Distinction between Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Sales Forecasting, Market Research, and Common Sense in Business

Distinction between Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Sales Forecasting, Market Research, and Common Sense in Business One of the most important tasks undertaken in the business world is that of decision-making. Majority of the decisions made in the modern marketplace are aimed at maximizing profitability within a firm. In order to gain sufficient understanding on the decisions to be undertaken, businesses rely on the information technology; indeed, knowledge management and business intelligence are some of the study areas spawned to aid in business decision-making (Anon, n.d).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Distinction between Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Sales Forecasting, Market Research, and Common Sense in Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Prior to designing the marketing plan, sales forecast are normally undertaken in order to determine the potential of the market; hence, numerous kind of information from various sources are used (Longenecker, et al, 2006, p.154). According to Hague (1996), market resea rch is undertaken in various kinds of markets where both the buyer and the seller come together for the sole purpose of exchanging and increasing value. In this case, the buyer benefits by gaining profits while the seller achieves satisfaction (Hague, 1996, p.4). It is suggested by O’Connell (2003) that, despite one having expertise, experience, skills, and smartness, one might be lacking common sense. This is proven by the fact that, despite having smart people around, many dumb activities are normally accounted for, which in the first place ought not to happen, as they require the use of common sense (O’Connell, 2003). Distinctive nature of business intelligence, knowledge management, sales forecasting, market research, and common sense in business The various concepts used in decision-making are mainly distinguished by their definitions, as well as activities and processes associated with each concept. Business intelligence has numerous definitions; for instance, it has been defined as a wide area of technology where data is gathered, stored, accessed, and analyzed for the sole purpose of aiding business users in making better decisions. In addition to this, business intelligence has also been defined as systems that provide a background data that has been directed together with tools of reporting in order to aid in the process of decision-making. According to Williams and Williams (2007), a decision process is a type of business processes. In addition to this, businesses and companies tend to use business intelligence to bring about consistency in decision making, emphasize on incorporation of business information and analytical technique into tactical decisions and strategic processes and increase accountability, transparency and traceability of main decisions (Williams and Williams, 2007, p.186) According to Bergeron, knowledge management is characterized as a strategy in a business that is optimized in order to identify, organize, and pack age information that is important to the business of the firm, thus improving competitiveness among corporations and increasing employee performance (Bergeron, 2003, p. 89).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From the definition, knowledge management is depicted as a way of introducing sense that results to a procedural management of intellectual assets and quality information for the sole purpose of providing a company with competitive advantage (Bergeron, 2003, p. 9). In spite of knowledge management being considered as an optimization strategy, its limits are not confined to one particular technology or a specific source of information. A key role played in knowledge management technology initiative results from the wide scope of information technologies (Bergeron, 2003, p. 9). In knowledge management practices, it is almost impossible for one to capture the belief s, behavior, and thoughts of the managers in the sense that one can provide quality information to another person (Bergeron, 2003, p. 8). The major differences between knowledge management business concept and business intelligence is brought about by the fact that in knowledge management, new knowledge is created and dispersed while in business intelligence there isn’t any dispersion or creation of knowledge. Sales forecasting according to Longenecker et al (2006) is defined as a prediction of the amount of product or service that can be purchased in a market for specific period. The market description should be defined accurately as it forms the prediction boundary (Longenecker, et al, 2006, p.154). In the construction of a business plan, the time has to be identified as short term or long term, as sales forecast implies on a specified period. In the assessing of the feasibility of a new venture, sales forecast is considered one of the essential components. Moreover, the sa les forecast is also useful in personnel decisions, inventory policies, and production schedules. Sale forecast is considered as a multi-step process mainly because it is a composite of various individual forecasts that have been merged accordingly. The forecasting process is categorized in two major dimensions 1) the starting point of a process 2) the nature used in predicting the variable (Longenecker, et al, 2006, p.156). Market research is normally applied in markets where the sellers and buyers come together to increase value and exchange. The nature of the market determines the techniques and approach to be used by the market researcher. Some of the techniques used in market research include qualitative technique that investigate the complex consumer perception and quantitative technique whose basis is formed on rigorous sampling (Hague, 1996, p.4).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Distinction between Business Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Sales Forecasting, Market Research, and Common Sense in Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Resources to be used are of outmost importance for the collection of valid data especially in the consumer market research (Hague, 1996, p.5). Information technology has had a great impact in the data processing sector of the market research. In addition to this, information technology is now finding its way in the data collection sector of the marketing research (Hague, 1996, p.12). Market research is hence applied in order to identify a business opportunity, problem identification, and commercial risks to be identified (Hague, 1996, p.14). In its application, market research aids in establishing a need for a service or product, assist in new product marketing and improve already existing product (Hague, 1996, p.14). In establishment of a new product a lot of expectations should not be expected as it offers an understanding of the surroundings upon w hich the new product will be sold and nothing more (Hague, 1996, p.18) In businesses, common sense is vital; this is because overly complicated regulations have become problematic. In order for the markets to work, O’Connell suggests that simplification of institutions should be encouraged together with innovative programs that promote existing systems that are formal (O’Connell,2003, p.6). In the business environs, the proposal, problem or solution should be written down and if you result in a complex idea, you might be heading in the wrong direction and hence one should retract the initial steps used in order to arrive at a simple direction. Lateral thinking has also been emphasized as the way the mind works and should be learned and implemented. In lateral learning, old ideas are done away with and new ones are generated by recognizing the wisdom gained from old ideas and searching for alternative ways (O’Connell, 2003, p.6). Conclusion Differences between th e various concepts used in decision-making are subtle and only minimal distinctions results can be noted due to similarity in their processes. Some of these concepts of the business studies are ascertained by the various existing business firms that provide them. These firms sell their decision support services to executives who make the decisions and implement them by way of manipulation so as to create reports to, show trends or even predict future events. Sale forecasting concept entails a specific period of time in which certain amount of products and services will have been purchased. It is a critical process especially while undertaking a new venture. The period in sale forecasting will be either short term or long term.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In market research, there is no prediction but contrarily actual data is collected in order to ascertain the difficulties, risks, and opportunities facing a particular market in question. The techniques used in data collection of marketing research can be either qualitative or quantitative depending on the data to be collected. Common sense in business simplifies the complex situations encountered in businesses. Common sense is not very common; this can be depicted by the way different people tackle and solve various problems. While tackling a problem basic steps are to be followed and on resulting into a complex idea, the steps earlier followed are to be retracted to arrive on a simple and a less complex idea. In knowledge management, creation and dispersion of new knowledge is significant as compared to business intelligence where the creation and dispersion of knowledge is lacking. References Anon. (N.d). Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management Differences. Web. Bergeron, B.P. (2003). Essentials of knowledge management. NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Hague, P.N. (1996). Market research: a guide to planning, methodology, evaluation. London: Kogan Page. Longenecker, J.G, et al. (2006). Small business management: an entrepreneurial emphasis. OH: Cengage Learning. O’Connell, E. (2003). The competitive advantage of common sense: using the power you already have. NJ: FT Press. Williams, S. and Williams, N. (2007). The profit impact of business intelligence. Oxford: Morgan Kaufmann.

