Research Paper in Communication Studies

Research Paper in Communication Studies Proposal The Role of Blogs in the Media Environment Nowadays, blogs take a more and more important role in the media environment. When they were ? rst considered trends that won’t live long, now even experts ascribe them a major part of todays mass media. But how and in what way do these online platforms actually take in? uence in mass media? What are blogs? „Blogâ€Å" is the short word for Weblog, which is composed of the words â€Å"world wide web† and â€Å"logbook†, so a blog can be understood as an Internet diary.The writer of a blog, named â€Å"blogger† is characterized by writing the â€Å"blogposts†, which are the entries on the blog. He tells stories or gives opinion on something, mostly on a speci? c topic the blog is about. In comparison to a website, a blog as (more or less) regular entries, which are sorted chronically. The newest entry is on the top while the older ones are at the bottom or sorted in an archive. 1 History of blogs The ? rst blogs developed in the late 1990‘s. The word â€Å"Blog† was ? rst used by Jorn Bager, in 1997. He was one of the ? rst people, who regularly wrote something on a web page in the Internet and called this thing a blog.When he was looking for similar sites to his one, he created a list of 23 blogs existing on the web. Within a few years, the number of blogs increased rapidly. According to estimates, there were approximately 173 million of blogs on the Internet in October 2011, with a tendency going upwards. 2 1 2 http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/blog http://www. nielsen. com/us/en/newswire/2012/buzz-in-the-blogosphere-millions-more-bloggersand-blog-readers. html Research Paper in Communication Studies The role of blogs Blogs developed from internet-diarys to platforms talking about speci? themes and topics of any kind. Though they basically consist on personal opinion, they take a more and more important role in today’s media. Especially in the fashion world, blogs are taking over. Even the big designers sent out invitations to international bloggers to sit in their front row at the next fashion show. By displaying their own style, fashion bloggers aim to taking the „over-the-top-world of fashionâ€Å" down to earth. This way, they show normal people that fashion isn‘t just hold back for the rich ones but something everybody can achieve and express themselves with.This may be one of the reasons why fashion bloggers became so important. Blog begun as platforms to tell the world what happens in your everyday live but now seem to evolve to some reliable sources to get inspiration or information from the Internet. Maybe this is why running a blog also seems like becoming to etiquette: Almost every company has a separated company blog. Even broadcasting platforms like CNN3 or BBC4. Once you google the word â€Å"blog†, 100 of platforms to start an own blog will pop up. Also at the ? rst page: The company blogs from twitter and google itself.Research questions So what is the big thing about blogging? Does blogs really have an remarkable impact on todays media world? And if so, why? In my research paper, I will try to answer these questions and look behind the facade. Is blogging really more then something hip and cool and a trend you want to follow? Is it possible for them to remain in the quick changing world of the Internet? How is it possible that even big companies started own blogs and update them regularly? Apart from the fact that blogs DO exist and get more and more important, there is the question in what kind of way they do.Is it just extra information or are they as reliable as 3 4 http://edition. cnn. com/exchange/blogs/ http://www. bbc. co. uk/blogs/ Research Paper in Communication Studies radio and TV are seen nowadays? Does information shown on blogs is comparable to information shown elsewhere? What actual role do they play in t odays media? I will also try to give a forecast about the role of blogs within the media in the near and later future. Will they remain in the media or soon be replaced by some new trend? Research Paper in Communication Studies SourcesPrint: – Nielsen, Jakob (2007): Blogosphere. In: Information World Review, Issue 236, p. 30-30, 3/4p. – Hogg, Nanette; Lomicky, Carol S. ; Hossain, Syed A. (2008): Blogs in the Media Environment: A Content Analysis of the Knowledge Stage in the Diffusion of an Innovation. Web Journal of Mass Communication Research. Internet: – http://www. wired. com/entertainment/theweb/news/2007/12/blog_anniversary – http://www. rebeccablood. net/essays/weblog_history. html – http://www. nielsen. com/us/en/newswire/2012/buzz-in-the-blogosphere-millions-morebloggers-and-blog-readers. html

Archetypes in High School Movies Essay

David Denby explains the typical high school movies in detail in his article called â€Å"High-School Confidential: Notes in Teen Movies†. According to Denby, there are three character archetypes in high school movies; the popular girl, the jock, and the outsider. For some reason these movies usually take place around the time of prom, where miss popular expects to be crowned for her? popularity. Denby described the first character type, the popular girl, as usually a tall slender blonde cheerleader that has two or three friends identical to her. Together these girls ruled the school, not necessarily because everyone liked them, but because everyone was afraid of them. Of course, this girl expects to be to be voted most popular by her class at prom. Of course, the popular girl has a boyfriend, who fits in the jock archetype. He is head of the football team, a big time prankster, quiet in class, but king of the halls and cafeteria. Sometimes, as one of his pranks or bets, he may ask an outsider to the prom for humiliation purposes. The outsider the jock asks to prom is the third character Denby explains in this sentence; â€Å"The kids who cannot be the beautiful ones, or make out with them, or avoid being insulted by them-these are the heroes of the teen movies, the third in the trio of character types†. She is the girl with intellectual or artistic ability, always dropping her books, wearing outdated clothes, silent or stuttering in front of good-looking boys, and cannot hide her desire to be accepted. Now if the outsider was a male, the jock obviously wouldn’t be asking him out to prom, so the storyline would have to be a bit different. Now, not every high-school movie has these two characters, but they are common and well-known in such movies. Also, not every jock in a movie is as arrogant as described; they can be played as sweet and innocent, but these characters are not nearly as familiar as the ones Denby describes. Now think about the writers and directors of these movies. Do you think they are interested in the â€Å"because it sells† factor, or do you think their high school status is involved? Denby talks about how Hollywood writers and producers more than likely fell in the outsider’s category. Maybe this is why often the stories twist in high-school movies. The outsiders become the heroes, join the system, and better it. The system appears to be more like the real world, where appearance doesn’t beat achievement. Movies like She’s all that, and Never Been Kissed fit Denby’s American high-school movie character archetypes perfectly. On the other hand, movies that contradict Denby’s archetypes include Clueless, Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion, and Election. In Clueless, the rich blonde is actually a good person with good qualities. Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion might even be criticizing the teen-movie genre altogether. In Election, a middle-class overachieving girl works all the time to be on top, but still feels excluded, which breaks every cliche in the book. Denby analyzed three specific archetype characters for high-school movies, but also found that there are some that break the mold. The commonly known archetypes writers and producers often use are the popular girl, the jock, and the outsider. They themselves probably find interest making high-school movies because they were also stuc.

