Personal Statement On Psychosocial Assessment - 2544 Words

Psychosocial Assessment As I arrive into the office the receptionist informs me that my new client has arrived. I greet him and ask him to follow me. In the office I introduce myself and ask him how he is doing today. He seems to have a positive outlook on things. I inform him that his visit today will take no more than an hour. First and foremost I have him read and sign off the consent form. Next I inform the client about privacy and confidentially. I also let him know it is okay to stop me and ask any questions. Lastly, although he has allowed his previous therapist to share his chart with me, I confirm with him once again if it is okay for me to take a look. The client agrees and I begin to conduct his assessment. I. Identifying Data Pat Solitano Jr. is a 28 year old Caucasian male who is estranged from his wife Nikki. He was a former high school teacher. Pat has been referred to L.P. Psychotherapy by his former therapist Dr. Cliff. II. Chief Complaint The client is already aware of his condition and wants to get better for his wife Nikki. He hates his illness and wants to control it but refuses to continue taking his medication. Pat states that the medication makes him feel foggy. III. History of Present Illness The client was not diagnosed with any disorder until after the onset of a negative life event. Pat had arrived home from work one day and heard his wedding song playing. As he was walking, he saw his wife’s clothes trailing to the bathroom. Then he seesShow MoreRelatedPersonal Reflection On The Social Work Profession847 Words   |  4 PagesMy paper is a personal reflection on my understanding of the social work profession, as I get ready for my field placement. I will reflect on my evolving sense of professional identity, and will discuss my growth in terms of self-awareness. I will further deliberate about my knowledge of the Social Work profession. 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Assessment includes different steps: 1) Drawing a baseline of psychosocial functioning based on the current, before, during and after trauma

Americas Reluctance to Deal With Gangs and Gang Crime...

The United States of America faces a highly complex problem that is threatening to destroy the fabric of its unique urban society. This problem has been developing for many years and has become entwined into the core of American society to such a point where it has virtually become accepted as the norm to the millions of people whose quality of life has been greatly reduced by it. The problem in its most simple form is crime, however, this is evident as a problem that demands improvement in nearly every country throughout the world, so this essay will look closely at the crime problem that has become synonymous with modern day urban America - gang crime. To fully understand the detrimental†¦show more content†¦The modern settlement system of the United States of America has developed over the last 400 years from the early European pioneers initially based on the east coast. The pioneers were the catalyst of the unparalleled emergence of small towns, some of which were eventually to grow into todays metropolitan areas. As the frontier reached further into the western areas of America more settlements began to appear on the landscape, and so began the process of urbanisation. The first signs of gang activity were becoming apparent during the late 19th century as urban America began to develop into two widely contrasting and disconnected societies. The two societies consisted of the poor and the affluent. Goldfield and Brownell (1979) indicateShow MoreRelated Youth Gangs Across the Globe Essay4796 Words   |  20 PagesMost gangs are created to form a sense of power and control. All types of problems are presented to the youths of today growing up in major cities. Before being so eager to jump to conclusions, we must try to understand these problems, or we will never find a solution to them. Gang members are out there trying to find a family that some never had. It may not seem like much to you - an abandoned house or a park - but it becomes a place to call their own. It’s easy to say â€Å"why don’t they everRead MoreWilliam Bratton and the Nypd12122 Words   |  49 Pagesyale case 07-015 rev. february 12, 2008 William Bratton and the NYPD Crime Control through Middle Management Reform Andrea R. Nagy1 Joel Podolny2 William Bratton, commissioner of the New York Police Department from 1994 to 1996, presided over a dramatic decline in the city’s crime rate. Hired by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as part of a new crime fighting initiative, Bratton embraced the â€Å"broken windows† theory that had made him so successful as chief of the city’s transit police. According toRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagespoint by including the last decades of the 1800s, which are critical for all of the key subjects and processes considered—from demographic and gender shifts to war, the rise and decline of the great powers, and environmental change. Each essay deals with an underlying and all-encompassing process that in its depth and magnitude is one of the more distinctive features that is definitive for the era as a whole—the advance and retreat of the process of globalization. 8 †¢ INTRODUCTION Read MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pageslicense their search technology to other firms wishing to use it for research, found few takers. Eventually they went the venture capital route. But Brin and Page insisted on keeping control of Google’s destiny and remain majority owners, or it was no deal. On June 7, 1999, less than one year after they left Stanford, they issued a press release announcing that two venture capital firms, Kleiner Perkins and Sequoia Capital, were investing $25 million in Google. On the Stanford campus and around PaloRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesManagement Skills—A Sample of Studies RESULTS STUDY ⠝  RESPONDENTS †¢ FOCUS ⠝  Andersen Consulting (2000) †¢ Study of Andersen partners, consultants, and client leaders Employee skills Creativity Team building Resilience/flexibility Technical competence Deal with ambiguity Speed Emotional intelligence Communication skills Leadership attributes Less controlling Shares authority Culturally attuned Encourages challenge Clear vision Comfortable with risk Creates a motivated business Manages intellectual

Critical Essay Social Media

Question: Write about the Critical Essayfor Social Media. Answer: Introduction Social media has created as a strong marketing and publicizing gadget over the latest couple of years. Be it another business or a developed affiliation, and all have their Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, Twitter profiles set up to impart their each new dispatch and deals on these social media destinations. Various associations are ricocheting into the Social Media Marketing (SMM) momentary pattern, a large bit of which are not even fittingly masterminding or reviewing the ampleness and the impact of SMM for their associations and brands (Tuten Solomon, 2014). Twitter is the pioneer on run live online progression fights. Associations ask that customers tweet their constrained time watchwords preceded by a hashtag (#) and request them with fascinating rewards. Teased by the rewards and deals, people begin to tweet and retweet their hashtag-prefixed watchword insinuating another thing or service. A little while later it transforms into an example on Twitter, and their proposed intrigue bunch gets the statistics as for the thing and segments (Stavrakantonakis et al., 2012). Without a doubt social media marketing is a strongly limited time gadget, but anyway it has in like manner got a diminished side identified with it. With a substantial gathering of favourable circumstances it offers, there are a couple of snares that may transform into a terrible dream for the publicists if not tended to. Critical Analysis With the predominance of digital marketing on the climb, various associations are exploring how social media can aid them to impel their things and administrations to be prospective and current clients. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have transformed the means a couple of associations contemplate advancing. A couple of associations facilitate clienteles in the direction of their social networking pages beyond their switch to their specific websites (Bruhn, Schoenmuellern Schfer, 2012). There are certain purposes important to exhibit by methods for social media; however, there are associated drawbacks as well. The fundamental central purposes of social media marketing are diminishing charges and redesigning grasp. The charge of a social media stage is ordinarily lesser than other advertising stages, for instance, eye to eye representatives or mediators or wholesalers. Also, social media marketing licenses firms to accomplish customers that may not be open because o f natural and locational obstructions of current allotment passages. Social media stages upsurge reach and decline charges by giving three regions of a good position to customers. To begin with, the promoting business can give broad information to demographics short of human intervention. This is use over diverse sorts of contact in light of the circumstance that the degree of information that can be prearranged is altogether more fundamental than in some other sort of association. Similarly, and more basically, the records can be prearranged in an edge that clienteles can minus quite a bit of an extend technique and get it. Secondly, social media marketing agencies can make association by changing facts for distinct clienteles that permit clienteles to outline things and organizations that sustain their precise necessities, For instance, web based examination and seat errand ought to be conceivable on the Internet. As a final point, social media stages can permit trades among clienteles and agencies that would necessitate human connection as by productive firms, for instance, Dell and amazon.com (Hollensen, 2015). A winner among the most phenomenal wonders of innovative media is the route by which it has augmented and made innovative categories of joint public exertion. People devote more than a fourth of their time virtual, prerequisite in communication works out (e.g., posts, IM talk, and social networks), which is corresponding to the total stretch spent online for broad unwinding and incitement. Not simply has new media certifiably balanced how routinely people grant on the web, in any case, it has in like manner extended the puddle of people they talk with and incited new courses for practices to be swayed (Stelzner, 2014). Social media outfit promoters with the capacity to target social occasions of onlookers and clients in the context of site customers' near and dear interests and what their associates like. A couple of sites' publicizing will in like manner highlight which experts your partners get a kick out of the prospect to give a person membership. With such "sharp" marketing, and broadcasting, sponsors effectively contact the all-inclusive community who are most enlivened by what they convey to the table. Also, social networking enables casual trade to propel things past what advancing alone does (Laroche, Habibi Richard, 2013). The online condition makes openings and disarrays and troubles for the social media marketing progression. The straightforwardness of the network makes virtual data open to all gatherings of spectators and invigorates the prerequisite for constancy in the organizing, plan, execution and regulating of web marketing correspondence. As the name surmises, social media is clever and great; two-way trades accept obligation. The technique for promoting variations in communal organizations, with the supplement, put on setting up whole game plan affiliations that can modify into more strategies. Some separate entities essentially be reliable to monitor every structure, answer to comments, answer the appeals and post facts the client contemplates fundamental. A relationship minus an organization to handle these informal organizations will gather that it's troublesome to battle. The essential preliminary thought and apparently the most basic one is that social media marketing requires an important time theory (Laroche et al., 2012). It is fundamental for a relationship to safeguard their specific emblems and patents while exploiting social media to propel their products and things. An association's marques and other secured advancement are consistently practically as critical as the things or services that they propose. Social media's capacity to empower easy-going and extemporized post habitually reliably can help relationship in pushing their products and scrambling copyrighted data, despite it can also bolster superlative destroy of a business' brands and patents (Sashi, 2012). By means of social media to propel one's picture, things or facilities can in like manner include faith, protection and information security concerns. It is essential for relationship to mindful of these issues and takes appropriate measures to restrict the first experience with commitment related to private data gathering, use, and upkeep. Social media associations like Twiiter and Facebook, all things considered, have their security approaches that oversee their use of client data and outcast lead on the social media arrange concerning singular data. Promoters using untouchable social media openings must guarantee that their marketing endeavours don't enable customers or whatever various get-togethers to take an interest in practices that would harm the cultural association's insurance methodology, and publicists should be in like manner assurance that they are submitting to the methodologies too. Associations that control their specific sites or other social media stages should in like manner keep up solid plans that reveal the association's data gathering, use, and limit sharpens, and any commitments that untouchables have regarding insurance and data security (Castronovo Huang, 2012). Social media, in a manner of speaking, converts purchasers into guarantors and advertising specialists, and customers can make positive or negative weight to the association, its stuffs, and its services hanging both on how the affiliation is appeared on the web and in the method for things and administrations appeared to the client. One a player in social networking that is particularly hurting to promoting endeavours is adverse post reactions. Both clienteles and business contenders can post wrecking or unfriendly pictures, posts or recordings and there is close by no a promoter can do to keep these occasions (Saravanakumar SuganthaLakshmi, 2012). Conclusion Social media can be created wherever with an Internet connection, and it has a duty to be deliberated by promoters, bolsters, and online constituent makers as a vital portion of their exchanges since social media impacts all parts of the Internet and alters the bit of Internet in individuals' lives. Today, customers get another part with social media. Clients are persuading the chance to be content makers and, along these lines, logical customers as opposed to eating up, as some time as of late. Social media applications or instruments that engage this are websites, little scale blogging applications, (such as, Twitter), social systems administration destinations, (for example, Facebook), podcasts, and video and photo sharing regions, (for instance, YouTube and Flickr). Given this certainty, it is useful for affiliations, especially promoters, to arrange web based systems administration into exhibiting and their publicizing procedures. References Bruhn, M., Schoenmueller, V., Schfer, D. B. (2012). Are social media replacing traditional media regarding brand equity creation?.Management Research Review,35(9), 770-790. Castronovo, C., Huang, L. (2012). Social media in an alternative marketing communication model.Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness,6(1), 117. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing Management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Laroche, M., Habibi, M. R., Richard, M. O. (2013). To be or not to be in social media: How brand loyalty is affected by social media?.International Journal of Information Management,33(1), 76-82. Laroche, M., Habibi, M. R., Richard, M. O., Sankaranarayanan, R. (2012). The effects of social media based brand communities on brand community markers, value creation practices, brand trust and brand loyalty.Computers in Human Behavior,28(5), 1755-1767. Saravanakumar, M., SuganthaLakshmi, T. (2012). Social media marketing.Life Science Journal,9(4), 4444-4451. Sashi, C. M. (2012). Customer engagement, buyer-seller relationships, and social media.Management decision,50(2), 253-272. Stavrakantonakis, I., Gagiu, A. E., Kasper, H., Toma, I., Thalhammer, A. (2012). An approach for evaluation of social media monitoring tools.Common Value Management,52(1), 52-64. Stelzner, M. (2014). 2012 social media marketing industry report.Social media examiner, 1-52. Tuten, T. L., Solomon, M. R. (2014).Social media marketing. Sage.

