Shearwater adventures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Shearwater adventures - Essay Example Rival Sellers: Although Shearwater Adventure has differentiated itself from its rivals by offering a wide product range, the company still faces threats because the competition can either increase its product line or devise new adventures or copy those offered by Shearwater. and thus increase its sales and market share. The rivalry intensifies as new competition enters the market with low priced products and offering good deals compared to the existing ones. In addition to this, the competitors in the adventure industry are now trying to build strong dealer networks with the African local companies in order to increase their credibility, which is also a means of promotion and advertising. The practice of increase repeat bookings from the customers is spreading like fire among the competitors who try different tactics and methods to achieve this. New Entrants: Opening an adventure company in countries like South Africa, where Shearwater Adventure is currently operating, is very easy as compared to the setting up in United States due to high permit costs. In addition to this, the new entrants who focus on rafting trips have to endure a cost as low as $20,000 and if the company wants to offer all the services than the cost could be as high as $200,000. New companies would be encouraged to enter the market by seeing a double digit growth of few companies. Substitute Products: The companies in the industry are providing more or less the same the adventure products. Shearwater Adventure has tried to differentiate itself by providing more choices in the sports than any other company. Although at-least 40 extreme sports exist in the industry, it is difficult to provide them all depending on the location of the company. A company providing water sport activities will try to attract customers by positioning itself as better than land activities. In order to predict the future demand, the companies should link up

How children develop their interpersonal skills Essay

How children develop their interpersonal skills - Essay Example Infants may cry to communicate their needs to their parents; they learn that when they cry they are fed and thus carry on with this routine. Eventually, with the correct training and assistance, children will learn that making use of words or expressions to communicate their needs could be their most effective technique (Hersen, 2011). This essay discusses how children develop their interpersonal skills and how digital technologies or electronic devices can be used to enhance children’s learning experience. Nevertheless, interpersonal skills are not confined with social tact like being courteous and well-mannered. Children’s social and interpersonal skills develop as they acquire communication skills. Numerous parents are anxious that their children are deficient in interpersonal or social skills, but this is a misperception in most instances. The essentials of social behavior originate from the emotional area of the brain, which is a vital determinant of morality, compassion, and fellow feeling (Hersen, 2011). Babies usually fret when they hear another baby screaming, for they know that someone is disgruntled. Hence several antecedents of interpersonal skills are perhaps wired to the brain, but experiences also affect the ability of children to recognize, understand, and react to others’ needs (Hersen, 2011). Focusing jointly on something is an early sign of interpersonal skills. Babies who often draw people’s attention to fascinating objects at nine months are more probable to be classified as socially capable at roughly two years. By their first year babies want or prefer people who support or give comfort to other people (Mathieson, 2004). Genuine fellow feeling, the capacity to understand and reflect on the feelings of others, is manifested by age five. In this young age, children exhibit remarkable improvements in self-discipline. Children who have greater self-discipline also manifest greater fellow feeling and more advanced sense of right and

Leadership approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Leadership approach - Essay Example the aforementioned students, the animal owners who seek the services of the veterinary college as well as the clinicians. The Problem: Given the considerable job descriptions of the staff, coupled with the lack of resources and the need to provide excellent services, the staff finds itself in the classic low morale conundrum; too much work and effort required for a job description that is become less enviable by the day. This, in short, can be categorized as the crux of the problem that I face under the leadership aspect of my role as the finance manager. ... The major weakness of this concept is ironically related to its major strengths in that the rather malleable nature of production does not allow the firm to establish a solid ground in any of the different businesses that it participates in i.e. its becomes somewhat of a jack of all trades and master of none. Due to this lack of immovability, the firm is not able to continue a specific production practice for a large period of time, hence, is unable to ascertain best production practices and any other cost cutting techniques, thus, it always produces at a level that has to be considered in optimal for the firm. (Yinghong, 2006) McDonald’s is a pertinent example of the correct use of moving competencies as they have been able to strike the perfect balance between the usability of moving competencies and defining their basic company objectives and areas of expertise. Therefore, despite the fact that McDonald’s is expanding both is scale of operations and in its product ra nge, it is still intrinsically a fast food joint which it has been able to maintain due to its best practices and strong adamancy on quality assurance. From this description, it can be easily surmised that the need of the hour for the manager is to implement the system of moving competencies in a way that would oversee the creation of synergies and the institution of best practices in the form that ‘every job is done by that specific person who does it best’. Therefore, the creation of conjoined skills development becomes a necessity and the onus lies on the finance manager to institute the change that is needed for the creation of an open learning and

