Research Korner

A Sample Recommendation Report

A MIX-USED RECREATION AND COMMERCIAL SHOPPING ARCADE AT THE SUBURBAN AREA OF CITY OF BEIJING, CHINA RECOMMENDATIONSAssessment of three risks unique to any construction project as socio-economic factors (environmental protection, public safety regulation, economic instability and exchange rate fluctuation); organisational relationships (contractual relations, attitudes of participants and communication) and technological problems (design assumptions, site conditions, construction procedures and construction occupational safety) must be considered. Increased demand for socially responsible investor, community activism, ever-changing client expectations and escalating pressures to comply with corporate good governance rules. Effective justification would be achieved and aligned to specific roles, management and leadership must be ensured.In this project implementation plan, risk management plan for construction will be formulated. The risk management plan will include the methodologies, roles and responsibilities, timing, risk categories, definition of risk probability and impact and reporting schemas. There will be a risk officer to be assigned who will collaborate with the project manager. The project manager has the responsibility to incorporate resources and time requirement in order to execute the risk management plan in the project budget and schedule. It is also the manager’s responsibility to develop, distribute and implement the risk management plan and coordinate with the risk owners to monitor risks and implement corrective actions. The responsibility of the project team is to identify and describe risks and assess the probability of risk occurrence in the site as well as assess the impact of the risk(s) identified. The project team will also perform the risk response and assist the project manager with risk monitoring and control. The risk owner, on the other hand, has the responsibility to develop and update the risk response strategies. S/he will also have the jurisdiction to monitor the risk and inform the project manager of the threat of emerging risks or opportunities for this mix-use project.Risk will be identified based on applicable risk management handbook and sample risk list. The analysis of risk will be the quantitative risk analysis for the purpose of estimating the risk that the project will finish within objectives and estimating the contingency needed for the cost and schedule. Risk analysis will be used to identify the best decisions in the project site. The risk response strategy will center on deciding on th4 actions to be taken in response to residual risk, plan response to residual risk and then communicate mitigating strategy and response plan to risk review team. The risk management plan will be revised periodically and the changes will be reported to the project manager.Seven of the project limits and exclusions are identified. The limits and exclusions of such project consist of:<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Construction standards and obligations of the builder will be only define in warranty contract</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Submission of requirements will be assigned to the project manager including site safety plan and site plan</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Periodic inspection of construction will be implemented </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Warranty of habitability will be required </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Authority having jurisdiction will have the exclusive right to stop the construction operation </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Corrective actions will be allotted with 1 month period</li></ul>On the other hand, there are sustainability and legal issues that should be considered. Practicality of green office development is realised on the need to be viable within market constraints, on offering value for money and on providing genuine reduction in running costs. Making the construction building friendly by means of integrating sustainability issues which should be from the design stage onwards to the construction stage should be considered. Storage and waste recycling facilities are two among the acceptable and efficient waste management techniques in buildings. Construction project managers are required to provide clients with options, alternatives and solutions regarding built environment- related problems like environmental design issues. Sound recycling methods and appropriate infrastructures that are built on the waste hierarchy. Effectively managing recoverable resources for the mix-use building towards the route of greener specifications is also a must. Waste management has been recognised internationally as one of the key aspects of the built environment, with impacts on energy, construction and pollution systems that are driven not just be social dynamics but also industrial management and performance. Focus should be on the specification of environmental sustainability of buildings, the promotion of environmental credentials and benefits and the improvement the environmental performance of the buildings.The construction industry is required to comply with sustainable construction regulations and policies. Completion of the task in lieu with the specified period in the contracts must be regulated internally. Project managers should learn to question each new element emerging during the initiation and planning, most specifically, as it can impact the result of other processes. Project managers make the client aware of the planned changes so that clients could establish new deadlines, adjust project plans and reschedule work. The construction industry operates within a heavily regulated business environment as it is subjected to a large number of governmental and legislative requirements. All change requests must be approved by the client within a specified number of hours/days upon the receipt of the change request. Written signed documents of approval or denial of the change request from both parties should be a priority and establish a change control budget and schedule variance to which changes could be decremented. Laws and legislatives must be adhered into since these will drive the sustainability in the long run by which environmental impact assessment. Non-statutory and statutory pressures also apply in the construction industry.

