Research Topics: Research Methodology

Using the proposal, how does growing up as an adolescent in a violent environment make you become cruel to animals? Identify and discuss how phenomenology would be applicable to your research

Using the proposal, how does growing up as an adolescent in a violent environment make you become cruel to animals? Identify and discuss how phenomenology would be applicable to your research     Ideally, one assumption can be that, upon growing up as an adolescent in a violent environment can possibly make me cruel to animals because of the fact that, the environment I’m a part is a violent environment and that experience can be the best teacher for me, adopting negative ways, and bad habits leading myself into doing cruel things to animals. But not all cases are with sane reason, it depends on how experience contribute to the situation, another it can be that the person was being bitten by animal when he was still a child for example, bitten by a dog have resulted cruelty to animals as one visible attitude of the person. Then, some are linked to research and its underlying processes. Moreover, the essence of phenomenology strikes into the situation as there integrate actual experience of the individual, recognizing how he interacts to the things around him and how these things have responded and vice versa. There is phenomenological influence, having an opinion that certain phenomenological perspective can provide adequate frame of reference. Aside, cruelty comes in as a result of experimental domain, and using animals as a subject of the study. The applicability of phenomenology into research are known accordingly in lieu to research approach and principles as there should be understood that diverse matter of looking the research matter and methods from determining that such scientific criteria are not needed and may assume communication issues to the behavior complex of the person. Furthermore, phenomenology speaks from within the perspective of one’s own composition, the description of problems are being indicated and there attempt of doing research on such phenomena basis. There is possibility to conduct clear experimentation into the framework of phenomenological research even though the execution of rigor will have to be examined. Research applicability of phenomenology are with specific challenge, allowing in articulating certain praxis of phenomenological study, being able to conceive innovative processes upon achieving the phenomena, from within theory centered obligation. Positivism towards research is achievable through applying phenomenology  as there grows from natural science and technology, the awareness of research matter is present in distinct and enough ways. There will be recognition of the universal description role within research grounds into transcending phenomenological time and that design are useful to have clear picture of the situation in research.   Visit a web site and, using readings under-mentioned, construct a brief analysis of what you find. Your tasks are to identify websites containing phenomenological themes. Look for patterns or words that repeat as well. Try to ascertain what the content of the web site tells us about the subject or people involved in the construction of these sites     From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy site, phenomenology is comprehensively discussed and analysed as there astounds to the central structure of an experience is its intentionality as by the virtue of its content or meaning, the word phenomena is used many times also indicated in some other sites of similar themes. As well as the word ‘experience’, denoting that phenomenology study are formed into the conscious perceptions. The known fact of discipline is visible from within the contemporary purview as the structure of these forms of experience have the directedness of experience toward things in the world, the property of consciousness that it is consciousness of or about something. ‘Phenomenology then leads into analyses of conditions of the possibility of intentionality, conditions involving motor skills and habits, background social practices, and often language, with its special place in human affairs’. There is about epistemology as phenomenology claims to achieve knowledge about the nature of consciousness, by means of intuition. There is about logic as there explicates the intentional or semantic force of ideal meanings, and propositional meanings are central to logical theory. Another, ontology leading into the mind and body problem as well as ethics from within ethical processes, the above discussions will help the researcher form a better organization and structure of his research study complete with empirical grounds and assimilation. Therefore, how a person understand certain theory, for instance the mind theory can be essential to the level of intentionality, semantics of thought and experience forming the very heart of phenomenology.   Citation Smith, David Woodruff (2008),  ‘Phenomenology’. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/phenomenology/   There can be other website pointing towards themes about phenomenology, it can be noted that, “phenomenology and research methodology for information behaviour research” as noted by Professor Wilson, TD from the works of  Schutz, Alfred. There explores about phenomenological sociology. There has been general assumption towards methods principles as there will be about research from discussions and analyses as being posted and the methods were being discussed from the foundation of knowledge. The most repeated words can deal with ‘phenomenology’ and the most repeated pattern can pertain to ‘phenomenological research’ , as there aims to experience consciousness upon seeking to understand how persons construct meaning and there is intersubjectivity notions. The content of the web site are telling the researcher about existence from where it can point out that several emphasis is on understanding person’s experience from within problematic situation. Daniels (2000), asserted that, “the people in question tell their own story, in their own terms. So “fidelity to the phenomenon as it is lived” means apprehending and understanding it in the lived context of the person living through the situation”. Thus, when speaking to phenomenology, methods are widely used, and put into consideration as Creswell (2006), have implied to the inquiry of research method as known. Thus, the website have discussed about interpreting methods as realized into the research process, the need to recognize ideal types of phenomenological research from analyzing questions to guide research mode.   Daniels, V. (2002), Lecture on phenomenology. Rhonert Park, CA: Sonoma State University, available at: <http://www.sonoma.edu/people/daniels/phenomlect.html> [Accessed 28th December 2001]   Citation Professor Wilson, TD (2002), Alfred Schutz, phenomenology and research methodology for information behaviour research http://informationr.net/tdw/publ/papers/schutz02.html There is understanding of narrative accounts and qualitative interview methods as appropriate to phenomenological data. Indeed, qualitative inquiry and analysis are found like, upon using the SPSS tool. Phenomenology demand certain nature of human experience and the meaning that people attach to experiences. The qualitative methods are determined as there agreed notion of phenomenology creation as used to guide researchers in having appropriate choice of methods in research. For Creswell (2006, in chapters 4, 5 and 9), there is about phenomenon, there focus on narrative research, linking to the human experience noting how and why it has been. The websites with phenomenological themes do provide researchers a useful insight towards the importance of experience recognition and acceptance and that consciousness transforms a better method for research through phenomenological standpoints respectively.     Citation Creswell, J. (2006), In Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications, Inc; 2nd edition (December 20, 2006) Chapters 4, 5, 9 Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Using the proposal, how does growing up as an adolescent in a violent environment make you become cruel to animals? Identify and discuss how phenomenology would be applicable to your research