Marketing strategy for herborist free essay sample

Abstract This paper attempts to investigate the internationalization process of a Chinese domestic cosmetics brand, Herborist by making a comparison of marketing strategies applied for different countries as a case study. In addition, by gaining understanding on the development of a local brand and analyzing the issues, which block the way for business expansion, suggestions are made for the exploration of future potential market. This case study is mainly based on quantitative research, which was carried out in the form of a questionnaire conducted by 100 local and Malaysian Chinese. Besides from that, secondary data are taken from Internet and based on literatures published in English and Mandarin. The crucial steps for a domestics brand to enter the international arena is by utilizing different or undifferentiated strategy, reinforcing the innovation of Chinese oriental essence and also enhancement on brand awareness. Keywords- Oriental, Domestic cosmetics, International marketing strategy, Market entry, Brand story, France, International business, Marketing Channels 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing strategy for herborist or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Introduction In recent years, it is obviously seen that there is a thriving and robust tendency in Chinese cosmetics market, which is one of the fastest growing industries in China. Chinese cosmetics industry is prospering with each passing day and China is positioned on the third biggest cosmetics consuming market in the world while Japan and United States are stationed on the top and second. Observing the Chinese local cosmetics industry in recent years, the sales has grown at a remarkable rate, averaging near to 20% per annum and the speed of growth ever reached to a peak of 41% which is far more exceeding the rate of the average growth of national economy. The full-fledged of Chinese local cosmetics in domestic market, in the mean time, accelerating the pace to open the windows of international market. By keeping an eye on this remarkable development, more and more Chinese local cosmetics companies have noticed the hidden market of various business chances and proceeded differentiated brand position and applicable marketing strategies to achieve internationalization. Herborist is one of the exemplary examples. As they have already gained favorable outcome in European market, perhaps it is the right time for a deep consideration to focus and improve future brand expansion towards other countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and some other countries in South East Asia, which tend to awake in traditional Chinese medical science. This study analyzed the current status of Chinese local cosmetic industry and the bottlenecks of internalization, which is the advanced stage of domestic brand expansion. By acquainting the oriental characteristics of Herborist, at the same time examine different models imposed in different countries as an example of comparative study. The aim of this thesis project was to increase brand awareness, strengthen the competitiveness in international cosmetics market by emphasizing the uniqueness of Chinese herbal organic essences and the inheritance Asians beauty, provide valuable marketing strategy for Herborist’s worldwide market expandation and reinforce the strain mode. 2. Background of the brand The first Chinese herbal care brand in China, Herborist, which is a sub brand of the â€Å"Jahwa† company, was established in 1998. Jahwa has a history of more than a hundred year as the leader of worldwide herbal medicine personal care brand (Shanghai Jahwa, 2013). The brand is based on traditional Chinese medicine and herbal science, and has retail sales revenues of over $300m (A. T. Kearney). Herborist is noted for its distinctive with a consolidation of traditional Chinese herbal essence with cutting edge biological cosmetics science to form a natural and balanced ideal state. (Labbrand,2010) The mystical and harmonic of Chinese herbal plants is fully shown by altering all these valuable plants into a new series of natural extracted organic herbal skin care products and thus has become the legendary of herbal beauty care. Ever since their establishment, Herborist has been encouraging the concept of being environmental-friendly. The company is advocating the natural beauty, which is gifted from the mother earth and proposed their specialization in fusing the elementary inner energy of Chinese medicine into a miracle beauty essence. Herborist has more than 200 star products which include hair and body care, herbal skin care, hands and feet line, acnes treatment, aromatherapy oils and perfume. The target consumers of Herborist is female from the age of 25 to 35 years old who has a demand for individualized healthy beauty. The first exclusive Herborist store was opened in August 1995 at the HongKong Plaza (Kelvin Zhou, 2011), Shanghai and experienced a great success in Chinese market by introducing the market its brand-new green herbs high-end beauty care products. By setting green, fresh, organic and healthy as its brand image, the company has won a great reputation as well as leading the trends of Chinese cosmetology. After spending five years in launching the countrywide franchise system, the sales mode was further expanded and established it first and second exclusive store in Hongkong, which is the symbolic of their first step of nationwide operation. Furthermore, Herborist SPA center was established on 28th September 2002 to provide professional and contemporary Chinese herbal care services their VIP customers who tend to be more beauty-conscious. There is no doubt that the total amount of 100 exclusive stores until January 2005 proved to be a triumph of this first full sense of Chinese herbal beauty products. Figure 1: Herborist’s Channel Mode In February 2006, Herborist was awarded the Chinese most creative products award in consumable field, which was indeed a huge motivation for the company to introduce the oriental traditional culture to the international mainstream cosmetics industry (Oliver, 2013). The company was successfully found the entrance into the cosmetics market of Paris which rose a huge trend of Chinese herbal cosmetics fashion and launched their skin care products formally at the Sephore flagship store, which is located in Avenue des champs Elysees, Paris in September 2008 and surprisingly it became the top 10 best seller in one month time. Meanwhile, Herborist succeeded in its entry into Holland market in October 2008 and aroused the awareness on Chinese Yin Yang philosophy for European media and the importance of green cultivation. The revenue of Herborist in France exceeded 10 million Yuan in 2009, which leaded the entry of Herborist to Italian, Spanish, Pollish and Turkish market with Sephora. 3. Literatures reviews Still the trend towards internationalization of those ambitious entrepreneurs who attempt to enlarge and extend their business continues in order to raise the brand recognition from worldwide industry. Therefore, it is necessary for the marketing department to conduct marketing researches for data collection and it is important to utilize a customized marketing plan for different countries. (Kotabe, M. / Helsen, K. 2007) defined customization refers in the context of international marketing to a country-tailored product strategy which focuses on cross-border differences in the needs and wants of target customers, appropriately changing products in order for them to match local market conditions. Therein, customization follows a market-driven orientation (as supposed to a product-driven orientation) and aims at increasing customer satisfaction by adapting the company’s products to loal needs. The best marketing strategies are those that are simple and easy to understand, complication of the plan will lead to failure. One of the other major dangers of any planning process is that once a plan is produced and implemented, the organization often fails to continue to monitor how well it is performing against that plan. Very few businesses perform exactly to plan without the need to make small changes all the time(Tim Jackson and David Shaw, 2009). It comes to the conclusion that it is important for the brand leaders to acquire cultural knowledge instead of feeling anxious about the research on the traditional consumers. According to (Ralph et al. 2009), to succeed, cultural brands must reflect an appropriate market and develop a product’s identity. They must also be consistently reinvented when the marketplace changes as a reflection of popular culture. The marketplace determines the eventual success or failure of any brand. 4. Methodology used The primary research used for this case study is a questionnaire survey conducted by 100 respondents from Malaysia. The objective of the survey is to investigate and carry out deeper market research on Herborist’s potential market in South East Asia since this brand already has a customer base in China, French, Holland, United States and some other western countries. The survey was conducted in November 2013 and it took one-week time for the data collection process via www. surveymonkey. com. The results of the questionnaire are attached on the appendices with a brief analysis below the charts. There wasn’t any problem in language issue since the majority of Malaysians interviewed are proficient in both Mandarin and English. The first part of the survey is to collect the background information of the respondents and to monitor their buy habits on cosmetics. On the other side, the second part is to figure out their attitudes towards cosmetics, which use the traditional Chinese herbal medicine as ingredients. The survey aims to suggest a potential market for Herborist for future business expansion by using Malaysia as an instance and it is a reference for the marketing department to customize a specific marketing plan for the South East Asian market. 5. Set of case example Herborist’s marketing strategies in China High-end SPA centre: Besides from setting up cosmetics counters at department stores, Herborist SPA centre was established since September 2002 exclusively for the VIP clients and members to raise brand loyalty and attempts to be influential in the cosmetics market. Apart from that, the professional and revolutionary beauty care services provided by the well-trained beauticians have successfully built up a high-end luxurious image for the brand, thus increased the brands reputation. Herborist seeks to expand its business model by opening more that 100 Spa centres in these three to five years. Membership and after sales service: Herborist has been really busy with the welfare of the clients. There is no doubt that the membership system is the most efficient way to have a close connection with targeted consumers. In order to be closely linked with the consumers, the company is running the membership system in China by using e-commerce online websites, postage, related magazines, VIP parties, bonus points gift redemption to keep the consumers up-to-date on their latest released products and maintain brand loyalty. Besides that, Herborist made a full analysis of the questionnaires conducted via the CRM database to get customers’ feedback for further improvement. Perfect CRM system: Under the circumstances of having a strong capital base, Herborist developed the most detailed marketing department, the most complete CRM system and the finest brand managers. The marketing department is divided into four segments, which are the product development department, the CRM department, media communication department and the brand department. The reason why Herborist in China is having the different operating and marketing system with the other countries is because of China is the main base for the company and the consistency of products resources needs to be guaranteed. Besides that, the first chef designer for Herborist was borned last year in China and was given the power for interpretion, products orientation, product line design and channel negotiation. Herborist’s marketing strategies in France Cabinets display design: Unlike the other cosmetics department stores in China, the most ideal space for products display at Sephora in France are basically reserved for fragrances and the second advantageous space are for skin care products. However, the amount beauty care products in French market are far more than in China, which is a big threat for Herborist. In order to stand out itself among all the competitors, the company did a huge investment on the cabinets display and employed a group of well-trained French people as their sales team. The exclusive sales team is responsible to petrol at Sephora every few hours, by explaining the functions and brand concepts to clients face to face in order to shorten the distance with consumers. Expressing cultural advantages: The obvious contrast between the cultures of East and West is one of the obstacles for the company but on the other side, it is actually a decided advantage for the brand itself. The reason that Herborist seems extraordinary comparing with the other competitors is because of the oriental cultures difference. The efforts need to put on to achieve the mission of raising a trend of Chinese herbal medicine in Europe is not only an empty talk for the oriental cultures, but the effectiveness of the products and the brand images. Till now, Herborist owns more than 200 beauty care products in the company’s rich products line to provide a multiple selection for the French market to meet with every consumer’s needs. Moreover, the Chinese herbal medicine laboratory and research centre ,which costs more than ten millions Yuan assures to provide unlimited resources for the market needs. Price strategy: Herborist positioned itself as a high-end cosmetics brand during its entry to France. By cooperating with Sephora the well-known cosmetic chain store as a springboard, the selling price of Herborist’s products is maintaining the same as the selling price in Mainland China. The reason to maintain the same price is to wrap up the brand itself as the cheapest luxury cosmetics brand comparing with the other international brands such as Lancome and Estee Lauder who have successfully gained brand loyalty in the market. However, in order to be distinctive from the company’s main competitors, the company is using the opposite strategy in the United States (Dennis Adcock 2000). To beat down the Herborist’s main competitor The Body Shop and Kiehl’s, which are renowned for using organic ingredients for personal care products as well, the company is selling their products in the same price as Biotherm, Clinique and some other luxury skin care brands to increase their brand values. 