Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Analysis of variance

The green moss bio-insecticide was extracted by means of pounding and squeezing. The insecticide was tested by the researcher by applying it to 10 eremites in three trials with three different concentration. The first setup was applied with the 100% moss extract, the second setup with the 50%, the third setup with the 25% concentration gradient of the moss extract. The last setup was applied with commercialese insecticide.With the given results that were computed from the gathered data, the researcher conclude that the alternative hypothesis, which states that the green moss extract would be an effective bio-insecticide on dry wood termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of their mortality, is accepted the reason given that the F value is higher than the degrees of freedom. If the green moss extract, compared to commercialese insecticide, would be an effective insecticide against drowsy termites.Termite, common name for numerous species of social insects that can damag e wooden structures, such as furniture or houses, or other materials containing cellulose while other species obtain a special fluid secreted by beetles. Control is obtained also by using wood treated with creosote or some other poisonous chemical. Because most worker termites cannot vive without moisture, the territories should be exposed to dry air.Insecticides induced to termites are of the following: The soil where a structure is standing would be treated with an insecticide to discourage termite incursions; wooden parts of a structure would be treated with creosote or some other poisonous chemical for control thus making the termites live outside the wood but the workers cannot live without moisture, thus being exposed to dry air. Commercialese insecticides are very harmful not only for the common health of the insects but also for humans and the environment.Unstable chemicals that kill other lives will most potentially kill others. In conclusion, commercialese insecticides whi ch contains harmful chemicals are widely ranged in the country but must not be thus having the study. Moss is used in this study as an insecticide to drowsy termites due to the Bryophytes isolated location; moist, wet, and out of reach. Green moss is not contacted by termites, thus the idea of making idea of making the Bryophyte to be an insecticide.General Statement of the Problem The problems of the research are the following: The possibility of the green moss extract to be a potential insecticide to drowsy termites; the comparison of the green moss extract as an insecticide and the commercialese insecticide to its effectiveness over drowsy termites. Specific Questions 1 . L's there a significant difference between the different proportions of the green moss extract and commercialese insecticide in terms of killing termites? . Will there be a high mortality rate on the termites when the green moss extract is used. Statement of the Hypotheses The null hypothesis of this study is th at the Green moss extract would not be an effective insecticide over drowsy termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of mortality while its alternative hypothesis is that the Green moss extract would be an effective insecticide on droopy termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of mortality.Significance of the Study The aim of the study is to use the abundance of green moss extract in the research's location for use as a alternative for a insecticide over commercialese products due to its chemical value. And also, to find what substance does the green moss extract notation which has insecticidal properties over the termites, if ever. Most Filipino families will benefit from the study due to its abundance in any place which is damp; virtually, everywhere. It may also be mass produced and may be a source of income to the Philippines; export to other countries.Scope and Limitation The study will be dealing with the production of the bio-insecticide made out of the pure extract gathered from the green moss given the reason of the countless chemicals found in the commercialese insecticide and that the bio-insecticide is to Essen the usage of it by proving that the product has better mortality rate over pests, in this case, drowsy termites. The study will be limited on what type of tests shall the green moss extract bio-insecticide undergo. The study is also limited on using just the green moss as the resource for the study.Definition of Terms Bryophyte – a botanical division (phylum) of small, soft plants. Drowsy termites – creates colonies in wood, with no connection to the ground necessary. Green moss – A plant which may grow in all types of climate and grow on a variety of substrates. Insecticide- a chemical used against insects. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The potentiality of Nonage bark extract as an insecticide was conducted by Sheer Ann Alarming, Erectile Guessers, and Shannon Mayo through Photochemical Analy sis and Screen-House Experiment.For the Screen-House Experiment, four nonsectarian were constructed with them applied Treatment A (pure extract), B (extract with essential oil), C (Bacon), and D (Raid). Mortality rate and effectiveness of the extract were observed for two minutes y the researchers and the results were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (NOVA). As a result, in terms of the treatments effectively on mosquitoes, the pure extract is the most effective. On the other hand, Treatments A, C and D were effective against termites' and cockroaches.The researchers had bought to a conclusion that Nonage Bark Extract is effective and could be tapped as an alternative bio-insecticide in eliminating insects. In another research, by Amman Bengal, tackling on the Insecticidal effect of Thebe on common house mosquitoes, he stated that developers have had discovered that thebe oil contains insecticidal qualities as well although no toxicity as been reported present. He then made an experiment by introducing the concoction to twenty(20) common house mosquitoes to test the effectively of it and was then observed for twenty(20) minutes.The results brought the researcher to the conclusion that thebe contains an insecticidal effect on mosquitoes. Lastly, the researchers Gaylord and Clement had pondered over the effectiveness of cassava extract insecticide against termites and how it could be a substitute for the commercialese insecticides. The extract was then gathered and applied to twenty(20) termites inside a beaker; sprayed twice. After several trials and times measured, they used T-test to tabulate the data of the Cassava extract against the commercialese insecticide.They then concluded that the two have no significant difference and that the Cassava extract is effective and may be a substitute for the commercialese insecticide. METHODOLOGY Location of the Study The study was conducted inside the vicinity of the researcher's school, Calm City Science High School. The moss was gathered from Callahan, Laguna. Data Gathering Process The data was gathered after the application of the 100%, 50%, and 25% gradient incineration of the green moss extract, and the commercialese insecticide to the drowsy termites.The researcher had observed if there was a significant difference between the four (4) substances to the mortality rate of the drowsy termites. Statistical Analysis The data gathering technique to be used in the study by the researcher is the One-way analysis of variance that it may be used to two or more samples, by using the F-test, and must be numerical data. Since the samples are independent, they have equal variances, and that the insecticides are virtually distributed by the same assure, the study is applicable for a One-way NOVA.Instruments The researcher used the following materials to make the bio-insecticide made out of green moss extract. The raw materials that were used to create the product was green moss and water (for th e concentration of the extract). The other instruments used were mortar and pestle, to pulverize the moss and get the extract easier; beaker, as both a container and measurement tool for both the extract and commercialese insecticide; filter paper, in order not to get impurities to the extract; terrorized containers as where the drowsy termites would be put to; and sprayer for the distribution of the extract.A stopwatch will be used to measure the duration of the mortality of the drowsy termites. Procedure The researcher would first collect the materials for the experiment going with: 500 grams of moss; a beaker; a stirring rod; mortar and pestle; filter paper; patisseries; commercialese insecticide. The researcher would then be extracting the moss using the mortar and pestle and then be contained on a beaker through filter paper and funnel. After a short hill, the extract and the commercialese insecticide will then be applied to 3 set- ups each and having the extract decreased from 100% concentration to 50% and then to 25%.The results will then be gathered and tabulated after twenty(20) minutes using the â€Å"One-way analysis of variance† or the â€Å"One-way NOVA†. Summary and Conclusion This study was conducted to develop a bio-insecticide made out of green moss extract that may kill drowsy termites. The data was gathered by applying the different concentration of the green moss extract which was 100%, 50%, and 25%, including the commercialese insecticide to three (3) trials each containing ten (10) drowsy termites.With the given results that were computed from the gathered data, the researcher conclude that the alternative hypothesis, which states that the green moss extract would be an effective bio-insecticide on dry wood termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of their mortality, is accepted the reason given that the F value is higher than the degrees of freedom thus stating that the alternative hypothesis is accepted. In a ddition, the researcher has tested and concluded that the extraneous arable of the moss extract to be acidic and that may have affected the termites' mortality is faulty.The green moss extract has a level of 8 pH which concludes that it is a basic substance and not an acidic substance. Recommendation The researcher recommends finding what exact content that the green moss extract has that had killed the drowsy termites. He recommends that when the specific content of the green moss extract that has a pesticides effect is found, use another type of moss. The researcher also recommends using the same type of moss but in another location having the reason of different nutrition of the moss. Analysis of variance The green moss bio-insecticide was extracted by means of pounding and squeezing. The insecticide was tested by the researcher by applying it to 10 eremites in three trials with three different concentration. The first setup was applied with the 100% moss extract, the second setup with the 50%, the third setup with the 25% concentration gradient of the moss extract. The last setup was applied with commercialese insecticide.With the given results that were computed from the gathered data, the researcher conclude that the alternative hypothesis, which states that the green moss extract would be an effective bio-insecticide on dry wood termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of their mortality, is accepted the reason given that the F value is higher than the degrees of freedom. If the green moss extract, compared to commercialese insecticide, would be an effective insecticide against drowsy termites.Termite, common name for numerous species of social insects that can damag e wooden structures, such as furniture or houses, or other materials containing cellulose while other species obtain a special fluid secreted by beetles. Control is obtained also by using wood treated with creosote or some other poisonous chemical. Because most worker termites cannot vive without moisture, the territories should be exposed to dry air.Insecticides induced to termites are of the following: The soil where a structure is standing would be treated with an insecticide to discourage termite incursions; wooden parts of a structure would be treated with creosote or some other poisonous chemical for control thus making the termites live outside the wood but the workers cannot live without moisture, thus being exposed to dry air. Commercialese insecticides are very harmful not only for the common health of the insects but also for humans and the environment.Unstable chemicals that kill other lives will most potentially kill others. In conclusion, commercialese insecticides whi ch contains harmful chemicals are widely ranged in the country but must not be thus having the study. Moss is used in this study as an insecticide to drowsy termites due to the Bryophytes isolated location; moist, wet, and out of reach. Green moss is not contacted by termites, thus the idea of making idea of making the Bryophyte to be an insecticide.General Statement of the Problem The problems of the research are the following: The possibility of the green moss extract to be a potential insecticide to drowsy termites; the comparison of the green moss extract as an insecticide and the commercialese insecticide to its effectiveness over drowsy termites. Specific Questions 1 . L's there a significant difference between the different proportions of the green moss extract and commercialese insecticide in terms of killing termites? . Will there be a high mortality rate on the termites when the green moss extract is used. Statement of the Hypotheses The null hypothesis of this study is th at the Green moss extract would not be an effective insecticide over drowsy termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of mortality while its alternative hypothesis is that the Green moss extract would be an effective insecticide on droopy termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of mortality.Significance of the Study The aim of the study is to use the abundance of green moss extract in the research's location for use as a alternative for a insecticide over commercialese products due to its chemical value. And also, to find what substance does the green moss extract notation which has insecticidal properties over the termites, if ever. Most Filipino families will benefit from the study due to its abundance in any place which is damp; virtually, everywhere. It may also be mass produced and may be a source of income to the Philippines; export to other countries.Scope and Limitation The study will be dealing with the production of the bio-insecticide made out of the pure extract gathered from the green moss given the reason of the countless chemicals found in the commercialese insecticide and that the bio-insecticide is to Essen the usage of it by proving that the product has better mortality rate over pests, in this case, drowsy termites. The study will be limited on what type of tests shall the green moss extract bio-insecticide undergo. The study is also limited on using just the green moss as the resource for the study.Definition of Terms Bryophyte – a botanical division (phylum) of small, soft plants. Drowsy termites – creates colonies in wood, with no connection to the ground necessary. Green moss – A plant which may grow in all types of climate and grow on a variety of substrates. Insecticide- a chemical used against insects. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The potentiality of Nonage bark extract as an insecticide was conducted by Sheer Ann Alarming, Erectile Guessers, and Shannon Mayo through Photochemical Analy sis and Screen-House Experiment.For the Screen-House Experiment, four nonsectarian were constructed with them applied Treatment A (pure extract), B (extract with essential oil), C (Bacon), and D (Raid). Mortality rate and effectiveness of the extract were observed for two minutes y the researchers and the results were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (NOVA). As a result, in terms of the treatments effectively on mosquitoes, the pure extract is the most effective. On the other hand, Treatments A, C and D were effective against termites' and cockroaches.The researchers had bought to a conclusion that Nonage Bark Extract is effective and could be tapped as an alternative bio-insecticide in eliminating insects. In another research, by Amman Bengal, tackling on the Insecticidal effect of Thebe on common house mosquitoes, he stated that developers have had discovered that thebe oil contains insecticidal qualities as well although no toxicity as been reported present. He then made an experiment by introducing the concoction to twenty(20) common house mosquitoes to test the effectively of it and was then observed for twenty(20) minutes.The results brought the researcher to the conclusion that thebe contains an insecticidal effect on mosquitoes. Lastly, the researchers Gaylord and Clement had pondered over the effectiveness of cassava extract insecticide against termites and how it could be a substitute for the commercialese insecticides. The extract was then gathered and applied to twenty(20) termites inside a beaker; sprayed twice. After several trials and times measured, they used T-test to tabulate the data of the Cassava extract against the commercialese insecticide.They then concluded that the two have no significant difference and that the Cassava extract is effective and may be a substitute for the commercialese insecticide. METHODOLOGY Location of the Study The study was conducted inside the vicinity of the researcher's school, Calm City Science High School. The moss was gathered from Callahan, Laguna. Data Gathering Process The data was gathered after the application of the 100%, 50%, and 25% gradient incineration of the green moss extract, and the commercialese insecticide to the drowsy termites.The researcher had observed if there was a significant difference between the four (4) substances to the mortality rate of the drowsy termites. Statistical Analysis The data gathering technique to be used in the study by the researcher is the One-way analysis of variance that it may be used to two or more samples, by using the F-test, and must be numerical data. Since the samples are independent, they have equal variances, and that the insecticides are virtually distributed by the same assure, the study is applicable for a One-way NOVA.Instruments The researcher used the following materials to make the bio-insecticide made out of green moss extract. The raw materials that were used to create the product was green moss and water (for th e concentration of the extract). The other instruments used were mortar and pestle, to pulverize the moss and get the extract easier; beaker, as both a container and measurement tool for both the extract and commercialese insecticide; filter paper, in order not to get impurities to the extract; terrorized containers as where the drowsy termites would be put to; and sprayer for the distribution of the extract.A stopwatch will be used to measure the duration of the mortality of the drowsy termites. Procedure The researcher would first collect the materials for the experiment going with: 500 grams of moss; a beaker; a stirring rod; mortar and pestle; filter paper; patisseries; commercialese insecticide. The researcher would then be extracting the moss using the mortar and pestle and then be contained on a beaker through filter paper and funnel. After a short hill, the extract and the commercialese insecticide will then be applied to 3 set- ups each and having the extract decreased from 100% concentration to 50% and then to 25%.The results will then be gathered and tabulated after twenty(20) minutes using the â€Å"One-way analysis of variance† or the â€Å"One-way NOVA†. Summary and Conclusion This study was conducted to develop a bio-insecticide made out of green moss extract that may kill drowsy termites. The data was gathered by applying the different concentration of the green moss extract which was 100%, 50%, and 25%, including the commercialese insecticide to three (3) trials each containing ten (10) drowsy termites.With the given results that were computed from the gathered data, the researcher conclude that the alternative hypothesis, which states that the green moss extract would be an effective bio-insecticide on dry wood termites versus the commercialese insecticide by means of their mortality, is accepted the reason given that the F value is higher than the degrees of freedom thus stating that the alternative hypothesis is accepted. In a ddition, the researcher has tested and concluded that the extraneous arable of the moss extract to be acidic and that may have affected the termites' mortality is faulty.The green moss extract has a level of 8 pH which concludes that it is a basic substance and not an acidic substance. Recommendation The researcher recommends finding what exact content that the green moss extract has that had killed the drowsy termites. He recommends that when the specific content of the green moss extract that has a pesticides effect is found, use another type of moss. The researcher also recommends using the same type of moss but in another location having the reason of different nutrition of the moss.