A Sample Recommendation Report

A MIX-USED RECREATION AND COMMERCIAL SHOPPING ARCADE AT THE SUBURBAN AREA OF CITY OF BEIJING, CHINA RECOMMENDATIONS Assessment of three risk...

SWOT Analysis of the Cosmetics Industry

Introduction             The cosmetics industry plays a significant part in the economy.  In this sense, case studies prove to be useful since it provide findings as to the past and current situation of the industry.  Moreover, it will present recommendations based upon the perceived findings.  This case study can be classified according to the famous (SWOT) Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats format. Strength             During the three decades, from 1970 to 1990, the cosmetics industry gained momentum in its extensive development through per capita consumption.  Even some segments may vary; the cosmetic industry is near maturity.  The current annual retail sales of the industry totaled up to $14.5 billion.              The first quarter of this current year has seen a demand beginning to revive and trend is expected to continue well into the following year.  Weaknesses             Accounting to the past developments, the cosmetics industry has never been always in such a case.  The industry is no longer recession-proof and is now bound for depressions and declinations.  Actually, the sales in the past year are slow moving because of downed consumer spending.  Consumers that time then tend to settle for the less expensive lines.              Another setback of the industry is the demand-price ratio.  Within the past five years, the prices were invariable and steady but promotion budgets were growing and getting greater than ever.  Opportunities             In keeping away from a potential head-on competition, a strategy of focusing on special niches proved to be effective especially in the struggle with the industry leaders.  This has been a great line of attack adopted by smaller companies in their contest with the market leaders.  They survive and exist through specializing in niches, differentiating the product lines, and focusing on market segment.              A potential huge market has been spotted on men as they account for 50% of adult population that consume one-fifth of cosmetic sales.  The failure of the market leaders in such opportunity provides hint to smaller companies as to what would be the proper and better approach to the market.              Furthermore, the senior citizen population is a large growing market segment which should be given focus as the population’s needs were not being met.  Threats             Notwithstanding the apparent growth of the cosmetic industry during the past four decades, there are currently more than 700 growing cosmetic companies competing in the market.  Additionally, there are also market leaders that dominate the cosmetic industry.  Consequently, it creates stiff and intensifying competition especially to those smaller companies as market leaders are putting pressure on these smaller cosmetic companies.  Conclusion and Recommendations             As stated above, the configuration makes it clear enough for the company on where to focus its strategy.  That is, the focal point of such strategy should be on the opportunities keeping in mind the threats.  The strengths of the industry should also be maintained through the awareness of its weaknesses.              This SWOT structure provided clear and definite way in formulating strategies and approach to the cosmetic market.  It gave attentiveness by laying past and current findings that is of great significance to the market approach.

SWOT Analysis of the Cosmetics Industry

Introduction The cosmetics industry plays a significant part in the economy. In this sense, case studies ...

