Research methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research methods - Assignment Example One of the major sources that can lead to invalidity and unreliability in a research is the bias of the researcher (Baumgarten 2012). Biases in research are mainly categorized into selection bias, measurement bias, and analysis bias (CEMÂ  - Research -Â  Bias & Confounding n.d.). The present study focuses on learning about the different types on bias in research studies with specific examples for each of the types. Bias and Types of Bias in Research Studies: Bias is said to have occurred in a research when the outcomes of the research are different from the actual results. For example, if a research is focused on determining the risk of a disease and the results of the research reflect consistent overestimation of the risks, then the study can be said to have been based on bias. Design of a research is largely responsible for a bias and bias in general presents error in the same direction for a repeated number of the experiments for a particular research sample and work (World Heal th Organization 2001). Thus biases need to be reduced in order to produce a reliable and valid research. Types of Bias with Examples: Selection Bias: Selection bias is defined as the bias when some participants are favored and selected over others while sampling is conducted and the research outcomes are based on experiments conducted on such samples, thereby affecting the external validity of the research (Gravetter and Forzano 2010). It is also referred to as sampling bias. As a result of such bias, the outcome of the research reflects a systematic difference between those subjects that are included and those that are not. Thus either the results are underestimated or overestimated in terms of their statistics, rates, and ratios (Peat, Mellis and Williams 2002). This means that the study cannot be considered as reliable for use. Moreover, with different outcomes than the actual results, the validity of the research also gets reduced. An example of selection bias in research is a c omparison of patients in one hospital where a new wound dressing method is applied on them, with patients of another hospital who are offered the standard method of treatment. In such a case the possibility of selection bias is significantly high since different patients in different hospitals differ in their social and biological characteristics. Thus such a research is exposed to selection bias (Stommel and Wills 2004). Allocation bias is a type of selection bias that occurs when there is a difference in the characteristics of the different samples put in different trial groups of a particular research experiment, and has significant influence on the outcomes of the research (Peat, Mellis and Williams 2002). Measurement Bias: Measurement bias is defined as the bias that occurs when biases or errors occur in the process of measurement and calculations of the data based on which the results are obtained. Such biases can result from erroneous tools of measurement, errors in calculati ons, errors while measurements are recorded, participant bias, recall bias, and so on (Howlett, Rogo and Shelton 2013). For example, if dietary recalls are considered for a 24 hours time period, then measurement biases can occur with the methods of the interview, the assumptions of coding, or

The Impact Of The French Revolution Upon English Poets Essay Example for Free

The Impact Of The French Revolution Upon English Poets Essay The impact of the French Revolution upon English poets, and especially Wordsworth, is well known. Wordsworth’s Prelude , which was begun in 1798 appeared only after Wordsworth’s death, is an account not only of a poet’s coming of age, but also of his disillusionment with the radical political causes that propelled the unexpected violence following from the first revolutionary acts that culminated in the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Writing The Prelude in 1798, Wordsworth expresses the ecstasy he and his contemporaries felt When Reason seemed the most to assert her rights / A prime enchanter to assist the work / Which then was going forward in her name . These hopes were dashed, when, as Wordsworth writes, revolutionaries now, become oppressors in their turn, / Frenchmen had changed a war of self-defense / For one of conquest, losing sight of all / Which they had struggled for. A year after Wordsworth began to write The Prelude, notes Simon Bainbridge: Coleridge [wrote] to his friend and fellow poet Wordsworth identifying the Revolution as the theme for the era’s definitive poem, writing . . . that I wish you would write a poem, in blank verse, addressed to those who, in consequence of the complete failure of the French Revolution, have thrown up all hopes of the amelioration of mankind. . . . It would do great good. It was, Bainbridge further notes, Coleridge’s urgings that informed Wordsworth’s examination of the Revolution’s impact in The Prelude and The Excursion . . . but poems on the events in France had begun to appear very quickly. The early period of the Revolution appeared to the English poets as the realization of a poetic ideal. When reflecting  in The Prelude on his visit to France in 1790, Wordsworth famously writes that the period was a time when Europe was rejoiced, / France standing on top of golden hours, / An d human nature seeming born again. It was in such millennial terms, writes Bainbridge, that many poets responded to events in the early years of the decade, understanding these events through biblical [eyes] . . . as the second coming of Christ, bringing about the end to the old world and the creation of a new one. Referencing M. H. Abrams influential essay, English Romanticism: The Spirit of the Age (1984), Bainbridge acknowledges that the increasingly violent disasters overtaking the revolutionary movement caused poets such as Coleridge, Southey, and Wordsworth to recast the notion of revolution, not as a political project to be enacted in reality, but as a personally transformative endeavor undertaken within the individual imagination . For the English poets writing at the turn of the century, Abrams states, hope is shifted from the history of mankind to the mind of a single individual, from militant external action to an imaginative act. Wordsworth actually lived in France during some of the most stirring scene of the new order .he became a convinced revolutionist and was eager to join the Girondists. (Sampson, 1975, p.476) William