Research Korner: Sample Research Proposals

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: The Impact of Prosopis Juliflora on Local Desert Plants

RESEARCH PROPOSAL The Impact of Prosopis Juliflora on Local Desert Plants   This paper discusses in detail the research proposal on the impact of P. juliflora (mesquite tree) on local desert plants. In particular, the research will focus on the allelopathic influence of mesquite trees. In this research proposal, the background, context and theme of the study are presented; the objectives of the study and the research statements are formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated. Finally, the scope and limitation of the study, methodology to be used and the significance of the research are discussed.   Introduction Mesquite pods are among the earliest known foods of prehistoric man in the new world (Duke, 1983). Pods are made into gruels, which are sometimes fermented to make a mesquite wine. The leaves can be used for forage. The wood is used for parquet floors, furniture, and turnery items, fencepost, pilings, as a substrate for producing single-cell protein, but most of all for fuel. Toasted seeds are added to coffee. The bark is rich in tannin, which is used for roofing. The gum forms an adhesive mucilage, used as an emulsifying agent. Gum is used in confectionary and mending pottery. Roots contain 6–7% tannin, which might discourage Rhizobia. Mesquite juice is cathartic, cyanogenetic, discutient, emetic, stomachic, and vulnerary; it is a folk remedy for catarrh, colds, diarrhea, dysentery, excrescences, eyes, flu, headcold, hoarseness, inflammation, itch, measles, pinkeye, stomachache, sore throat, and wounds (Duke & Wain, 1981). Mesquite flower contains (Per 100 g): 21.0 g protein, 3.2 g fat, 65.8 g total carbohydrate, 15.5 g fiber, 10.0 g ash, 1,310 mg Ca, and 400 mg P. The leaves contain 19.0 g protein, 2.9 g fat, 69.6 g total carbohydrate, total carbohydrate, 21.6 g fiber, 8.5 g ash, 2,080 mg Ca, and 220 g P. Fruits contain 13.9 g protein, 3.0 g fat, 78.3 g total carbohydrate, 27.7 g fiber, and 4.8 g ash. Seeds contain (ZMB) 65.2 g protein, 7.8 g fat, 21.8 g total carbohydrate, 2.8 g fiber, and 5.2 g ash. (FAO, 1981). Another analysis of the fruit shows 14.35% water (hygroscopic), 1.64% oil, 16.36% starch, 30.25% glucose, 0.85% nitrogenous material, 5.81% tannin-like material, 3.5% mineral salts, and 27.24% cellulose. Mesquite gum readily hydrolyses with dilute sulfuric acid to yield L-arabinose and D-galactose and 4-o-methyl-D-glucuronic acid at 4:2:1. Owing to the high content of arabinose, the gum is an excellent source of sugar. Roots contain 6.7% tannin, bark 3–8.4%, and dry wood 0.9%. The alkaloids 5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptamine are reported from this species (Simpson, 1977). P. juliflora have been introduced to Oman for shade, decorative, food for domestic animals and pasture. Vigorous growth, prolific seed production and effective seed dispersal enables P. juliflora to strongly compete with, and to some extent, eliminate native vegetation. P. juliflora may also change the fuel load in plant communities. The changed structure and fire regimes of the habitat is likely to adversely impact on both native vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. P. juliflora was introduced to Salalah in Oman in the mid-seventies. In 20 years, P. juliflora has spread just from a few trees and now occurs throughout the 1 million ha. Mesquite was spread by ruminants which ingest seeds and excrete them in manure. Manure is a common source of fertilizer for agriculture. With high content of hard seed, passage through the digestive system of ruminants acts to scarify seed. Mesquite was found to be well adapted to environment with high moisture such as drainage lines, irrigation canals, bridge inlets and outlets and irrigated farm lands. Mesquite causes many serious problems. It competes with native plants, eventually killing them; large quantities of pods are consumed and excreted in manure as only the pods are palatable to livestock and not the leaves; very high pods production occurs e.g. 3.34 kg per tree ensuring rapid spread, with seedling germination at very high densities forming thickets; and the seeds can be transported long distances by goat and sheep, and by water to favorable sites some distance away. The primary purpose of achievement of Directorate General of Nature Reserves at Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources is to protect not only the local wildlife and its components from human activities but also from other organisms including animals and plants. After habitat loss, invasive or exotic species are considered the greatest threat to the preservation of natural resources. Additionally, more than one million acres of Oman land are infested by exotic invasive plant species. Large numbers of exotic plants such as the Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) invade native plants; they compete with, and displace many native species. With this, the researcher finds the necessity to study the harmful impact of mesquite trees on other plants. In this study, P. juliflora’s  allelopathic effects on other plants’ rate of germination and growth in terms of root, shoot and seedling will be determined. Allelopathy in trees and forests is an important health care issue (Coder, 1999). Allelopathy is the chemical modification of the site by an individual to enhance interference effectiveness. Allelopathy also involves the ecological communications between species which can positively or negatively influence growth, behavior, reproduction, and survival of associated species. According to El Fadl (1997), in his investigation of the potential allelopathic effect of P. juliflora on agricultural crop seed germination and seedling growth, aqueous leaf extracts of the tree contain substances that inhibit sorghum, pearl millet and sesame seed germination and retard seedling development when applied at concentrations greater than 5%. However, the crop biomass production increased with increasing amounts of P. juliflora litter in the soil. Based on El fadl’s (1997) study, it is unlikely that P. juliflora produces harmful levels of potentially allelopathic substances, and hence it is suggested that this tree can be successfully intercropped in agroforestry systems. The study showed that the use of P. juliflora in agroforestry has a great potential for rural people in a region very vulnerable to drought and famine. Risk minimisation should not be viewed only through increasing the agricultural crop productivity; even more importantly, the pod production is of paramount importance especially during times of scarcity of fodder and food El Fadl (1997). The study will consider the many benefits of mesquite trees on the ecology. However, it will be necessary to present its other side. This research will be divided into five chapters. In Chapter 1, the nature of the problem, background of the study, research objectives and methodologies will be presented. Chapter 2 will review previous studies on P. juliflora. The third chapter will discuss the methodologies that will be utilized. The fourth chapter will present the result of the experiment. Finally, Chapter 5 will provide significant conclusions and insightful recommendations.  Research Statement General Purpose of the Study Generally, the purpose of the research is to conduct an experimental study on determining the effects of mesquite on local desert trees. The research will also conduct a gene-mapping of mesquite and determine the allelopathic effect of mesquite trees on local desert plants. Research Questions To support the aforementioned fundamental purpose, the research will specifically attempt to answer the following questions: 1.    In general, what are the effects of mesquite trees on local wild life? 2.    Specifically, what are the effects of mesquite trees on local desert trees? 3.    In what way do mesquite trees affect local desert trees? 4.    