Renal Failure

Renal Failure Introduction Human health is the main focus of the health care providers and through the intervention of the technology and medicines, the health and wellness can be promoted. Many of the health care providers are aiming to achieve the medical innovation that can satisfy and be suitable in the needs of the patients. Most of the medical practitioners are aware of the changes happening and this created a great impact in the worth of the health of the people in the world. Many of the health organizations are collaborating to provide the adequate help that the patients need. The Renal Failure Renal failure or acute renal failure is the disability of the kidney to work in a normal way. The human kidneys remove waste products and help to balance the intake of water, salt, and other minerals in the blood. When the kidney failed to perform these actions, the waste products, fluids, and minerals such as electrolytes will build up in human body that will result in internal body problems and can be deadly.  The causes of the renal failure in various circumstances like a sudden, serious heavy blood loss came from an injury, or a body infection called sepsis that reduce blood flow to the kidneys. With a not enough fluid in the body or dehydration is another part of harming the kidneys. Medicines, poisons, or infections can also cause renal failure which can be mostly seen on the patients who have serious, long-term health problems. Antibiotics, pain medicines, and even blood pressure inhibitors. Another indication for the failure is the sudden blockage caused by the kidney stones, tumor, injury or an enlarged prostate gland can stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys is another cause of acute renal failure (Hurley, 2000). According to the tests, the symptoms of getting the renal failure are very evident. The patient experience little and sometimes no urine when urinating, lose of appetites, nausea and vomiting. The health care providers often observed the swelling of the patient’s feet and legs, the paranoia, anxiety or restlessness and sleepy attitude of the patient, and often complain about the chest pain. Signs and Symptoms The early clinical signs of the renal failure are vague and nonspecific like the lethargy, anorexia, nausea, depression, vomiting diarrhea, and dehydration. In the later stages of the renal failure, the systematic changes will be noticeable such as the weakness of the body, respiratory distress, and the worst id coma. The recognition of the disease needs to have therapy that might trigger to the full salvage of the kidney (Hurley, 2000). Renal failure is a serious and rapidly advancing condition that can increase the mortality, therefore is should be diagnosed and treated very promptly (Cetinkaya, et al., 2009). Diagnosis The primary indication of the renal failure is either oliguric or anuric (Labato and Ross, 2003). Experts recognize the hemodialysis as an effective way to treat the oliguric and non-oliguric renal failure. The patient may have the complication in the system if there are presence of any cerebral malaria, acidosis, and hyperparasitemia and aside form that, there are many other recognized mechanisms that may contribute to the development of the renal failure. Most of the victims of the renal failure are the adults of Southeast Asia (Wilairatana, et al., 1999). The history and physical examination are essential in the diagnosis of the renal failure. Through the series of examination, the results of urinalysis, laboratory investigations, and imaging studies. There should be an effort in determining the presence and cause that might contribute to the enhancement of the diagnosis and therapy of the renal failure (Hurley, 2000). Conclusion The renal failure became common in the society and its existence also became a major challenge in medicine and laboratory practices. Because of the unrelenting behavior of the people in using their body, the consequences appear in the presence of disease in the human body. The renal failure can be avoided if the people are doing all of the strategies to prevent it. Once the immune system of the body failed, the other following diseases might attack and use its weakness.  A renal failure may occur within hours after the injury to the kidneys. In addition, the early recognition of the disease, having the knowledge regarding the risk factors, and the anticipation of the renal damage are the key to the successful of the treatment, medication, and management of the patients. The responsibility of the people and the health care providers should focus on the improvement of the health and well-being of the people especially on those people who are admitted with renal failure.     References: Cetinkaya, R., Uyanik, A., Keles, M., & Bilen, Y., 2009. Rhabdomyolysis-Related Acute Renal Failure and Bi-Phasic Calcium Metabolism. Pak Journal of Medical Science, Vol. 25 No. 1. [Online] Available at: http://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/janmar09/pdf/31.cr03.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010]. Hurley, K., 2000. Acute Renal Failure. [Online] Available at: www.walthamusa.com/articles/Hurley.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010]. Labato, M., & Ross, L., 2003. Tufts Clinical Case study: Treatment of Leptospirosis/ Acute Renal Failure. [Online] Available at: http://www.tufts.edu/vet/vet_common/pdf/petinfo/dvm/case_april2003.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010]. Wilairatana, P., Westerlund, E., Aursudkji, B., Vannaphan, S., Krudsood, S., Viriyavejakul, P., Chokejindachai, W., Treeprasertsuk, S., Srisuriya, P., Gordeuk, V., Brittenham, G., Neild, G., & Looareesuwan, S., 1999. Treatment of Malarial Acute Renal Failure by Hemodialysis, The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol. 60, No. 2. [Online] Available at: http://www.ajtmh.org/cgi/reprint/60/2/233.pdf. [Accessed 12 Feb 2010].