Get a raise without asking for one

Get a raise without asking for one You’ve put in the time and work and want to see the results in your paycheck. But while just simply steeling yourself and asking might be your most direct bet, it’s tough. Many of us probably would rather suffer along with our current measly salaries than actually get up the courage to face our managers in person. If this sounds like you, never fear: there are ways of asking for a raise without directly asking for a raise. If you’re backwards about coming forwards, here’s what to try.Be everybody’s go-to guy or gal.If there’s a crisis or a conundrum, be the team member everybody else turns to: the port in a storm, the level head, or the problem solver. Bonus points if you’re also the one everybody likes and trusts the most.Do more/better.If you can bring on extra clients or customers or drastically cut cost by switching to a new supplier? Aces. Show your value by helping the company grow or by making a direct influence on its bottom li ne- especially if your company is suffering. If you don’t help bring in more business, how can they even afford to up your pay?Do everything you were hired to do- extremely well- plus take on as many additional value-adding projects as you can. If you rock everything you take on, everyone around you will notice.Make your boss look good.Your boss is human and therefore susceptible to this kind of vanity. Remember: she probably wants a pay bump as much as you do. Do whatever you can to make her look good and she’ll probably be more inclined to help you out by seeing that you receive extra monetary appreciation. After all, she’ll want to keep you around so the good work and accolades continue.Do the grunt work.You know those hot potato projects nobody wants to touch? That work no one wants to do? Volunteer and do it with style and vigor. Not only your boss will appreciate this- your whole team will be grateful and have you to thank. And the more popular you are com e review time, the better your odds of getting upgraded in the salary department.Get someone on the inside.If possible, seek out an advocate within your company- someone high up enough who really knows your capabilities and has influence over decisions. It could be your boss or another mentor within the company. Find someone you know likes you and your work to sing your praises when the time comes- a trusted company voice lobbying for you is gold come review time.Make yourself irreplaceable.The more you render yourself indispensable, the more valuable you become. If your boss and company realize they could not perform without you, they’ll do what it takes to keep you around.Go beyond your job description.Don’t just get good at what you do and train up on the skills and experience you need for your specific job. Inform yourself on current industry trends and the evolution of your field and company. Follow the latest developments and challenges and start thinking about p ossible changes you can make within your company. Ask the questions the higher-ups don’t have time to delve into and find viable solutions. There’s no way people won’t notice you if you make a long-lasting change that gets tangible results.