What are the measures done by Omani authorities in addressing the mesquite problem? Overall Research Aim             The project primarily aims to explore the nature of mesquite trees and to present their benefits as well their harm on the ecology. Objectives             To carry out the overall aim, the following aims will be realized: 1.    Assessment and evaluation of the benefits and harms of mesquite trees on the environment. 2.    Review of related literature on P. juliflora and its allelopathic influence on local desert trees and gene-mapping.  3.    Conducting a laboratory experiment to determine the allelopathic effects of mesquite trees on desert trees. 4.    Generation of significant conclusions and insightful recommendations   Overview of Methodology There are three kinds of research methods, correlational, descriptive and experimental (Walliman and Baiche, 2001). The correlational research refers to studies in which the purpose is to discover relationships between variables through the use of correlational statistics (r). The square of a correlation coefficient yields the explained variance (r-squared). The descriptive research method uses observation and surveys. In this method, it is possible that the study would be cheap and quick. Finally, the experimental method is the only method that can be used to establish cause-and-effect relationships. (Creswell, 1994) In this method, the subjects are split into two or more groups. One group, called the experimental group gets the treatment that the researcher believes will cause something to happen (this treatment is formally called the independent variable). The experimental and control groups are compared on some variable that is presumed to reflect the effects of the treatment, or outcome. This is formally referred to as the dependent variable. The primary source of data will come from the laboratory experiment that will be conducted by the researcher.  The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from science journals, books and related studies on allelopathic influences of P. juliflora and gene-mapping. For this research design, the researcher will gather data, collate published studies from different local and foreign universities and articles from science journals; and make an analysis of the result of the experiment and collected documentary and verbal material.  Afterwards, the researcher will summarize all the information, make a conclusion based on the null hypotheses posited and provide insightful recommendations on addressing the mesquite tree problem. In assessing and evaluating the overall benefits and harm of mesquite trees on Omani environment, the researcher will personally seek pertinent data from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources. Afterwards, in reviewing the literature, the researcher will gather all relevant literature from libraries and the Internet, organize them according to topic, identify the headings and subheadings, and synthesize the literature. Then, the researcher will identify issues and problems to be addressed in the research. For this study, a laboratory experiment will be conducted. The process will include the test of mesquite tree water extracts on some desert plants in terms of rate and germination percentage and growth rate of root, shoot, and seedling of some desert plants. The researcher will design the experiment processes with the help of the advisor. Finally, with the help of a statistician, the researcher will make the statistical analysis. After gathering the results, a preliminary analysis of the results of the experiment will be conducted. Then the advisor will check the preliminary analysis. Afterwards, the researcher  will conduct detailed analysis of the results.   Objectives for the Experiment 1-    To study the effects of water extracts on the rate and germination percentage of some desert plants. 2-     To study the effects of water extracts on the root growth of some desert plants. 3-    To study the effects of water extracts on the shoot growth of some desert plants. 4-    To study the effects of water extracts on the seedling growth of some desert plants.   Protocol: (Experiment 1) Extract preparation 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Root, stem, leaves, 	flowers, fruits, and seeds of Prosopis juliflora are collected.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Five to ten gram of 	plant material are weighted and soaked in 100ml of distilled water for 24h.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Then homogenized and 	filtered using Whatman No.1 filter paper. </li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Five to ten gram of soil 	sample are collected from under canopy of P.juliflora.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Soils samples are soaked 	in 100 ml distilled water for 24h and after shaking in an electric shaker 	for 30 min, are passed through Wharman No.1 filter paper.  </li> Extract bioassay 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Seeds of each test 	species are scarified.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Seeds are surface 	disinfected with 0.52% NaOCl (sodium hypochlorite) solution for 1 min and 	thoroughly washed in sterilized water and then soaked in test solution for 	4h.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Distilled water is used 	as control.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	The seeds are then 	germinated using sterilized test tube, 20mm in diameter and 180mm long, and 	line with 3.5 ×16 cm strips of Whatman No.1 filter paper folded to form 	channel and 1.5 ml of respective test solution is then added to each test 	tube.  </li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Each treatment is then 	replicated three times with five seeds each. </li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Germination of seeds is 	recorded upon emergence of radical every 24h for 3days.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	The rate of germination 	is estimated by using Khan & Unger (1984) index of germination velocity = 	∑G/t, where G = number of seeds germinated at 2-day intervals, t = total 	germination period. The data are subjected to statistical analysis.</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"></li> Scope and Limitation             This study will only cover the allelopathic impact of P. juliflora on desert plants in Oman. The outcome of this study will be limited only to the data gathered from previous studies on mesquite trees and from the primary data gathered from the result of the laboratory experiment that will be conducted by the researcher. As the research was completed in a relatively short period of time other factors and variables are not considered. This might have an impact on the results of the study.   Significance of the Study             This study will be a significant endeavor in promoting awareness on the harmful side of mesquite trees. This study will be helpful to environmentalists for this will present significant findings on the impact of mesquite trees on local desert trees. Moreover, this study will be an important contribution to a body of research concerning allelopathic influences in plants.   References Coder, K. B. (1999) Allelopathy in trees and forests: A selected bibliography. Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, The University of Georgia. Available at [www.forestry.uga.edu]. Accessed [15/10/03].   Creswell, J.W. (1994) Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Duke, J. A. (1983) Handbook of Energy Crops. Unpublished El Fadl, M. A. (1997). Management of Prosopis juliflora for use in agroforestry systems in the Sudan. University of Helsinki Tropical Forestry Reports 16,  107. FAO (1980) Genetic resources of tree species in arid and semi-arid areas. Rome. Simpson, B. B., ed. (1977) Mesquite, its biology in two desert scrub ecosystems. Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc. Stroudsburg, PA.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: The Impact of Prosopis Juliflora on Local Desert Plants