Using the proposal, how does growing up as an adolescent in a violent environment make you become cruel to animals? Identify and discu...

Impact of culture to tourism development in Masaai Mara Kenya research proposal

Impact of culture to tourism development in Masaai Mara Kenya     Overview The continued plight of tourist in Masaari Mara in the Southern district of Kenya had continuously threatened initiatives for wildlife conservation. Loss of wildlife habitat is taking its toll because of the increasing population of tourists who basically wants to have a close contact with Kenya’s natural environment. Onyeanusi (1986, as cited in Bhandari, 1999) long warned that constant interest in tourism development in the place will jeopradise natural vegetation especially in parks. Van der Zee (1992) also advises that the increased mobility and participation in recreational activities does not only threaten the nature but the quality of recreation itself.   Bhandari (1999) noted, on the other hand, that nature, culture, environment and development are intertwining elements hence the goal is to seek a balance among these elements. For him, nature and culture in particular have history that implicates the customs, norms, behaviour and values of the society and which are also directly related to nature. Bhandari (1999) argued that the cultural heritage of Kenya is based on nature. Tourism development, nonetheless, is an inherent social phenomenon which is tied with the wilderness of nature as well.     Statement of the problem It is in this sense that the ethical concerns related to conservation of natural resources with the ongoing tourism development in Kenya are being raised. Simply, a cultural heritage as well as customers and traditions could be used, misused, abused and even exploited if there is no effective and sustainable tourism development scheme in place. As such, tourism development in Masaari Mara should uphold not just the conservation of nature but also the preservation of culture. The issue now is how culture impacts the tourism development in the place. Does culture dictates the developments in tourism in Masaari Mara or is it the other way around wherein the cultural heritage is being jeopardised all in the name of hard currencies?   Another question that will be addressed in this study centers on how the tourist inflow affects the conservation strategies that the local authorities of Masaari Mara are implementing. The nature-people interaction is a processual and inherently problematic which could lead in the negative impact of tourism in the place. To wit, the general purpose of this research is to analyse how culture contributes or detriments the tourism development in Masaari Mara. Specifically, it will seek to address the objective of evaluating how local authorities manage the cultural diversity with reference to tourism development.         Research methodology The research will utilise a descriptive method. As a descriptive research, the paper will present facts that concern that nature and status of the situation. The study could describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (Creswell 1994) as well. The relationships and practices that exist, the beliefs and processes that are ongoing, the effects that are being felt or the trends that are developing could be also explore in descriptive researches (Best 1970).   In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it. The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from journals, magazines and newspapers, theses and related studies, books and the Internet.         References Bhandari, M P 1999, Tourism Raised Problems in Masai Mara National Park Narok, Kenya,   Van der Zeem, D 1992, Recreation Studied From Above, Airphoto Interpretation as input into Land Evaluation For Recreation, ITC, Publication, no-12.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Impact of culture to tourism development in Masaai Mara Kenya research proposal

Impact of culture to tourism development in Masaai Mara Kenya Overview The continued plight of tourist in Masaari Mara in the Sou...

