Resource: University of Phoenix Material: A Decision of Uncertainty

Research statistical data in a business context that requires a decision. Use probability concepts to formulate a decision.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper explaining your research methods and process for limiting the uncertainty in the decision.

Address the following in your paper:

? Include how you applied concepts to formulate your decision.
? Include appropriate probability concepts and your application to find resulting data to limit uncertainty in this decision.
? Identify each outcome from your statistical analysis, providing rationale for each.
? Identify tradeoffs between accuracy and precision
required by various probability concepts and the effect on your data.
? Include the decision you made based on statistical data.

For this assignment, you will:write a report depicting your analysis of historical crime data for a specific category of crime or criminal issue. Focus your research on one component of the criminal justice system (i.e., law enforcement, courts, or corrections)

Present national data and trends based on the FBI ? Uniform Crime Report and/or the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) ? National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), or another comparable nationally recognized database, such as The Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool. Or, for an international perspective, you may present data available at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime?s Crime and criminal justice statistics.

Present local data from a city, county, or state for three comparable locations in size from three different regions of the country (e.g., Indianapolis, Austin, and San Francisco). This information should be found on official government websites.

Develop questions you would like to address based on the data you retrieved. (Note: You do not have to answer these questions for this assignment.) What crime prevention programs or initiatives are available to potentially address the crime or criminal justice issue? (Note: You are working through Step 18 in Crime Analysis for Problem Solvers in 60 Small Steps.)


graphically display the statistical data developed for three comparable cities, counties, or states. Incorporate national statistics for comparison. You must include an introduction that presents the focus of the project for analysis.

Your assessment may be in bullet or paragraph format below the graphic display. Make sure you standardize your data (usually 1:1000; 1:10,000; or 1: 100,000) and incorporate the scale in a key for each chart.

Cite your sources within the text and on the reference page

1. Individual Assignment: Analysis of Research Report Paper

Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you interpret the statistical significance of a study.

Select a study in a field of interest; this does not need to be directly related to health care.

o What statistical procedures are mentioned in the study?
o What conclusions did the study reach? Are the conclusions appropriate? Why or why not?
o Are the findings statistically significant? Why or why not? Describe the process you used to make this determination and provide the level of significance.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Submit a copy of a Certificate of Originality as a separate attachment
Please choose an article that has statistical data and describe the data as well as answer the questions above in response to the article. Thanks!

Choose one of the scientific methods of research inquiry (survey, interview, observation, statistical data collection, etc) and write a short hypothesis and conclusion, based on your method of inquiry. Your point of focus must be centered on the professional practices of criminal justice practitioners. For example, you could propose a hypothesis that focuses on whether law enforcement is better equipped to handle terrorism post 9-11 or whether airline safety has improved since the attacks of 9-11, etc. Your paper must include the hypothesis, content that outlines what method you chose and how you gathered your evidence and a conclusion. The paper should be no more than 3 pages in length.

Maintenance Resource Management
And its Impact on Aviation Safety

Objective
Maintenance related error has been cited as a significant factor in the cause of numerous U.S. aircraft accidents over the years. The research proposed within this project will thoroughly examine the effect that MRM has had on commercial aviation safety since its implementation in 1993. Statistical data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be utilized to show mishap causes and trends within the commercial aviation industry both pre and post MRM implementation. In analyzing the statistical data, patterns and trends will confirm whether MRM has a positive or negative effect on commercial aviation maintenance reliability and safety.

Scope
The scope of the project is based on commercial air carriers and MROs within the U.S. commercial air transportation system parts 121/135 and 147. The bulk of the information for the project will be extracted from the FAA and NTSB data banks and related scholarly articles.
Methodology

A quantitative analysis will be completed by data mining statistical data from the FAA, NTSB and scholarly articles. The hypothesis is that there is a statistically significant difference in the number of recorded aircraft maintenance related mishaps since MRM implementation. Statistical data from multiple sources obtained and analyzed will either accept or reject this hypothesis.



Program Outcome #1.
Students will be able to apply the fundamentals of air transportation as part of a global, multimodal transportation system, including the technological, social, environmental, and political aspects of the system to examine, compare, analyze and recommend conclusion.
The multimodal aspect will be addressed by examining other modes of transport to determine if aviation maintenance issues are industry specific and if other successful programs could relate to the aviation industry.
The technological aspect will be addressed by examining the technological infrastructure that MRM training should employ such as formal training, training aids, mockups, training aids, etc. identifying areas where improvements could be made to enhance MRM.
The social aspect will be addressed by examining the current MRM training curriculums and on-the-job practices and procedures. Different socioeconomic areas may require different training techniques to ensure material comprehension, intended effectiveness and eventual outcome.
The environmental aspect will be addressed by examining MRM with regard to hazardous materials communication. Policies and practices that minimize the risks involved will be discussed.
Political aspects will be addressed by reviewing the regulatory structure that controls aviation maintenance.


Program Outcome #2
The student will be able to identify and apply appropriate statistical analysis, to include techniques in data collection, review, critique, interpretation and inference in the aviation and aerospace industry.
Aircraft maintenance related mishap data will be collected for 10 years pre and post MRM implementation. The compiled data will then be analyzed using a t-test to accept or reject the proposed hypothesis.


Program Outcome #3
The student will be able across all subjects to use the fundamentals of human factors in all aspects of the aviation and aerospace industry, including unsafe acts, attitudes, errors, human behavior, and human limitations as they relate to the aviators adaption to the aviation environment to reach conclusions.
The unsafe acts aspect will be addressed by reviewing some common maintenance practices and their related regulations and comparing that data to the collected data recommendations submitted by AMTs. Unsafe acts become hazards and can occur due to inadequate training or complacency. Gone unnoticed, the hazard becomes latent and if not addressed can cause serious consequences.
The attitudes aspect will be addressed by reviewing data from AMTs with different specialties, experiences, training, and years in aviation maintenance. These devices will address attitudes towards MRM training received, if any.
The errors aspect will be addressed by reviewing regulations and maintenance procedures to find shortcomings that may lead to potential errors in real world applications.
The human behaviors aspect will be addressed by comparing and contrasting the maintenance habits of entry-level, practiced, advanced, and senior technicians.
The human limitations aspect will be addressed by discussing how attitudes of maintenance personnel along with human behavior and their limitations can attribute to a maintenance error and possible aircraft maintenance related incidents.


Program Outcome #4
The student will be able to develop and/or apply current aviation and industry related research methods, including problem identification, hypothesis formulation, and interpretation of findings to present as solutions in the investigation of an aviation/aerospace related topic.
During this study, a qualitative analysis will be conducted to gather relative data of current MRM efforts, priorities, resources and corporate will and to identify shortfalls to be addressed for future improvements. The results of the analysis will either accept or reject the hypothesis that there is a statistically significant difference in the number of recorded aircraft maintenance related mishaps since MRM implementation.


Program Outcome #9
The student will investigate, compare, contrast, analyze and form conclusions to current aviation, aerospace, and industry related topics in safety systems, including systems safety, industrial safety, accident investigation and analysis, transportation security, airport safety and certification, safety program management and aviation psychology.
The systems safety aspect will be addressed by discussing the importance of sound management and efforts to focus safety skills and resources into all phases of the safety system life cycle.
The transportation safety portion of the study will examine actual recorded maintenance related safety incidents, the lessons learned from those incidents and what could have been done to prevent them.
The safety program management aspect will be addressed by investigating and analyzing current successful safety programs and the organizational commitments required for their success.
The aviation psychology aspect will be addressed by investigating and analyzing some of the most common conditions that increase the risk of maintenance related errors. Efforts to combat these conditions will be briefly discussed.

There are faxes for this order.

I will be sending you the paper that this paper has to fit in to. The class that this is for is Research and Evaluation for UOP.

Learning Team Assignment: Descriptive Statistics Paper

Write and submit a 300-word paper, adding to your Week Three paper, examining the data you have collected and drawing conclusions based on your findings.

Include the following:

o Data analysis using descriptive statistics

Calculate the measures of central tendency, dispersion, and skew for your data.
Display your descriptive statistical data using graphic and tabular techniques.


There are faxes for this order.

Customer is requesting that (bolavens) completes this order.

Please write an essay in journalistic magazine (business) style about Big data.
Today big data is becoming a more and more discussed topic. Big data is being defined in various ways, some might be correct but others might be not. Please discuss the consequences to this kind of new age of big data and ist management, its use and its storage.
Please kind of create an opinion essay about this topic. Please address also the following:
Is big data a trend/movement? --> a change, new way?
Difference big data vs. consumer data base --> more complex?
Old vs. new --> big companies, its difficult now and different to save data and save or do statistics for them.
? Is Big Data the tipping point to move from maintaining a proprietary database to processing in the Cloud and how will this effect organisational customer management?
? What makes Big Data Analytics different from analysing a big customer database?
? Are the Customer Relationship Manager?s skill requirements different for Big Data Analytics than for processing and analysing traditional statistical data sources?
? How, where and when can we use Big Data for decision making on customer acquisition, customer development practices and customer relationship policy development?
? What will be the consequences (positive and negative) of using Big Data for customer development practices and customer relationship development policy?
? How secure is a Cloud environment for storing confidential customer data when considering the importance of a customer relationship strategy?


Please only use reliable peer reviewed sources, and sources that are are most up to date (no older than 2012 preferably).
If you have any questions of if anything is not clear feel free to contact me, to prevent any misunderstanding.

I need chapter four of the thesis completed....I had Beth Johnso62 assist me with Chapter 3 and she is familiar with this thesis project.....
here are the requirements:

Chapter IV: Data Analysis

The purpose of chapter four is to present the results of the investigation. Presentation of the analysis of the data collected form the rationale for conclusions presented in Chapter Five. Typically this chapter is written in four sections.

The first section begins the chapter with an introductory paragraph orienting the reader to the purpose of the study. Try to present this information in a creative manner that does not repeat the exact words used to begin previous chapters.

The second section is descriptive. If survey methodology was used, response rate should be presented. Mention is made of questionnaires discarded because of in complete information or failure to meet sample inclusion criteria. Frequencies are given with percentages in parentheses.

The characteristics of the sample should be described. Categorical data, such as responses to demographic questions, are often presented in table form with a column for frequencies and percentages.

Each table must be named. Data presented in a table should be referred to in the text by the number of the Table. Each value from the table is not discussed in the text but the highlights are presented for the reader, i.e., outstanding values or information of particular importance. It is superfluous to provide information in both a table and written text. The author must select the most appropriate format. Every table presented in the paper must be referred to in the text. Tables are integrated in the text and not grouped at the end of the chapter.

Ratio level data may be presented in a table as well, however it may be more useful to write this information in the text. Measures of central tendency and variability are provided. Example: The average age of participants was 43 years (SD = 4.2).

