Why Cultural Appropriation Is Wrong

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture. Its a controversial topic, one that activists and celebrities like Adrienne Keene and Jesse Williams have helped bring into the national spotlight. However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means.   People from hundreds of different ethnicities make up the U.S. population, so it’s not surprising that cultural groups rub off on each other at times. Americans who grow up in diverse communities may pick up the dialect, customs, and religious traditions of the cultural groups that surround them. Cultural appropriation is an entirely different matter. It has little to do with one’s exposure to and familiarity with different cultures. Instead, cultural appropriation typically involves members of a dominant group exploiting the culture of less privileged groups. Quite often, this is done along racial and ethnic lines with little understanding of the latter’s history, experience, and traditions. Defining Cultural Appropriation In order to understand cultural appropriation, we must first look at the two words that make up the term. Culture is defined as the beliefs, ideas, traditions, speech, and material objects associated with a particular group of people. Appropriation is the illegal, unfair, or unjust taking of something that doesnt belong to you. Susan Scafidi, a law professor at Fordham University, told Jezebel  that it’s difficult to give a concise explanation of cultural appropriation. The author of  Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law, defined cultural appropriation as follows: â€Å"Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone elses culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another cultures dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. Its most likely to be harmful when the source community is a ​In the United States, cultural appropriation almost always involves members of the dominant culture (or those who identify with it) â€Å"borrowing† from the cultures of minority groups.   African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and indigenous peoples generally tend to emerge as the groups targeted for cultural appropriation. Black music and dance, Native American fashions, decoration, and cultural symbols, and Asian martial arts and dress have all fallen prey to cultural appropriation. â€Å"Borrowing† is a key component of cultural appropriation and there are many examples in recent American history. In essence, however, it can be traced back to the racial beliefs of early America; an era when many whites saw people of color as less than human. Society has moved beyond those gross injustices, for the most part. And yet, insensitivity to the historical and current sufferings of others remains apparent today. Appropriation in Music In the 1950s, white musicians borrowed the musical stylings of their black counterparts. Because African Americans weren’t widely accepted in U.S. society at that time, record executives chose to have white artists replicate the sound of black musicians. The result is that music like rock-n-roll is largely associated with whites and its black pioneers are often forgotten. In the early 21st century, cultural appropriation remains a concern. Musicians such as  Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Miley Cyrus  have all been accused of cultural appropriation. Madonnas famous voguing began in black and Latino sectors of the gay community. Gwen Stefani faced criticism for her fixation on Harajuku culture from Japan. In 2013, Miley Cyrus became the pop star most associated with cultural appropriation. During recorded and live performances, the former child star began to twerk, a dance style with roots in the African American community.   Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Appropriation of Native Cultures Native American fashion, art, and rituals have also been appropriated into mainstream culture. Their fashion has been reproduced and sold for profit and their rituals are often adopted by eclectic religious and spiritual practitioners. A well-known case involves the sweat lodge retreats of James Arthur Ray. In 2009, three people died during one of his adopted sweat lodge ceremonies in Sedona, Arizona. This prompted the elders of Native American tribes to speak out against this practice because these plastic shamans have not been properly trained. Covering the lodge with plastic tarps was just one of Rays mistakes and he was later sued for impersonation. Similarly, in Australia, there was a period during which it was common for Aboriginal art to be copied by non-Aboriginal artists, often marketed and sold as authentic. This led to a renewed movement to authenticate Aboriginal products. Cultural Appropriation Takes Many Forms Buddhist tattoos, Muslim-inspired headdresses as fashion, and white gay men adopting the dialect of black women are other examples of cultural appropriation that are often called out. The examples are nearly endless and context is often key. For example, was the tattoo done in reverence or because its cool? Would a Muslim man wearing  the  keffiyeh  be considered a terrorist for that simple fact? At the same time, if a white man wears it, is it a fashion statement? Why Cultural Appropriation Is a Problem Cultural appropriation remains a concern for a variety of reasons. For one, this sort of â€Å"borrowing† is exploitative because it robs minority groups of the credit they deserve. Art and music forms that originated with minority groups come to be associated with members of the dominant group. As a result, the dominant group is deemed innovative and edgy. At the same time, the disadvantaged groups they â€Å"borrow† from continue to face negative stereotypes that imply they’re lacking in intelligence and creativity.   When singer Katy Perry performed as a geisha at the American Music Awards in 2013, she described it as an homage to Asian culture. Asian Americans disagreed with this assessment, declaring her performance â€Å"yellowface.† They also found issue with the song choice, Unconditionally, alongside a stereotype of passive Asian women. The question of whether it is a homage or an insult is at the core of cultural appropriation. What one person perceives as a tribute, people of that group may perceive as disrespectful. Its a fine line and one that must be carefully considered. How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation Every individual has choices to make when it comes to sensitivity toward others. As a member of the majority, someone may not be able to recognize a harmful appropriation unless its pointed out. This requires awareness of why youre buying or doing something that represents another culture. The intention is at the heart of the matter, so its important to ask yourself a series of questions. Why are you borrowing this? Is it out of a genuine interest? Is it something you feel called to do? Or, does it simply look appealing and youre following the trends?What is the source? For material items such as artwork, was it made by someone from that culture? What does this item mean to them?How respectful is this to the culture? What would someone from that group feel about it? Genuine interest in other cultures is not to be discounted. The sharing of ideas, traditions, and material items is what makes life interesting and helps diversify the world. It is the intention that remains most important and something everyone can remain conscious of as we learn from others.

