Abstract This paper applies the Gibbs Reflective Model to a hypothetical clinical encounter. The writer explains that the Gibbs Reflection Model is one of several procedures that allow a professional nurse to assess professional competence through the analysis of a clinical encounter. The writer discusses the attributes of the Gibbs Reflection Model, that is a six element cycle through which a professional service deliverer can identify, reflect on and assess professional competency. A clinical encounter is assessed in this paper through application of the Gibbs Reflective Model in a professional nursing scenario.
Abstract This paper discusses Edmund Burke's book, "Reflection on the Revolution in France". It examines the claims of inconsistency against him for opposing it while supporting the American Revolution. The paper also identifies some of Burke's predictions, many of which were borne out by the course of the Revolution.
From the Paper "Edmund Burke was a man who expressed his own mind without regard for anyone else's approval. It was this trait that made his views in "Reflection on the Revolution in France" difficult for those who ..."
Tags: Edmund Burke, Reflection on the Revolution in France, reactionary, predictions, criticisms
Abstract This paper explains Alfred Marshall's theory regarding economies of scale, which created a distinction between internal and external economies. The paper explains what is meant by internal and external economies and what factors are responsible for them. The paper then explains why firms tend to benefit from economies of scale and why larger firms are usually in a better position to take advantage of economies of scale. Microsoft is cited as an example of one such firm. In addition, this paper looks at the concept of barriers to entry. The concept is defined in the context of competition, and examples are used to illustrate how barriers work.
From the Paper "Economies of scale almost kill competition because it tends to favor larger firms in an industry. Very often large firms would use their competitive and financial advantage to crush competition in the market. This situation arises because of "absolute-capital-requirement effect" (Bain, 1956, p. 55) This means that due to the high level of investment required for reaching the same level as bigger firms, most smaller firms stand to lose when bigger firms create more internal economies of scale."
Abstract This paper outlines the steps involved in constructing a Likert (1932) scale to evaluate university students' attitude towards vivisection and addresses issues both within the scale itself and in the broader context of all measurements of attitude. Ultimately, it questions the usefulness of attitude scales in light of their unavoidable limitations given the complexity of the hypothetical construct they seek to evaluate.
From the Paper "Reliability interacts with validity and where reliability is high ("equal to or more than .80" - Oppenheim, B, 1988), as with the Likert scale, validity will tend to be also, but its fundamental shortcoming, which it shares with other attitude scales, is that construct validity of the attitude concept itself is questionable. No external factual criterion exists against which declared attitudes may be defined and calibrated: for example, group membership or voting habits - seemingly objective measures - may be mediated by situational or pragmatic factors (Oppenheim, 1966). Declared attitude, as measured by self-report rating scales, may not wholly - or at all - correspond to the attitude held and thus it follows that predictive validity also tends to be poor."
A summary of the article "Adaptation, Culture Scale, and the Environmental Crisis" by M.Sahlins and E.R Service which gives an insight into how the scale of a culture dictates how that culture will adapt to its environment.
750 words (approx. 3 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 26.95
Abstract The paper discusses the article "Adaptation, Culture Scale, and the Environmental Crisis" by M.Sahlins & E.R Service. It looks at the interaction of culture and the environment and the role that this interaction plays in damaging the environment and depleting resources. It also examines the character and scope of the world's current environmental crisis.
From the Paper "This quote raises some of the most salient points that are brought out further in the article. First, it notes that the scale of the culture and the concentration of social power have very little to do with the longevity of a civilization on an evolutionary timescale. Second, the quote brings to mind the scale of resource depletion and environmental degradation that accompany large and powerful cultures. Simply put, large, powerful cultures have often depleted their natural resources, and polluted their environment to the extent that their civilization has collapsed."
Tags: civilizations, social, power, cultural, evolution, natural, world
Abstract This paper discusses how standardized testing has become a norm for structuring studies on human behaviors and, in particular, examines the "Wechsler Memory Scale-Third Edition" (WMS-III), a scale for assessing learning and memory functions in adults between 16 and 89 years old. Through a literature review, it attempts to evaluate the usefulness of the WMS-III as practical instrument for extensive research by assessing its advantages and disadvantages.
From the Paper "In most assessment tools the tests rely on specific structured procedures and instructions so that the administrators can read the results in accordance to the problem as the criteria. Experience with the tests as well as understanding of the test procedure is important because as participants would want to ask test administrators of the role of the factors that are associated with the tests and also what is expected of the participants during the process. In psychological tests for example administrators must be motivated to identify the utility of the test exercise in order to help support the participants to pay more attention on the criteria set by the test."