Unit 2 – Planning for Research: Effectiveness of Computer Aided Instruction in Learning Process

Unit 2 – Planning for Research Discussion Board Effectiveness of Computer Aided Instruction in Learning Process               Computer – Aided Instruction or CAI or also known as computer-assisted instruction is considered as a diverse and rapidly expanding field of computer technologies that support the teaching and learning process (Arnold, 2008). However, there are ongoing debates and discussions regarding its effectiveness, in the entire process of learning. Primarily, the study of Wiksten, Antonio and Buxton about The Effectiveness of an Interactive Computer Program Versus Traditional Lecture in Athletic Training Education and investigation by Barrow, Markman and Rouse regarding the Technology’s Edge: The Educational Benefits of Computer-Aided Instruction. Both of the said researches are connected to my chosen topic regarding the benefits of computer aided education.             The study by Winsten et al. uses data and information gathered from 66 subjects. All of them are selected and are randomly assigned to three different groups which pertain on the: traditional lecture, IATEC and control. The traditional group that is composed of 22 subjects, received 50-minutes lecture and demonstration, which cover the same instructional content using the Q-angle model of the IATEC program. On the other hand, the IATEC group, which is consists of 20 subjects worked independently for 50 to 65 minutes using the same module, while the control group that is consists of 22 subjects received no instruction at all. The study was conducted by using 9-point multiple choice examinations in order to determine the cognitive knowledge of the Q-angle. In addition, a 12-point yes-no checklist was used in order to determine whether or not the subjects were able to correctly measure the Q-angle. Aside from that, the Allen Attitude Toward Computer-Assisted Instruction Differential Survey was used in order to asses the student attitudes toward the 2 methods of instruction. The result of a 1-way ANOVA on the cognitive knowledge of the Q-angle exposed that the traditional lecture an IATEC groups performed vitally compare to the control group and the traditional lecture group performed significantly better compare to the IATEC group. Furthermore, the result of a 1-way ANOVA regarding the practical skill performance revealed that the traditional lecture and IATEC groups performed importantly better than the control group, however there were no important differences between the traditional lecture and the IATEC groups regarding the practical skill performance. Based on that result, it can be said that the test is more favorable towards the traditional lecture group, compare to IATEC group for comfort, creativity and function. Above all, it show that the use of IATEC computer module is an effective approach of teaching or training, but its application alone is not enough to educate the student in the cognitive knowledge (Winsten et al., 1998).             On the other hand, the study by Barrow et al. focuses on the study of a well-defined use of computers for pre-algebra and algebra. The study used randomized sampling in order to gather their sample group, by selecting the classroom in random manner. The researchers study the effectiveness of computer-aided instruction by focusing on a group of computer programs I Can Learn or Interactive Computer Aided Natural Learning that is composed of software and hardware computer package that is designed in order to deliver instruction through technology on one-on-one basis to each and every student. The study was done in three large urban school districts, where in, each of which had a superintendent or technology director who approached the researchers regarding the evaluation of CAI programs that are already used in their respective district. All of the randomly selected classes were grouped into two: the treatment classes (uses CAI) and the control classes (traditional). The result shows that the two groups show small difference in terms of performance (Barrow et al., n.d.).             In general, the studies used the control group study or a model of evaluation where in the performance of the cases that experience an intervention is being compared to the performance of the cases that did not experience the intervention in question (PredictionWorks, n.d.). The advantage of the said method is that it enables the researcher to have a point of comparison between the different cases, therefore it enable to analyze in detailed manner the cause and effect relationship. On the other hand, the said approach is expensive and in great need of time.             The main similarities of my chosen topic and these two studies are the way they gathered data, which is by means of questionnaire and interview. It also focuses on the actual happenings and events inside the learning vicinity, particularly in the issue of application of CIA. However, the main difference pertains on the characteristics of the sample frame, in my study, I will use older subjects or participants in the study, and I will not use the control group study model in gathering data and information from my selected subjects or respondents. My study will be using focus group in order to communicate with my older respondents.           References   Arnold, D. (2008). Computer-Aided Instruction. Retrieved February 11, 2009, from MSN Encarta website: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553343/computer-aided_instruction.html   Barrow, L., Markman, L. & Rouse, C. E. Technology’s Edge: The Educational Benefits of Computer-Aided Instruction. Retrieved AEA website: http://www.aeaweb.org/aej/pol/accepted/2007-0082.pdf   PredictionWorks. Control Group Study or Randomized Controlled Study. Retrieved February 11, 2009, from PredictionWorks website: http://www.predictionworks.com/glossary/ControlGroupStudy.html   Winsten, D. L., Antonio, K., Buxton, B. (1998). ‘The Effectiveness of an Interactive Computer Program Versus Traditional Lecture in Athletic Training Education’. Journal of Athletic Training. 33(3), 238 – 243, Retrieved February 11, 2009, from PubMedCentral website: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1320430&blobtype=pdf Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Unit 2 – Planning for Research: Effectiveness of Computer Aided Instruction in Learning Process

Unit 2 – Planning for Research Discussion Board Effectiveness of Computer Aided Instruction in Learning Process Comput...