RESEARCH PROPOSAL The Impact of Prosopis Juliflora on Local Desert Plants This paper discusses in detail the research proposal on t...

Research Proposal for Masters Studies on Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance

Title             The title for the proposed study is Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance.   Background of the Study/Literature Review Motivation at work has been an accepted area of literature for a long time, particularly from the 1930s and on wards (Lee-Ross 2002). Motivation is defined as the process of gratifying the internal needs of individuals via actions and behaviours. It focuses on the complexity of mental and physical drives, joint with the environment which makes the people perform the way they do. Robert Dubin described motivation as the force which moves the person to action, and enables him to continue in the course of action that has already been initiated (cited in Kumar & Sharma 2001). Therefore, without motivation, employee or worker will not contribute to the success of performance of the organization (Agrawal 1995). Employee needs the skills, knowledge and capabilities in order to acquire the results according to the requirements of the organization. However, it is also vital for them to have the will to achieve the said results. The degree of motivation of the employees is connected to their level of commitment towards their work and determination to work based on high standards (Pergamon Flexible Learning 2005).   Aims and Objectives             The main aim of the study is to investigate how motivation can influence job performance of employees. In line with this, the following are the specific objectives of the study: ·         to assess the importance of motivation in an organization; ·         to evaluate the different factors which motivates employees; ·         to analyse how motivation can enhance job performance; and ·         to recommend actions and strategies to be implemented in order to sustain motivation inside the working environment.   Methodology Descriptive method will be used in the study. According to Creswell (1994) it can help in order to show the different facts that are connected with the nature of the status of the current problem or condition as it happens at the time of the study. This is the reason why, it is considered as one of the most applied methodology in most studies. Furthermore, it will also be helpful in order to offer logical use in the studies which focus on dissemination of information, at the same time, it can help in order to investigate based on normative standards. It will be helpful in order to focus on the practices which exist, beliefs and processes that are currently going on and the effects that are being felt and experienced, together with the trends that re currently developing (Best, 1907). The target population will be 200 employees from different sectors and industries. They will be chosen via random selection process. The researcher will first ask for the consent of the companies then the consent of the individual respondents. They will be informed about the nature of the study, and its significance. Survey questionnaire will be used in order to gather primary data from the respondents. Likert scales will be used, where in the respondents will be asked to rate the level of their agreements towards the statements given. This will also be advantageous because it will make filling up questionnaire a lot easier and faster. The equivalent weights of the answers are:    Range                                Interpretation 4.50 – 5.00                             Strongly Agree 3.50 – 4. 49                Agree 2.50 – 3.49                             Uncertain 1.50 – 2.49                             Disagree 0.00 – 1.49                             Strongly Disagree     All of the data will be evaluated with the use of SPSS software. Thus, in order to come up with the results and findings of the study, frequency, percentage and weighted mean will be calculated. The following are the formulas to be used: 1.      Percentage – will be calculated in order to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire (Research Methods Knowledge Base, n.d.).   2.      Weighted Mean   References Agrawal, P K 1995, Motivation and Indian Bureaucracy, M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs. N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc. Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. DuBin, A 2008, Essentials of Management, Cengage Learning. Kumar, A & Sharma, R 2001, Personnel Management Theory and Practice, Atlantic Publishers & Distri. Lee-Ross, D 2002, ‘An Exploratory Study of Work Motivation Among Private and Public Sector Hospital Chefs in Australia’, Journal of Management Development, vol. 21, no. 8, pp. 576 – 588.

Research Proposal for Masters Studies on Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance

Title The title for the proposed study is Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance. Background of the Study/Lite...

Research Proposal on Is Pay a Motivation for All Level of People?