Rechargeable Charcoal/Wood-Feed Stove Essay

Currently, Philippines experiences economic crisis which results to higher costs of rare fossil fuels and LPG tanks which is used as a medium of cooking stoves. The study was conducted to construct a Rechargeable Charcoal/Wood-Feed Stove; a time-saver and a cost efficient appliance. It aims to compare the efficiency of the said stove to other commonly types of stove such as LPG Stove and Charcoal/Wood Clay Stove regarding with the time consumed when boiling, the watts consumed and the volume of fuel needed. The body was composed of half-cut gas tank, the base with steel bars. Cement and sand was poured. Perforated plate was attached to serve as air outlet. The box was made and the 12-volt battery was attached. The results of time and watts consumed when boiling using 750 ml of water using rechargeable charcoal/wood-feed stove was 2. 67 minutes, and 0. 00018 watts respectively using 50 g of charcoal in average. Cost of fuel and watts used were Php 0. 71 and Php 0. 02 respectively. Whereas using the Charcoal/Wood Clay Stove, the time consumed when boiling was 10. 35 minutes consuming 300 g of charcoal in average and the total cost obtained was Php 4. 29. While for LPG Stove was; 4. 67 minutes consuming 66. 7 g of gas in average and the total cost obtained was Php 4. 97. Based on the results gathered, using comparison, the researchers concluded that the stove is less-time consuming and a fuel-saver compared to LPG Stove and Charcoal/Wood Clay Stove.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Substance Abuse