Is marihuana beneficial or destructive to society Essay

Is marihuana beneficial or destructive to society - Essay Example The rate of substance abuse among youths was higher compared to the number of adults aged 26 years old and older who have5% rate of marijuana usage. What could have possibly provoked them to use marihuana? We know that children decide to try marihuana because of pressure from other individuals, problems related to school and family, depression, and self-esteem. According to Dr. Bruce Beckum, child psychologist and noted authority on young adult drug use, â€Å"Seventy percent of young people who use drugs report difficulties at home and at school†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The alarming rates of increase marihuana among youths might be attributed to these intrapersonal and interpersonal factors and partnerships among government, parents, and youths themselves must be worked on in order to address these issues and completely eliminate marihuana use among youths. Marihuana puts children in danger. It is not the only drug that is most commonly used, but is also known to cause many other problems. An article from the Journal of the American Medical Association states that teens who use marijuana are 77 % more likely to try harder drugs (Smith, 64). How can people say that our society would benefit from the legalization of marihuana when this is only hurting and influencing children in a negative way? Are we only thinking in adults when we speak about marihuana? Probably, adults had thought of legalizing marihuana because of the medical benefits that can be derived from using it such as alleviation of undesirable effects of certain medications, treatments, and diseases. If just in case marihuana would have been legalized, patients will no longer experience extreme discomforts. However, legalizing marihuana would cause a lot of consequences even if it is for medical benefits. Well, let me tell you something that is not the case. Usually, the mos t affected by our

Huffman Trucking Company Inc. Telephony Service Profiling Essay

Huffman Trucking Company Inc. Telephony Service Profiling - Essay Example To connect to an external number or to place an outside call a trunk access code is normally pressed like 0 for operator and overseas/ international calls, or 9 for local calls after which if given the tone you can dial your outside number directly. A department normally has 2 to 3 trunk lines based on call volume load and other specific criteria. Normal features includes forwarding, conferencing, call pick up groups, intercoms and transferring. In a telephone company, one has to pay separate for these features, but with PBX everything is already built in. A gateway is needed to communicate with others within the network. In some locations like MO in Saint Louis, New Jersey and Ohio office, they are already using an upgraded VOIP like a CISCO 10mb Hub. A Voice enabled talk switch model is used to integrate VOIP and handle the traditional telephone network. This uniquely connects your cell phones and any other telephones anywhere. They are remote extensions of this talk switch which connects your mobile and teleworkers. Limitation of the subscription is only for internal or within the company premises use. A switch of the least features afforded. We shall discuss this further in the recommendations later. The main idea is the opportunity cost we get from choosing PBX phone system over other regular phone system. With the estimates that it is 50% cheaper considering add on features, we can say PBX is already a good deal in terms of cost accounting measures. But choosing PBX of minimal cost and regular features may also cost more when it comes to consideration for the present connections and features upgrade especially if we talk of the present technology re PC based call integration applications. Disadvantages: There is a time delay incurred in routing calls from the central box to the trunk lines. Somehow if the customer knows the local number they aim to eliminate seconds of the delay by automatic elimination of an operator use. If we go on a recording voice first for the identification of local trunk lines, we tend to test the patience of our callers and of our best customers who would want trucking services that are literally fast movers in every sense of the word. Susceptibility to tapping is very liable when it comes to unguarded PBX installations. Disclosure of and unauthorized recording of information by eavesdropping from the central box and routing of address data made possible thru unauthorized access including data modifications. Emergency dial is not accessible. There is a big difference in using a PBX phone line than a regular phone line for it needs to be routed to the central box before it gets to access outside lines. II. Network Protocols A. Identifying Network Protocols On locations CA office and CA Plant, MO Plant, NJ Office, NJ Plant, OH Plant uses the TCP/IP protocols. For locations MO Office and OH Office uses both IPX/SPX and Apple-Talk. TCP means Transmission Control Protocol while IP means Internet Protocol. Nature of the application sends data in 8-bit data bytes to TCP. TCP then divides these bytes to smaller segments and pass thru IP to TCP module on the