Military Bearing Essay - 618 Words

In the United States Army, military bearing is the root in which every service member practices in order to carry out good discipline and ethics throughout their military careers. Army regulations and The Articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice show us how a military service member should conduct themselves on a daily basis. All military soldiers have an obligation to conduct themselves like they are adults and to show respect to the ranks above them. If a Soldier fails to do so they are not only disrespecting the NCO and Officer above them. They are also breaking rules and regulations set in place by regulations and UCMJ. There are many different ways military bearing ties into your every day life it take†¦show more content†¦Answering or addressing the NCOs by saying â€Å"SGT† and officers by â€Å"sir† or â€Å"ma’am†. Dependability is a major aspect of military bearing. Without dependability, one can neither perform properly in the work space or be depended on by their fellow soldiers, or chain of command to carry out their military duties properly. A military member is required to be punctual, and reliable. Lack of this in a service member not only hinders the mission of the command but of the entire Army. In braking your military bearing you violate many regulations such as FM 7-21.13 CH 4 and the UCMJ articles 91 and 92. The punishments for these violations varies on the severity of the offence. Anywhere from a summarized article 15 to a field grade article 15. The best way to avoid avoid these punishments is to hold your military bearing and to remember your rank and position. Sometimes it is very difficult for me to keep military bearing. I get too comfortable with my enviroment and I tend to disrespect people. I do plan to fix my problem of losing military bearing. The ways I plan to fix it is standing at parade rest for every enlisted member to get my body in the habit of just doing it and standing at the position of attention for every officer, I will also address every enlisted member by there rank regardless if they are subbordinate to me or not. IShow MoreRelatedMilitary Bearing1023 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Military Bearing† and how it affects the Army as a whole Bearing, put simply, is the appearance and demeanor of a person throughout the activities and circumstances that an individual is seen or observed. An individual is largely judged by others through the bearing that the individual exudes as he goes about his daily affairs, and thus it is very important that the person shows a bearing of competence and professionalism at all times. Militaries since the beginning of recorded history have setRead MoreEssay on Military Bearing2093 Words   |  9 PagesImportance of Military Bearing Military bearing is the root in which every soldier practices in order to carry out good discipline and ethics throughout ones military career. Army regulations and soldiers on our own creed illustrate how a military service member should conduct themselves on a daily basis, on and off duty. Loyalty, duty, respect, commitment, honor, punctuality, reliable, integrity, and personal courage are Army core values. Courage is the ability to stand up for ones beliefs andRead MoreMilitary Bearing Essay1046 Words   |  5 PagesIn the United States Army, military bearing is the root in which every service member practices in order to carry out good discipline and ethics throughout ones military careers. The Three General Orders of a Soldier, The articles of UCMJ, as well as our own Sailors Creed illustrates how a military service member should conduct himself or herself on a daily basis, on and off duty. Dependability is a major aspect of military bearing. Without dependability, one can neither perform properly in theRead MoreMilitary Bearing Essay example851 Words   |  4 PagesMilitary bearing is ones outward appearance. The sharp uniform, perfect haircut, and their motivation and pride in their appearance. Military bearing is the way you take pride in your accomplishments and the majority of your experiences. It is also the way you maintain your composure and contain your emotions at all times. even when some might think it is neccessary to speak ones thoughts, that is where military bearing comes into play and maintains the composure of the soldier himself. MilitaryRead MoreEssay Military Bearing1013 Words   |  5 PagesIn the United States NAVY, military bearing is the root in which every service member practices in order to carry out good discipline and ethics throughout ones military careers. The Eleven General Orders of a Sentry, The Articles of the UCMJ, as well as our own Sailors Creed illustrates how a military service member should conduct himself or herself on a daily basis, on and off duty. Dependability is a major aspect of military bearing. Without dependability, one can neither perform properlyRead MoreCorrective Essay: Military Bearing and Respect857 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Field Manual 6-22, â€Å"Military Bearing is defined as having or projecting a commanding presence and a professional image of authority†. The United States Army is structured on several values and principles that it upholds, among these are military bearing, discipline and respect. Leaders should be able to make these big decisions with all his confidence projecting out with his military bearing. A leader should look like a leader, disciplined, confident, and has the skills and abilitiesRead MoreMilitary Bearing, Respect and Discipline1989 Words   |  8 PagesMILITARY BEARING, DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT The United States Army is structured on several values and principles that it upholds, among these are military bearing, discipline and respect. These principles represents what the organization strongly believes in and governs the most basic customs and courtesies that all its members should abide by, otherwise legal repercussion and punishment is enforced that could ultimately result in separation from the organization. According to Field Manual 6-22Read MoreMilitary Bearing in Context of the US Navy663 Words   |  3 PagesNavy Military Bearing Military bearing is something that applies to all branches of the United States Navy but it manifests itself a little differently depending on the branch in question. This report will focus on the United States Navy and military bearing and the core competencies and codes that define said military bearing in a Navy context. A lot of what will be said below can be applied, in whole or in part, to other branches of the United States Armed Forces. Navy Military Bearing The OhioRead MoreProper Military and Professional Bearing Essay2425 Words   |  10 PagesProper Military and Professional Bearing, Order, Discipline, and Respect IAW AR 600-20 amp; FM 6-22 1. Military Discipline a. Military discipline is founded upon self-discipline, respect for properly constituted authority, and the embracing of the professional Army ethic with its supporting individual values. Military discipline will be developed by individual and group training to create a mental attitude resulting in proper conduct and prompt obedience to lawful military authority. Read MoreSoldier and Appearance Military Appearance Essay634 Words   |  3 PagesWords 5 Pages Always Maintain Good Military Appearance Military Appearance In this paper I will discuss the importance of why a NCO or Drill Sergeant should maintain proper military appearance and why it is important. The NCO’s Creed first states that â€Å"no one is more professional than I†, so I am sure that means more than just appearance. It Premium 1553 Words 7 Pages Appearance Is a Very Important and Highly Regarded Concept in the Military. Appearance is a very important and

Apprising Employees at the San Diego Zoo Free Essays

Reed Nevers Chapter 8 Case study Case study 2 November 10,2012 Online Employee performance 1. The San Diego Zoological Society finally came to the realization that they needed more from their employees even though the society was nonprofit. After further research the society decided to go with a new appraisal system to evaluate their employees. We will write a custom essay sample on Apprising Employees at the San Diego Zoo or any similar topic only for you Order Now They concluded it would be an online appraisal system. The strategy behind this system was to come up with a collaboration that would coincide with the organizational goals, and give the ability of the employee to set their own goals. This idea would help prevent breakdown within the system, which allows the employees to communicate on a personal basis. This system eventually lead to a merit based platform to help pay the employees’ salaries. Not only did the system reach its goals it allowed those who were slightly computer illiterate to be able to add input and it allowed the employees to record their achievements. 2. Is it worth it for the society to go with an online system? There are the pros and cons. For example by changing to an online system the society will be able to streamline their efforts of recruiting, reduce paperwork, while increasing a subjective base of individuals, furthermore it allows the managers to design a process that fits their needs and ideals based upon the organization’s mission. On the flipside the employees have concerns about the outcome of the sample that is generated by the software. They feel that it could be biased based upon the organizational needs instead of the employee’s needs. 3. I feel that the new appraisal system will allow the employee to have the opportunity to track their performance achievements throughout the year in a simple way, this process will be beneficial to them when it comes to the annual appraisal with their managers. The managers on the other hand will have the ability to track and maintain a centralized data base of information of measures to help establish a baseline on the employee for the annual appraisal. The online system will benefit both the employee and the manager. How to cite Apprising Employees at the San Diego Zoo, Papers