Network analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Network analysis - Essay Example (c) Relationship based A complex set of relationships between organizations is a basis of networking. These relationships will be strengthened and provide more cohesion within a sector during the course of the network development. Through this, there will be a provision on the basis for mutual support and the opportunity in order to recognize partnerships as well as resource-sharing protocols (Andrew, 2006). (d) Inclusive When they are non-hierarchical, networks will magnify the development of these relationships which are both inclusive and diverse in their membership, thriving when information can flow freely, providing a wide range of opportunities and platforms for both the people and organizations to meet and interact, thus learning and sharing knowledge (Chaudhuri, 2004). Differing characteristics of networks There are basically two types of networks. These are personal networks and information sharing networks which tend to spontaneously develop due to the ongoing necessities of day-to-day work within a sector. Networks can have no specific structure or management, thus being informal. Their coverage can also be irregular and limited by dependence on interpersonal relationships. Also, by virtue of having regular meetings, it is portrayed that information sharing networks can also have a more structured format. Since they are accessible, they are open to a wide membership, meaning a better coverage (Childress, 2000). Networks are proficient ways of creating connections as well as sharing and distributing information. What is required is someone taking up the responsibility for their management. However, we should be aware that relationships stand a chance of stagnating, thus the network ceases to provide ongoing benefits to participants, end result being atrophy. More formality is necessary for dialogue and influencing networks. They involve meetings, discussion and often decision making. These results due to a more conscious desire to proactively address problems, increase the capacity or create a collective voice. Those organizations with shared values will tend to attract, thus becoming more exclusive. Higher levels of trust will need to develop if a collective action is being undertaken. More than one of these purposes can be met by a combination of networks, thus being an efficient use of time and resources, therefore, attracting a broad diversity of organizations (Cisco Systems, Inc., 2003). Network analysis Basically, a combination of softwares and hardware made up of five basic parts is what is termed as a network analyzer. These parts include: Hardware A majority of network analyzers function with ordinary systems of operations (OSs) and network interface cards (NICs), thus are software-based. However, there are some specialized hardware network analyzers offering extra benefits like analyzing hardware faults including voltage problems, Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) errors and cable problems among others. Some network analy zers may only support wireless adapters or Ethernet while others give support to several adapters simultaneously, allowing users to sometimes customize their configuration. A hub or a cable tap may be required to connect to the accessible cable (Dyche, 2000). Capture driver The responsibility of this part is the capturing of traffic of the raw

How is wells fargo make money Essay Example for Free

How is wells fargo make money Essay Wells Fargo Company is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance for more than 23 million customers through 6,100 stores, the internet and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. Headquartered in San Francisco, but were decentralized so every local Wells Fargo store is a headquarters for satisfying all customers financial needs and helping them succeeds financially. Wells Fargo has $483 billion in assets and 167,000 total team members across 80+ businesses. They are one of the United States top-40 largest private employers; ranked fifth in assets and fourth in market value of stock among their peers as of September 30, 2006 (Wells Fargo’s home page). Wells Fargo’s goal, however, is not to be the biggest, but to be the best. Wells Fargo’s website set forth its vision, which is â€Å"to satisfy all our customers financial needs and help them succeed financially. We want to be recognized as one of Americas great companies and the premier provider of financial services in every one of our markets, number one, second to none. † Loomis (17) states that Wells Fargo’s strategic initiatives include; increase the contribution to banking earnings from investments, trust, brokerage and insurance from 15 percent to 25 percent. Going for â€Å"gr-eight† Increase the number of products their consumer and business customers have with them to eight products per customer. Doing it right for the customer 100% bank-mortgage/home equity cross-sell all mortgage and home equity customers in banking states to bank with Wells Fargo and want all their banking customers who need a mortgage or a home equity loan to get it through Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo cards in every wallet; When, where and how Integrate all delivery channels stores, ATMs, Wells Fargo Phone Banksm, their online banking site, direct mail, interactive video—to match them with when, where and how