Wordsworth’s attitudes to the French Revolution underwent significant changes during his two visits to France. His differing views of the Revolution were motivated by the fact that that he visited revolutionary France in slightly different periods. Wordsworth visited France for the first time in 1790. At that time France celebrated the first anniversary of the fall of Bastille. During his first visit Wordsworth did not experience any significant political event of the period. On the other hand, during his second visit in 1791-92, the situation in France was quite different. Politics in France became quite complicated as several political fractions were fighting for power and influence. Revolutionary France was also in danger of invasion of Austrians and Prussians. Wordsworth was also still present in France during the first revolutionary massacres when the Jacobin Terror began. During the first visit to France in 1790, Wordsworth’s views of the Revolution were m ostly optimistic. Wordsworth’s predominantly  optimistic views of the Revolution were motivated by several factors. The basic motivation for visiting France was not to examine or observe political processes of the period. Wordsworth intended to experience the sublimity of the Alps. Wordsworth was then rather accidental observer of the situation in France and he did not examine political processes of the country very deeply. Wordsworth and his companion Robert Jones visited France in 1790, one year after the beginning of the Revolution, when the prospects for a successful issue of the Revolution were very bright. Wordsworth also visited mostly small towns and rural areas. He was not a witness to turbulent political meetings of the period, he did not experience revolutionary atmosphere in bigger towns. Wordsworth entered France at the first anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution. At that time the whole France celebrated the glorious beginning of the Revolution. Wordsworth was impressed by these festivities and the overall optimistic atmosphere. He praised the brotherly spirit of the French united during these festivities. As the basic motivation for the visit of France was to see the Alps, Wordsworth did not focus on the description of political situation and he mostly describes the scenery. Wordsworth also visited Switzerland, where he praised liberty of the people and the republican regime. During his visit to Switzerland he describes the country as a model to follow. In fact he projects his enthusiastic hopes about the Revolution in France into the Alpine republic. Wordsworth uses the political status of Switzerland to envisage his hopes for rebirth of the human race signaled by the French revolution. In Wordsworth’s description of Switzerland the description of the scenery often mingles with his revolutionary ideals. Wordsworth projects the freshness and purity of the Alpine landscape with freshness of revolutionary ideals. Wordsworth creates with his descriptions in The Prelude almost â€Å"pastoral† impression, when he associates the pure, untamed landscape with pure revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity that cannot be â€Å"tamed† as well. During his first visit, Wordsworth saw France â€Å"standing on the top of golden hours†, as a symbol of a new era for mankind. It cannot be said that Wordsworth examined the situation in France very deeply. In the descriptions in The Prelude Wordsworth focused on the newly achieved liberty and equality of the French. He contrasts the new situation with that of the old regime which he associates with oppression  and inequality. He does not focus very much on contemporary political situation in France. In his descriptions he predominantly focuses on revolutionary festivities and brotherhood of the people. He is charmed by the basis ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. It can be said that Wordsworth does not see the Rev olution as a political phenomenon, or he does not interpret it politically. On the contrary, he interprets it in a more abstract and idealistic way. The Revolution is a phenomenon when human nature, bound by inequality and oppression, is born again. He praises freedom and equality, but he does not speak about their practical use. Unlike during his second visit, he does not mention practical aspects of the Revolution. He does not speak about people’s participation on power ,he does not really have clear political vision of the Revolution. He is optimistic about the future of revolutionary France, on the other hand he speaks about the future on abstract level, his liberty and equality are not really political, but rather idealistic ,abstract concepts. He observes liberty and equality via the lens of revolutionary festivities. He does not speak about liberty in practice, in real life or in politics. Wordsworth in his descriptions focuses on liberty and equality as abstract concepts that unite the whole nation. During the second visit to France in 1791-1792, Wordsworth’s attitudes to the Revolution become more complicat ed, on the other hand it cannot be said that he became really disillusioned with the Revolution. One his motivations for the visit was to become more fluent in French, on the other hand he was also attracted by the spirit of the Revolution which he had experienced during his first visit. During the second visit to France Wordsworth had more opportunities to examine the situation in France more deeply. He observes that his new â€Å"urban† experience is different from the â€Å"rural† one of his first visit. He observes the situation in Paris and he finds out that the political scene in France is fragmented into numerous rival parties. As he experiences every-day life of the French and not revolutionary festivities of his first visit, he reveals that huge numbers of the French are not loyal to the Revolution at all. One can observe certain confusion in his views of the Revolution. On the one hand he remains loyal to the ideals of the Revolution, on the other hand he observes that political situation in France is no longer really optimistic or enthusiastic and the Revolution is not only liberty and  equality as abstract concepts, but it is predominantly real political struggle. During the second visit to France he fell in love with a young French lady A nnette Vallon. She gave birth to their child in 1792. Wordsworth had not chance to see his daughter or Annette since 1792 to 1802 because of the war between Britain and France. Wordsworth visited France briefly