Renal Failure

Renal Failure Introduction Human health is the main focus of the health care providers and through the intervention of the technology...

Swatch watch

Swatch Watch U.S.A.   1. Swatch is a unique success story. Why has the company been so successful? Was it important that the Swiss watch industry recapture the lower end of the market? Why? Why not?             The Swatch watch was originally intended to re-capture the entry level market share lost by Swiss manufacturers during the aggressive growth of Japanese watch companies such as Seiko in the 1960s and 1970s, and to re-popularize analog watches at the time when digital watches had achieved wide popularity. The launch of the new Swatch brand in 1983 was marked by bold new styling and design. The quartz watch was redesigned for manufacturing efficiency and fewer parts. This combination of marketing and manufacturing expertise restored Switzerland as a major player in the world wristwatch market (             The two primary reasons for the success of Swatch is the perfect marketing strategy of the company and the quality and the design of each and every watch they are launching. The company has different varieties of watches for different age of their target customer, and because of the quality of the product, Swatch watch is no longer just a simple everyday watch but one of the hot collectible items in the world today. The company also makes sure that they have a series of new watches with different styles for every season, every special occasion and every event in the world.             The design of the watch is also remarkable, because of the talented designers the company hires. A customer can choose from a variety of designs that fits his/ her moods and even culture. That is the reason why the Swatch watch is not only popular in the United State but in the whole world. The watch designers are making sure that every design of every series will meet the expectation of the customers.             Fine watches were more than great accessories: They are investments that can become heirlooms. As one watch manufacturer’s advertising slogan states, you never actually own it; “you merely look after it for the next generation.” That’s why after-sale servicing of the timepieces is critical to its longevity ( 2003). That is the reason why those first edition and series of Swatch watches are now worthy and rare.              Before, Swatches are available in every store and available in affordable price, but now, it is the opposite. This is due to more than one factor including the artistic design of the Swatch watches like new innovations, marketing strategies and strategic distributions system set up by Swatch Inc. Swatch capitalized on the idea of product line extensions and variations like no other company has. Swatch, Inc. knew that in order to keep its interest up beyond the 80s craze it had to make some changes (             It was important that the Swiss watch industry recaptured the lower end of the market. By doing this, the sales and the industry of the Swiss watch will not die and it will still be visible and available in different stores, and ordinary people with the average income can still experience and use the quality and fashion of the Swiss watch, but if we are going to talk about Swatch recapturing the lower end of the market that will be a far cry from now.             2. Do you see any parallels between the decline of the Swiss watch industry and other Western industries?             Asia is becoming active in manufacturing and exporting of their products. China who is now involved in the global manufacturing market and she is beginning to establish and create the image as the World’s manufacturer. Technology is also part of the expertise of Asia; Japan is now one of the most advanced countries in terms of machines and different infrastructures. Most of the products of China are now available in different parts of the globe in very low prices, almost half of the price of products from other countries.  However the quality is another topic.             Example of this is the decline of the shoe industry in America in 1992. This is because of the North American Free Trade Area. Mexico, now, can offer cheaper shoe ware. Because of this, the production of shoes in America declined about 2 percent from 182 million pairs a year. Slippers declined by 4 percent to 32.6 million pairs; men’s footwear by 3 percent to 42.2 million pairs; and women’s footwear by 3 percent to 59.8 million pairs (Byron, 1992). Because of the low-cost shoe wear from Mexico, the shoe industry in America decline. This is just like the current situation of the Philippines. Because of cheap shoes from Korea and China, the shoe industry here began to decline. Most of the time, the consequence of low-cost products is low-quality, because most of the raw material used is of low-quality. Other examples are the textile and clothing industry, and if not because of the use of technology and marketing strategy, these two industries will never recover.     3. Evaluate the cultural dimension of the Swatch story, taking into account such practices as the willingness of taking into account such practices as the willingness to bring in people from other industries, to delegate authority to younger executives, and to employ new media such as rock concerts and music videos.             Swatch is also connected to events that will convince the people specially the youth to be in sport as well as to promote the culture of a certain place and the people in that place. A great example of this is the connection of Swatch to Olympics. Swatch was the official timekeeper of Olympics 1996, 2000 and 20004. Swatch is also launching new designs of swatch watch every Olympics. This will not only promote the world event, but also promote the culture and the history of the Olympics. This will also show the unity of the world and how the world gathers to promote sport in the world.             Swatch is also into entertainment and music, in partnership with MTV. They are giving different contests like the latest one which is the MTV’s best shows ever. This is a contest for the MTV viewers that will measure the creativity and sense of humor of the viewer to create the craziest and wackiest ping-pong obstacle. The winner will receive a brand new kaleidoscopic Swatch Puzzle Motion watch .  This will not only help the MTV channel gain more viewer but also help the viewers to see the lighter side of life, by joining in a somewhat useless contest but enjoying it and using their talent on it.             