6. The SWOT Analysis of Herborist SWOT analysis (alternatively SWOT Matrix is a structured planning method used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favourable and unfavorable to achieving that objective (SWOT analysis, 2013). Strengths: S1: The excellent maintenance of customer service and after sales service in China as well as the establishment of Herborist membership to keep a good connection with customers. S2: The first premium brand of modern Chinese herbal medicine middle to high-end cosmetics into the European market. S3: Reasonable sales channel: exclusive stores + SPA +Shopping malls sale mode, satisfying consumers by all needs. S4: Effective improvement on customer communication and the most professional marketing management. S5: Still undergoing youth period, gains powerful supports from Jahwa’s professional research and development team. S6: Succeed in the expansion to European market by maintaining a close partnership with Sephora. S7: Left a clear brand image to consumer: organic, healthy, natural Weaknesses: W1: Inadequate experience during the process of internalization. W2: Consumers overseas seems unenthusiastic in accepting a new brand due to the shortage of brand awareness. W3: Undeniably, cooperation with Sephora has its own advantages however being controlled by Sephora since it is the only distributor in Europe. Therefore, it caused various limitations for the brand itself. Opportunities: O1: The brand continues to thrive in European market under Sephora’s leadership. O2: There are not that much of foreign competitors in the cosmetics field who use Chinese herbal medicine as their selling point. O3: Asia Pacific and Latin America’s growing demands on cosmetics and the prevailing of green and natural products in Europe. O4: The accomplishment of 2008 Olympic in Beijing was extraordinary and successfully absorbed Westerners’ attention on Chinese traditional elements. Threats: T1: Tough competition in this field with lots of well-known international cosmetics brands such as Lancome, Estee Lauder and Christian Dior as competitors. T2: Sephora’s ultimate controls hindered certain brand innovations. T3: Most of the consumers in Europeans have the tendency of having brand loyalty to some brands that are already existed. It is demanding to seek for foreigners’ attention as herbal products usually take longer time to prove for their good effects. T4: The world financial crisis leads to the downturn in sales, the price factor has became one of the consideration for consumers before purchasing. T5: There is a serious issue that most of the Europeans left a bad impression on any ‘Made in China’ products. Eliminating the bad reputations on Chinese made products in international markets is indeed a decisive step towards the survival in the market. 8. Conclusion recommendations The study objective of this case study is to gather and analyze the merits and demerits of Herborist, a Chinese local cosmetics brand and suggested relevant and effective marketing strategy for the further expansion to other countries. Looking from the perspective of economic, internationalization is undeniably a crucial step for the chain of business model. Those entrepreneurs who attempted to achieve a dominant position in the world market need to conduct a detailed and complete research within other countries in order to internationalize successfully. Due to the similarity and dissimilarity between China and the other countries in cultures, political issues, values, consumers’ behaviors, consumers’ needs, weather, and common beliefs, Herborist is suggested to pay high concerns on their business operation for the sake of adapting to different countries and cultures. Herborist, a China domestic personal care brand that has a heritage of ten years of organic brand images, undoubtedly, has the ability and potential to compete with the other international cosmetics brands even though the brand itself is still in the youth period. According to the result of the research questionnaire for Herborist, which was conducted by 100 local and Malaysians Chinese, there are 29. 29% showed their interests on trying Chinese herbal medicine cosmetics and the other 56% expressed that they are willing to give it a try if there is an introduction of decent herbal personal care brand in the future. As a result of it, it is strongly proposed that Malaysia should be the first station for Herborist to put down their roots in South East Asians market. The main reason that Malaysia is one of the potential markets for Herborist is because of its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. There are approximately 6,960,000 Malaysian Chinese in Malaysia who inherited Chinese cultures from Mainland China and their predilection towards the traditional Chinese herbal medicine (Malaysia,2013). Moreover, local Malaysians who are the majority of the population, have their own preference of using medical herbs on their culinary arts, medications and personal care products such as body soap and facial wash. Besides from that, Thai, Indonesia and Singapore who have the largest Chinese community in the world are doubtlessly should be targeted by Herborist to set off a new wave of Chinese material medical wind in South East Asia. There are some adjustments should be made by Herborist to consolidate their position as the leader of Chinese Oriental beauty care trend. The development and research team must put more efforts on doing further observations and investigations, which is a boom to develop new products to solve various skin problems and meets all customers’ requirements. Other than that, a risk management system should be built in order to identify, analyze, monitor and respond to risks and issues facing by the company when they run globally. As shown in the statistics, 55. 10% of Malaysians agreed that brand reputation is their main factor for them to consider before making a purchase. It is important for the sales department to explore decent sale channel and provide after sales service in Malaysia to monitor consumer’s attitudes towards their products and services and showing great patience in dealing with all the complaints. Moreover, the marketing department is responsible to customize and modified a different marketing plan for Herborist to enter South East Asian market for example a further approach on social media platform such as instagram, facebook and twitter as 46. 94% of them evinced the desire to know more about Herborist via online advertising. Last but not the least, the HR department is in charge of recruit and cultivate some local employees and bring in some local professional who are experienced in this field to regulate some possible culture shocks. Herborist has to make a consideration in all aspects to operate the brand in a new market, faces all the challenges with open-minded, by learning the lesson from the example of waste and failure and most importantly, is to follow the principle of gradual improvement. References Books Dennis Adcock. (2000) Marketing Strategies for Competitive Advantage,England : John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Evelyn L. Brannon. (2010) Fashion forecasting, 3rd ed. The United States of America: A division of Conde Nast Publications. Gordon T. Kendall. (2009) Fashion brand merchandising. The United States of America: A division of Conde Nast Publications. Mike Easey. (2009) Fashion Marketing. 3rd ed. United Kingdom: Markono Print Media Pte Ltd. Kotabe, M. /Helsen, K. (2007): Global Marketing Management, 4th ed. , New York: Wiley International Edition Ralph,Vera, Johnny, Billy and other adventures in Fashion Branding. (2009) Brand Story, China: A division of Conde Nast Publications,Inc. Uche Okonkwo. (2007) Luxury Fashion Branding, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Blogs A. T. Kearney (2013). China’s Herborist set to roar [Internet blog]. Available from: http://www. cosmeticsbusiness. com/news/article_page/Chinas_Herborist_set_to_soar/92728 [Accessed 29 Oct 2013]. Labbrand (2010). High-end cosmetics trends in China [Internet blog]. Available from: http://www. greenbook. org/marketing-research/high-end-cosmetics-trends-in-china [Accessed 18 April 2010]. Oliver (2013). Herborist the Chinese Premium Brand of Cosmetics [Internet blog]. Available from: http://marketingtochina. com/herborist-the-chinese-premium-brand-of-cosmetic/ [Accessed 13 March 2013]. Wiki Malaysia (2013). Malaysia [Internet wiki]. Available from: http:// http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Malaysia [Accessed 30 November 2013]. Shanghai Jahwa (2013). Shanghai Jahwa [Internet wiki]. Available from: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Shanghai_Jahwa [Accessed 29 November 2013]. Wikipedia(2013). SWOT Analysis [Internet wiki]. Available from: [Accessed 28 November 2013]. E-journal Kevin Zhou Grace Loo (2011) Herborist: A Chinese Personal Care Brand Goes Abroad [Internet]. pp. 1-2. Available from: http://www. acrc. hku. hk/case/case_showdetails. asp? ct=fagroupc=867cp=1726pt=1pn=1 [Accessed 28 November 2013]. Online Images Wei Wang (2011) International Marketing Strategy for Herborist. [online image]. Available at: [Accessed 03 April 2011]. Appendices The research questionnaire for a Chinese herbal medicine cosmetics brand- Herborist Page 1 Background information of the respondent Q1: What is your gender? Female Male Q2: Which category below includes your age? 17 or younger 18-20 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 or older Q3: Where do you usually buy cosmetics? Online Cosmetics counter at department stores Supermarket Wholesale market Direct sales Brand outlet store Other (please specify)________________ Q4: On average, how much research do you do before making a purchase on cosmetics? A great deal of research A lot of research A moderate amount of research A little research Not any research at all Q5: When buying cosmetics, which of the following factors is the most important to you? Appearance of products Ingredients Brand reputation Friends’ or family recommendation Price Service Advertising of the brands/products Discount or special offers Research results on cosmetics Other (please specify)_________________ Page 2: Attitude towards Chinese herbal medicine Q6: Have u ever tried on any Chinese herbal medicines or facial products? Often Sometimes Once in a blue moon Never Q7: Is there any possible that you would love to give a try on Chinese herbal medicine cosmetics? Sure Maybe, if there is a good one Not likely Not at all Q8: How well do you know Herborist? Very well Well A little Not at all Q9: Do you think it is important to use natural ingredients for skin care and cosmetics products? Yes No Flexible Q10: Which of the following method(s) would you prefer to engage in in order to get to know more about Herborist? Online advertising Television advertising Newspaper advertising Related magazine Friends’ and family recommendation Sales promotion By dialing Herborist customers service number Other (please specify) ___________________ Figure 1: The gender of the 100 respondents which female respondents account for 68. 69% while the remaining 31. 31% are male respondents. Figure 2: The age of the respondents. The chart shows that the main age group of the 100 respondents is from 18 to 39 years old who paid more attentions on cosmetics and each age group has different needs and their own expectations on beauty care products. Figure 3: The preference sales channel of the respondents. As shown in the chart, more than half of the respondents, which is 64. 65%, choose to purchase cosmetics at those cosmetics store at department store. On the other side, 29. 29% prefer to buy it at brand outlet stores and 23% of them started to do online shopping for cosmetics. Figure 4: The chart shows the amount of research on any certain cosmetics brand done by the purchasers. From the chart it was shown that 39% of the respondents’ stated that there is a moderate amount of research will be done before the investment on any cosmetics brand while there is only 5% of the respondents who put efforts on doing a great deal of research. Figure 5: The factors that affected respondents’ decision making in purchasing cosmetics are as shown in the chart. It is evident that brand reputation, friends’ and family recommendation and the price of the products are the three main factors for their consideration. Figure 6: Respondents’ experiences on Chinese herbal medicine personal care products. There are only 5. 15% of the respondents are trying on Chinese herbal medicine cosmetics frequently while 44. 33% has no experience on it at all. Figure 7: Probability for respondents to purchase Chinese herbal medicine cosmetics in the future. According to the result of the questionnaire, 29. 29% of the respondents clarified that there is no pretext for them to reject these kind of green personal care and there are 56. 57% of the respondents are willing to have an experience on it provided that the products is good. Figure 8: Herborists’ brand awareness among the respondents. There are only 3. 06% of the respondents understand this brand well which mean the company should focus more on their marketing strategy in raising their brand awareness among consumers. Figure 9: Respondents’ opinions on using organic ingredients for cosmetics. The chart shows that 71. 72% of the respondents have a sense that natural ingredients have significant impacts on the effects of cosmetics products. Figure 10: Channels preferred by the respondents to have further knowledge about Herborist. 58. 16% of the respondents tend to accept and follow the recommendation from friends and family.