Marketing portion update for a Electronic Medical record Business plan Research Paper

Marketing portion update for a Electronic Medical record Business plan - Research Paper Example In order to curb this, the institute of medicine suggested that EMR should be implemented uniformly in the industry to improve the efficiency of care givers. (Erickstad et al, 2011). Target Markets The examination of the target market must be conducted on the basis of important variables that essentially define the characteristics of the market to enhance the achievement of marketing objectives that have been outlined in this plan. Geographic Segmentation – Domestic and International The most significant method of segmentation which has been discovered during the course of this research in relation with EMR is that of geographic segmentation. Research by Accenture has projected that the countries that are most likely to increase their usage of EMR are mostly the Nordics, Australia as well as Spain since they are already leading in adaption of the same. On the other hand, the United States is expected to overtake even these nations in the use of Hospital based EMRs in by the en d of the year 2013. Expected Growth The aforementioned market segments that have been characterized on the basis of their location have displayed varying levels of growth however, a similar feature in this regard is that each segment is expected to expand even though, the extent of this expansion might be different and in accordance with the development of the healthcare system in the identified regions. The largest potential target markets are the hospitals overhauling their systems and incorporating EMR technology; while the risk is high, the rewards are bound to be proportionally high as well. In addition, large markets with significant growth potential especially in clinical support where the maintenance is outsources preferably by small players would provide a conducive target market for the EMR technology both from a domestic and global perspective. Characteristics of Customers Since the target market does not involve the participation of individual consumers, the major segmen tation variables for consumer markets such as demographic, psychographic and behavioral factors would be inappropriate to apply in their entirety however, behavioral patterns suggest that the customer’s attitude towards the product would be positive, with a readiness stage at which they are informed about its potential benefits and understand the benefits of the product. Total Market Valuation The growth trend in domestic and international markets for EMR implies that the market value of each of the identified regions is going to increase in coming years which is a positive sign for the company. According to research based calculations and market assessments the potential value of the market for EMR in the United States currently stands at a staggering $17 billion. This figure has been derived from prior calculations which reported the market value to be $15.7 in 2010. Consequently, similar observations are expected for countries such as Australia and Spain. However, inflatio n rate, exchange rate fluctuations and external factors such as taxes must be taken into account before arriving at concrete figures. Total Company Revenue The company’s commitment to the client is the provision of a high-quality product and our dedication is not limited to the delivery and installation of the product but it also extends to an extensive period of service. The primary costs of EMR that the client shall incur once an order for the product is placed are divided amongst the following categories:

Article analysis summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article analysis summary - Essay Example How can health services be efficiently financed in the USA? What are the best practices in health services management in the USA? The research study will apply quantitative techniques. Data is collected through questionnaires, interviews, and secondary sources like health journals. Data recording was done in tables, and voice recorders. Data analysis was conducted through statistical measures, charts and graphs. Presentation of findings was done through presentations and reports. The sampling was conducted through random sampling method. 30 states were selected, and 10 health facilities were selected in each of the states, at random. Representatives of both private and public sector were included; each state had 5 private health facilities and 5 public health facilities. Therefore, the sample size is 300 health facilities spread across the USA. Data analysis leads to several results. 65% of the healthcare financing is got from programs like Medicare, Veterans Health Association, Medicaid and TRICARE. Health insurance by public employees is catered for by the government. Other segments of population have private health insurance providers, and some are uninsured. The main strength of this article is that it analyzes health care provision in both the private sector and the public sector. This ensures easy comparison of health care effectiveness in both sectors. The main weakness of this research article is that the sample size is small. 300 health facilities represent a very small proportion of the population; total number of hospitals in the USA. Healthcare facilities in the USA are mostly owned and managed by the private sector. 62% of the health centers are non-profit. 20% of the centres are owned by the government, public. 18% of the health centers are for profit (Mahar,

Threatened Species Act Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Threatened Species Act - Case Study Example This is also available along the Winburndale Nature Reserve. This tree is found in more than fifty five different locations in New South Wales. The current status of the trees is more that of relicts, though they were pretty wide spread earlier on (Hunter 1998). Due to changes in the environmental condition, there has been an overall depletion of these species. They have been slowly losing ground and the population of the species has been depleting in all the locations. The exact reason for such depletion has not yet been ascertained, though a number of possible causes have been identified. In a similar way, the influence it has on the rest of the flora and fauna in the locality is also not fully identified though most of them and the influence of the tree are also identified in the environment. These trees mostly occur in table lands and on a wide variety of geological soils at reasonable altitudes. Most often these trees occur in foot slopes of hilly terrains, though by nature they can grow on any type of land. This species flowers during the months of January to April. The seeds are spread once they are formed. They travel in air and is carried away by wind. They are not carried to long distances. They are always found in close proximity to the parent tree. They fall due to gravity and get into the soil when the wind blows. While the reproduction is helped by nature, their destruction is also caused mostly by nature. The forest fires are the main reasons for destroying nearly 30% of the saplings when they start sprouting. These also weaken even the adult trees there by causing the trees to wither later. However, many of the mature trees sprout after the forest fires. The Eucalyptus trees have the possum in their leaves which makes them averse for animals that feed on them. This is a defensive mechanism that most of the Eucalyptus species adopt and this species also adopts. This protects itself from the animal kingdom to a large extent making its survival in the forest easier (Jeffrey Harborne, 1999). This is made possible by the presence of phenolic chemical components present in the leaf. It is also found that the trees since they have the stringy bark are not particularly attractive to animals to feed on them. Biologically it has protected itself from grazing animals. However, it maintains a balance of available trees and plants in the location where it has been thriving. Now with the depleting population of these trees this delicate balance is affected. The trees are biologically affected when their hybrids are found in the neighbourhoods with other tree species. This hurts the population of the original species since the hybrids grow in the same region and try to destroy the original species. This is one of the major reasons for the population of the species to come down drastically. The species develops putative hybrids with closely related species. The hybrid populations reach as much as 30% of the species population in certain areas causing large scale reduction in the species population (Ladiges & Humphries, 1986). Social Relationships Apart from the forest fires, land clearing and open cut coal mining continues to be major cause for the destruction of these species. In the case of forest fires, the trees have worked out a methodology to get around these and are able to sprout after a fierce forest fire, they do not hold any chance against human activities of

What Makes People Attractive to Others Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

What Makes People Attractive to Others - Essay Example As adults, they are more likely to be married, can pull off more sex partners, earn a higher salary, and have a better job. People can naturally trust them, and some perceive them to be healthier and smarter. They are more likely to be elected if they go into politics. Have we ever considered why do we categorize some features as attractive and others as less attractive? According to scientific research, it is all dependent upon oxidative stress and anti oxidants. However, for some people it can be subjective. Therefore, this paper would discuss the essential aspects, which makes people attractive to others. People have researched on the different facets of being attractive. Research shows that an attractive person has many life advantages, which an unattractive person might be vulnerable to. Some researcher however thinks that being attractive is simply a learned criterion. The school of thought who opposes this theory argues that attraction to specific features is not learned. But over the period it has evolved as a way of distinguishing the virile from the weak. A lot of research has been done on this theory, and is hence supported. It suggested that if a person is attractive physically, then it depicts a biological signal of good health. Looking back at ancestral times, if any one feature of the partner would be attractive, it was considered as an omen for elongated survival (Dobson, 2010). A BBC study reveals that a newborn, just like an adult would be more fascinated to see an attractive face. In a research when an attractive and a less attractive picture was shown to an infant, he would look at the attractive picture for longer period of time as compared to the less attractive picture. This shows that everyone is born with a pre-programmed understanding of what makes a person attractive (Babies prefer beautiful faces, 2004). The old concept and expression which has batted for centuries is the concept of ‘opposites attract’. This idea can be considered as subjective when it comes to work, colleagues, or friends. This is because one generally does not like dealing with a person who are unlike of us. On the contrary, this concept can be considered ideal when it comes to love relationships. Research shows that on the Extraversion/Introversion and Judging/Perceiving scales, people are usually attracted to opposites. People who are exciting and different tend to attract us more naturally. It is more due to the quest of completion rather than the exciting difference that plays a role in being attracted to others. Every person has strengths and weaknesses. Individuals who possess strengths that are missing in us are more likely to be seen as attractive. This makes the couple a well rounded, functioning unit. This is how being attracted to opposites can make one as a more complete individual (Personality and Relationships). Apart from the biological features, the color, which a person opts to wear, might also play a vital role in being a magnet to attraction. If a man chooses to wear the color red so it makes him more attractive and desirable to woman. However, research shows that women are unaware of this arousing effect. According to a psychology professor, Andrew Elliot, the charm of cherry color makes men appear more powerful. He conducted a research through which he found that men who wear red are considered by women as higher in status, more likely to make money, and more likely to be social. Hence, the high status judgment makes a man attractive to women (University of Rochester, 2010). The question of beauty and attractiveness remains unanswered since the time humans have been civilized. Research shows that majority of men and women spend one-third of their income on

