Project Proposal for Ministry of Trade Web Portal

COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR MINISTRY OF TRADE WEB PORTAL PRESENTED BY: RAHAB WAMBUI KIARIE REG NO: SP13/20526/08 COURSE CODE: COMP 402 PRESENTED TO: MR. OMWOYO SUBMISSION TIME: OCTOBER 2011 A project proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science of Egerton University. Table of Contents ABSTRACT3 CHAPTER ONE: 1. 0 INTRODUCTION4 1. 1 PROBLEM STATEMENT4 1. 2 OBJECTIVES5 CHAPTER TWO: 2. 0 LITERATURE REVIEW5 2. SCOPE OF THE SYSTEM6 STARNDARD REQUIREMENT6 3. 0 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT6 3. 1) HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS6 3. 1. 1) APPLICATION PROGRAM6 3. 1. 2 Operating System6 CHAPTER FOUR: 4. 0 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS7 4. 1 PROJECT SCHEDULE AND BUDJET8 4. 1. 1 PROJECT SCHEDULE8 4. 1. 2 PROJECT BUDGET9 4. 1. 3 REFERENCES10 ? ABSTRACT As envisaged in Kenya’s vision 2030, trade will be one of the key sectors to drive economic development of our country. The sector is the link between consumption and production within the economy and contributes towards the employment and wealth creation.There are tremendous potentials for trade to play a central role in driving and sustaining growth and poverty reduction in Kenya. The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), cuts across all sectors of the Kenyan economy but face various development challenges like overreliance on agriculture which mainly depends on unpredictable weather, underdevelopment of Information, Communication and Technology and lack of market information of local goods both locally and internationally.This project will provide a solution to investors and MSMEs by providing information on the various investment opportunities available in Kenya apart from agriculture, know about the various trade policies to avoid unfair trade and also provide a platform where local companies can upload their company profiles and the ministry promotes their products at trade fairs at an international level. CHAPTER ONE: 1. 0 INTRODUCTIONThe Ministry of Trade†™s current mandate is: Trade development policy; Development of micro and small business; Fair trade practices and consumer protection; Private sector development and international trade affairs. The ministry will champion the promotion of both domestic and foreign trade through creation of an enabling business and investment environment as highlighted in this project proposal. The purpose of this proposal is to explain in detail the aim of the project, the methods used in the implementation of the system, scope of the system and budget and time schedule for the implementation of the project.It begins with the introduction which introduces the system to be developed. The next part is the problem statement, the literature review, the scope of the system and the requirements for the system. In the scope of the system we have the system functionalities and its limitations. Since the system is to be developed within a located time frame and budget constraint, it is imperative that the proposal also contains the budget and time schedule. This explains the time schedule for the system and also the budget for the system. . 1 PROBLEM STATEMENT Kenya trade industry faces a number of challenges: unsound business regulatory framework leading to multiple licensing and heavy or cumbersome regulations for SMEs which in turn leads to high cost of business transactions; Lack of comprehensive trade information on the existing and emerging markets to investors and SMEs. Lack of sound business managerial skills and exposure to international best business practices has hampered the growth of the MSE sector.To overcome the problem a system needs to be developed with the springboard objective of providing Kenyans with a centralized location where they can get trade information and thus lead to economic growth and realization of vision 2030. 1. 2 OBJECTIVES 1. To develop a successful Ministry of Trade web portal 2. To identify conditions for successful implementation of a new impr oved system. 3. To enhance access of trade information to Kenyans. CHAPTER TWO: 2. 0 LITERATURE REVIEWHaving collected information on the ministry of trade I was able to define the main drawbacks associated with the services of the industry. Information sharing between the ministry and the business people is not easy. Enormous opportunities exist in the domestic, regional and international markets. These opportunities should be fully exploited through the systematic promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and providing information to them.It is crucial to note that as trade becomes free and global, technological innovations will become increasingly important, offering consumers more and more options at cheaper prices in the country and all over the globe. With this system in place all the requests for trade information, will be available to recipients at any given time. Therefore potential users’ are:- oInvestors both local and international. oConsumers. oOt her ministries in the government that work closely with ministry of trade. oOwners of small and medium sized businesses. 2. SCOPE OF THE SYSTEM The web portal will aid in the availing all the details of the trade industry. It will, as its name suggests, be place where the ministry can interact with the general public on matters pertaining its mode of operation. There are several issues about the system’s scope. STARNDARD REQUIREMENT The requirements include the following: 1. Computers 3. 0 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT 3. 1) Hardware requirements ?Processor – Pentium IV with 2. 0 GHz or higher ?Memory – 1GB of RAM or more ?Hard Disk size – 320 GB for host, 20 GB for client 3. 1. ) Application program Programming: PHP and JavaScript, Database design: MySQL, Interface: Macromedia Dream weaver, Macromedia fireworks, Macromedia Flash, Web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Internet explorer, Web server: Apache, System: Linux and Windows. 3. 1. 2 Operating System ?Windows XP (32 -bit), Vista(32 – 64-bit), or Windows 7 (32 – 64-bit) ? Linux CHAPTER FOUR: 4. 0 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The program development process will involve a number of steps as shown in the flow diagram below: 4. 1 PROJECT SCHEDULE AND BUDJET 4. 1. 1 Project scheduleMinistry of Trade web portal is a large project that can be accomplished in a period of six months which equates to two semesters. The initial loading of the system with data takes place at the commissioning of the system. A complete schedule is as below. Period/TimeActivityDescription November 2011 Acquisition of use ¬ful Resources. This involves collecting the useful facts from the ministry of Trade November 2011Databases Design Building individual databases, tables and individual record sets and loading with sample test data. December 2011 o January 2012Defining Record setsInvolves defining relations of data within various databases and means of accessing them February 2012Creating a Graphi ¬cal User Interface Involves creating user inter ¬face that users of the system will use to search for information March 2012TestingInvolves testing the system with sample data and correcting any anomalies especially in the database design if any. April 2012Loading DatabasesInvolves clearing databases with test data and loading with actual data. May 2012Commissioning the System This involves deployment of the system, hosting it so that it can be accessed by anybody.Table 1) Project schedule 4. 1. 2 PROJECT BUDGET PARTICULARSQUANTITYUNIT PRICE (Kshs)TOTAL COST(Kshs) 1Transport 5000 2Storage devices flash drive, CDs2 GB Flash Drive 2 Compact Disks 1,000 252,000 50 3Printing expenses1000 4Stationery2 A4 Books 2 pens 100 25200 50 5Computer Machine and softwareAvailable but limited 6Internet costs 2000 7Airtime6000 TOTALKshs 16,300 Table 2) project budget 4. 1. 3 REFERENCES ?Ministry of Trade Strategic Plan 2008-2012. ?Hawryszkiewycz, I. (1998), Introduction to System Analysis and Design, Prentice Hall, A ustralia.