Is Pay a Motivation for All Level of People? Introduction In the continuing efforts of the organizations to create a competitive advantage against their competitors and establish a strong relationship in the market, they tend to apply various motivational approaches that can increase the performance. People are considered as the most natural helpers or workers that maybe not perfect but can move according to what is being asked them to do. Based on the theories of motivation, there are many strategies that the leaders can use to satisfy the people’s needs for improvement. In addition, the quality of work is what being paid by the leaders. The continuous effort of the HR managers and organizational leaders in harnessing the professionalism out of the employees is one of then main targets of the business leaders.   Background of the Study and Problem Statement Although, there are many innovative ways that already established to improve the quality of performance that might contribute in the overall performance of the organization. Still, leaders are seeking to the most effective option that can be easily handled. Most of the actions being taken by the leaders are the motivational approach which increases the performance of an employee. However, the knowledge about the motivation is not enough unless it is proven effective by the organization.  The motivational approach suggests that employees should provide the expected effort from them according to what is being paid by the firm. On the other hand, what is the most effective way to increase the performance of an employee is through the use of payment.  Research Aim and Objectives The main aim of the study is to understand the motivational approach through the use of payment and as well as measuring its effectiveness in all the level of employees. There are three important objectives that can help the study achieve its aim. First is to have a deep understanding on the objectives or purpose of motivation. Second is to determine the various approaches being implemented by the leaders just to reach their expectancy on their employees. And last is to consult the perceptions of the employees regarding the payment as a motivational approach.  Literature Review Critically, the nature of motivation centers with the energy, direction, persistence and partial achievement in doing a certain work. There are different intention that portrays of each employee because of their uniqueness in terms of characteristics and bearing. Typically, a person enables to achieve their goals by fueling great enthusiasm towards it. Within the study of motivation, there is a wide concept which has been widely applied in both academics and professional world. The overall result of motivation is highly valued because of the positive implications that it promises within the organization. In a lighter way, motivation can be alike to the carrot and stick technique, wherein the leaders gives punishment and rewards to the people who are not focusing on their appropriate responsibilities. The organizational leaders embrace the truths that the people play their role within the workplace according to the factors that might affect them (Linnenbrink and Pintrich, 2002). Most of the previous studies pertaining to the motivational approach gave emphasized on the monetary rewards that can be the answer on the needs of an employee. The payment scenario is not entirely the total motivation for the employee but still proven effective to develop the potentials found among the individuals. The kind of payment being given by the organization is different among the compensation or standard payment the employees. In this matter, the organization should be prepared on the certain conditions that might be presented in the implementation of the monetary rewards. The challenge is now on the business and their ability to answer the stability of their financial matters because it is another expense that they must cover (Alexy and Leitner, 2007; Ghosh, 2007). Methodology The suggested method in the study is the use of the survey and interview within a typical workplace. Firstly, there should be a consultation in the population of the workforce regarding the existence of motivation and the influence that it created to increase their performance. The survey will be in a form of questionnaire using the Likert Scale to make it easier to the participants. The second phase of the method which is the interview will serve as a supporting documentary that will determine on how effective the motivational approach can be in the eyes of the managers. In addition, the use of payment as a motivational approach is not being set aside and which will be the center of the interview.    References: Alexy, O., & Leitner, M., (2007) “Norms, Rewards, and Their Effect on the Motivation of Open Source Software Developers”, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/Alexy_Leitner_-_Norms_Rewards_and_Their_Effect_on_the_Motivation_of_OSS_Developers.pdf Ghosh, R.A., (2007) “Study on the Economic Impact of Open Source Software on Innovation and the Competitiveness of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector in the EU”, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/ict/policy/doc/2006-11-20-flossimpact.pdf Linnenbrink, E., & Pintrich, P., (2002) “Motivation as an Enabler for Academic Success”, School Psychology Review, Vol. 31, No. 3

Research Proposal on Is Pay a Motivation for All Level of People?

Is Pay a Motivation for All Level of People? Introduction In the continuing efforts of the organizations to create a competitive advan...

HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCERS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCERS CAN BE PREVENTED   Introduction             There are some rules and eventualities which neither can be control nor easy to deal with. Alongside with our lives are tensions between two different poles of entities - a cause-effect relationship. That is why Aristotelian ethical doctrine suggests the need for moderation is the greatest good for man. However, even in various interactions we cannot avoid some circumstances in which affect our well-being. Natural illnesses are caused not only because of our carelessness or lack of sense of responsibility over our health, but also some factors which are external and uncontrollable causes us to feel sick and acquired illnesses to some extent. Background of the Study                 One of the most popular illness that can be found in hospitals is what we call pressured ulcer, some uses bed sores or scientifically known as decubitus ulcer. This illness is caused by the unrelieved pressure to the skin which cuts off the circulation to the area. This can be developed as an upshot of prolonged period of immobility. Moreover, literatures provide scientific explanation accounting the unrelieved pressure on the skin as critical and can be severe to some extent. It compresses tiny blood vessels which supply the skin with oxygen and nutrients. When skin is famished of nutrients and oxygen for too long, the tissue dies and a pressure ulcer forms. Hence, in the attempt to prevent this, nurses usually reposition patients every two hours when they also assess the skin for evidence of pressure damage. There are alternatives in which a patient suffered from ulcer can use as a device to alleviate the injury like sheep skin padding, air mattresses, silicone pads and specialized flotation mattresses. Purpose             This research proposal aims to provide sufficient accounts and scientific information on the regulation, nursing education, assessment, planning interventions for the prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers. Moreover, these accounts will be significant in proving that pressure ulcers can be prevented in many ways and means. Significant of the study             The need to evaluate and assess the accounts on pressure ulcers is significantly relevant owing to the fact that it can be a means to recreate new effective and efficient procedures and regulations to which it can highly minimize the cases.  Objectives             The use of scientific research information and other empirical research data will support these research objectives. In general, the objective of this study is to examine the preventive and regulatory measures along with assessment gathered from empirical and experiential observation of authorized agencies. This in particular will give us a lead to deepen our research for further effective measures contra pressure ulcers. Discussion             The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services showed that the national predominance rate for bed sores in long-term care is approximately 8.9 %. With this rate in a long-term basis needs to be addressed and revised its body of regulations. CMS made this a priority over some issues due to the predominance and high number of citation by surveyors. The intent of the regulation is to “ensure that a resident does not develop pressure ulcers unless his or her clinical condition rendered the ulcer unavoidable (retrieved internet source August 1, 2008). Moreover, the regulation stresses that long-term care facilities “provide adequate care services to promote the prevention of pressure ulcer developments, healing and prevent progress of additional cases. On the other hand, the prevention measures must be individualized and monitored for their effectiveness. Risk assessment is a vital component responding to identifying resident risk factors. The treatment guidelines underline the focus on the importance of accurate assessment of pressure ulcers, mainly reinforcing residents to have a self-inquiry asking their selves the “why’ of the occurrence and its cause.  In managing such injurious and vicious physical illness assessment, product implementation or prescription and skin care guidelines should be enforced by the clinicians or any medical authorities formally inclined to such expertise. Moreover, reporting of changes of condition is highly upheld. Any changes in condition must be reported to the assigned nurses who are held accountable. A formal system includes skin integrity checks occurring upon dressing, undressing and at scheduled bathing times of patients. Proper documentation of reports held in utmost importance.     References: www.leedergroup.com. FTag 314 Pressure Ulcer. Retrieved August 01, 2008 Lyder, C (2004). Implications of Pressure Ulcers and Its Relation to Federal Tag 314. Annals of Long-Term Care, Volume 14, No. 4 A Systems Approach to Quality Improvement in Long-Term Care: Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management. MassPRO: The Healthcare Quality Improvement Organization, 2003

HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCERS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCERS CAN BE PREVENTED Introduction There are some rules and eventualities which neither ...