Here are some table examples::
Table I
Frequency Distribution of Demographic Variables (n=78)
Variable f %
Ethnicity
White 55 70.5
Black 15 19.2
Hispanic 8 10.3
Marital Status
Married 55 70.5
Divorced 12 15.4
Single 11 14.1

The third section is the presentation of inferential statistical data.
This section is organized around the research questions or hypotheses. The question is stated followed by a description of the statistical analysis required to answer it. Begin with the first research question and answer them in the order they appear in the introduction.

Frequency distributions may be sufficient to answer some research questions. For other questions it may be necessary to present means and standard deviations of responses to specific instruments. A table format might be appropriate, in this case.

When using statistical techniques, the test is named and results are presented, but the statistical formulae are not needed. Results for each statistical test should include: the value obtained from the appropriate statistical test, degrees of freedom, and probability level for significance.

Specific statistical tests:
ANOVA Analysis of the variance was performed to identify a difference in gpa between the three groups. The means were not found to be significantly different F (2,47) = 6.81, p < .08.
t-tests The mean of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the comparison group t (23) = 2.435, p < .05.
Chi-square A chi-square test for independence found the variables significantly different X2 (3, n = 80) = 7.65, p < .05.
Correlation Pearson Product Moment Correlation techniques found the two variables to be significantly related
r (59) = .87, p < .05.

All statistical symbols should be underlined or written in italic typeface. Results of statistical tests may also be displayed in a table, particularly for lengthy procedures such as ANOVA and multiple correlations. (See Tables 2 and 3). Tables should be mentioned in the text by number with an appropriate commentary.

Table 2
ANOVA for Achievement Test Scores by Major
Source of Variance SS Df MS F p
Between group 849.551 2 424.776 5.662 .004
Within group 17179.767 230 75.021
Total 18029.318 232

Results of statistical analysis that are not statistically significant are not presented in a table unless they are part of multiple techniques. Citation in the text is adequate in this case.

Section four provides a discussion of findings.
Results of the present study are compared with results of other studies described in the literature review. Similarities and differences with other studies are discussed. For example, note how findings from this investigation are consistent or inconsistent with findings from other research. Note how the results of this study support, reinforce, or refute findings from other research. It is inappropriate to introduce new studies at this point. It is important to apply the theoretical framework to the findings of your study. Discuss how the theory fits the findings.
















There are faxes for this order.

Will need Title Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, List of tables, List of figures, Body of thereport, endnotes or footnotes (if not included in the body) references, and appendicies

Please add statistical data that would apply.

Must include the following chapters:
1-Definition of the Problem
2-Literature Review
3-Methodology
4-Data analysis
5-Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

We will pay $400.00 for this order!!

Please submit your research proposal. It should include the following components: (1) topic/title, (2) purpose statement, (3) hypothesis, (4) key research questions, (5) responses to the nine central arguments by Maxwell, (6) proposed paper outline, (7) preliminary list of references.

Please be sure to use APA formatting.



THE FOLLOWING MUST ALSO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE PROPOSAL.

Philosophical Worldview
EX: a qualitative Postpositivist worldview

Research Questions





QUANTITATIVE PROCEDURE PLAN


Survey Design:
ex:The purpose of this cross-sectional or longitudinal study will be to test??
Why a Survey?

Form of Data Collection:
ex: self-administered questionnaire , interviews

Population and Sample:
The population for the study 68 active duty military; 24
civilian government employees assigned and/or employed within two different Medical units with the military
Population: 92
Sample will include:
ex: a survey invitation, and the survey respondents .
a singlestage or multistage sample will be used
sample population will be stratified to data comparisons and analysis.

Instrumentation:
Survey Instrument
ex:The survey (see Appendix A) was designed by the survey author, and tailored toward the
ex:The survey was created, and will be administered using
SurveyMonkey.com (see Appendixes A and B).

Validity and Reliability of survey:
The survey is judged to have validity because???


Determination on predictive validity will be assessed after the survey and research are complete
(Creswell, 2009).
However, potential threats to the external validity of the survey results
include:



The survey and the survey results are found in Appendixes A and B; and the compiled results are found in Appendix C. The results are compiled using the Microsoft Excel 2007, with

Survey Procedures:
The survey administration and data measurement steps for the study are as follows:
1. The survey will be sent to all contact information can be

a. First, a pilot test will be sent to (businesses to be determined).
b. The survey will be emailed to 2.
To maximize participation, follow up emails will be sent 2 and 4 weeks after the initial
email are sent.
a. If participation is deemed statistically low after 60 days, then the survey team will
place individual phone calls to the businesses who have not responded.
3. The survey will remain open for ?? days.
4. Collect the data totals outlined in Error! Reference source not found. (items 1, 2, 3, 4).
5. Calculate the data elements outlined in Error! Reference source not found. (items 5, 6,
6. Answer the research questions based on the calculations in Error! Reference source not
found..
7. No pretests, treatment or posttests are required for this study because the hypothesis is
based on comparing data from a snapshot in time.


Variables
(dependent variable)
(independent variables)

Data Measurement, Analysis, and Interpretation:

Responses

Responses Bias

Statistics

Appendixes

Summary

References

Dealing Effectively With Organizational Change
Du Juania M. Deloatch
American Military University

BUSN500 Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making
Thomas J. Schaefer
November 22, 2009








Abstract
This study seeks to investigate how effectively individuals deal with organizational change. This literature will show how changes within organizations can be a stressful event that effects the emotions of employees, thus having implications on the degree of support and attitudes towards change when various strategies and tactics are utilized. A sample of 69 respondents; both military and civilian responded to an employee satisfaction / organizational change survey. Participants of this study consisted of 52 active duty military personnel and 17 civilian government employees; all with diverse backgrounds. All 69 personnel are affiliated with two separate Medical Readiness organizations.














Dealing Effectively With Organizational Change
I. Introduction
Organizational change is a growing area of importance for modern organizations strategic development. Effective organizational change management represents an imperative of success for organizations. Quantitative data was collected by administering employee satisfaction questionnaires in order to obtain statistical data on responses to attitudes in regards to the organizational change process as well as job satisfaction. Qualitative data was also collected through interviews from random participants in order to attempt to gain personal responses of employees experiencing change.
We all have our own assumptions about how organizations work, perhaps developed through a combination of experience and education. Organizations are continually forced to make changes to nearly every aspect of their operations due to a growing global economy, political pressure, social stress, technological advances, and a vast array of other internal and external influences. Managers at all levels, whether in a public or private business environment, have found that the only thing that will remain constant is change. Regardless of whether the change will have an impact at the individual or organizational level, it is human nature to resist the change from what is familiar to the unknown. The effect of this phenomenon grows rapidly as the proposed change goes beyond superficial organizational changes and imposes risk and uncertainty onto deep-rooted cultural aspects of the organization. Remarkably, despite the perpetual state of change in organizations, research has shown that three out of every four organizations that have initiated large-scale change efforts have not realized the significant organizational improvements that were intended, often at a tremendous price (Choi & Behling, 1997).
In an attempt to better understand the change process, academic researchers and practitioners from various disciplines have attempted to classify different stages of change whether it involves health and human services, educational systems, psychology, or general business environments. Understanding the dynamics of the change process and the factors that influence it, both positively and negatively, may facilitate the diffusion process (Moore, 1993). Perhaps the most simplistic interpretation is a three stage process introduced by Lewin (1947) who described the change process as a force field model that involves three steps: (a) Unfreezing; (b) Changing and (c) Refreezing. Although this original view of change seems elementary, there are countless other people who have studied change and developed their own stages, indicators, and factors that contribute to the acceptance/resistance to change. For instance, the Tran theoretical Model (TTM) offers an example of a more modern interpretation of the change process (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982). The TTM uses a five-stage construct to represent the transient, motivational and constancy aspects of change and prescribes a different intervention strategy for each stage. The five stages are, (a) precontemplation (an individual is not intending to make changes), (b) contemplation (an individual is considering a change), (c) preparation (an individual is making small changes), (d) action (an individual is actively engaging in a new behavior), and (e) maintenance (an individual is sustaining the change over time). While more contemporary views add granularity to the change process by identifying additional factors and offering more detailed stages of change, the process of implementing change generally distills into three intertwining stages: (a) readiness, when the organizational environment, structure, and members attitudes are receptive to a proposed change; (b) adoption, the members of the organization temporarily alter their attitudes and behaviors to conform with the expectations of the change; and (c) institutionalization, when the change becomes a established element of the mployees permanent behavior (Holt, 2000).
Based on the dismal success rates of change implementation, managers are being encouraged to be proactive by utilizing change measurement instruments to gauge their organizations demeanor before implementing changes (e.g., Jansen, 2000; Simon, 1996).
Largely, the results have been poor due to the fact that few organizations actually assess
readiness for change prior to implementing changes. One of several factors that experts have contributed to these less than desirable outcomes has been the organizational members initial readiness for the changes which is the initiating stage of change. It is a primary assumption of this research that those organizations that are able to gauge readiness before implementing changes will be able to develop focused readiness development programs and positively influence more successful change initiatives.
A significant impediment toward managerial efforts to gauge readiness for change is the vast number of change instruments that are readily available. In reviewing the academic literature for this paper, over 40 different measurement instruments were found to exist that claim to measure some aspect of readiness. Because of limited perspective, no one instrument has emerged as a standard and instruments are often used inappropriately without regard to the psychometric properties involved (Holt, 2000). The purpose of this portion of the research was to analyze the existing instruments available to measure readiness for change and integrate those that have empirically demonstrated reliability, utility, and validity into a new synergistic instrument that can be utilized across various research disciplines. It is anticipated that the development of a more comprehensive change measurement instrument will facilitate future research concerning
readiness and foster a better understanding of the complicated dynamics of organizational
change.
Specifically, this new change instrument was designed to comprehensively measure four main research perspectives dealing with organizational change. The first perspective was the process of the change, or how leadership will encourage change in an organization. The second perspective measured was the context of the change, which examines why the change is needed. A third perspective of interest was the content of the change with regard to the nature of the change and what exactly is involved. Finally, because of the critical role that the
individuals within an organization have on the success or failure of organizational change, the
individual perspective, or the who of the change, was of interest. In the research analysis, each perspective is broken down into smaller elements to ascertain the specific variables necessary to accurately measure each perspective. Beyond the veil of confusion imposed on organizational managers by the sheer number and variety of instruments available to measure readiness, two other details must be addressed as well. First, the research surrounding each instrument has its own interpretation of what readiness is and what is required to measure it. Second, when
searching for an appropriate change instrument, how is an organizational manager supposed to make meaningful comparisons among the existing instruments?
Problem
The need for change is increasing and often necessary for an organization to succeed, in this identify factors which often causes for change within an organization
Purpose
The purpose of my study is to identify through extensive research how individuals adapt to and are affected by organizational change. Human beings are certainly familiar with change and often prove they are quite capable of adapting to it.
Theoretical Perspective (did not prepare yet)


Hypothesis
Change is accepted when organizations promote an understanding of their strategy, articulate the
vision, and provide a climate in which employees are motivated to achieve a common goal.
Research Questions
1. The need for change is increasing and often necessary for an organization to succeed, identify factors which often causes for change within an organization
2. What are the types of organizational changes?