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 9. TARGET

ALICE DROPPED ME OFF IN THE MORNING, IN KEEPING with the slumber party charade. It wouldn't be long until Edward showed up, officially returning from his â€Å"hiking† trip. All of the pretenses were starting to wear on me. I wouldn't miss this part of being human. Charlie peeked through the front window when he heard me slam the car door. He waved to Alice, and then went to get the door for me. â€Å"Did you have fun?† Charlie asked. â€Å"Sure, it was great. Very . . . girlie.† I carried my stuff in, dumped it all at the foot of the stairs, and wandered into the kitchen to look for a snack. â€Å"You've got a message,† Charlie called after me. On the kitchen counter, the phone message pad was propped up conspicuously against a saucepan. Jacob called, Charlie had written. He said he didn't mean it, and that he's sorry. He wants you to call him. Be nice and give him a break. He sounded upset. I grimaced. Charlie didn't usually editorialize on my messages. Jacob could just go ahead and be upset. I didn't want to talk to him. Last I'd heard, they weren't big on allowing phone calls from the other side. If Jacob preferred me dead, then maybe he should get used to the silence. My appetite evaporated. I turned an about face and went to put my things away. â€Å"Aren't you going to call Jacob?† Charlie asked. He was leaning around the living room wall, watching me pick up. â€Å"No.† I started up the stairs. â€Å"That's not very attractive behavior, Bella,† he said. â€Å"Forgiveness is divine.† â€Å"Mind your own business,† I muttered under my breath, much too low for him to hear. I knew the laundry was building up, so after I put my toothpaste away and threw my dirty clothes in the hamper, I went to strip Charlie's bed. I left his sheets in a pile at the top of the stairs and went to get mine. I paused beside the bed, cocking my head to the side. Where was my pillow? I turned in a circle, scanning the room. No pillow. I noticed that my room looked oddly tidy. Hadn't my gray sweatshirt been draped over the low bedpost on the footboard? And I would swear there had been a pair of dirty socks behind the rocking chair, along with the red blouse I'd tried on two mornings ago, but decided was too dressy for school, hanging over the arm. . . . I spun around again. My hamper wasn't empty, but it wasn't overflowing, the way I thought it had been. Was Charlie doing laundry? That was out of character. â€Å"Dad, did you start the wash?† I shouted out my door. â€Å"Um, no,† he shouted back, sounding guilty. â€Å"Did you want me to?† â€Å"No, I got it. Were you looking for something in my room?† â€Å"No. Why?† â€Å"I can't find . . . a shirt. . . .† â€Å"I haven't been in there.† And then I remembered that Alice had been here to get my pajamas. I hadn't noticed that she'd borrowed my pillow, too – probably since I'd avoided the bed. It looked like she had cleaned while she was passing through. I blushed for my slovenly ways. But that red shirt really wasn't dirty, so I went to save it from the hamper. I expected to find it near the top, but it wasn't there. I dug through the whole pile and still couldn't find it. I knew I was probably getting paranoid, but it seemed like something else was missing, or maybe more than one something. I didn't even have half a load here. I ripped my sheets off and headed for the laundry closet, grabbing Charlie's on the way. The washing machine was empty. I checked the dryer, too, half-expecting to find a washed load waiting for me, courtesy of Alice. Nothing. I frowned, mystified. â€Å"Did you find what you were looking for?† Charlie yelled. â€Å"Not yet.† I went back upstairs to search under my bed. Nothing but dust bunnies. I started to dig through my dresser. Maybe I'd put the red shirt away and forgotten. I gave up when the doorbell rang. That would be Edward. â€Å"Door,† Charlie informed me from the couch as I skipped past him. â€Å"Don't strain yourself, Dad.† I pulled the door open with a big smile on my face. Edward's golden eyes were wide, his nostrils flared, his lips pulled back over his teeth. â€Å"Edward?† My voice was sharp with shock as I read his expression. â€Å"What -?† He put his finger to my lips. â€Å"Give me two seconds,† he whispered. â€Å"Don't move.† I stood frozen on the doorstep and he . . . disappeared. He moved so quickly that Charlie wouldn't even have seen him pass. Before I could compose myself enough to count to two, he was back. He put his arm around my waist and pulled me swiftly toward the kitchen. His eyes darted around the room, and he held me against his body as if he were shielding me from something. I threw a glance toward Charlie on the couch, but he was studiously ignoring us. â€Å"Someone's been here,† he murmured in my ear after he pulled me to the back of the kitchen. His voice was strained; it was difficult to hear him over the thumping of the washing machine. â€Å"I swear that no werewolves -† I started to say. â€Å"Not one of them,† he interrupted me quickly, shaking his head. â€Å"One of us.† His tone made it clear that he didn't mean a member of his family. I felt the blood empty from my face. â€Å"Victoria?† I choked. â€Å"It's not a scent I recognize.† â€Å"One of the Volturi,† I guessed. â€Å"Probably.† â€Å"When?† â€Å"That's why I think it must have been them – it wasn't long ago, early this morning while Charlie was sleeping. And whoever it was didn't touch him, so there must have been another purpose.† â€Å"Looking for me.† He didn't answer. His body was frozen, a statue. â€Å"What are you two hissing about in here?† Charlie asked suspiciously, rounding the corner with an empty popcorn bowl in his hands. I felt green. A vampire had been in the house looking for me while Charlie slept. Panic overwhelmed me, closed my throat. I couldn't answer, I just stared at him in horror. Charlie's expression changed. Abruptly, he was grinning. â€Å"If you two are having a fight . . . well, don't let me interrupt.† Still grinning, he put his bowl in the sink and sauntered out of the room. â€Å"Let's go,† Edward said in a low hard voice. â€Å"But Charlie!† The fear was squeezing my chest, making it hard to breathe. He deliberated for a short second, and then his phone was in his hand. â€Å"Emmett,† he muttered into the receiver. He began talking so fast that I couldn't understand the words. It was over in half a minute. He started pulling me toward the door. â€Å"Emmett and Jasper are on their way,† he whispered when he felt my resistance. â€Å"They'll sweep the woods. Charlie is fine.† I let him drag me along then, too panicked to think clearly. Charlie met my frightened eyes with a smug grin, which suddenly turned to confusion. Edward had me out the door before Charlie could say anything. â€Å"Where are we going?† I couldn't stop whispering, even after we were in the car. â€Å"We're going to talk to Alice,† he told me, his volume normal but his voice bleak. â€Å"You think maybe she saw something?† He stared at the road through narrowed eyes. â€Å"Maybe.† They were waiting for us, on alert after Edward's call. It was like walking into a museum, everyone still as statues in various poses of stress. â€Å"What happened?† Edward demanded as soon as we were through the door. I was shocked to see that he was glowering at Alice, his hands fisted in anger. Alice stood with her arms folded tight across her chest. Only her lips moved. â€Å"I have no idea. I didn't see anything.† â€Å"How is that possible?† he hissed. â€Å"Edward,† I said, a quiet reproof. I didn't like him talking to Alice this way. Carlisle interrupted in a calming voice. â€Å"It's not an exact science, Edward.† â€Å"He was in her room, Alice. He could have still been there – waiting for her.† â€Å"I would have seen that.† Edward threw his hands up in exasperation. â€Å"Really? You're sure?† Alice's voice was cold when she answered. â€Å"You've already got me watching the Volturis' decisions, watching for Victoria's return, watching Bella's every step. You want to add another? Do I just have to watch Charlie, or Bella's room, or the house, or the whole street, too? Edward, if I try to do too much, things are going to start slipping through the cracks.† â€Å"It looks like they already are,† Edward snapped. â€Å"She was never in any danger. There was nothing to see.† â€Å"If you're watching Italy, why didn't you see them send -â€Å" â€Å"I don't think it's them,† Alice insisted. â€Å"I would have seen that.† â€Å"Who else would leave Charlie alive?† I shuddered. â€Å"I don't know,† Alice said. â€Å"Helpful.† â€Å"Stop it, Edward,† I whispered. He turned on me, his face still livid, his teeth clenched together. He glared at me for half a second, and then, suddenly, he exhaled. His eyes widened and his jaw relaxed. â€Å"You're right, Bella. I'm sorry.† He looked at Alice. â€Å"Forgive me, Alice. I shouldn't be taking this out on you. That was inexcusable.† â€Å"I understand,† Alice assured him. â€Å"I'm not happy about it, either.† Edward took a deep breath. â€Å"Okay, let's look at this logically. What are the possibilities?† Everyone seemed to thaw out at once. Alice relaxed and leaned against the back of the couch. Carlisle walked slowly toward her, his eyes far away. Esme sat on the sofa in front of Alice, curling her legs up on the seat. Only Rosalie remained unmoving, her back to us, staring out the glass wall. Edward pulled me to the sofa and I sat next to Esme, who shifted to put her arm around me. He held one of my hands tightly in both of his. â€Å"Victoria?† Carlisle asked. Edward shook his head. â€Å"No. I didn't know the scent. He might have been from the Volturi, someone I've never met. . . .† Alice shook her head. â€Å"Aro hasn't asked anyone to look for her yet. I will see that. I'm waiting for it.† Edward's head snapped up. â€Å"You're watching for an official command.† â€Å"You think someone's acting on their own? Why?† â€Å"Caius's idea,† Edward suggested, his face tightening again. â€Å"Or Jane's . . . ,† Alice said. â€Å"They both have the resources to send an unfamiliar face. . . .† Edward scowled. â€Å"And the motivation.† â€Å"It doesn't make sense, though,† Esme said. â€Å"If whoever it was meant to wait for Bella, Alice would have seen that. He – or she – had no intention of hurting Bella. Or Charlie, for that matter.† I cringed at my father's name. â€Å"It's going to be fine, Bella,† Esme murmured, smoothing my hair. â€Å"But what was the point then?† Carlisle mused. â€Å"Checking to see if I'm still human?† I guessed. â€Å"Possible,† Carlisle said. Rosalie breathed out a sigh, loud enough for me to hear. She'd unfrozen, and her face was turned expectantly toward the kitchen. Edward, on the other hand, looked discouraged. Emmett burst through the kitchen door, Jasper right behind him. â€Å"Long gone, hours ago,† Emmett announced, disappointed. â€Å"The trail went East, then South, and disappeared on a side road. Had a car waiting.† â€Å"That's bad luck,† Edward muttered. â€Å"If he'd gone west . . . well, it would be nice for those dogs to make themselves useful.† I winced, and Esme rubbed my shoulder. Jasper looked at Carlisle. â€Å"Neither of us recognized him. But here.† He held out something green and crumpled. Carlisle took it from him and held it to his face. I saw, as it exchanged hands, that it was a broken fern frond. â€Å"Maybe you know the scent.† â€Å"No,† Carlisle said. â€Å"Not familiar. No one I've ever met.† â€Å"Perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. Maybe it's a coincidence . . . ,† Esme began, but stopped when she saw everyone else's incredulous expressions. â€Å"I don't mean a coincidence that a stranger happened to pick Bella's house to visit at random. I meant that maybe someone was just curious. Our scent is all around her. Was he wondering what draws us there?† â€Å"Why wouldn't he just come here then? If he was curious?† Emmett demanded. â€Å"You would,† Esme said with a sudden, fond smile. â€Å"The rest of us aren't always so direct. Our family is very large – he or she might be frightened. But Charlie wasn't harmed. This doesn't have to be an enemy.† Just curious. Like James and Victoria had been curious, in the beginning? The thought of Victoria made me tremble, though the one thing they seemed certain of was that it had not been her. Not this time. She would stick to her obsessed pattern. This was just someone else, a stranger. I was slowly realizing that vampires were much bigger participants in this world than I'd once thought. How many times did the average human cross paths with them, completely unaware? How many deaths, obliviously reported as crimes and accidents, were really due to their thirst? How crowded would this new world be when I finally joined it? The shrouded future sent a shiver down my spine. The Cullens pondered Esme's words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to. Alice pursed her lips. â€Å"I don't think so. The timing of it was too perfect. . . . This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see. . . .† â€Å"He could have other reasons for not making contact,† Esme reminded her. â€Å"Does it really matter who it was?† I asked. â€Å"Just the chance that someone was looking for me . . . isn't that reason enough? We shouldn't wait for graduation.† â€Å"No, Bella,† Edward said quickly. â€Å"It's not that bad. If you're really in danger, we'll know.† â€Å"Think of Charlie,† Carlisle reminded me. â€Å"Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared.† â€Å"I am thinking of Charlie! He's the one I'm worried about! What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as I'm around Charlie, he's a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all myfault!† â€Å"Hardly, Bella,† Esme said, patting my hair again. â€Å"And nothing will happen to Charlie. We're just going to have to be more careful.† â€Å"More careful?† I repeated in disbelief. â€Å"It's all going to be fine, Bella,† Alice promised; Edward squeezed my hand. And I could see, looking at all of their beautiful faces one by one, that nothing I could say was going to change their minds. It was a quiet ride home. I was frustrated. Against my better judgment, I was still human. â€Å"You won't be alone for a second,† Edward promised as he drove me to Charlie's. â€Å"Someone will always be there. Emmett, Alice, Jasper . . .† I sighed. â€Å"This is ridiculous. They'll get so bored, they'll have to kill me themselves, just for something to do.† Edward gave me a sour look. â€Å"Hilarious, Bella.† Charlie was in a good mood when we got back. He could see the tension between me and Edward, and he was misinterpreting it. He watched me throw together his dinner with a smug smile on his face. Edward had excused himself for a moment, to do some surveillance, I assumed, but Charlie waited till he was back to pass on my messages. â€Å"Jacob called again,† Charlie said as soon as Edward was in the room. I kept my face empty as I set the plate in front of him. â€Å"Is that a fact?† Charlie frowned. â€Å"Don't be petty, Bella. He sounded really low.† â€Å"Is Jacob paying you for all the P.R., or are you a volunteer?† Charlie grumbled incoherently at me until the food cut off his garbled complaint. Though he didn't realize it, he'd found his mark. My life was feeling a lot like a game of dice right now – would the next roll come up snake eyes? What if something did happen to me? It seemed worse than petty to leave Jacob feeling guilty about what he'd said. But I didn't want to talk to him with Charlie around, to have to watch my every word so I didn't let the wrong thing slip. Thinking about this made me jealous of Jacob and Billy's relationship. How easy it must be when you had no secrets from the person you lived with. So I would wait for the morning. I most likely wasn't going to die tonight, after all, and it wouldn't hurt him to feel guilty for twelve more hours. It might even be good for him. When Edward officially left for the evening, I wondered who was out in the downpour, keeping an eye on Charlie and me. I felt awful for Alice or whoever else it might be, but still comforted. I had to admit it was nice, knowing I wasn't alone. And Edward was back in record time. He sang me to sleep again and – aware even in unconsciousness that he was there – I slept free of nightmares. In the morning, Charlie left to go fishing with Deputy Mark before I was up. I decided to use this lack of supervision to be divine. â€Å"I'm going to let Jacob off the hook,† I warned Edward after I'd eaten breakfast. â€Å"I knew you'd forgive him,† he said with an easy smile. â€Å"Holding grudges is not one of your many talents.† I rolled my eyes, but I was pleased. It seemed like Edward really was over the whole anti-werewolf thing. I didn't look at the clock until after I'd dialed. It was a little early for calls, and I worried that I would wake Billy and Jake, but someone picked up before the second ring, so he couldn't have been too far from the phone. â€Å"Hello?† a dull voice said. â€Å"Jacob?† â€Å"Bella!† he exclaimed. â€Å"Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry!† he tripped over the words as he hurried to get them out. â€Å"I swear I didn't mean it. I was just being stupid. I was angry – but that's no excuse. It was the stupidest thing I've ever said in my life and I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me, please? Please. Lifetime of servitude up for grabs – all you have to do is forgive me.† â€Å"I'm not mad. You're forgiven.† â€Å"Thank you,† he breathed fervently. â€Å"I can't believe I was such a jerk.† â€Å"Don't worry about that – I'm used to it.† He laughed, exuberant with relief. â€Å"Come down to see me,† he begged. â€Å"I want to make it up to you.† I frowned. â€Å"How?† â€Å"Anything you want. Cliff diving,† he suggested, laughing again. â€Å"Oh, there's a brilliant idea.† â€Å"I'll keep you safe,† he promised. â€Å"No matter what you want to do.† I glanced at Edward. His face was very calm, but I was sure this was not the time. â€Å"Not right now.† â€Å"He's not thrilled with me, is he?† Jacob's voice was ashamed, rather than bitter, for once. â€Å"That's not the problem. There's . . . well, there's this other problem that's slightly more worrisome than a bratty teenage werewolf. . . .† I tried to keep my tone joking, but I didn't fool him. â€Å"What's wrong?† he demanded. â€Å"Um.† I wasn't sure what I should tell him. Edward held his hand out for the phone. I looked at his face carefully. He seemed calm enough. â€Å"Bella?† Jacob asked. Edward sighed, holding his hand closer. â€Å"Do you mind speaking to Edward?† I asked apprehensively. â€Å"He wants to talk to you.† There was a long pause. â€Å"Okay,† Jacob finally agreed. â€Å"This should be interesting.† I handed the phone to Edward; I hoped he could read the warning in my eyes. â€Å"Hello, Jacob,† Edward said, perfectly polite. There was a silence. I bit my lip, trying to guess how Jacob would answer. â€Å"Someone was here – not a scent I know,† Edward explained. â€Å"Has your pack come across anything new?† Another pause, while Edward nodded to himself, unsurprised. â€Å"Here's the crux, Jacob. I won't be letting Bella out of my sight till I get this taken care of. It's nothing personal -â€Å" Jacob interrupted him then, and I could hear the buzz of his voice from the receiver. Whatever he was saying, he was more intense than before. I tried unsuccessfully to make out the words. â€Å"You might be right -,† Edward began, but Jacob was arguing again. Neither of them sounded angry, at least. â€Å"That's an interesting suggestion. We're quite willing to renegotiate. If Sam is amenable.† Jacob's voice was quieter now. I started chewing on my thumbnail as I tried to read Edward's expression. â€Å"Thank you,† Edward replied. Then Jacob said something that caused a surprised expression to flicker across Edward's face. â€Å"I'd planned to go alone, actually,† Edward said, answering the unexpected question. â€Å"And leave her with the others.† Jacob's voice rose in pitch, and it sounded to me like he was trying to be persuasive. â€Å"I'll try to consider it objectively,† Edward promised. â€Å"As objectively as I'm capable of.† The pause was shorter this time. â€Å"That's not a half-bad idea. When? . . . No, that's fine. I'd like a chance to follow the trail personally, anyway. Ten minutes . . . Certainly,† Edward said. He held the phone out to me. â€Å"Bella?† I took it slowly, feeling confused. â€Å"What was that all about?† I asked Jacob, my voice peeved. I knew it was juvenile, but I felt excluded. â€Å"A truce, I think. Hey, do me a favor,† Jacob suggested. â€Å"Try to convince your bloodsucker that the safest place for you to be – especially when he leaves – is on the reservation. We're well able to handle anything.† â€Å"Is that what you were trying to sell him?† â€Å"Yes. It makes sense. Charlie's probably better off here, too. As much as possible.† â€Å"Get Billy on it,† I agreed. I hated that I was putting Charlie within the range of the crosshairs that always seemed to be centered on me. â€Å"What else?† â€Å"Just rearranging some boundaries, so we can catch anyone who gets too near Forks. I'm not sure if Sam will go for it, but until he comes around, I'll keep an eye on things.† â€Å"What do you mean by ‘keep an eye on things'?† â€Å"I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, don't shoot at it.† â€Å"Of course not. You really shouldn't do anything . . . risky, though.† He snorted. â€Å"Don't be stupid. I can take care of myself.† I sighed. â€Å"I also tried to convince him to let you visit. He's prejudiced, so don't let him give you any crap about safety. He knows as well as I do that you'd be safe here.† â€Å"I'll keep that in mind.† â€Å"See you in a few,† Jacob said. â€Å"You're coming up?† â€Å"Yeah. I'm going to get the scent of your visitor so we can track him if he comes back.† â€Å"Jake, I really don't like the idea of you tracking -â€Å" â€Å"Oh please, Bella,† he interrupted. Jacob laughed, and then hung up.