Manometer Definition and Purpose

Manometer Definition and Purpose A manometer is a scientific instrument used to measure gas pressures. Open manometers measure gas pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. A mercury or oil manometer measures gas pressure as the height of a fluid column of mercury or oil that the gas sample supports. How this works is, a column of mercury (or oil) is open at one end to the atmosphere and exposed to the pressure to be measured at the other end. Before use, the column is calibrated so that markings to indicate height correspond to known pressures. If atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure on the other side of the fluid, air pressure pushes the column toward the other vapor. If the opposing vapor pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure, the column is pushed toward the side open to air. Common Misspellings: mannometer, manameter Example of a Manometer Probably the most familiar example of a manometer is a sphygmomanometer, which is used to measure blood pressure. The device consists of an inflatable cuff that collapses and releases the artery beneath it. A mercury or mechanical (anaeroid) manometer is attached to the cuff to measure a change in pressure. While aneroid sphygmomanometers are considered safer because they dont utilize toxic mercury and are less expensive, they are less accurate and require frequent calibration checks. Mercury sphygmomanometers display changes in blood pressure by changing the height of a mercury column. A stethoscope is used with the manometer for auscultation. Other Devices for Pressure Measurement In addition to the manometer, there are other techniques to measure pressure and vacuum. These include the McLeod gauge, the Bourdon gauge, and electronic pressure sensors.