their customers want to be served. â€Å"Information-based† marketing Use technology to take full advantage; offer the right product to the right customer at the right time at every point of customer contact. Be the customers’ payments processor. Premier customers Attract more and keep all existing premier customers and increase their numbers; and People as a Competitive Advantage- Continue to develop reward and recognize all team members. In 1852 Henry Wells and William Fargo founded Wells, Fargo Co. to serve the West. The new company offered banking (buying gold, and selling paper bank drafts as good as gold) and express (rapid delivery of the gold and anything else valuable). Wells Fargo opened for business in the gold rush port of San Francisco, and soon Wells Fargo’s agents opened offices in the other new cities and mining camps of the West. In the boom and bust economy of the 1850s, According to Hungerford, Wells Fargo earned a reputation of trust by dealing rapidly and responsibly with people’s money. In the 1860s, it earned everlasting fame and its corporate symbol with the grand adventure of the overland stagecoach line (99). Wells Fargo sent its business by the fastest means possible: stagecoach, steamship, railroad, pony rider or telegraph. In 1858, Wells Fargo helped start the Overland Mail Company the famed â€Å"Butterfield Line† to meet the demand for speedy communications across the west. In 1861, Wells Fargo also took over operations of the western leg of the famed, but short-lived, Pony Express (Scheele 250). In 1866, Wells Fargo combined all the major western stage lines. Stagecoaches bearing the name Wells, Fargo Co. rolled over 3,000 miles of territory, from California to Nebraska, and from Colorado into the mining regions of Montana and Idaho. After the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, Wells Fargo increasingly rode the rails. In 1888, after expanding along the new steel network across the Northeast into New York, Wells Fargo became the country’s first nationwide express company. It adopted the motto â€Å"Ocean-to-Ocean† to describe its service that connected over 2,500 communities in 25 states, and â€Å"Over-the-Seas† to highlight its lines linking America’s increasingly global economy. Wells Fargo rushed customers’ business from the urban centers of New York and New Jersey, through the rail hub of Chicago and farming regions of the Midwest, to ranching and mining centers in Texas and Arizona, and to lumber mill towns in the Pacific Northwest. Wells Fargo agents in towns large and small offered basic financial services like money orders, travelers’ checks, and transfer of funds by telegraph. Always, though, wherever there was mining, from Alaska to Arizona, Wells Fargo guarded the gold. By 1910 the Company’s network linked 6,000 locations, including new offices in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions. It was in these towns that the famed â€Å"Wells Fargo Wagon† delivered goods of all sorts, from a grey mackinaw to some grapefruit from Tampa, as the song from the Music Man goes (Hungerford 97). By 1918 Wells Fargo was part of 10,000 communities across the country. That year, however, the federal government took over the nation’s express network as part of its effort in the First World War. Wells Fargo was left with just one bank in San Francisco. Wells Fargo Co’s Bank, San Francisco (as it was called since 1852), formally separated in 1905 from Wells Fargo Co Express. The bank then survived the disaster of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. Bank president I. W. Hellman telegraphed, â€Å"Building Destroyed, Vault Intact, and Credit Unaffected. † From that confident note, Wells Fargo began rebuilding its banking business across the West. In the 1910s and ’20s Wells Fargo served as a commercial bank in San Francisco, supporting the West’s growing business and agriculture, including fledgling auto, aerospace and film industries. The Wells Fargo Stagecoach became a regular actor in Hollywood westerns. Loomis (18) agreed that sound management helped the bank weather the Great Depression, serve the nation during World War II, and positioned the bank to meet new consumer banking needs in the prosperous post-war era. Through the 20th Century Wells Fargo rebuilt from just one office in San Francisco. From 1905 to 1923 it was a premier downtown San Francisco institution. Expanding in 1923 to two marbled banking halls, Wells Fargo was a â€Å"banker’s bank† that served the entire west. In 1960s prosperity, Wells Fargo became a northern California regional bank with branch offices everywhere people lived and played, from the coast to the mountains. In the 1980s Wells Fargo expanded into a state-wide bank and became the seventh largest bank in the nation and launched its online service (Wells Fargo home page). In the 1990s Wells Fargo returned to its historic territory throughout the Western, Midwestern and Eastern states. Today in the 21st Century, with extensive and diversified financial services, the Wells Fargo name once again extends â€Å"Ocean-to-Ocean,† â€Å"Over-the-Seas,† and, of course, On-Line. The famous image of the stagecoach and the reputation of the name saw Wells Fargo well through the mighty events and fantastic growth of the 20th Century. In prosperity, depression and war, even greater post-war prosperity, social changes and ever faster communications technologies, Wells Fargo’s attention to customers’ business has seen it through these great events and brought success. WORK CITED Hungerford, Edward. Wells Fargo: Advancing the American Frontier. New York: Random House, 1949. Loomis, Noel M. Wells Fargo. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1968. 17-18. Scheele, Carl H. A Short History of the Mail Service. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1970. 250. Wells Fargo. Home page. 2006. 23 Nov. 2006 https://www. wellsfargo. com/about/history/adventure/modern_times.