Week 4 reflection paper ZHA Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 4 reflection paper ZHA - Assignment Example Thomas observes that diseases do not develop as a consequence of carelessness in the prevention of health, rather diseases are a result of blind accidents which we do not have control over most of the times(41). Additionally, he observes that germs are everywhere; therefore, we employ all manner of chemical prevention methods such as disinfectants. However, he poses that it is our body‘s reaction that is a threat to our lives, not the bacterial invasion (Thomas). I find this an interesting perception. It is relatively true because extreme body reactions to foreign bodies such as in the case of hypersensitivity reactions in Steven Johnson’s syndrome result in extensive burn-like lesions. Philmus and Hughes opine that a living thing is a complete realization of birth possibilities, and it is sometimes confused with theological predestination (2). They note that although we may modify and recast the human body, the changes would in no way change the offspring (Philmus and H ughes). Mistelli posits that the arrangement of genes and their movement profoundly influence the body functioning in health and disease (68). In a video exposition, medical illustrator David Bolinsky explains that the body is in constant functioning at the cellular level (Bolinsky). Indeed, the body and its interaction with disease-causing agents is a fascinating discovery. Though we may not know even a percent of it, once we figure it out we would have more control of our

Monsanto Company the Coming Age of Bio-technology Case Study

Monsanto Company the Coming Age of Bio-technology - Case Study Example From this essay it is clear that growing to become the third largest chemical firm in the U.S, and the 145th largest industrial organization, the success of Monsanto has presented a convincing long-term benefit for the company`s shareholders. However, according to the study, the firm faces a combination of issues, comprising the lack of a patent ahead of 2000, for its key product, Roundup. The company also needed to acquire the value generated by its biotechnology research that attracted an investment of $300 million within10 years. Moreover, and on a long-term approach, Monsanto had to settle on where to center its research and development regarding its farm level or industrial, and food products.This paper highlights that  the management of the production of glyphosate and developing supply chains relationship would empower the image of the business and acceptance of its products heavily. The firm managed to embrace the best scheme of action before the time limit that was to mark et assertively similar products, and glyphosate into the market before the patent expiration. Also, by acquiring a high grip of the Roundup before the end of the patent, the firm would raise royalty fees, and the company will be able to balance the slight market share losses that could be incurred due to potential rival substitute products.  Ã‚  The firm was also making a significant stride by selling its products outside the U.S. Where it has proven massive sales. A positive initiative will better place Monsanto to govern the Asian market.

Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice System Essay

Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice System - Essay Example The targeting of these groups by the police on the notion that they commit more crimes acts to deepen the alienation and hostility between the police and these communities. These complain of such groups not taken seriously not withstanding that they are a target of regular police hostility and violence. These kinds of racist behavior done trough the complete awareness and consideration by legislators on the history of racism, and the societal challenges brought about by racist treatment of people. The criminal justice system comprises of the courts, police and the correctional facilities. Discrimination usually occurs to individuals who belong to a group either marginalized or belonging to a group that with history of social stigmatization. These individuals have a higher likely hood of torture or undergoing human degrading treatment. The racial origins of a suspect form the basis of making decisions police arrests and police shootings. The race-based discrimination is the greatest c rime in the criminal justice system where the targeted individuals face more aggressive and punishments as compared to the total population. Looking at the United State of America, for example, the African Americans are a target of racial discrimination and face a much harsher punishment and treatment than the whites. Racial discrimination The aspect of racial profiling by the police brings out the vice of racial discrimination by the police. ... In trying to eradicate this practice, the police have tried to keep away from the habits the police force has recruited individuals from these communities into force in order to try and increase the confidence of these communities in the police force. The view among the public citizens is that the functioning of race as a basis of deciding on whom to stop and search is wrong. This position, however, challenged by a section especially in connection to terrorist attacks, and the use of race to form the basis of stop and search seems necessary. The effect of racial profiling is that the police do not get assistance by these communities’ especially in investigations and during community policing done by the police on these neighborhoods. Changes aimed at reducing racial disparity Although considerable efforts made to reduce instances of racial discrimination and increase trust in policing strategies among the communities the practice yet still exists. Scarman's recommendations The Scarman’s report of the Brixton disorders in 1981 extensively seen as of immense significance in development of practices of policing. The inquiry of the Scarman regarded additional necessity by the flare of rioting across the country in the same year. The fundamentally concern was about the failure by the police to deal with riots resulting from repressive policing methods, the failure of approval and the lack of capability in conflict resolution and public disorder. It is essential to note that much of the police reforms conducted during the 1980 s. In consideration to changes in discriminatory practices and policing, Scarman in concluding his report states that the allegations by a number of individuals who offered