Analysis of treatment - Diabetic Leg Ulcers Essay

Analysis of treatment - Diabetic Leg Ulcers - Essay Example The literature review has provided information to be used in changing the present tools One of the more novel approaches to advanced treatment of the diabetic ulcer today is light therapy. In this therapy, there is a light emitting diode used (LED) and a super luminous diode (SLD) that will deliver low intensity laser light. This treatment is used in synchrony with conservative sharp debridement, offloading, bioburden management, and advanced dressings. According to Sutterfield (2008), the patients tested resulted in a healed wound in 8 weeks of treatment. During this same time period Blume, Walters, & Payne (2008) compared negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure with advanced moist wound therapy. This was a randomized multicenter controlled trial. There were 342 patients enrolled in this study and the mean age was 58. . Patients were randomly assigned to either the advanced moisture wound therapy or the negative pressure therapy. Evaluation of the ulcers occurred for 112 days and then they were followed for 3 to 9 months. The results showed that complete ulcer closure occurred with vacuum assisted closure 43.2% of the time and 28.9% of the time with dressing and topical. Lavery, Boulton, and Niezgoda et.al. (2007), also completed a study comparing diabetic foot ulcer outcomes from negative pressure wound therapy with historical standard ulcer care. They did this by analyzing Medicare claims data of 1,135 patients with diabetic foot ulcers that were treated with negative pressure and reviewed the results of a controlled wet to moist therapy meta-analysis that was a randomized study. Within 12 weeks, the negative pressure treatment showed significantly better results than the wet to moist dressings Further, Fernandez-Montequin, Betancourt, Leyva-Gonzalez et.al. (2009) studied the use of intralesional administration of epidermal growth factor-based formulation (Heberprot-P) in treatment of ulcers. They found that

Business Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Report - Essay Example Every organisation undertakes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to serve the society it is working in. Barclays undertakes various CSR activities to educate the public about the different investment plans and also make them aware about the rules and regulations of the London Stock Exchange. Ethics of an organisation is defined as the general rules and regulations that are followed for the good conduct of the business. Barclay has its own well built ethics which make them different from the other organisations (Wetherly and Otter, 2008). The stakeholders play an important role in the organisation and it can be said that they are the one who are affected by the performance of the organisation. The stakeholders of Barclay are the employees and the investors who are investing in the organisation on the hope of getting good returns. The report also elaborates the current issues that are faced by Barclays which have led them into trouble. Development Barclays Plc is the Brit ish multinational financial provider which is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It has its operation in retail, investment banking, wholesale, mortgage lending, credit cards and wealth management. The performance of the organisation is elaborated under the different heading which is given below. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of FTSE 100 Index. It also has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Business Environment Business does not exist in isolation it must operate in a complex and turbulent environment. Figure 1: Firm in its environment (Source: Worthington and Britton, 2009) The above figure shows that how the environmental factors are influencing the business organisation. The outputs of the organisation can get affected by the external environmental factors such as the political and the technological (Worthington and Britton, 2009). The business environment can further be divided into general environment and the contextual en vironment as given in the figure below. Figure 2 : Business Environment (Source: Worthington and Britton, 2009) The overall performance of Barclay was affected by the economic turmoil that took place in 2011. Though the capital and the liquidity position of the organisation are quite stable in 2011 the economic disturbances are felt in the organisation. In 2011, there was a revision in the forecast of the global GDP. This had a negative impact on Barclays as the customers were conservative and these made it difficult for the bank to raise the funds. This added a liquidity pressure on Barclays in 2012 (Foster, 2008). The changing rules and regulations by the government made it difficult for the organisation to raise funds from the customers as they did not want to take the risk of losing money. Changing nature of the business environment The business environment is changing every day whether it is political or economic or technological. The business concept is becoming more complex a nd difficult for the organisations (Lucas, 2000). Figure 3: Changing business environment From the above figure it can be said that from simple and safe business environment that the business used to face no longer existed and presently the organisations was confronting volatile business environ

Life Of A Teenager Essay Example for Free

Life Of A Teenager Essay WE TEENS are something our life depends on cell phones, television and lot more. We are more bothered about our fashion and outlook. Our friends play the most important role in our life.A teenager, or teen, is a young person whose age falls within the range from thirteen  through nineteen (13–19). They are called teenagers because their age number ends in teen. Someone aged 18 or 19 is also considered a young adult. Timing of puberty On average, girls begin puberty at ages 10–11; boys at ages 11–12. Girls usually complete puberty by ages 15–17,[2][3][4] while boys usually complete puberty by ages 16-17. The major landmark of puberty for females is menarche, the onset of menstruation, which occurs on average between ages 12–13; for males, it is the first ejaculation, which occurs on average at age 13. In the 21st century, the average age at which children, especially girls, reach puberty is lower compared to the 19th century, when it was 15 for girls and 16 for boys.This can be due to improved nutrition resulting in rapid body growth, increased weight and fat deposition, or eating meat from animals which have been dosed up with oestrogen. I memorize the phone numbers of friends whom my parents do not approve of so that their names don’t blink on my mobile phone. Nothing Like a Friend I sometimes fight with my friends, but there’s mutual understanding that we won’t let our parents know. And, usually, we sort out the differences ourselves. Some of us get stuck with friends from whom we learn to smoke, drink, splurge, and other vices. For a while, I got entangled with a group of boys and became addicted to video games. When I want to attend a party or watch a film, I invent a story, like I am  going to study at a friend’s place. Last year one of my classmates was moving to another city. On his last day at school, I gave him `100 so that he could buy himself a present. It was the money my mother gave me to buy a sweater.