8 Signs Someone Is Lying To You

8 Signs Someone Is Lying To You It is possible to tell when someone is lying to you. Though, hopefully, it could just be nervousness, there are a few red flags that you could keep an eye out for. Any significant combination of the  following tells just might show you the truth about the person in front of you. 1. Voice ChangeIf their voice or general demeanor changes dramatically, this is definitely a sign of discomfort- and quite possibly a lie.2. Psychological DistanceAre they going out of their way to avoid saying â€Å"I† or â€Å"me†? It could be that, consciously or not, they’re trying to put distance between themselves and the lie they’re telling.3. Too Many Right AnswersThis may sound counterintuitive, but if someone has an answer for absolutely everything, you might be a bit suspicious. Most people need to pause to think about their answer to unexpected questions- at least every once in a while. If someone is parroting answers that seem rehearsed and polished and super quick o ff the cuff? That could be an indication of a lie.4. â€Å"I Swear†If the person is proclaiming his or her honestly continuously (â€Å"to tell the truth†¦,† â€Å"to be perfectly honest†¦,† etc.) then they doth protest too much. Actually honest people simply tell the truth without having to broadcast that they’re doing so.5. Fidgeting/FussingIf the person changes their head position rapidly, or can’t stay still, or starts breathing differently, these are all great physical tells that you might be getting fibbed at- especially if they cover their mouth or shuffle their feet or instinctively cover sensitive body parts. Watch the body language for all these clues.6. Difficulty SpeakingIf you watch police confession videos, it sometimes seems like the perp has a hard time getting his or her words out. This is due to an autonomic nervous system reaction that dries the mouth in times of stress. Lip biting and lip pursing aren’t good sig ns either.7. No BlinkingNormal people blink every few seconds. People who are lying might be going overboard to prove they’re maintaining solid eye contact with you by staring a little too strong or too much.8. PerspirationLiterally, you are making this person sweat. If they’re stewing this badly, then chances are they aren’t telling you the truth.

Molecular biology cloning and Brachyury gene Essay

Molecular biology cloning and Brachyury gene - Essay Example Such recombinant vectors imitate effectively in specific strains of bacterial host cells, leading to the production of several copies of the recombinant DNA molecule, which was put into the vector (Eisen, et al, 2002, p 5483; Sambrook, Fritsch & Maniatis, 1989, p 891). 2. Brachyury gene: definition and the relation between the genes with cancer Brachyury refers to a protein which is encoded by the T gene in humans. It is a transcription factor that is within the T-box complex of genes, which has been identified in all bilateral animals. Brachyury also helps in defining the mesoderm in the process of gastrulation (National cancer institute, nd, para 5). The T gene is first expressed at the ending stage of blastula, at the mesoderm region and then later in the process of gastrulation. Expression of the Brachyury gene is contained to the tail bud and the notochord region. Brachyury is expressed within the endothermal epithelial cells of the hypostome in the diploblastic Hydra that makes up the apical portion of the polyp cranium. Therefore, the T gene plays an essential role in forming the axis of the initial body. The T gene is critical in the molding tripoblasts’ and diploblasts’ layers of germ, as well as, in the formation of the apical pole (Rolf, 2013, para 1). Genetic evaluations of individuals with hereditary form of bone cancer reveal that acquiring an additional T gene might cause the uncommon bone cancer. A study of seven families diagnosed with chordoma involving two or more blood relatives was conducted by the NCI researchers. Linkage analysis approach was utilized to explore whether certain genetic markers with established points in humans are present at birth along with chordoma. The initial analysis set out six genome areas that necessitated an extra examination. A comprehensive hereditary examination revealed that chromosome 6 section was more apt to be related with hereditary bone cancer. Brachyury gene that is contained in chromosom e 6 is exceptionally significant in the growth of notochord. Results from earlier examinations show that the T genes is found in almost all bone cancer cases, but not in the wide ranging assortment of ordinary body tissues or other malignant cells kinds. As such, the observation made the Brachyury gene an excellent candidate for involvement in the uncommon bone cancer (Rolf, 2013, para 2) 3. What is plasmid pNEB193? Plasmid pNEB193 is an enigmatic and a fresh plasmid. It was first found in NBRC14147 in S.albulus. Its functions are not known, though the cryptic plasmid pNEB193 replicon was utilized in duplication of vector construction (Sambrook, Fritsch & Maniatis, 1989, p 894). 4. Cloning technique What is the aim from using the polymerase chain reaction PCR in the cloning technique? Polymerase chain reaction is the primer-meditated enzymatic amplification of distinctively replicated or genomic DNA sequences. The template DNA includes a target sequence that can be very long in term s of nucleotides length. The main aim of using PCR is to clone genes directly without constructing DNA libraries. PCR makes gene cloning rapid by starting with a whole genome, PCR permits the DNA from a chosen region to be increased several billion fold, successfully sanitizing this DNA away from the remainder of the genome (Taylor & Francis group, 2010, p 544). PCR is mostly employed in molecular biology and

Starting with approximately 1900 and going to the present, how has Essay - 2

Starting with approximately 1900 and going to the present, how has international relations changed over this period Identify the major changes. What do you think are the main causes of those changes - Essay Example This war changed the concept of sovereignty, concept of national interests, nature of international conflicts and means of achieving an end to conflicts. The first major change in international relations was changes in politico-geographic settings. The global politico-geographical environments have changed from the settings of the 1900s. Powerful countries such as England, Germany and France were involved in the division of continents in order to advance their interests (Griffiths and O’Callaghan 45). After the first and second world wars, these countries were faced with a challenge of managing their colonies. As the colonizers left their colonies, the emerging countries began to assert their influence. In addition, the political-geographic settings have changed because of exponential growth in global population. Before the First World War, Europe decided on the issues of global peace and war. European countries such as Germany, England, France, Portugal and Italy had the influential powers to determine the future of the world. International was dominated and centered in Europe. The Second World War led to a change in political dynamics after Italy, Germany and Japan were defeated. The international centers of political power shifted from their European base to the U.S and Russia. The European powerhouses were weakened and could no longer maintain and manage their overseas colonies. Because of decolonization, several states emerged in Africa and Asia. This also introduced a new dynamic in international relations because the number of member states to the United Nations increased from 51 to 155 (Griffiths and O’Callaghan 162). The character of current international relations was influenced by these changes. Currently, all states insist on active participation in international relations . The second major change in international relations is the democratization of

Power In The First Part Of A Clockwork Orange Essay Example for Free

Power In The First Part Of A Clockwork Orange Essay The opening of the novel is the line Whats it going to be then, ey? This is clearly something that is said by someone in an authoritative position and we learn in the next sentence that this is Alex. He is our narrator and this gives him a certain amount of power as he can choose what he wants to tell us as readers. Burgess also shows Alexs power through the various violent attacks he perpetrates on people who we would consider to be in a position of more authority than Alex is in our own society. The first of these instances is the attack upon a schoolteacher, which is a clear and obvious indicator that this society is very wrong. At the tender age of fifteen, it would be considered totally inconceivable that Alex would not only attack, but also humiliate a man who relies upon respect from youths in order to do his job. The physical power the gang have over the teacher is almost a way of compensating for Alex and his gang feeling threatened intellectually and in this sense the teacher is the more powerful. This idea of physical versus intellectual power is explored again when the gang leave the town centre to seek victims in the suburbs. When they find the writer and his wife, they destroy the book and beat the couple into teary subordination. These actions are lead by Alex who is portrayed as an almost psychotic intellectual and so dislikes the idea of not understanding the fair gloopy title of the book. I believe he is also prone to paranoia because he gets angry at the merest suggestion of someone being more intelligent or cultured than himself. As a totally egocentric way of asserting his power, Alex also beats up a drunk who is stumbling around and singing because he found him disgusting. This does not show any correlation to the other attacks as there is obviously no intellectual challenge from this man and so this attack is purely a confidence boost and has no real reason at all. Aside from their physical power, Alex and his gang also command a certain amount of fear amongst the elderly folk at the pub they visit. They are able, through brash bribery and intimidation, to get a room full of adults to comply with their wishes fairly easily even though no violence is used, or even suggested. This shows that the gangs of youths roaming the streets are infamous and that the civilised society they prey upon is doing little, if anything, to stop them. The power presented to us here, or lack of it, is the states diminished power over criminals of a violent and numerous nature. This is further demonstrated when Alex and his gang come across a rival gang in a desolate place where their laws are obeyed e. g. survival of the fittest. The power each gang has over the other is decided in a very fitting way considering what is done with this power because the gang who can cause the most injury and pain wins the power to carry on doing so to other people outside the gang wars. One such unfortunate victim is the old woman who is the last of Alexs victims as a free man. The gang, and Alex, assume they have unrivalled power over the old woman not only because of her age but also because they see themselves as untouchably strong in fights and aggression. However, Alexs power seems to be with his gang because, contrary to his own beliefs, he finds he cannot do the robbery alone and is shocked to find the old woman beating him with a stick. This is a very strange thing to happen to Alex as he sees himself as above the possibility of actually getting hurt. However, it is clear that this invulnerable character is only as such when he is supported by his gang, who are given very little credit throughout the first half of the novel for their various roles within the crimes. The utterly surreal struggle for power and control between the old woman and the young but hardened criminal ends with a swift blow to the head from Alex and so we see his physical power keeping him in control yet again. However, the authorities finally get Alex under their control through (ironically) fairly violent methods. The police are portrayed as fighting fire with fire, so to speak, as they beat Alex and humiliate him just as he had done to so many before. This is cleverly done by Burgess as this lets the reader see how these people, who are fighting against Alex and the culture he represents, are actually no better than him in a moral sense as they get their power in exactly the same way e. g. through violent beatings and intimidation. Another example of role reversal is the relationship between P. R Deltoid and Alex both before and after his arrest. Prior to the arrest, Alex was very dismissive of P. R Deltoids warnings and cared little about what he had to say, as he was untouchable and would never be caught, as he was such an intelligent young man. However once he realises how much trouble he really is in, he becomes very meek and humble before P. R Deltoid and asks him for help. It is then that P. R Deltoid becomes the one who does not care and, in his position of power over Alex, spits in face. This is an act usually saved for use by the very lowest of people and is yet more evidence of the hypocritical use of humiliating actions on Alex by the people who are supposed to be putting an end to these actions. Throughout the first part of the novel, Alex uses barbaric force and pure physical strength to overpower his enemies and victims. He sees this as proof of his own undeniable strength when, in fact, it is down to his gang that he is not harmed by his numerous encounters with violence. His egotistical delusions lead him to believe that he can impose his power upon someone by himself and this over-confidence ultimately concretes his arrest. From this point, the readers of this novel would expect to see the police processing and punishing Alex harshly but effectively and humanely. Instead, we realise that the police are so used to seeing the violence that they no longer try to avoid it and instead resort to it themselves. We are shown that power has changed hands dramatically over the course of the first part of the novel but we can also recognise that the way in which the power is gained and exerted does not change in the slightest as it passes from criminals to civilians to policemen. This is a very interesting comment on the dystopian society presented to us in this book and serves as a powerful warning for our own future.