Another is the Swatch FIVB 2007 World Championship, in partnership with the International Volleyball Federation. Through this project, Swatch supports the growth of public and media interest in beach volleyball, appreciated worldwide as one of the most rapidly developing summer sports             Swatch is also doing alternatives Olympics featuring crazy and unique entertaining sports events against the clock that will take place in three Asian cities at busy citadels             With the help of Swatch to other organization in improving their technological capability, Swatch helps each organization to improve the performance of that organization to do better about the activity or objective and to meet their goal in serving the world. 4. Swatch created a new market – can they continue to expand the market? What must they do to defend their position to the market?             Swatch was the savior of the Swiss swatch industry and the most successful wristwatch of all time. It had survived from a very difficult economic problem and become the pioneer of the Swiss watch industry in the world again. From 1983, its already 24 years of existence, and the fact that the company is still here, Swatch watches are still in the collection items of the collectors and still in the wrist of other users, then Swatch will continue to grow and expand.             Swatch has diversified its offerings from one kind of watch. It now sells more than a dozen different types of watches, including the Irony series that features metal-bodied watches; the Scuba series that features diving watches; and the Skin family, thin and flat bodied watches. The company even offer an Internet-connected watch that can download stock quotes, news headlines, weather reports and other data. This is belong to the Paparazzi series . In addition to that, Swatch is now offering Flik-Flak for children and diamond-decorated Swatches for grown-ups.             Swatch must continue their performance and work. They must continue to surprise the customer to maintain the excitement factor that will catch the attention of the customer. The company must continue to research about their target market and must use new and latest technology that will fit the taste, the needs and wants, the climate and other geographical factor of the target customer. They must maintain the quality of the timepieces where they were known before up to now.             The company must continue on what they have started and continue to maintain the study of change and the factors that will affect the taste and needs of their target customer.     5. What do you think of Swatch’s chances for success as a total fashion enterprise? Do you agree with the management’s extension of the swatch brand name to other products? Why? Why not?             The plan of the Swatch to become a total fashion enterprise is a 50/50 situation. Because swatch was known as a Swiss swatch company for a very long time, it will be hard for the customer to adopt the idea that Swatch is now a total fashion enterprise. There will be questions that will ask if the quality of the new line of products is as good as the watches, because the people are used to the thinking that Swatch is for Swiss watches only. Also, the competition of the product that they want to plunge to is fierce, because there are already lots of names that are well-known in the sports wear clothes and eyewear. It will be hard to compete with these giant names such as the Adidas.               I agree with the management’s extension of the swatch brand because it will only mean that the company is expanding and they are doing this for the satisfaction of their customer. This will also mean improvement to the part of the company and it will add asset and money in-flow to the company.             This management’s extension will also help the company to advertise their timepieces using their planned extension product such as notebooks, pen, eyewear and other sports wear. It will also add publicity because product like this will not cost much, this will serve as a vital advertisement.             Business is a matter of experimenting and learning, the company will never know if this will click if they will not try it, and most of successful businesses has all started in slow sales and then bloom. The same way as, it will surely hit the financial status of the company if the extension will flop, but at least there is always a lesson learned. The company may apply what they have learned in that mistake and apply it for their future decision-making and future plans.          6. Swatch is a classic example of marketing success through creativity. What lessons can be learned from their experience?             The first lesson that other companies can learn from the example of the Swatch is the quality of the product. The quality of the product is always the main reason why customers buy what they need and what they want. That is the basis why most of them are looking and buying their goods and product from a known and trusted name in industry. Just like Swatch that built a quality impression to customers, up to now, their customers are expecting for quality timepieces. Another reason is that the company uses a well planned marketing strategy by grouping well their target market and giving each group different approach. The company also hired talented artists to design their products in accordance to the wants and needs of the target market. Also all the designs are up-to-date and will surely catch the attention of the customers, making it not only a collectible expensive watches but also watches that will match the mood of the customer and the mood of the world. No wonder that it became a fashion hit during 80s up until now. Another is the use of modern technology and art in one. Just like the Internet watch that will be connected to the Internet to get important data like the weather as well as the internet time. This will not only catch the attention of the previous Swatch users but also those computer and Internet enthusiasts and technology-thirsty-individual.             The continuous change and launching of different products is also one of the most important activities of any company. This is to ensure that the customer is still seeing something new that will urge them to continue to support the products.             Advertising is also one of the factors of success of the Swatch watch. According to  of Orion Pictures, “it is the thing you look for, ache for.”  Advertisement serves as an attention caller of the product. This will help the company to show and introduce the product to the target market. By the use of colorful and animated advertisement of Swatch, it became successful.