Crime and Violence on Television and Its Impact on Wider Audiences Essay

Crime and Violence on Television and Its Impact on Wider Audiences - Essay Example An analysis of the media portrayals of crime and violence reveals that the phenomenon has been a critical component of television broadcasting, resulting in a widespread psychological impact on the minds of audiences that also extends to the incidence or occurrence of violent behavior. This paper will focus on comprehensively discussing the impact that depictions of crime and violence have had on the behavior of audiences. Specifically, the hypothesis presented in the paper asserts that viewing of violence and crime on television is positively correlated with an increase in violent behavior on the part of the audience. Additionally, the resources that are to be reviewed for the purposes of this paper will include, but are not limited to Centerwall (1992): Television and Violence, Philips (1983): The Impact of Mass Media on U.S Homicides and Kahlor and Eastin (2011): Television’s role in the culture violence towards women, David Bauder (Dec 21, 2012): Violence Baked into Popula r Culture and Savage, J. (2004): Does viewing violent media really cause criminal violence?. In conclusion, the paper presents an evaluation of the preceding discussion. Gross and Gerbner (1981) assert that in the light of empirical evidence and researches, it is a plausible assertion to make, that violence on television shares a strong relationship with the occurrence of aggressive behavior in both adults and children, however, the scale of this impact appears to narrow. This research essentially defines the age group of the audience who is at a greater risk of being targeted by violent depictions in the media in comparison with other age groups. According to Huesmann et al. (2003) the results of a longitudinal study lasting from the period of 1977-1992 indicated that while, male children are more likely to show aggressive and violent behavior due to extensive viewing of violence-laden television, the chances of this behavior transitioning into adulthood are foreseeable for both th e sexes. The primary reasons governing the positive correlation between the viewing of violence on television and an increase in violent behavior on the part of the audience include; the audiences’ ability to relate to the characters portraying violence and the extent to which they are able to develop an association between the virtual world of television and reality (Huesmann et al. 2003). Savage (2004) notes that researchers need to recognize the distinction between aggressive behavior and violent crime when assessing the two consequences with regards to the viewership of violence-laden television, as an evaluation of extensive empirical evidence does not prove the hypothesis that television violence is responsible for causing an increase in criminal acts. On the contrary, Centerwell’s (1992) assessment of three geographical samples of U.S, Canada and South Africa concluded that for two participant nations out of the three, the introduction of television resulted in a drastic increase in the homicide rate, with a 93% rise reported in U.S and 92% increase observed in the number of homicides in Canada. With regards to the current scenario of the television industry, concerns have risen regarding the essentially positive portrayals of criminals in mainstream television. Showtime’s TV series Dexter has garnered a massive fan following and critical appraise but several factions of society have criticized the show’s main premise which encourages viewers to empathize with its protagonist Dexter Morgan who is employed as a bloodstain pattern analyst by Miami Metro but also masquerades as a serial killer. Bauder (2012) observes that the popularity of shows such as Dexter and Homeland is reflective of what the audience wants. A report by the Nielsen Company concluded that of the ten most watched prime-time shows of this season seven are based on themes of either crime or violence (Bauder 2012). Cummings (2011) reports at least three instanc es where alleged fans of the

UNIT 4 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

UNIT 4 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT - Essay Example Anti-Abortionists on the other hand agree in unison that it is pretty much in defiance as laid down in the holy books of God to commit such a heinous act like abortion. The rationale that can be provided here is that if at any point in time it was in defiance with the laws as proposed and put forward by God, then it is between the woman under question and her God and she is the one who will be the recipient of chastisement with regards to the abortion decision that she has taken. A number of people are of the view that abortion can threaten a mother’s life and hence should be deemed as illegal right from the onset. Again there are some opinions which suggest that if the mother does not want to have the baby then it would be best to at least give birth to the newborn and give it to some orphan house so that those women who do not have children in their lives can raise their families in accordance. This seems pretty valid since giving a newborn for the sake of adoption is a good route none the less if a family is against the birth and the eventual raise of the baby. This is due to the fact that at times it has been seen that these children suffer immensely as they sit for ages in the orphanages making them look like unwanted guests in this world. Different people raise different opinions but this is true that each one of us has a responsibility towards the society and thus we should be responsible enough of take it. Indeed abortion is a very sensitive topic that has been shown flames during its discussion in different meetings and seminars. Controversy is one thing that is sure to make rounds of these board room meetings and hospital seminars. Then again, choosing whether one should have an abortion or not is pretty much dependent on the family and more so the mother, if not the father as well. This is said so as to make sure that the society does not have to pay for the unwanted and

Altria Group Inc. (MO) and Philip Morris International, Inc. (PM) Essay

Altria Group Inc. (MO) and Philip Morris International, Inc. (PM) - Essay Example Over the years, the company has introduced different product lines with different brand names in order to attract different types of customers. This aspect has played a significant role in reducing the risks and uncertainties associated with concentrating on a single product. Beside tobacco it has focused on wine production. Some of the wine brands include; Chateau Ste Michelle, Snoqualmie, Erath. The company has a definite structure led by the board of directors. In addition, the company is divided into different departments depending on the area of specialization. This is to ensure that each sector specializes on a specific task. For instance, marketing and financial sectors operate differently. This has enabled the subordinates to work independently and maximize on their areas of specialization. This aspect has been critical in the overall success of the company. Philip Morris International, Inc. (PM) is a global multinational firms based in United States that deal with cigarette and tobacco production. The company’s products are sold in over 200 countries across the world. The company is mainly known for its best selling product of Malboro (Luo 352). With over 15% of its products being sold outside the United States, the firm has been able to penetrate and segment the global market. This is despite the increasing levels of competition which has emanated from the entry of multinational companies which have a huge financial base to position their products strategically in the market and create a barrier of entry for other interested investors. Before, 2008, Philip Morris International, Inc. (PM) was an operating company under the Altria Group. The idea behind the formation of the company was to provide the firm with an opportunity to pursue the emerging markets. This was aimed at increasing sales and revenues of the firm and enabling the company to avoid the challenges faced by companies in relation to US corporate ownership. The firm’s

Leadership & Management on Hampton court Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Leadership & Management on Hampton court - Essay Example According to Thurley (2003, p.124), unlike most common mazes that are normally characterized by a single spiral path winding to a center point, Hampton court maze is widely known for intriguing and confusing visitors with its numerous turns, twists, or dead ends and is often referred to as a puzzle or multi-cursal maze. The Action Plan to Hampton Court The planned maze exercise took place on Friday December 6, 2013. Our group included Mwansa, Iqura lashan and I with Iqura lashan being the nominated leader of the group. We used public transport to reach Hampton court maze. The actual venue is located at A308 and is accessible through major local roads and by train (Wright, 2001, p.98). This schedule includes a detailed account of the times, costs, visited locations, contingency as well as a critical risk assessment. Fig.1: A photo of our group members making their way inside the Hampton court maze Itinerary 8.30am: The leadership maze exercise began in the morning hours and we were sc heduled to meet our team leader, Iqura at exactly 8.30 am at Stratford. The journey began at Bromley station where we got the Victoria line to Green Park in the Jubilee line and finally got off at Stafford station where we met the team leader. After meeting, with Iqura, we took the route to Bank station from where we took the Waterloo and city line. Once at Waterloo underground station, we took the south west train towards basing stroke rail station before getting off at substation and taking the south west train to Hampton Court at around 9.15am. 9.30 am: Having successfully made our way into the historic Hampton Court Palace, we paid our entry fee of ?4.00 per each individual group member before briefly assembling under the team leader to discuss the various modalities of our leadership maze exercise. We were also provided with a costumed guide who was not only tasked with escorting our group but also making knowledgeable commentary assisting with practical issues throughout our t our of the maze. The entire duration of the maze exercise was timed and scheduled to allow for as few non program activities such as photo opportunities and a one hour lunch break. 10:00am: We picked a map at the entrance to the Hampton court maze and proceeded with the maze exercise. Despite experiencing many false trails, pitfalls and occasional dead ends, our nominated leader successfully guided the group through the maze through the turnings until we eventually reached the center of the maze. Although it did not seem that long, our path through the maze covered nearly half a mile which took us nearly 45 minutes including the time we spent taking photographs. 12.00 pm: We made our way to the exit of the maze at around noon after successfully making our way out. Our team leader quickly arranged for a light lunch and refreshments at Tiltyard Cafe situated just outside Hampton Palace grounds. After lunch, the group concluded the trip. Cost The accurate figure of the actual cost of t he trip depended on a number of factors. Having used public means of transport to get to the Hampton court maze, transportation was one of the biggest costs we incurred during the entire trip. This was particularly attributed to the distance each of the group members had to cover before reaching our final destination at the Hampton court palace maze. On the other hand, a considerable part of our budget during our leadership ma

Social Work - Family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Work - Family - Essay Example The acculturation process which we all have experienced, and probably continue to, introduces us to the rules and protocols particular to each of these systems. The fact that we learn them and are able to successfully negotiate our way from one system to the other, and form healthy relations in each, is evidenced by the fact that our home behaviour is markedly different from our school behaviour. Our socialisation into each of these systems and the process of acculturation we experienced therein have effectively taught us to change our behaviour and method of communication in accordance with the system within which we are operating at any point in time. The fact is, however, that systems are not stable but ever-evolving and changing. Accordingly, and as shall be illustrated through reference to the family system, it is often contingent upon each and every one of us to adjust ourselves to the changes within the system, so as to attain equilibrium once again. The family system is not only the first into which we are embraced as valued members but is the system which introduces us to all others. The implication here is that it is both the founding system and the most enduring one. It is enduring in that the greater majority of us remain members of the family system throughout our lives. This is not the case with the community system, for example, or even the religious system as affiliations change. The family system, however, is stable and only through dramatic circumstances does our membership terminate, as in through the deaths of the other members of the nuclear family. In other words, while the family system is both enduring and our membership in it stable, that does not mean to imply that it is static. As with all systems, it continually changes and evolves. In order to better explain the implications of the aforementioned, it is necessary to explore the meaning of system stability, change and equilibrium. The stability of a system can have a significant effect on how readily it engages in change. Systems are most stable when they experience being in equilibrium with their environments. In this context, equilibrium is defined as a system receiving the resources it needs from its environment in exchange for what is produced by the system. Prigogine and Stengers described this condition as "the stable, predictable behavior of systems tending toward the minimum level of activity compatible with the fluxes that feed them" (1984, p. 139). The exchange process flows smoothly and the system does not experience tension arising from the exchange. Occasional fluctuations in this exchange process are not assumed by the system to be a basic change in a stable relationship with the environment. More significant fluctuations may cause some concerns about the relationship. Prigogine and Stengers referred to this condition as near-equilibrium. The situation is still rather stable but, from this exchan ge process, a degree of tension is introduced into the system. The focus of the system is on maintaining stability rather than seeking change. The above stated can be related and applied to personal experiences within the family system. As a member of that system, I am fully aware of the way in which it functions and my relationship with each member within is determined by the status if that person within this system. For example, my relationship w

Lockheed management Essay Example for Free

Lockheed management Essay We examined the decision to invest in the Tri-Star project by forecasting the cash flow associated with the project for a volume of 210 planes. We also asked what a valid estimate of the NPV of the Tri-Star project at a volume of 210 planes as of 1967 would be. We found this to be -$584 M. This was clearly an unacceptable NPV for capital budgeting on the project. A break-even analysis revealed that the project reached economic break-even with the production of 275 planes at . 5 M per unit but did not reach value break-even at that level of production. Despite industry analysts predicting 300 units as Lockheed’s break-even sales point, at this level, net present value remained insufficient to cover costs at negative $274 million. If the company had performed a true value break-even analysis, management would have realized that roughly 400 Tri Star aircraft (about 67 per year for six years) costing somewhere between $11.75 million and $12 million per unit would have to be sold in order to break even. The investment decision made by Lockheed to pursue the Tri Star program was not a reasonable one. A true value analysis shows that at the production level of 210 units, the project would result in an economic loss of $584.05 million and a profit loss of $480 million. In addition to miscalculating the break-even level of production, Lockheed management overestimated the growth rate of air travel industry.