Far from the madding crowd Essay Example for Free

Far from the madding crowd Essay Although this may portray him as being practical, he does not wear any clothes that are flamboyant. He is also foolishly and naively presumptuous, expecting Bathsheba to say yes the instant he asks her to marry him. He thinks that the pursuit of love is a simple and straightforward affair; but in this novel he discovers the opposite is true. However, Oak is a young man of sound judgement, being honest and hard working. For example, he immediately discerns Bathshebas character that of being vain. He even knows about Troys character, warning Bathsheba of this, but she takes no notice. He is very practical and trustworthy, being able help out in a crisis like that of Bathshebas where there her hayricks were on fire. Unfortunately, she does not realise that Troy is tricking her and that Oak is the right one for her through his ways. She is too vain to realise this and that is why she falls into Troys trap. She refuses to marry Oak because she wants excitement and, therefore, she marries Troy who is just tricking her. Otherwise, Oak is the right one overall out of the three men. Oak has a high social status and receives respect because he is a farmer. If we look at Oaks history we will find that he has never experienced love or a sort of relationship similar to that of Bathshebas and Troys. However, he is in a way wise in this case because he advises Bathsheba not to marry Troy. We, as the readers, know that what Oak is saying is right because we have seen what Troy was like with Fanny. However, because Oak has never had a relationship like this before, Bathsheba feels that it would be foolish listening to Oak. Therefore, she refuses to listen to Oak in chapter 29 and continues to marry Troy. Oak does warn her that he is not good enough for her and tells her not to trust Troy due to her not knowing Troy very well. She knows what he says is right, but she does not want to hear it. Bathsheba also likes the fact that he is very well educated and that he is a soldier where she likes his looks I must say that Sergeant Troy is an educated man and quite worthy of any women. We can see from this that Bathsheba is deluding herself. Troy is extremely wealthy and as a consequence he enjoys throwing money around. This is another factor that Bathsheba likes. However, little does she realise is that Troy has had relationships with many other women, including Fanny, and upholds a bad reputation. When having the conversation with Oak she mentions that she likes the fact that Troy goes to church He is very particular, too, about going to church yes he is! However, Oak mentions that nobody has ever seen Troy at church before, but Bathsheba says that Troy told her that he goes in privately and sits at the back. This shows that Troy lies to her a lot, but because he had lured her into his trap she will believe anything that she tells her. When Bathsheba tells Oak this, she tells him eagerly, showing that because she loves Troy so much she is really trying to back up Troy. So we can see that there is no way where Oak would be able to persuade Bathsheba that Troy is not the right one until she sees for herself. Due to Bathshebas fondness for Troy the relationship between her and Troy deepens into romance where they both marry. The relationship is deepened by some of the things that Troy does as discussed earlier such as the time when he shows off his sword skill to Bathsheba, when he kisses her and when she helps him put on the veil. Her relationship declines with Oak, however, thus leaving him out of the picture. Her relationship with Boldwood is quite weak too. We notice this through various ways, one of them being their actions. The actions that actually do occur between Boldwood and Bathsheba are out of mere duty when she moves into Weatherbury Farm. It his duty to welcome new comers just like Bathsheba, not because he is interested in her. This shows that they do not have any physical attraction between each other. However, the relationship between her and Troy declines rapidly once they marry. There are several factors that cause this rapid decline in the relationship. One of the factors is that he often borrowed money from her to spend at racehorse tracks and almost always lost. Another was his drinking problem, which led to his irresponsibility. On return to the farm as its new owner, he organised a wedding celebration at which he got himself and all the workers drunk. He had a love of women. As Liddy has told Bathsheba, he was a womaniser who had countless women under his thumb and didnt care a bit about how they felt, as long as he got what he wanted, especially when it came to leaving them. It became apparent later in the novel that his one true love was indeed Fanny Robin, the girl he had left for dead. When he tried to pay back the debt he felt he owed her by buying a gravestone for her, as well as laying flowers by her graveside, the weather destroyed what he had done, leaving him to believe that because of his abandonment of her he had been damned forever, and even worse he now abandoned a second woman, his wife Bathsheba. When he disappeared after he had been presumed dead, he did not return for at least seven months and this shows his lack of concern for Bathsheba. At one point before this, he had become bored with her, and even said this to her face: You are nothing to me nothing, showing that he was not serious enough about their marriage. Her relationship with Oak, however, increases because he helps her whenever there is a crisis, thus allowing Bathsheba to trust him even more. This also helps her to realise that she made an unwise decision in marrying Troy, especially because he abandons her. Oak sees the weakness of Bathshebas relationship with Troy and realises how incompetent at running the farm Troy is. Troy ends up controlling most aspects of the farm and ignoring Bathshebas wishes even though he is uncertain of what he is doing. Bathsheba married Troy between jealously and distraction and it is clear that she is discontent with him as a husband. With a storm brewing and the men drunk Oak covers the hayricks with Bathsheba helping him but when lightning strikes they are in the barn, together as they should be. She knows that Gabriel Oak will always love her, be there for her, and she thanks him for his devotion. Bathsheba is now able to see that Oak is the right one to marry and so she does when he is the only one left as discussed at the beginning. She also married him because she doesnt want to be left alone until she dies. This shows that she has matured now because she makes a right decision of marrying Oak, realising that she should have married him in the first place instead of marrying Troy. At first we see Bathshebas immaturity, which is seen when she sends a valentine to Boldwood as a joke. She is also seen as being capricious where she goes from one man to another: hearts were imagined as lost and won. She gives the impression of not being wise enough to discern Troys character. However, Bathsheba soon becomes mature and wise towards the end of the novel where she eventually realises that Oak is the man she should marry. From all the above we can see who of these three male suitors was right for Bathsheba and why he was. That man is Gabriel Oak, who loved her genuinely, tenderly and patiently from the moment he first saw her to the very last line of the book. He had never given up on her, had never let her be harmed in anyway and always gave her advice which was sound and right, even if she refused to accept it. In the end, Bathsheba admitted to him that if he had only been more forward then he would have been the first choice if it had even come to that. Troy was obviously the worst possible husband for her because of his gambling, drinking and womanising vices, but mainly because he still loved Fanny Robin. Bathsheba had just been a passing fancy whom he quickly got tired of. Boldwoods relationship with Bathsheba was much more genuine and acceptable at the start but tragically it became a fatal obsession for poor desperate Boldwood. Gabriels relationship with her was a lengthy one, tried and tested, totally unselfish. Bathsheba was indeed very fortunate that Gabriel was patient enough to wait until she matured enough to recognise his good qualities. As in most good stories, the best man wins in the end.