in 1802 when the war between the two countries was interrupted. It can be said that Wordsworth’s concern about his daughter in turbulent revolutionary France during the war in many respects affected his views of France and revolution. Wordsworth, being separated from his daughter, was concerned about her fate what made him belief in bright prospects of the Revolution. Wordsworth believed in an optimistic future of France and the Revolution and this belief or hope conditioned his enthusiastic support to the principles of the Revolution. In the years 1791-1792 Wordsworth also experienced his first disillusionment with the Revolution. Wordsworth mentions French soldiers’ unwillingness to fight and their anti-revolutionary, non-patriotic thinking. During the second visit to France Wordsworth also experiences that the situation in France might be even dangerous. Wordsworth fears possible invasion of Austrians to France, he is not sure that p atriots and supporters of the Revolution will be that numerous to oppose the invading forces. He is afraid of the fact that anti-revolutionary powers might join invading armies what would cause a terrible bloodshed. At this moment Wordsworth raises the question whether the revolutionary powers will not be overthrown. Wordsworth’s deep belief in the Revolution receives a serious blows and he observes that support to the Revolution is not as strong as he thought. Another important moment when Wordsworth experiences disillusionment with the Revolution, is the time of so called September Massacres, when furious mob killed numerous people in French towns. Wordsworth is frightened by these occasions and he realizes that Revolution is not only a â€Å"fight† for liberty and equality, but a real life-or-death struggle. It can be postulated that Wordsworth’s complicated attitudes to the Revolution during his second visit were conditioned by growing radicalization and violence in France. On the other hand it cannot be said that these episodes made Wordsworth hesita te about revolutionary ideas. Wordsworth left France in 1792 as an enthusiastic supporter of revolutionary ideas although he knew that the actual political situation in  France was not ideal. He observed that influence and power was being usurped by the radical political groups, such as radical left-wing party Jacobin Party and left-wing politician Maximilien Robespierre. Wordsworth believed that this usurpation of power and influence was in conflict with original revolutionary ideals. It can be said that during the second visit to France Wordsworth’s attitudes to the Revolution become more complex. Wordsworth do not focus on abstract notions of liberty and equality, on the other hand, it can be said that Wordsworth’s revolutionary thinking has now a clearly defined vision. He met a French soldier, Captain Michel Beaupuy who deeply influenced Wordsworth in his thinking. Under Beaupuy’s guidance Wordsworth realized that Revolution was not only a fight for abstract ideals, but also real political and social program. Wordsworth now encounters the idea of peoples’ participation on power, he believes that people should have to right to create their own laws. On the other hand, Wordsworth is not blind to facts, he observes that huge masses of people are blind to the great ideals of the Revolution and he knows that â€Å"some men are set apart for rule and honour by their virtues and knowledge† (Harper 163). In Wordsworth thinking appears a strong aspect of democracy as he stresses the fact that individuals who lead the country should be chosen for their virtues and knowledge and not for their noble origin. In Wordsworth’s thinking also appears a strong social aspect. He finds out that revolutionary ideas can be only empty abstract concepts when majority of people live in starvation and poverty. Revolution and its outcomes have clearly defined shape in Wordsworth’s thinking. In Wordsworth’s view, the Revolution is a great chance to improve peoples’ lives. Sampson, George. The Concise Cambridge History of English Literature,(London:Cambidge University Press, 1975).

Bestowed Existence :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Knives and forks are objects external to us. They have an objective - or at least an intersubjective - existence. Presumably, they will be there even if no one watches or uses them ever again. We can safely call them "Objective Entities". Our emotions and thoughts can be communicated - but they are NOT the communication itself or its contents. They are "Subjective Entities", internal, dependent upon the existence of one observer - us. But what about numbers? The number one, for instance, has no objective, observer-independent status. I am not referring to the number one as adjective, as in "one apple". I am referring to it as a stand-alone entity. As an entity it seems to stand alone in some way (it's out there) - and be subjective in other ways (dependent upon observers). Numbers belong to a third category: "Bestowed Entities". These are entities whose existence is bestowed upon them by social agreement between conscious agents. But this definition is so wide and all encompassing that it might be considered useless. Religion and money are two examples of entities which owe their existence to a social agreement between conscious entities - yet they don't strike us as universal and out there (objective) as numbers do. Indeed, this distinction is pertinent and our definition should be refined accordingly. We must distinguish "Social Entities" (like money or religion) from "Bestowed Entities". The latter - in stark contrast to the former - are not universal, they re dependent on the society, culture and period that gave them birth. Not so with numbers. Numbers are Platonic ideas which come into existence through an act of conscious agreement between ALL the agents capable of reaching such an agreement. While conscious agents can argue about the value of money (read, about its existence) and about the existence of God - no rational, conscious agent can have an argument regarding the number one. Apparently, the bestowed entity category seems to free itself from the eternal dichotomy of internal versus external. It is both and comfortably so. But this is only an illusion. The dichotomy does persist. The bestowed entity is internal to the group of consenting conscious-rational agents - but it is external to any single agent (individual). In other words, a group of rational conscious agents is certain to bestow existence on the number one.