This issue troubles me every time, even when I try not to think about it, and turn my mind away from it. Addiction is not what Just happened, it takes time, creep in slowly without you knowing you getting addicted to it. Most times people don't know they getting addicted to something, I believe everybody is addicted to something, I sometimes call love addiction because when you love somebody you will always want to be with that person. My immediate elder brother started smoking cigarette at age 17, and start smoking marijuana at age 19, and still smoke till this day.People always say â€Å"am not addicted to smoking or drinking†, and usually follow this sentence, I only take a glass of wine before going to bed, or I only smoke to relax myself. My community is drowning from substance abuse, drugs and alcohol. â€Å"People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. The toll f or this abuse can be seen in our hospitals and emergency departments through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma.Jails and prisons tally daily the throng connection between crime and drug dependence and abuse. Although use of some drugs such as cocaine has declined, use of other drugs such as heroin and â€Å"club drugs† has increased†(Reilly, 1989). Drugs has become a big part of our society, I was a auto-technician for a big car company that work with Bentley and Aerosols. I have to go into customers car to fix or diagnose the problem, 60% of the time I find or smell marijuana in the car. That is the rate this country is going, 1 out of 2 people smoke, at least cigarette.Many marijuana users believes smoking pot has no negative effects, scientific research indicates that marijuana use can cause many different health problems. This always contribute to our society negatively, it make kids act up, make parents not function as paren ts, and eventually make the society slowdown. All this are happening without the drug being legalize, marijuana is always the focus point because it is the gate way drug to other substance. 2 Drugs are one of, and most epidemics in my community.Too months ago in my building, Just got home from school on a snowing, and cold day, I saw a lot of people adhered in from of the elevator, and was wondering why, I decided to ask somebody what's happening, she said mike was shot (14 year old boy on my floor) by somebody who he sold drugs for. This is the same boy the brother served 4 years in Jail, and just got home 4 months ago for possession of drugs. I see them every time, him and his friends. Age range from 12 to 16, smoking and drinking, and some of them don't go home for days, they skip school.Their parents don't talk to them thinking they can direct their own life. I see these things in my neighborhood every time, and wish I can urn it around in a day. They said Rome wasn't built in a day, and that's true. I plan to write an anonymous letter to some of the parents and the building manager concerning drugs, and how it affects the community, kids growing up around them, and the building it safe. After doing drugs they get wild and break things, my building has so many holes on the walls from their craziness.This is not fair to people in the building paying more expensive rent than them, they deserve clean and noise free environment. My hallway is packed with people all day for no reason, hey lay on the floor most times, and you have to walk across them. The elevator and stairways is full of graffiti, and gang sign on the wall, police is always in the building which is not good or fair to the tenants. I know is not going to be easy, everybody react to the same thing differently. I plan on being polite, positive.This are good kids, they Just need somebody to care about them, it don't really bother me because I grow up in a neighborhood like this, am only concern abo ut other tenants who are not used to it. I grow up in a big family, in a rough neighborhood. Almost 20 boys in and out of my house every day, most of them thugs, and they are all gang member. 3 They should be a program in poor neighborhood for kids and adult to tell them about them about their neighborhood, and the values.People won't respect or care for what they don't know, parent should learn to see their kids and as their kids and not their friends or buddies. Gang members claim neighborhoods saying is for the red or for blue side, because they don't know the real value of the neighborhood and nobody tell them. Illegal drugs have been around â€Å"since the 19th century when Americans iris discovered new wonder drugs like morphine, heroin, and cocaine, our society has confronted the problem of drug abuse and addiction.When the 20th century began, the United States–grappling with its first drug epidemic–gradually instituted effective restrictions: at home through d omestic law enforcement and overseas by spearheading a world movement to limit opium and coca crops. By World War II, American drug use had become so rare; it was seen as a marginal social problem. The first epidemic was forgotten. During the sass, drugs eke marijuana, amphetamines, and psychedelics came on the scene, and a new generation embraced drugs.With the drug culture exploding, our government developed new laws and agencies to address the problem. In 1973, the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration was created to enforce federal drug laws. In the sass, cocaine reappeared. Then, a decade later, crack appeared, spreading addiction and violence at epidemic levels. Today, the Idea's biggest challenge is the dramatic change in organized crime. While American criminals once controlled drug trafficking on U. S. Soil, today sophisticated ND powerful criminal groups headquartered in foreign countries control the drug trade in the United States†. DEAD, 13) This is the American so ciety we life in now, the earlier we do something the better it will be for everybody. You don't want your teenage kid sneaking out to go drink, smoke or do drugs, and thinking it's cool Just because she see her friends 4 or even her parent doing it. Some people say smoking or drinking is not bad but how you do it, or what you do it for. Drinking more than two times in a week is Just as bad a smoking, that's what I think, because for twice a week you will want to hang-out ore with boys/girls and get some more drink. Substance Abuse Impact of Psychiatric Disorders on Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Substance Abuse Daniel Painter Raritan Valley Community College Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. page 3 Abstract 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 4-5 Critique 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 5 Abstract 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦page 6 Critique 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 6-7 Abstract 3†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦page 8 Critique 3†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 8 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. page 9 IntroductionFor this research I selected the articles that concentrated on treatment outcomes for clients with addictions who also had a mental illness diagnoses (depression, anxiety, antisocial personality disorder, phobias). The first two research studies were conducted at different times but by the same researcher, Drar Charney, MD, and concentrate on outcomes of addiction treatment in patients with co-occurring disorders of anxiety and depression, or both at the same time. The last article by Wilson Compton, MD, focuses on drug dependence treatment outcomes in patient with a variety of mental llnesses. All three studies show similar results in predicting outcomes. Study #1 Abstract The first study that I selected, â€Å"Association Between Concurrent Depression And Anxiety And Six Month Outcome Of Addiction Treatment† conducted by Dara Charney, MD, et al, focuses the common problem of depressive or anxiety symptoms appearing together with drug abuse. The study was conducted for 6 months, used a sample of 326 patients that were assessed through semi structured interviews, ASI, BDI, and Symptom Checkli st 90 and then reassessed after 6 months.The objectives of the study were to assess rates of depression and anxiety in patients seeking addiction treatment and examine how the existence of concurrent psychiatric symptoms will influence treatment outcomes. The sample included 326 patients which was mixed population of adults with substance abuse disorder, who were predominantly white (93%) and male (64%) with a mean age of 41 years old. The sample included patients who were recruited upon entering treatment at the MUHC addictions unit.All patients were eligible for study – there were no exclusion criteria. 63% of patients had significant psychiatric symptoms at intake: 15% had depressive symptoms, 16% had anxiety symptoms and 32% presented with combined depressive and anxiety symptoms. During the six-month follow-up study, participants were offered standard treatment: outpatient detoxification, one or two 90-minute group therapy sessions per week, at least four 50-minute indiv idual therapy sessions and random urine drug screens throughout treatment.Follow up included even those participants who dropped out of the treatment (154 patients dropped out of treatment before 6 months mark) and all participants were asked about the outcome of treatment (abstinence status and duration of continuous abstinence), psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Results of the study revealed that those patients who were presented with few psychiatric symptoms on intake or presented with either depressive or anxiety symptoms on intake fared better than those who presented with depressive and anxiety symptoms together: 73% were still abstinent at 6 months.Critique of study #1 The study supported studied done earlier on the same subject and came up with similar results: patients with co-occurring depressive, anxiety symptoms and addictions fare worse at the end of the addiction treatment than those who do not present with co-occurring symptoms. There are several drawbac ks in the means this study employed. The sample was not representative of the community at large, because the majority of the participants were white males.It was not a random sample as well, because patients were recruited at the same facility. Half of the patients dropped out of treatment before the 6 month period, and were still evaluated at the end of the study regarding its objectives, which is not representative of treatment outcomes since they did not receive treatment. However, on the positive side, the study did include a large sample of patients and the outcomes were consistent with the outcomes of the similar studies. Study #2 AbstractThe second study that I selected, â€Å"The impact of depression on the outcome of addictions treatment† conducted also by Dara Charney, MD, Antonios Paraherakis, BSc, et al, focused on prevalence of depression among men and women who entered the outpatient program for substance use disorder treatment. The objectives of the study were to find out whether it was primary depression or substance-induced depression, presentation of specific features of depression and the impact of depression on treatment out comes. The research sample included 75 patients of the MGH addictions unit. 97% of the sample population was Caucasian, 61. 3% were male and 38. % were female, all of mean age of 40. 5 years old. Subjects were consecutively recruited upon entering treatment and no exclusion criteria were applied. At intake 22. 4% of patients exhibited primary depressive disorder, 8. 4% had substance-induced depressions. At 3 months follow up 93. 