Nestle Special T Market Research Background Marketing Essay

Nestle Special T Market Research Background Marketing Essay Nestlà © is the worlds leading nutrition, health and wellness company. Good Food, Good Life is the promise Nestlà © commits to everyday, everywhere to enhance lives, throughout life, with good food and beverages. Recently, Nestlà © has been launching a new product-Special.T which is a machine that offers consumers to make a cup of the highest-quality tea at the touch of a button. However, Nestlà © has been expanding the Special.T to five new countries in Europe such as Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. Consumers receive information from different media sources and make good use of it to collect information of their preferred product (Leon G. Schiffman, 2005). Nowadays, consumers are able to know various products through different media sources conveniently such as television, radio, the Internet and magazine. They provide the fully information to consumers before consumers make the decision of purchase. The market for selling the machine of making tea is becoming increasingly competitive. Nowadays, tea making machine is quite common in the market. Some companies have been selling such machine for many years before Nestlà © first launched Special.T. Therefore, Special.T is quite a new product in the market. As a researcher, we have been commissioned by the brand manager to conduct market research in Singapore. We will measure all aspect of the marketing mix and provide valuable information to support the management at decision to reinvigorate, change or renovate the Special.T. Well, there are several questions we are going to look at: What are the difficulties in using the product? What are the deficiencies of the product? Whether the information and the communication support consumers efficiently? Whether the marketing plans carry out successfully? How the product meets consumers requirement? Objective Research is the systematic collection and analysis of information which helps to improve the quality of planning and decision making (Naresh K. Malhotra, 2007). Every work must have objectives. With the objectives, we can clearly understand what we are going to do and which direction we are going through. According to Bill Gillham (2000), the purpose of market research is to obtain information so that the development and marketing of a product or service can be improved. The research helps researchers to fully understand what consumers need and can be used to explain and predict attitude and behavior of the population (Naresh K. Malhotra, 2007). However, without the objectives, we can only do nothing. Well, the statements below show our objectives of the research: To find out what the requirements of the consumers are. To intensify the competitive strength in the market place. To understand the current market situation. To assess the perception of consumers towards the brand. Epistemological approach: Interpretivism Research Methodology What is research methodology? According to Jamie Hale (2011), research methodology is a scientific technique used to collect and evaluate data. Here we will use the methodology of interview for the research. Well, what is interview? Why we will choose interview as the research methodology other than the other methods? First, generally interview is where a person (the interviewer) asks another person (the interviewee) questions about their life, ideas or opinions, especially on the radio or television or for a newspaper or magazine. Well, interview is a routine method. It is quite common around us. Interview understands across cultures. Since interview is a very common method, it has been commonly used in every country for many years. It can be used in all areas such as politicians, business people and celebrities. However, qualitative interviewing is an adventure in learning about teaching in different countries, their cultural views, their problems and solutions, and how their pract ices are similar and different than our own. The way we interview depends on what we want to know. It is a process of finding out what others feel and think about their worlds. The result is to understand the major points of their message and how it compares (similar different) to our own situation. Not only do we need to be a good conversationalist, but also a good listener (Rubin, Herbert Rubin, Irene, 1995). Face-to-face interview Telephone intervie E-interviews Focus group Group interview Focus group E-group interview Interviewer administered questionaires One to many One to one Standardised Non-standardised Interviews Figure 1.0 Form of interview (Saunders et al 2012:374) Interview: Advantages and Disadvantages ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Unique applicability. No interaction with others. Control over respondent selection-more depth, context and flexibility. May be more difficult to interpret. Close rapport. Time-consuming. Can express non-conformity. Cost. Check the views. Not an observable research technique. Comprehensive outcome: The respondent can analyse their motivations. Empowers the respondent. Secondly, why we will choose interview as the research methodology other than the other methods? A commonsensical justification is that the best way to find out what the people think about something is to ask them (Bower 1973: vi). Qualitative researchers agree that the interview is a powerful way to try to understand people. Whether face-to-face or in groups, the interview is among the oldest and most common methods of data collection and has been used extensively in this type of research (Guba and Lincoln 1981, Donalek 2005, Holloway 2008). We are selling a product, but it is quite difficult to determine whether the product corresponds with the requirement of consumer and to find out what the deficiencies of the product are. However, if we want to improve the product, we have to ask and understand the opinion of consumers or users about the product. The feedbacks and comments from consumers about the product are considered as important assets to the company because consumers are th e ultimate users of the product, they clearly know what they really want, what the deficiencies of the product are and which part of product need to be improved. Therefore, we have to carry out the action according the feedbacks and comments from consumers in order to make an ideal product and therefore it can strengthen the confidence of consumers towards the product or brand and the result will be the increase in sales volume. The underlying assumption is that interviewing results in accurate information about respondents and their lives, despite the many factors that have been identified that can affect how the interview is conducted and the quality of data obtained (Guba and Lincoln 1981, Fontana and Frey 2003). The data collected from interview is very accurate and adequate. Either face to face, telephone, group, formal or informal interview, the method of collecting data is to ask people. Rather than observing or studying on people and finally the researcher acquires the data itself. However, data collected via observing or studying may be biased because the researcher is not the consumers, he/she is unable to fully understand what the consumers want and the requirement of consumers may not respond on their action and therefore, the best way to understand consumers is to ask them. Inductive Approach Develop theory Observation Looking for pattern Tentative hypothesis In an inductive approach to research, a researcher begins by collecting data that is relevant to his or her topic of interest. Once a substantial amount of data have been collected, the researcher will then take a breather from data collection, stepping back to get a birds eye view of her data (Amy Blackstone, 1994). At this stage, we can collect the data via the method of interviewing consumer. Once we get the data we should look for the pattern of data and analyse the data. For example, from Q1 to Q10 are the questions about interviewers personal detail and Q11 to Q20 are about the opinions about the product. After that, we can formulate some tentative hypothesis that we can explore, and finally end up developing some general conclusions and theories. Formulate a plan After deciding on the methodology, we have to propose an indicative plan to carry out the research. In order to make the plan smoothly and meticulously, there are several questions need to be considered: What to ask? Because we use interview as our research methodology, we have to decide on the questions to ask the interviewee. For example, we are selling Special.T, we can ask the users about their opinions about Special.T or which part of the product need to be improved. When to ask? Before and after the product is launched officially. Who to ask? We can ask the people who use the product and the people who sell the product. We can also ask the others who do not use the product. Where to ask? We should carry out the interview in the places of selling Special.T. Well, the places of selling Special.T can be supermarket or hypermarket such as Tesco, Carrefour and Walmart. And usually there are a lot of consumers visit these places, so these places are the suitable venue to carry out the interview.