Research Proposal on The role of micro finance and self help groups in poverty alleviation and development of socio economic structure in Ghana

The role of micro finance and self help groups in poverty alleviation and development of socio economic structure in Ghana   1.0 Background of the Study Started by non-profit organisations, self-help groups are community-based financial intermediaries that are usually composed of twenty and below local women. These self-help groups, whom pool money to regular contributions to generate enough financial capital, may be registered and non-registered. The funds that the group was able to collect will be lent back to the members or other members of the community for specific purposes. On the basis of mutual helping, self-help groups function in accordance with broad anti-poverty agendas. Self-help groups are basically viewed as an instrument for women empowerment and leadership development in communities. Further, one of the basic distinctions of a self-help group is that it serves as a financial intermediary between informal financial market and formal financial actors like micro finance institutions (Rutherford, 1999). Microfinance, on the other hand, is defined as the provision of various financial services to poor or low-income clients including consumers and self-employed for the purpose of supporting their financial and non-financial needs. As a practice, microfinance aimed at sustainable delivery of these services. It is intended that micro finance could lead into effective money management strategies in order for poor people to address their own financial needs hence to live out of poverty in the future.   In theory, microfinance encompasses all initiatives in increasing the access to, or improving the quality of, financial services of people in poverty who could use or could benefit from using the lent money other than the traditional financial services. Nevertheless, the goal of microfinance is not merely monetization but instead to address the several types of needs of poor, near-poor and low-income families. These needs include lifecycle needs, personal emergencies, disasters and investment opportunities (Rutherford, 2000). As such, micro financing conforms to creative, flexible and collaborative way of meeting the needs of underprivileged group of people.  In this way, poor people are given the opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial activities as an instrument in alleviating poverty. Micro financing puts emphasis on building the capacity to participate in micro entrepreneurship, aside from generating employment. Hence, microfinance is considered as a tool for socioeconomic development as it aimed to create self-sustaining businesses among the poor people. These livelihood opportunities are also regarded as an avenue to cope up with financial difficulties such as sending children to school and putting nutritional foods in the table.   2.0 Statement of the Problem The problem that will be addressed in this study is the position of self-help groups and microfinance in alleviating poverty and socioeconomic development in Ghana. The key question to be answered is: How self-help groups and microfinance helped in alleviating poverty and developing the socioeconomic structures of people in Ghana? In particular, the research will seek to answer the following research questions. 1)                 How do self-help groups contribute in poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development in Ghana? 2)                 In what specific ways does micro financing proved to be beneficial for the people in Ghana?   3.0 Objectives of the Study The main aim of this research is to determine the roles, functions and position of self-help groups and microfinance in eradicating poverty and developing the social and economic structures of people in Northern Pakistan. Specifically, the study will address the following research objectives. ·         To evaluate the effectiveness of microfinance towards poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development ·         To analyse the extent to which self-help groups contribute in initiatives to eradicate poverty   4.0 Research Methodology This study will use the descriptive type of research. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing.     5.0 References   Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Rutherford, S. (1999). Self-help groups as microfinance providers: how good they can get? Mimeo. Rutherford, S. (2000). The Poor and Their Money. Oxford University Press: New Delhi.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research Proposal on The role of micro finance and self help groups in poverty alleviation and development of socio economic structure in Ghana

The role of micro finance and self help groups in poverty alleviation and development of socio economic structure in Ghana 1.0 ...

Research proposal on The main aspects of developing small and medium sized business in transition economy of Uzbekistan