Project management research approaches

Project management research approaches Contents Abstract†¦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‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 2 1.1 Determine and validate appropriate areas for research 3 1.2 Determine a suitable research approach.. 3-4 1.3 Develop suitable research questions/ hypotheses for selected area of research 4-5 2.1 Develop a detailed research proposal for chosen..5-6 2.2 Apply relevant research methods for area and type of research.. 6-7 2.3 Analyse ethical issues relating to research.. 8-9 2.4 Analyse research findings and generate valid conclusions.. 9-11 3.1 Evaluate research methods, techniques 11-12 3.2 Present results and conclusions in a suitable format for audience. 12-13 Bibliography.13 Introduction Research is undertaken within most professions. It is a way of thinking, examining critically the various aspects of the professional work. It is the process of collecting analysizing and interpreting information to answer questioins. Determine and validate appropriate areas for research The first task in a research work is to collect data and information about the topic. The researcher uses the data collected in the survey to find solution , within the boundry of random mistake. Performance management can be defined as a process of taking systematic action to improve organizational, team and individual performance. Project management is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficently. Project management process falls into five groups: Initiating Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing Every study has two aspects: Study population People Subject Area Problems Program Phenomenon Determine a suitable research approach Generally there are two ways of reasoning used for research: Deductive approach Inductive approach Deductive Approach Deductive approach takes into account, developing a hypothesis which takes into account an already existing theory and then formulating a research strategy to check the hypothesis. ( Wilson, 2010, p.7) Deductive means reasoning from the particular to the general. Deductive approach involves in developing a theory, which is subject to accurate test. This approach infers to generalisation. To make a generalisation through deductice approach, it is necessary to select samples of sufficent numerical size. (Collis and Hussey, 2003). Snieder and Larner (2009) informs that in deductive approach reasoning starts with a theory and leads to new hypothesis, that will be confirmed or rejected as a result of research’ Theory — Hypothesis Observation -Confirmation/Rejection Inductive Approach The research using inductive approach is concerned with human’s behaviour and the context in which certain events take place. This approach allows one to provide subjective reasoning with the help of various examples. It lays emphasises on meaningful understanding of human attachment to the event. This is related to development of human resources in the organization (Ritchie and Lewis 2003). Four approaches are Logical theoretical approach Quantitative approach experimental research Qualitative approach – observational research Participatory – action research. Develop suitable research questions/ hypotheses for selected area of research Research questions Generally interest in a specfic area starts the research process, but it is the familarity with the subject that helps to define an appropriate question for study. Knowledge of present trends and technological advances help in formulating research questions. All questions should be developed at the begnining and planning stage of study. Any additional question should never compromise on primary questions. The more the number of questions, more will be complexity of study and its analysis. Hulley and colleagues have suggested the use of FINER ( Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) criteria in preparing qustions for research. Research Hypothesis The research question and hypothesis should be developed before start of study. The formation of hypothesis results a study with focus. It guides as to which data is to be collected and which not. The hypothesis is developed from main research question and thereafter elements of study – sampling strategy, intervention comparision and outcome variables – are summarizedin the form that prepares ground for testing, stastical and finally clinical sagnificance. The hypothesis should be stated at he begnining so as to guide the objective of study. Hypothesis bring clarity, specificity and focus to a research but are not compulsary for a study. A valid research can be conducted without constructing formal hypothesis. As there are so many ways to ask questions, the questionnaire should be flexible, tested carefully before using on a large scale. Questions should be kept simple and short. Avoid leading questions. Open ended questions allow for a larger variety of responses from participants but are difficult to anlyse statistically because data have to be coded or reduced in some manner. Close ended questions are easy to analyse statistically, but they limit the responses that participants can give. Combination of both beginning with a number of closed ended questions, it ends with a section of open ended questions for more detailed response. 