Unemployment And Ill Health Correlation Health And Social Care Essay

Unemployment And Ill Health Correlation Health And Social Care Essay The study of unemployment and health are inter related, if people are unemployed then it would have an adverse effect on their health and similarly if a person unhealthy then he might loose on the best opportunities of life because he would not be able to work because of the ill-health. Thus, unemployment and health have been correlated from past studies. CONTEXTUALISATION There is a association between the unemployment level and level of increasing bad health among those people. The objective of this research paper is to explore any co-existence between unemployment and health in the country, to highlight those areas in Fife where problems lie and to add to the evidence and knowledge on this subject for those working within the unemployment and health sectors. The following sections of the research paper uses information held within the Public Health Dataset to examine the relationship between unemployment and health by looking at those areas which have the highest levels of unemployment and the highest incidence of premature mortality. The dataset contains a large amount of data from administrative sources, as well as information taken from surveys. I have been assigned as a public health official working in a local authority and I strongly feel that is a causal relationship between the level of unemployment and the level of ill health. I have started my research by finding out the national data wherein I have studied the relationship between the level of unemployment and ill-health of the people and then conducted the local survey to find out the trends of the correlation. UNEMPLOYMENT AND HEALTH A LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY The presence of abundance literature in context of the relation between unemployment and ill health signifies the fact that unemployment and ill health co-exist. The impact of unemployment is larger in case of on the health of the people and there has been records in the past as well. From the study the results were that there is a definite relation between mental health and unemployment, and this is what will be explained in the following literature review. Similarly there is also an established link between unemployment and mortality, but this link is stronger when the research focuses on population based data, suggesting that the prevalence of unemployment can safely be used as an indicator for increased risk of mortality at a population level. METHODOLOGY Literature Search A literature search was undertaken on by our team members using the search terms: redundancy wellbeing mortality/ death morbidity heart disease cancer mental health Stroke etc. The search terms were used both as keywords and subject headings as well and condensed as appropriate to ensure that the search was as sensitive as possible. The results were restricted to English language only and to reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. For the literature review only those articles were given preferences which present a significant correlation between the unemployment and bad health of person or an individual. These are incorporated as proof in articles which are included in this research paper, so they were not specifically included here. Also those articles that gave importance to population based studies and individual records were also incorporated. Critical Appraisal/Quality of Evidence The articles that were selected for the purpose of study were to review the summary of the topic, and these did not follow a systematic review structure. There was only a single study that took into account a large group of people, but this study was also nostalgic and it again became challenging for this sections study. Only one breakdown was recovered from the search, and while this was a fine quality article, it recognizes the limitation of only being able to include articles which considered statistical information, which are not prevalent in the current literature, leading to a possible bias in the reported results. UNEMPLOYMENT The objective of the literature review was to study unemployment in terms of a varying age group that is 16 to 65 who were unwillingly out of work. The definition of unemployment varies from an individual to individual but usually the studies based on the survey data or retrospective record linkage studies define unemployment as a state wherein a person or an individual is willing to work but unreasonably is out of work because he is not getting a job and is not able get himself employed even though he possesses the required qualification for the job. In this kind of situations we relate unemployment to the mental ill health of the people. As they possess the qualifications and still they are not able to be employed therefore, this would adversely affect the health of an individual. The following section explains that how a person suffers mental illness when he is unemployed: MENTAL HEALTH Suicide and parasuicide There is a clear relation between unemployment and suicides and this have been proven by several studies and the causal link is that when people are unemployed they cannot earn and they have no source of income, thus they do not have purchasing power even for the food and shelter. This frustration kills them and internally they keep becoming weak and thus the end results into death. According to a study approximately 50% of this increase in risk of suicide could be attributable to unemployment; however some other readings suggests that there are more evidences for psychiatric illness preceding unemployment. The comparative risk of parasuicide that is an unsuccessful suicide attempts or deliberate self harm behaviour, are clearly linked to unemployment, relative risk of parasuicidal behaviour among those who had been unemployed for more than a year compared to employed persons. The same report also identified a vertical incline in virtual risk with duration of unemployment, although poor mental health in addition decreases the opportunity for re-employment, which might explain this trend. The same relation between unemployment and suicide or parasuicide, can also be studied and proved the various levels of social support, geography, gender, age and type of employment and these seem to be confounders. Also the influence of unemployment on suicide and parasuicide is arbitrated by poverty and financial anxiety and that dishonour and social segregation also have a key role in the contribution to poor psychological health. Other mental health conditions While studying for the literature review we came across several evidences which shows a strong alliance between unemployment and increased psychological and psychiatric morbidity that is depressed because of unemployment. If the people who are unemployed live in the area where the rate of unemployment is high or comparatively larger than other place, then the unemployed individuals find themselves in a state of emotional imbalance. This report also emphasizes on the levels of depression, anxiety and somatisation regressed with re-employment or formal retirement. The unemployed people start disrupting their community and social relationships, because of their inferiority of not being employed thus there are greater risk behaviours, stress and bereavement reactions were mechanisms through which unemployment may exert a detrimental effect on health. GENDER, AGE AND OTHER ISSUES This section presents a deficiency of literature on black and minority ethnic groups and that gender is under-reported, there are several studies which emphasizes on male unemployment. While studying about the male unemployment we came across the impact of unemployed spouses, and wives were seen to feel the health effects of the unemployment of their partners through an increased risk of cancer, suicide and ischemic heart disease, suggesting that this link could be related socio-economic status rather than directly to unemployment. In case of the study done separately for the two genders the results stated that unemployment level affects more of the male section than the female gender. Age issues are also considered one of the reasons for bad health specifically at the effect of unemployment in young people, where suicide (particularly amongst young men) is a crucial issue. INFERENCE TO THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There is an established relation between unemployment and ill health. The falling level of health in context of mental wellness, are significantly related to the unemployment. Also as explained above there is a related link between unemployment and mortality rate, since the people are not mentally fit when they are unemployed, the frustration ultimately leads to death. Although the data and research proved that the affects of unemployment is higher on males and not females. Females only feel depressed when their spouse are not in a condition of facing the situation. DATA FROM THE STUDY OF RELATION BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND ILL-HEALTH (NATIONAL LEVEL) In June 2009, approximately 45 million (8.3%) people in the country were unemployed, and the figures were rapidly increasing due to the severe economic recession. In the underdeveloped countries, the rate of unemployment estimated to be very high as much as 80 to 90%. Ill health is widespread amid the unemployed, and the underlying relationship may be bidirectional. Bad health may be a cause of unemployment and thus losing employment opportunities, while, vice versa, being unemployed may have an adverse effect on ones health. Several health problems such as stress symptoms, mental disorders, hypertension, and coronary heart disease Are associated with unemployment. Many socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, edification, alcohol intake, stoutness, and other adverse life-styles modify the relationship between unemployment and health, and even unemployment and mortality. As the studies suggest from the past years, continues stress of unemployment on an individuals mind can persuade prominent changes in human invulnerable responses and that these changes are primarily arbitrated. Also, high levels of inflammation seem to socialize with several diseases, and depression. These relations suggest that high levels of inflammation might be a mediator between unemployment and ill health. On the other hand, we found only two previous studies suggesting that some aspects of immune function may be altered following the loss of work. A report suggested that separate incidents of unemployment may have long-term implications for future CRP level in young males. High levels of pro inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are indicators of inflammation. In the current study using a sample of the Finnish general population we applied this suggestion to test our hypothesis formulated on the basis of current evidence. STUDY OF RELATION BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND ILL-HEALTH (LOCAL LEVEL) When we studied the pattern of relation between the unemployment level and health level, we came across that at local levels the things are similar. This means that people because of unemployed are under hypertension and depression. They could not face the situations in the increasing inflation in prices of even the local commodities. In 2009 due to the global recession in the world the countries were adversely PROPOSED METHODOLOGY We determined the inciting status in 225 individuals below the general retirement age of 65, when study was done on a sample of the Finnish general population as a part of an ongoing follow-up. In the sample there were 93 men and 132 women. The average age was 52.6 (SD 8.2, range: 32 64) years in men and 52.0 (SD 7.6, range 32-64) years in women and the study period starts from October 2004 up to April 2006. To conduct the study approval was obtained from the local Authority of the city so that there are no issues in context of the health survey. All the procedures of the study were carried out with the proper understanding of all the participants, who gave written informed permission before entering into the study. The participants completed a standardized questionnaire that screened socio demographic variables like sex, age, marital status, length of education. In the study they were also asked how often they consumed alcohol over the past twelve months. Which was classified as less OR more than twice a week, whether they were current daily smokers or not? And whether if they had physical diseases, got diagnosed by a doctor. The participants were also asked whether if they had any economic hardship during the previous twelve months? How is there current financial situation? (Good, fairly good = good financial situation, fairly poor, poor = economic hardship). To indicate the level of depressive symptoms the questionnaire also included the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory. In addition, the employment status was inquired by the participants and those who reported being unemployed (8.4% of the study sample) were compared with the others in final analyses. The frequency of unemployment was at the same level as the total unemployment rate in Finland in the sample during the study period of two years (7.7% in December 2004 and 7.6% in December 2005). 131 (63.6%) were at work, 14 (6.8%) on sick leave, 52 (25.2%) had retired, 3 (1.5%) were students and 6 (2.9%) were voluntarily not at work of the other studied participants. From all of studied participants, 25 (11.1%) had been unemployed in 1998, 31 (13.8%) in 1999 and 28 (12.4%) in 2001. The height and the body weight were also measured in light clothing without shoes, and the body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was estimated. The laboratory measurements were carried out in the medical laboratory of Kuopio University Hospital. After having been instructed to fast for the previous 12 hours, the participants came for venous blood sampling at 8 am. The measurement of serum, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was carried out according to a routine practice using a Kinetic Immunoturbidmetric Method and analyzed using an IMMAGE Immunochemistry System. The venous blood samples were stored at -80 °C until run, for the cytokine analyses. With Bio-Plex Human Cytokine Panel 1, the levels of IL-6 (pg/mL) were analyzed by multiplexing utilizing a Bio-Plex instrument based on Luminex xMAP technology. The samples were centrifuged for 15 min at 3000 rpm, before analyses and diluted 1:2 in an appropriate sample matrix. The intricacy and inters variations for the IL-6 analysis were 3.7-17.2% and 4.6-13.8% respectively. We used a pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as indicators of low-grade inflammation as originally suggested by Yaffe et al. and later by Capuron et al. In this study, levels above the median for both IL-6 (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 0.97 pg/mL) and hs-CRP (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥ 1.49 mg/L) indicated an elevated inflammatory status (n = 72). In univariate analyses we used the à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡2 test for categorical variables, Students t-test for normally distributed continuous variables and Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables with a skewed distribution. For IL-6 and hs-CRP linear regression models were tested separately. Inflammatory markers were also log-transformed for these analyses. Finally, several other forced multivariate logistic regression models were calculated just to test whether there were any independent associations between being and having been unemployed, and having a high inflammatory status. These models were socio demographically adjusted for sex, age, marital status, smoking, education, alcohol consumption, economic hardship, some common somatic diseases, the Beck Depression Inventory score, and the body mass index (BMI). PILOT OF METHOD The pilot of method means using various local methodologies to conduct the survey of the undergoing project. Using algorithm such as a greedy construction heuristic as a building block or application process, the pilot method is a meta-heuristic with the primary idea of performing repetition using the application process as a look ahead mechanism. It computes for every possible choice (or move) a so-called pilot solution, recording the best results in order to extend at the end of the iteration a so-called master solution with the corresponding move. One may apply this strategy by successively performing, e.g., a cheapest insertion heuristic for all possible local choices. The following is the questionnaire designed for the local people in order to make a survey to know what the condition is: THE LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY: SURVEY FOR FINDING THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE Are the facilities provided to unemployed people? Yes No Cant say anything Are you aware of the fact that unemployment is correlated to ill health of people? Yes No Do you read news regarding the suicides of people who are not employed? Very much aware Updated with the current knowledge No idea about the issue Have government took any steps regarding the matter? Yes No Cant say anything Are the unemployed covered under any act for providing them living? Yes there are acts Cant say anything in this matter Suicide cases and ill health is more in which age group? 16-25 30-40 45-55 All of the above Mental and ill health are more common in which gender? Males Females Both of the above

Johann Sebastian Bach Essay -- Essays Papers

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st 1685. He is the son of Johann Ambrosius. For many years, members of the Bach family had held positions such as organists, town instrumentalists, or Cantors. When Bach was eight years old he went to the old Latin Grammar School. He was taught reading and writing, Latin grammar, and a great deal of scripture, both in Latin and German. The boys in the school formed the choir of the St. Georgenkirche. This also gave Bach an opportunity to sing in the regular services, as well as in the nearby villages. He has an uncommonly fine treble voice. During this period Bach attended the Gymnasium of Ohrdruf, which had become one of the most progressive schools in Germany. He had made great progress in Latin, Greek, theology, and had reached the top form at a very early age. It was his excellent soprano voice that found Bach a position in the choir of the wealthy Michaelis monastery at Luneburg, which was known to provide a free place for boys who were poor but had musical talent. At the end of 1703, Bach took up his post at the small town of Arnstadt. He was no doubt thrilled about having his own very large organ of two manuals and twenty-three speaking stops. He also had the responsibility of providing music for his own congregation. In 1707 Bach went to Muhlhausen to take up the post of organist to the town. Unfortunately, a quarter of the whole town was hit by a...

Pablo Picasso Essay -- Essays Papers

Pablo Picasso Some say he was superstitious, sarcastic, awful towards his children, and horrible to women. He could very well have been all those things, but one thing I know Pablo Picasso was a great artist. He is one of the fathers of cubism, he had an audience of at least tens of millions. No other painter or sculptor before him had the fame that Picasso had. In the year 1881 a son was born to Don Jose Ruiz Blasco and Maria Picasso on the southern coast of Spain in a town called Mà ¡laga. At around the age the age of 10 his father because an instructor at Da Guarda Institute. A year later young Pablo was being taught by his father. In a short time he started writing and illustrating a journals. When he was 16 he moved to Barcelona and excelled at the La Llotja Fine Arts Academy and was soon accepted by the Royal Academy in Madrid. He was often regarded as a boy genius. By 1901 Picasso began to paint entire works in tones of blue. This was appropriately called the Blue Period. The Blue Period was mostly beggars and â€Å"circus folk†. They always seemed to be lost in contemplation. This was a confidant step to Picasso maturity. Gradually his colors brightened. This era in his career was called the Rose Period. But he didn’t just use red as he only used blue in the Blue Period. In the Rose Period not only did he use soft pinks, but also blues, reds and greens because they created great compliments these images created. Picasso was neither a philosopher ...