3% of patients were reinterviewed. Participants who dropped out of the outpatient treatment were also invited to participate in the interview (35% of the sample). The study concluded that patients, who in the beginning of the study presented with primary depressive disorder, had longer duration of abstinence and greater decreases in symptomatology.Patients with substance-induced depressi on almost completely stopped using their primary substance. Critique of study #2 One of the drawbacks of this study is a small sample size: only 75 patients participated. Sample population was not diverse either: the majority of participants were white males. The duration of the study makes the validity of the outcomes questionable, based on the recurring nature of depressive disorder. However, the results were consistent with the results of similar studies. Study #3 AbstractThe third study I selected, â€Å"The role of psychiatric disorders in predicting drug dependence treatment outcomes† conducted by Wilson Compton, MD, et al, examined what role co morbid psychiatric disorders played in the outcomes of treatment of drug-dependent subjects. The researchers used a sample of 401 subjects from a variety of facilities in the St. Louis area: public outpatient methadone clinics, two drug-free outpatient programs, two drug-free inpatient programs, an outpatient program for drug-ab using prostitutes, and a residential recovery shelter for women. The sample was diverse in that 61% were African Americans and 66% were men.The majority had graduated from high school, were unemployed and had never married. Alcohol dependence was the most common co-occurring psychiatric disorder with a prevalence of 63%. The subjects were interviewed upon admission into the study and then re-interviewed at follow-up 12 months later to determine their drug abuse status. The results of the study showed that several psychiatric disorders predicted worse outcomes at the follow-up. For instance, subjects with major depressive disorder showed using a larger number of substances and having more drug dependence diagnoses and symptoms.Subjects with alcohol dependence showed more dependent diagnoses. Outcomes predicted better abstinence results for women then for men. Critique of study #3 This is a thorough study conducted over a fairly long period of time (12 months at follow-up) that involv ed a large population sample (401 subjects) and was diverse in the facilities involved and demographically. It shows solid outcomes consistent with other research that focused on similar topics. Overall, the study is well designed and its outcomes have a high probability of being accurate.Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to say that all three research studies focused on drug abuse treatment outcomes for patients who have co-occurring mental disorder. The first two were done by the same researcher and consistently did not have a varied population sample (the majority of patients were male and white in study #1 and study #2) and were done over a period of time that was not long enough in the duration to accept the findings as truly valid, although, the results of these two studies were consistent with the results of similar studies.The last research study, however, employed a large enough and diverse enough population sample as well as long enough duration to validate the result s that were achieved. Overall, study #3 was designed best out of the three and the validity of its findings can be accepted as accurate with a good amount of confidence. Works Cited Charney, Dora, MD; Palacios-Biox, Jorge, MD, et al (2005). Association Between Concurrent Depression And Anxiety And Six-Month Outcome Of Addiction Treatment.Psychiatric Services, 56, 8. Charney, Dora, MD; Paraherakis, Antonios, BSc, et al (1998). The Impact Of Depression On the Outcome Of Addictions Treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15, 2, 123-130. Compton, Wilson, M; Cottler, Linda, Ph. D. et al (2003). The Role Of Psychiatric Disorders In Predicting Drug Dependence Treatment Outcomes. The Amercian Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 5. Substance Abuse Impact of Psychiatric Disorders on Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Substance Abuse Daniel Painter Raritan Valley Community College Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. page 3 Abstract 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 4-5 Critique 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 5 Abstract 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦page 6 Critique 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 6-7 Abstract 3†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦page 8 Critique 3†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. page 8 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. page 9 IntroductionFor this research I selected the articles that concentrated on treatment outcomes for clients with addictions who also had a mental illness diagnoses (depression, anxiety, antisocial personality disorder, phobias). The first two research studies were conducted at different times but by the same researcher, Drar Charney, MD, and concentrate on outcomes of addiction treatment in patients with co-occurring disorders of anxiety and depression, or both at the same time. The last article by Wilson Compton, MD, focuses on drug dependence treatment outcomes in patient with a variety of mental llnesses. All three studies show similar results in predicting outcomes. Study #1 Abstract The first study that I selected, â€Å"Association Between Concurrent Depression And Anxiety And Six Month Outcome Of Addiction Treatment† conducted by Dara Charney, MD, et al, focuses the common problem of depressive or anxiety symptoms appearing together with drug abuse. The study was conducted for 6 months, used a sample of 326 patients that were assessed through semi structured interviews, ASI, BDI, and Symptom Checkli st 90 and then reassessed after 6 months.The objectives of the study were to assess rates of depression and anxiety in patients seeking addiction treatment and examine how the existence of concurrent psychiatric symptoms will influence treatment outcomes. The sample included 326 patients which was mixed population of adults with substance abuse disorder, who were predominantly white (93%) and male (64%) with a mean age of 41 years old. The sample included patients who were recruited upon entering treatment at the MUHC addictions unit.All patients were eligible for study – there were no exclusion criteria. 63% of patients had significant psychiatric symptoms at intake: 15% had depressive symptoms, 16% had anxiety symptoms and 32% presented with combined depressive and anxiety symptoms. During the six-month follow-up study, participants were offered standard treatment: outpatient detoxification, one or two 90-minute group therapy sessions per week, at least four 50-minute indiv idual therapy sessions and random urine drug screens throughout treatment.Follow up included even those participants who dropped out of the treatment (154 patients dropped out of treatment before 6 months mark) and all participants were asked about the outcome of treatment (abstinence status and duration of continuous abstinence), psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Results of the study revealed that those patients who were presented with few psychiatric symptoms on intake or presented with either depressive or anxiety symptoms on intake fared better than those who presented with depressive and anxiety symptoms together: 73% were still abstinent at 6 months.Critique of study #1 The study supported studied done earlier on the same subject and came up with similar results: patients with co-occurring depressive, anxiety symptoms and addictions fare worse at the end of the addiction treatment than those who do not present with co-occurring symptoms. There are several drawbac ks in the means this study employed. The sample was not representative of the community at large, because the majority of the participants were white males.It was not a random sample as well, because patients were recruited at the same facility. Half of the patients dropped out of treatment before the 6 month period, and were still evaluated at the end of the study regarding its objectives, which is not representative of treatment outcomes since they did not receive treatment. However, on the positive side, the study did include a large sample of patients and the outcomes were consistent with the outcomes of the similar studies. Study #2 AbstractThe second study that I selected, â€Å"The impact of depression on the outcome of addictions treatment† conducted also by Dara Charney, MD, Antonios Paraherakis, BSc, et al, focused on prevalence of depression among men and women who entered the outpatient program for substance use disorder treatment. The objectives of the study were to find out whether it was primary depression or substance-induced depression, presentation of specific features of depression and the impact of depression on treatment out comes. The research sample included 75 patients of the MGH addictions unit. 97% of the sample population was Caucasian, 61. 3% were male and 38. % were female, all of mean age of 40. 5 years old. Subjects were consecutively recruited upon entering treatment and no exclusion criteria were applied. At intake 22. 4% of patients exhibited primary depressive disorder, 8. 4% had substance-induced depressions. At 3 months follow up 93. 3% of patients were reinterviewed. Participants who dropped out of the outpatient treatment were also invited to participate in the interview (35% of the sample). The study concluded that patients, who in the beginning of the study presented with primary depressive disorder, had longer duration of abstinence and greater decreases in symptomatology.Patients with substance-induced depressi on almost completely stopped using their primary substance. Critique of study #2 One of the drawbacks of this study is a small sample size: only 75 patients participated. Sample population was not diverse either: the majority of participants were white males. The duration of the study makes the validity of the outcomes questionable, based on the recurring nature of depressive disorder. However, the results were consistent with the results of similar studies. Study #3 AbstractThe third study I selected, â€Å"The role of psychiatric disorders in predicting drug dependence treatment outcomes† conducted by Wilson Compton, MD, et al, examined what role co morbid psychiatric disorders played in the outcomes of treatment of drug-dependent subjects. The researchers used a sample of 401 subjects from a variety of facilities in the St. Louis area: public outpatient methadone clinics, two drug-free outpatient programs, two drug-free inpatient programs, an outpatient program for drug-ab using prostitutes, and a residential recovery shelter for women. The sample was diverse in that 61% were African Americans and 66% were men.The majority had graduated from high school, were unemployed and had never married. Alcohol dependence was the most common co-occurring psychiatric disorder with a prevalence of 63%. The subjects were interviewed upon admission into the study and then re-interviewed at follow-up 12 months later to determine their drug abuse status. The results of the study showed that several psychiatric disorders predicted worse outcomes at the follow-up. For instance, subjects with major depressive disorder showed using a larger number of substances and having more drug dependence diagnoses and symptoms.Subjects with alcohol dependence showed more dependent diagnoses. Outcomes predicted better abstinence results for women then for men. Critique of study #3 This is a thorough study conducted over a fairly long period of time (12 months at follow-up) that involv ed a large population sample (401 subjects) and was diverse in the facilities involved and demographically. It shows solid outcomes consistent with other research that focused on similar topics. Overall, the study is well designed and its outcomes have a high probability of being accurate.Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to say that all three research studies focused on drug abuse treatment outcomes for patients who have co-occurring mental disorder. The first two were done by the same researcher and consistently did not have a varied population sample (the majority of patients were male and white in study #1 and study #2) and were done over a period of time that was not long enough in the duration to accept the findings as truly valid, although, the results of these two studies were consistent with the results of similar studies.The last research study, however, employed a large enough and diverse enough population sample as well as long enough duration to validate the result s that were achieved. Overall, study #3 was designed best out of the three and the validity of its findings can be accepted as accurate with a good amount of confidence. Works Cited Charney, Dora, MD; Palacios-Biox, Jorge, MD, et al (2005). Association Between Concurrent Depression And Anxiety And Six-Month Outcome Of Addiction Treatment.Psychiatric Services, 56, 8. Charney, Dora, MD; Paraherakis, Antonios, BSc, et al (1998). The Impact Of Depression On the Outcome Of Addictions Treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15, 2, 123-130. Compton, Wilson, M; Cottler, Linda, Ph. D. et al (2003). The Role Of Psychiatric Disorders In Predicting Drug Dependence Treatment Outcomes. The Amercian Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 5.