Strings of Life free essay sample

Have you ever thought about what we are made of? Many new ideas are being explored by scientists driven by this one question. The String Theory is one these ideas. This String Theory in short, describes that a string makes up a quark, which makes up a proton or neutron, creating the atom, and essentially the world. Id like to think that moments in my life have made me who I am, just like the little strings that make up an atom. Something so small, yet so significant.Just like the String Theory, there are unlimited possibilities in life and the future seems to be indefinite. I can remember feeling the urgency to grow up as fast as possible, when everything was one large fairytale, and when school and fun were synonymous. However, being a high school student can change all that, grades and competition with peers seems to be on everyones brain. We will write a custom essay sample on Strings of Life or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page On paper, Im a scholar and a talented student, but Im more than just that. I wont allow grades and awards to define me. Im a girl of multiple races, which is probably the reason why I love cultures that are foreign to me. Outside of school, I teach myself Japanese, Russian, and many other languages. Along with languages, I love literature and tend to covet Greek mythology. These interest in addition to my desire for knowledge are the strings that make me who I am.One moment in time can ultimately change your life, no matter how long or short it is. I can name one significant moment in my life that can surmount the others. At the age of 8, I can clearly remember my fathers passing. At the robust age of 44, he was the best father-role model-friend anyone could have. His death affected me in more ways than one. It wasnt the fact that I could no longer see him that hurt the most, it was the fact that I took the time we spent together for granted. The effects of my fathers death are endless, however not all of them are negative. My father always told me to be happy no matter what, so I took his advice and I live my life recalling my moments with him and with future aspirations to make the world a more content place.Without these vital moments in our lives, where would we be? How could we exist if strings didnt make up the atom? Life without love and pain is unrealistic, just as life is without cells in our bodies.Everyone has strings; its what you make of them that define you.

Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Most free essay sample

Heart Of Darkness Essay, Research Paper Most Literate people know that by traveling into the Heart of the Jungle, Conrad was seeking to relay a message about the bosom of adult male, and the narrative is worldly broad read as one of the most symbolic narrative of the English linguistic communication. The narrative recognizes Marlow, its storyteller, non Kurtz or the ferociousness of the Belgian functionaries. Conrad wrote a statement on how he the narrative should be interpreted: My undertaking which I am seeking to accomplish is, by the power of the written word, to do you hear, to do you experience it, and above all to do you see. Knowing the Conrad was a author that lived in his work. , composing about the experiences were about as if he was composing about himself. The Story was written through the eyes of Marlow. Marlow is a follower of the sea, His ocean trip up the Congo was the experience in river pilotage. We will write a custom essay sample on Heart Of Darkness Essay Research Paper Most or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He is used as a mask, per say, so Conrad can come in the narrative and state it out of his ain logical head. He longs to see Kurtz, in hope s of appreciating all that Kurtz finds appealing about the jungle. Marlow does non acquire a opportunity to see him until Kurtz is so morbid he looks more like decease itself than a individual. There were no good expressions or wellness. In the narrative Marlow comments that Kurtz resembles an alive image of decease carved into tusk. . Like Marlow, Kurtz is seen as an honest adult male to many supporters ; but he is besides a stealer, liquidator, tormentor, and he allows himself to be worshipped about as a god.. Both Kurtz and Marlow had good purposes to seek, yet Kurtz seems a omniscient being lacking of basic unity or sense of duty. In the terminal the signifier one individual. Marlow and Kurtz are the light and dark egos of one individual. Meaning each one is what the other might hold been. Every individual that Marlow meets on his venture contributes to the secret plan every bit good as the overall subject of the narrative. Kurtz is the violent Satan explained at the beginning of the narrative. It was his ability to command work forces through fright and and worship that led Marlow to mean this. Throughout the narrative Conrad physiques an unhealthy darkness that neer allows the reader to bury the focal point of the narrative. At every bend he sees evil in the land and in most of the people. Every image was dejecting and space. The deathly Congo air currents itself through the jungle linking its feeders. It seems that Conrad added this as a important portion of the narrative. It seems as if the river itself was the lone beginning of good and life in the jungle. The scene of these adventuresome and moral pursuits is the great jungle. As a symbol the jungle encloses all, and in the bosom of the journey Marlow enters the dark cavern of his won bosom. It even becomes and image of a huge casket of immorality, in which Kurtz dies but from which Marlow emerges spiritually reborn. The director, in charge of three Stationss in the jungle, feels Kurtz is a menace to his place. Marlow sees how the director is intentionally detaining the relay of supplies and aid to Kurtz. He hopes he will decease of disregard. This is where the inciting minute of the narrative prevarications. Should the company in Belgium find out the truth about Kurtz s success as a tusk trader, they would doubtless promote him to the place of director. The director s insidious and pretending nature opposes all truth. This narrative can be the consequence of two wholly different facets of Conrads life. One being his journey into the Congo. Conrad had a childhood want associated with a disapproved childhood aspiration to travel to sea. Thus the adventuresome Conrad and the Moralist Conrad may hold collided. Heart of Darkness is a record of things seen and done. Then is was tusk that poured out the bosom of darkness. Now possibly it is Marijuana and Cocaine. There were so many existent events and facts in the narrative that it was more of an oculus opener to the yesteryear than entertaining. His confrontations as a adult male are both unsafe and edifying. Possibly adult male s inhumaneness to adult male is his greatest wickedness. Since the narrative closes with a prevarication, possibly Conrad was detecting and analysing the two facets of truth. Real truth and False truth, both of which, are of all time present in the human psyche

How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter for Your Students Scholarship

