Abstract The paper explores the elements of a major job redesign, specifically focusing on the claims processor specialist position (CPS) with Allstate Insurance and how a possible redesign of the position would benefit all that are involved. The paper shows how this proposed redesign should appropriately address and increase satisfaction for both the employee and the company.
Outline:
Introduction
Potential Job Redesign Approaches
New Major Components, Tasks and Responsibilities of a CPS Recommendations for Successful Implementation
From the Paper "When a claim is first reported by the insured it is handled in Allstate's Call Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This report is commonly referred to as the First Notice Of Loss or the FNOL. Once the claim has been established the controller assigns the claim to its specific geographical region in the country. For a Claims Processor Specialist there are a wide variety of tasks that range from ordering police and fire reports, investigating prior losses, following up with the insured for various pieces of information, sending out denial letters from the adjuster, and fielding live telephone calls from insured customers, Allstate agents, mitigation companies and public adjusters."
Abstract The paper examines how Gershoff conducted a meta-analytic study, which investigated the effect of parental corporal punishment (CP) on children. Gershoff found that parents who spank their children risk long-term harm that outweighs the short-term benefits of instant obedience. The paper discusses how professionals do not all agree on whether CP outweighs any potential hazards and lasting effects on children. This has inspired debates about what effects CP has and does not have on children, what is the definition of CP, and what child behaviors and experiences are associated with parental CP. This paper explores whether CP promotes positive and adaptive behaviors in children or if CP leads to other undesirable anti-social behavior in children.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Source of the Problem
Significance of the Problem
Feasibility of the Problem for Study
Scope of the Literature Review
Theoretical Context of the Problem
Hypotheses/Research Questions
Variables of Interest
Methodology
Control of Extraneous Variables
Assessing Internal and External Validity
Sampling Design
Measurement Instruments
Sources of Measurement Error
Ethical Considerations
Data Analysis
Presentation of Results; Use of Tables
Interpretation of Results
Communicating Findings
Limitations of the Study
Alternative Explanations
Implications for the practitioner
Implications for further research
From the Paper "Currently, research on the effects of parental corporal punishment on youth remains a controversial issue. We do not adequately understand yet a lot about parental discipline. For example, if spanking conveys the message to the child that violence is permissible to resolve conflicts, the same could be said of other forms of discipline. Likewise, putting a child in time-out would convey the message that it is permissible to restrict the liberty of a person who displeases one, and fines could convey the idea that it is okay to take something away from another person when one was unhappy with them, etc. Research data argues that there is a difference between a responsible adult authority legitimately punishing wrongdoing and individuals indiscriminately beating up those who frustrate them. Research supports that many children are capable of understanding this difference in context."
Abstract This paper discusses cerebral palsy (CP), a range of disabilities caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years of life. The paper explains that CP is characterized by a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. The paper defines the disorder and presents statistics of the prevalence of CP in the United States. A brief history of CP is provided and the possible causes of the disorder are examined. The paper explores several medical breakthroughs in the field.
Outline
Introduction
Definition and Prevalence of the Disorder
Variations of Cerebral Palsy
History
Causes
Medical Breakthroughs
Conclusion
From the Paper "Cerebral palsy, because it influences the way children develop, is called a developmental disability; it is more prevalent in the United States today than any other developmental disability, with about two out of every thousand children born in the United States exhibiting some form of cerebral palsy. Approximately 500,000 people in the United States have some degree of cerebral palsy, with 5,000 infants and toddlers and 1,200 to 1,500 preschoolers diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year. The United States has not system for monitoring the incidence of cerebral palsy, so there is no way to know if the incidence is increasing, decreasing or relatively static (About cerebral palsy Web site). "
Abstract This paper examines how children are the most vulnerable members of society and how, throughout history, they have been exploited both physically and mentally. It looks at how Child Protective Services (CPS) exists to curtail or prevent children from being abused and how it allows citizens to report the abuse of children. It also examines the history of the relationship between CPS and the public school system, as well as recent history of CPS as it relates to the foster care system.