2.1 Develop a detailed research proposal for chosen area of research Research Proposal Research is a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem. Both qualitative and quantitative methoods be used appropriately in the research. Research proposal reviewer will lookatthree primary criteria: Relevance of the research from both managerial and an academic perspective. Managerial: will the research bring added value to improve managerial practices? Academic: will your research bring new knowledge to your field? 2 Research feasibility Within specifiedperiod Data accessibilty Primary data collection 3 Proposal Quality Writing style Logical articulation of arguments Structure and organization Some skills that need to be developed in areas of research: Decision making Prioritizing Valuating To respond to problems, experiences and opportunities and to learn from them To generate ideas without limits of policy ir structure or feasibility Involving other people Communicating. 2.2 Apply relevant research methods for area and type of research There are two types of data Primary Data – collected for the first time. Secondary Data – which has already been collected and analysed by some one else. Primary data collection Observation Method It is collection of primary data by researcher’s own team under his observation, without asking from respondents. Observatons can give information which people are not willing or unable to provide.e.g. observing a large number of plates containing uneaten portions of same menu item indicates that food was not satisfactory. But because of certain limitations, research is generally supplemented with survey research. Survey method This approach is suited for collecting descriptive information. Structured Survey- uses formal list of questions for all the participnts of the survey. Unstructured Survey – in this process interviewer probes the participants and guide the participants according to their answers. Research can be direct or indirect. In direct approach researcher asks direct questions about behaviour and thoughts, e.g., why don’t you eat at this restaurant? But in indirect approach the question asked will be, what kind of people eat at this particular restaurant? Contact Methods Survey can be conducted by collecting information through mail, telephone, or postal interview. Mail questionnaires is used to collect large amount of information at low cost. As no interviewer is involved to bias the respondents answers. In this case response rate is lw and there is no control over who answers. Telephone interviewing is a quick method, allows greater sample control and response rate is higher than mail. Its cost is higher. Interviewer’s manner of talking maay effect answers. Personal interviewing is very flexible and can be used to collect large amounts of information. It may cost more than telephonic survey. It can be biased by the interviewer. Sample design The conclusions are genarally drawn by taking a group as a sample. A sample is a segment of popukation selected to represent as a whole. Secondary Data Collection Secondary data is others data, and is shared by other people as a view of their perception. Many researchers requires collection of primary data to support the secondary data. The secondary data is collected from existing sources e.g. official ststistics, annuak appraisals, journals, history and articles. Types of Research There are different types of research for different purposes Audience research Market research Production research 2.3 Analyse ethical issues relating to research The collection of data through any methos involve some ethical issues relating to both the researcher and the participants. Ethical issues concerning Participants Collecting Information: If one cannot justify relevance of the research, he is wasting his participants time ,which is unethical. Seeking Consent: In every field it is unethical to collect information without knowledge of participant and their expressed willingness and informed consent. Consent should be voluntary and without any kind of pressure. Providing incentives: Giving a present before data collection is unethical. Seeking Sensitive Information: Certain information is considered sensitive or confidential by some people. For most people questions on income, age, marital status, drug use, etc. are intrusive. It is not unethical to ask such questions, if we tell the participants type of information you are gong to collect clearly, and give him sufficient time to decide if he wants to participate. Possibility of causing harm to participants: Collection of data should not harm participants in any way. If the way information sought creates anxiety or harrashment, steps be taken to prevent it. Maintaining Confidentiality: Sharing information about a participant with others for purposes other than research is unethical. Information provided by participant be kept anonymous. It is unethical to identify an individual’s responses. Ethical issues relating to Researcher: Avoid Bias: Bias is an attempt to either hide orhighlight something disproportionate to its true position. Bias on the part of researcher is unethical. Provision or deprivation of treatment: Both provision and deprivation of a treatment/ intervation may pose ethical dilemma for a researcher. Ensuring informed consent, minimum risk and frank discussions as to the implications of participation in the study will help to resolve ethical ssues. Using appropriate research methodology: It is unethical to use a method or procsedure known as inappropriate e.g. selecting a highly biased sample, using an invalid instrument or drawing wrong conclusions. Incorrect reporting: To change report findings in a way to serve your own or someone else’s interest is unethical. Inappropriate use of the information: The use of information in a way that it dirctly or indiretly affects the participants is unethical. 