3. What are the impacts of change?

4. How is successful change achieved?

Review of Literature
Change is inevitable, it occurs in ones personal and professional life, and is no surprise that change and uncertainty is a challenge that businesses face as well. Assessing change depends on outlook viewed objectively; it is a means for endless opportunities in businesses and personal life. How proficient you are at dealing with change begins with being open-minded and flexible. This allows for an awareness of what's going on in your immediate world, anticipating change before it happens, and plan to take advantage of new situations and opportunities. A business may need to restructure their organization by asking questions and seeking information when things don't work out the way you would like them to.
The best way for an organization to show that it is truly customer driven, is by properly managing information, making that information available to the staff and training staff to use that information to build valuable relationships with the customer.
The organizational background of your business will clarify the companys focus. Developing a clear plan of direction will assist in defining the organization's culture. Individuals within the organization must modify behaviors in order to create the desired culture. Employees must have clear expectations and noticeably understand what acceptable behavior for the organization is. Training is the best way to insure that you are effective in both communicating expectations and teaching new behaviors.
Organizational Change
Organizational change can be defined as the activities associated with planning, designing, implementing and internalizing tools procedures, routine processes, or systems that will require people to perform their jobs differently (Mourier & Smith 2001). Organizational change cannot be defined in simple terms because it can occur across a broad spectrum, an industry-wide revolution in technology, or a refinement of one individual job description. The point is organizational change is more than just a change in process and procedure; its a transition that requires a change in human performance (Holt 1993).
Factors Causing Change
So what causes change to happen? It may seem sometimes as though organizational change appears out of the clear, blue sky, without reason. When organizational change occurs, there are two possible reasons driving the change, those being either external or internal.
Externally driven change is a necessary response or solution to immediate, external circumstances. It may be caused by factors external to the whole organization which in turn would be external to an individuals role or department. For example, response to new legislation, bad publicity, or competition from business rivals is external change. One organizations externally driven change may have been the internally driven change of another organization, as this often happens with vehicle manufacturers such companies as General Motors just to name a few (Maxwell, 2003).
Internally driven change is an attempt to move toward or realize long-term goals. Internal considerations that may influence a company change may include labor relations, employee problems, and a variety of financial issues. The more intense these situations becomes, the more likely change will occur. Years ago, USAA insurance and Financial institution faced major competition from its competitors, this is when the CEO, Robert McDermott announced restructuring that included upgraded computer technology, training over 800 employees on this new technology, pay incentives for claim adjusters and customer services reps as well reassuring employees the security of their jobs. Mc Dermott also reassured that this change process would be well thought out within a 5-year period. In 1992, USAA had implemented thee and many more changes, rose to the top ten positions in the insurance industry, and gained a reputation as one of the best companies in America. According to Heinrich and Betts, To succeed in the twenty first century economy, companies need to adapt to a new environment in which everything is in motion In short, its adapt or die (Perspectives on Organizational Change,
n.d.).
To make change really happen an organization must start from its vision and mission. (Aniisu, 2009). In todays changing economy, uncertainty and constant changes are an ongoing concern and present reality. Many times with these conditions, theres often a feeling of insecurity that leads us to seize any source of stability and predictability. In the workplace, we particularly yearn for a sense of direction, more so when we are not the actual change agent. Working with large organizations, individuals often express a need to know the vision, especially when a change has or is about to be implemented. This change can be in the form of a new employee or employer.
Vision is the general framework of future direction that will guide and unite efforts (Quinn, 1996). Individuals yearn for a leader who can align the internal with the external realities and make the organization successful. They want someone who can guide them through the unknown and the unfamiliar. Most have very high expectations of their leaders and at times may easily and quickly become disillusioned by their leaders failure to meet expectations.
General Motors under the new leadership of its latest CEO Alfred P. Henderson has the challenging task of turning this company around. According to Henderson, his strategy is simple and that is to focus on the car business again. It has been affirmed that perhaps Henderson wont like to hear it, but he could learn a thing or two from Alan Mulally (Fords CEO). Mullaly has identified a clear vision of the future, gotten his managers behind it, and created a no-excuses culture (Fortune, 2009).
Strategies for Change
Change in an organization cannot be totally effective without implementing organizational change strategies. Requirements for this process include evaluating, planning, implementing standards, and monitoring goals and objectives. To bring about desired change in an organization requires careful consideration of the organizations change strategy in order to address the main variables that will affect the change outcome (Cameron & Green, 2009). Strategies for change implementation are as follows:
1.Establish the need for change in order to determine the extent of a problem or the total opposite; an opportunity. If people affected by change do not agree with a problem or change, its possible the process should stop; of course this depends on the organization. For example, when the United Steel Workers union and steel making companies started to form labor management teams, not all union and management officials agreed with the idea. Progress had to stop, and the change was ultimately implemented only in companies that believed teamwork would work.
2.Find an idea that fits the needs within the organization by talking with other managers or leaders within the organization; assign employees the task of seeking issues or problems within the organization, and asking perhaps creative individuals to seek solutions. This is an opportunity to encourage employee participation and providing them with the freedom needed to think about and perhaps explore new options.
3.Solicit support from top management/officials to articulate new goals. Large changes require the blessing and support of the president, general manager, or the general, depending on the organizations setting. For smaller changes, influential managers or leaders relevant to the department or section within the organization is required.
4.Develop plans to overcome resistance to change by aligning needs and goals, communicating effectively, educating, participating in change, and coercion. As a last resort managers and leaders may overcome resistance by threatening employees with loss of jobs or promotions, firing or transfer. Of course this particular isnt hardly favored but is sometimes required for administrative changes that flows from the top on down.
5.Building the change team such as a creative department to create new ideas or a task force to ensure that implementation is completed. The leader brings the right people together and establishes momentum through teamwork
6.Reward success by recognizing internal champions from the individuals who assisted with achieving goals and objectives. This can be used as a motivational tool for others within the organization others (Daft, 2002).
Reactions to Change
Often when an organization changes, different employees will act in different ways. For some theres increased stress resulting from perhaps an increased workload (Ming-Chu Yu, 2009). These employees are likely to feel job insecurity, which can cause a negative effect on their job performance and the organization achieving its goal. Other employees will view the change as an opportunity for growth, these employees also even work harder at convincing others to climb aboard, and they also tend to become more involved in organizational functions.
The Hawthorne Effect, named after the factory in which it was studied, explains the mere observation of a group or more precisely. The perception of being observed and ones interpretation of its significance tends to change the group. When people are observed or believes someone cares about them they act differently. Usually these changes cause effects that are unintended and not recognized (Newstrom & Davis, 1997).
The technology of the 80s and 90s bears almost no resemblance to that of today. In the same, way our jobs and organizations probably bear little resemblance to that same time as well. Companies reduce their staff, rearrange organizational structure, and upgrade their tools. Dealing with all this change can be daunting, yet being able to survive the change is vital to you career. The starting place for mastering change is with the understanding of what an organization is and what organizational change means. Regardless of whether you work for a civilian or military organization, the global environment in which we operate is increasingly volatile and complex. Todays business organization have to change rapidly at times, leaders often make quick decisions, ones that sometimes have an effect on an organizations long term and short term success. Managers and employees must be able to perform as well during the change as they perform when the organization is not changing. Performing well during change means executing change just as well as you execute your day to day business.
Methodology
Methodology is the total strategy for the study and it starts from the identification of the problem to the final plans of for the data collection (Uys & Basson 1991).
Research Design
The aim of the study seeks to extend previous studies by measuring a wide variety of coping strategies that might be used by individuals in dealing with organizational change. A research design is a blueprint for conducting the study that maximizes control over factors that could interfere with the validity of the findings (Burns& Grove 2001). This author states that research design guides the researcher in planning and implementing the study in a way that is most likely to achieve the intended goal.
According to Polit & Hungler (1995), research design is the overall plan for obtaining
answers to the research questions or for testing the hypothesis and Uys and Basson (1991), stated that it is the structural framework within which the study is implemented. In this study the sources of stress experienced by registered nurses were identified and the relationship between stress, coping, and turnover was described.
Quantitative research Polit & Hungler (1995) defines quantitative research as a systematic collection of numerical information and analysis of that information sing statistical
procedures. This is supported by Kennedy (1998 stating that a quantitative design is used when data is measured in numbers. Quantitative research was used because the study consisted of a larger number of subjects, who were scattered in the different units/wards and a survey method
was found to be the relevant to use. Descriptive statistics was used to describe and summarize the data obtained from the respondents. Seaman (1987 supported this by stating that quantitative design is used to count and measure data including counting frequencies, use of percentages and
average.
Survey
The purpose of this longitudal survey study is to determine the theory that change is accepted when organizations promote an understanding of their strategy, articulate the vision, and provide a climate in which employees are motivated to achieve a common goal, furthermore, employee satisfaction questions will be an element of the survey.
Uys and Basson (1991), state that survey research is an empirical and logical investigation that involves the systematic and impartial collection of data from a sample of cases, as well as the statistical analysis of the findings. According to Burns and Grove (2001) a survey is a technique of data collection in which questionnaires (collected by mail or in person) are used to gather information about an identified population. It is used to collect data that can be collected through self-report. There is no manipulation of variables or an attempt to establish causality. This is supported by Seaman (1987) who mentioned that in a survey, standardized information is collected from subjects from a larger population of more than one hundred. For the purpose of this study the researcher identified sources of stress experienced by registered nurses, described the relationship between stress, coping.
Motivation for the use of the survey
A self administered survey and several interviews were used for this study. Because of the nature of work of the participants (staff shortages, long hours, and limited time for interviews) it made it difficult to conduct face to face interviews with a1.l A questionnaire was ideal as the respondents used their own time and pace to complete the questionnaire. Uys and Basson (1991) states that the questionnaire is less expensive time consuming and has an advantage of involving a large number of subjects. Babbie (1992) supports the choice of the questionnaire stating that the central element in survey research is the standardized questionnaire.
Population and Sample
The target population is all elements (individuals, objects, or substances) that meet certain
criteria for inclusion in a given universe (Burns and Grove 2001). This is supported by Polit
and Hungler (1995), who states that the target population included all the members who are
under study that conforms to a designated set of specifications. In this study the population
consisted of 68 active military and 28 civilian government employees of various grade levels and responsibilities.
Uys and Basson (1991) define the sample as the number of units of the population under study and should represent the characteristics of the population being studied. Polit and Hungler (1995) stated that sampling is the process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire population and nonprobability. Sample size is the number of subjects needed in a sample (Polit and Hungler 1995).
Data Collection Instruments
Data collection included self administered questionnaire; observation and interviews, basically a combination of methods. This data will be used to examine the individual responses to the proposed research questions.
A 15-questions survey with specific change effort/employee satisfaction in mind will be used. Participants will place checkmarks next to the statement that comes close to representing their opinion. Question 4 is based on a 1-10 scale and questions 7 and 15 require a yes or no answer.
Survey statistics will be administered by ANOVA/or Survey Monkey.
Validity and reliability after calculations should prove reliable based on variables used. Murphys Law on the other hand, could present a problem





