Outline
Introduction
History of Child Protective Services
Recent History: When Children Are Removed from Their Homes
Conclusion
From the Paper "Bridgeland and Duane (1993) explain that those that work at the school are often taken aback by the hostility that they may receive from the parents. Some of the school professionals mentioned in the study feared that parents would file lawsuits (Bridgeland and Duane 1993). The researchers explain that the uneasiness of the school professionals "can divert social-service people from child protection and into attempting some "psychic first-aid" to school staff. As one protective-service respondent suggested, more school districts could, through school in-service, provide legal information and coping strategies (Bridgeland and Duane 1993).""
Abstract This paper looks at how cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor development. A brief introduction to cerebral palsy is provided. The paper describes the different types of CP and outlines the possible causes of the illness. The paper focuses on the specific effects of cerebral palsy on motor development through a review of the measures used by clinicians to assess cerebral palsy.
From the Paper "Cerebral palsy is a general term for a variety of disorders caused by damage to the brain (Schuelein, 2002). The damage occurs before or during birth or in the first few years of life, and may cause severe crippling, or the symptoms may be so mild that they hardly interfere with the patient's activities (Schuelein, 2002). There are several types of cerebral palsy, and all involve lack of muscle control: common effects of the disorder include a clumsy walk, lack of balance, shaking, jerky movements, and unclear speech (Schuelein, 2002). In many patients, the brain damage also causes mental retardation, learning disability, seizures, and problems in sight and hearing (Schuelein, 2002)."
Abstract A six part paper on the issue of child abuse. The paper defines and offers a history of child abuse. It then evaluates why child abuse exists according to control theory and anomy theory and how socialization agents such as educational/school systems, family, mass media, and peer groups may intervene to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of child abuse is outlined. Finally it reviews the consequences for society/social institutions and future generations if child abuse is not eliminated or reduced.
From the Paper "Utilizing the principles of anomie theory in relation to child abuse, it could be argued that individuals who have become alienated, apathetic, and personal distress as a result of experiencing an emotional and/or financial loss due to the loss of a family member, job, or lover may be more likely to abuse their child. For example, an individual may be laid off from his or her job, become depressed and/or extremely alienated or apathetic, and then turn to alcohol and/or drugs for comfort. Given the alcohol and/or drugs tend to be a depressant, an individual may become overly sensitive and unable to control his or her emotions, which may lead that individual to abuse his or her child as a result of losing his or her perceived function, goals, position, purpose, or status in life."
Abstract "Couch potato (cp)" behavior is operationally defined as sitting and watching TV. The goal of the program presented in this paper is to modify this behavior towards participation in an exercise program. A self-observation log demonstrates "couch potato" behavioral antecedents, an operational definition of the target behavior and behavioral consequences. Cognitive-behavioral modification is discussed and the program is stated. Effectiveness of the intervention is then discussed.
From the Paper "Week one would consist of new thoughts such as "TV is not the only way to relax, this is a lie, the truth is that TV is contributing to my fatigue." Positive affirmations were to be employed as immediate and continuous reinforcements, such as "I'm feeling better each day with my new activities. I'm doing a great job." TV watching was to be cut down to half hour periods per week day and two hour periods for weekend days. Stimulus control was employed and junk foods were to be removed from the premises to avoid visual cues leading to poor eating behaviors. New foods were to be purchased, such as fruit juice in place of alcoholic beverages, nuts and fruits in place of chips; actual changes in meals would be dealt with later. Lifestyle changes for the first week would include using the stairs at work and school instead of the elevator, since walking up stairs is found to burn twice the calories of jogging behavior and it would serve as an aerobic exercise activity."
Abstract This paper describes three companies in three different sectors that are pursuing a deliberate strategy and three that are pursuing an emergent strategy. The first part of the paper looks at examples of deliberate strategy, whereby the decisions are initiated from within a company and accord with the company's intrinsic goals. The paper then explores three companies that use emergent strategy, where the company continually shifts its strategy in line with the market's needs.