Grandparents House Essay -- Descriptive Writing Examples

Grandparents' House The car ride to my grandparents' house seemed to take half a day even though it was only a twenty-minute drive to Cedaredge. Although the back road over Redlands Mesa was a twisty tourney road, it drug on like a boring documentary. When the car finally pulled into the driveway of the long, white house with a neatly kept green lawn, I knew it was going to be a great day of fun, relaxation, and great food. As I walked around to the back door, my eyes took in the beauty of the grass swaying in the wind and the weathered barn off to the left of the pasture. Inside the barn I could see all sorts of different odds and ends hanging from the walls. When I opened the door to my grandparent's old house, a sweet, sensational smell of cooking food filled my nostrils and made my empty stomach growl. The aroma in the air was always a tease to my stomach and made me think my stomach was starting to eat away at itself. The normal activity of everyday life sends my family in a hundred different directions. My mom and dad both go to work, and my sisters and I go to school. After school, there are practices that all of us kids attend, and when we get home, we eat, do homework and go to bed. There is no time to sit down and play a game as a family or to just hang out together and talk about how the day went. Weekends and holidays are a time that we get to go to my grandparents' house as a family and have a day of fun visiting with family that I don't get to see very often. Their old house was to the west of the small town of Cedaredge, so there was not that many houses around it. When we went to my grandparents' house, we would ride our bikes around the neighborhood. My sisters and I would race on our bikes to see who ... ...d watch. Usually we were still playing on the Nintendo when it was time to leave, so it was a struggle to get everybody to stop right away. After my whole family was piled into the car, which as my sisters and I got bigger was a harder and harder task, we would wave goodbye to my grandparents and any other relatives that had come for the day. As we would pull out of the driveway, I would think back on the day and realize that I had to go back to the hustle and bustle of my everyday life. The trip home was not as long as the way over, but I could never wait until the next time we could go back to my grandparents' house in Cedaredge, for a relaxing day of spending time with my family and forgetting about our hectic life for at least a little while. Now, with both my sisters in college, the day when we go to my grandparents' house does not seem to come often enough.