Swatch watch

Swatch Watch U.S.A. 1. Swatch is a unique success story. Why has the company been so successful? Was it important that the Swiss w...

CASE STUDY II BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION PROGRAM: REPLACEMENT OF COFFEE-DRINKING BEHAVIOR TO TEA-DRINKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OR REINFORCEMENT

TITLE: REPLACEMENT OF COFFEE-DRINKING BEHAVIOR TO TEA-DRINKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OR REINFORCEMENT   ABSTRACT: Each event creates a chain reaction to other activities. A particular scenario becomes an antecedent to another event or a behavior.             Since some scenarios can be perceived as an antecedent of a behavior, it might occur to us that giving up a particular antecedent will change our behavior or the next particular. Thus, antecedents may either create a positive or negative behavior, depending on how it was manipulated.             Coffee drinking every morning is an example of an antecedent. The result of coffee drinking is a good social life. Thus, changing the habit of drinking coffee every morning will change the good social life positively or negatively.             The consequence may either be positive or negative depending on how the antecedent was changed. In coffee-drinking, we can look for a similar behavior that would create almost a similar consequence. This study will use tea-drinking.                At the end of the study, we expect to eliminate the coffee-drinking behavior in the span of five weeks through reinforcement. Reinforcement theory is a functional theory that follows three principles. First, consequences which give rewards increase behavior. Second, consequence which gives punishments decreases behavior. Third, consequence which gives neither rewards nor punishments extinguishes behavior. (Reinforcement, 1996) This study aims to eliminate the coffee-drinking through increasing the positive consequences of tea-drinking.   Hypothesis of the Study: The replacement of coffee-drinking to tea-drinking is possible through the process of reinforcement. By replacing coffee-drinking to tea drinking, the positive consequences will increase, slowly eliminating the coffee-drinking behavior.   Method: In this study, I have chosen myself to be the participant. The gender is male and the age is 31 years old. Many of the males at this age are coffee drinkers, and I, myself belong to this group. I have excessive coffee-drinking behavior that I want to eliminate. Thus, participating in this study would be beneficial for me at the same time. However, there may be some conflict of interests that may arise in this methodology. That is because I will have more determination to prove the success of the program, since I am the one making the study. My decisions on whether to drink coffee or tea may be influenced by the study I am creating.  However, for the purpose of getting significant results, the methodology of the study will be followed as objective as possible. The observation of this study will start from week 1 to week 5. Upon the completion of five weeks, the frequency of the coffee-drinking against the tea-drinking will be counted. A diagram will be made in order to show the trend of the impact of tea-drinking as opposed to coffee-drinking. At the end of the study, it is expected to arrive in a conclusion whether tea-drinking is effective in replacing coffee-drinking following the process of reinforcement.   INTRODUCTION:             The rationale of this study is to use tea-drinking as a means to eliminate the habit of coffee-drinking, by increasing its rewards to social life. Thus, in this study, we predict that tea-drinking will replace the coffee-drinking habit through reinforcement theory. By replacing coffee-drinking by tea-drinking, we can also predict that the social life will not be altered negatively, but will still remain to be a good one. This process follows the reinforcement theory.             