2.4 Analyse research findings and generate valid conclusions When analysing data start from review of research goals, this will help organizing data and focus analysis. For example if one want to improve a programme by identifying its strengths and weaknessess, you can organize data into program strengths, weaknesses and suggestions to improve the program. Processing and analysing data is based on a number of closely related operations performed for summing up the data collected and arranging these in a manner that they answer the research questions. Data Processing operations are: Editing Classification Tabulation Basic analysis of quantitative information Make copies of data , and sore your master copy. Use copy for making edits,cuttings and pastings etc. Tabulate the information i.e. add up the number of ratings, rankings, yes’s, no’s for each question. For ratings and rankings consider computing a mean or average Cosider conveying range of answers e.g., 20 people ranked ‘1’, 30 ranked â€Å"2† etc. Basic analysis of qualitative information Read through all data. Organize comments into similar catogeries, suggestions,strengths, weaknesses, similar expriences, program inputs, recommendations, outputs, outcome indicators.etc. Label the categories in themes, e.g., concerns or suggestions, etc. Attempt to identify patterns or associations and casual relationship in themes. Keep all commentry for a long period after completion in case need arise for future reference. Qualitative research involves collectiuon, analysis and interpretation of data that can not be easily rsduced to numbers., as this data relate to social world and the concepts of the behaviors of people within it. It can be found in all social sciences and all applied fields that derive from them. The initial phase of data analysis is to examine the quality of data ( presence or absence of extreme observations), the quality of measurements and if the implementation of study was in line with research design. In main phase of analysis either an exploratory or confirmatory approach can be adopted. Both approaches have their place in reserch, both have their strengths and weaknesses. In some studies one has to combine both approaches. For example to find types of cuisine/accomodation available in a city and extent of their popularity in the city. Types of cuisine is a qualitative aspect of study and extent of popularity is a quanititative aspect as it is based on finding the number of people who visit restaurant. Quantitative data can be analysed by regression analysis, where relationship between dependent and independent variable is measured. It help one to find out how the value of dependant variable changes when one of the independent variable is varied, and other independent variables are held fixed. Qualitative data can involve coding, key concepts and variables are assigned a shorthand and data gathered is broken downinto those concepts of variables. Coding is the process of categorizing the qualitative data so that data becomes quantifiable and thus measureable. How data is coded depends on researchers, the same qualitative data can be coded in so many different ways giving attention to different aspects of the data. One such example is given in the figure below. Coding Without a valid design, valid scientific conclusions cannot be drawn. Internal validity concerns the degree to which conclusions about the casuality can be drawn. External validity concerns the extent to which results of the study are generalizeable. 3.1 Evaluate research methods, techniques and findings and comment on validity of research. Evaluation of the project is planned for right from the onsetand is going on as the different milestones are tackled. Type of evaluation that goes on during the project is referred as formative evaluation, because the project is being formed. The evalustion conducted at the end commonly referred as summative evaluation, because the project is being summed up. All research, no matter how well they are controlled, carries the potential to be wrong. Most After conducting research, analyzing it and evaluating the results is an important work. Statistics are manuplated everyday to change the conclusions drawn. Before accepting the results of a study one must evaluate the research techniques used, the study protocol and other factors to determine if the study’s claims are valid. There must be randomization of the sample groups and necessary care and intelligence shown in allocation of controls. Internal validity and trustworthness are at the core of any research design. External validity is the process of examining the results and questioning whether there are any possible casual relationship. Any scientific study only puts forward a possible cause for the studied effect. There are always