How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter for Your Student's Scholarship SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips There are numerous scholarships out there for students entering college, and each has its own special set of guidelines. A recommendation letter for scholarship from teachers, counselors, and other important people in a student's life can serve as powerful testaments to a student's past and future achievements. As an English teacher and college counselor, I put a lot of time into crafting personalized letters of recommendation for students applying to scholarships. In this article, I discuss what exactly should go into an effective scholarship recommendation letter, along with the importance of tailoring your letter to the scholarship at hand. So how exactly should recommenders frame their letters to best help their students win a scholarship? And what purpose do reference letters serve as scholarship committees sift through applications? // Purpose of Recommendation Letters in Scholarship Applications A letter of recommendation for scholarship can accomplish a number of things within a student's scholarship application. First, they can act as strong endorsements of a student, praising her academic and personal qualities and expressing confidence in her future success. The best letters allow a student to transcend her resume and come alive, so to speak, as a multi-dimensional person to a scholarship committee. They also show that she has people in her life motivated to speak on her behalf. While illuminating a student's impressive qualities (her compassion, energy, or leadership skills, for instance), a recommendation letter provides further evidence that the student is qualified to receive the scholarship. Most scholarships are awarded for students with specific commitments or goals. They might be awarded to students pursuing engineering, math, science, computer science, or literary studies. Recommendations should be customized to each scholarship. They can attest that a student is both eligible for and deserves the scholarship based on her merit and/or need. For those scholarships geared toward students that have financial need, a recommendation letter may discuss a student's ability to succeed despite limited resources. A recommendation letter for scholarship can complement and add to the story a student tells in her application about who she is and why she deserves it. In order to do this successfully and accurately, you, as the recommender, should first gather essential information and brainstorm ideas before beginning to write. Want to build the best possible college application, with the strongest recommendations? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Even before the chicken and the egg came the brainstorming stage. Before Writing YourScholarship Recommendation Letter... Since letters of recommendation carry such weight, first you should ask yourself if you can write a genuine and meaningful letter of support for the student. If you feel you don't know her well or have little to share on her behalf, then your letter could come off as lukewarm or uninformed, both of which would add little, or could even hurt, her chances. Assuming you're motivated to recommend the student, you should make sure to find out exactly what the scholarship is for. Is it looking to award students who have overcome significant challenges? Is it helping girls who want to study computer science? Minority students entering technology fields? High academic achievers that contribute to their communities? By being aware of the guidelines and expectations of the scholarship, you can make sure to validate your student's qualifications to receive it. If it's a scholarship for future engineers, talk about your student's fascination with physics. If it has to do with community involvement, talk about her volunteer work at the Boys and Girls Club. Your recommendee should provide you with information about the scholarship, along with her resume, "brag sheet," and any other relevant information. If you still have unanswered questions, it could help your letter writing to sit down with the student and talk about her high school experiences and post-secondary goals. Once you have a clear sense of the scholarship and themes within the student's application, you can think about the story you want to tell in your recommendation letter for scholarship. Think about the student's outstanding strengths, along with significant experiences that have shaped her or obstacles she's overcome. // Finally, consider what anecdotes or observations you can share to demonstrate those strengths. If she's applying to a computer science scholarship, you can highlight her year-long project designing an app to track water use and promote conservation. If she's applying for a literary scholarship, talk about her publications in the town's local magazine. All of these components are important to include in the scholarship recommendation letter. Read on to learn more about key content in recommendation letters for scholarships. Include meaningful stories to support your recommendation. WhatAre the Main Parts of a Recommendation Letter? Each recommendation letter you write will be personalized to the specific student you're writing about, but many of these letters follow a similar template. Here's everything that you should include in your recommendation letter: A salutation An introduction that explains your relationship to the student The body of the letter where you explain the reason(s) for why you believe the student deserves the scholarship A summary where you reiterate your main points Your contact information and signature What to Include in Your Recommendation Letter Once you've brainstormed a list of the student's strengths, meaningful anecdotes, and qualifications to win the scholarship, you can start to draft your letter. Introduction As with recommendations for college, you should begin by stating who you're recommending, how you know her and in what contexts, and what makes you qualified to give your assessment. If you've known the student in different contexts, like as both her teacher and club advisor or coach, then you should say so. This further shows that you know her well and have seen how she interacts and performs in different roles and environments. It's my great pleasure to recommend Janet for the X Scholarship, who I got to know as her 11th grade AP Calculus teacher. Throughout the three years I've known Brian as his baseball coach and 11th grade English teacher, he's impressed me with his intense focus and commitment. // Body of the Letter: Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship Once your introduction incorporates these elements - a strong statement of support and an explanation of who you are and how you know the student - then you can move into your assessment. You should highlight the student's primary strengths, again, making sure to tailor your evaluation to the specific scholarship. If the scholarship is focusing on academic achievement, then a statement of high ranking from an established teacher could go a long way. Stating that the student is one of the top three you've taught in twenty years or the best student in her class suggests that she's an outstanding applicant who will likely continue to excel in college. Since most scholarships are awarded for students going into certain fields, you should speak about your vision of the student at college. If the scholarship is awarded to someone going into mechanical engineering, then you can corroborate the student's academic and professional goals and paint a picture of what you see her accomplishing in the field. Talk about her aptitude for the subject, involvement in Robotics Club, and excitement to study with renowned engineer Professor Smith at college. Ultimately, you want to make the student stand out as a motivated individual that the scholarship donors would want to invest in. You may emphasize her unique commitment, talent, drive, and passion, and show them how her contributions in high school predict her continued pursuits in college. Show them that she deserves the scholarship and that you have no doubt she will put it to good use. Your Contact Information In the end of your letter, you can give your contact information and invite the scholarship committee to get in touch with any further questions. If you've provided a complete, glowing picture of the student, then they should have all the information they need. On the other hand, your letter may fall short if it includes some of the following elements. Neither your coffee nor your recommendation letter should be lukewarm. What Not to Include in Your Scholarship Recommendation Letter It's unlikely that any recommendation letter will be explicitly bad. If you didn't get along with a student for some reason, then presumably she wouldn't ask you to recommend her. Even if she mysteriously did, you'd most likely decline or suggest someone who would be a better choice for recommender. However, recommendation letters can still end up being mediocre and not very helpful compared to others that rave about a student. Lukewarm Praise Letters that come off as lukewarm stand in stark contrast to enthusiastic ones. To avoid this, make sure to be intentional with your word choice and to avoid cliches. Talking about how a student is hard-working and a good student might not stack up well beside descriptors like diligent, insightful, intellectually curious, or compassionate, to name a few. Try not to use vague or overused adjectives that sound generic and lack impact. Additionally, a mediocre ranking like "above average" doesn't do much to help a student, especially if the scholarship is looking for exceptional academic merit. You also want to avoid covering every grade, club, or activity associated with the student, as this lacks focus. It wouldn't zero in on the specific qualifications the scholarship committee is looking for, and thus wouldn't help prove that the student deserves their time and money. Non-Descriptive Reasons Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship You also want to avoid simply listing adjectives in your recommendation without having the stories to back them up. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, a story about your student is more memorable and telling than using an adjective with no example. In addition to calling Roger a caring, sensitive, and proactive leader, talk about how he developed a week of programming at school to raise awareness of mental health issues. Simply put, avoid abstract language if you can't support it with real examples. Generic Writing Finally, to reiterate the point, the least effective recommendation letter is one not tailored to the scholarship itself. While you may use the same letter of recommendation for more than one college a student is applying to, you should make sure to customize your letter for scholarships. They tend to be both competitive and specific. Therefore a student needs a strong, customized letter that talks about why she's the perfect person to win that money. Sample Recommendation Letter for a Scholarship Now that you know all the partsyour letter should include, here's an sample scholarship recommendation letter so you can see how it looks all tied together. Notice how, in this letter, the writer clearly explains how he knows the student, gives specific examples of why the student is exceptional,discusses how the scholarship would benefit the student, and overall presents a strong and passionate case as to why this student deserves the scholarship. Dear Scholarship Selection Committee, I'm thrilled torecommend Nathan Daniels for the Aspiring Entrepreneur Scholarship. I taught Nathan's Introductory Economics and AP Macroeconomics classes, and I also am the advisor for the high school Business Club, which Nathan is Vice President of. I've known Nathan for three years, and I've seen him use intelligence, business savvy, hard work, and people skills to accomplish more than almost any high school student I know.I highly recommend him for this scholarship. I first met Nathan when he was a sophomore in my Introductory Economics class. Right away he stood out by being able to quickly grasp economic concepts and engage in thoughtful discussion. He's very skilled at being able to apply even abstract business and economics concepts to real world examples and understand how they impact everyday life. In both classes I have taught him in, Nathan has been an active participant and one of the highest-scoring students in the class, but he always takes time to help his classmates. By the time he was in my AP Economics class, I could put him in a group with students struggling to understand certain concepts and trust him to competently answer any questions they had while I was working with other groups. Despite being an excellent student and considerate peer, Nathan's most impressive achievement is the business he started on his own and continues to run. At the end of his sophomore year, Nathan came to me with a business plan he had for a tutoring business he wanted to run. It was extremely detailed, well thought-out, and based on solid business principles, so I recommended giving it a shot. I've seen numerous students come up with great ideas but not follow through, so I didn't expect much of it. However, Nathan not only got his business up and running, he has managed to keep it going and even expand it so that he now has three tutors working under him. He has shown incredible drive and business skills, and I truly believe this is only the beginning for him. Nathan has discussed with me how he would use this scholarship to help expand his current tutoring business as well as begin a new business to help college students resell their textbooks. I've looked over the plan for this new business, and it appears as well planned as his first. I have no doubt Nathan has both the motivation and the business sense to continue growing as an entrepreneur. I believe Nathan would be an extremely deserving recipient of this award and that you can be certain he'd make the most of it, the way he has made the most of all opportunities he has had. Sincerely, Terrance IvesSocial Science and BusinessTeacher Key Takeaways: Recommendation Letter for Scholarship To review, let's go over the key points to remember when writing your letters of recommendation for scholarships. When writing a letter of recommendation for scholarship, remember to Tailor your letter to the specific scholarship and its guidelines and expectations. Customize your letter to each individual student. Speak enthusiastically about a student's merit and why the scholarship committee should invest in her academic and professional future. In other words, emphasize your confidence in her future success. Highlight the student's primary strengths, particularly as they relate to the scholarship. Don't feel like you have to cover everything on a student's resume. Give stories, examples, and observations to back up your praise. In a phrase, "show, don't tell." Be intentional with your phrasing and flow of ideas. Choose words that are powerful and have impact, while avoiding generic language and cliches. Whether your student is applying to a scholarship for academic achievement, financial need, or a specific field of study, her application can receive a serious boost from a strong, thoughtful, and supportive recommendation letter. While her mission is to win the scholarship, yours can be to present the scholarship committee with an exceptional letter of recommendation about a student they won't soon forget. What's Next? Are you also writing letters of recommendation for colleges? Check out our full guide for teachers on how to write reference letters and help your students get accepted. Along with understanding the key content that should go into a recommendation letter, it's helpful to read these examples of great and bad references.Here you can read 4 great teacher recommendation letters, plus 3 examples of bad teacher recs. Are you a counselor writing a letter of recommendation?Check out our guide that includes three excellent examples of counselor letters of recto give you some ideas. Want to improve your SAT score by160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group Case Study

The Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group - Case Study Example Be in one of the most highly rated industries for stability and success, the Kimpton Hotel offers a high quality services to everyone who wants an excellent rest. It is advantage is that the Kimpton Hotel can meet the requirement of wide audience. The high quality services are the main success factor. The core strategy is to maintain a friendly, fair, and creative environment, which respects the customers. However, more than ever, people need cozy places to spend a vacation, including the rich and famous or simple people who simply need to look their best in their favorite outfit. Another factor is a demand for hotel rooms which increased from by 3.1% in 1997-1998. Also, workability of business is explained by tourism popularity and increasing number of people traveling around the world. The Kimpton boutique Hotels are oriented on a specific customer target: "people who do like generic activities and Starbucks" (Case study). The Kimpton Hotels do not reduce costs as it can worsen qua lity of their services. Thus the core strategy is to deliver customer satisfaction and gaining customers loyalty; to maintain a friendly, fair, and creative environment, which respects the customers. The Kimpton boutique Hotels decided to expend geographically and looked for property in Seattle, Tacoma, Chicago, the Eastern Coast, etc. The Kimpton is a market leaders which 67% of the market share. The Kimpton has a successful mix of tangible res... The Kimpton heavily invests in old fashioned hotels redesigning their services and interior. Non-price competition and "mongoose strategy" help the Kimpton to sustain market position and create long-term relations with the consumers. The effective operation of business is dependent on the maintenance of tangible and intangible resources (buildings, services, etc). Indeed, company welfare or personnel practice is designed partly as a maintenance activity, e.g. training and retraining to maintain the availability of appropriate skills, facilities to maintain human capacity (McDonald and Christopher 45). The main competences involve technological competence that accumulates not only in the heads of people, but also in the technical/physical systems that people build over time: databases, machinery, software, and so on. The accumulation of employee knowledge is guided and monitored by the company's system of education, rewards, and incentives. These systems are often called management systems, and they create the channels by which knowledge is accessed and flows-and barriers to the same. Core competences allow the company to achieve strong leadership and compete on the market. They involve unique brand image and proposition, direct marketing skills and minimization of working capital. Distinctive competences allow the Kimpton to sustain competitive advantage and compete with such giant as Hilton Group. The main distinctive competences are excellent customer support and low cost. The Kimpton target is on average as dependent on reliable information technology as any other businesses. T hey care more about reliable service and confidence than about the lowest price. They don't want to rely solely on their own expertise, so they choose instead to deal with us with our

Canadas Health Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Canadas Health Policy - Essay Example The Chapter discusses how social structure and healthcare policy correlate. How is the correlation of social structure and health Socioeconomical factors are deterrent of health. There is no question that income levels have direct link to health. For example, social classes of higher income are more likely to report their health as good. Those below the poverty level are more likely to address their health as poor. How does socioeconomical status affect people psychologically, physically, and emotionally These variables are referred to as stressors. Stressors are interconnected with the bodies physiological results its common knowledge that high levels of emotional issues are heavy influence on common diseases such as respritory illnesses and even worse illnesses. The example given in this chapter done by Kiecolt-Glaser, Malarkey, Cacioppo on page 169 discusses how abusive relationships between married man and women lead to decreased levels of proved decreased levels of health protecting hormones. This decrease was much more promanate with women then with men. The Social Gradient discussed on page 164 and beyond details into deeper theory into how social class influences health. This distribution of inequality of classes within a country has different healthcare reactions due to the actual country. Comparative examples of how social status affects countries would be alcohol related deaths in France, coronary diseases in Great Britain. Easily states, different illnesses in different countries. The Social Gradient is indirect support of the main theme of SES. Human's relative position in society is a factor but not as stated further into the chapter. Stressors have a larger impact of an individual's health. However, it's a well knows fact that higher income levels are more likely to care better and seek better levels of care. This Chapter addresses the basic fundamentals that create the demographic data needed in shaping Canada's Healthcare Policy. Economists value the state of the economy, culture, and distribution of wealth among the country when deciding in care coverage and reimbursements. How are the needs of the citizens distributed across the country This is just a surface scratch of how the Canadian government formulates and controls healthcare and provides access to all its citizens. Socio-economoical class fits inside both Interpretivist and Positivist Approach. If the premise for Interpretivist is the truth is experienced, then social experience needs to be witnessed first hand and the voices of the people of the community must take a very active role in forming health policy. Positivist Approach asks the questions how truth and facts. This is the scientific and analytic approach based on empirical evidence. Demographic Data can be collected, analyzed, trended and statistically manipulated in order to conclude on such ideals as income levels influence heart attacks. How does the status of social groups form healthcare policy The different groups address the different needs of patient population throughout the country. Do these groups require different levels of care and coverage The current healthcare policy as a universal policy promotes equality among the social classes. Many classes in society have the same basic needs