The Bluest Eye Essay -- essays research papers

Beauty is something that a lot of people in life strive for , because everyone has fitted in their mind what exactly beauty is. People know that it can help you out in life. But what most people don’t know is that, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Meaning that beauty should not be characterized by what people are told it is, beauty is different for everyone, what is beautiful for you may be ugly to someone else. The characters in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye are confronted with the ideal of beauty and strive for it whether they know it or not. The two characters that I think were followed the ideal of beauty in Toni Morrison’s story are Pauline and Pecola. In Toni Morrison’s story and in real life, beauty is described by people as having blond hair, blue eyes , perfect figure, etc. It’s been said that if you have good looks, you can make it in life with just looks alone. People only strive for becoming beautiful because they want attention. As is the case in Toni Morrison’s story. The characters in her story think that they are ugly , by others opinions of them , and want to become beautiful so they will be recognized and be the center of attention. But the harder both characters try, the worse things get. Pauline strived for beauty because she wanted to attention and wanted to be beautiful. Pauline seemed to have just worse case of bad luck, when she was a child she stepped on a nail and she was left with a limp forever. "The wound lef...

Introduction for Dengue Virus Essay

Dengue fever, also called dengue, is a potentially serious disease caused by a virus. There are four types of dengue virus that can cause illness in humans. Dengue viruses are transmitted between humans by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Dengue is rare in the U.S., but is common and a serious public health threat in warm sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. These include areas of Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, India, the Middle East, Australia, the Caribbean and the South and Central Pacific. Dengue fever is most common in urban areas and outbreaks occur commonly during the rainy season when mosquitoes breed heavily in standing water. The incidence of dengue fever is on the rise worldwide, and in some areas of Asia, complications of the disease are a leading cause of serious illness and death in children. Mosquitoes pick up a dengue virus when they bite a human who is already infected with the virus. The mosquito then carries it in its own blood and spreads it when it bites other humans. After a dengue virus enters the human bloodstream, it spreads throughout the body. Symptoms appear in about eight to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Symptoms are flu-like and can include high fever, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and headache. Most people can recover from dengue fever, but some cases can progress into a life-threatening complication called dengue hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms of this disease include severe, uncontrolled hemorrhage and shock. For more information on symptoms, refer to symptoms of dengue fever. Making a diagnosis of dengue fever begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. Recent travel to sub-tropical or tropical areas of the world is an important clue that may increase the suspicion of a diagnosis of dengue fever.

Components of Science Planning Essay

There are five essential components of scientific inquiry teaching that introduce students to many important aspects of science while helping them to develop a clearer and deeper knowledge of some particular science concept and/or process. Research has demonstrated that student involvement in the inquiry process provides a much needed connection and ownership of scientific investigations that will lead to a deeper conceptual knowledge about the content. Inquiry can be labeled as â€Å"partial† or â€Å"full† and refers to the proportion of a sequence of learning experiences that is inquiry-based. For example, when a textbook doesn’t engage students with a question, but begins with an experiment, an essential element of inquiry is missing and the inquiry is said to be partial. Also, inquiry is partial if a teacher chooses to demonstrate how something works rather than have the students explore it on their own and develop questions and explanations. What is important is that at least some of the components of inquiry are present within classroom hands-on experiences and hands-on does not necessarily guarantee inquiry. If all five elements of classroom inquiry are present, the inquiry is said to be full, however each component may vary depending on amount of structure a teacher builds into an activity or the extent to which students initiate and design an investigation. How does a teacher decide how much guidance to provide in an inquiry-based activity? The key element is in the intended outcomes. Whether the teacher wants the students to learn a particular concept, acquire certain inquiry abilities, or develop understandings about scientific inquiry influences the nature of the inquiry. In some instances partial inquiry may be more appropriate than a full inquiry-based experience. Teachers need to make meaningful decisions about how to best deliver the curriculum. The Five Essential Components to Inquiry 1. Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions. Scientists may pose two types of questions. They may propose â€Å"why† questions such as â€Å"Why do objects fall toward the Earth?† or â€Å"Why do humans have chambered hearts?† Many of these types of questions can’t be addressed by science. Then there are the â€Å"how† questions such as â€Å"How does sunlight help plant grow?† or â€Å"How are crystals formed?† which can. Students may ask â€Å"why† questions that can be turned into â€Å"how† questions and thus lend themselves to scientific inquiry. The initial question can originate from the learner or the teacher. Purposeful questions can be answered by students’ observations and scientific knowledge they obtain from reliable sources. Skillful teachers help students focus their questions so that they can experience both interesting and productive investigations. Teachers can provide opportunities that invite student questions by demonstrating a phenomenon or having them engage in an open investigation. Sometimes, questions will develop from students’ observations. Other times, the teacher provides the question. Either way, questions must be able to be investigated in a classroom setting. Teachers will likely have to modify student questions into ones that can be answered by students with the resources available, while being mindful of the curriculum. 2. Learners give priority to evidence, allowing them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically-oriented questions. Science uses empirical evidence as the basis for explanations about how the natural world works. Importance is placed on getting accurate data and from observations. To make observations, scientists take measurements in natural settings, or in laboratories. The accuracy of the evidence collected is verified by checking measurements, repeating the observations, or gathering different kinds of data related to the same phenomenon. Evidence collected is then subject to questioning and further investigations. Within the classroom setting, students should follow similar guidelines during their laboratory experiences. 3. Learners formulate explanations form evidence to address scientifically oriented questions. Scientific explanations should be based on reason. They provide causes for effects and establish relationships based on evidence and logical argument and must be consistent with the observations and evidence collected. Explanations are ways to learn what is unfamiliar by relating what is observed to what is already known. For science, this means building upon the existing knowledge base. For students, this means building new ideas upon their current prior knowledge and understandings. 4. Learners evaluate their explanations in light of alternative explanations, particularly those reflecting scientific understanding. Evaluation, and possible elimination or revision of explanations, is one feature that distinguishes scientific from other forms of inquiry and subsequent explanations. Examples of questions one may ask are: â€Å"Does the evidence support the proposed explanations?†, or â€Å"Can other reasonable explanations be derived for the evidence?† An essential component of this characteristic is ensuring that students make the connection between their results and scientific knowledge. 5. Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations. Scientists communicate their results in such a way that their results can be reproduced. This requires clear articulation of the question, procedures, evidence, proposed explanation, and review of alternative explanations. Having students share their explanations provides others the opportunity to ask questions, examine evidence, identify faulty reasoning, point out statements that go beyond the evidence, and suggest alternative explanations for the same observations. As a result of this communication, students can resolve contradictions and solidify an empirically based argument.

Essay on the Holy Prophet

A prophet means a messenger of God to mankind. The mission of a prophet’s life is to spread the Word of God. The total number of such prophets is one lac and twenty four thousand. The Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him) was the last messenger of God to the whole world. The Holy Prophet was born in Arabia‘ in 571 A. D. He was named Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The Arabs were a race of wild tribes. They led a cruel life. They burried their newly-born daughters alive.They ill-treated women, orphans and slaves. They worshipped Idols. They were addicted to wine, adultery gambling, and bloody quarrels. The Holy Prophet was sent by God to set these bad people right. He hated their cruel ways. He worked hard to reform them. He changed their habits and manners by his own shinning example. He taught them to speak the truth, to showed, mercy to the poor and the sufferers to respect women and to be kind to children. At the age of forty, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had revelations .By dint of this high character, nobility of mind, his truthfulness and broad humanity he gained some disciples. He began his great missionary work and started preaching the gospel of God. His followers grew from day to day. The Holy Prophet was called Sadiq (Truthful) and Ameen (Trustee) even by his enemies because of his honesty and straight-forwardness. The Prophet married a widow Khadija by name who embraced Islam and stood by the Holy Prophet throughout her life. The old idol-worshippers tried their best to harm and tease him.They wanted even to kill him. The Prophet fled to Madina in the company of Hazrat Abu Bakar, This day of exodus marks the dawn of the Islamic Hijra (Exodus). Madina became the centre of the Islamic activity of the Prophet. He gained many followers there. He mobilised them into a small army. He challenged several hundred of thousands of his enemies with the help of that small band and inflicted defeat after defeat upon them. At Iast the Holy Prophet entered Makkah as a victor. He showed grace and mercy to all the Makkans and proclaimed general amnesty.Thus he set a shining example of humanity and high mindedness before the world. The Prophet taught his followers a simple code of life. He wanted them to live peacefuly, serve others, speak the truth and help the needy. His life is a living source of inspirations to the world. Lives of great men all remind us. We can make our lives subime. And departing leave behind us. Footprints on the sands of time. No life – history of any man has such an inspiring record of the day-to-day events as the simple but stirring story of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Health of Indigenous Peoples Essay