References
Choi, T. Y., & Behling, O. C. (1997). Top managers and TQM success: One more look after all these
years. Academy of Management Executive, 11, (pp.37-49).
Moore, R. E. (1993). A Case Study of The Diffusion of An Electronic Mail System in a High School
Administrative Setting. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in group dynamics: Concept, method and reality in social science; Social
Equilibrium and Social Change. Human Relations, 1, (pp.3-41).
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative
model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 19, 276-288.
Holt, D. T. (2000). The measurement of readiness for change: A Review of Instruments and
Suggestions for Future Research. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of the Academy of
Management, Toronto, Canada.
Jansen, K. J. (2000). The emerging dynamics of change: Resistance, readiness, and momentum.
Human Resource Planning, 23(2), 53-55.
Holt, D. T. (2002). Readiness for change: The Development of A Scale. Paper submitted for
presentation to the Organizational Development and Change Division of the Academy of
Management
Mourier, P. & Smith M. (2001). Conquering change: How to Succeed Where Most Companies
Fail. CH 1, Retrieved November 29, 2009. http://mmlviewer.book24x7.com
Holt, David H., (1993). Management and Principles (pp. 474). 3rd Ed., Prentice Hall. Englewood,
New Jersey
Maxwell, John C. (2001) Developing the Leader Within You (pp.174-175) Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
Aniisu (2009). Internal Communicators as Change Managers. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
http://intraskope.wordpress.com
Quinn, Robert E. (1996). Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within You. Retrieved
October 29, 2009. http://mmlviewer.book24x7.com
Taylor, Aex III (October 12, 2009) Fortune: Can GM Survive? 60 (7), 60. Retrieved
October 31, 2009, Proquest, ISSN: 00158259
Cameron, E. & Green, M. (2009) Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to
The Models & Techniques of Organizational Change. Retrieved October 31, 2009
http://mmlviewer.book24x7.com
Daft, Richard L. (2002) Organizational Theory and design 4th Ed. (pp. 271-273) West
Publishing Co. St. Paul, Minnesota
Min-Chu (Spring 2000) Entrepreneur. Retrieved November 31, 2009, www.entrpreneur.com
Uys, H.H.M. & Basson, A.A. (1991). Research Methodology in Nursing. (PP. 37-38) Cape
Town: Kagiso Tertiary
Burns, N. & Grove, S.K. (2001). The Practice of Nursing Research. (pp. 223)
Polit, D.F., and Hungler, B.P. (1999). Nursing Research: Principles and Methods, 6th ed. (pp.115)
Philadelphia, PA J.P. Lippincott.
Kennedy, I. (1998). Research Methodology. Advanced Research Workshop, REME
801 MEDUNSA
Seaman, C.H.C. (1987). Research Methods: Principles, Practice, and Theory for
Nursing. (pp. 174) Appleton & Lange.
Uys, H.H.M. & Basson, A.A. (1991). Research Methodology in Nursing. Cape
Town: Kagiso Tertiary.
Babbie, E. (1992). The practice of social research. California, Belmont Wardsworth











RESEARCH PROPOSAL OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Theoretical Perspective
Hypotheses
Research Questions
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
a. Define Organizational Change
b. Identify Factors of Change
c. Strategies/Tools Adaptation of Change
(1) Establish the need for change
(2) Develop plans to overcome resistance to change
(3) Solicit support from top management/officials to articulate new goals
(4). Develop plans to overcome resistance to change
(5). Building the change team
(6). Reward success by recognizing internal champions
III. METHODOLGY
(1). Research design
(2) Reason selected
(3) Population/Sampling
(4). Data collection/Analysis

IV. CONCLUSION
V. LIMITATIONS
VI. RELIABILITY/VALIDITY
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY








Customer will not be emailing or faxing any additional files for this order.

The research proposal must be at least 15 pages not including the references page. You will need to use 15 sources that are dated from 2006 to present 2011. Also statistical data must be used/incorporated.


I will use a mixed research method to help explain why there are so many black males in special education. I will support my hypothesis by using article, journals, observational studies, and statistical data to help illustrate my findings. The articles and journals will give an explanation of the quantitative variables such as learning styles, referral process, I.Q. testing, cultural diversity, lack of early intervention plan, and poverty are instrumental in labeling young black males as special education candidates. Participants that will be involved in the research will be students ranging from grades K-12. Statistical data will be used to show how African American males represent the majority of students in special education considering that they are a small percentage of the student population. The data will show how African American males are victims of racial inequality and racially culturally basis test. I will compare data from the National Education Data Base System to compare the number of blacks as well as minorities in special education oppose to white students around the country.

Format should follow:

Title page
Table of content
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
1. Statement of the purpose of the research of study
2. Statement of reaserach questions
3. Limitation of the proposed research
4. key terms

Chapter2: Review Literature
1. Insert major headings relevant to identifying the different segments of the literature review.
2. Statement of the research hypothesis

Chapter 3: Method
1. Participants
2. Instrumentation
3. Procedure
4. Data analysis

References
Appendices

Advisors Recommendations:
Goal should be to add new findings and expand the current level of knowledge on the topic.
Begin with a narrow specific research question, explore the latest academic published research on the topic and then develop the specific hypothesis.
Next, develop a methodology to answer the question you propose.(Use current primary data - never use secondary reviews of previously published ideas.
For this topic a large survey is appropriate with follow-up analysis of the sample and statistical data to prove or disprove the research question.
Discuss the results and brainstorm ideas for further research. The survey questions asked should be drawn directly from the literature review.
Note: Margins must be 1 1/2" all around.

7. Individual Assignment: Decision of Uncertainty Paper

Research statistical data in a business context that requires a decision. Use probability concepts to formulate a decision.
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper, explaining your research methods and process for limiting the uncertainty in the decision.
Address the following in your paper:

o Include how you applied concepts to formulate your decision.
o Include appropriate probability concepts and your application to find resulting data to limit uncertainty in this decision.
o Identify each outcome from your statistical analysis, providing rationale for each.
o Identify tradeoffs between accuracy and precision required by various probability concepts and the effect on your data.
o Include the decision you made based on statistical data.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

I the research methodology section of my research proposal wriiten, demonstrating a familiarity with alternative methods of research and an argument in favour of the methods I have chosen. I have outlined the research question and the methods I intend to use below, and have also put some additional information about the project.


Research Question:
To determine what information carers of people with dementia want at the time of diagnosis, to examine the discrepancies between carers of people with dementias need for information and the information they currently receive.

Research Design and Methods

The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze the perspectives of carers regarding their information needs, the central questions being:
To determine what information carers of people with dementia want at the time of diagnosis and to evaluate the impact of a dementia carer education programme on carers responses to the diagnosis and their interactions with community agencies. Exploring the impact that different styles of information giving might have on carers.
These questions will be investigated through a multiple research design, which will consist of interviews and statistical data collection. A qualitative approach is best suited to answering questions which require a greater depth of detail.
Participants

The study will follow three groups of carers through three separate Positive Caring Courses and will use face-to-face interviews and participant observation.

The sample group will consist of approximately 30carers of people in the early stages of dementia

The inclusion criteria will be:

? Being the primary carer of a person with dementia irrespective of whether the carer lives with the person or not.
? Not participating in any other support group or educational programme linked to dementia awareness during the period of the research.
? The person being cared for will have had a diagnosis of dementia (the type of dementia will not be considered relevant for the purpose of this study) and will be no more than two years post diagnosis


Participants will be recruited via the Positive Caring Project, as coordinator of the project I have access to the group and have permission from both the local Alzheimer?s Branch and regional Alzheimer?s Office to carry out the study with these groups. The majority of the referrals to the project come from the Julian Hospitals Memory Clinic, referrals from the memory clinic tend to be early post diagnosis, and permission has also been sought from the Memory Clinic to approach people to participate in the research.

Whilst most of the projects have been held on the outskirts of the city of Norwich the geographical intake has been very wide, covering much of the county. This indicates that participants are likely to come from both urban and rural settings and that their background will vary. Age range too will be varied, although it is expected that many of the carers will be over 65, some might have partners with early onset dementia whilst there may also be people who are caring for parents or other older relatives. Figures from the last nine projects indicate an expected age range of 45 to 75 and a gender mix of 40% male and 60% female.

A repeated measure design will be used, the same participants will be examined at two points in time, two weeks before the project starts and four weeks after the project has finished. This will allow time for the immediate influences of attending the project to wear off.

The Positive Caring Project takes place three times a year; the study will recruit ten participants who fulfill the criteria from each project.



Unstructured Interview

The choice of method used in this study is dictated by the information required, the aim of the study being to elicit a greater depth of information about carers needs from the carers perspective. The use of unstructured but guided interviews will draw out more detailed material and allow carers to have a positive input as to how information should be based upon their needs. The primary strengths of unstructured interviews are that they give participants the opportunity to clarify and explain issues in a face-to-face setting; unstructured interviews are useful for permitting participants respond in their own words, allowing them to talk about what is of central significance to them within a guided framework. No questionnaire will be used within the interviews but a framework will be established around which the interview will be guided. The framework will cover key areas
1. How carers are told about diagnosis
2. What information was given at the point of diagnosis?
3. How carers think information about diagnosis should be delivered
4. How carers feel about the diagnosis and prognosis
5. What carers think would be the most useful information they could be given at the point of diagnosis
6. How carers feel professionals can help them.
7. What practical suggestions do carers have to improve services?
8. What carers feel about services that are available to them (do they know what services are available)
Areas 3 to 8 will be repeated in the post project interviews.

This framework which encompasses the identified aims of the project will ensure that all of the topics considered crucial to the research are covered, the frame work will also help in eliminating interviewer bias, it is difficult to eliminate bias completely but awareness of it and a level of self-discipline will serve to minimize it, the interviewer will avoid ?leading? and will aim for objectivity.

Interviews will be taped and will take place in the participant?s home at a time which is convenient to them, each interview will last about one hour, participants will be told in advance how long the interview is likely to last.

Previous experience with face-to-face interviews has taught me that this method does require extra time. Face-to-face interviews require the researcher to travel to the participant?s home and to conduct the interview in that setting. The time required for this is long, face-to-face interviews could be particularly difficult for geographically dispersed cases. Considering these issues it is unlikely that more than two interviews could be carried out in one day.

Secretarial support from an experienced audio typist will be required to transcribe the recorded interviews. As data analysis and storage will be computer based, transcripts will have to be into a word processing programme, which is compatible with the data analysis software.

Data Collection

I will be collecting statistical data i.e., prevalence of dementia in the UK, numbers of people with dementia in each Primary Health Care trust and comparing these figures to the service provisions available within each primary Health Care Trust.