Effect of Public Squares on Social Interaction

Effect of Public Squares on Social Interaction SOCIAL COHESION AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE IN CONTRAST TO THE THIRD PLACE Social cohesion is a term used insocial policy, sociology and political science to describe the levels of social inclusion, integration, interaction and participation within a society, particularly in the context ofcultural diversity. It is associated the structural functionalism and political conservatism of the built environment, hence is directly affected by the process of Urban Design (). The concept of Urban Design as a construct of the 20th Century is ambiguous in its definition (Carmona, 2003, p. 3). It suggests addressing (for the better) the characteristics of a city, by proposing revised plans through a process of pattern making, sketching and planning. (Carmona, 2003, p. 3) However, the city in its own right is a complex organ which functions on multiple levels; economic, socio-cultural, political and environmental. The city as an organ is in a constant state of reaction, either to stimulus from within or external to its geopolitical confines (Lynch, 1990). Stated plainly, in order that a city performs successfully, it is necessary that it maintains or strives towards a state of dynamic equilibrium by simultaneously maintaining economic relevance to its wider context, and addressing the socio-economic needs of its citizens(). Consequently by understanding the city (its elements) as containers for human activities, it may be observed that the notion of urban design today has evolved from the initial creation of building masses and the consequent articulation of public space (Carmona, 2003, p. 3). It is now to a greater extent concerned with the creation of a physical and socio-cultural public realm which is primarily enjoyed by its users, but also creates a greater sense of social cohesion, necessary for good community living (Carmona, 2003). Hence it follows that if the primary aim for urban design today is making places for people (Project for Public Spaces, 2009), we should examine critically the performances of different forms of public place in terms of encouraging social interaction and thus social cohesion. First the public square, a familiar concept to the average man (French, 1978). Expressions of civic pride, public squares are generally typified by its accessibility, often dominated by a landmark or civic building (French, 1978). Their resulting high level of legibility increases the user base from local members of the community to include the wider public (Whyte, 1980).Thus creating a highly vibrant space conducive to social interaction (Whyte, 1980). By contrast, less familiar with the average man is the concept of third place (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 15). Oldenburg observed that multitudes shuttle back and forth from the womb to the rat race in a constricted pattern of daily life that easily generates the desire to get away from it all (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 9). It is this place of escape that he defines as the third place, while the first (womb) is the home and the second (rat race) is the workplace (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 9). This third place arises from the human need for a routine recreation space, which serves as an intermediary between the activities of living and working.() Although generally an interaction space for members of a local community, it exists in a variety of forms ranging from the more easily identifiable cafes, pubs, libraries; to the not so obvious independent traders such as barbershops and cybercafà ©s (Oldenburg, 1999). Injecting such program within the urban fabric facilitates the notion of socio-cultural belo nging (Jacobs, 1993). It serves as neutral ground for the emergence of conversation across demographic profiles, and thereby the birth of friendships based on the common ground of community (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 169). This essay discusses in greater detail the characteristics of both the public square and the third place. It highlights the distinctions in the levels of social interaction that each of these spaces encourage. To illustrate these points this essay uses Hackney Central, London as a case study. City lights and gleaming windows Built in to fantastic shapes Overlook sounds of Vietnam Viaducts and artist landscapes Historic clues, canals and terraces Hint of workers struggle to survive Melting now into sound and colour, Sense the Caribbean come alive. Saturday debates in Kurdish cafes And shoppers choosing Turkish life. Mix with the sounds of synagogue To tell the stories of culture and belief. What we see is what we choose Inner soul or shabby shell outside. Downtrodden, dirty dereliction or a lifetime learning in a 15 minute ride. Gill Carter The east end is a much loved and much fabled part of London and Hackney at the heart of it. Hackney Central its administrative headquarters today possesses a culturally diverse demographic, with 65% of its population constituted of minority ethnic groups (Hackney Council, 2009). As home to the iconic theatre The Hackney Empire and birthplace to thespian and musical greats such as Harold Pinter and Leona Lewis, Hackney is witnessing a significant influx of creative industries, as part of a spill-over from trendy neighbours Shoreditch and Hoxton (Sergius, 2009). The spotlight again is turning towards Hackney as it is located on the principal axis for development culminating at the 2012 Olympic site in Stratford (Hackney Council, 2009). Despite its rich cultural heritage and promising future prospects, Hackney is still very much plagued by a reputation as being a deprived and unsafe neighbourhood, with a propensity to breed crime (Wikipedia, 2010). With these two conflicting views in mind, I visited Hackney for the first time. The Squares two primary elements are gardens symmetrically laid out on either side of the central walkway on the east-west axis which continues on to the Town Hall entrance. The main-stream of visitors to the Square access it via this central walkway. The gardens are almost completely enclosed by a wall measuring approximately half a metre in height. Although it is unknown whether this was the initial design intention for the wall, its height is conducive for sitting and is often used accordingly by visitors to the Square in the absence of any alternative seating. Undoubtedly, this results from the human inclination to seek comfort, the accommodation of which should be a priority in the design of a successful square (Project for Public Spaces, 2009). Yet it may be observed that the use of the garden walls to satisfy this basic human inclination actually negatively impacts the social dynamics of the space. In his studies of human interaction in plazas Whyte (Whyte, 1980, p. 227)observed that people exhibit a tendency to self congest, being attracted to spaces that are significantly occupied by other people. This behaviour is socially motivated and logically has the potential to facilitate social interaction in public spaces. However, although visitors do self congest generally within the Hackney Town Hall Square, the aforementioned lack of specifically allocated seating areas causes them to do so haphazardly, clustering together and sitting in groups of acquaintances (Whyte, 1980, p. 227). This actually discourages social interaction between strangers, fragmenting the visiting population (Whyte, 1980, p. 227). Furthermore, the majority of seated visitors tend to sit either side of the mainstream of pedestrian flow, the central walkway (Whyte, 1980, p. 228). However, despite this prevalent self congestion, the walkways significant width does not facilitate communication between users seated on opposing garden walls. Instead this layout encourages people-watching, as seated users watch passers-by along Mare Street and along the central walkway Arguably the Square also attempts to encourage ground floor activity by housing mass-appealing attractions and facilities as the Library Cafe and Hackney Empire bar (Project for Public Spaces, 2009). However the positive effects of these venues are negated by the introduction of side streets Wilton Way and Reading Lane between the Square and both Hackney Empire and Library respectively. These two boundaries are connected by a service road in front of the Town Hall. This U-shaped enclosure discourages pedestrian movement as there is no clear indication as to whether pedestrian or motorist has right of way. This adversely affects the ambience of the Square by reducing the pedestrian footfall. Consequently, as the inclination of the individual to self congest prevails, pedestrians are attracted toward the dynamic buzz of Mare Street, and proceed to converse in the mainstream of its pedestrian flow (Whyte, 1980, p. 227). Thus the Square underperforms as a vehicle for social interaction a nd indeed performs less effectively than Mare Street. The limitations that the layout of the Square places upon the scope of the social interactions within itself are apparent in the limited variety of visitors that the Square attracts (Whyte, 1980, p. 226). IMG_1886.JPG The Squares clear site lines and is easy access (as previously explained)are intended to broaden its portfolio of visitors from members of the local community to the wider public who may not be as knowledgeable of their local environs. Whyte (Whyte, 1980, p. 226) deduced from his observations that public square users usually have a short commute distance, usually from nearby places of work or are visitors to attractions on the square. Although it was not possible to verify the work place of all Town Square users, I did identify an influx of construction workers on a break from nearby works taking place on Morning Lane. I also observed that the majority of the users were visitors to the main attractions on the Square the Hackney Library and the Hackney Empire. Undeniably the location of a bay of bus stops along Mare Street east of the Square attributes to its function as an orientation space. Hence we see that the Square mainly attracts users that are more likely to be non-residents of the area. Whether day tourists, theatre clientele or workers that may not necessarily be very familiar with the area, non-local users of the Square are more inclined to keep their social interaction within the confines of their group (Whyte, 1980, p. 227). Social interactions within the Square can therefore serve to largely exclude the local community and hence the Town Hall Square is limited in promoting social cohesion (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 14). It would indeed take a very vibrant Square to facilitate the rare occurrence of conversation between strangers (Whyte, 1980, p. 228), and this is clearly not the case with the Town hall Square. Owing to shortcomings in its layout, and lack of adequate sitting areas, the pedestrian footfall does not achieve its potential capacity. Arguably, The Town Hall Square therefore serves more efficiently as a lobby for visitors to Hackney Central. Its functio n to the visitor is adaptable certainly. It can serve as an orientation space from which the rest of Mare Street may be articulated, as a resting place for visitors to nearby attractions or indeed a meeting place for friends before an evening outing (Whyte, 1980). However, what it fails to do is encourage interaction between the local community and tourists (Oldenburg, 1999, pp. 10-11). The Square in announcing all that Hackney Central holds dear neglects its greatest asset its people. The people of Hackney Central are unique to their London context in that they exist as a close-knit community. This is no doubt as a result of the proliferation of the third place in the local neighbourhood (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 162). Greasy Spoon Cafes, barbershops and pubs make up the fabric of Hackney Central. These independent traders line the main routes through the district; Graham Road, Amherst Road, Morning Lane with their greatest concentration on Narrow Lane. Walking up Narrow Lane the bustling street showcased wares and cuisine from all over the world converging in a unique communal existence in Hackney Central. I began to understand with greater clarity the nature of the neighbourhood that poet Gill Carter described when she spoke of ; debates in Kurdish cafestelling stories of culture and belief.'