During, and after World War Two Essay

In the era preceding, during, and after World War Two, documentaries and real-life depictions about the war, veterans, patriotism, post-war trauma†¦etc., exploded on the home front. John Huston’s â€Å"Let There Be Light† and Frank Capra’s â€Å"Prelude To War† are both documentary films about World War Two, however filmed for very divergent purposes and in very different angles. This paper will attempt to explore and compare the differences of both wartime documentaries, and evaluate the effectiveness of their balance between artifice and authenticity. Huston’s 1946 film â€Å"Let There Be Light† was filmed with the intent to document the treatment and rehabilitation of psychologically damaged World War Two veterans. However, due to the explicit images of stumbling, shell-shocked soldiers, the United States War Department forbade civilian circulation on grounds that the film was demoralizing and detrimental to military participants. While Huston battled US officials for permission to release â€Å"Let There Be Light,† Capra’s film â€Å"Prelude To War† was paid for by the government. This 1942 documentary was a powerful propaganda piece which chronicled the events leading up to World War Two, including the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy, and the Japanese attack on China. The film was intended to stir up support for the war effort. â€Å"Let There Be Light† conveys a range of viewpoints and purposes: 1) To create a sympathetic documentary on the recovery of the psycho-neurotic soldier which would educate civilians to accommodate and accept them into society. 2) To depict post-war conditions which were more horrific than the battlefield. 3) To demonstrate that neurotic problems could be successfully treated, but at the same time the audience is left to ponder the fate of those patients who did not recover. Huston brought his cameras to Mason General mental hospital in Long Island, where the patients’ interactions with the psychiatrists were recorded and filmed. Huge 35 mm cameras and sound recording equipment were permanently set up accompanied by a large crew of technicians. Opening statements make  clear of Huston’s intention of being a storyteller: â€Å"No scenes were staged. The only direction was tactical. Where do you put your cameras? Then how to tell the story? Or how to let the story tell itself? I didn’t impose anything. The stories were sufficient.† A ship branded by a large Red Cross streams into the opening scene of the film. Narrating the film is Walter Huston, John’s father. Curious men glance out toward the hopes of the shores. Nurses and male attendants fill the decks, and as patients struggle to disembark, they watch their heavy shadows move across the side of the ship. The cameras track their anguished souls, their fearful hearts, and some lost faith in humanity. `Here are men who tremble; men who cannot sleep; men with pains that are nonetheless real because they are of a mental origin. Men who cannot remember; paralyzed men, whose paralysis is dictated by the mind. . . The psychiatrists listen to the stories of the men, who tell them as best they can. Through all the stories runs one thread – death, and the fear of death.’ These fears were evident in the men’s testimonies and in their eyes. One man was even paralyzed by fear, literally, which impaired his ability to walk. The treatment was an injection of sodium amytol to stimulate a state similar to hypnosis which allowed the patient to explore his fears on free terrains. In a captivating scene, the doctor told him to â€Å"walk over to the nurse, all by yourself. That’s a boy. You’re just a little woozy, but that’s the medicine. Now come back to me. Open your eyes. That’s a boy. Now isn’t that wonderful?† The young man, amazed and overjoyed, walked. Huston used flashbacks at the end of the film to bare a shark contrast between the weak, battered faces and the same men who looked happy and healthy. An extraordinary transformation took place and â€Å"they were put back on their legs again- which was a wonder and a miracle.† In comparison to the sensitive filming production and the soft glow of peaceful sentiment from Huston’s â€Å"Let There Be Light,† Capra’s â€Å"Prelude to War† was distinctly more dynamic, aggressive, and propaganda-like, in which the purpose was noticeably clear: 1) To depict Japan, Germany, and Italy as nations taken over by evil political leadership. 2) To depict Americans as a  people leading the world to justice and infuse a sense of patriotism. 3) To drum up war effort support. Through stirring music, forceful editing, and scenes of the Japanese, Germans, Italians ignorantly cheering for their respective political and military leaders, the film left one feeling immense patriotic pride. The film featured some women sewing silently but voluntarily, and other women assisting in other areas of work. These scenes were empowering, and they make the statement that it is everybody’s war, not just the soldiers. Benito Mussolini gesticulating on a balcony in Rome, Hitler hailing hate and racial divide, and the Japanese military taking over political power†¦these sequences were compelling because they were a foreign concept to the American people who abhor dictatorship, adore freedom, and enjoy peace. This film also allowed the concept of â€Å"fighting for world peace† to prevail, even though pacifism was a popular ideology at the time. The documentary also featured a street poll of whether Americans should enter war. The woman at the window who cold-heartedly screamed â€Å"no,† and shut her windows was juxtaposed against warm, patriotic people who explained the need to fight for justice. Comparing both World War Two films and its balance between artifice and authenticity, â€Å"Let There Be Light† is conspicuously more authentic than artificial, while â€Å"Prelude To War† leave some skeptics doubtful with government war propaganda. To put them in distinctive categories, Huston’s film exudes a â€Å"feminine† glow which radiates post-war genuine realism, a soft sense of rehabilitation, and a maternal sense of nursing. Capra’s documentary is in contrast much more â€Å"masculine† with its strong messages and forceful sequences. It emits a warrior-like attitude that exhibits qualities of invincible strength, responsibility, and an unassailable fighting spirit. Although â€Å"Prelude To War† features many authentic scenes, there is very little room for those to expand its impact due to its propaganda nature. â€Å"Let There Be Light† is in comparison very real as all angles–the battered,  the recovered, the fear, and the brave–are all shown.