Evaluation Forms

Throughout the project carers are asked to fill out evaluation forms at the end of each session, these forms look at how the carer felt about the information given within the session, the length of the session and the teaching techniques used within the session, Carers involved in the research will be made aware that these forms will form part of the data for the research

Data management

This study will generate a large volume of information, hard copy management may prove difficult therefore data will be stored and analyzed on computer, making it easier to manage, store and retrieve. Transcripts from the interviews will be continually evaluated in order to identify common themes and to develop an insight into the perceived needs and experiences of the carers involved in the study thereby clarifying relationships amongst concepts as they emerge

The computer will be password sensitive and two copies of the data will be kept in separate but secure locations.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Research

The strengths of the study are that it will elicit a great depth of information from the carer?s perspective whilst also allowing carers voices to be heard. The data will be directly from the individual?s experiences; these insights could contribute to changing practice amongst community services

The weaknesses in many ways reflect the strengths, the depth and complexity of data gathered will make analyse more difficult and additional time will need to be spent on analysis. Those carers who are referred to the project will tend to be people who are predisposed towards seeking out information; consequently study will not be investigating those carers who do not for one reason or another readily seek information.


Ethical Issues

Considering that the participants of this research would be attending the project whether they were involved with the research or not there does not seem to be a real potential for harm. It is difficult to know in advance which issues have the potential to cause harm but it is unlikely that research participants will be exposed to greater mental or physical harm than they would encounter in the course of their everyday lives.

Additional Information for writing the methodology:

Aims

As carers needs for information often remain unmet a number of interventions have been developed to support and provide them with more information. One initiative ? The Positive Caring Programme, which is run by the Alzheimer?s Society, consists of six weekly sessions each session lasting approximately two hours. Each session aims to cover a different topic and carers receive teaching from various professionals about the caring role, dementia, benefits and legal issues and local services as well as some practical acre advice on how to look after their own needs. Efforts are made to provide ongoing support for carers by developing relationships with other carers in the group.

Using multiple research methods this study will ascertain in detail what carers perceive their information needs to be and will evaluate whether a structured education programme such as the Positive Caring Project could go towards meeting carers information needs, the study will focus on the following areas:


? Understanding whether carers of people in the early stages of dementia who have access to clear information at the point of diagnosis will find it easier to request access and accept help from community agencies and be able to interact in a more positive way with the appropriate agencies.

? Understanding how carers of people with dementia gain access to community services and determining potential barriers for carers

? Exploring the impact that different styles of information giving can have of the carers perception of the diagnosis, their awareness of the prognosis and how they plan for the future.

The objectives of this study are to answer the following questions:

? What information do carers currently receive at the point of diagnosis?
? Where and from whom do carers receive information?
? How carers accessed the information
? What help is the carer currently receiving and is there need for more help?
? What do carers feel about the quality of the information and help they received at the point of diagnosis?
? What will be the impact of a structured programme of information on carers understanding of:

1. Dementia, care, treatments and prognosis.
2. Benefits and legal issues such as enduring power of attorney
3. Community Services, what is available and how to access them

The research whilst replicating some of the aims and methods used in other studies will differ in two main ways:

? It will focus on the information needs of carers of people in the early stages of dementia.

For the purpose of this study the early stages of dementia will be identified as a maximum of two years post diagnosis. There is often a reluctance amongst carers and suffers alike to acknowledge that there are memory problems for several months (and sometimes years) pre diagnosis, this takes into account that the individual may have been symptomatic of dementia for some time prior to diagnosis.

? The study will follow carers through a structured information giving process.

Johnson and Johnson Annual Report
Your answers should be recorded on this question paper in the space provided. You may type in your answers in the spaces provided leaving as much space as you feel necessary to type in the applicable answer. Questions which must be answered are italicized. After you have reviewed your work and would like to submit it please go to the Johnson and Johnson .

It is easiest to answer almost all of these questions by looking at the 2012 Johnson and Johnson annual report.

The Johnson and Johnson Annual Report for 2012 can be found on line at http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/JNJ/2686814943x0x644760/85FD0CFF-2305-4A02-8294-2E47D0F31850/JNJ2012annualreport.pdf

Some questions involve simply typing in a number. For these questions nothing but the needed number is required. In contrast questions requiring calculations should show how the applicable number was computed.

Many questions are open ended. In some cases class members may be tempted to write extensively when answering certain questions. For the most part this is not needed. Most questions can be answered succinctly. That said no one will be penalized for writing too much; as always the quality of an answer is more important than its quantity. The important thing is to answer all questions completely and accurately. This is not meant to be a difficult assignment.


Please answer the following questions based on information contained in this Annual Report.

Part I ? Consolidated Balance Sheets
How much are the company?s total assets, total liabilities and shareholder?s equity as of December 31, 2012?

A. Total Assets =
Total Liabilities =
Total Shareholder?s Equity=

See Note 3 at the end of this question paper in regards to the term ?shareholder?s equity?.

B. How much is the company?s retained earnings as of December 31, 2012? (Be careful in entering this number because the number just below it is a subtotal that one might easily confuse with the retained earnings amount).


C. How many shares of common stock has the company been authorized to issue and how many shares has it issued?


.
D. How much cash (called cash and cash equivalents on the Johnson and Johnson Consolidated Balance Sheet) did the company have as of December 31, 2011?

.
E. By how much did the company?s cash (called Cash and Cash Equivalents on the company?s Consolidated Balance Sheet) decrease during 2012?



F. By how much did the company?s cash (called Cash and Cash Equivalents on the company?s Consolidated Balance Sheet) increase during the prior year, that is, 2011? (To obtain this information go to the Company website to locate an online version of Johnson and Johnson?s prior year (2011 annual report). The company?s website can be found at www.jnj.com. Follow the link to Investor Relations and the Company?s 2011 Annual Report. Once you access the annual report go to the company?s consolidated balance sheet so that you can determine the extent to which the company?s cash (called Cash and Cash Equivalents on the company?s Consolidated Balance Sheet) increased during the prior year, that is, during 2011?



Part II ? Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Page 21) (See note 4 at the end of this document for more information about Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the term ?Net Earnings?).
A. Why do you think Johnson and Johnson financial statements are called consolidated i.e. ?Consolidated Balance Sheets? and ?Consolidated Income Statements?? (Hint: This is not discussed in our textbook but if you look at the first paragraph of Footnote 1 on page 25 of the Company?s Annual Report you will have a better idea of what it means.)

B. Why do you think the company?s consolidated balance sheets shows the company?s assets, liabilities and shareholder?s equity for two years and the consolidated statements of net earnings shows the net earnings for three years (2012, 2011, and 2010)? In other words why isn?t the information shown just for one year, that is, 2012. After all we are looking at the company?s 2012 annual report.

C. How much is the company?s net earnings for 2012? (See Note 4 at the end of this document
for more information about the term ?net earnings.?).

D. Does the increase in the company?s net earnings from when comparing 2012 to 2011 necessarily mean that the company has gone beyond the problems that caused its net income for 2011 to be significantly less than was in 2010 or would you want additional information?

E. What has the trend been over the last three years in regards to Johnson and Johnson?s
net earnings? Are you comforted by this trend or would you have like to have seen earnings go one way or another in a consistent manner.

F Johnson and Johnson?s revenues for 2012 were more than $2.2 billion higher than they were in 2011with what seems to have been a predicable increase of about $842 million in net income. Now consider the prior year 2011 when revenues went up even more almost a $3.5 billion from the year earlier 2010 yet the company?s net earnings were considerably lower (slightly more than $3.6 billion lower) than they were during the previous year. What factors based on the information shown on the company?s ?consolidated statement of earnings? led to such a large decrease in net income in comparing 2011to 2010 at the same time that revenues increased so much? What insights might be drawn from the applicable items that increased or decreased and the more predictable looking result associated with the 2012 revenue increase of a little more than $2.2 billion?

G There appears to be no specific footnote number that relates to the $1 billion, 626 million 2012 ?consolidated statement of earnings? item entitled ?other (income) expenses, net?. This item decreased to a greater extent from 2012 to 2011 than any other expense items listed on the company?s statement of earnings. While some information can be found about the large amount and decrease in this category on the left hand column on page 9 under the category ?other (Income) Expense, net? in the Management Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition? which begins on page 2 of the company?s annual report, I could not find it in any level of specificity in the company?s footnotes. Some categories shown on the company?s income statement indicate that a particular note to the company?s financial statements, (with these notes beginning on page 25 of the company?s annual report and extending through page 68), relates to a specific item on this statement thus providing additional information about the item being referenced. For example, Note 22 which deals with ?Restructuring? expenses is referenced on the face of the company?s income statement. In addition, and Note 8 dealing with ?Provisions for Income Tax? (which is the company?s income tax expense) helps to explain how the amounts in these two categories were determined.

Do you feel the details regarding the category of expense entitled ?other (income) expenses, net are sufficiently delineated in the left hand column on page 9 so that users of the company?s financial statements are provided with needed information or do you feel this information should have been referenced and explained in the company?s statement of earning with an appropriate footnote describing the composition of this large amount. Please explain your answer.

H. Note that in contrast to its prior year annual reports, Johnson and Johnson in its 2012 annual report has an item on its income statement for 2012 entitled ?net loss attributable to non-controlling interest?. This line item reflects the interest of shareholder of subsidiaries of Johnson and Johnson who are not shareholders of the parent company, Johnson and Johnson. See item in Blackboard Course Documents entitled ?Consolidated Financial Statements and Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary with Specific Reference to Johnson and Johnson?s Annual Report for 2012 to obtain some background information on the significance of this item.

After reading this document why is the net loss attributable to noncontrollable interest as shown on the Johnson and Johnson Annual Report for 2012 added rather than subtracted in determining ?net earnings attributable to Johnson and Johnson? Also, why do you believe Johnson and Johnson did not have any amounts shown in this category for either 2011 or 2010?


Part III-Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Page 24)
A Statement of Cash Flow as described on page 22 our textbook provides information about the cash receipts and payments for a company for a specific time period. A statement of cash flow answers questions such as:

1. ?Where did the cash come from during the period?
2. What was the cash used for during the period?
3. What was the change in the cash balance during the period??

The Johnson and Johnson Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow shows, as is required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the following three categories of cash flows:

1 Cash Flow from Operating Activities
2 Cash Flow from Investing Activities
3 Cash Flow from Financing Activities

A. How much was the company?s Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities for 2012?


B How much was the company?s Net Cash Flow from Investing Activities for 2012?


C. How much was the company?s Net Cash Flows from Financial Activities for 2012?


Note that the amount of the company?s decrease in cash as you showed in your answer to question 1E should be the same as the amount of the company?s decrease in cash as shown on its statement of cash flows.

Note that the company?s almost $10 billion decrease in cash which occurred in 2012 happened in the same year in which company made over $10 billion in net earnings. Much of the reason for this seeming anomaly will be better understood later in the course when we go over an entire chapter on the Statement of Cash Flows.


Part IV ? Corporate Responsibility, Sarbanes-Oxley, and GAAP Related Questions
Our textbook on pages 7 and 8 mention various accounting scandals which have created a bad impression about the accounting profession.