This essay seeks to demonstrate that whilst Indigenous health policy may have been on the Australian public policy agenda since the1960s, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health has remained. A brief description of the lives of Indigenous Australians prior to the colonisation of Australia is given, followed by a description of various policies that have been introduced by the Australian government to combat these inequalities. This essay demonstrates why these policies have been inadequate, in turn highlighting why the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge in creating Indigenous health policies is important. This essay closes with a brief examination of the Closing the Gap policy, which is utilising the knowledge of Indigenous Australians in creating culturally sensitive Indigenous health policies. In conclusion, this essay demonstrates that by including Indigenous Australians in the policymaking process, we might be starting to close the gap. The health inequality of Indigenous Australians has long been a concern for Australia and the world. Whilst the overall health of Australia has continued to improve, the health of Indigenous Australians remains at levels below those of non-indigenous Australians. Whilst it may seem that there is a lot being done to address these issues, the statistics demonstrate that policies implemented to address these issues have not been effective (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). The thesis of this essay is that whilst the government has been seen as attempting to address the issues of health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, it is only in recent times that the government has implemented programs that are anywhere near close to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. To demonstrate this thesis, this essay will firstly discuss the history of Indigenous health prior to colonisation. This will be done to highlight how Indigenous health has declined dramatically since colonisation. This essay will then discuss what the government has been doing since the 1967 referendum, in which Indigenous Australians were formally recognised in the Constitution, to address issues of health inequalities (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010). In the next section, a discussion on the reasons why there is a large gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous health will occur. This will be followed by a discussion on the utilisation of Indigenous knowledge to provide adequate health services. This essay will finally discuss the current Closing The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011), which has been introduced to address issues that previous policies have failed to. This will be done to highlight the fact that whilst it may seem that as the Indigenous population require the knowledge and assistance of its non-indigenous counter parts, what is evident is that health of Indigenous populations has in fact declined since the colonisation of Australia. Failing to recognise the correlation between colonisation and declining health of Indigenous people, will only see a continuation of the problem rather than seeing a positive change. Whilst the information pertaining to the health of Indigenous Australians prior to colonisation in 1788 appears to be scarce, what is known is that Indigenous health has been on the decline since the arrival of European settlers. Indigenous Australians were considered to be healthier than those of their colonisers (Flood 2006, p. 120). Prior to colonisation, there was no contact with the outside world and therefore infectious diseases were minimal. Due to the introduction of new illnesses from colonisation, the population of Indigenous Australians declined (Carson 2007, p. 43). It was also common for Indigenous women to contract sexual diseases from the often non-consensual contact with the colonisers (Carson 2007, p. 44). Health was also impacted upon by change in diet. Prior to colonisation, Indigenous Australians maintained a diet of protein and vegetables due to the animals and plants available to them (Flood 2006, p.120), as well as the exercise they maintained from hunting and gathering (Flood 2006, p. 122). After colonisation, the Indigenous diet included many foods which saw an increase in obesity, diabetes and heart disease (O’Dea 1991, p. 233). It was not just the introduction of disease and change in die that impacted upon Indigenous Australians’ health. Anthropological studies surrounding Indigenous culture have shown that Indigenous populations have close ties to the land, as the land is incorporated into their sense of being. Pieces of land belonged to particular groups of individuals, and the objects from the natural landscape were considered to be part of their history (Carson 2007, p. 180). It was the failure of colonisers to understand this worldview that has contributed to the deterioration of mental health amongst Indigenous Australians, as they were forced off their lands and into settlements and reserves (Carson 2007, p. 49). This contributed to the feeling of being disconnected from land and family, exacerbating feelings of not be longing, lack of identity and low self-esteem (Ypinazar et al.2007,p. 474). As one can see, the issue of health amongst Indigenous Australians is a complex one, complicated by the differing world views of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It is due to this lack of understanding that has resulted in a myriad of health policies that have attempted to address the issue of health inequality of Indigenous Australians. The first health policy to address the health issues of Indigenous Australians was implemented in 1968, with thirty five adjustments made between then and 2006. Without going into the details of every amendment or new policy, what was common throughout this timeline, was that there were various bodies and institutions created to address the issues that had not been adequately addressed previously, responsibilities were allocated by the government to the states and territories, and programs were implemented to address health issues. Change in governments also meant that policies were constantly changing, which meant that the ways in which health issues were seen and therefore addressed also changed (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet 2010). When attempting to implement a policy that will adequately address the issue, what has been found is that comparative analysis has been used to determine how health issues have been addressed in other countries. Whilst this kind of analysis may be sufficient in some circumstances, it does not suit such a situation where our Indigenous population’s culture and worldview is unlike that of any other. For example, whilst health issues may be similar to those of Indigenous populations elsewhere, worldviews which impact upon health and wellbeing will vary and may not be able to be applied from one culture to another (Tsey et al.2003, p. 36). One event that highlights the differing views on how issues should be addressed, was the closing down of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) by the John Howard Government in 2004 (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet2010). What was significant about this was that Indigenous health policy had been the responsibility of ATSIC. This action effectively removed the responsibility of Indigenous health from the Indigenous people and placed the responsibility with mainstream departments that were also responsible for non-indigenous health. By doing this, the government had  wound back many years of work to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, perceiving Indigenous Australians as a culture that could not look after themselves and needed instead the knowledge and expertise of the superior colonialists (Kay & Perrin 2007, p. 19). By removing the responsibility of Indigenous health from ATSIC and placing it in the hands of a body that was also responsible for non-indigenous health, the government failed to understand the intricacies of Indigenous Australian culture and the implications that this kind of action can have on Indigenous health. Whilst the overall health of Australians is amongst the top third of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 8). There is a clear disparity between Indigenous and non-indigenous health, when one considers that even in this day and age of modern medicine, Indigenous Australians are expected to live twelve years less than their non-indigenous counterparts for males, and ten years less for females (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). So what are considered to be the reasons for this inequality? What has already been highlighted, is that Indigenous health has suffered from the introduction to changes in diet, introduction of diseases both airborne and venereal, and the impact upon mental health due to dispossession of land and loss of kinship. Mental health issues can also be connected to the economic and social disadvantage of many Indigenous individuals, which can lead to substance abuse and other issues (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 33). The failure to adequately address mental health issues has resulted in deaths by suicide being the second biggest reason for deaths by injury (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 30). These figures demonstrate that policies have clearly not been working. A salient point to note is that Indigenous Australians are the least likely group of the whole population, to access important health services. So what are the reasons behind this lack of access to services? It can be as simple as the kind of service that an individual receives. From personal experience of serving Indigenous customers, tone of voice can be misinterpreted. What may be considered polite in most circumstances, can be misconstrued as being conceited by others. Use of language can also be a barrier. For example, (again from personal experience), language has to be altered to manoeuvre these barriers, such as replacing the term ‘bank account’ with the word ‘kitty’. Other barriers may include the fact that in remote communities, health professionals may also be the town judge, which may deter Indigenous people from accessing the services from a person who might have also been responsible for sentencing an individual or a member of their family (Paul 1998, p.67). Barriers such as the remote locations of individuals in comparison to the services, and the cost of services also have to be taken into account. For example, if a service is some distance away from an individual, the cost of travelling may be too high. The cost of services close by may also be too expensive for individuals, or individuals may receive poor treatment due to either being turned away from services, or mistreatment due to racialist beliefs. This may result in individuals travelling long distances due to this very mistreatment in their own communities (Paul 1998, pp.67-68). The misconception that all Indigenous Australians are one group of people can also result in culturally inadequate services, deterring individuals from accessing important health services (Paul 1998, p. 68). This lack of understanding about Indigenous cultures when providing health services has resulted in a rise in the provision of health services that are either run by Indigenous individuals, or have been created in consultation with Indigenous individuals, to ensure that the services being provided are culturally adequate. An example that highlights this can be seen in the creation of a program in 1998in the Northern Territory that was attempting to address the health inequalities of Indigenous children (Campbell et al 2005, p. 153). There were many problems with this programme because the people that were overseeing the programme did not have cultural knowledge that was a factor in the health and wellbeing of the children. What resulted was a program which was implemented in an Indigenous remote community, which utilised the knowledge of Indigenous people from the community itself. This allowed for the programme to be altered when issues were addressed and individuals within the community were able to provide solutions to issues, rather than being told what was going to happen by an outside authority (Campbell etal. 2005, p. 155). Whilst this programme realised that a bottom-up approach was more beneficial than a top-down one which usually occurs in policy implementation, there were issues because the programme also involved people from the outside that were there to manage the programme, who were unwilling to give total control to the community, generating feelings of disempowerment, resentment and marginalisation (Campbell et al. 2005, p. 156). Whilst there are many examples of programs that have been implemented to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, one that deserves mentioning because of success that it has had are the men’s groups in Yaba Bimbie and Ma’Ddaimba Balas (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 160). What was found was that these programs were successful because they were run by Indigenous men who had direct knowledge of the cultural issues and needs of the community as they also lived there. They were also successful because the men felt included in their communities by having control, rather than being controlled by an outside source. Due to these men’s groups, individuals were able to come together and share their concerns about their community, and as the others also were from the same community, they were able to contribute to solutions to the problems by feeling able to speak freely about their concerns. One such concern was anger management issues, which were exacerbated by the social issues that the individuals faced (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 163). Whilst, issues like this may seem to be separate, they in fact contribute to other areas, as has been mentioned earlier in regards to mental health and suicide, which flow on to other members of the community, when there may be no one in the family who is able to earn an income, which contributes to poverty. This may in turn, render an individual unable to access services as previously mentioned. As one can see, when individuals who are directly impacted by issues, are included in finding solutions to address these issues, there is more success than when they are not included. It is the understanding of this that has seen the implementation of the Close The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011). This policy is based on the understanding that the concept of health is different in the eyes of Indigenous Australians than that of non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare2009). This policy has sought to reduce the gap of inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians by reducing the gap in life expectancy by 2031, halving mortality rates of children by2018, ensuring equal access to early childhood education by 2013, halving the gap in the area of inability to read and write by 2018, halving the gap of individuals who attain their Year 12 education by 2020 and halving the gap of unemployment rates by 2018 (Gillard2011, p. 2). Various programmes have been implemented to address these issues, with a common theme of inclusion. That is, the programs all involve Indigenous Australians who have a better cultural understanding than non-indigenous Australians. This has allowed for individuals to work with their own communities, various levels of government, non-government organisations and businesses (Gillard 2011, p. 6). By doing so, it has provided individuals with a sense of control and purpose over their own lives, which has seen a decrease in the mortality rates of Indigenous Australians (Gillard2011, p. 12), as well as a reduction in the rates of reading and writing problems (Gillard 2011, p. 14). There has also been a significant increase in the numbers of Indigenous Australians aiming towards their Year 12 qualifications (Gillard 2011, p. 16), as well as a decrease in the number of unemployed in the Indigenous population (Gillard 2011, p. 17). Whilst these figures are promising, one has to look at some of the programs that have been implemented as a result of this policy, to see if lessons have been learned from past mistakes, or if similar mistakes are being made. One such program that is deemed to be addressing issues of inequality is the Welfare Payment Reform act, which allowed the government to withhold portions of welfare payments (Gruenstein 2008, p. 468). This was to ensure that portions of the payment were going to required living expenses before going to things such as alcohol. Whilst this may seem as though it is an important step in addressing issues within communities, what is important to note is that policies such as these are in direct violation of the Racial Discrimination Convention because they directly target Indigenous individuals solely because they are Indigenous and are not necessarily in need of intervention (Gruenstein, 2008, p. 469). Whilst the Closing the Gap policy has good intentions, it can result in actions that treat Indigenous Australians as a homogenous group, rather than recognising the variation of issues. In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that Australia has come a long way in addressing the issues of inequality amongst Indigenous Australians. It has been demonstrated that Indigenous Australians were in good health prior to colonisation, and only since colonisation has the health of Indigenous Australians has declined. This essay has also shown that the different governments have varied between allowing Indigenous Australians self-determination, or be included in the process of policy making, to the government seizing control of the issues, excluding the Indigenous community from decision making. Whilst it has been shown that the government has been addressing issues for well over 40 years, it has only been in recent times that issues of inequality have begun to be adequately addressed. By understanding that it is Indigenous Australians who are better able to understand their issues, which stem from the actions of non-indigenous peoples and allowing Indigenous Australians to take control of their own lives, will we start to close the gap of health inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.