A Research Proposal Paper on Challenges to the Implementation of the EIA Process in Botswana

1.0 Title               The proposed title for this paper is Challenges to the Implementation of the EIA Process in Botswana. This paper will present the different methods, approaches, procedures and instruments to be used in order to implement the research in the future.   2.0 Background of the Study               Since its foundation in the late 1960s, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has progressed into a regulated and institutionalized procedure for recognizing, forecasting, evaluating and justifying the potential impact of development projects on environment (Noble and Bronson, 2006). EIA involves the process of examining, analyzing and assessing the planned activities which focus on ensuring environmentally sound and sustainable improvement. Thus, according to Hollick (1986), EIA is an effective planning and management tool.             It can be used in order to recognize the different types, magnitudes and possible changes in the environment as a result of an activity or policy. At the same time, it can also help in order to convey information to the decision-makers. According to Ortolano et al. (1987) the adoption and implementation of EIA is dependent on the framework of the institute as well as the political circumsntace of decision-making process.             In Botswana, the commitment to sustainable management of natural resources is supported by different policies and legislation and by Vision 2016, which states that:             By the year 2016, economic growth and development in Botswana will be sustainable. Renewable resources will be used at a rate that is in balance with their regeneration capacity… The wildlife of Botswana will be managed for the sustainable benefit of the local communities, and in the interests of the environment as a whole… By the year 2016, Botswana will have taken strong measures to limit pollution that would otherwise have resulted from rapid industrialization. (Mpotokwane and Keamtimilwe, n.d.).   3.0 Aims and Objectives               The main aim of the study is to investigate the different challenges connected to implementation of EIA process. In line with this, the following are the specific objectives of the study: ·         To study the nature of environmental impact assessment; ·         To present the purposes and benefits of environmental impact assessment; ·         To examine the current issues in and current status of environmental impact assessment; ·         To assess the current methods used in carrying out EIAs; and ·         To evaluate the different environmental factors which can affect the EIA process;   4.0 Methodology               This study will be exploratory in nature. Thus, it can help in order to study, examine, analyze or investigate something. It can also help in order to be familiar with something by testing it, thus it can also help in order to discover things. Therefore, it can help in order to gain only the degree of familiarity with the properties of substances and procedures that are needed in order to manipulate them, at the same time, achieve the desired effect or product. Overall, it can help to implement a study that is broad-ranging, purposive, systematic, prearranged undertaking, which can help to maximize the discover of generalizations, which consequently lead to description and understanding of a specific area of social or psychological life (Stebbins, 2001, 2).             With this, qualitative method will be used in the paper. According to Denzin and Lincoln (2005) “a situated activity that locates the observer in the world. It consists of a set of interpretive, material practices which make the world visible”.             With this, the researcher can acquire more sensible and practical feel of the world which cannot be experienced and acquired with the use of numerical data and statistical analysis, at the same time, obtain flexible ways of collecting data, analysis and interpretation of the collected data (Fryer, 1991).             This paper will mainly use secondary data. Thus, it will implement secondary research. Secondary research is also known as desk research involves the process of summarizing, collating and/or synthesizing the existing researches and literatures, rather than primary research or collecting from research subject or experiments (Crouch and Housden, 2003).             With this, theories, information and data from different literatures, articles, journals and textbooks will be used. Different online libraries will be used in order to access necessary resources, which include EMERALD, SCIENCE DIRECT, EBSCO, QUESTIA and GOOGLEBOOK. In addition, different websites of government organizations in Botswana and other countries will also be used.   5.0 References   Crouch, S. and Housden, M. (2003). Marketing research for managers: The marketing series, Chartered Institute of Marketing. Butterworth Heinemann. Fryer, D. (1991). ‘Qualitative methods in occupational psychology: Reflection upon why they are so useful but so little used’. The Occupational Psychologist. 14, pp. 3 – 6. Hollick, M. (1986). ‘Environmental impact assessment: An international evaluation’. Environmental Management. 10, 157 – 178. Mpotokwane, M. and Keatimilwe, K. Botswana. Retrieved 8th October, 2010, from SAIEA website. Noble, B. And Bronson, J. (2006). ‘Practitioner survey of the state of health integration in environmental assessment: The case of northern Canada’. Environemntal Impact Assessment Revision. 26(4), 410 – 424. Ortolano, B., Jenkins, B. And Abracosa, R. (1987). ‘Speculations on when and why EIA is effective’. Environmental Impact Assessment Revision. 7, 285 – 292. Stebbins, R. (2001). Exploratory research in the social sciences. SAGE.

