Alreck, P., & Settle, R. (2011). The survey research handbook (3rd ed.) New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Alreck's book offers an effective method in research. The book is a very powerful way to acquire information focused directly and immediately on the decisions and problems of today and those of the future. In addition, the handbook provides the methods and guidelines for conducting practical, economical surveys from start to finish.

This resource is particularly valuable for its practicality. In this information age, data is an important asset for today's organizations. In many instances to better assess risk data is needed. Particularly for system institutions such as banks risk is often more important than financial, technical, or human resources. Survey research is a very powerful way to acquire information focused directly and immediately on the decisions and problems of today and those that might occur in the future.

Andrews, R.D. & Walters, R.P. (2008). From questions to answers: Principles and methods of quantitative research (4th ed.). Allen, TX: High Ground Press.

This text introduces the fundamental elements of quantitative and qualitative research. The book helps with the overall comprehension of qualitative methods. Topics include an introduction into qualitative research, comparisons between qualitative and quantitative research, sampling, ethical guidelines and more. Backed by real world experience, with quantitative research, the authors provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of common research questions.

In regards to overall risk assessment, this material is a complete comprehensive overview of research and its principal application. The theories imbedded within the material are cited by numerous professional within the field of research and analysis. In addition, many of these principles and concepts have real world implications within a litany of fields.

Bernard, L. (2011). A risk assessment framework for evaluating software-as-a-service

(SaaS) cloud services before adoption (Master's thesis). University of Maryland. Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database (UMI No. 3482543)

The literature explains in detail how Software-as-a-service is proliferating throughout the technology world. The author explains the merits behind the new paradigm shift towards cloud computing and its implications for overall business. In addition, the author explains many of the risks embedded within businesses that are late to adopt the processes and benefits of SAAS. Finally the author concludes with many of the security risks entrenched within the overall SAAS framework. Particularly, due to rapid adoption, many firms risk client's personal information and data.

In regards to risk assessment, this literature proves invaluable. For one, the literature provides readers with a thorough understanding of the future of technology. This framework provides structure in regards to overall risk assessment as technology is the primary catalyst for risk in the information age. As such, the author provides valuable information as to how firms can help mitigate risk within the context of their business operations.

Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

This literature provides a comprehensive comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Unlike other research textbooks, for all three approaches, the author includes a preliminary consideration of philosophical assumptions, a review of the literature, and an assessment of the use of theory in research approach. In addition the author provides reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly research. Finally, the text presents key elements of the overall research process, using numerous examples for each approach.

In regards to risk assessment, this text provides all the needed information to tools to guide quantitative proposals. Each chapter provides ample information and content that can immediately be applied to assessing risk. The information is both accessible and inviting.

Davenport, T.H. (2005). Thinking for a Living: How to Get Better Performance and results from knowledge workers. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

This literature is based on extensive research involving over 100 companies and more than 600 knowledge workers. This literature is particularly attractive to readers as it provides rich insights into how knowledge workers think, how they accomplish tasks, and what motivates them to excel. The author, Davenport classifies four major categories of knowledge workers in a very simple and comprehensive manner. He then presents a framework for matching specific types of workers with the management strategies that yield the greatest performance.

This matching concept is particularly useful for large organizations with global reach. In many instances, management will need to identify the best style to achieve the best results for the individual employee. This reference was all written by what many consider, the industry thought leader on the subject of motivation. This material...

(1973). Management: Tasks, responsibilities, practices. New York, NY:
Harper-Collins Publishers Inc.

The author, Peter F. Drucker, is considered the most influential management thinker ever. Drucker authored more than twenty-five books in his career. As such, this piece of literature is filled with numerous real world implications and examples of management. The literature is filled completely with case studies and stories. The literature therefore has much credibility in regards to the applications of his theory. The book is also very exhaustive as it covers a wide array of topics including ethics, management ability, tasks, and employee relations. Drucker attempts to fully equip management with the understanding of how to perform well in today's economy and that of the future as well.

This material is essential for a general understanding of management. It provides an overview that is unparalleled in regards to management theory and application. This text is very easy to grasp and understand as well.

Du, H., & Cong, Y. (2010). Cloud computing, accounting, auditing, and beyond:

Certified public accountant. The CPA Journal, 50(10), 66-70. Retrieved from ProQuest (Document ID: 814876588).

This material covers the use of cloud computing and how its impacts the accounting industry. The material covers many of the more common issues associated with cloud computing as it relates to the accounting profession. Examples include security issues with storing audits and other financial data within the cloud.

The material, although very informative, caters too much to the accounting profession. Although this narrow focus does have its appeal to specific groups, those who are unfamiliar with the accounting profession would not acclimate to the material. In addition, the material is very general in regards to its observations and insights

Gordon, T. (1970). Parent effectiveness training (P.E.T.). New York, NY: Three Rivers press.

This piece of literature is very informative in regards to the overall concept of parenting. This book is highly regarded as the most proven parenting program in the world. The text teaches parents how to effectively communicate with the children. In addition, it provides step-by-step advice on how to resolve many of the more common family conflicts. The book is unique in that it attempts to resolve conflicts in a mutually beneficial manner as oppose to that of an authoritarian manner. In addition, the book highlights many downfalls and traps parents fall into. Aspects such as being permissive or too submissive are elaborated on in detail.

The book itself offers a comprehensive approach to parenting that is easily accessible. In addition, the book uses a step-by-step approach that allows parents to easy grasp the meaning of certain stages. The text also allows for a certain degree of flexibility in regards to its application. The phases are general enough to allow parents to apply them at their discretion, while also being specific enough to generate results. It is due to this simplicity that this book has garnered so much praise.

Hersey, P., Blanchard, K.H. & Johnson, D.E. (2001). Management of organizational behavior: Leading human resources (8th ed.). Upper saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the applied behavioral sciences. In addition, this book also focuses on fundamental application of behavioral sciences in academic, business, not-for-profit and administrative environments. This book is unique its presentation of the material. The text provides a complete coverage of motivation and behavior, situational leadership. The text also covers many subjective aspects such as building effective relationships, planning and implementing change, leadership strategies. Many of these topics are very subjective, with very little concrete data or instructions to support them. The text however provides ample support to the reader in regards to application and integration. For example, the text describes how individuals can integrate situational leadership with the Classics.

This text is ideal for those individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of, and proficiency in leadership strategies. It covers a wide range of subjective topics with clarity. Although there is little concrete evidence and instruction, the text does provide general theory that can be altered depending on the situation.

Hersey, P., Blanchard, K.H. & Johnson, D.E. (2008). Management of organizational behavior: Leading human resources (9th ed.). Upper saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

This text is an expanded version of the 8th edition mentioned directly above. The book retains many of its subjective concepts and theories. However, the 9th addition adds addition chapters of ethics, behavioral sciences. The text also has many more case studies within it to help the reader in regards to comprehension and application.

Although this text is a slight improvement over the 8th edition mentioned above, the text is very…