Marketing Audit Hotel

The purpose of this report is to evaluate The Felbridge Park Hotel’s marketing capabilities. This family owned business based in Sussex belongs to the UK Hotel Industry. Elements of Hotel Catering are also included in discussion due to the hotel’s restaurant. The recession is the main economic factor affecting this industry. 2009 has been tougher than 2008, ‘although there has been an increase in the number of consumers taking UK breaks in 2009 , it is the cheaper end of the accommodation market that has seen the most benefit from this, eg budget hotels and the likes of Butlins. (Mintel 2009) (See Appendix Figure 1).The strongest macro-economic factors affecting hotels are political/legal and economic. Nonetheless environmental, socio-cultural and technological are also regarded. External Analysis Macro-Environment PEST Analysis Political/Legal: Licences to operate interfere and they can change with political times. Tort of negligence and discrimination laws are o ther factors affecting Fekbridge Park Hotel as the swimming pool can be a hazard and staff can be accused of negligence. Overbooking is liable to tort of negligence.All these can financially affect the hotel; in addition they might ruin its reputation. There are laws regarding eviction, reasons must be clearly stated. The restaurant is taken separately, having its own legal and political factors, although they are similar to the ones mentioned above. The industry is facing an increased amount of bureaucracy with the ban on smoking in public areas and increasing concerns about binge-drinking. This comes, of course, on top of the existing costs of complying with Health and Safety Legislation.Economical: ‘The hotel market generally has been one of the worst affected by the recession in the field of hospitality, with high levels of insolvencies and redundancies rife as a way of controlling costs. (Mintel 2009) ’ This affects the disposable income, consumers putting a greate r focus on value for money. Another economic factor is pound power, a consequence of the Credit Crunch, which declined against the euro and dollar (Appendix, Figure 10). This is favourable to abroad visitors that might be attracted by the exchange rates.High prices not only on hotel services, but customers see hotel restaurants overpriced as well. ‘Mintel found that 16m people think this. ’ Environmental: Concerning both the hotel and its restaurant is consumer behaviour, which can incline favourable to organic products and environmental friendly services and products. Socio-cultural: A trend of cuisine fusion is rising as people want to enjoy different cuisines. ‘Consumers are increasingly demanding to new styles of food and drink from different parts of the world (e. . French, Italian, Portuguese, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian and Middle Eastern) and restaurants serving these styles are continually springing up. ’ (Case study) ‘Both the hotel an d hotel catering markets are expected to receive a significant boost from major sporting events being held in the UK in the coming years: the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and the 2015 Rugby World Cup. ’ (Mintel 2010) These cultural events will attract large numbers of visitors, mainly in London which is close to Sussex.On the other hand European Tour Operators Associations argues that the Olympics can harm England as no country has been able to correctly predict demand. They are warning accommodation owners to not increase prices. (Mintel 2010) Technological factors do not have an influential impact on the hotel industry. Micro-environment Markets The Total Revenue of the Hotel Market in 2010 is estimated to 11,516, an increase from 10,968 in 2009. (Mintel 2010) Recession has crushed demand and people started looking for alternatives.‘Camping and caravanning are negatively affecting the hotel market. (Mintel 2009) ‘The proportion of revenue per room in the UK der ived from Food & Beverage (F&B) has declined by 2% between 2006 and 2008: the average F&B revenue received per room for the UK in 2008 was  £9,522, continuing recent declines. ’ (Mintel 2009) Customers Market statistics show a focus on corporate and conferences, followed by leisure. The first, main segment has been drastically affected by credit crunch whereas the second segment increased during recession and after. This proves the importance tourists have for hotel industry and Felbridge Park Hotel adapted fast to this change.Moreover customers choose to stay in UK rather than abroad in 2009. (Mintel 2010) The hotel’s segmentation comprises two consumer segments: business ‘companies from London’ and UK based tourists which are attracted by traditional food and location (between London and South Coast). Regarding the restaurant ‘almost 13m people like the convenience of eating where they’re staying: these consumers tend to be third agers, wh o are generally attracted to menus with simple, traditional dishes. ’ (Mintel 2009) this aspect is favourable to the hotel.The gap in the restaurant hotel market is with ‘11m consumers’ that believe hotel restaurants are mainly for their own guests. (Mintel 2009) Restaurants do not satisfactorily encourage this segment. Competitors Direct competitors are locally based, for both the restaurant and hotel. (Case study) There are also substitutes-competitors, further discussion on the topic later in the report. Porters Five Forces Framework Barriers to entry: High costs and unfavourable economic times, as it is a recovering market. Established hotels including Felbridge Park Hotel whose reputation and fame is growing.High investments in creating a reputation and name