A Research Proposal Paper on Challenges to the Implementation of the EIA Process in Botswana

1.0 Title The proposed title for this paper is Challenges to the Implementation of the EIA Process in Botswana. This ...

Research Proposal :Analysis of the Most Severe Economic Crisis since 1970

// <![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0512912564335968"; /* 300x250, created 5/1/08 */ google_ad_slot = "6611326668"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> Research Proposal Analysis of the Most Severe Economic Crises since 1970   Introduction Since 1970, the economic and economic crisis faced in the global market, has faced major economic cries which brought different challenges for the economy and the economic stability of the industries and also the entire nation. It can be said that with the challenges brought by these crisis, the management of banking and economic sector are trying to transform their business approaches.  Primarily, the goal of this propose research is to analyze the most severe economic crises since 1970, specifically this paper will attempt to analyze the root of the economic crises faced in the global market today.   Background of the study The true origin of the economic crisis faced, specifically the credit crunch was due to the credit bubble as well as the under-pricing of risk at period when rapid economic transformation outpaced regulatory controls and made risk assessment more difficult. To be able to understand the beginning of the credit crunch, its background can be attributed to the recovery from the year 2001 economic slump when the international income growth has soared. In many nations, the credit crunches translated into harshly higher real estate prices as well as the abnormally sharp returns in equity markets. Being driven by the low interest rates and the liquidity, the US housing has boomed and lasted for more than a decade during the period in which mortgage companies have extended loans to borrowers that have bad or poor credit records. With this, the brokers who has been provided with bigger commissions has become attractive to different borrowers for availing housing loans that have a minimal down payment with credit checks and tax documentation.             It can be said that the loans are being regarded to as the  sub-prime mortgages, typically charge 2% to 3% points more than those people with less-risky and bad credit profiles, and carry customizable and amendable interest rates that can cause payments to jump in the forthcoming years. Even if such process was considered as efficient, homeowners have observed s that housing prices escalates, that leads them to take out home equity loans that also helps fuel consumer spending. It can be said that sub-prime mortgage simply referred to the provision of loans to borrowers with marginal or weak or bad credit background to avail housing loans. The emergence of the context of sub-prime economic crisis has brought to the credit bubbles and credit crunches that leads to the economic turmoil which have different effects on different institutions in the global market and the mostly affected sectors are the banking and economic institutions. The sub-prime crisis, leading to credit crunches has affected different banking and economic establishments, real estate investment trusts, mortgage lenders, as well as hedge funds. It can be said that this has made different institutions to suffer significant losses as the result of mortgage payment defaults also known as the mortgage asset devaluation.             In the latter part of the first quarter of the year 2008, particularly April 25, 2008, banking and economic institutions has noted sub-prime related losses and write-downs exceeding U.S. $250 billion. With this aspect, the profits at the American banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has lessen from $35.2 billion to $5.8 billion which comprises 83.5% of the total loss  during the last quarter of the year 2007 versus the recent year because of the increasing loan defaults as well as the provisions for loan losses.  It can be noted that such phenomenon has been the worst bank and thrift performance in the history.             In the year 2007, affected banks have only earned earned $105.5 billion, which is lesser than 27.4% from their profit record of $145.2 billion in the year 2006. Banking institutions in the global market has also experienced such problem like the IKB Deutsche Industriebank which have also experienced relative losses and mortgage scores of lenders have decided to file bankruptcy. On the other hand, the effect of these economic crises has also lead to the resignation of different leaders like the Chief Executive Officers of Merrill Lynch and Citigroup Various industries have attended to consider merger-deal to survive the economic crisis. Moreover, Bear Stearns and Northern Rock have also acquired emergency assistance from higher banks like the Bank of England. Such economic issue has also been felt in the Indian banking and economic institutions which have ventured into USA.             Credit crunches has become an ongoing economic issue that shows itself through the liquidity problems in the banking system which owes to foreclosures.  Such economic issue began with the bursting of the United States housing bubble or the so-called credit bubble (Moyer, 2008; Lahart, 2008 and the intensive default rates in terms of the sub-prime and other adjustable rate mortgages which established higher-risk borrowers with lower revenue and lesser credit history than other prime borrowers.  It has been noted that the causes of the credit crunches can be attributed as varied and complex.  With this economic turmoil due to the credit crunches, the economic losses damaged balance sheets of various economic establishments, as assets were marked down but liabilities remain unchanged.   Aside from this, the credit crunch also reduced and lessens the willingness to lend between industries.     Research Objectives             The main goal of this proposed research is to study the most severe economic crises since 1970, specifically this aims on achieving the following objectives 1.    Identify the most severe economic crises in the global environment 2.    Investigate the roots and causes of these economic crises 3.    Analyze whether these economic crises have significant relationship in terms of the causes and the countries affected. 4.    Examine how companies and countries are able to cope with these economic crises.             Research Questionnaire To address the problem of the study, the following general research questions will be explored: 1.         What are the most severe economic crises since 1970? 2.         Does these economic crises have significant relationship with each other based on the following:             The cause of the economic crises       Countries affected 3.         How do companies and countries adjust to these economic crises?   Significance of the Study This study may be useful in gaining insights on the future of the economy based on the economic crises encountered by different industries and countries. The term ‘future’ is very general and many factors should be involved to determine the general future of the economic sector.             Understanding the roots, causes and effect of these economic crises can help the government and industries to determine ways on solving the challenges posts by these economic crises.             The economic crisis faced by companies and nations is considered as an ongoing economic problem that manifests itself with the liquidity issues in the banking system and other economies in the global market. It has been realized that one of the reasons for this economic crisis are very varied and complicated. In this regard, controlling and comprehending the ripple effect through the global economy as well as the management and marketing implication post critical challenges for investors, insurance companies, businesses, banking and economic industries as well as government institutions.    