(Op Cit) It is in these spaces described by Carter that the people of Hackney Central seek respite from the monotony of daily work and home life (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 163). There is a fundamental need for people to enjoy the company of neighbours on neutral ground, however neutral ground outside the cash nexus is preferred (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 13).Thus, the emergence of St John Churchyard Gardens as the primary third place in Hackney Central. The St. John Churchyard Gardens is a large expanse of urban green that runs parallel to Narrow Lane. A park green of such significant size usually has a high propensity to develop in to an urban vacuum, as it requires a lot of activity in order for it to remain convivial (Jacobs, 1993). However, despite this disadvantage the Park works quite effectively as a public space. The park has a homely quality to it that does not exclude any particular member of the community.() Its weathered grave stones and worn flagstones give it a lived-in feel, hence it is perceived as a more informal public space an extension of the local users homes. These are all qualities highlighted by Oldenburg in his argument for the third place (Oldenburg, 1999, pp. 163-169) Again in line with observations by Jane Jacobs in her studies of American neighbourhoods, the parks rim is articulated with a zone of dense mixed use program varying from residential to retail, which encourages a significant pedestrian footfall (Jacobs, 1993). It may also be observed that the park as a whole, although of considerable size, is in essence a collective of several green spaces, each with its own focal point. CHURCH.jpg his.jpgFirst is the garden in the forecourt of the St Johns Church, which is a lobby space for the Church with clearly designated seating areas. Second is the Walled Garden, this enclosed space provides an intimate and safe area for young families to use the designated playground. Third is the central park green, where the routes converge (Jacobs, 1993, p. 136). Finally, fourth is what I refer to as the Historical green, so called because it serves as the foreground to historical landmarks St Augustines tower, the old town hall and the preachers corner. This subdivision of the park in to four smaller gardens reduces the perceived circumference of enclosure. This promotes self congestion as, users of the park can asses their level of comfort based on the congestion level of the garden that they are in at any one particular time. his.jpgAnother advantage posed by creating varied functions for the different gardens, is that the user base is varied. A heterogeneous user base helps to keep the park active at different times throughout the day (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). This user base is thereby structured into subcategories of users who share common ground (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 164). For instance a high proportion of the walled gardens users tend to be young mothers with their children using the play ground areas. Their children serve as icebreakers as the mothers sit in the allocated adult supervision area and share anecdotes on childcare and childs play. Never delving too deep in to their private lives, these friendships amongst the parents are groomed until the children are mature enough to conduct their own excursions to the park (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 166). Similarly the elderly and indigent folk congregate in the historical green, waiting to hear the assertions of whoever decides to lead the sermon on preachers corner, hoping of course to offer their own pearls of wisdom (Jacobs, 1993). The possibility of encountering a familiar friendly face, for a helping of entertaining conversation, transporting you if only momentarily from the mundanity of daily living, according to Oldenburg is one of the greatest allures of the third place (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). Indeed users are more inclined to use the park as they are assured that it will be accessible at any hour during the day and the specific subcategory of user has an idea of when to catch a particular crowd at the park (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). Whether young mothers, street preachers, early morning joggers or even the lunch breakers, each category of user has a specific pattern of time and location (Oldenburg, 1999). The charm of the St Johns Garden as third place is in no way exclusive to the local user, it also appeals to the day tourist (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). Its unassuming appearance inspires the reminiscent, instilling a confidence created by the feeling of having visited a place a number of times, but in reality no times at all. ()Its well lived-in look, clear paths and colourful characters awaken the inner explorer in a bid to discover the true nature of Hackney Central (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 168). Even the regulars submit themselves to be explored (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). In fact it was while visiting the historical green on my photographic excursion of the district that I would garner firsthand this most bizarre of experiences. I was trying to set up the perfect angle for a shot of the St Augustines tower, when a gentlemans voice from behind me suggested that I move back and angle my camera closer to the ground, in order to capture the grandeur of the tower. As is customary British politesse, I smiled sweetly said nothing in response and instead turned back to my assignment, whilst seemingly taking on board some of his suggestions. He clarified that he was a cinematographer, although his appearance would infer otherwise. He then elaborated on a plethora of other principles that I should take in to account such as the rule of thirds. This tutorial would slowly melt in to a brief summation on what had brought our paths to cross. I spoke briefly of my university assignment and career aspirations. He recounted stories from his past, and what he had hoped then for his future, all the time using Hackney Central as the backdrop to his tales.  ­ Now I must clarify that this would not be the first time I have ever had a polite conversation, what was unique to this encounter was the manner in which this gentleman approached me. He was warm and welcoming, to what he had obviously assumed as his territory (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). He moved towards me, and by reducing the radius of personal space he required more than just a smile, his intentions were to engage me in a conversation (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 167). Having lived in central London for a number of years, I had become accustomed to averting eye contact and maintaining a guarded silence even in the most uncompromising confines of the tube during rush hour. Yet I would encounter this bizarre urban behaviour repeatedly throughout my tour of the third place. Evidently, the St Johns Gardens as a third place serves as a vehicle of social cohesion as it is inclusive of visitors from all backgrounds, encouraging social participation on a plateau of social equality (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 169). Its location opposite to the train station, parallel to commercial Narrow Lane and residential areas ensures that it is easily accessible to both locals and tourists thus creating potential for encounters between the two groups (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 166). The absence of commercial function and its unpretentious physical structure, ensures that people of modest means feel comfortable to use the space (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 168). This further widens the scope of its user base to include the indigent a significant proportion of the districts population (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 168). To the tourist the park reveals the true nature of Hackney Central, showing its historical heritage, its cultural and socio-economic diversity and moral views all in a days visit. Admittedly, as with most third places, (depending on the sensibility of the tourist) St Johns gardens aesthetic quality and its eclectic selection of regulars may prove daunting (Oldenburg, 1999, p. 168). They would rather a public space void of character that showcases all the exploits of a consumer society (Whyte, 1980)(. The elegant architecture of the Hackney library and recognisable global franchises such as Subway, situated around the Town Hall Square cater to such needs. Conversely, this constricts the user base to exclude to a large extent the average resident of the district. Thus, I refer to my initial question, if the priority of urban design is making places for people, should we not be encouraging effective social interaction in order to establish social cohesion and par venture should the promotion of third place not be our goal? However a district operates similar manner to a city, hence is governed by similar rules. Consequently (as earlier stated) the district needs to maintain economic relevance to its wider context, whilst addressing the socio-economic needs of its inhabitants. Hence, I conclude. It would seem that there is argument for the role of both the third place and the public square in facilitating social cohesion. The third place acts directly as the vehicle for social cohesion by keeping the community together and preserving its identity. Conversely, the public square acts indirectly by catering for the tourist, thereby maintaining the districts economic relevance to its wider context. In so doing, it makes it economically viable for a community such as in Hackney Central to even exist. CITED WORKS Carmona, H. O. (2003). Public place Urban Spaces Dimesnsions in Urban Design. Oxford: Architectural Press. French, J. S. (1978). Urban Space- A brief History of the City Square. Iowa: Kendell Hurt Publishing Square. Hackney Council. (2009, December 22). Retrieved December 22, 2009, from Hackney Council Website: www.hackney.gov.uk Jacobs, J. (1993). The Death and Life of American Cities. New York: Random House. Lynch. (1990). City Sense and City Design. Massachussets: MIT Press. Oldenburg, R. (1999). The great good place. New York: Manlowe and Company. Project for Public Spaces. (2009). Ten Principles for creating successful Squares. Retrieved December 14, 2009, from www.pps.org: http://www.pps.org/squares/info/squares_articles/squares_principles Sergius. (2009). Areas of London Hackney. Retrieved December 24, 2009, from Areas of London: http://www.areasoflondon.com/ Whyte, W. (1980). The Life of Plazas. In W. William, The Social Logic of Small Urban Spaces (pp. 227-229). Washington DC: Conservation Foundation. Wikipedia, C. (2010, January 2). London Borough of Hackney. Retrieved January 4, 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=London_Borough_of_Hackneyoldid=335464346 BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Carmona et al Public Places Urban Spaces Jane Jacobs The Economy of Cities Jane Jacobs The death and life of American Cities Ray Oldenburg The Great Good Old Place Tridib Banerjee Beyond the Neighbourhood Unit Lynch et al City Sense and city design William Whyte The Social Logic of Small Places Jere Stuart French Urban Space: A brief history of the City Space Adisa et al Hackney my Hackney: An Anthology of Poems and Photographs Lil Smith The Good Old Bad Days PUBLICATIONS Tridib Banerjee Urban Experience and the development of city image: A Study in Environmental Perception and Learning Hackney Council Local Development Framework: Draft Interim Hackney Central Area Action Plan Phase 1 Masterplan WEBSITES http://www.areasoflondon.com/hackney.html http://www.stjohnathackney.org.uk/ http://www.hackney.gov.uk/