Nursing Research Utilization Project Essay

Plans to Decide the Future of Your Solution This evidence-based practice method will be implemented as a proposed solution to decreasing heart failure (HF) readmission rates. Transitional care activities ensure health care continuity, reduce risk of poor health outcomes, and facilitate safe transfer between levels of care or health care settings (Naylor et al., 2011). Methods and Specific Plans to Maintain a Successful Project Solution Methods and Specific Plans to Extend a Successful Project Solution This proposal will be implemented as a pilot program between the Heart Hospital and the Norfolk branch of the home care agency. If this transitional care program is successful in reducing HF readmission rates, additional sites will be given the opportunity to participate. Preference will be given to those agency locations that have a large HF population served by the Heart Hospital. The project team will reach out to the branch administration and clinical educators to share program details and current data related to readmission rates as a result of program implementation. The team will also assess whether this program proposal is feasible at other hospitals within the health system. The team will gather input from hospital administrators and the informatics department to decide which hospitals would be best suited to pilot this program. In addition, there must be a home health agency that is part of the system located within 25 miles of the hospital. The end goal of this proposal is to achieve system wide implementation of the transitional care program at all 12 acute care facilities and 19 home health branches in Virginia. Methods and Specific Plans to Revise an Unsuccessful Project Solution Ongoing monitoring of the transitional care program for HF readmissions will be performed by the representatives of the hospital and home health agency. On the hospital side, a clinical nurse specialist on the cardiac unit and a program analyst will ensure that referrals are made to appropriate patients and discharge plans include the transitional care activities. On the home health side, the Norfolk branch team leader, clinical informaticist, and information technology data specialist will monitor program operations. This team will collaborate closely to ensure that program implementation is successful. If the program is not yielding the expected outcomes then a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis will be performed. All barriers identified will be addressed in a timely manner and changes may be made to the initial plan to promote success. In addition, staff and patients will be surveyed to ascertain challenges not readily apparent to the implementation team. These surveys will be designed and conducted by the clinical education department for the hospital and home health agency. The timeframe for conducting patient surveys will occur within seven days of admission into the program and then every 60 days. Since patients will need to be reassessed every 60 days for continuation of home health services, it is feasible to conduct the transitional care program survey concurrently. The team reserves the right to conduct additional patient surveys if a patient is readmitted to the hospital at any time during program participation or opts out of the transitional care program. Staff at the hospital and home health agency will be surveyed 90 days from their training date on the transitional care program and then every six months. Results of these surveys will be shared with the project team implementation coordinators during the monthly team meeting. Methods and Specific Plans to Terminate an Unsuccessful Project Solution Specific Plans for Feedback in the Work Setting and for Communicating the Project and its Results to Professional Groups External to the Project Conclusion Despite its high prevalence, HF care is often fragmented and uncoordinated. The transitional care program proposed by the team seeks to address these gaps in care and to reduce HF readmission rates. Discussion Questions References Melnyk, B.M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practices. (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Retrieved from University of Phoenix eBooks. Russell, D., Rosati, R.J., Sobolewski, S., Marren, J., & Rosenfeld, P. (2011). Implementing a transitional care program for high-risk heart failure patients: Findings from a community- based partnership between a certified home healthcare agency and regional hospital. Journal for Healthcare Quality, 33(6), 17-24. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Language and Literacy in Social Practice Essay

Language and Literacy in Social Practice is one of a set of four readers which looks at literacy and language practices as they are moulded and shaped by the cultures of the societies they serve. Edited by Janet Maybin, the book is a collection of key articles by seminal writers in the field who investigate the role of language and literacy as part of social practice. Broken down into four sections, the book begins with articles by Malinowski, Dell Hymes, Halliday and Volosinov and sets the scene for an anthropoligical/historical exploration of the sophisticated interaction and interrelationships between language, culture and social structure. Section two then provides ethnographic accounts of recent research by researchers like Taylor and Heath who document detailed evidence of literacy practices in a wide range of situations. They show in effect how literacy practices are very much the product of economic, religious, cultural and political processes and in particular the profound effect of differing socio-cultural expectations on the educational experiences and successes of learners at the macro level of the family and the local community. Section three moves away from a local focus to review literacy practices from a cross-cultural and historical perspective drawing on the writings of Street, Graff and Gee to look at literacy and language not so much as competencies and skills but rather as a product shaped by sociocultural parameters and some socioeconomic ‘myths’. The final section draws on the cultural and historical perspectives presented thus far and adds the further specific dimension of the political aspects of language planning and teaching to investigate how literacy and language teaching is very much a product of the rhetoric of governments and a tool to control and disposses minorities and to maintain a status quo that is elitist and exclusivist. What then is the value of Maybin’s book? It certainly doesn’t work as a sourcebook or a handbook of how to improve literacy practices in any given situation – and nor is it meant to. What it does work as is as a body of readings for reflective practitioners who would like to explore the significance of the crucial place language and literacy teaching holds in most Western societies and to look at the ways in which even the most ‘mundane’ literacy practices are heavily influenced by discrete parameters of culture, society and history. Its merit lies in the way that it, through historical perspective, social theory and current research, strongly encourages the reader to value what McGinitie has referred to as ‘the power of uncertainty’. Language and Literacy in Social Practice forces the reader to consider the complex and interrelated nature of language learning and the nature of literacy acquisition as value laden activity – value laden because of the variety of social factors which vie for dominance in the formation and maintenance of a majority Discourse. The structure of the book is logical and easy to follow. For myself, I found the first section to be the least valuable in terms of what it had to offer me, but, given its intention to provide a theory base for the sociological perspective of language as a social semiotic, it achieved its aim adequately. What was much more thought provoking were the articles in section two which detailed the ways in which literate practices were inextricably related to social and cultural practices and values. Of particular value to me as well were the articles by Rockhill on Gender, language and the politics of literacy and Paolo Freire on Adult literacy processes . Language and Literacy in Social Practice is not a book of readings preaching to the converted. Rather it is a thought provoking collection of writings which will encourage the sensitive literacy educator to examine again the values one transmits. Particularly in the culturally plural Australian context, Maybin’s book provides readings that, while not specific to the Australian context, are nevertheless very easily transferrable in the principles and understandings they embody. So much so that if one were to carefully think through and implement by negotiation the broad principles outlined in the book, Language and Literacy in Social Practice could well serve as a blueprint for a policy framework for literacy education in any society that truly valued its cultural diversity and which was determined to provide the sort of education that would question the status quo. Additionally, it would offer all participants real access to those constructions of empowering literate behaviour that are the staple of the disourse practices and power relationships of everyday life. It is not, I don’t believe, overly strong when Rockhill says that ‘the politics of literacy are integral to the cultural genocide of a people†¦ ‘. Language and Literacy in Social Practice raises the sorts of issues that will help us re-examine our own personal politics to prevent just that sort of ‘cultural genocide’ no matter how well intentioned or how genteel our motives. It is a book for all educators, cutting across cultures and specifics, providing a body of thought that, if it doesn’t change existing practice, will at the very least strongly encourage a reappraisal of what it is that one actually does in the classroom.