In response to the accounting scandals that happened in the U.S. the U.S. Congress enacted a law in 2002 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in the hopes that this new legislation would reduce the likelihood of future fraudulent financial accounting reporting. On page 376 of our textbook in a chapter which deals with internal controls the authors write the following:

?Under Sox, all publicly traded U.S. Corporations are required to maintain an adequate system of internal control. Corporate executives and boards of directors must ensure that these controls are reliable and effective. In addition, independent outside auditors must attest to the adequacy of the internal control system. Companies that fail to comply are subject to fines and company officers can be imprisoned. Sox also created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), which now establishes auditing standards and regulates auditor activity.?


On page 70 of the Johnson and Johnson annual report, the company?s CEO and CFO have both signed a statement entitled ?Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.? This statement discusses the effectiveness of the company?s internal controls, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act of 2002, the role of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), the independent auditor registered firm with the Public Companies Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to conduct audits of publicly traded companies and the role played by the company?s audit committee and Executive Committee in financial oversight.

This statement seems to almost say that the financial statements included in the company?s annual report are the responsibility of the company?s management. But it does not. To find this statement one needs to go to the third sentence of the first paragraph on page 69 (the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) which specifically indicates that the ?Company?s management is responsible for these financial statements.?

A. Do you think the statement on page 70 signed by the company?s CEO and CFO should make it clear that these financial statements are the responsibility of the company?s management or is it adequate that this is indicated in the first paragraph on page 69 in the (the report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting firm?


B. Is it United States GAAP; is it International GAAP, (iGAAP)? Is it perhaps French GAAP or some other country?s GAAP? (Hint: For the answer look at the Company?s Annual Report once again on page 69 on the page which has the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Locate the so-called ?auditor?s opinion?. This can be found in the first sentence of the first paragraph of the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.


Part V. Summary of Statistical Data:
Page 71 of the Johnson and Johnson annual report summarizes various statistical data over the past ten years for this company. Use this data to answer the following questions:

Net Earnings
A. Describe the general trend over the ten year period in regards to the net earnings of Johnson and Johnson.

B. In what year(s), if any, did net earnings decrease?


C. If you were a shareholder at Johnson and Johnson do you think the trend over the past ten years in regards to the company?s net earnings would please or displease you? (Explain)


Dividends paid per share.
D. Describe the general trend over the ten year period in regards to dividends paid per share to Johnson
& Johnson shareholders.


E. In what year(s), if any, did dividends paid per share decrease for Johnson and Johnson?


F. If you were a shareholder at Johnson and Johnson do you think the trend over the past ten years
in regards to the company?s dividends paying policy would please or displease you? (Explain)



Market Price per share
G. Describe the general trend over the ten year period in regards to the market price per share for
Johnson and Johnson stock.


H. If you were a shareholder at Johnson and Johnson do you think the trend over the past ten years
in regards to the company?s market price per share would please or displease you? (Explain)


I. In what year(s), if any, did the market price per share of the stock go down from the previous year?

J. Based on the Shareholder Return Performance Graphs on page 72 how much would $100 invested in
Johnson and Johnson stock on December 31,2002 be worth as of December 31, 2012 assuming that all dividends received on the stock had been reinvested in additional stock of the company?

K. The statistical information on page 70 shows that Johnson and Johnson net earnings and stock price have gone up significantly during the ten year period from 2002 to 2012. Net earnings, however, generally has gone up at a much faster rate than the company?s stock price. Describe two reasons that might explain this anomaly.

L. In footnote 18 on page 56 there is considerable detail regarding the sales and operating profit earned by each reporting segment (i.e., consumer products, pharmaceutical sales and medical device and diagnostic sales). . Information is further broken down in regard to the amount of sales in different parts of the world. Do you think this information might be useful to someone who might be interested in investing in the company?s stock? Might this information also be useful to the company?s competitors? If this information might be useful to a company?s competitors why would Johnson and Johnson provide this information in its annual report?
M. Revenues for 2012 Johnson and Johnson were $2 billion, $194 million greater than they were in 2011. Footnote 18 on pages 48-49 shows that pharmaceutical segments sales, and medical devices and diagnostics segment sales were higher than in the prior year whereas consumer segment sales were lower. Do you believe that the change in the company?s diversification, as measured by the change in its product segments sales, and where the company geographically sells its products is of any concern? In which three parts of the world did the company?s sales go up and in which part of the world did the company?s sales go down?
N. How many shares of treasury stock does Johnson and Johnson own as of December 31, 2012?

As we will learn in Chapter 13 treasury stock are shares of a corporation?s own stock which it buys in the market places. For example, from time to time Johnson and Johnson will buy its own shares. While some people have argued that such shares should be shown on a corporation?s own balance sheet as an asset generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) does not permit this treatment. GAAP requires that the cost of treasury shares be shown as a reduction of a stockholder?s claims on corporate assets. In accordance with the above the cost of treasury shares owned by Johnson and Johnson should be shown on its balance sheets as a deduction from total paid in capital and retained earnings. In this regard the number of shares of treasury stock that Johnson and Johnson owns as of December 31, 2012 is shown on the line just above total stockholder?s equity at the very bottom of Johnson and Johnson?s balance sheet on page 20. For example, as shown at the very bottom of the company?s balance sheet for the prior year Johnson and Johnson as of December 31, 2011 owned 395,480,000 shares of its own stock

Treasury shares, as indicated on page 621 of our textbook, are often acquired by a company for such reasons as:

1. To reissue the shares to offices and employees under bonus and stock compensation plans.

2. To signal to the stock market that management believes the stock under priced, in the hopes of enhancing its market value.

3. To have additional shares available for use in the acquisition of other companies.

4. To reduce the number of shares outstanding and thereby increase earnings per share.

5. To rid the company of disgruntled investors??

O. Successful companies with a considerable amount of cash and relatively little debt are often viewed
as possible takeover targets. Johnson and Johnson and other very large companies often feel that they need not worry about being taken over by another company since they are ?just too big? in terms of the total price that would be needed to acquire control of the company.

Compute based, solely on the data in the Johnson and Johnson annual report, the total market value of Johnson and Johnson?s stock as of December 31, 2012. In performing this calculation you should know the following. As a general rule the number of outstanding shares of a company?s stock multiplied by the company?s stock market price per share is equal to the total market value (often referred to as market capitalization) of a company.

The number of outstanding shares is equals to the number of shares of a company?s stock, shown as issued in a company?s shareholder?s equity section of its consolidated balance sheet minus the number of shares of treasury stock. See the question before this one for more information about treasury stock)

After calculating the total market value of Johnson and Johnson?s stock do you feel that the company is just too big? in terms of the total price for someone to acquire control of the company?

P. The company?s statistical data on page 71 shows under the bold heading ?net earnings? an item entitled ?percent of sales to customers.? This is not a good descriptor of a commonly used ratio used in financial statement analysis which calculates the percentage of every dollar of sales which become net income. This percentage can be calculated by taking the total amount of the company?s net earnings and dividing it by its sales to customers. This ratio which is described on the bottom of page 853 of our textbook is often called ?profit margin? or simply ?margin?. This ratio was 16.1% in 2012 but only 14.9% in 2011. Please verify the computation f this ratio for these two years and indicate whether the trend appears positive or negative and why/?

By the way throughout our class we will be computing various ratios. Ratio analysis is a valuable tool in analyzing a company?s financial situation. In performing ratio analysis we will sometimes find it useful in comparing a company to itself. For example, the fact that Johnson and Johnson?s percent return on average shareholder?s equity was higher in 2012 than in 2011 might suggest a positive trend may be beginning. In performing ratio analysis we sometime compare a company to another company in the same industry as well as to industry averages.

Ratios are generally divided into three categories: liquidity, profitability and solvency. Other ratios involving profitability, beyond the one described above, for the calculation of percent return on average shareholder?s equity, are commonly used. These ratios generally use return, that is, net income as a numerator. For example, another ratio that is sometime used in measuring a company?s profitability is its return on total assets which is computing by taking net income and dividing by total assets. This ratio generally tells us how efficient a company was in generating net income on a given amount of assets. Like the percent return on average shareholder?s equity, and net income divided by sales ratio the higher this ratio the better.


Notes

An online version of Johnson and Johnson?s 2012 annual report is available at the company?s website at http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/JNJ/2686814943x0x644760/85FD0CFF-2305-4A02-8294-2E47D0F31850/JNJ2012annualreport.pdf

1. For any question requesting a number you should write a number that makes sense. For example, consider if you were asked how much are the company?s total assets, total liabilities and shareholder?s equity as of December 31, 2011, your answer would be correct if you indicated that Total Assets as of December 31, 2010 were = to $113,644,000,000 or $113 Billion $644 Million or $113,644 (in Millions). It would be incorrect to indicate that total assets equal $113,644.

2. In regards to the balance sheet of Johnson and Johnson, our textbook refers on page 12 to the amount by which assets exceed liabilities as owner?s equity. Our textbook also suggests that this amount is often referred to as residual equity?that is the equity ?left over? after creditors? claims are satisfied. Corporations such as Johnson and Johnson most often use the term shareholder?s equity or stockholder?s equity to describe this amount. It is just another way to say the same thing. We will find quite a bit of this in accounting, that is, more than one term that describes the same thing. It?s no big deal. It?s just the way it is. Learning accounting is like learning a new language, the language of business. Once you learn the language it will seem easy.

3. Our textbook on page 23 states that ?the income statement lists revenues first, followed by expenses. Finally the statement shows net income (or net loss). When revenues exceed expenses, net income results. When expenses exceed revenues, a net loss results.? While our textbook refers to this statement as an income statement, Johnson and Johnson calls it a statement of earnings. A statement of earnings is just another name given by some companies to their income statement. Companies like Johnson and Johnson which call their ?income statement? a ?statement of earnings? are also likely to label the amount by which revenues exceeds expenses, ?net earnings? rather than ?net income?. Both terms are acceptable. As mentioned above in Note 3 in regards to the synonymous terms: ?stockholder?s equity and shareholder?s equity,? it is just another way to say the same thing.

Research Analysis- 2 pages

Read the following research study and complete a Research Analysis Assignment by writing according to the outline below.

Hart, B. and Risley, T. (2003).The early catastrophe: The 30 million word gap by Age 3. American Educator. Spring.

http://www.aft.org/pubs-reports/american_educator/spring2003/catastrophe.html

Follow this format when you write the Research Analysis Assignment:

1. Research Problem:
-- What are the research questions? Is a hypothesis being tested? If so, what is it?

2. Literature Review:
What general field of knowledge does this study research? Examples could include: Research on Teacher Effectiveness, Research on Self-Reflective Learning, Research on Gender Differences in Mathematics Performance, etc.
List three key points from the studys literature review that help the reader understand what is already known about the subject and the purpose of this study in light of other studies. Cite at least one study used by the author for each of the three points you list.

3. Research Design:
Classify the research design (experimental, correlational, descriptive, etc).
Describe the method(s) of data collection.
Describe the method(s) of data analysis.

4. Findings:
Briefly describe the outcomes of the research. (In this section you should summarize the results in general terms; you do not have to supply large amounts of statistical data from the article.)