According to the Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Support, antecedent is a “stimulus, such as a verbal cue, physical prompt, person or event that precedes a behavior. “ (Kansas, 2008)             An example of an antecedent is a student who wants to leave the class because he was told to do a task that he or she doesn’t like. The behavior may be rocking a chair. Rocking a chair may either cause to another event, which is, a reprimand from the teacher or the student will be sent to the guidance councilor.             Studies show that, at some point of the class, the student raised his or her hand to participate but the teacher didn’t recognize him or her. As a result, he draws pictures instead of listening. (Antecedent, 2008)             Common antecedents could be a critical feedback from others, absence of attention and specific task or event. (Antecedent, 2008)             Recent studies made by Eric Boelter in the University of Iowa, used manipulations of the antecedent variables in order to rectify three children who are engaged in non-compliance behavior. The three children were all diagnosed to have individualistic behavior or signs of autism. Results showed that two of the three children responded well on the change of antecedents. The change of antecedents consists of giving praises often, controlled teaching and giving out incentives.  However, the third needs more in depth treatment. (Effects, 2007)             Thus, knowing and changing an antecedent can help a person determine if he or she has a problem. The effectiveness of the program can be evaluated by a comparison of the consequences. Counting and rating the responses as negative and positive will also help measure the effectiveness of the program.             In this study, the focus is to eliminate the coffee-drinking behavior with out affecting the social consequence. Thus, this study will test the efficiency of the tea-drinking as a substitute to coffee-drinking.               This study will use the reinforcement theory which would test the success of substitution in a particular length of time. This study will observe the change of frequency of coffee drinking as opposed to tea-drinking in the span of five weeks.               RESULTS Target Behavior Drinking coffee is the behavior that is needed to be altered. In order to alter this behavior, we need to use a substitute antecedent to not fully affect the consequence of the behavior. Tea-drinking was chosen to replace coffee-drinking. Below is the frequency table of the occurrence of the tea-drinking and coffee-drinking in five weeks.               5                                                       4                                                       3                                                       2                                                       1                                             week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5                 coffee drinking =                 tea drinking =                                       The table above shows that for the first week, coffee-drinking still got the maximum number of occurrence. Tea-drinking started in a very minimal rate. As the weeks gone by, it can be noticed that tea-drinking is increasing while the coffee-drinking is decreasing. During the first week, the diversion from coffee to tea was difficult. However, after a number of weeks, tea drinking and coffee drinking almost traded places. Tea-drinking became higher and coffee-drinking became lower. This is because of the principle of “reinforcement”. As the behavior is done repeatedly, it is slowly increasing its rewards to a social life. The more I practice to drink tea in the morning, I started knowing new people little by little who are tea-drinkers.   Thus, when the Week 5 approaches, tea-drinking is noticeably higher than the first week.   Environmental programming             Most of the things served in the menu are coffee. Teas are served too, however, it goes to show that coffee have more variants thus, coffee are often chosen. This is a negative reinforcer to the program.             The positive reinforcer is the big poster of a hot pot of tea on the wall. It reminds me to get a cup of tea instead of coffee.             A number of friends who also drink tea is also another positive reinforcer because it would provide me a sense of belongingness, knowing that I am not the only person drinking tea.   