From the Paper "An apparel company that is currently using an emergent strategy is Vans, which is continually shifting its strategy. In the arena of youth fashion in which Vans operates, producing shoes as well a clothes for the segment of the youth market that associates itself with skateboarding, being the "in" label is the most important thing. It is the most important thing for the company but it is also the most important thing for those who wear Vans products. There is actually relatively little that a company can do to guarantee this "in" status: Such a designation as being in is made by the young men (and some very few young women) who identify with this brand."
Abstract This paper reviews multiple articles that deal with paralegals. It addresses issues relating to paralegals and paralegal work, such as paralegal billing, outsourcing of paralegal work, expected behavior of paralegals within legal firms, paralegal certification and tips for success in an ever-changing career. The main points of each article are enumerated.
From the Paper "Certification has become well-established in hundreds of professions over many decades throughout the United States. The earliest of these designations were created during the 1930s and 1940s, and they represented traditional and readily identifiable
careers such as those in architecture and engineering. Since that time, professional associations have considered and developed numerous certification categories for
practitioners in their respective fields, and in recent years, the creation of designations has expanded dramatically, according to the National Certification Commission. For example, four new categories were introduced by the American Correctional Association for its Correctional Certification Program between 1999 and 2002: certified
corrections executive (CCE), certified corrections manager (CCM), certified corrections supervisor (CCS) and certified corrections officer (CCO)."
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of child abuse, describing the different kinds of abuse that occur and citing various cases of abuse that have been taken to court. The paper also points out that the first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. In addition, the paper reminds us that when someone suspects that any child is being harmed, she should report her concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as Child Protective Services (CPS), in the State where the child resides.
From the Paper "The child welfare system is a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to successfully care for their children. Child welfare systems are complex and their specific procedures vary widely by State. However in each state the physical and emotional welfare of children is of primary importance in each state's child welfare system."
Abstract The paper reveals that over 7,000 deaths occur a year due to medication errors! The paper discusses unclear medical abbreviations as well as other prescription errors, such as no directions or no strength advised. The paper also discusses the accuracy of e-prescribing but points out that it still represents only a very small amount of prescriptions written each year. The paper then relates that problems arise with abbreviations and acronyms of medical conditions such as the abbreviation CP that can stand for many diseases. The paper asserts that it is disconcerting that the American Medical Association (AMA) is moving so slowly on this issue, considering the amount of deaths that occur.
From the Paper "The whole point of going to a healthcare provider is to get better, not become more ill or even die because someone misread a medication prescription. Unfortunately, that is too often the case. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, over 7,000 deaths occur a year due to medication errors. These errors can happen anywhere in the medication-use system, from prescribing to administering a drug in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and homecare services. As a result, in 2006 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched a nationwide health professional education campaign in order to reduce the number of common but preventable sources of medication mistakes caused by using unclear medical abbreviations."
Abstract The paper explores the role of the child protection agencies in protecting our children and questions whether state laws are helping or hindering the process. The paper explains the types of abuse and presents research data that demonstrates the increase in child abuse every year. The paper also reviews the history of child abuse and discusses the challenges that are faced today by the child protection system and what can be done to improve the child protective services (CPS).
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
History of Child Abuse
Types of Abuse
What Factors Contribute to Child Abuse?
Understanding the Impact of Historic Policies on Child Maltreatment
Child Abuse and Neglect Laws and State Statutes
The Role of Child Protective Services
The Consequences of Child Abuse
Social Intervention Strategies
Conclusion
Recommendations for Policy Changes
From the Paper "According to Tzeng et al (1991) children throughout history have been the victims of child abuse. There have even been some archeological findings that have suggested that child abuse existed as far back as prehistoric times. In many societies corporal punishment was seen as the norm and was used to discipline children. Child abuse has also been used to educate children as it pertains to cultural and religious ideas and morals. The corporal punishment or abuse of children was also utilized to please gods or expel unwanted spirits.
"The author points out that in the rituals of ancient Greeks and Romans children were sacrificially killed. In addition in some civilizations fathers, in accordance with the Patria Protestas of 700 B.C., could legally trade, maim, or kill their children if the so desired. Children were also killed in Ancient Greek Societies when they were found to be deformed or retarded because it was believed that such children would weaken the society. This was allowed because children were believed to be property."