Alchemy in the Middle Ages

Alchemy in the Middle Ages Alchemy in the Middle Ages was a mixture of science, philosophy, and mysticism. Far from operating within the modern definition of a scientific discipline, medieval alchemists approached their craft with a holistic attitude; they believed that purity of mind, body, and spirit was necessary to pursue the alchemical quest successfully. At the heart of medieval alchemy was the idea that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. With the right combination of elements, it was theorized, any substance on earth might be formed. This included precious metals as well as elixirs to cure disease and prolong life. Alchemists believed that the transmutation of one substance into another was possible; thus we have the clichà © of medieval alchemists seeking to turn lead into gold. Medieval alchemy was just as much art as science, and practitioners preserved their secrets with an obfuscating system of symbols and mysterious names for the materials they studied. Origins and History of Alchemy Alchemy originated in ancient times, evolving independently in China, India, and Greece. In all these areas the practice ultimately degenerated into superstition, but it migrated to Egypt and survived as a scholarly discipline. In medieval Europe, it was revived when 12th-century scholars translated Arabic works into Latin. The rediscovered writings of Aristotle also played a role. By the end of the 13th century, it was discussed seriously by leading philosophers, scientists, and theologians. The Goals of Medieval Alchemists To discover the relationship of man to the cosmos and take advantage of that relationship to the betterment of mankind.To find the philosophers stone, an elusive substance that was believed to make possible the creation of an elixir of immortality and the transmutation of common substances into gold.In the later Middle Ages, to use alchemy as a tool in the advancement of medicine (as Paracelsus did). Achievements  of Alchemists in the Middle Ages Medieval alchemists produced hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, potash, and sodium carbonate.They were able to identify the elements arsenic, antimony, and bismuth.Through their experiments, medieval alchemists invented and developed laboratory devices and procedures that are, in modified form, still used today.The practice of alchemy laid the foundation for the development of chemistry as a scientific discipline. Disreputable Associations of Alchemy Due to its pre-Christian origins and the secrecy in which its practitioners carried out their studies, alchemy was viewed by the Catholic Church with suspicion and ultimately condemned.Alchemy was never taught in Universities but was instead transmitted from teacher to apprentice or student clandestinely.Alchemy attracted followers of the occult, with which it is still associated today.There was no shortage of charlatans who used the trappings of alchemy to defraud. Notable Medieval Alchemists Thomas Aquinas was an eminent theologian who was permitted to study alchemy before it was condemned by the Church.Roger Bacon was the first European to describe the process for making gunpowder.Paracelsus used his understanding of chemical processes to advance the science of medicine. Sources and Suggested Reading   Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul  by Titus Burckhardt; translated by William Stoddart Alchemy: The Secret Art  by Stanislas Klossowski De Rola Alchemy: the medieval alchemists and their royal art  by Johannes Fabricius The Philosophers Stone: A Quest for the Secrets of Alchemy  by Peter Marshall