are needed. Bargaining power of buyers: Buyers have a high power as they are creating the demand and due to the recession they have emphasised value for money. Their requirements are various and they are affected by many factors in the decision-making process of choosing a hotel and/or hotel-restaurant. Threat of new substitutes is sizeable due to cheap alternatives consumers are searching. It was more powerful in 2009 but decreased in 2010 as the economy is stabilizing.Consumers could have chosen camping, weekend spa treatments or just a backyard barbeque as ways of relaxation instead of scheduled vacations. Threat of industry competitors: Selsdon Park Hotel through its own golf field. Felbridge Park Hotel has a more strategical location in comparison to Selsdon Park Hotel, but it does not own a golf court. Gatwick Hilton is a main competitor. Especially because a significant part of Felbridge Park’s business customers are staying here for easier access to the airport. Bargaining power of suppliers is low as most hotels have the same suppliers; the same for a hotel restaurant.Internal Analysis Profitability The development suffered by the hotel in the last 20 years with not iceable enlargements in number of rooms and additional features, can only suggest that there is a cash flow, hence the hotel is being profitable. Also the increasing reputation of the restaurant is attracting locals, which leads to an assumption that is being productive. Marketing metrics such as customer satisfaction ratings are positive: food is popular with businessmen, good custom from guests; nonetheless there have been complaints with serving times. On a long term it can lead to a negative reputation.Capabilities: Assets and Competencies An asset is the owner’s reputation which increases brand awareness and has been applying to the restaurant as well as the hotel. Permanent staff (assets: people and internal communication) is reliable therefore building customer relationships. Attracting local customers is an asset as it creates consistency and also brand awareness. The swimming pool is an asset. ‘Hotel guests are most willing to pay a premium for a swimming pool or a quality restaurant. ’(Mintel 2009) The culture is represented through ‘a family business’ label which customers might appreciate.Sandra’s background is an effective marketing tool as it created alertness and a name for the hotel. It is still applying today. Strategy As segmentation is concerned they focused primarily on businessmen segment and later on the tourists market. Families are a third segment that has not proved productive. The approach adopted is to offer cut priced services. They have been attracting only UK tourists although their position is optimum for receiving abroad guests. Data interpretation: the present strategy does not completely, effectively and efficiently connect the hotel’s assets and capabilities to the market opportunities.The owner family is not exploiting their marketing tool (Sandra’s reputation); they do not tailor service packages according to their segmented markets. The restaurant opening times can be s een inconvenient by customers. The Marketing Mix – The 7 P’s The hotel’s products are: a swimming pool, 60 standard bedrooms, 20 ‘affluent’ suites and 20 family suites; conference room, bar, bistro and a restaurant. The 60 bedrooms are in their matury stage of PLC (were purchased in 1990, part of the hotel).Assuming the bar, bistro and restaurant aren’t new developments they are as well in their maturity stage. This means sales growth will or are slowing down and competition increases. The swimming pool, 40 bedrooms and conference rooms are in the growth stage of PLC because they are later developments and ‘proved to be attractions in market’. In this stage sales should start increasing. Relating the products to Henderson’s BCG therefore judging from market share and growth, the 20 family bedrooms are question marks as until now they have not proved themselves to generate cash flow.All the others are stars as they have pro ven able to obtain market share (they are all attracting and appealing to consumers) but they are not market leaders to become cash cows. Price: the current strategy has included a price reduction, proved ‘moderately successful’ but on the long term it can affect the business (only 10% of consumer buy on price). Place: the location of the hotel is strategically and can be effective as a marketing tool. It facilitates International tourist activity and International business. For UK tourists and businessmen the hotel is located between London and the South, another plus.Surrounding attractions in combination with Sandra’s reputation are great marketing tools for tourists that want to enjoy golf. Forms of promotion where made through public relations due to the owner’s name and resulted in a widely present recognition. The case study does not provide any other information regarding advertising or any other promotions. Processes regarding restaurant services: only evening service and standardized times do not offer flexibility for the businessmen segment nor variety for the tourist segment.People: complaints about temporary staff can mean not enough training and not shared values as they are not fully integrated in the team. Permanent staff on the other hand is an asset as they create customer relationships. The main physical evidence is related to the restaurant and consists in the English traditional menu which is appreciated by the local market, but questionable for the International market. As trends in the industry show an inclination towards fusion cuisine this present feature might affect the hotel.