5. Limitations:
What are the limitations of this research?
Can the outcome(s) be generalized or transferred to groups outside of this study?

6. Implications for Practice:
What ways can you apply the findings from this study into your own professional practice?

Dear Essaytown:
I: Requesting ? a professional grant writer to write at masters level - Proposal to request money from the FEDERAL Government to consider EDUCATIONAL POLICIES to teach young people about Arabs, Muslims, and the prejudice against both. It requires knowledge of PRIGMORE ATHERTON MODEL of Policy Analysis to write this particular proposal research order.

2: Requesting your professional writer to contact me once my custom proposal research order has been delivered to the writer. Contact me once you receive this order because I will have additional information I need to share with you prior to the start of the writing process.


Below please find additional information/instruction.
1): - Proposal paper is to be doubled-spaced.
- Requesting 10 pages plus Footnoted; plus one APA style with works sited page.
- The number of cited sources ? as many as it requires which will result in the proposal being voted on by congress.
- * Place within brackets lower case HEADINGS of each dimension

2): Under the umbrella Equality of Opportunity
write about the issue of Anti-Arab ? Anti-Muslim: This is basically a post 9/11 issue, keeping in mind that many Arabs are not Muslim and most Muslims are not Arab yet some groups have faced the backlash of a nation in crisis.

The following are questions you are to be considering while creating this custom proposal paper: Are Arabs & Muslim treated as Americans if Citizens or legal residents? What forms do discrimination take? To what extent were people?s civil rights violated? What does our constitution tell us about protection & rights?

3): My own recommendations is to consider educational policies to teach young people about Arabs, Muslims, prejudice against both with federal funding.

Within this proposal paper you are to submit a paper consisting of and merge the following dimensions:

KNOWLEDGE:
A) Define the problem. Tell me what
the problem is that you want to solve.

B): include your Applied Social Research is absolutely required & give me data,
the evidence that there is a problem; provide statistical data demonstrating
the seriousness of the problem. If there is a crime ?
then How does it compare to last year? The year before?
Supply Statistical data.

C) Using Applied Social Research: What is the history of the problem?
When did it start? Has there always been a problem with how USA deals with
the problem? What is the story of how it became a problem?

D) It is vital that you: Review of expert & scholarly opinion on solving the
problem. What do the experts have to say about a realistic problem
solving plan.

E): More knowledge is to provide: Are there any innovated models similar to my recommendations in which we can include in our paper as our guide to solving the problem?
Are there any innovated models out there already using educational policies to teach young people at Ant-Arab & Anti-Muslim? If so ? list them.
Provide expert knowledge listing any innovated models that have successfully dealt with the problem I have defined.

F): Give detail description of my own recommendations.
In detail explain why I believe my recommendation is a practical solution.
which I have already shared with you ? To consider educational
policies to teach young people about Arabs, Muslims, prejudice
against both with federal funding.

Critical to writing this proposal to request federal funding is for your expert professional writer to have knowledge about the Policy Analysis of PRIGMORE ATHERTON MODEL: from this model you are to included Prigmore Atherton DIMENSIONS:

1): KNOWLEGE issues, requires applied social research on your part. Supply expert data: What do we know about the problem I defined? ? problem defined: anti-Arab anti-Muslim.
Are many are there? How do they distribute? Where are they? Are they urban or rural? Are they mayflower generation or immigrants who arrived 20 years ago?

2): Part of this knowledge is listing any innovated models that have successfully dealt with the problem. How do they deal with it? Who pays for it? Is it paid for by the government, does that mean we raise your taxes? How much is it going to cost? Progressive tax, recessive tax? What is the plan?

3) COST issues: Federal funding: How am I going to pay for my recommendation, my solution to the problem? If paid for by the government, How? Raise taxes? What type of tax? Will congress vote for this cost or vote it down?
Cost issues: My solution ? is it financial practical? Provide specific details of your cost plan.

To EssayTown Professional writer ? Value dimension of PRIGMORE ATHERTON MODEL is CRITICAL and is CENTRAL to having congress vote on our proposal and it requires you to think critically and be creative in deciding which value you chose.

4) VALUE ISSUE: what values do I chose that allow me to sell this to the American People and to the politicians ? so it can get voted on.
Value is vital to include within this paper. It is sort of the ?spin? you place on it all that allows you to sell it to congress without it being ?shot down.? Let me give you an example of a value that was presented to congress.
Dr. Francis Townsend, he organized things called Townsend Clubs. He was saying we want the government ? Through its tax money ? to give 200 dollars a month to every person over the age of 65 ? he said this back in 1935.
And the only thing those people need to do is they have to commit to spending it within a month or else they don?t get it. The ideas was we subsidize old people and we stimulate the economy b/c they have to spend it. And that will energize the business community.

The problem here is to be alerted to the ?Law of Unintentional Circumstances?. It might have been a good idea ? although it was not voted on ? so what good was his proposal in the end?

People were saying to congress you have to do something yes, and guess what we visited Europe and we agree with way Europe is dealing with this issue and this is what they do there to solve the problem and lets? do it that way here.
Why didn?t Dr. F. Townsend proposal work?
It was a real interesting question of Americans believe in Work Ethic (a value).
Believe in individual responsibility, Family Values (a value) Shouldn?t the family take care of their own? The government shouldn?t do this!

So when you are being creative ? please remember it is vital that you think hard about selecting a value ? A value that once you present your proposal to congress ? the members will have their voices paralyzes and will not have any leg to stand on. Our goal here is to avoid being ?shot down? by congress.

5: Power/interest: Who do you want on your side, is there a way to persuade the people of congress who oppose you to join you?

E): * Each dimension must have an individual headings placed in brackets lower case. Must indicate within brackets that each issue has been addressed.
For example:
{define} then go ahead to define the problem.

{evidence} Provide me with applied social research data,
the evidence that there is a problem; provide statistical data demonstrating that others have define the problem as well.

{history} What is the history of the problem?

Continue until all dimensions are addressed including PRIGMORE ATHERTON MODEL
& its dimensions. Must indicate within brackets that each ISSUE has been addressed.

Please contact me as soon as you have received my custom proposal research order.

This is an admission essay for applying graduate school. I just graduated from UCLA this summer, majoring in Mathematics/Applied Science-Actuarial Plan. (Major courses I took: 1.Linear Algebra 2.Applied Numerical Methods 3. Optimization 4. Probability Theory 5.Microeconomic Theory 6. Macroeconomic Theory 7. Money and Banking 8. Public Finance 9 History of Economic Theory.10.Mathematical Finance 11. Ordinary Differential Equations.)
I'm applying for University of Toronto, Canada, for a graduate program: Master of Mathematical Finance.
I am a foreign student from China in US, I was working as an assistant manager for a marketing company during my junior and senior years in UCLA, also working as a math tutor in UCLA for calculus level courses.
Here is the essay requirements:1.Applicants should submit a written statement of approximately 300 words outlining their objectives for entering the program. Applicants should also explain how their background is appropriate.2.Applicants must also show evidence of strong mathematical ability. Appropriate workplace experience will be considered in lieu of formal education. Because I don?t have an outstanding GPA (2.9), so please emphasize more on my working experience, such as by making up some appropriate working experiences relative to the program I am applying. Here is the Admission Requirements, just for reference, Admission to the program is competitive. Those accepted into the program will normally have achieved a standing considerably higher than the minimum mid-B standing or have demonstrated exceptional ability through appropriate workplace experience. In all cases, candidates must satisfy the admissions committee of their ability to do rigorous quantitative analysis at an advanced level. Please let them sense my passion and great interest in getting to this program!

Here is the rough draft I wrote for your reference:

I have always been interested in the application of mathematics in the field of finance. Therefore, while I was only declaring Mathematics as major in my two years at the University of California, Los Angeles, I have prepared rigorously to improve my conversance of finance by taking statistical economic and finance courses that bridged between mathematics and economics. While in college, I have also taken a job as an Assistant Manager to a marketing and consulting firm. During my two years at the Sias Marketing Group, I have put the theories into practice through various company projects. In these projects, I was often in charge of putting together the statistical data for analysis and further examination. In analyzing these marketing data with the senior management of the corporation, I gained valuable experience in the practical use of mathematics in combination with economic theories. The Mathematical Finance program at the University of Toronto is known for its excellence in research and its emphasis on the practical application of mathematics in finance. This program would provide exactly what I needed, great mathematical education and the first hand experience of theory in practice. I hope that my education and the experience in finance would qualify me for a chance to capture the crown jewel of the world of mathematical finance.

Go to a local store that sells store brands or off-brand consumer products. Choose any off-brand consumer product that you want to reposition into a national brand. To qualify as a product for this assignment, the consumer product should not be currently represented by an advertising campaign. (A quick Google search, as well as the absence of ads for the product in your daily life, is one way that you can verify a products lack of an associated major advertising campaign). For this assignment, you will be creating an advertising campaign to launch this off-brand product to national prominence. Determine whether you wish to mimic an existing advertising campaign or whether you wish to create a completely unique campaign altogether to launch the selected product.
Go to the following pages of the United States Census Bureaus Website and locate information regarding the market segment that the selected product is geared toward:

American Fact Finder: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t
2012 National Population Projections: Summary Tables: http://www.census.gov/population/projections/data/national/2012/summarytables.html
Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

Briefly (one [1] paragraph) describe:
whether the product is a low, medium, or high involvement product.
the perceived quality signals for the product (e.g.: price, advertising intensity, warranties).
whether you are mimicking an existing campaign or building your own and the reason for your choice.
Provide statistical data from the U.S. Census on the size of the market segment to which the advertisement will be geared toward. Using the summary tables, determine if this market segment has grown over the past ten (10) years, and project if it will continue to grow within the next ten (10) years. Analyze three (3) factors affecting this market segment, as well as how these factors are changing the segments purchasing behavior for this product.
Determine which reference groups influence this market segment. Strategize which diffusion rate is most appropriate for this product to move it into national prominence. Determine diffusion determinants and diffusion inhibitors for this product using Table 7-3 in Chapter 7. Recommend a diffusion enhancement strategy that incorporates reference groups for this product.
Develop characteristics of the product that you want to promote in your advertising campaign using Table 10-2 in Chapter 10.
Determine which dimension best suits the selected product, and build a promotion-focused or prevention-focused campaign.
Determine whether the selected product will have a high or low involvement learning need. Develop a strategy for consumers to rediscover the selected product, using Table 9-1 in Chapter 9 as a guide.
Map out the impact of lifestyle on consumer behavior, using Figure 12-2 in Chapter 12 to assist you. Determine if there will be an increase or decrease in purchases or consumption. Evaluate how these factors affect consumption.
Evaluate your campaign for the selected product and its effect on problem recognition.
Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the students name, the professors name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Formulate marketing strategy and actions that influence the consumer decision process for targeted market segments and foster customer satisfaction.
Analyze key social and external factors to determine the impact on consumer behavior and the changes needed in marketing strategy.
Apply the concepts of perception, learning, and memory theories to develop an integrated marketing strategy that influences consumer behavior.
Apply the concepts of motivation, personality, and emotion to analyze consumer behavior and develop a responsive marketing strategy.
Integrate consumer psychographics, situational factors, and purchase involvement into the design of marketing strategy.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in consumer behavior.
Write clearly and concisely about consumer behavior using proper writing mechanics.