Reading Comprehension for Presidential Elections

Reading Comprehension for Presidential Elections This reading comprehension focuses on Presidential elections. Its followed by key vocabulary relating to the US elections system. Presidential Elections Americans elect a new president on the first Tuesday in November. Its an important event that happens once every four years. Currently, the president is always elected from one of the two main parties in the United States: the Republicans and the Democrats. There are other presidential candidates. However, it is unlikely that any of these third party candidates will win. It certainly hasnt happened in the last one hundred years. In order to become the presidential nominee of a party, the candidate must win the primary election. Primary elections are held throughout each state in the United States in the first half of an election year. Then, the delegates attend their party convention in order to nominate their chosen candidate. Usually, as in this election, its clear who will be the nominee. However, in the past parties have been divided and choosing a nominee has been a difficult process. Once the nominees have been selected, they campaign throughout the country. A number of debates are usually held in order to better understand the candidates points of view. These points of view often reflect their partys platform. A party platform is best described as the general beliefs and policies a party holds. Candidates travel the country by plane, bus, train or by car giving speeches. These speeches are often called stump speeches. In the 19th century, candidates would stand on tree stumps to deliver their speeches. These stump speeches repeat the candidates basic views and aspirations for the country. They are repeated many hundreds of times by each candidate. Many people believe that campaigns in the United States have become too negative. Each night you can see many attack ads on the television. These short ads contain sound bites which often distort the truth  or something the other candidate has said or done. Another recent problem has been voter turnout. There is often less than 60% turnout for national elections. Some people dont register to vote, and some registered voters dont show up at the voting booths. This angers many citizens who feel that voting is the most important responsibility of any citizen. Others point out that not voting is expressing an opinion that the system is broken. The United States maintains an extremely old, and some say inefficient, voting system. This system is called the Electoral College. Each state is assigned electoral votes based on the number of senators and representatives that state has in Congress. Each state has two Senators. The number of representatives is determined by the states population but is never less than one. The electoral votes are decided by the popular vote in each state. One candidate wins all of the electoral votes in a state. In other words, Oregon has 8 electoral votes. If 1 million people vote for the Republican candidate and one million and ten people vote for the Democratic candidate all 8 electoral votes go to the Democratic candidate. Many people feel that this system should be abandoned. Key Vocabulary to electpolitical partyRepublicanDemocratthird partycandidatepresidential nomineeprimary electiondelegateto attendparty conventionto nominatedebateparty platformstump speechattack adssound biteto distort the truthvoter turnoutregistered votervoting boothElectoral CollegeCongresssenatorrepresentativeelectoral votepopular vote

African Americans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

African Americans - Essay Example In the short story â€Å"Drinking Coffee Elsewhere†, Dina is an African American student admitted to the Yale University, which by itself is a great achievement considering her neglected upbringing. Her metamorphosis is evident from the way she is portrayed in the beginning of the story as a somewhat timid character, while towards the end of the story, she is characterized as an independent minded person who is willing to speak her mind freely. Initially, even though life seems to be going well for her, she is battling to cope with her white elitist environment as a young African American. The story is able to highlight Dina’s ongoing struggles and her self-discovery process. It is seen how throughout the story, Dina has to put up a fight to maintain her integrity in the face of racial discrimination and finding a name for herself. In a world where racial equality is unheard of, she still manages to admit herself into Yale. Additionally, towards the end, she even befrie nds Heidi, who is a white lesbian young woman. This is proof of her growth. The short story â€Å"Every Tongue Shall Confess†, also highlights the metamorphosis of another young African American woman known as Sister Clareese. Just like Dina, she is struggling with her own life experiences which eventually shape the way that she perceives herself and others. Sister Clareese is not only a devout member of her Pentecostal Church, but she is also a nurse which makes her stand out above the ordinary women in her community.

Fair Use of Web Content Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fair Use of Web Content - Essay Example Exclusion of credit is equivalent to unoriginality or taking. Giving fitting credit establish that the works that were utilized were not stolen. Coombe states that when protected intellectual property works are utilized for personal use, it is with the comprehension that the individual utilizing the works wont gain money from this use, nor will they mishandle the exemption rights allowed under present Federal statutes. (1998). Boyle argues that at the point when people utilize the copyrighted materials of others for particular increase, they may well lose any reasonable use exemptions and be obliged to acquire particular authorization from the copyright holder. (2000). The data framework, in the same way as the communication network on which it builds, is worldwide, yet there is respectable variety in distinctive countries laws, implementation arrangements, and even cultural attitudes to IP. The Constitution sanctions Congress to secure an administrative plan " to promote Science and the useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors . . . the exclusive right to their writings . . . ." Accordingly, Congress instituted the Copyright Act of 1909, which it later replaced with the Copyright Act of 1976 (the "Copyright Act"). The prior dangers demonstrate that copyright holders face generous dangers online. All things considered, we recently have adequate proof that licensed innovation is as of now being made for distribution on the Internet (Boyle, 2000). In reality, a stunning very nearly unmanageable-amount of licensed innovation keeps on being processed and made accessible online in spite of these threats. Therefore, regardless of the statements of the individuals who accept that the dangers postured online to copyrighted works might bring about disincentives to make and disseminate meets expectations, it seems different strengths are grinding away on the