Organizational Theory Design and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Organizational Theory Design and Change - Essay Example This will improve the quality of the decision making as the interests of all stakeholders are considered and hence all aspects of business have been taken into account during decision making. But if there is power imbalance among the stakeholders then the decision making may be influenced by stakeholders with greater power and the interests of the other stakeholders will be jeopardized. The quality of the decision making and in turn the overall interest of the organization is compromised when there is an imbalance of power among the various groups of organizational stakeholders. Organizational politics can have positive as well as negative impact on an organization. Therefore to manage and gain benefits from organizational politics, it is essential to ensure that there is balance of power among the various stakeholder groups in an organization. Balance of power will lead to alternate views and solutions to various organizational problems form various quarters of the organization. The refore balance of power among various organizational stakeholder groups is vital for the overall success of the organization (Jones, 2009). Works Cited Jones, G. (2009). Organizational Theory Design and Change. NJ: Prentice Hall. Print

Assessment Centres: Advantages and Disadvantages

Assessment Centres: Advantages and Disadvantages Assessment centres were introduced at the middle of the 20th century. It also gives the idea and use of assessment centre. It uses to check the ability and skills of the employees. History of assessment centres explore, how and why assessment centres help us to appreciate, what the original user were trying to get and how can be assessed the skills, attitudes, personal skills and abilities as well as knowledge of the participants with the help of interview, exercises and leading practice. Basically, the origin of assessment centres started for the selection of the soldier in the Germany. That time there was a great frustration between the boundaries of the countries due to the atmosphere of the war, and every country wanted to get Prestige on the other countries. So, assessment centres used to check the ability and quality of the employees, and referred the position according to his knowledge and capabilities. We can be seen certain example throughout the history. Germany used to check the ability and performance to select the officers. In the book Spies and Saboteurs, by Dr W.J.Morgan (1955, London Victor Gollancz Ltd), the author describe how a German psychologist, Dr Simoneit watched officer performing a variety of tasks. The duties of assessment centres were to check the abilities thorough different implications of test and exercises. It also checked the rate and standard of the officers and according to this, the promotions have been announced by the army. This process had been started because; it showed the performance and their promotions. It also explored the certain reasons, why certain offices did not reveal or proceed in the way. They would have been promoted once. After this, the assessment centres emerged from Germany to USA. USA was one of the fast growing economies and USA used to judge the ability of the spy. It also used select the officers for intelligence. For checking of mental ability of officers they used further research of psychological and scientific method had been to add the work by assessment centres. The concept of assessment centres populated in different economy from one side of the world to another part of the world. British Government checks the qualities of on board selection committee and testing method. British government added more tests and exercises analysing the capability, British were pioneers to add the physical and psychological tests during an interviews and selections for employees. Dr WJ Morgan illustrates that it is how you performed your tasks, whether as an individual or within a group, that matters not how quickly an exercise was done. With the passage of the time, it growth and, different business have been adopted by different countries. Then most businesses used the assessment centres to assessing the hold jobs to employees. But sometimes man has more ability but at the position sometimes, it can be showed by an organisation. In this matter the assessment centres help the organisation as well as to emerged the capabilities of the employees and the employees have better opportunities to do best. It is right that an assessment centres started for militaries bias to check the abilities but now it very common in between every aspect of the life such as businesses and other public service as well. Now in this era, there is a great competition in the world, so, it is not easy task to check the capabilities of any employees. So in this matter assessment centres is helpful to check the abilities and capabilities through the interviews and exercises the personality of the employees. (http://www.psychometric-success.com/faq/faq-assessment-centre-origin.htm) INTRODUCTION OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS: An Assessment Centres does not refer to a location, DEFINE ASSESSMENT CENTERS : It can be usefully defined as A method for assessing aptitude and performance; applied to a group of participants by trained assessors using various aptitude diagnostic processes in order to obtain information about applicants abilities or development potential. Assessment Centres are mostly utilized in the initial stages of the selection process; this is due large amount of time and expenditure involved in it. This is followed by initial job interview. Assessment centres involve assembling in one place several candidates who applying for the same position and putting them through a variety of different tests. They can be operated over one day, but usually involve an overnight stay. Assessment Centres are seen as one of the most effective ways of identifying top candidates wholl get on well with others and fit in with the organizations culture. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Developments Recruitment, Retention and Turnover 2009 Survey, 34% of employers now use assessment Centres when recruiting managers, professionals and graduates. (http://www.psychometric-success.com/psychometric-tests/psychometric-tests-assessment-centers.htm) IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS: Implementation of assessment centres should be carried out properly. When the structure and content of the assessment centre have been established, the issues involved are organising, managing and giving proper direction. The assessment centres should have a range of activities that allow candidates to demonstrate teach competency more than once during the course of the centre. The range of activities should considered exercises that sample job content and mirror real-life situations. The assessment centres should have different department heads which can manage too many candidates or too many exercises and maintain a sensible ratio of assessors to candidates. The assessment centres should have proper clear goal in mind so that they achieve the success. Adopt a competency-based approach with assessment criteria appropriate to the target role. Training is necessary for assessors in technical areas, such as observation and interview techniques, and raises their awareness of diversity issues. Feedback should be given to both the successful as well as unsuccessful candidates. The assessment centres activities should regularly refresh to avoid over-familiarity on the part of candidates and assessors. DESIGN OF A SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT CENTER: The successful assessment centre is well defined on how well it has been designed. Before designing its best to review the nature and purpose of an assessment centre. The important feature is to consider the skills and abilities assessed are actually relevant to the job in question. An assessment centre is a step further in selection procedure, it is held either on employers premises or in a hotel, which normally lasts one or two days. The process which usually involves in designing is as follows: While designing the assessment centre the time duration of the centre is taken into consideration. For instance, for senior most people, one day might not be sufficient. The second most important criteria is the location of the assessment centre, which deals with the proper surroundings and accessibility for candidates. Create a Task list and match with roles and goals given by the company. Create a questionnaire related to the task list. Use the competencies well through knowledge and skills. DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPETENCIES: Different competencies generally are developed as framework to be used as a reference or resource. The purpose of the resources database is to assist users to identify the many existing competency-based resources currently in use. The database is not exhaustive, but contains numerous examples of the resources that were tapped to identify competencies in the development of the high growth industries. A competency is demonstrated or mastered in a job and can be easily transferred to another job. These resources generally contain descriptive information about the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in the field. Managerial Competencies: The competencies which are considered to be important for staff with managerial or supervisory responsibility with sizeable budget to manage, which includes directors and senior posts. Some managerial competencies could be more relevant for specific fields; however they are applied in the organization. These competencies include: 1) Team leadership 2) Change management 3) Analysis and decision-making. 