Literature Review Concept of the Sub-prime Crisis               The sub-prime crisis is an ongoing economic issue which manifests itself through liquidity problems in the banking system that owes to foreclosures which accelerated in the United States which starts in latter period of 2006 and triggered a global financial crisis during 2007 and 2008. This economic issue started with the bursting of the US housing bubble (Moyers, 2008; Lahart, 2008) and intensive default rates on sub-prime and other adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) created to higher-risk borrowers with lower revenue or lesser credit history than those prime borrowers. It is noted that the reasons for the sub-prime crisis are complex and varied. Because of this, understanding and controlling the ripple impact through the global economy posts critical challenges for businesses, investors, and government institutions.              The sub-prime lending is regarded as the practice of making loans to borrowers that do not qualify for market interest rates because of different risk aspects, like size of the down payment, income level, employment status and credit history. The amount of US prime mortgages was approximately $1.3 trillions as of March 2007 (MSNBC, 2008), with over 7.5 million first-lien sub-prime mortgages outstanding (Bernanke, 2007).  More or less 16% of the loans of sub-prime with adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) were 90-days delinquent or in foreclosure process as of October 2007, nearly triple the rate of 2005 (Bernanke, 2007). By January 2008, the delinquency rate had increased to 21% (Bernanke, 2008). The sub-crime crisis can be attributed to various factors. These factors include the incapacity of the homeowners to make their mortgage payments principally because of the loss of employment or health related aspects; insufficient mortgage I like short fixed term and buy downs adjustable rate mortgages couples with incentives fast rising adjustable mortgage values, poor judgement either by the lender and/or by the borrower. In addition, the declines of home prices have made the re-financing more complex. Due to the changes in line with securitization, it has been noted that the risks is related to the inability of the homeowners to attain mortgage payments had been distributed widely, with a series of consequential effects. Principally, there are four primary categories of risk involved with sub-prime crisis. These include credit risk, liquidity risk, and asset price risk and counter party risk. Specifically, the business organization is most interested in keeping counter party risk at low level since the volume of the bank’s total portfolio is largely determined by its trading activities. It was evident that counterparty risks associated with derivative trading activities are rooted among over-the-counter (OTC) transactions wherein additional expense or reduced revenue that would result from the replacement of the transaction by an equivalent position in the event of a default is evaluated and given necessary action. As such, there is a need for the people within Northern Rock organization to conceptualize means of minimizing the losses in terms of revenue and expenditure in over-the-counter transactions that the bank engages in. Moreover, counterparty selection is vital in order to maintain the strong hold of the business organization in the international banking industry.     The cross-product master netting agreements with business partners so as to reduce counterparty risks allowed all claims and liabilities not yet due to be offset against each other in the case of counterparty default. This served as contingency action in order to keep the expenses of over-the-counter transactions at minimum level while taking into account other factors and variables which causes loss in revenue.  The use of global multi-stage limit system to9 address credit risk exposure in credit and counterparty risk management by taking into account the replacement costs as well as other potential future price fluctuations will provide a comprehensive understanding and holistic view of the economic environment of the international banking industry guaranteeing safety nets among active participants in the business of global banking transactions. Other measures of unforeseen and emergent cases of loan loss allowances initiated by the management of Northern Rock include a value at risk procedure in quantifying collateralized transactions, and simulation procedure for unsecured transactions to assess the portfolio and correlations effects for calculating exposure.  Since it was revealed that the potential exposure could be reduced significantly in currency and interest rate transactions, succeeding business operations of the bank should be made to characterize these descriptions so as to contribute to the overall reduction of loan loss allowances.  In line with the credit risk, this risk is assumed by the bank which originates the loan. However, because of the major changes in securitization, credit risks are often transferred to third-party investors. Herein, the rights to mortgage payments have considered repackaging into a variety of complex investment vehicles, which generally categorized as collateralized debt obligations or mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Essentially, CDO is a repacking of present debt, and in previous years MBS collateral has generate a large proportion of issuance. In exchange of buying CDO or MBS and assuming credit risk, third party investors have gained a claim on the mortgage assets and related cash flows, which became collateral in the event of default.             On one hand, in line with asset price risk, CDO and MBS asset valuation is multifaceted and related fair value or mark to market accounting is subject to broad interpretation.  The valuation is derived from both the existence of viable market and the collectibility of sub-prime mortgage payments into which such assets can be traded which are interrelated. The rising mortgage delinquency rates have decreased demand for such assets. Banking and other institutional investors have identified substantial losses as they revalue their mortgage-backed securities downward. Several industries which borrowed money through CDO or MBS assets as collateral have encountered margin calls, as lenders provided their contractual rights to get their money back.  There is a growing consensus about the view on whether fair value accounting should not be suspended or temporarily modified, as large write-downs of complex value MBS and CDO assets might worsen the crisis (Gross, 2008).             In line with the liquidity risk, many industry rely on access to short-term funding market for operations of cash, these include the commercial paper and repurchase markets. Industries and structured investment vehicles often get short-term loans by issuing commercial paper, CDO and pledging mortgage assets as collateral.  In this regard, the investors provide cash in exchange for the commercial paper, which receive money-market interest rated. Nonetheless, due to the concerns about the value of the mortgage asset collateral associated with sub-prime and Alt-A loans, the capability of various industries to issue such paper has been impacted (Barr, 2007).  Furthermore, the interest rate charged by some investors to give loans for commercial paper has substantially increased above the historical level (Unmack, 2007).   Research Methodology             This proposed research is to determine the most severe economic crisis since 1970.  