Monday, July 29, 2019

International business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

International business - Essay Example The Indian culture is characterized by heterogeneity thus differentiating various regions according to their local practices. It is a concern for internal firm that are keen to penetrate in this market to first study the cultural ramification of the country before embarking of an entry plan that will guarantee success. The paper makes an in-depth analysis of the techniques and methodologies that selected global companies have employed to successfully penetrate the market through a cultural perspective. Various approaches have been utilized depending of the cultural ramification that each organization was aiming as well as the target market that they were out to exploit. Measures undertaken were not only aimed at leveraging from the vast Indian population but also capitalize on other benefits such as cheap labour. Relatively, aspects of art and religion have also been examined on how they influence the penetration of new businesses in the Indian market as well as the factors that glob al firms have to pin point in order to attain a competitive advantage as far as the two aspects are concerned. India is arguably one of the most pleasant investment destinations that any global firm would fancy to penetrate given the large population that will provide market for their goods as well as the cheap labour that can be exploited by the community since the country has approximately 400 million trained human resources. India is a heterogeneous society as it has a blend of different cultures all under one nation. Traditionally, the country practiced Hinduism as its fundamental religion, and all its cultural aspects were derived from that element. However, with time the situation changed and today India has a mix of cultures starting with Hinduism, Islam, some Westernization and also traces of the British Raj can be experienced in some regions (Ferraro, 2010). Culture plays a critical role in conducting business in India since for a firm to be

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Compare or Contrast two politians Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Compare or Contrast two politians - Essay Example They tolerated political dissent in their respective countries a. President Obama is tolerant of the criticism hurled against him. b. President Aquino did not do any crackdown when protesters gathered against him. III. President Barack Obama of the United States and President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines are respected leaders in the world a. President Barack Obama is the leader of the free world being the President of the most powerful country in the world. b. President Benigno Aquino is considered an icon of democracy in Asia Outline page Thesis: President Barack Obama of the United States and President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines were icons of democracy. They were elected through a popular vote, tolerated dissent and respected leaders of the free world. I. Elected through a popular vote was the political mechanism that President Obama was elected through a college system of U.S. voting system where the various states elected the candidates and President Benigno Aquino wa s elected through a popular landslide vote. a. President Obama was elected through a college system of U.S. voting system where the various states elected the candidates which is the political system in the US. b. President Benigno Aquino was elected through a popular landslide vote over several candidates during the 2010 election. II. They tolerated political dissent in their respective countries where President Obama is tolerant of the criticism hurled against him and President Aquino did not do any crackdown when protesters gathered against him. a. President Obama is tolerant of the criticism hurled against him especially with the introduction of the expanded healthcare known as Obamacare. b. President Aquino did not do any crackdown when protesters gathered against him when Filipinos gathered around the Luneta Park to protest the use of Pork Barrel. III. President Barack Obama of the United States and President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines are respected leaders in the world because President Barack Obama is the leader of the free world being the President of the most powerful country in the world and President Benigno Aquino is considered an icon of democracy in Asia. a. President Barack Obama is the leader of the free world being the President of the most powerful country in the world and can influence other governments to follow the path of democracy. b. President Benigno Aquino is considered an icon of democracy in Asia being the son of President Corazon Aquino who popularized the democratic protest of â€Å"People Power†. Essay The Democratic Political System Democracy is a political system where leaders must have the consent of the governed before they can rule. It is a political exercise derived from the Greeks where decisions are made based on the benefit of the majority and not just by some people. Democracy is also a political environment where people are free and have equal rights. These freedom and rights are guaranteed in their Cons titution or the law that governs their countries. These political system in practiced in the United States and Philippines where their leaders President Barack Obama and President Aquino has to be elected through popular vote, tolerant of political dissent their respective countries and respected leaders in the world. Elected through a popular vote was the political mechanism that President Obama catapulted him into office which is a college system of U.S. voting system where the various states elected

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Foreign Policy Decision-making Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Foreign Policy Decision-making Process - Essay Example Mr. Lerman deputy of the National Security Council made the announcements. The decision was on political agenda for improving ties between Israel and Turkey and among all members of NATO at large. The person involved, are officials from NATO, Turkey and Israel and Turkey, Israel countries (Newsom 15). On the other hand, OPEC news recognizes the survival of Israel which celebrates its birthday annually on 25-26 of April despite facing a lot of criticism from members of the United Nations and in particular from Iran. This announcement was by a person who recognized the rejection the nation had been through though the Arabs considered this as irony. Making the decision to recognize Israel had been its ability to prove survival in tough times which leads to its recognition as a perfect destination for people due to its friendly environment even on pressure. The decision was on national agenda which aims to promote the positive aspect to enhance Israel recognition by UN members. The nations involved are USA, Palestine with Arabian people. Part two The first opium war took place from 1839 to 1842 and it was between the Great Britain and China. Treaty making before the governments of China and GB began in 1842 after the British defeated the Chinese at the first opium war that led to the signing of the treaty of Nanking. Chinese negotiated treaties using the thirteen hongs before 1839. Country merchants were the middlemen used by the Chinese government to communicate with the British officials in any issue between the two governments. BEIC exploitation angered in George 11 who decided to go against the will of his father. The Chinese meaning of "Yi" was mainly expressed as family name coming first and personal name coming second and this was a believe that origin owes the greatest respect compared to personal status though in British interpretation of the word "Yi" was different. It meant that; personal name is more significant than family name (Newsom 22) The diplomatic place of Lord Napier has been significant to the Chinese an d mostly, lord Napier William who his renowned for initiating a war in China after failing in his mission that involved making settlement with China which for expanding the British deals to interior China. Lord Napier William is a person who fought for his country interest involving expansion of British east India company in China till his death thus he is a nationalist. Most of the countries that would have faced with a situation like of china would have reacted no differently as from the Chinese due to nationalism to protect their resources under all costs. These people were known as nationalists for the role they played during the opium war; Lin Zexu, Charles Elliot, William Ewart. The word â€Å"Yimu" means a barbarian eye while in Chinese the same word meant foreign principal. Lord Napier reacted to the Chinese repository by circulating leaflets in Chinese language to all Chinese in canton announcing about the British superiority that later led to a fight between British and C hinese officials though the British lost in 1834. This use of words like great is powerful and showed the power of British monarch and strength to conquer all nations. It sounded like a threat to Chinese after it denied the British settlements (Newsom 32). Bocca Tigris; was a tactical situation as a nautical gateway to Guangzhou were several important first

Friday, July 26, 2019

Labor Laws and Unionization Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Labor Laws and Unionization - Assignment Example It greatly facilitates implementation of policies that are directed at general welfare of employees rather than segregated for the benefits of few. Â  Unionization has significantly helped reduce exploitation of organized labor and provided them with a critical platform to bargain for their rights. The Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 is important legislation that significantly curtailed the right of a single employee to work for reduced wages which were used to ensure that workers of government-sponsored construction projects were paid locally approved wages or wages as determined by the local unions of construction workers (Reynolds, 1987). Moreover, the clause of ‘in good faith’ is the essential paradigm that supports the union and asks that employers’ bargain be in good faith while coming to satisfactory conclusions with the union leaders. Thus, labor laws encourage unionization. Â  Yes, teaching assistants should be considered bona fide employees as they are contracted under defined terms and conditions as approved by the management. Moreover, under criteria set forth in 29 CFR Part 520.201, the teaching assistants are employees with rights, including that of joining unions and the rights to be eligible for the minimum as prescribed within the defined labor law. They are a vital part of academia and take on the responsibilities of assisting teachers. They help students on an individual basis and even take up teaching when required and therefore constitute an important part of academia. Â  Teaching assistants also provide the teaching staff with much mental and physical relief by relieving them of the stress of dealing with students who may require more personal coaching. Assistant teachers are playing vital roles in all types of schools, including higher education. They contribute considerably to the improvement of education and serve as a critical resource for the schools and academia in general (Kerry, 2001).