4) Interpersonal sensitivity. Technical/ Functional Competencies: Some specific competencies which are taken into consideration to perform any job in the organisation within a defined technical or functional area of work. Those competencies are as follows: 1) Industrial process sectors. 2) Finance and administration 3) Human resource management and environmental management. Generic Competencies: Competencies which are considered essential for all staff, regardless of their function or level include: 1) Communication programme execution. 2) Processing tools. 3) Business awareness. 4) Achievement and motivation. STEPS INVOLVED FOR SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT CENTRE: The assessment centre should be very clear about the objectives. They should have a proper planning and organising of all the departments which are involved with them for two or three days. The assessor should look for different competencies which are being evaluated in the assessment centre. When the assessor is assessing the candidates working environment is taken into consideration. The assessment centres should be well known for their good and different variety of exercise so that the candidates feel motivated. The vital step involved for successful assessment centre is giving feedback to everybody. Successful as well as those candidates who did not get selected. MAIN ELEMENTS OF ASSEMENTS CENTERS: Elements of assessment centres are used in anglicising and zeroing in on relevant behaviours to be assessed and evaluated. The assessment centre use different exercises and techniques to select or assess the candidates. The assessor carefully examines the candidates while the candidates are doing exercises, on the bases of performance the candidate which has potential or capable for the job they got selected. The assessors who are selected for conducting interview they are trained, the assessor must be external of the organisation or the organisation needs to hire them or it should be from organisation itself like the HR managers. The assessor observes the candidates and records the observed behaviour of the participants. The assessment centre does job analyses before conducting interviews. There are seven important element of the assessment centre: PRESENTATION: In the interview process this is the most important exercise because the assessor or the management team will assess the candidates, in this exercise the candidate gets a topic and they have to prepare that topic in specific time and that topics are highly job specific. The candidates shows their communication skills, problem solving skills, and confidence level, how they interact with the assessor. GROUP INTERVIEWS: The purpose of the group interview in the assessment centre exercises is to observe candidates interpersonal skills and personality when he or she is working with other people in a group. After the group interview, the assessors reduced the number of candidates and one-on- one interview is set up. The important employers working in organisation can check the candidates interactions with other people. In the group interview the employees give the candidates a task to solve hypothetical problems in order to work in a group. 3) IN-TRAY EXERCISES: In this kind of exercises the employers involves the candidates in some paperwork from the role in question and asking them to deal with it. The in-tray exercise items will be specifically designed to measure job skills such as: ability to organise and prioritize work; analytically skills, written communication skills, and their delegation. In-tray exercise are the most vital components of assessment centres, not only because of variety of skills, attitudes and knowledge can be judged but because this exercise also has considerable face validity. In this way the candidate can see how it relates to the job they are applying for and therefore they tend to take it seriously. 4) ROLE-PLAYS: Role play is a type of assessment centre exercise which offers a chance to place candidates in the kind of situation. In role play the candidates get the role of employee who has to resolve the problems of the customer. In this exercise the management team assess the candidates who have problem solving skills and see that how they communicate in that situation and how they can handle. The assessor usually plays the role of the customer and the candidates play the role of the employee. 5) PSYCHOMETRIC EXERCISE: Psychometric test assess the ability and personality test, the assessment centre hire the professional assessor it is expensive. The external assessor are qualified, they can manage the recruitment process, interpret results and give feedback to the candidates so they can know about their strength and their weakness. The two types of psychometric tests: ABILITY TEST: The rough ability test, it can be checked that and purified the ability of the employees by assessment centres. It is also helpful to check the skills and ability for the vacancy. Ability testing is a very common and effective selection tool, particularly for identifying unsuitable candidates. PERSONALITY TEST: The personality assessment provides the evidences and direct selection process. It also highlights the area where candidate can work. Personality assessment also provides the opportunity to glimpse in the candidates personality during the interview. Personal questionnaire is important to provide feedback for candidates as well as it also helps to understand the personal profile of the candidate. The feedback session is the best idea for decision making process for any position. Personality test remains contentious but is widely used in United Kingdom. GROUP EXERCISE: Interpersonal competency is usually tested by means of variety of group exercises that a group of four or five candidates carry out together. The aim in group exercise is to allow assessors to observe how each candidate behaves in relation to the others. Here the leadership qualities are anglicised and the negotiating skills of the candidates. Some assessment centres give groups some task to complete, which include management games more commonly used for developmental purposes. EVALUATIONS OF ASSESSMENT CENTRES: The selection and decision for hiring and promotion of the employees can be made by evaluation of assessment centre. Assessment centres also identify the training and development according to requirements and needs of vacancies or positions. The most essential characteristic of assessment centre is to evaluate participants potential and management skills. The emphasis is to identity the selection and promotion decisions of participants are on the basis of essential job performance dimensions. Deficiencies on critical job dimensions of participants can be anglicised by using training and development purposes. The feedback and employee development suggestions that result from an assessment form the basis for training programs that are designed to correct performance problems. In an organisation assessment centers can serves as needs assessment programs that identify employee development and hiring needs. ASSESSORS: In the assessment centers the role of an assessor is very vital. The assessors are given their own briefing packs. These packs contain description of the exercise and a list of the behaviors or answers that they should be looking for. Organisation usually recruit trained additional assessors if required for selection process, however trained internal assessor are used from the centre. This comprises a combination of HR specialists with experience in assessment techniques and line managers. CANDIDATES: Here the candidates are also presented with the briefing pack which contains the objectives of task and any information required to complete it. In each exercise, candidates are rated independently by two or more assessors, using behavioral scales for each competency being assessed. TEST VALIDITY: ADVANTAGES OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS: The most important advantage of an assessment is their flexibility. They are not time-restricted as interviews. The data which is collected by the assessment center helps them to recruit the right candidates for the right position; by this process the reliability and validity of the selection decision is improved. The assessment centers which are designed well provide evidence of the most valid method of predicting a candidates performance in a job. The way in which the assessment center collects data is the most fair and objective to make recruitment decision. Assessment center improves planning and administration. Now a days many organisation choose assessment center for recruiting large number of candidates because to avoid juggling interviews and managing the recruitment process. Assessment centers apply these for recruitment such as graduate recruitment, training scheme intakes. The nature of the assessment centre also allows organizations to get closer to the selection process by observing how candidates perform the sort of tasks actually found in the role for which they are being assessed. These sorts of real life exercises can provide a good indicator of a candidates probable future performance. LIMITATIONS OF ASSESSMENT CENTERS: An effective centre requires a considerable investment in time and resources-the design process alone can take many months. Many organizations already have detailed job descriptions and competency frameworks in place, simplifying this part of the design process. Assessment centers are expensive to run but appear to be rated highly by employers and candidates alike. Aside from psychometrics test and interviews, candidates can expect to undertake in-tray exercises, role-plays and group activities, as well as being required to make presentations. Care should be taken when using high-validity selection methods to ensure that they operate fairly and are free of bias against any particular group of candidates. CONCLUSION: http://www.howto.co.uk/careers/questions-at-interview/assessment_centres/