To achieve the objective of this study, descriptive approach will be used. Although both the qualitative and the quantitative research methods were used for the completion of this research activity, the study operates primarily under the qualitative research approach wherein the quality of the information gathered rather than the quantity of sources that are available to the researcher, is highly recommended so as not to compromise the quality of the data (Snijders, 1992; Faugier & Sergeant, 1997). Because the highly relevant aspects of the research study are characterized and classified as qualitative elements, standard measures that enabled quantification of the concepts will not meet the information needs of the project. These include the analysis of each of the economic crisis that hits the world. The exploratory research design served as the guiding framework for the execution of the entire research project. Exploratory research normally involves open-ended study, unguided by theory and intended to provide a new body of empirical knowledge from which theories might be postulated (Yin, 2003:22, Robson, 2002:59 & 399). As such, the case study research approach provided the most ideal methodology since the study calls for the need to conduct a holistic, in-depth investigation of the topic presented (Feagin, Orum & Sjoberg, 1991). This contributed to the knowledge of individual, group, organizational, social, political, and related phenomena being studied (Yin, 2003). Since the research project aims to enlighten identify the most sever economic crisis, assessment of each of the financial crisis will be considered. As such, the research activity employed means and measures to provide valid and reliable analyses of the economic crisis under the qualitative research approach. Hence, the entire research activity was composed of three data gathering procedures in order to identify the most sever economic crisis. These data gathering procedures include (a) interviews among economists and informed individuals (b) the interdepartmental ranking of economic crisis based on its major effect. and (c) in-depth case study of each of the economic crisis.   Coding and Data Interpretation The qualitative data collected through the key informant interview method were used and manipulated by utilizing the open-coding and axial coding procedures (Fico, Lacy & Riffe, 1998). This facilitated easier analysis of the qualitative information gathered as patterns, similarities and differences of the responses made by the informants of the study were classified and categorized to form logical data analysis and presentation. As such labels, words, and statements that were used by the participants to denote or connote similar concepts and themes were grouped and analyzed accordingly to summarize the core findings of the study (Kerig & Lindahl, 2001; Fairclough, 2003). Each of the concepts that were discussed during the key informant interview method were analyzed and related to the research questions and objectives so as to come up with sensible findings and results. Moreover, to facilitate the qualitative data analysis of the concepts of the study, content analyses of the responses of the interviewees were conducted. Defined, content analysis is the systematic, replicable technique for compressing many words of text into fewer content categories based on explicit rules of coding (Markel, 1998; Fico, Lacy & Riffe, 1998; West, 2001). It is not restricted to the domain of textual analysis but could also include the categorization of illustrations or drawings (Wheelock, Haney & Bebell, 2000) as well as behaviours of individuals that are video tape recorded (Stigler et al, 1999). These characteristics of the content analysis enable researchers to sift through large volumes of data with relative ease in a systematic fashion (Markel, 1998; Fico, Lacy & Riffe, 1998; West, 2001). Content analysis is a useful technique that allows the discovery and description of the individual, group, institutional, or social attention or focus of the study  (Kulm, Dager Wilson & Kitchen, 2005) which opens opportunities  to correctly interpret the collected inferences and data and can be corroborated using other methods of data collection. This particular systematic qualitative data processing has been very useful in the entirety of the study since the content analyses facilitated organized and logical sorting of large data from interviews in order to arrive at simpler concepts for analysis and discussion. Moreover, in-depth interpretation of the specific cases that were explored was made possible so as to come up with holistic analysis of the findings of the study. As such attributes, constructs and other similar connotations of the topic of the study were grouped together to synthesize the results of the study as well as to mange the data more effectively and efficiently. In the case of the quantitative data collected in the interdepartmental website ranking, the descriptive statistics in the form of frequency through tallies was primarily used so as to present quantitative data descriptions in manageable forms.   Validity and Reliability This study employed qualitative research method (key informant interview) as the primary data collection procedure. Thus, ensuring the validity of the accumulated data is considered to be the most crucial stage of the research endeavor. This aspect of research was attended by the researcher because the validity of the data dictates the quality of the outcome of the accomplished procedures. Since a methodology is always employed in the service of a research question, validation of the inferences made on the basis of data from one analytic approach demands the use of multiple sources of information through validation study built into the design. In qualitative research, validation takes the form of triangulation which lends credibility to the findings by incorporating multiple sources of data, methods, investigators, or theories (Kaplan & Duchon, 1998; Foss & Ellefsen, 2002; Mingers, 2001). However, content analysis itself is only valid and meaningful to the extent that the results are related to other measures (Markel, 1998; Fico, Lacy & Riffe, 1998; West, 2001) which necessitated the use of triangulation method. The triangulation research strategy in which the use of multiple sources to enhance the rigor of the research (Robson, 2002:174) helped in the in-depth case analysis of the paper conglomerating three different aspect of the study which includes the (a) background information regarding the new initiatives and characteristics of the Dubai municipality governance while (b) classifying the structure of the organization into huge, middle and small department categories and (c) and the e-Governance practice in the United Arab Emirates focusing on its online services. Moreover, the interdepartmental ranking of the websites supported the researcher’s aim to present accurate and truthful findings following the principle of triangulation.   Reference   Faugier, J & Sargeant, M 1997, ‘Sampling hard to reach populations’, Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 26, pp. 790-797. Feagin, J, Orum, A & Sjoberg, G (Eds.) 1991, A case for case study, Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, pp.20-26. Fico, FG, Lacy, S & Riffe, D 1998, Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ Flick, U 1998, An Introduction to Qualitative Research, London: Sage. Foss C, & Ellefsen B 2002, ‘The value of combining qualitative and quantitative approaches in nursing research by means of method triangulation’, Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 242-8. Gliner, JA & Morgan, GA 2000, Research Methods in Applied Settings: An Integrated Approach to Design and Analysis, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ. Green, JJ 2005, Design, Methods and Measurement for Applied Research, (PowerPoint Presentation) Institute of Community-Based Research, Division of Social Sciences/Centre for Community and Economic Development, Delta State University. Guba, E & Lincoln, YS 1998, 'Competing paradigms in qualitative research', In Denzin, NK & Lincoln, YS editors, The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Lahart, J. Egg Cracks Differ In Housing, Finance Shells. Online available http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119845906460548071.html?mod=googlenews_wsj. Retrieve December 13, 2008, 2 Lim, M. Subprime mortgage meltdown: Roots of the crisis. Online available http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/talkofthetown/view_article.php?article_id=101568. Retrieve December 13, 2008. Moyers, B. Online available http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06292007/transcript5.html.  Retrieve December 13, 2008, 1. Yin, Robert K. (2003) Case study research: Design and methods (3rd Edition), Sage.

Research Proposal :Analysis of the Most Severe Economic Crisis since 1970

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