The main aspects of developing small and medium sized business in transition economy   Introduction Developing small and medium sized business in transition economy is clearly evident, pressing in issues of economic growth and dominance from within former Soviet Union, transition economy of Uzbekistan. The collapse of the Soviet political and economic system as well as culminated a dramatic economic slowdown experienced by the Soviet bloc countries over the preceding three decades. The resulting transition from central planning to a market economy has been difficult. The performance of the transition economies has fallen short of expectations for several reasons like the, advanced western economies did unusually well during the early part of 2000 which raised the bar for perceptions of economic success; the economic problems associated with the transition were widely underestimated; and policymakers made a number of questionable choices. Nevertheless, progress has been made in a number of dimensions. Research Aims and Objectives For research aim, the assessment of SME transition economy is needed putting in applications to Uzbekistan SMEs, assessing of strategies and outcomes of transition years,  from plan to market, and outline of the principal challenges faced by the Uzbekistan economies. For the objective, considering in the main aspects of SMEs for economic transition and the assimilating relevance of points that assume policy development into SMEs and its transition economies is of essential value, as placed emphasis on the development of functioning legal framework and corporate governance of firms have performed better than those that did not. Evidence also suggests that large scale privatization can be handled in a variety of ways as SMEs face the discipline of needing to earn their way without government bailouts and as long as new firms appear through new creation, breakups of old firms, and foreign investment.   Research Questions 1.      What is meant by SMEs? Economic Transition? Discuss 2.      What are some of the main aspects of SME economic transition? Is there impeding account of the matter into Uzbekistan? 3.      What are the strategies for economic transition of SMEs within the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan in particular? Discuss 4.      What are some of the performance of transition economies placed at SMEs?  Give examples 5.      What are certain SME development policies in such stages of Economic transition? Explain Overview of Literature Studies The conventional approach to economic transition, based upon neo-classical economic theory, has been that the development of the small and medium sized enterprises sector will occur spontaneously following a process of stabilization, liberalization and privatization. Blanchard (1997), asserted a theoretical contribution to the economics of transition, has stressed the role of reallocation of resources from the old state sector to the new private sector, which must implicitly include a large contribution from newly created small firms. However, although many hundreds of thousands of SMEs have been established in the transition economies, they still face severe barriers which hinder their expansion and the realization of their full potential. The transition economies, from the former Soviet Union is similar in one important respect, the planned economies had been dominated by large producing of consumer goods. Small and medium-sized enterprise has a huge part of the transition economies than typical for the market economy. “There have been major differences among these world regions in the contexts created for the development of new enterprises: in the pace of change, the extent to which state control and the rule of law have been maintained or created, whether there has been economic growth, decline or stagnation, the degrees of political continuity and the length of the communist period. Despite the contrasting contexts, there have been many similarities in the characteristics of new private businesses, but alongside some major differences: in the types of business with which beginners have usually commenced, the match with their specialties, whether self-employment has normally been a full-time or part-time occupation, whether or not the state has been perceived as basically supportive, in uses of the second economies and whether partnership has been the normal initial business arrangement from within economic growth and the rule of law. Thereafter everything seems to depend on creating a favorable configuration of conditions which, our evidence suggests, is most likely when countries have maximum scope to plot their own transitional routes. It is argued that imposing one allegedly correct approach will usually be counter-productive” (Roberts and Zhou, 2000 p. 187) SMEs have been explicitly recognized as important but appropriate programs have only started recently, there have not been significant changes in the legal framework regarding SMEs. In addition, privatization efforts have been slow. Furthermore, physical and financial infrastructures remain an obstacle to SME development. Research Methodology  The methodology to be used for the study is case study, multiple sources of qualitative and quantitative date, the study implies to the main aspects of SME economic transition? Is there impeding account of the matter into Uzbekistan, the strategies for economic transition of SMEs, the performance and SME development policies of economic transition. There will be series of interviews to be conducted at the SMEs in Uzbekistan; SME managers will be asked several questions indicating paths to economic transition ways and will consists of 10 SME managers, case approach will determine an interview session for about 40 minutes aside, to make sense of respondents’ perceptions towards transformational leadership and change management and the ways in which responses interact acceptable views.  The interview questions have to be open ended and guided by case study analysis paradigm. The questions are to be open-ended yet specific in intent, allowing individual responses, questions will be reasonably objective, yet it allows for probing, follow-up, and clarification to assume purposeful conversations where contents and evolution is not priority, from within variations among such interviews (Paton, 2002).   References Blanchard, O.J., The Economics of Post-Communist Transition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997 Paton, M.Q., Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 2002 Roberts, K. and Zhou, C., New Private Enterprises in Three Transitional Contexts: Central Europe, the Former Soviet Union and China,  Post-Communist Economies, Volume 12, Issue 2 June 2000 , pages 187 – 199 Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research proposal on The main aspects of developing small and medium sized business in transition economy of Uzbekistan

The main aspects of developing small and medium sized business in transition economy Introduction Developing small and medium sized bu...