Reflexology benefits which community mental health clients experience

Reflexology benefits which community mental health clients experience Reflexology is growing in popularity in its use for a wide range of conditions such as pain management, to ease the effects of cancer treatment, and indeed mental health problems. Reflexology, a complementary therapy, has been around for many years and its main purpose is ultimately to aid relaxation and restore energy. Literature suggests that it may improve quality of life and promote well-being. An increasing demand for Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMS) emphasises the need for more research, therefore this research proposal suggests that further research is required to understand more clearly the benefits perceived by clients when reflexology is utilised in conjunction with their exiting plan of care. SEARCH STRATEGY A comprehensive literature search was conducted in relation to reflexology for mental health illness, in particular anxiety and anxiety related disorders. It was the intention to locate valid and reliable research carried out within the last ten years, however expanding this period located much more research that was considered relevant, and thus has been included within the literature review. The main databases for the literature included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Web of Knowledge, Swetwise, PubMed, British Nursing Index (BNI), Internurse,Wiley Interscience, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) , EBSCO, and DARE (Centre for reviews and dissemination). Keywords used within the search strategy included: reflexology, anxiety, mental health, complementary therapies, complementary medicine, perceptions of reflexology, CAMS for enduring mental health, holistic care in psychiatry, holistic approach to mental health, zone-therapy and therapeutic touch. Additional literature was sourced from The Association of Reflexology. A manual search was also conducted for relevant books and leaflets. Searching literature revealed much quantitative and qualitative research on the topic of reflexology, the majority of which was related to reflexology for physical conditions such as cancer (of various types), multiple sclerosis, and skeletal ailments. A relatively small number was associated with mental health illnesses. LITERATURE REVIEW As mentioned there is an abundance of information and research with regards to the perceived benefits of CAMS including reflexology, however methodological flaws exist within some of these studies. Here, the researcher will attempt to give a critical, yet an evaluative account, on some of the research already published on the topic of reflexology. In addition, the researcher will draw upon previous research that has been carried out on why clients use reflexology, thus understanding reasons as to why it is becoming a popular complimentary therapy. Complimentary and alternative therapies incorporate a wide spectrum of approaches, however according to the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2007) they can be grouped into five main categories which are alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body based therapies, and energy therapies. It is important to point out that these diverse modalities to not aim to neither diagnose or cure an illness; they merely aim to promote wellness and enhance wellbeing (Mamtani and Cimino, 2002). In recent years complementary therapies have seen an increase in popularity (Harris and Rees, 2000; Kessler et al, 2001; Russinova, 2009) for all age groups (Barnes and Bloom, 2008) and the reasons for this are varied. Change the start of this paragraph†¦ The Complementary and Alternative Medicines Project (2008) was commissioned by the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in 2000. Get Well UK a non-profit organisation was appointed to oversee the project. A large sample of 713 clients who had either musculoskeletal or mental health conditions were referred to the study by their General Practitioner (GP) with the aim of exploring the potential use of CAMS within existing primary care services. Utilising the measure yourself medical outcome profile allowed data to be generated through a validated measurement. Respondents were asked to complete this before their first treatment and again after their final treatment. Additionally there were independent surveys conducted via post to the participants, the GPs and the CAMS practitioners involved. The modalities of CAMS within the study included reflexology, aromatherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractor and osteopathy. Upon evaluation, it was concluded that 79% of those who took part felt an improvement in the mental health, 69% reported an improvement on their well being, and 84% reported that improvement of their well being was directly due to the CAM treatments. In addition, 94% stated that they would definitely recommend CAM treatments to others with similar complaints to themselves. Since the research, The Prince of Wales has called for a  £10 million investment into research of CAMS. Whilst the conclusion of this research appears promising for the various therapies involved, a closer look reveals that only a minority of mental health conditions were included in the selection criteria, which were anxiety, stress and depression. If the inclusion criteria allowed for a range of mental health conditions, their findings may have been different. However, strength is that it had a large sample size, which many other studies have failed to have. In response to the above research project, the Government strongly hold the view that more evidence is required, and recommended that research should attempt to contribute to the existing evidence based using the same rigorous methods that is required and desired of conventional medicine (Department of Health, 2001). Reflexology has been described as a technique used to promote the healing powers of the body that works on the premise that certain areas of the feet correspond to areas of the body. It is a non-evasive therapy where gentle pressure is applied to areas of the foot. It is believed that reflexology was practiced in china as early as 4000 BC. Reflexology, originally named zone therapy emerged from America during early 20th century. Reflexology is increasing being utilised in palliative care settings and have found to be effective in alleviating anxiety, additionally improving their physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological well being. Gambles et al (2002) carried out semi-structured interviews to identify cancer patients perceptions after a course of reflexology was offered. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of reflexology offered in outpatients. Positive results were derived from the analysis demonstrating that reflexology was beneficial for this group of clients. The majority of the clients indicated that the main benefits perceived were a reduction in anxiety levels. Other clients highlighted a reduction in pain, and some noted an improvement in their sleep pattern. The lack of negative comments in this study indicates that reflexology was positively received by the client group. However as the findings were mainly gathered from narrative, thus subjective data, it could be said that lack of objective measurement reduces it value. However, the paper included some of the raw data in the form of quotations which enhanced the validity and credibility of the research. While the above research was carried out in Scotland, similar research has been carried out in England (Lewith et al, 2002). Washington Hospices have also seen a significant rise in demand in the utilisation of complementary therapies for individualised, holistic client care (Kozac et al 2009) Research carried out in Northern Ireland to assess CAM use suggested that Reflexology was among the top six therapies used in Northern Ireland. The main reason for the use of reflexology was to enhance wellness and relaxation (Mc Donagh et al, 2007). The method used to carry out this research was surveys and had a sample of 100 people. Write more about this Bring in here about the Mind Report (unpublished research) A qualitative study (Richardson, 2004) found that clients rationale for using complementary therapies is diverse. Reasons ranged from clients feeling unhappy with orthodox medicine, having poor relationships with their GP, for symptom relief, and the increased availability of many complimentary therapies. Not dissimilar to the findings, although more specific to the reasons why clients avail of reflexology, Bishop et al (2008) found that reasons range from; for pleasure, as a treat, anticipated beliefs, prevention/management or alleviating current physical and mental health problems, and as a supplement or addition to conventional medicine. While this research was carried out in England and had a sample population of 46 clients, a bigger sample may have identified broader variations for their use. A systematic review by Wang et al (2008) agreed that there is indeed evidence to support that reflexology may have potential benefits; however they hold the view that there is no evidence to support its efficacy. To conclude their review they suggested that the routine provision of reflexology is not recommended for any illness or condition, expect for some symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. Upon completing a systemic review Ernst (2009) and in agreement with Wang et al (2008) also concluded that there is evidence to suggest the effectiveness of reflexology although the results of previous studies are not convincing as the methodologies utilised within the trials were often poor with small sample sizes, lacked objective data or contained inaccurate measurements. As the systematic review focused on physical conditions and not mental health disorders the Jadad scale was used to assess the quality of the methodology. This instrument, often used for RCTs within the context of p hysical therapy has a score range of 0-5 (5 being highest quality) and is based on three criteria, is often used globally for the measurement of RCTs (Olivio et al, 2008). It is important however to note that research within complementary therapies often face difficulty in obtaining objective data as it is a very individualised approach, therefore client outcomes vary due to the clients values and belief system and evidence is placed on client feedback and satisfaction. Health professionals are encouraged to work towards evidence based practice, however, as the evidence mainly comes about as the result of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) this can often place professionals in a dilemma due to the lack of RCTs in some complementary therapies (need ref) The underpinnings of RCTs are that of objective measurement, and often reject or disregard subjective data, which in turn make it more difficult to obtain hard evidence. CAM practitioners and reflexologists treat clients with individ uality, they see their clients as unique therefore the treatment is unique. As a result much of the research into reflexology does not fit adequately in the criteria for RCTs as emphasis is placed on individualising care, not placed on standardising care. For this reason lack of objectivity should not be lack of effectiveness. Need a linking sentence There have been significant changes and developments into the way mental health care is delivered, with much focus and