To Kill a Mocking Bird - The Contribuition of the Character of Scout :: Kill Mockingbird essays

To Kill a Mocking Bird - The Contribuition of the Character of Scout In the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee there are a number of characters in the book. All of them play a very detailed role in the plot of the book, and without them it would not be anything. They story consists of two main plots. The first one is being part of a family which involves a lawyer. Then the second is the mysteries of the Radley house. The Radley house is a home near the Finch's, which is composed of many rumors, mysteries, and people. The narrator of the novel is a girl named Jean Louise, yet everyone in the novel calls her "Scout." Scout is at the age where she is stuck between being a grown up and a child. She is also at the age where she is learning about kindness, courage, and everyday life, every day. Since Scout's mother had passed away when she was two, her father Atticus had hired a housekeeper. Calpurnia had been the children's housekeeper and the mother figure every since Jem was born. Besides Atticus, Calpurnia has also made the largest influence in Scout's life. The story takes place in a small town named Maycomb. It has two basic plots to it. The book is about the Finch family which consists of the a father, son, and daughter. The father, Atticus is a 50 year old lawyer. Atticus is the type of father who does the best for his kids and is always the god figure around the home. Atticus is a very well respected man in the home and outside of it. Jem is the oldest child of him and Scout. He is Scout's primary source of intelligence and fun. Without Jem, Scout would not realize many important things in life. Calpurnia has placed a major role in Scout's life. She has placed many useful thoughts in Scout's mind, that has helped her come a long way. Calpurnia is from the colored community of town. Although she lives in a different home than the Finch's, their house has gradually become Calpurnia's "home away from home." When Scout was only two, Atticus had hires her to help him.