Thursday, July 25, 2019

The value of CREATIVITY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The value of CREATIVITY - Essay Example On the same token, creativity is the need for being fresh, novel and absolutely unique so that the complex stimulation comes about of age in the most apt manner. This paper will explore the basis of creativity and how it has been able to change beliefs, shape ideas and transform different understandings into the molds and lives of the people at large. Creativity is a much desired proposition, more so on the part of the people who believe in its magic. Creativity is all about communicating ideas, values, beliefs and opinions, though in differential settings, ways and means. Creativity is indeed the magic that binds people in wholly different mannerisms and it asks of them to appreciate the creative talent that a person has demonstrated for that matter. Therefore it is a very important element of bringing sanity within the ranks of different work avenues. Within the fields of culture and business, creativity has its most say. This is because these two areas depict the need for having creativity and thus manifest the exact basis of success in the most apt manner possible. It also goes to show that creativity will rule the roost of the cultural and business quarters if the desire is there to succeed. Within the cultural contexts, creativity comes of age when the people are relying a great deal on the people to people interactions (Cr opley 2006). It means that their associations, linkages and relationships are being justified in such a manner that success will eventually shape up in the most appropriate way. It would not be wrong to state here that creativity under the aegis of culture would manifest success, harmony and development for all the right reasons. It would also dictate the basis of finding out the exact details which will embody cultural bonding amongst the people, making them realize as to how they can effectively counter the movements

Types of Business Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Types of Business Organisations - Essay Example Sole Proprietorship: Sole proprietorship is the simplest type of business organisation. A sole proprietor is the sole owner of all of the assets of the business and is solely liable for all the debts and obligations of the business. Unlike a corporation, the business of the sole proprietor is not considered a separate entity. Rather, it is considered an extension of the individual. The sole proprietor is personally responsible for all legal debts and obligations of the business and is entitled to all the profits of the business. Angela Schneeman (2002). John Smith is a middle-aged man who has been running his own plumbing business successfully for the last 15 years and has built a good reputation within his community. His plumbing business has improved with each year and is doing very well. John’s plumbing skills and the work he has done over the years in his neighborhood has earned him a very good reputation and helped him to build a solid client base. John is very happy with his business and plans to hand over the business to Adam, his son, as he wants him to take over this sole proprietorship business when he decides to retire. According to Angela Schneeman (2002) the sole proprietor may delegate decisions and management of the business to agents, but all authority to make decisions must come directly from the sole proprietor, who is responsible for all the business related acts of employees.... must come directly from the sole proprietor, who is responsible for all the business related acts of employees. Sole Proprietorship Advantages: Running a sole proprietorship plumbing business for the last 15 years has provided John many advantages such as being able to choose his working hours, be his own boss, not have to answer to anyone but himself and finally enjoy all the benefits and profits earned out of the plumbing business. Working within his neighborhood also gave him the opportunity to know the residents in person and also establish new friendships and build himself a good reputation, since all of the plumbing work was done by John himself. Sole Proprietorship Disadvantages: On the other hand as John started to get older he began to notice, that working as a sole trader in his business made him shoulder the entire workload by himself, and when he needed help there was no one around, and all accounts and tax related matters had to once again be prepared in detail by him. The other big concern of John was the problem of business continuity, because he was nearing the age of retiring and wanted his son Adam to take over the business but Adam showed no interest when it came to plumbing and instead wanted to become a lawyer. John was concerned as to what will happen to his business. "Plumbco Ltd" a growing private limited company was interested in setting up its operations in the neighborhood that John Smith lived in, and they heard about his reputation in the neighborhood as a plumber and of the number of years that he had served the community. With this in mind, they approached John and gave him a proposal in which they wanted to buy out his

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Cost Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cost Control - Essay Example The new methods are based on activity based costing which helps in cost control up to the managerial level. Cost Control and Project Management Cost control has become a very important management tool for construction industry as it does not only helps to make a certain project successful but also gives idea to the construction firm about the most profitable project. The cost control systems can generate data which can be used for progress payment requests and future bidding predictions. Cost Control Systems and Cost Accounts An efficient cost control system is necessary for proper execution of a project. Following are the steps which are mandatory for a successful design and maintenance of a Cost Control System: 1. Determination and allocation of cost accounts is the first step for a cost control system. Proper breakdown of a project into various heads based on type of activity and work is essential. These heads into which the project is divided are known as cost accounts. Establish ing cost accounts helps in maintaining a relationship between the project expenditure and the general accounts of the firm. 2. The formulation of a proper project cost plan is the next step because it helps in setting up a mechanism according to which the actual cost of the project could be compared with the estimated/budgeted cost. Moreover project cost plan also helps in relating costs of the project to the project schedule. 3. Cost Data Collection is the next step in which the actual cost data is collected by various means which include historical data, vendor quotations, supplier catalogs and market surveys. 4. Project Cost Reporting should be done according to the requirement of managerial staff and the Cost Control Engineer should be able to identify the data which is beneficial to the managerial staff. 5. After collecting the data and analyzing it, the final step is selection of Cost Engineering techniques best suited to the project scenario. Cost Coding System and Structure Since the construction projects are of very large magnitude and there is a huge amount of data which has to be organized. Cost coding systems are used for organizing the cost control data so that the required information can be accessed easily. Various organizations like American Road Builders Association, Associated General Contractors and the Construction Specifications Institute have developed cost coding systems and a project manager and cost control engineer can select the appropriate system according to the project under consideration. The cost coding system helps in giving a proper structure to the cost control breakdown of a project. Various cost accounts are given cost codes according to the detail incorporated in them. Cost control codes have various detail levels, the longer is the cost code the higher is the detail present in it. The various details which are present in a cost code are project initiation year, project type, project number, construction type classificatio n, work classification, functional classification etc. This makes project codes as long as 13-digit, but these details can easily be processed in computers and is also understandable as the people working in the cost control department have a very clear idea of these codes. Cost control matrix is another way of controlling cost which traces the overlapping areas between material and work cost accounts. Earned Value Method Earned Value Meth

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Global Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Marketing - Essay Example This research aims to evaluate and present globalization that has opened a plethora of opportunities for organizations and communities to trade across national and supranational boundaries. International marketing is the term coined for trade between the different international entities and is set to evolve into global marketing. Global marketing is an evolving concept with some similarities to international marketing in the advantages it provides in terms of marketing strategies, cost reductions, etc. However, it is also considered to be quite unlike international marketing in terms of the need for a holistic approach towards marketing. While international marketing focuses on standardization of marketing practices across the various national and supranational boundaries, global marketing is an evolution of the concept of international marketing that is holistic in its approach to trade and its marketing practices and tends to leverage both standardization and adaptation as the mark eting strategies based on the products and market segment. While international marketing concerns the contextual marketing of products and services, global marketing is the standardization of international marketing. With standardization, there are benefits like cost savings, uniform brand image and improved co-ordination, and with adaptation, organizations benefit from differences in user conditions, regulatory factors, consumer behaviours and customized marketing concepts. (website 1). Global marketing concept implements more or less the same marketing theories that apply to international marketing or even traditional marketing with the difference those organizations have to almost uniformly cater to different markets and customers. Three domains of knowledge: cross-cultural, country-regional and cross-border transactional knowledge is required for organizations to operate globally within a management orientation framework called EPRG (Ethnocentric, Polycentric, Regiocentric and G eocentric) framework as shown in Figure 1 below (Keegan, 2011). Figure 1: EPRG framework for global marketing. Source: (Keegan, 2011). Several determinants or driving forces of global marketing that differentiate it from international marketing are: technology, regional economic agreements, market demand, transportation and communication infrastructure, quality, product development cost, world economic trends, organizational abilities and transnational environments. However, there other factors that restrict global marketing: inability of organizations to create a culture conducive for global marketing and cross-border barriers (Keegan, 2011). Global marketing is a mix of adaptation and customization of international mar