emphasis on community based care. This shift from the traditional long stay hospitals has been seen as a positive step towards person centred holistic care. There is indeed much focus on recovery with the aim of supporting clients to manage their illness so that they can continue to reside within their community and live their life to their optimal best. Beresford (2000) and The Mental Health Foundation (2000) found that people wish to play an active role in their recovery from mental illness which includes being involved in the treatment and decision process and would like the opportunity to avail of complementary therapies. Thornicroft et al (2008) hold the view that central to the provision of effective community based care is that services need to reflect the needs of the clients, be holistic, individualised and patient centred. Keep this paragraph at the end of lit rev. People with mental health illnesses such as anxiety and anxiety related disorders often require different treatments, therapies and services to help them deal with, thus manage their illness more effectively (Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2005). Regardless of any methodological flaws, it is important that health professionals take into account clients motivations for using complimentary therapies such as reflexology. We must listen to the clients perceived benefits and work towards a greater understanding of such benefits. . CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 DESIGN Quantitative and qualitative approaches, what do each entail, why I have chosen mixed methods There are two main approaches to research; qualitative and quantitative. Each have there own advantages and indeed limitations. These approaches do not have to be used alone, they can often be used together. Mc Neill and Chapman (2005) put forward that mixed methods are often desirable as it enables the researcher to overcome some of the inherent weaknesses that many methods possess. Qualitative research design is often used to gather sensitive information. It aims to gain a more in-depth understanding of peoples beliefs, values, opinions and experiences. The rationale for choosing qualitative over quantitative approaches is that qualitative methods are more holistic; it seeks to understand perceptions held by individuals, and seeks to find out why instead of how many. It is a naturalistic approach whereby the research is carried out under natural conditions. Although qualitative data can be hard to objectively measure, it remains valuable because it considers and represents the perception of humans. A frequent criticism is that the qualitative approach lacks rigour (Rolphe, 2006). Bradbury-Jones (2007) suggest that keeping a reflective diary can enhance rigour whereby the researcher can reflect on their own values, beliefs and preconceptions which can all affect how the responses of the respondents are interpreted. Parahoo (2006) holds the view that reflexivity is not always easy to achieve and suggests that allowing the respondents to read the data obtained for agreement or clarification is a way of validating the data obtained. within the qualitative approach, It is argued that in order to assess the effectiveness and indeed efficacy of any treatment, service or therapy, randomised controlled trails (RCTs) should be used. RCTs are seen to be the gold standard of research (Kunz et al, 2007), however there are also limitations and criticisms of RCTs, especially where placebos are used (Vaque and Rossiter, 2001) Willaims and Garner (2002) proclaim that RCTs merely provide information about groups rather than individual clients. Many RCTs often give age restrictions and tend to focus on groups with the same diagnosis, in other words clients with dual diagnosis or mixed diagnosis are often excluded. Whilst we are encouraged to incorporate the results of RCTs, Naylors (1995) viewpoint is that RCTs lack external validity therefore it is not always possible to use the results and apply them in clinical settings. Using this approach in vulnerable groups also raises several ethical questions and concerns (American Psychiatric Association, 2006; Tharyan, 2006). However Green (2008) exerts that excluding vulnerable groups may also exclude them from gaining benefits The researcher proposes to use semi structured interviews (qualitative) as a means of collecting data and there are many reasons for taking this approach. This method can provide the researcher with rich and valuable information about the experiences and perceptions of clients with a mental health illness. SAMPLE Parahoo (2005) reminds us that selecting a sample for research requires much consideration, especially in mental health nursing research. The target population (sample) required for this proposal is 6 clients within the local community who currently have a diagnosis of anxiety or any anxiety related disorder as categorised in the DSM IV or ICD 10. The vulnerability of this group of clients must be considered whilst recruiting clients. Polit and Back (2004) exerts that clients should never feel obliged to take part in any study and no coercion from the researcher must take place. It is therefore important that when discussing the research with clients that it is emphasised that there will be no penalty for refusal to take part. Write about how you will get the sample How many Inclusion and exclusion criteria For the purpose of this research proposal the researcher has suggested convenience sampling, sometimes referred to as volunteer sampling. As the name suggests the sample is convenient, and is fairly typical of a qualitative approach to research (Burnard, 2004; Polit and Beck, 2010). However, Convenience sampling is not without its limitations (write about some limitations, also the good points). There are no set rules concerning samples sizes, although qualitative sample sizes are generally much smaller than quantitative sample sizes. In order to obtain the sample needed the assistance of the community mental health team (CMHT) is required. An information booklet containing the topic and aims of the research will be mailed to members of the CMHT. When nurses are located the researcher intends to arrange a small conference so that any issues can be raised, this will also provide an opportunity for the CMHT to ask questions. It is important that the researcher also leaves their contact details should any further questions arise. When the team are happy with the research topic and aims, they can discuss this (if applicable) with their clients and leave a participant information booklet with their client to read. If clients have any literacy or reading limitations or any sight problems then it is imperative that their nurse read out the information, or if preferred an audio cass ette will be prepared so the client can listen to the tape at their own time and pace. A client with literacy or communication difficulties should not be discriminated against and it is important that they are not excluded due to reasons mentioned. It may however pose challenges in the data collection and analysis (Low, 2006) The researchers contact details will be provided on the information booklet, which will enable the client to contact the researcher for more information if required. When six clients have shown interest and agreed to participate a consent form must be signed (see appendix). Arrangements will then be put in place, at the convenience of the participants and the reflexologist for the reflexology to commence. 2.3 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION semi structured interviews, BDI 2.4 ROBUSTNESS OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS 2.5 DATA ANALYSIS how are you going to analysis the data, ie through recordings, transcribing the data from the tape etc 2.6 PILOT STUDY 2.7 PROCEDURE FOR MAIN STUDY 2.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Research such as the Milgram experiment (where participants inflicted electric shocks to another participant), The Stanford Prison experiment (where participants became verbally and physically abusive towards one another) and The Monster Study (where an attempt to induce stuttering was conducted on orphans) a number of ethical principles and frameworks have been developed with the main aim being the protection of participants well-being (Kovisto et al, 2001; Keogh and Daly, 2009). Indeed the Numberg trials at the end of the second world also received much controversy. This resulted in the formulation of the Numberg code, which has been noted to be one of the worlds most recognised ethical documentation. The Numberg Code and the Helsinki Declaration provide the basis for research. These basic principles are used globally any can provide researchers with an outline to the ethical, moral and legal obligations of research (Benard and Ficher, 2006) Ethical considerations are an important element in any type of research and the onus of upholding the ethics of research should be the responsibility of the researcher (Research Council UK, 2009). Clients with a mental health illness are a vulnerable group and many steps must be taken for their protection. Ethical approval will be sought from the relevant bodies (appendix) (University of Ulster, 2006). it is advised that this can be a lengthy process so the letter will be mailed at the earliest available date. Ethical considerations is not merely about non- maleficience, and beneficence, it is much broader than that. Consideration of the benefits versus the risks must be considered. No research should ever intentionally cause harm. As mentioned in section †¦. An information booklet will be provided for those who wish to take part. The information provided will be easily read, wherever possible will be free of jargon so that it is comprehensible to the reader. A list of contact numbers of local organisations will also be added to the booklet as the nature of the study is obtaining information from a vulnerable population group and any likelihood of upset must be addressed. Other information included in the booklet is; what will happen when the research is completed, upholding confidentiality, the right to withdraw and complaints procedures (Medical Research Council, 2005). It is important that all this information is capsulated within the booklet as a new procedure, intervention or ser vice may seem confusing at first and provoke unnecessary anxiety to both the client and the staff involved. Data Analysis Researchers who use qualitative approaches to gain information can use several ways of analysing their data (Elo and Kyngas, 2007). Only the data analysis method applicable to this research proposal will be discussed here. The first stage of narrative data analysis is to gather all the information that was obtained from the participants, although this may first appear relatively easy task to do, the reality is that it is a lengthy and time consuming process. Furthermore it is not an easy or straightforward task to accomplish. When transcribing the tape recordings it is important that we consider the rate and tone of the speech and be aware of the colloquialisms (slang) used in everyday conversations. Pauses, sighs or any prolonged silences must also be noted as excluding any of these will result in losing valuable information and the transcription will not emphasise or illustrate an understanding of what the participant is trying to put across, in other words we need to be extremely careful when interpreting the data.