DISCUSSION: The results indicated above showed that on the first few days, coffee-drinking rated the most. However, on the fourth week, coffee-drinking begun to decline, and tea-drinking begun to move upward. Following the theory of repetition, the results showed that tea-drinking produced good rewards such as good social life, which increased the tea-drinking behavior.             That is because, tea-drinking still let me sit with my friends and have a nice conversation with them, without a coffee in my cup. Moreover, my friends widened because I now sit with tea-drinkers, while the people I used to sit with who are coffee-drinkers remain to be my friends.             Based on the table shown on the previous pages, tea drinking was able to replace coffee drinking through “re-inforcement”. Rewards of tea-drinking which is a wider circle of friends, make the behavior increase.             This results satisfies the hypothesis which is being able to eliminate the behavior of coffee-drinking through tea-drinking, through the process or reinforcement theory.             In terms of reinforcers, we also used positive reinforcers found in the environment such as posters of a pot of tea and friends drinking tea instead of coffee. Those positive reinforcers help in the success of the program.             Another form of reward, aside from wider circle of friends is rewarding myself after successfully completing a week with a higher rate of tea-drinking than coffee-drinking. I could possibly buy myself a cheeseburger that would go with the tea.   LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:             This study acknowledges the limitation that the study is also limited to one participant only and there are no other participants for comparison purposes. This study also acknowledges the fact that it might be subjective since the person making the study and the participants are one and the same.   SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES:             A behavior modification program for excessive T.V. watching or excessive net surfing may also be a significant study. A study on behavior modification of a group of people such as students or prisoners is also significant. This will show the difference of conducting behavioral modification programs in group of people rather than in an individual.    REFERENCES: Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Support. (2008) Glossary Terms –Positive Behavior Module. [Online Source] Available at : http://www.kipbs.org/new_kipbs/fsi/overallGlossary.html   Antecedent – Behavior – Consequence Chart. (2008) Special Connections. [Online Source] Available at :  http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/specconn/main.php?cat=behavior&section=main&subsection=fba/abc   Reinforcement Theory. (1996) Healthy Influence. [Online Resource] Available at : http://www.as.wvu.edu/~sbb/comm221/chapters/rf.htm   APPENDIX Contingency Contract   Date:  April 21, 2008   I am aware that drinking too much coffee makes me nervous and is adding too caffeine in my body. With the help of my teacher, we will both follow a program that will help me eliminate the excessive coffee-drinking behavior. In this case, we will use tea to replace my coffee-drinking behavior.   Everyday, I will order hot tea at the coffee-shop where I used to drink coffee. I will note it down to a paper everyday, and check whether I have fully eliminated coffee-drinking in my everyday routine.   If I get a higher frequency on coffee-drinking, I will buy myself a cheeseburger. After five weeks, I will have my teacher evaluate the program and check if I have met the goals we’ve set for my behavior.     ________________________                                ________________________ Student’s Signature                                                                        Teacher’s Signature

CASE STUDY II BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION PROGRAM: REPLACEMENT OF COFFEE-DRINKING BEHAVIOR TO TEA-DRINKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OR REINFORCEMENT

TITLE: REPLACEMENT OF COFFEE-DRINKING BEHAVIOR TO TEA-DRINKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OR REINFORCEMENT ABSTRACT: Each event creates...