Research proposal on Investigating the problems of the interest rate and whether it is a potential risk that faced in economy growth

Research Problem An economic downturn or collapse causes long-term investors to become cautious and place excess funds in temporary investments to ride out the decline. Hence, the increased supply of short-term capital causes short-term interest rates to fall faster than long-term interest rates. An economic recovery cannot begin unless there is a supply of short-term funds in excess of demand, which is usually evidenced by short-term interest rates being significantly below long-term interest rates (Schaefer, 1993). Economic collapse is caused by various things from the internal and external environment. For some the mis use of the interest rates contributes to the collapse of the economy. This paper intends to investigate the problems of the interest rate and whether it is a potential risk that faced in economy growth. In this study the researchers will try to prove that the risk free rate is the problem of the economy and it is behind the economic collapse   Importance of the research The research is important because it will give an analysis of the cause of the economic collapse. The research will delve further into the circumstances behind the economic collapse. The research is needed to clear up any misunderstanding about interest rates and the risks it brings to an economy.  It analyzes the concept of interest rates and how it affects an economy. Moreover the research will help in determining how risk free rates contribute to the problems of an economy.   Literature Review Interest rates are the price to borrow money, and interest rates, like all prices, reflect demand and supply. When the demand for borrowing is high, all other things equal, the price of borrowing will also be high. When the supply of money available to lend to borrowers is high, the price will be lower. Nevertheless, some interest rates are always higher than others, and while interest rates tend to move in the same direction at the same time, rates do not always move exactly in tandem. The relationship between the different rates is called the structure of interest rates. As lower yields and lower interest rates pervade the economy, the lower borrowing costs can be expected to spur consumer spending and business spending (Nowak, 1993). Higher interest rates and less money in the economy can be expected to curtail consumer and investment spending to some extent. Inflationary expectations rose and fell with extreme changes in the consumer price index. This also had an important effect on the volatility of interest rates. Borrowers were eager to obtain funds in the inflationary atmosphere, and their increased demand raised the interest cost on loans. They were willing to pay higher interest rates because they realized that the borrowed money would be easy to repay in depreciated dollars. On the other side of the transaction, lenders also expected higher interest rates to compensate for the loss in purchasing power resulting from inflation (Blake, 2000). The interest rate has a certain effect on the economy. It affects the strategies and policies used by a country. Any mistake in policies leads to economic downturn and then collapse.   Research methodology  The research will use the descriptive method to determine if seaweeds can be profitable as salt substitutes. Descriptive research tries to explore the cause of a particular event or situation. It also wants to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell, 1994). In addition, such method tries to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the participants of the research. Basically, a descriptive research utilizes observations. The descriptive approach is also quicker and more practical in terms of financing. Moreover, this method will allow for a flexible approach, thus, when important new issues, probabilities, and questions come up during the duration of the study, a further investigation and confirmation may be allowed. Lastly this type of approach will allow for decisions to drop unproductive areas of research from the original plan of the study. The choice and design of methods are constantly modified during data gathering based on continuing analysis. This will give way for creation of an investigation of important new issues, concerns and questions as they arose.  Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used in this research.   Hypothesis There are two hypotheses for the study. One of which is without interest rates the economy would suffer a deeper collapse. Another hypothesis is focused on the notion that the once risk free rates are evident in an economy, managers of that economy should immediately find means to counter it.   References Blake, D. (2000). Financial market analysis. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.  Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Nowak, L.S. (1993). Monetary policy and investment opportunities. Westport, CT: Quorum Books. Schaefer, H.G. (1993). Economic trend analysis for executives and investors. Westport, CT: Quorum Books.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research proposal on Investigating the problems of the interest rate and whether it is a potential risk that faced in economy growth

Research Problem An economic downturn or collapse causes long-term investors to become cautious and place excess funds in temporary inve...

Analyzing Virtual Collaborative Interaction Activity: How to Develop Collective Intelligence Research Proposal and Time Plan / Flow Chart