Monday, July 22, 2019

Education is a significant tool Essay Example for Free

Education is a significant tool Essay Rodriguez and Freire could share an agreement on the fact that education is a significant tool on the path leading to success. Freire would disagree with Rodriguez on the fact that there is no â€Å"end of education†. Richard Rodriguez and Paolo Freire write of education as the core factor in ones life. Two Million Minutes, the film makes the argument that U.S. students are performing at a mediocre level, at best, in math and science, and that this cannot stand, given the growing economic and educational might of nations like China and India. U.S. student’s aren’t being pushed hard enough and are just getting by through high school, with the help of The Banking Concept of Education and The Achievement of Desire we can make a change in the student’s education and attitudes towards wanting to be successful in life. Through Freire’s lens, Richard Rodriguez would be seen as a banking student, but could later be seen as a problem-posing student throughout the course of his life; in the eyes of Freire, Rodriguez was considered a receptacle which he did not understand the knowledge he absorbed. With this comparison, the reader can conclude that the banking education is a great part of a student’s life; as seen in the documentary, 2 Million Minutes, students use all their time they have in high school, studying, memorizing their school curriculum in order to get a great education at a high level university to become very successful in their lives. This all ties into how the political aspect of the classroom has an impact on the society as a whole and having this power can change generations to come. The types of relationships Rodriguez had with his teachers, family and in life was affected by specific styles of education and as he looked through Freire’s lens of the banking concept, he came to realized that that method of education had a detrimental effect on his life. Early on in Rodriguez’s essay he illustrates the characteristics of an automaton which confirmed Freire’s views regarding the banking concept. Despite his definition of a â€Å"scholarship boy†, Rodriguez lacked self-confidence which led him to be overpowered by his teachers and his books. Through Freire’s lens, Rodriguez would be considered a waste basket. He was filled not only with his  teacher’s knowledge, but also with information obtained from his â€Å"important† books. Rodriguez seems to be a classic student of Freire’s banking system. Rodriguez shows signs of fleeing away from the ways of the banking concept early on. He concedes by saying, â€Å"I became the prized student anxious and eager to learn. â€Å"Too eager, too anxious an imitative and unoriginal pupil.† At the time Rodriguez was simply just absorbing the narrated information that he obtained from his teachers and books. Even though he was able to narrate the information he received, he did not truly know or understand the knowledge he absorbed. Rodriguez and Freire both state that education is vital for success. Freire states that, Projecting an absolute ignorance onto others, a characteristic of the ideology of oppression, negates education and knowledge as processes of inquiry (Freire 3).Rodriguez did not question or analyze the information; he simply accepted and deposited the knowledge without any doubts. By learning to use his education wisely and make connections between different texts, he heightened his intelligence. In 2 Million Minutes the featured American students Neil and Brittany are certainly intelligent, but they seem more concerned with extracurricular activities and friends than with their studies. Indian students Rohit and Apoorva, however, and Chinese students Xiaoyuan and Ruizhang all plan careers in math or science, and their families and schools support these goals. The film incorporates these students’ descriptions of their high school experiences and future aspirations with the hopes of their parents, and filmmakers juxtapose scenes from the different homes and schools. As it states â€Å"knowledge is a gift bestowed by those who consider themselves knowledgeable upon those whom they consider to know nothing.†(pg.1) Freire is stating that the students do not know anything and that the job of the teacher is to fill the piggy bank of the students minds with coins of knowledge. If we just give the students what they want and don’t allow them to engage back then they aren’t really learning anything. They should both be able to state their opinions, have conversations in which both students and teachers participate, and the students should have the opportunity to lead discussions. This way students develop a relationship with their teachers, their peers, and the world. This will enable them to receive an education where the teachers do not oppress the students, and there is a dialectical relationship between the two;  showing that they care and really want to be informed and learn something new. Although Freire and Rodriguez have different opinions, they both agree that education is the dominating event in the shaping of an adult life. Paulo Freire and Richard Rodriguez opinions of education are almost completely opposed, but they come to a conclusion of agreement in that the primary educational goal is to form a relationship with oneself, and with the world. Rodriguez spent many years of education fulfilling the â€Å"banking† concept, and although he later recognizes the loss it entailed, he primarily believes that imitation plays an important role in the process of education for one must do this to succeed. Here, Freire would argue that the educational system is currently oppressive towards the students, and that there is a sense of necrophilia behind it all, that being the love of death. This love of death, he explains, is the technique of teaching based on memory. Rodriguez would contradict this explanation of education, relaying that â€Å"banking† plays a large role in the success of the student. Freire and Rodriguez have opposing views on the ideas of imitation, alienation, and power, Freire believing all of these concepts need to be removed or reformed and Rodriguez believing that they are important aspects for academic success. Freire’s view on Rodriguez is that he truly didn’t understand what he was being taught, and that’s where The Banking Concept of Education comes in which Rodriguez isn’t communicating with his teachers he’s just listening to what he’s being taught. Paulo Freire and Richard Rodriguez have contradictory views concerning education. Paulo Freire discusses the negativities of present education and explains how it should be reformed, whereas Rodriguez illustrates his own life in education, and how it led him to be the person he is today. Freire believes in â€Å"problem posing education† which consists of an alive, dynamic change in students, allowing them to become humanized with a relationship with the world. 2 Million Minutes it stated that U.S. students aren’t focused and determined to do well in school like those in other countries like India and china. In comparison between the United States with China and India, there is a definite difference between the difficulties of the curriculum within the educational system. Even though we would believe that the educational system in U.S. is the complete and the most perfect one in the world; the amount of the curriculum contents students learn are actually a lot less than students in China and  India. Freire would argue that if Rodriguez was educated under the method of problem-posing he would have embraced his home life and would have developed as an individual. In the end Rodriguez had balanced his life out and reconnected with his family. Education in the end helped Rodriguez realize that other elements of his life are important. Both Freire and Rodriguez believe that a person cannot be without education.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Importance of employee relationship management

Importance of employee relationship management Employee-relationship management is an important aspect of any organizations success. The world is becoming increasingly global, the competition in different industries is soaring high coupled with rising recession woes and layoffs. Amidst, these kind of panicky and intense circumstances, stress levels at work places have been at an all time high. It is thus, very important to effectively manage employees in organizations. Social values and beliefs systems play a pivotal role in shaping up the attitude and behavior of various individuals and organizations towards employment-management relationship. Many individuals tend to look for a broader, introspective meaning in the work that will enable them to feel that they are contributing to the community at large. In most organizations, the urge to behave ethically and to assume responsibility for social and environmental consequences of their doing, has become mandatory in developing good employment relationship management at work. The tr end for individual and organizational behavior is more output oriented today. The output is in line with the ethical and social values that have a direct impact on psychological contracts created in todays organizations. This paper will critically analyze psychological contract in the contemporary organization. What are the issues associated with psychological contract, what are the ethical standards of behavior, in light of both, the individual as well as the organization. It is important to study this, because employee performance is directly related to his morale and higher the employee morale, the higher his productivity and higher the chances of enterprise productivity. According to Nelson, employees evaluate the organizations actions with respect to the contributions the organization has contracted deliver. When they see no discrepancies, the psychological contact continues to remain stead. On the other hand, Feldman believes that if a discrepancy is observed, the individual will undergo a cognitive process in figuring out if the discrepancy has a positive or a negative impact. If they feel that its a positive impact, then business continues as usual while if the impact is negative then the discrepancy is considered as a breach. Anderon and Schalk, Morrision and Robinso are of the view that the level of emotional involvement will determine if the breach is a violation indeed. They believe that a lot of factors are responsible in magnifying the scale of the loss. This includes the history and the current stature of the employment relationship too. This means that not every discrepancy can be considered as a breach and not every breach can be qualify to to be called contractual violated.However, the expanded interpretive framework. Thus, as explained by Nelson in his study, the expansion of the interpretive framework for the psychological helps us to look beyond the constraints associated with transactional and relational parameters that have held sway in most research related to psychological contract. It allows us to identify the boundaries of individual-organization,where relationships are subjective and can be affected by forces that exist beyond these boundaries. In another study conducted by Cheng Ping Chang and PO Chiun HSU, an interview method was used to explore the psychological contracts of temporary employees working at the Administration Bureau of South Taiwan Science Park. The results of the study suggest that improvements in management practices and worker welfare work positively. These suggestions can be employed by government agencies who hire temporary employees. The term psychological contract was introduced by Argyris in 1960. He linked it with an unwritten agreement. He explains that whenever an employment relationship exisits, an innate psychological contract takes form between the individual and the organization. On the other hand, Levinson believes that psychological contract is an unwritten, connotative contract on the general rights, duties, and expectations of employeer and employee. There are two dimensions of this contract: the individual and the employee. Schein on the other hand feels that psychological contract play s a pivotal role in shaping the behavior of an organization. These views were contradicted by Rousseau who recently explained that the psychological contract is more than just agreement between the employee and the organization. It is an individuals trust in the organizations. Its about the individuals belief of their employment and the the extent to which they feel that the employer is dedicated to them. Thus the perception of psychological contract varies in light of general expectations, the individuals belief about work, or their expected status in the organization. In Changs study a qualitative analysis was undertaken to determine the difference between the psychological contract as perceived by a temporary employee and as implemented by the employment company actually. For this purpose, interviews were conducted with employees at the Bureau of South Taiwan Science Park and the data consolidated and analysed. The results of the study demonstrate that ideal psychological contract of the temporary employee resembles that of a permanent employee. Because temporary employees, do not receive benefits such as bonuses and vacations,certain differences exist between the permanent and the temporary employee. In their study, Culliane and Tundane have questioned the theoretical deficiencies in the existing literatureon psychological contract. From the work of Argyris to Rousseau to Guest recently, there is a realization that more needs to be done to give the psychological contract a viable framework which is capable of understanding thhe complex nature of the relation between the employeer and the employee. They also threw light on some of the central points which have been left un-attended in literature. The need to theorize the psychological contract to advance understanding was voiced out by them. Irrespective of various theoretical and empirical implication, the paper realizes that the notion of psychological contract continues to be popular in todays age and time. In the study conducted by Jeffrey. N. Street, employee commitment to the organization was examined as an outcome variable fo the psychological contract. He explains it is generally referred by many as the employee perception of the value he gets in exchange of his work at employment. Streets study is primarily conceptual in nature with propositions related to the impact on individualism and collectivisim on the type of contract formed, whether transactional or relational are offered and discussed. Street draws comparison between the psychological contract of the Japenese and Americans. While Japaneese psychological contract of the employee is relational, in the United States, it is primarily transactional. In transactional contracts, there are tangible benefits such as salary betweent the employee and the employeer while high competitive wages and absence of long term commitments are characteristics of transactional contracts. Street proposed a study on mid-level managers and mid-career salaried professionals of Japanese-American firms stationed in the United States and of Japanese firms located in Japan. He believed that the organizational level and position of each participant would be identified by each company on the basis of the description of the target respondent. The study has its own limitations. The biggest problem in studying Japanese owned firms in the United States is the fact that they are unusual organizations and have little in common with other organizations. There is a lot of cultural diversity in the United States. It impacts the influence of individualism on the formation of the psychological contract. The study will have determine the impact of changes in work atmosphere in the United States where jobs are no longer considered as safe because of the extent of change in society in the last couple of decades.