The Systematic Investigation Into A Study Of Materials Education Essay

How is the male primary school instructor perceived by male and female pupils? What are the factors act uponing the perceptual experiences of male pupils? What are the factors act uponing the perceptual experiences of female pupils? How make male primary instructors understand/respond to these perceptual experiences? Research can be loosely defined as ‘a signifier of systematic question that contributes to knowledge ‘ .[ 1 ]The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines research as: a. the systematic probe into and survey of stuffs, beginnings, etc. , in order to set up facts and make new decisions. b. an enterprise to detect new or collate old facts etc by the scientific survey of a topic or by a class of critical probe.[ 2 ] Peoples are non cognizant that they are an bizarre result of their development. That development came from their ability to joint their past cognition in any signifier of facts, experiences, premises for physical phenomena, beliefs and their capableness to update and better their former cognition and patterns. These are the grounds that mankind developed communicating accomplishments like literacy, linguistic communication, developed doctrine and invented engineering. ( Best and Kahn 2006: 3, 4 ) . Specifically, Best and Kahn ( 2006: 3, 4 ) maintain that educational research is the tool that instructors use to prove and better their personal patterns in instruction and happen which pattern fits best for them. A definition of educational research is provided by Anthony G. Picciano: ‘Educational research is a careful, systematic probe into any facet of instruction. From the Gallic word ‘recherche ‘ , which means to go through or study. ‘[ 3 ]Cohen and Manion ( 2001 ) province that educational research helps the instructors broaden their information cognition and understand their working environment.The research worker must besides place the most appropriate paradigm in the research literature in order to plan and put to death the enquiry efficaciously. The research worker should take his paradigm carefully in specifying the purposes and intents of his survey.Qualitative ResearchThe research worker had to take between two chief paradigms: either ‘logi cal positivism ‘ or ‘phenomenological enquiry ‘ ( Best and Kahn 2006: 246 ) . Best and Kahn ( 2006: 79 ) argue that the logical-positivism paradigm is used for ‘experimental and quantitative research methods ‘ in instruction. Furthermore, Cohen et Al. ( 2001: 8 ) assert that the logical positivism paradigm expresses ‘the chief belief ‘ that the ‘meaning of a statement is, or is given by the method of its confirmation ‘ . The logical-positivism paradigm is a scientific method applicable for a survey concerned with bing and mensurable cognition, where the research worker is an ‘observer of the societal world ‘ . The results of an enquiry based on that paradigm can be compared with Torahs – like maxims ( Torahs ) that are constructed by natural scientific enquiries based on subjective generalisations and that use the same scientific methods as natural scientific disciplines to explicate the universe. The chief fea tures of this peculiar paradigm are analysis, measuring and subjectiveness ( Cohen et al. 2001: 8 ) . Therefore, the logical positivism paradigm is best applied in a quantitative analysis where the collected information is numerical. In contrast the phenomenological paradigm makes usage of ‘interpretive research methodological analysiss ‘ ( Best and Kahn 2006: 246 ) . This paradigm is best applied to qualitative research methodological analysiss. Erickson ( 1985, cited in Best and Kahn 2006: 246 ) instead uses the term ‘interpretative ‘ , which is ‘the whole household of attacks to participant experimental research ‘ . Bogdan and Biklen ( 2007: 25 ) clear up this by saying that in the ‘phenomenological manner ‘ , research workers try to understand occurrences in the mundane life of common people in particular fortunes: they try to happen out the people ‘s point of position and ‘gain an entry ‘ into their specific environment. The failing of positivism is its inability to look into human behavior successfully, as Cohen et Al. ( 2001: 9 ) underscore. Denscombe ( 2007 ) recommends the usage of the phenomenological paradigm to cover with this failing. Surveies utilizing the phenomenological paradigm by Bogdan and Biklen ( 2007: 25 ) ‘begin with silence ‘ , as the research worker seeks to detect the personal apprehensions of the participants, leting different cognition and assorted perceptual experiences to be given by different participants in the same peculiar state of affairs. With this paradigm a qualitative attack to roll uping and analyzing informations is most appropriate. Here qualitative informations consists chiefly of words instead than Numberss. Patton ( 1990, cited in Best and Kahn 2006: 247 ) asserts that qualitative research uses three ways of roll uping information: ‘in-depth, open-ended interviews, direct observation and written paperss ‘ . On the footing of these considerations I found that the phenomenological interpretive paradigm the most convenient for the intents of this small-scale empirical survey concentrating on pupils ‘ personal perceptual experiences of their male instructors. It will try to cast visible radiation on the thoughts, sentiments and beliefs pupils have sing their male instructors in a Cypriot primary school. Important decisions can be drawn from this survey like the importance of the male instructor in primary school and his existent function as a leader by gender. Therefore, the phenomenological interpretive paradigm was the one chosen for this enquiry.Qualitative attack – Case surveyMy research focuses on pupils ‘ perceptual experiences of male instructors in an anon. Greek-Cypriot primary school. The rational harmonizing to the literature points to the usage of a phenomenological interpretive paradigm, and the survey should be conducted in a qualitative research model. I wi ll utilize qualitative methodological analysis as my survey focuses on kids ‘s perceptual experiences, thoughts, ideas and feelings instead than their public presentation in school. Harmonizing to O'Brien there are five types of qualitative methodological analysis to take from: these are instance survey, grounded theory, phenomenology, descriptive anthropology and historical surveies.[ 4 ]In contrast Flick ( 2006 ) presents four qualitative research methodological analysiss: instance survey, longitudinal survey, comparing survey and eventually retrospective survey. However, this chapter does non mean to spread out and explicate the usage of these schemes as it would be outside the range of this survey. Alternatively, I would prefer to briefly explain and warrant my chosen methodological analysis. The chosen methodological analysis for this survey is ‘case survey ‘ . As Merriam ( 1998 ) , Yin ( 1989 ) and Stake ( 1994 ) ( cited in Bogdan and Biklen 2007: 59 ) explain, it is ‘a elaborate scrutiny of one scene, or a individual topic, a individual depositary of paperss, or one peculiar event ‘ conducted in existent action clip, enabling an analysis of the grounds for and the after-effects of the incident ( Cohen et al. 2001: 181 ) . Supporting the attack of Bogdan and Biklen, Bell ( 2005: 10 ) and Cohen et Al. ( 2001: 181 ) province that one of the strengths of the instance survey is that helps the research worker to cast light ‘in deepness ‘ on a specific facet of the job and allows for generalisation. It is a narrowed and focused research method with a individual model, such as a kid or group of kids, a category or a group of categories, an educational establishment ( Cohen et al. 2001: 181 ) . In my instance, the probe will take topographic point in a school. The intent of my research is to look into in deepness the perceptual experiences by a group of kids of their male instructors in a school environment. I shall carry on the enquiry in existent clip as I am determined to see the school during term clip and gather informations utilizing informations collection tools, such as interviews. Cohen et Al. ( 1984: 184 ) argue that instance surveies allow general regulations to be made from the survey of an ‘instance in action ‘ . In my sentiment, a instance survey would be the most appropriate signifier for my survey as it is ‘strong in world ‘ ( Cohen 2001 ) and will assist me to look into in deepness the existent perceptual experiences of a group of pupils in the mark school in Cyprus. As a non really experient research worker I feel a instance survey will be a really powerful tool appropriate either for new or experient research workers ( Bogdan and Biklen 2007 ) . More specifically Best and Kahn ( 2006: 259 ) argue that a instance survey is a good method of assemblage and showing informations in hunt of the existent truth, and of carry oning an probe which aims to show the existent ‘view ‘ of societal world, as I plan to make.The literature about the instance survey method I have cited makes me recognize that some of the definitions and accounts about its usage fit the range of my research in a precise mode. It is clear that ‘case survey ‘ is ideal as a methodological analysis to observe alone characteristics, which may non be possible to supervise or retain in ‘large-scale informations ‘ surveies, such as those utilizing studies or questionnaires and a non-participant method in general.The instance survey method besides demand s the engagement of the research worker and the sample.My survey examines a fact within the model of a school embodied in the Cypriot educational system. Therefore, its features to the full accord with the features of instance survey methodological analysis. The instance survey methodological analysis does hold some failings, nevertheless, that the research worker should be cognizant of. Because my probe is largely being conducted in existent clip there is non the option of reaching the sample once more to cross-check consequences. Therefore, the consequences of the research could be seen as ‘subjective and biased ‘ , given that the survey is qualitative ( Bell 2005: 11 ; Cohen et al. 2001: 184 ) . In add-on, research workers can be influenced by their ain beliefs and prejudice, so the consequences are influenced by subjectiveness. Although non much can be done to enable cross-checking, the research worker can seek to avoid deformation in the consequences. The research w orker should seek non to be influenced by his ain perceptual experiences and besides non uncover his ain sentiment and thoughts to avoid act uponing those in the sample and to promote them to state what they really think. Another restriction that the research worker should see concerns generalisation. Whilst the instance survey method permits this, it may non be possible as most of the clip the incident under probe is alone and drawn from the life itself ( Bell 2005: 1 ; Cohen et al. 2001: 184 ; Bassey 1999 ) . Denscombe ( 1998: 36-7 ) argues that ‘the extent to which findings from the instance survey can be generalized to other illustrations on the category depends on how far the instance survey illustration is similar to others of its type. ‘ However, the phenomenon I am look intoing is normally found in the literature and amongst academic research workers. It would be possible to reiterate an probe of this kind in the same school or in a different school environment. This should non be a job as Greek-Cypriot schools present uniformity in a figure of factors: pupil beginning and staff turnover and staff instruction. The topic is besides rather typical and, in world, non so alone. General ization in this instance is executable, whilst the consequences of this research can move as a pilot if another research worker wishes to carry on a similar survey. There have been several similar probes of instructors ‘ and pupils ‘ perceptual experiences in Cypriot primary schools. Examples can be found in the Library of the University of Cyprus, ( mentions ) . Research in primary schools has about been a manner in the past 20 old ages Despite the disadvantages, I believe that ‘case survey ‘ is the most appropriate methodological analysis for this state of affairs as it is one of the chief methodological analysiss for a qualitative attack utilizing the coveted paradigm. There are certain methods to put to death the research and roll up the information, which will be presented in the undermentioned subdivision.SampleI have chosen the sample harmonizing to the nature of my survey. Due to the qualitative nature of this research, the sample of the pupil population should non be chosen wholly indiscriminately. In quantitative research the sample is selected indiscriminately with the purpose of garnering informations from the surface of a large population. In a qualitative research model ‘sampling is a deliberate instead than haphazard method of choosing topics ‘ and is important if we want to carry on the research with samples that are more representative of the topic and fortunes ( Cohen et al. 2008 ; Best & A ; Kahn 2006: 25 ) . As this is a instance survey, it should be conducted in the school environmen I chose a primary school on the outskirts of the metropolis. Detailss of the school were non antecedently known to me. The school was chiefly chosen as a affair of convenience and practicality as it is the nearest primary school to the vicinity where my household lives. I was cognizant that some of my household members attended at that place ten old ages ago, but I knew nil else beyond this. I did non hold any personal information about the school besides because I have been abroad for more than eleven old ages. Therefore, I can claim non to be biased against the school. The school is administered by the Ministry of Education, as are most of the schools in Cyprus. All the primary schools in Cyprus are established to educate people of every country to a high criterion. That being said, the people and civilization from topographic point to topographic point can be different. Therefore, there is a scope of schools from those with a homogenous Greek-Cypriot individuality to those with kids whose immigrant backgrounds have small if anything in common with the state, set uping a new civilization which is comparatively unfamiliar to the native Cypriots. Teachers ‘ instruction in Cyprus is considered to be high and, even though instructors may be from different states and universities, their public presentation is purely assessed. Merely those who are qualified, effectual in the schoolroom and undergo uninterrupted appraisal are allowed to rehearse as instructors. As a consequence the chosen school was on a flat playing field with every other school in Cyprus. The sample participants were chosen indiscriminately harmonizing to age. Children that were 7 and 12 old ages old were chosen as an ideal sample. Four kids from the 2nd category ( 2 male childs and 2 misss ) and four kids from the last category ( 2 male childs and 2 misss ) were chosen. Two male childs and two misss were chosen from the 2nd category in order to look into the perceptual experiences of the youngest kids. The 2nd category ( twelvemonth 7 ) was preferred to the first category ( twelvemonth 6 ) as it is non possible for kids from the first category to hold any perceptual experiences about male instructors as they are fledglings to primary schooling. Four students from the 6th category, the concluding category of the primary instruction system ( twelvemonth 12 ) , were chosen in order to happen out the perceptual experiences of the older school kids. In order to accomplish cogency I sought the same proportion of male childs and misss ( 4 + 4 ) ( Bell 1999 ) . Four instruct ors participated in the survey: two male instructors and two female instructors. Their age or length of service was non so much an issue, although it was of import they were non fledglings. The male instructors were chosen in order to happen out how they thought they are perceived by their pupils. The female instructors were interviewed about how they think the pupils perceive their male instructors. Useful comparings could be drawn subsequently in the analysis. I had to obtain mandate from the disposal office of the country, the Director General of Education, Mrs Zena Pouli, and the blessing of the Ministry of Education. The principal of the school had to be informed about the yearss and times of the research and allow me carry on the research. Despite the disadvantages, I believe that ‘case survey ‘ is the most appropriate methodological analysis for this state of affairs as it is one of the chief methodological analysiss for a qualitative attack under the coveted paradigm. There are certain methods to put to death the research and roll up the information, which will be presented in the undermentioned subdivision.Data Collection ToolsMy informations will be gathered utilizing a qualitative attack and ( analysed/assessed ) harmonizing to the interpretive paradigm. The purpose of the research is to garner the thoughts, perceptual experiences and positions of the participants, both kids and instructors, so the usage of qualitative tools is indispensable. The chief research tools used in my survey are interview and observation. The usage of both interview and observation are the two of the three major methods for garnering informations. These three methods are ‘asking inquiries ( and listening intently to the replies ) , detecting events ( and observing carefully what happens ) and reading paperss ‘ ( Bassey 1999: 81 ) . Both methods were used together because they offered a agencies for cross-checking informations: what people say they think or do may non be the same as what they really do ( Robson 2002: 310, cited in Cohen et Al. 2007: 396 ) . By observation the research worker can look into if the thoughts and perceptual experiences of the sample are the same as what the sample studies in the interviews. Therefore, I argue that the usage of both tools helped me derive a better thought of what is go oning in pattern and topographic point actions the sample may non be cognizant of cited in ( Foster 1996 ) .ObservationObservation is one of the characteristic tools for garnering information in instance surveies. Case surveies aim to ‘observe ‘ an single unit, a group of people, an establishment or a larger group of people. Research by observation in a qualitative model is defined by Best and Kahn ( 2006: 264 ) and Basey ( 2005 ) as a digest of ‘detailed notation of behaviors, events, and the context environing the events and behaviours ‘ . Harmonizing to Cohen et Al ( 2007: 258 ) , the intent of observation is to ‘probe profoundly and to analyze intensively the many-sided phenomena that constitute the life rhythm of the unit with a position to set up generalisations about the wider populations ‘ . Cohen et Al. ( 2007: 396 ) further argue that observation gives the research worker a opportunity to roll up ‘live informations ‘ from reliable societal state of affairss. Therefore, it is preferred for the research worker to utilize this powerfull excessively to analyze events and collect the relevant information first-hand instead than from a secondary beginning. The research worker besides needs to choose the sort of the observation method to be used as they vary in footings of construction and the participatory function of the research worker. I opted for semi-structured, non-participant observation, as I did non mean to take portion in events. The semi-structured method was employed for this resea rch because some issues were still unfastened, despite the focal point of the research and look intoing factors being clear. The research worker had an thought of a figure of things that he wanted to detect, but he did non cognize what else to anticipate. Therefore, a semi-structured observation provided the research worker with the freedom to descry and enter inside informations that otherwise would hold been overlooked or omitted cited in Denscombre ( 2007 ) .New ChankAny observation research that has a sort of construction it is besides be scheduled cited in Bell ( 2006: 188 ) and Descombre ( 2007 ) . Denscombre ( 2007: 210 ) moreover argues that the research worker will happen the ‘certain things ‘ , seek and worth of inclusion for in his docket. The same author highlight the importance of the absence of subjectiveness in the observation where it is gained by the systematic scheduled observation. Thus it is cited that the ever limited clip can be arranged by the agenda and assist the research worker to remain focused on the issues that the observation is held for cited in Denscom ( 2007: 214 ) . The research worker besides intends to utilize the non-participant theoretical account as he plans non to take part as an perceiver. His purpose is to insulate the personal perceptual experiences of the pupils to their male instructors so there is non any topographic point of him as a participant which any effort of being take part could act upon the behaviour of the pupils and so bias the information, The research worker as Denscombe ( 2007: 214 ) suggests, purposes to do his present every bit discreet as possible. This will add to the cogency because the research worker will be more objectivite to the jadgement of any facts that they will happen as an 3rd individual instead as an participant. Whilst the research workers must hold in head that the thirster he stays in the schoolroom and being seeable, ‘the more their presence is taken for granted and the less they have any important consequence on continuing ‘ . Therefore it is of import that the perceiver should give so me clip to the schoolroom environment to acquire usage of his ‘discreet ‘ nowadays and after he is assure that he is recognized so he should get down the observation. In order to avoid any errors or skips the research worker programs to fly the observation and add to the agenda. To make more cogency the research worker programs to inquire the sentiment of his supervisor and one of the instructors. Besides he will demo the information to one of the instructors and the supervisor in order to look into them and state their sentiment on them.InterviewsTraveling farther the research worker had chosen the usage of the Interviews as a tool. Aiming to garner qualitative informations about percpeptions, emotions thoughts and analyse them interview as a tool seemed good plenty for the intents of this survey. The research worker must aware though that despite they do non look like something more than an preservation, they ‘involve a set of premises and apprehensions about the state of affairs which are non usually associated with a insouciant conversation ‘ able to bring forth usefull information for any enquiry, Denscombre ( 1983 ) , Silverman ( 1985 ) , ( cited in Denscobre ( 2007: 173 ) ) . Therefore despite interview is a sort of construction preservation there is besides a protocol that must be followed. There is common consent between the interviewee and the interviewer in an official meeting and the recording is non secret in any manner. Besides the informations are merely for the record and the schedulule. Thus the issues to be discussed are set by the research worker, Denscombe ( 2007:174 ) . Merely naming the usage of the Interview as a method is non plenty as there are different types of research Interview. Harmonizing to Denscombe ( 2007: 175 ) there are the constructions interviews the semistructured and Unstrructured interviews. Cohen ( 2007:355 ) besides add the non-directive interview and the focussed interview. In fact Cohen et Al ( 2007:352 ) argues that in the literature are mentioned many different types of interview! . The semistructured – interview, one-to one interview was selected as the purpose of this survey is to hold an indeapth thought of the perceptual experiences of the pupils but in a research model. Despite that the research worker has a clear que of inquiries to be answered in the semistryctured interview will be ready to allow the samples expand their thoughts where is appropriate. The one-to one interview, the most common of the variaties of semi-structured interviews, was selected as it is easy to put, control and garner the informations as each clip is merely one individual to interviewee. Descambe ( 2007:177 ) Unstructured interview was avoided as an option as it require clip and the technique was looked irregular as it dictate the expand of an issue from the sample without any counsel at all! ! Structured interview as a method besides rejected as it does n't roll up the autonomy to the sample to state any of his thoughts. It is tide and the samples have to reply inquiries that the replies are limited. Descambe ( 2007: 175 ) . Therefore it is non appropriate at all as the research aims to garner reliable perceptual experiences instead than allow the participants to reply inquiries with preschelued limited options. I will state what I did subsequently what I did in the research.New Chank 2Datas Analysis‘There is no individual or right manner to analyse and show the information ; how one does it should stay by the issue of fittingness to aim ‘ ( Cohen et al 2007:461 ) . The qualitative informations analysis may be ‘detailed and rich ‘ though the process is really heavy and painfull due to the multiple readings that the research worker should do to bring forth his analysis, doing this process the research workers ‘glory ‘ and besides ‘headache ‘ together, cited in Cohen et Al ( 2007:461 ) . The research worker will categorise the informations from interview written texts and notes along with the issues that he is look intoing. Then the research worker programs to interpet the information with the literature reappraisal findings. Ethical Issues: Ethical issues are compiled in this research survey as and in all the enquiries. The survey was applied from blessing from the Ministry of Eduacation of the state and the General Director of the Education. Along the principal had to be informed about the research and take his blessing excessively. The parents should besides be informed about the research as the mark of the research is to interview and observe kids. The sample of the instructors should besides hold to take part. One of the most of import issues is to allow the privateness of the participants for grounds of ages or by their petition. This issue it can be addressed by namelessness and confidentiality, cited in Cohen et Al ( 2007: 64,65 ) . The individuality of the participants is unbroken hidden as the reference and the name of the school. Though the samples have non objection to give their existent informations to the section of Education to the University of Leicester as long that they will non print. Refering that th e research worker has to cover with kids particular manner of attack should be study particularly when they are interviewed.