The research Process Essay -- essays research papers fc

Processes of research by Jonathan Guy In this essay I will outline the primary methods of conducting research, their advantages and disadvantages and will outline where they are best utilised. In addition to this, I will select certain methods of research that I believe will be applicable to my own dissertation and state why I will use those particular methods to conduct my own research. The first question we should ask is what is research? John C. Merriam considers research as â€Å"a reaching out to bring together, organise and interpret what ever may be added to our store of knowledge†¦most truly exemplified when it involves the wider relationship of specific facts to the whole structure of knowledge†. (C. Merriam, 1941, pg890) In other words, something should be considered research when it adds to what we already know, especially if it does so through adding facts to out structure of knowledge. Obviously, this is but one definition of research, there being much contention over what research actually is, or what should constitute research, however, as a simple definition, this should suffice. This being the cases, what is the purpose of research and what do we gain from it? Wilson Gee writes in â€Å"The Research Spirit† that he believes the purpose of research is to advance the human cause, â€Å"it is not strange that the world appraises so highly the research spirit which has led it through the darkness of a past into the light of a present and will still guide it on beyond a golden dawn of a future† (Wilson Gee, 1915, pg 95-98). He believed the primary purpose of research itself was to search for the truth bringing to light new facts as well as reinterpreting old ones. Its purpose with regards to what we have gained from it is visible all around us. If the enlightened few has not proposed and conducted empirical research (people such as D. Hume, I. Kant, C. Darwin, I. Newton etc) of centuries past, if they had not begun â€Å"systematic studies of natural phenomena† from which man gained â€Å"not only insight into, but a great measure of control over, the physical universe, quite beyond the wildest dreams of the earliest pione ers in these fields† (Wilson Gee, 1950, Pg 179), it is arguable we would still be a religious driven, superstitious backwards people in a feudalist society, never advancing our search for knowledge, happy in our ignorance. To further state its impo... ...y offer the greatest advantage to me when writing my dissertation. Biblography (contains direct text references and references from within texts, web references, article references etc) John c. Merriam, â€Å"common arms of culture and research in the university†, Science, 1941 Wilson Gee, Social Science Research Methods, The University of Virginia Press, 1950 Wilson Gee, The research spirit, The Emory Phoenix (Emory University, Oxford, Georgia), 1915 John C. Merriam, Institutes for Research in the Natural Sciences, The University of Chicago Press, 1929 Social and Political Science Research Methods, Madan Lal Goel and V. B. Singh, Ajanta books international, 1996 Karl Pearson, The Grammar of Science (A. & C. Black, London, 1911) A. Wolf, Essentials of Scientific Method, The Machmillan Company, New York, 1938. Clifford R. Shaw, â€Å"Case Study Method†, Publications of the Sociology Society, 1927 Philip Sargant Florence, The Statistical Method in Economic and Political Science (Routledge and Kegan Paul, ltd, London), 1929 Shelby M. Harrison, A bibliography of social surveys, Russell Sage Foundations, 1930 A. D. Ritchie, Scientific Method, (Routledge and Kegan Paul, ltd, London), 1923 The research Process Essay -- essays research papers fc Processes of research by Jonathan Guy In this essay I will outline the primary methods of conducting research, their advantages and disadvantages and will outline where they are best utilised. In addition to this, I will select certain methods of research that I believe will be applicable to my own dissertation and state why I will use those particular methods to conduct my own research. The first question we should ask is what is research? John C. Merriam considers research as â€Å"a reaching out to bring together, organise and interpret what ever may be added to our store of knowledge†¦most truly exemplified when it involves the wider relationship of specific facts to the whole structure of knowledge†. (C. Merriam, 1941, pg890) In other words, something should be considered research when it adds to what we already know, especially if it does so through adding facts to out structure of knowledge. Obviously, this is but one definition of research, there being much contention over what research actually is, or what should constitute research, however, as a simple definition, this should suffice. This being the cases, what is the purpose of research and what do we gain from it? Wilson Gee writes in â€Å"The Research Spirit† that he believes the purpose of research is to advance the human cause, â€Å"it is not strange that the world appraises so highly the research spirit which has led it through the darkness of a past into the light of a present and will still guide it on beyond a golden dawn of a future† (Wilson Gee, 1915, pg 95-98). He believed the primary purpose of research itself was to search for the truth bringing to light new facts as well as reinterpreting old ones. Its purpose with regards to what we have gained from it is visible all around us. If the enlightened few has not proposed and conducted empirical research (people such as D. Hume, I. Kant, C. Darwin, I. Newton etc) of centuries past, if they had not begun â€Å"systematic studies of natural phenomena† from which man gained â€Å"not only insight into, but a great measure of control over, the physical universe, quite beyond the wildest dreams of the earliest pione ers in these fields† (Wilson Gee, 1950, Pg 179), it is arguable we would still be a religious driven, superstitious backwards people in a feudalist society, never advancing our search for knowledge, happy in our ignorance. To further state its impo... ...y offer the greatest advantage to me when writing my dissertation. Biblography (contains direct text references and references from within texts, web references, article references etc) John c. Merriam, â€Å"common arms of culture and research in the university†, Science, 1941 Wilson Gee, Social Science Research Methods, The University of Virginia Press, 1950 Wilson Gee, The research spirit, The Emory Phoenix (Emory University, Oxford, Georgia), 1915 John C. Merriam, Institutes for Research in the Natural Sciences, The University of Chicago Press, 1929 Social and Political Science Research Methods, Madan Lal Goel and V. B. Singh, Ajanta books international, 1996 Karl Pearson, The Grammar of Science (A. & C. Black, London, 1911) A. Wolf, Essentials of Scientific Method, The Machmillan Company, New York, 1938. Clifford R. Shaw, â€Å"Case Study Method†, Publications of the Sociology Society, 1927 Philip Sargant Florence, The Statistical Method in Economic and Political Science (Routledge and Kegan Paul, ltd, London), 1929 Shelby M. Harrison, A bibliography of social surveys, Russell Sage Foundations, 1930 A. D. Ritchie, Scientific Method, (Routledge and Kegan Paul, ltd, London), 1923