College of Information Technology 	  	Analyzing Virtual 	Collaborative Interaction Activity: How to Develop Collective Intelligence 	  	1.0  	Background of the Study 	Virtual collaboration refers to the 	collective effort of two or more people forming together to accomplish a 	task or goal without the necessity of face to face interaction. With sharing 	at its core, virtual collaboration allows as many people to collaborate on 	ideas, topics and/or projects. 	Internet telephony, telepresence, 	videoconferencing and teleconferencing are the four primary activities 	virtual collaboration. These are commonly implemented during presentations 	and corporate meetings and discussions. For this research, we are going to 	consider telepresence which refers to the set of technologies that allows an 	individual to give the look that they were present at a location other than 	the true location. Telepresence provides a real environment use to interact 	with another live and in real-time.  	Collective intelligence, on the other hand, 	may conform to different meanings. Collective intelligence may refer to the 	capacity of human to evolve into a higher order complexity and integration 	or the cognitive synergy wherein more inclusive pictures of reality emerge 	from diverse perceptions or the phenomenon associated with distributed 	individual intelligences that have access to their collective output and 	thought processes through their co-generative participation. In different 	levels or groups within the organization there are diverse levels of 	collective processes. Such processes could either flourish or detriment the 	organization depending on how each group or team could effectively apply and 	convert their knowledge into actions. In optimizing their decision-making 	process, it is necessary that the people must understand how collective 	intelligence could influence them optimistically. 	  	2.0  	Statement of the Problem 	The problem that will be addressed in this 	research is the degree of effectiveness of telepresence as a virtual 	collaborative activity with respect to the development of collective 	intelligence. The key question that will be addressed in this research is: 	To what extent does telepresence contribute in the progress of collective 	intelligence within the group and organizations? In lieu of this, the 	following research questions will be addressed. 	1)    	How telepresence advance 	coordination, cooperation and cognition among a group of people? 	2)    	Under what circumstances does 	telepresence prove to be viable in improving collective intelligence? 	  	3.0  	Objectives of the Study 	The main aim of this research is to analyze 	a virtual collaborative activity which is telepresence, and how it 	contributes to the development of collective intelligence within groups. 	Specifically, the research purports on evaluating how telepresence further 	the collective development between groups in terms of cognition, 	coordination and cooperation. Likewise, to assess the situations wherein 	telepresence serves as an important tool in the growth of collective 	intelligence will be also addressed. 	   	4.0  	Research Methodology 	This study will use 	interpretivism as its main research philosophy. 	Descriptive research will be used in the 	study. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature 	and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell, 	1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, 	beliefs and process that are on-going, effects that are being felt or trends 	that are developing. In addition, such approach tries to describe present 	conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the 	respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994). 	For validation purposes, the 	researcher will 	pre-test a sample of the set survey questionnaires by conducting an initial 	survey to at least five respondents. After the respondents have answered the 	questionnaire, the researchers will then ask them to cite the parts of the 	questionnaire that needs improvement and if necessary, the researcher will 	even ask for suggestions and corrections. 	The researcher, afterwards, 	will again examine the content of the survey/interview questions to find out 	the reliability of the instrument so as to determine irrelevant questions 	that have to be discarded. 	  Time Plan 	 		 				 				 				TASK 				 				 				 				 				Month (2009 – 				10) 				Preliminary Research 				Aug 				Sept 				Oct 				Nov 				Dec 				Jan 				Feb 				Undertake preliminary 				literature search 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				·         				Define research 				questions 				·         				Write-up aims and 				objectives 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Select appropriate methodology 				and locate sources of information. Confirm access. 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Write-up thesis plan 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Undertake and write-up draft 				critical literature review. 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Secondary and Primary Data 				Detailed 				·         				Sources 				·         				Consulted 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Research Findings: 				·         				Analyzed 				·         				Evaluated 				·         				Written-up 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Discussion: 				·         				Research findings 				evaluated and discussed in relation to the literature review 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Methodology 				written-up 				(including limitations and 				constraints) 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Main body of the report 				written-up and checked for logical structure 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				·         				Conclusions 				drawn 				·         				Recommendations 				made 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Introduction and Executive 				Summary written-up 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Final format and indexing 				  				  				  				  				  				  				  				Print 				  				  				  				  				  				  				                The time plan 	above shows the budgeted time that will be needed for the paper. There are 7 	major tasks that must be done in order to finish the paper. Some of them can 	be started while other tasks are on the process, while there are some tasks 	that are directly dependent on the result or output of a given task. The 	major tasks are preliminary research, writing up of the thesis plan, 	detailing secondary and primary paper and the rest of the chapters that are 	important for the paper including discussion, methodology, conclusion and 	recommendation.   Research Methodology Flow Chart Validation of Questionnaire                                      Actual Survey and Gathering of Data                       Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Analyzing Virtual Collaborative Interaction Activity: How to Develop Collective Intelligence Research Proposal and Time Plan / Flow Chart

College of Information Technology Analyzing Virtual Collaborative Interaction Activity: How to Develop Collective Intellig...