Aproaches to learning †Theories of learning styles and learning strategies Essay

Kolb (1984), in introducing the idea of the experiential learning cycle and of learning styles, defines learning as the process whereby â€Å"knowledge is created through the transformation of expertise†. He suggests that ideas are not fixed but are formed and modified through current and past experiences. His learning cycle consists of four stages; completing each stage is important to improve learning in the next stage : Active Experimentation (The learner actively uses the theories formed and also tries them in new situations. The latter takes him back to the start of the cycle. ) – Concrete Experience (The learner is encouraged to become involved in new experiences. ) – Reflective Observation (The learner reflect on his experience from different perspective. Enough time and supportive feedback is helpful in this stage. ) – Abstract Conceptualisation (The learner forms ideas and logical theories. ) Of course, not everyone acts in the same way, some prefer considering all possible alternatives whilst others like trying out as much as possible. Hence, Kolb associated four learning styles with his learning cycle: the Converger, who applies ideas in a practical way, the Accommodator, who carries out plans and tasks involving him in new experiences, the Diverger, who has good imagination and ideas, and finally the Assimilator, who creates theoretical models. Kolb also points out that learning styles are not fixed personality traits but relatively stable patterns of behaviour. Based on Kolb’s model Honey and Mumford (1992) developed a similar model with new terms for Kolb’s learning preferences (Honey and Mumford terms in brackets): Active Experimentation (Activist) – Concrete Experience (Pragmatist) – Reflective Observation (Reflector) – Abstract Conceptualisation (Theorist) According to Honey and Mumford four learning styles can be distinguished: the Activist, the Pragmatist, the Reflector, and the Theorist: Activist’s strengths: – Acting quickly; interested in actually doing things – Putting ideas into action Activist’s weaknesses – Lack of planning and attention to detail – Unlikely to consider many alternatives Pragmatist’s strengths – Integrating theory and practice. – Testing things out to get correct solutions Pragmatist’s weaknesses – Lack of imagination – Impatient – Not interested in concepts and theories Reflector’s strengths: – Collecting data from variety of sources – Reflecting on experiences Reflector’s weaknesses: – Needs a lot of time before he is able to start – Dislike precise instructions Theorist’s strengths – Creating theoretical models – Paying attention to detail and systematic analysis Theorist’s weaknesses – Overcautious – Relies on logic and usually does not trust feelings – Needs a stated purpose. Honey and Mumford developed a Learning Styles Questionnaire to be used as a checklist to identify one’s learning preference. Kolb states the combination of all four learning forms produces the highest level of learning by allowing more powerful and adaptive forms of learning to emerge. But still, there is the danger of labelling people as ‘theorists’ or ‘pragmatists’ although most people exhibit more than one strong preference. To overcome this problem other theorists, e. g. Schmeck (1988) and Entwistle (1998), use the expression ‘learning strategy’ which also includes personal traits. According to them people can not be labelled because they usually react flexibly on learning, depending on the expected outcome: A student may read a book about the British history because he is actually interested in or because he needs to read it to pass an exam. Either way involves learning, but in the second case the student is unlikely to take notes about facts he is interested in but those the tutor may ask. Bibliography: Bendrey, M. et al (1996), Accounting and Finance in Business. London: Continuum. Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook. New York: Palgrave Macmillian. Entwistle, N. (1998) Styles of Learning and Teaching. London: David Fulton Publishers. Brown, R. and Hawksley, B. (1996) Learning skills, studying styles and profiling. Dinton: Mark Allen Publishing. Honey, P. and Mumford, A. (1992) The manual of learning styles, Maidenhead: Peter Honey Publications Ltd. Honey, P. and Mumford, A. (2000) The learning styles helper’s guide. Maidenhead: Peter Honey Publications Ltd. Kolb, D. A. (1984) Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.