Salem Witch Trial

Salem Witch Trial Seventeenth century Salem, Massachusetts saw the popularization of witch trials where three hundred forty four (344) people were accused of being witches (DuBois Dumenil, 2012). The accusation which became known as witchcraft hysteria in history stunned the whole town. It was first initiated by three (3) young girls who were relatives of the town reverend, Reverend Samuel Parris (Brett, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Salem Witch Trial specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The reverend’s daughter Elizabeth together with two (2) other girls played a game where they asked Tibuba, the Caribe Indian slave, to tell them their fortunes. What started out as something for fun became horrifying as the girls started to act unusual, throwing bizarre fits and â€Å"distempers† (Brett, 2009). Although no one really knew the real cause of these fits and bizarre behaviors, it was clear that the victims were sufferi ng from physical and mental difficulties. The victims experienced physical and mental pains such as vomiting and temporary blindness and hallucination. The girls would scream from the pain they are undergoing. They would hallucinate of seeing the Devil. They would claim that the Devil was telling them to sign his book and join him to be his loyal followers. These strange behaviors made the townspeople of Salem panic. One local physician, William Griggs, was unable to determine the cause of the girls’ sickness. He suggested to Reverend Parris that the source of these victims’ uncanny conditions might be the result of witchcraft (Brett, 2009). Though such claim had no concrete basis, the townspeople truly believed that the town of Salem was indeed haunted by witches. The people also believed that it was their God given right to eliminate such supernatural beings for the betterment of mankind. The girls were brought into intense questioning which resulted to the naming of three (3) women as witches. The identified accused were Sarah Good, an elder beggar, Sarah Osborne, a woman known for having an adulterous affair and the slave Tituba. The last woman accused admitted that she was a witch when she was interrogated and pointed out others as being witches. This begun the witch hunt of 1692 (Brett, 2009). As the three (3) women were arrested the girls still sustained their peculiar behaviors and continued to accuse other people. The prison cells of Salem overflew with accused witches. Eighty percent (80%) of them were found guilty based on heresy. No clear evidences were presented. Analyzing the cases of Anne Hutchinson (DuBois Dumenil, 2012), Bridget Bishop (Ray, 2003), and Lady Phips (Brett, 2009), I can therefore conclude that the accusers, which are mostly powerful men running the society, are pushing the blame onto supernatural beliefs for the turmoil the town of Salem was experiencing. In the year 1692 Salem had been experiencing bad weather whi ch reduced harvests, an epidemic of small pox had swept the town where many were affected of the sickness and the Indians renewed their attacks on the frontier settlements (Brett, 2009). There was also an internal conflict as Salem was divided into two (2) groups, Salem Town and Salem Village.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Salem Town was a popular place for trade where merchants and businessmen dwell while Salem Village was a place for farmers to plant their crops. For many years Salem Village wanted to be a separate township. Salem Village even had their own separate ministry (Brett, 2009). It was later found out that most of the accused, namely Hutchinson, Bishop and Phips were members of the anti-Parris faction. They belonged to a group where they did not approved of the separation of Salem Village from Salem Town. It all seemed like a dramatic plot for Parris and his cla n to blame the political and social conditions of Salem on witchcraft. As time passed by, women were becoming more empowered. Notice that most accused were women who were unpopular in society. They are those who have very strong personalities and who have tendencies to go against the male dominated society of Salem. Women were becoming more assertive in the seventeenth century thus it seems to me that one of the solutions of the Parris movement was to punish those who are threats so they can still continue the male dominated society (DuBois Dumenil, 2012). Anne Hutchinson was accused of being a witch because she acted a male role of being a religious teacher and ministering to men and women in her home (DuBois Dumenil, 2012). Bridget Bishop was married three (3) times thus she was accused of being a witch by using her sexual prowess to seduce men although at the time of her trial she was about sixty (60) years old (Ray, 2003). Lastly Lady Phips, the wife of politician William Phip s was also accused of being a witch. My suspect is her husband was disliked by the Parris faction thus she was named a witch. After thorough research, I think that both the accused and accusers were all influenced by hearsay. The logical judgments of the accusers were clouded by their fear of political and social change thus resulting to them pushing the blame on witchcraft which cannot explain logical facts. The accusers took advantage of the ignorance of the people to make them believe that it was indeed supernatural causes which made the town of Salem suffer. They used their positions in society to influence the public in punishing those who are delinquent in society. It is sad for the accused because they suffer the injustice brought upon them by false accusations and hearsays with no concrete proof. The accused were brought to court for trial and questioning but before they could defend themselves the judges and jurors already found them guilty. They were just attacked on the s tand. The people in the court room would just find faults on the accused to further prove they were guilty. It seemed a hopeless case for the accused because no one seemed to believe them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Salem Witch Trial specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The â€Å"victims† acted out in pain when the accused would refer to them. The people witnessing court trials would sympathize with the victims even if there were no logical reasons or evidences supporting the claims of the latter. In the case of Bridget Bishop, when she was questioned during her trial at first she opted to go for denial but when all her claims were ignored and the judge continued to attack her stance she grew weary and angry. Her behavior was seen as a sign of guilt thus she was proclaimed guilty and was executed (Ray, 2003). People’s