 140 60 56.7C or 134.1F is the hottest temperature recorded on Earth at Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913 323 122 50 313 104 40 303 86 30 293 68 20 Typical room temperature 283 50 10 273 32 0 Freezing point of water into ice at sea level 263 14 -10 253 -4 -20 243 -22 -30 233 -40 -40 Temperature where Fahrenheit and Celsius are equal 223 -58 -50 213 -76 -60 203 -94 -70 193 -112 -80 183 -130 -90 -89C or -129F is the coldest temperature recorded on Earth at Vostok, Antarctica, July 1932 173 -148 -100 0 -459.67 -273.15 absolute zero References Ahrens (1994) Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign World: Highest Temperature, World Meteorological Organization, Arizona State University, retrieved March 25, 2016. World: Lowest Temperature, World Meteorological Organization, ASU, retrieved March 25, 2016.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
2 different assignments - comparing research methods Essay
2 different assignments - comparing research methods - Essay Example A scholarly article offers the full report, often including charts, graphs, methodology etc., contains valuable reference lists, and describes the research process and methods used, so readers can judge for themselves whether they think the information provided seems relevant and reliable. Because there are various types of research covering diverse subjects, analyzing and critiquing scholarly articles are really challenging. However, an attempt has been made to analyze the style, method of research, and structure of research article, encompassing entirely different subjects, through comparing article by Malinauskas et al (2007) and Rogar (2005). Malinauskas and colleagues conducted a survey of energy drink consumption patterns among college students to ascertain prevalence and frequency of energy drink use for six situations. They hypothesize that although energy drinks are targeted to young consumers, and its popularity is increasing since the 1997 debut of energy drink ââ¬ËRed Bullââ¬â¢, there has been little research regarding energy drink consumption patterns among college students in the United States. Advertisements proclaim that ââ¬Å"energy drinks are designed to give the consumer a ââ¬Å"joltâ⬠of energy provided by the combination of stimulants and ââ¬Å"energy boostersâ⬠that they provide, including caffeine, herbal extracts such as guarana, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba, B vitamins, amino acids such as taurine, amino acid derivatives such as carnitine, and sugar derivatives including glucuronalactone and riboseâ⬠(Malinauskas et al, 2007, p.3). Studies had shown that energy drinks had energi zing effects among 18 to 55 year old participants, and caffeine was found to be the primary constituent responsible for these effects. Although caffeine in energy drinks provide the consumer the desirable effects of improved cognitive
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