Tags: tests, tools, instruments, learning, research
Abstract This paper provides a detailed overview of acids and bases in the pH scale, including the history, characteristics, types, and Ka values with chemistry and biology applications. The paper covers seven main parts: the history starting with the Romans; the definition of both an acid and a base; the characteristics of acids and bases; types of acids and bases; how to determine an acid number; the relationship between acids and bases to the pH scale; and aqueous and self-ionization solutions. I. Introduction A. What do acids and alkalines have in common? 1.To test whether temperature affected the acidity of different liquids. 2. The complexity and fascination of such project. 3. If different types of liquids were utilized, then temperature would certainly make a difference, however minimal. II. History A. The history of acids have dated back centuries. 1. The Romans first coined the term acidus. 2. Lavoisier's work with acids. 3. Predecessors, such as Arrhenius. III. Definition of acid A. The definition of acids have been controversial at times. 1. The Arrhenius definition 2. The Bronsted definition 3. The Lewis definition IV. Characterizing acids in general B. The nature of acids 1. Sourness 2. Dissolving in water V. Types of Acids A. Strong acids 1. Fundamental characteristics. 2. Dangerous 3. Larger Ka values B. Weak acids 1. Fundamental characteristics 2. Smaller Ka values 3. Equilibrium watch VI. Characterizing Bases. A. Bases are the opposite of acids 1. The Arrhenius definition 2. Characteristics B. Strong and weak bases VII. Acidity A. Acid number has a lot of relation to everything else 1. Determining acid number 2. Acid numbers importance B. pH is the epitome of research 1. Aqueous solution 2. Self- ionization 3. Definitions
From the Paper "What do acids and alkaline truly have in common? The history of the understanding of an acid is relatively old. Dating back to the Roman Empire days, came the word that we derived acid from, acidus, meaning sour. Around the 1800s, French chemists erroneously believed that all acids contained oxygen, including the famed Antoine Lavoisier. Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist in the mid 1800s and a Nobel laureate, did a few experimentations with acids, and came up with concocting a definitive, chemically sound definition of an acid. Later on, in the 20th century, the partners Bronsted and Lowry initiated theories about acids using and published the acid-based concept. The most pragmatic research of acids and bases came from the American chemist Gilbert Lewis. Ever since then, the idea of acids and base has been widely recognized, although the definitions of such terms have been rather controversial."
Abstract This paper discusses and evaluates the benefits of economies of scale (companies with huge production and supply capacity) in the global automobile industry. According to Alfred Marshall, there are two factors influencing the economies of scale, the internal and the external. This paper examines these two different factors.
From the Paper "It's clear that a company that provides economies of scale reduce the average cost per unit through increased production because of fixed costs, which are splitted up between increased number of goods. But it does not mean that all costs are decreasing likethe average. When average costs are falling the marginal cost must be below the average cost curve; when average costs are rising, the marginal cost must be above the average cost curve.
It's nessery to admit that the achieving of economies of scale in production can represent a deviation away from the assumption of perfectly competitive markets. In perfect competitive markets, it is assumed that production takes place with constant returns to scale. This means that the unit-cost of production remains constant even the scale of production increases. If that assumption is changed, it can open up the possibility of increasing profits and smart relations among entities."
Abstract Many education districts in the United States use an individually administered Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition, commonly referred to as the WISC-III. The score from this test is used as the determinant factor as to whether or not to allow these students to enter the gifted program in their district. The paper shows that, in more recent years, this method has come under fire by education specialists, as well as parents, as being to limiting in its scope and ability to identify a gifted child. Some believe it is used because it is one of the easiest evaluation methods, taking about an hour in a room with the child. Others believe it is a mistaken belief by advocates of the test that it is the only true way to measure one's intellectual ability and, therefore, giftedness. This paper presents a proposed study of the validity of using the WISC-III for the purpose of choosing students for gifted programs in schools.
From the Paper "For example, in some states, gifted students must have an IQ of 130 or higher; some states require achievement test scores at the 95th percentile or higher; in other states, students must score at or above the 98th percentile. Further, some states identify the highest 3% of the student population; other states identify 5%(Ford, 1998). Some states require schools to use four sources or types of information during the decision-making process; others require five sources or types of information. Thus, a student can be identified as gifted in one state (or even neighboring school district), but not in another based upon the definition adopted. Further, when and how that student is screened, identified, and served varies from one school district to another(Ford, 1998)."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the book "Success in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises", a report written by Cortes, Berry, and Ishaq on a research project undertaken and published by the World Bank. The paper discusses the main findings of the study, which set out to explain the escalated growth of selected businesses, in comparison to large industries, during the 1970s in Colombia.