Specsavers: SWOT and PESTLE Analysis

Specsavers: SWOT and PESTLE Analysis 1.0 Introduction This report will provide a detailed analysis of Specsavers current corporate appraisal SWOT analysis. This will highlight the companies’ strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, which will help the company’s management, understand where the organisation is now. A Five Forces environmental analysis of the industry will examine the local, national and global influences of political, economic, social and technological factors (in the form of a PESTEL analysis) to understand opportunities and threats facing Specsavers currently and in the future. This will provide an evaluation of the external business environment in which Specsavers operates. This analysis will highlight the fundamental changes that the eye care industry is undergoing, especially; in defence to the unstable environment it faces from exogenous forces (oil prices, inflation etc) and endogenous forces. 2.0 SWOT Analysis of Specsavers Specsavers main strength is in its local knowledge of customers within the UK and Worldwide, providing a trusted eye care service, affordable glasses and contact lenses to a number of countries in Europe and worldwide.. It also has a strong work force with highly trained opticians, who carry out professional eye test using the latest optical equipment. Its major weakness is its lack of luxury designer brand awareness nationally and globally relative to its major competitors like Selfridges. Specsavers faces external threats from existing completion (Boots, Vision Express) in the market place for eye care as well as cheaper low cost brands from the Far East. Changes in Socioeconomic conditions can also play a part in Specsavers future success, as buyers are now more environmentally conscious and ethically educated. The main competitors are all promoting a strong sense of Corporate Social Responsibility agenda. Specsavers must also be mindful of any potential takeover bids from the lik es of Boots and Vision Express Group. See Figure 1 below for a full SWOT analysis of Specsavers. Figure1: Specsavers SWOT Analysis I N T E R N A L STRENGTHS Established for 24 years Wide ranges of products including hearing service UK’s leading eye care service provider – with 830 stores in UK and Europe Value for money – 2 for 1 offers Brand Awareness Human resources –Expert Opticians and audiologists Online Booking Use of latest optical and hearing equipment New Version One System for document management OPPORTUNITIES Develop brand awareness globally Further expansion of stores internationally New designer frames from leading fashion houses Market shift to globalisation New facilities or services Innovation Alliances Diversification E X T E R N A L WEAKNESSES Perception of Low Quality Designer Brand Awareness Does not stock high class brands like DG and Bebe Does not provide same day service like its competitors THREATS New existing competition Volatility in Price of Fuel Consequences of UK recession and credit crunch Market shift to globalisation Takeover bids – Norville Optical Far-East eye care companies expansion Extremely high competition for customers and resources The SWOT analysis of the company shows that its strengths are in its wide range of products and its reputation for carrying out a professional eye care service, large investments in latest optical and hearing aids equipment and its international presence. However, main weaknesses are low brand awareness for designer frames. Currently the company only distributes a number of designer brands of frames and sells it brands mainly through its stores. Therefore, it has opportunities to venture into e-commerce solution through web orders of designer frames. Also access additional capital and consider retail partnerships. The company faces various threats from new and existing competition, economic recession and due to its low brand awareness in designer (luxury) market segment faces potential takeover bids. 3.0 The Five Forces Model Porter explains that there are five forces inherent in a market, which will jointly determine the intensity of competition and profitability of Specsavers and the eye care industry. The first is the threat posed by new entrants, as with the growth in designer frames being offered by Selfridges, Harrods, and Rackhams etc. The second is the threats from substitutes, laser treatment v spectacles, and the growing demand in laser vision correction surgery. The third force is the threats from the bargaining power of buyers, is this strong for both Specsavers and the entire eye care industry with a large number of alternative suppliers, hence, the aggressive pricing strategy, two for one offers etc. This results in a very strong competitive rivalry in the industry. This is intensified as a result of little or no differentiation in the service offered. Finally the threats from the suppliers bargaining power, this is very strong in the eye care industry for two reasons, one is highly speciali sed products supplied by few manufacturers, hence, Norville Optical who can command a very favourable terms and second is the existence of many buyers within the industry. 4.0 External Environment – PESTLE Analysis All of those (political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental) factors will to some extent apply to the eye care industry. POLITICAL – changes in corporation tax in the future within UK and internationally. With operations in Europe and across the globe, is the political regime favourable to foreign investment. The introduction of Carbon Taxation could also pose a future threat to Specsavers. ECONOMIC the high-end eye wear industry is vary recession prawn and also very sensitive to changes in prices. SOCIAL – changes in consumer taste and lifestyle represent both opportunities and threats for the eye care industry. Opportunities in terms of designer branded eye wear are now popular with high disposable income groups and also the growing trend in spectacles as a fashion accessory. The aging population in UK and throughout the globe will have a favourable impact upon the demand for eye care products and services. The threats are in terms of alternative vision correction treatments like laser and lack of skilled labour, will the educational system support future qualified opticians and audiologists, if not there may be a lack of supply. TECHNICAL – Changes in retailing methods as such spec sales via the Internet is now a common place in eye wear, online appointment booking with patients receiving an email containing their appointment details and booking reference when they book online. Paperless operation, the management and administration of the company are undertaken on IT systems, which are accessed through secure servers; provide flexibility in the running of the stores. Specsavers has implemented a new version one system for document management in order to provide a centralised accounting function for its 830 UK and European stores. The development of the next generation lenses will also lead to technological opportunities in terms of cost reduction and improvement in quality of lenses. LEGAL –Threats are in terms of future legislations for health and environmental issues. Specsavers needs to be mindful of data protection act (freedom of information act) as it will store a large amount of patients’ personal details. Do the current (or future) employment laws provide an advantage or disadvantage to the business? ENVIRONMENTAL – The energy sources used, namely oil has vast ecological/environmental implications. The threats are in terms of fines and rise in cost of raw materials. The introduction of Carbon taxation will affect Specsavers future profitability. 5.0 Conclusion Specsavers is clearly an organisation with a strong brand awareness and reputation for providing an affordable eye care service, with operations in a number of countries in Europe and across the globe. Specsavers environmental analysis via the SWOT, PESTEL and Five Forces showed that the eye care industry is experiencing a change in terms of becoming more socially responsible and customer service focused (due to intense competitive rivalry). Specsavers needs to view those environmental changes as an opportunity rather than a risk. In order to succeed in the future Specsavers needs to see employees as the key to competitive advantage in an industry that is highly dynamic. Corporate and human resource strategies are developed concurrently. Specsavers needs to view its human resources as the driving force in the development of its overall business strategy for the future. There needs to be an overriding emphasis on developing optician’s skills through intensive training programme (2 year graduate programme) and continual investment in RD. The future environment of Specsavers will largely be impacted by the introduction of the Carbon tax, which will threaten Specsavers ability to continue to offer affordable value for money glasses and contact lenses, as additional taxes will diminish margins, which could lead to increase prices. The internet will continue to shape the way Specsavers operates as a business, currently using it primarily for online appointment booking, but as the social trends change, consumers with busy lifestyles will prefer to use online shopping for ordering their frames and contact lenses. Specsavers has in recent times implemented an online document management system, to enable it to centrally manage payment of supplier’s invoices. This has resulted in significant time savings and operational costs as a result of improve efficiency and freeing up of storage space. Word Count =1,550 References Bibliography Needle, D. (2004) Business in Context – An introduction to business and its environment 4th Edition, Thomson Worthington, I. Britton, C. (2006) The Business Environment – 5th Edition, Prentice Hall Financial Times ACCA Paper 3.5 Strategic Business Planning and Development (2001) The Financial Training Company Johnson G and Scholes K (1993). Exploring Corporate Strategy Text and Cases. Cambridge: Prentice Hall. Porter M.E (1980) Competitive Strategy-Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competitors.