Redemption in Hard Times :: Dickens Hard Times Essays

Redemption in Hard Times Now, it is to be approached the redemption aspect in Hard Times. The main character, which will be in redemption, is Grandgrind. He is introduced at the beginning of the novel as: The speaker's square finger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster's sleeve. The emphasis was helped by the speaker's square wall of forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. The emphasis was helped by the speaker's mouth, which was wide, thin, and hard set. The emphasis was helped by the speaker's voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial.... [Hard Times. Ch.1] From the description above, it is expected to find a hard person with a calculating mind. He emphasizes on reason, not emotions. His character probably points at Utilitarianism in nineteen-century system, especially in the educational field. The system stresses on educating the mind, without the heart; it teaches to "Stick to Facts"[Hard Times. Ch.1], as Mr. Grandgrind lectures his student. On the basis of his philosophy, his daughter Louisa marries an elder man, who is Mr. Bounderby, for the sake of her brother. She married him because her brother asks her to. As a result of this decision she made, she lives with Mr. Bounderby unhappy till they separate. Tom, Louisa's brother, acts careless and steals Mr. Bounderby. Tom wanted to live different of how he was raised, and that lead him to be cruel to his sister and at the end a thief. Mr. Grandgrind system, produce another catastrophe, who is Bitzer, a student in his school. He becomes a spy to Mr. Bounderby, and he then hunt Tom down, when he tried to flee not to be put to jail for his crime. Grandgrind redemption does not begin when Louisa converse with him. She inquires from him if he is asking her to love Mr. Bounderby. He falls in perplexity, till he finds a way to get back to his facts and numbers. Her discussion with him went to vein. Mr. Grandgrind awakes when he finds out that Tom stole the money. His point of view to life changes then, especially when he knows that the circus people, who he always thought of as un-realistic people, helped his son.

Alice In Credit Card Land :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Your credit card is stolen. You place a phone call to the number provided in your tourist guide or in the local daily press. You provide your details and you cancel your card. You block it. In a few minutes, it should be transferred to the stop-list available to the authorization centres worldwide. From that moment on, no thief will be able to fraudulently use your card. You can sigh in relief. The danger is over. But is it ? It is definitely not. To understand why, we should first review the intricate procedure involved. In principle, the best and safest thing to do is call the authorization centre of the bank that issued your card (the issuer bank). Calling the number published in the media is second best because it connects the cardholder to a â€Å"volunteer† bank, which caters for the needs of all the issuers of a given card. Some service organizations (such as IAPA – the International Air Passengers Association) provide a similar service. The â€Å"catering bank† accepts the call, notes down the details of the cardholder and prepares a fax containing the instruction to cancel the card. The cancellation fax is then sent on to the issuing bank. The details of all the issuing banks are found in special manuals published by the clearing and payments associations of all the banks that issue a specific card. All the financial institutions that issue Mastercards, Eurocards and a few other more minor cards in Europe are members of Europay International (EPI). Here lies the first snag : the catering bank often mistakes the identity of the issuer. Many banks share the same name or are branches of a network. Banks with identical names can exist in Prague, Budapest and Frankfurt, or Vienna, for instance. Should a fax cancelling the card be sent to the wrong bank – the card will simply not be cancelled until it is too late. By the time the mistake is discovered, the card is usually thoroughly abused and the financial means of the cardholder are exhausted. Additionally, going the indirect route (calling an intermediary bank instead of the issuing bank) translates into a delay which could prove monetarily crucial. By the time the fax is sent, it might be no longer necessary. If the card has been abused and fraudulent purchases or money withdrawals have been debited to the unfortunate cardholders’ bank or