From the Paper "Cortes, Berry, and Ishaq in "Success in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises" set out to explain the escalated growth of these businesses, in comparison to large industries, during the 1970s in Colombia. This book is a report on a research project undertaken and published by the World Bank. The data used in the study are mainly based on surveys of the metal-working and food processing industries. Determinants of efficiency in these industries are examined, along with determinants of viability. Patterns and trends in firm size and distribution are explained by technological factors, demand factors, input supply factors, and constraints on the rate of exchange of output.
Abstract This paper proposes an educational program to address the learning needs associated with the application of the Braden scale for the nursing staff on the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHS) in Cleveland, Ohio. The rational for the educational program, the characteristics of the target audience, programs expected outcomes, learning outcomes, instructional design, applicable learning theory, and instructional and evaluation methods are discussed.
Outline:
Educational Topic
Target Audience
Program Outcome
Instructional Design
Instructional Method
Instructional Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
From the Paper "The goal of the proposed educational program is for the target audience to correctly identify and apply each category within the Braden scale to reduce pressure of the ulcer prevalence on the PCU at the Cleveland VHA. The first expected outcome will be an increase in utilization rate of the Braden scale within nursing assessments. The second expected outcome will be an increase in nursing actions taken to address identified high risk patients. The third expected outcome will be a decrease in the forward progression of pressure ulcers. The final expected outcome will be a documented trend of earlier detection of pressure ulcers. "
Abstract This paper relates that the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) measures three major aspects of hopelessness; feelings about the future, loss of motivation and expectations. The paper examines the evidence of the reliability of the BHS, the way the test is administered and the many ways that the utility of the test can be affected. The paper reveals that because of the reliability of the test, it continues to be used by psychiatric professionals in evaluating and measuring abstract hopelessness in patients that are suspected to exhibit suicidal ideations.
Outline:
Psychometric Characteristics
Practical Considerations
Discussion of Test Utility
From the Paper The psychometric characteristics of the test has been based on various sample groups of psychiatrically diagnosed and normal persons. These studies were conducted under the supervision of skilled and licensed psychiatric professionals. Much of the data of the test is based on samples that were "not diagnosed" according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (Beck, 1988) Though this is the case, professionals still feel this test is accurate enough as it is still widely used.
"The Beck hopelessness Scale (BHS) was developed by Aaron T. Beck and his associates to measure three major aspects of hopelessness; feelings about the future, loss of motivation and expectations. This test was originally developed to measure negative attitudes about the future in patients who were considered to be at risk for committing suicide: however, it is sometimes used in normal adolescence and adults. (Wikipedia, 2007) Evaluations of the BHS were conducted using the item-response theory. In two separate samples, the end result was identical."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of reflective learning and teaching in order to foster positive and lasting relationships with children when one is working with them in an educational setting. The paper reviews literature that suggests that a teacher must learn and reflect on his/ her achievements and abilities in order to be able to pass these important characteristics of self-reflection over to his/her students.
Table of Contents:
Social Learning
Cognitive Learning
Physical Learning
Reflective Learning
Reflective Interviews, Weekly, or Biweekly
Group Seminars
From the Paper "One main factor that brings reflective and experiential learning together in a significant way for the management of education is that both are forms of learning that are relatively independent of mediation. In this way, this learning extends beyond formal education and becomes very important in self-managed continuing professional development. These forms of learning also characterize much of the extensively ignored learning that happens in life beyond the formal systems of education - what the researchers call everyday learning in this book. If reflective and experiential learning are relatively independent of teaching, the researchers need to question the implications of that fact. (Moon, 2004, p. 74)"
Abstract Reflective practice involves thinking about and learning from one's own practice and from the practices of others so as to gain new perspectives on the dilemmas and contradictions inherent in one's educational situation. This paper discusses how, despite concerns earlier about the usefulness of reflective practice in teacher education, many schools, colleges, and departments of education have developed ways to incorporate reflective practice, not only into teacher preparation, but also into ongoing professional development.
From the Paper "There are different levels of reflective practice and different methods of incorporating it into teaching. Coaching and peer involvement are two aspects of reflective practice seen often at the pre-service level. Ferraro (2000) explain some of the ways that teacher educators can coach student teachers in reflective practice by using students? personal histories, dialogue journals, and group discussions about their experiences to help the students reflect upon and improve their practices. The reflective writings and peer group discussions have encouraged the student teachers to challenge existing theories and their own preconceived views of teaching. Critical reflection in group sessions is also helpful in in-service teaching. However, in addition to group sessions, other activities suggested include study teams and peer coaching where teachers continuously examine their assumptions and practices."
Abstract This paper examines architecture, acoustics and reflected sound. It explains how rooms and concert halls are designed to minimize reflected noise and enhance sound quality