Investigating the impact of retailer-supplier cooperation and decision-making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance Research proposal

“Investigating the impact of retailer-supplier cooperation and decision-making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance”   Introduction The need to undergo research investigation and study with regards to the impact of retailer supplier cooperation and such decision making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance. The known changes of the retailing and supply marketplace and process determining in the impact on relationships between several retailers and certain suppliers, and the operational and marketing benefits of retailer information technology, all affect the relationship between retailers and suppliers. Retail supply chain performance will be the one focus of the research along with the supplier ands retailer relationships as recognized from within the process. The idea is to allow everyone involved in the flow of goods to make decisions based on the latest and best information from everyone else, as there manages retailing supply chain and the need to apply research approach that assume the effectiveness of retail relationships and be able to avoid uncertain points towards important aspects of the decisions to make and address from within. Research aims and objectives For the research aims, there should be to incur a literature based research paradigm that will amiably consists of case situations from the pressing reality of supply and retail cooperation from supply chain performance alleviating success on effectiveness as applied for small and medium sized enterprises into the Egypt manufacturing assimilation of the supply chain aspects and its processes involved. Thus, the need to create a preliminary account of literature studies presenting the topic focus and the allowing of research methodology to manifest into the areas of research organization and spontaneity. For the objectives, the need to have critical assessment of retailing and supply ways , to understand decision making and how uncertainties occur on the main retailing operations of Egypt based SME’s and how it affects on the supply chain performance positively and or negatively manifested. To acquire good grounds and basis for primary and secondary research through relevant resources and materials coming from books, articles and journals indicated by proponents who were experts on retailing and supply chain processes supporting a wide range of effective function and performance, noting in the important value of decision making engaged into the business sectors of Egypt context. To recognize and be aware of the lack of information integration among supply chain functions for example, the reduction of inventory with information. Research Questions The main question for this study would be: What is the impact of retailer-supplier cooperation? How decision making uncertainty happens on retail supply chain performance of SME’s? How the uncertainty does is being recognized and manifested in Egypt based small business? -       What is meant by retailer-supplier cooperation? Decision-making uncertainty? Retail supply chain performance? Discuss and give examples -       How does impact of retailer-supplier cooperation and decision-making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance work together for operation success and effectiveness? Provide case situations -       How do supplier and retailer’s role and responsibilities be changed by the presence of decision-making uncertainty linking towards retail supply chain performance?   Research Significance The study will be significant for business driven managers and organization key players and teams because it covers effective utilization of a process that assumes a collaboration success within groups especially at work upon thorough secondary research and studies, as the topic focus can be a great help to managerial areas found within business sectors, the findings of this study may influence managers to have productive roles and embrace right responsibilities on supply retail relationships and supply chain performance which may contribute to literature growth of the topic leading into the development of effective supply chain for SME’s in Egypt. The study will be most significant to retailing business management students as this research might be a good source of reference for their studies respectively.   Literature Overview For most companies, streamlining operations within their own walls presents enough of an immediate challenge like, for instance, Procter and Gamble – Wal-Mart relationship forged around the sale of disposable diapers, by sharing forecast and sales data, the two firms took a huge amount of inventory out of the total system, while at the same time improving in-stock performance and share in financial benefit as possible achieving in positive retail supplier cooperation and supply chain performance success on retailing. Procter and Gamble, recently used complexity based supply chain modeling to squeeze out delays and inventory from its distribution chain. Thus, using actual customer and promotion profiles to determine daily sales, the model tested various potential ordering, allocation, and shipping policies, and identified an additional 50 per cent reduction in both cycle times and inventory (Bios Group, 2002). In the future, demand-and-supply planning applications will be more closely linked through supply process and will begin to interact in real time, with the human interactions involved becoming less frequent. Agent-based supply chain solutions promise to use the power of networks to optimize processes in place (Sauter and Parunak, 1999). Research Methodology The research design to be used is by means of a scenario based approached wherein SME companies in Egypt  will be investigated focusing on the suppliers and retailers relationship as linked towards decision making success pointing to retail performance as well as supply chain routes. The case study approach will be achieved and a possible unstructured interview will partake to approximately to five SME’s in Egypt and explain reasons of the responses, there will be sort of descriptive approach upon having facts concerning the nature of supplier retailers role and supply chain responsibility situation as the focus of the study (Creswell, 1994). Indeed, case situations will assume crucial factor deemed for the realization of research methodology process.    References Bios Group (2002), “Supply network revolution at Procter & Gamble”, case study, www.biosgroup. com/solutions/supplynetworks.html Creswell, J.W. (1994), Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Sage, London Sauter, J.A., Parunak, H.V. (1999), “ANTS in the supply chain”, Workshop on Agent-Based Decision Support for Managing the Internet-Enabled Supply Chain, Seattle, WA Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Investigating the impact of retailer-supplier cooperation and decision-making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance Research proposal

“Investigating the impact of retailer-supplier cooperation and decision-making uncertainty on retail supply chain performance” Introdu...