Mental Disorder

In April 2007, Cho Seung-Hui went on a shooting spree and killed 33 people at the Virginia Tech Campus. He later mailed a video to NBC News where he presented himself as a persecuted martyr in a rambling and paranoid multimedia message.

In December 2005, a Virginia judge had considered Cho as an imminent danger to himself and the judge found Cho to be mentally ill.

Using South University Online Library or the Internet, research and read more about the above-mentioned case as well as other similar cases. Based on your understanding, answer the following:

?How often are mentally ill patients involved in serious crimes?

?Is there statistical data showing a correlation between mental illness and criminal behavior?

?Give an example of another mentally ill person involved in serious crime. Discuss the details of his or her crime.

?Can Cho Seung-Hui's act and the act of the person in the chosen example be attributed to mental illness? Why? Explain and provide a rationale for your answer.

?What preventions can be taken to ensure that people like Cho Seung-Hui, who have already been considered mentally ill, do not commit such crimes?

As we were ringing in the New Year and watching the ball drop on television, little did we realize that a bombshell was soon to drop on our family. My mother received a phone call and we soon saw her cheery face change to gloom. She later told us that my uncles wife walked out on him and took his daughter along with her. She explained how my uncle and his wife were going to file for a divorce. She told us that the primary reason for the divorce was his wifes lack of understanding due to her problems with depression. We were totally shocked because divorce was unheard of in our family and it was considered taboo since it went against our strict East-Indian culture and beliefs. Moreover, we never knew that my aunt was suffering from depression. We were shocked to hear of the news, especially since they were married for 24 years and they seemed like a picture-perfect family. As I witnessed my uncles divorce process unfold over the last few months, I could see the emotional and physical toll it took on him. He became very sad and dejected and was deeply saddened because his only child also turned against him on her mothers behest. Day by day, he was becoming increasingly depressed with the tensions and stress of the divorce. However, on recommendation by his doctor, he saw a family therapist. The family therapist helped him to deal with the emotional implications of his divorce as well as help his 14-year-old daughter view her father in an objective manner. I feel that if the therapist had intervened earlier, he perhaps could have saved their marriage and family.

Family therapy not only helped my uncle, but it has also helped me. Family counseling helped me better deal with family conflict as an adolescent growing up in two distinctly different cultures. During my high school years, arguments between my mother and I grew from bad to worse; we were arguing about everything from grades to dating. I always felt that she was too strict with me and did not allow me to exercise my freedom. She was unhappy that I did not conform to the stereotypical image of an East-Indian girl. I could not understand her perspective and she could not understand mine. Finally, the arguments became so bad that we sought the help of a family counselor to resolve our conflicts. The family counselor resolved our conflicts by getting each of us to understand the others point of view. She made me understand how my mother was brought up in a different environment than myself, and she made my mother understand that she could not expect me to totally conform to my native culture as I was living amidst two different cultures. Through the process of self-introspection and contemplation of the people and circumstances surrounding us, the counselors intervention helped us to better understand each other by helping us to bridge the communication gap that existed between us. When most of my East-Indian friends were choosing a career in medicine, engineering, or computer science, I chose to pursue a psychology major in college because of my drive and interest in exploring human relationships. The success of family counseling in saving my relationship with my mother and the therapists role in helping my uncle deal with his divorce and the separation from his child, however, motivated me to seek a career in Marriage and Family Therapy.

My undergraduate experience as a psychology major prepared me well to tackle challenging studies by developing my analytical, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking skills. Analyzing case studies in my psychology courses enabled me to analyze situations from different perspectives, leading to a refined method of thinking that has helped me to interact better with my college peers as well as develop good interpersonal communication skills. My work as a research assistant in a cognitive psychology lab in my senior year gave me experience in encoding and analyzing data as well as provided me experience in using analytical tests and interpreting statistical data. Bookkeeping of participants demographic information also further developed my organizational skills. Having been a research assistant, I have gained a reasonable understanding of research design and statistics to conduct research. For my senior major project, I wrote a research paper on an empirical study that investigated the role of change detection in studies of visual attention in the field of cognitive psychology. This paper was awarded the Sharon Borine award for the best major project in Psychology that term because of its adherence to APA (American Psychology Association) guidelines, and for my successful demonstration of conveying my research on paper. I strongly believe my research experience will help me be successful in conducting graduate research and the success of my research paper demonstrating my strong written skills will ensure me success in writing graduate research papers.

My volunteer work of packaging meals at Feed My Starving Children developed in me a keen sense of awareness and understanding regarding lifes fragility and a renewed appreciation of my simple comforts. My volunteer work at senior centers, convalescent homes, and assisted living centers allowed me to entertain seniors and assist them in their daily living activities. Interacting with elderly residents in these facilities provided me a chance to interact and communicate with individuals who were not in my age-group, invoking a type of sensitivity towards individuals who were different from me and who were faced with challenging circumstances.

I am interested in pursuing this career path because I would like to enrich the lives of families by helping them to resolve relationship difficulties by helping them to adjust to the changing dynamics of the family as they face challenging situations. I also would like to help kids from multicultural families to resolve family issues by promoting understanding and by providing ways to cope with family conflicts and difficult challenges in a peaceful manner. Thus, at Saint Marys, I hope to focus on families who are facing severe mental illnesses and emotional disorders, couples facing crises, and parent and child conflict, with an emphasis on how relationships change between parents and children as children approach adolescence. My long-term goal is to become a licensed marriage and family therapist and work in either a community mental health center, or a social and human services agency. I feel that the accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program at Saint Marys University will prepare me well to become a licensed marriage and family therapist because it offers a clinical practicum with direct clinical service contact with couples and families. This will provide me with the practical experience necessary to diagnose and treat individuals, couples, and families with clinical problems and the specifically designed coursework will provide me with a greater understanding of the application of proper interventions to help resolve relationship problems between family members. Finally, this program will also allow me the opportunity to utilize my psychology background so I can learn more about the mental, emotional, and behavioral aspects of individuals within the context of the family.
(1183 words total)





The following is what is required by St. Mary's University.
A Personal Statement: All applicants must submit a personal statement that includes the following:
- A brief description of the applicant's background, training, and experience;
- A statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his/her reasons for seeking admission to this program;
- A description of the areas that the applicant considers to be his/her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities;and personal information the applicant wishes to share.

Hamline Postbaccalaureate Paralegal Certificate Personal Statement of Career and Educational Goals

Naveena Koka


As we were ringing in the New Year and watching the ball drop on television, little did we realize that a bombshell was soon to drop on our family. My mother received a phone call and we soon saw her cheery face change to gloom. She later told us that my uncles wife walked out on him and took his daughter along with her. She explained how my uncle and his wife were going to file for a divorce after 24 years of marriage. As I witnessed my uncles divorce process unfold over the last few months, I could see the emotional and physical toll that the legal ramifications of the divorce took on him. The legal proceedings of battling over child support and custody to property settlements in my uncles divorce, however, aroused my interest in family law and my interest to pursue a postbaccalaureate paralegal certificate.

My undergraduate experience at the University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts as a psychology major prepared me to tackle challenging studies by developing my analytical, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking skills. Analyzing case studies in my psychology courses enabled me to analyze situations from different perspectives, leading to a refined method of thinking that has helped me to interact better with my college peers as well as develop good interpersonal communication skills, which are necessary for legal studies. My work as a research assistant in a cognitive psychology lab in my senior year gave me experience in encoding and analyzing data as well as provided me experience in using analytical tests and interpreting statistical data. Bookkeeping of participants demographic information also further developed my organizational skills. Having been a research assistant, I have gained a reasonable understanding of research design and statistics to conduct research. For my senior major project, I wrote a research paper on an empirical study that investigated the role of change detection in studies of visual attention in the field of cognitive psychology. This paper was awarded the Sharon Borine award for the best major project in Psychology that term because of its adherence to APA (American Psychology Association) guidelines, and for my successful demonstration of conveying my research on paper. I believe my research experience will help me in conducting legal research and the success of my research paper demonstrating my strong written skills will be essential for me when I have to create legal documents.


My volunteer work of packaging meals at Feed My Starving Children developed in me a keen sense of awareness and understanding regarding the fragility of human life and a renewed appreciation of my simple comforts. My volunteer work at senior centers, convalescent homes, and assisted living centers allowed me to entertain seniors and assist them in their daily living activities. Interacting with elderly residents in these facilities provided me a chance to interact and communicate with individuals who were not in my age-group, invoking a type of sensitivity towards individuals who were different from me and who were faced with challenging circumstances.

Like my volunteer work opened up my eyes to the realities of the world, similarly, I would like to open my eyes to the realities of the law profession and to the realities that lawyers have to face beyond the glamorized images painted by television serials. I believe the experience that I gain as a paralegal will allow me to witness firsthand what lawyers do and how they do it by giving me an opportunity to work closely alongside lawyers to assist them in their professional activities. Since my long-term goal is to become a lawyer, I think that my experience as a paralegal will not only give me valuable law-related experience, but it will also help me to save up for law school, as well as help me to decide whether law school is right for me.

After researching other paralegal certificate programs, I feel that the paralegal certificate program at Hamline is by far the best in meeting my educational and career goals. The Postbaccalaureate Paralegal Certificate program at Hamline will allow me to continue my education in a liberal arts university. It will offer me a high-quality legal education because of its highly accredited law school, and the knowledgeable faculty comprising of law professors, experienced paralegals, and lawyers will provide me with the expertise and high quality of teaching that I seek for. I not only look forward to the excellent resources that Hamline offers, but also to the enriching learning experiences of working alongside highly competent lawyers and law students.

10 quotations
10 parentheticals
Vaccinating for West Niles Virus in horses
Origin for West Niles Virus
Critical thinking for prevention of West Niles Virus
Critical thinking for reason for increase or decrease in statistical data.

Short Paper: Hypothesis and Conclusion

Choose one of the scientific methods of research inquiry (survey, interview, observation, statistical data collection, etc) and write a short hypothesis and conclusion, based on your method of inquiry. Your point of focus must be centered on the professional practices of criminal justice practitioners. For example, you could propose a hypothesis that focuses on whether law enforcement is better equipped to handle terrorism post 9-11 or whether airline safety has improved since the attacks of 9-11, etc. Your paper must include the hypothesis, content that outlines what method you chose and how you gathered your evidence and a conclusion. The paper should be no more than 3 pages in length.

Research paper. A six-page, double-spaced paper. The title of my paper was selected from Applied HRM Research, 2003, Volume 8, Number 2, 51-62. The Research paper will be graded on content, clarity and overall quality of work. The following is the format for the Research Paper: introduction, methodology, results (hypothesis retained or rejected and provide statistical data from the study), and a summary.