social behaviors were the basis of determining whether or not they practiced witchcr aft. Women were primary victims because in seventeenth century society, they are only seen as someone who tends the household and children. If they would practice roles of men they were seen as socially unacceptable. This was the case for Anne Hutchinson who assumed the role of a man as a religious teacher (DuBois Dumenil, 2012). Hutchinson’s actions alone displayed unacceptable social behavior in a male dominated society. She became a threat because she was seen as someone who had a voice thus power. Her innocence became difficult to prove when most of her jurors were conservative men who believed that women should only bear and rear children and take care of the household. Hutchinson was also giving religious advice to men and women thus she was a threat because she knew how to lead and she had followers to back her up. Though the accusers cannot prove her guilt through these given facts they resulted to witchcraft, claiming that Hutchinson was possessed by the Devil thatà ¢â‚¬â„¢s why she held weekly meetings in discussing religion (DuBois Dumenil, 2012). Social behaviors were important in seventeenth century Salem especially during the witch hunt hysteria. Anyone can be suspected of being a witch if they act socially unacceptable. For the protection of the people it would always be best to act according to what society dictates but by doing so the political and social leaders controlled the people. The leaders would always have the power to dictate the people. If they do not wish to follow they would be accused and oppressed. In this scenario the people will never have the freedom of speech and expression. Sarah Osborne (Brett, 2009) and Bridget Bishop (Ray, 2003) were both accused of being witches because of their inappropriate social behaviors. They were both considered adulterous women by the Bible. Osborne was known to have an adulterous affair and Bishop was married three (3) times. In order to punish them for their personal affairs they were both accused of being witches and thus executed. Salem as a town is popular for being a place of witches in myths and novels. Before researching and studying the topic, I was familiar with Salem as a place where witches dwell but after doing my homework I found out that the whole event was a big injustice to the poor and helpless who were merely expressing themselves.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The witch hysteria was all brought out by greedy political leaders who wanted to place blame on the innocent for the problematic conditions of the town. It was not surprising that the officials would push the blame on the helpless but what was surprising was how the people got carried away and lost their logical sense of judgments to the idea of witchcraft. Reference List Brett, L. (2009). Salem Witch Trials. Master File Premier, 1 – 2. Web. DuBois, E. Dumenil, L. (2012). Through Women’s Eyes: An American History with Documents. Los Angeles, California: Bedford/ St. Martin’s. Ray, B. (2003). Salem Witch Trials. OAH Magazine of History, 32-36.

Trade in Japan Essay

Trade in Japan Essay Trade in Japan Essay Our Economy: Trade 1. Name the nation you have chosen Japan 2. What goods and services are traded between this nation and Australia? (list the top 10 imports and exports traded) (3 marks) The top 10 goods and services traded (starting from the most traded) are: 1. Coal (export) 2. Iron ore and concentrates (export) 3. Passenger motor vehicles (import) 4. Beef f.c.f. (export) 5. Aluminium (export) 6. Refined petroleum (import) 7. Copper ores and concentrates (export) 8. Coal petroleum (export) 9. Goods vehicles (import) 10. Food and live animals (export) The information above, as well as the total revenue from these imports and exports for 2010-11 are depicted below. According to the Imports and Exports from 2006-11, the top ten imports and exports from Japan has not changed overtime, indicating the stability of these goods and services traded from Australia and Japan. Demand for some goods and services has increased and decreased, but the top ten traded has not changed over the past 5 years. 3. What is the current value (2011) of Australian exports to this country? (2 marks) The current value is $50 441 000 000 (2011) according to ABS. 4. What is the current value (2011) of imports that Australia buys from this nation? (2 marks) The current value is $18 003 000 000 (2011) according to ABS. 5. Outline the changes in these values form 2001 to 2011. Include graphs to support your answer. (4 marks) Imports from Japan has been consistently increasing over 2001 – 2011. This is shown by the red trendline, marking the steady growth of imports from Japan. Imports in 2008 showed a slight increase, with the impact of the GFC in May 2009 producing a major decrease. The significant drop in imports from Japan in April 2011 was due to the earthquakes that hit the Miyagi prefecture, as the Japan government banned all shipments of beef cattle due to fear of radioactive contamination. Exports to Japan has also been consistently growing, as shown by the red trendline. The substantial increase in October 2008 was due to the Bank of Japan’s decision to suspend selling of stocks, which resulted in Japan becoming heavily reliant on exports. 6. Analyse the impact of these changes on Australia business, consumers and investors. Who has been advantaged and who has been disadvantaged? (5 marks) Australian businesses are advantaged during the significant increase during October 2008, due to Japan’s short term reliance on imports. This includes higher demand for coal and iron ore, due to Japan’s few natural resources. Businesses that are disadvantaged overall would be the agricultural sector, as Japan has one of the most protected farms in the world. Consumers were disadvantaged during the substantial decrease in imports from Japan during April 2011, which was as a result from the Japan earthquakes. This meant that the supply of Japan beef would have dropped a considerable amount, due to the Japan government’s decision to temporarily ban beef from the earthquake areas due to fear of radioactive contamination. Investors wanting to trade the Japanese yen would have had a major disadvantage during October 2008, as the Japanese government had decided to suspend selling stocks to ensure their market stability. This action taken was in effect until the end of March 2010. Banks were also disadvantaged by the damaged consumer confidence in global stock markets, as shares suffered losses throughout 2008 to early 2009. 7. Examine the Australian government’s attempt to manage these trends in trade. (eg. Trade