chances of another unknown factors contributing to the results and findings. If the study was designed to contain validity and reliability then scientific community is more likely to accept the findings. The high degree of validity and reliability provides not only confidence in data collected but trust in successful application and use of results. The validity of a research settles down to whether the study is giving results what it was claiming to do. For example if someone is buying a research report from an organization claiming to calculate how people prefer marketer’s production than its competitors’ products, the marketer should know how the data was secured to help knoiw if the research really gives the information the way the research company wants it to do. Since most analysis are based on observational studies rather than on results of a controlled experiment, avoid drawing results concerning casuality. When studying changes over time, short term trends should not be focused without checking them in light of medium and long term trends. Where possible avoid arbitrary time reference points. 3.2 Present results and conclusions in a suitable format for audience Information on how the survey was done, as anyone may want to repeat it. This information is often included in the appenixes to the main report. It includes full questionnaire, detailed sample design, fieldwork procedures, interviewer’s instructions, data entry instructions and recommendations for futures study- as how to do better next time. This report should containall the details given below. Focus the article on important variables and topics. Arrange ideas in a logical order. Keep languge as simple as possible. Use graphs in additiuon to text and tables to communicate the message. When tables are used take care that overall format adds to clarity of data and prevents misrepresentation. Explain rounding practices and procedures. Satisfy confidentiality requirements of the source whose data isbeing analysed. Include information about data sources used and shorcomings in the data that may have affected the analysis. Include information about analytical method and tools ysed. Include information regarding quality of results. Ensure that all refercences are accurate. Check for errors in the article. Check accuracy of external data and simple arithmatics. Ensure that intentions stated in the introduction are fulfilled. Get the results reviewed by others for relevance, accuracy and comprehensibility. As a good practice consider presenting the results to peers prior to finalizing the text. Refer to available documents that could provide further guidance for improvement. Bibliography Stolley, Karl.Primary Research. Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved 21 May 2013. Snieder, R Larner, K, 2009, The Art of Being a Scientist: A Guide for Graduate Students and their Mentors, Cambridge University Press http://www.ihmctan.edu/PDF/notes/Research_Methodology.pdf www.boundless.com/sociology/sociological-research/the-research-process/analyzing-data-and-growing-conclusions/ www.managementhelp.org/businessresearch/analysis.htm

The Instrumentation And Measurement Engineering Essay

The Instrumentation And Measurement Engineering Essay A single strain gauge having a resistance of 500à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦, gauge factor of 2 and a temperature coefficient of 1 ÃÆ'- 10-5 per  °C at room temperature is mounted on the beam and connected in the arm AB of the bridge shown in figure Q4 for measuring a strain in cantilaver beam. The other three arms BC, CD and DA of the bridge have resistance of 100à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦, 100à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ and 500 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ respectively. The detector connected across A and C of the bridge has a resistance (Rg) of 100 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ and sensitivity 5 mm per  µA. The voltage supply to the bridge is 12 V. Determine the detector deflection for a gauge strain of 0.002. Given:- R1 = 500 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ R2 = 100 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ R3 = 500 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ R4 = 100 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ Resistance across A and C of the bridge, Rg = 100 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ ÃŽÂ ± = temperature coefficient of 1 x 10-5  °C Gauge strain, = 0.002 Voltage supply = 12 V Sensitivity 5 mm / ÃŽÂ ¼A Gauge factor of 2 Solution:- When a strain is introduced, the strain sensitivity, which is also called the gage factor (GF), and also the strain is defined as the amount of deformation per unit length of an object when a load is applied. Strain is calculated by dividing the total deformation of the original length by the original length (L). Substitute all the value that given and find out change in resistance, After get the change in resistance, à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  R1. Total resistance measured is equal to R1 and R3 in parallel and R2 and R4 in parallel. If strain gauge is changes even a little bit in value can cause the bridge unbalanced and can define that R1 = à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  R1 + R1. Wheatstone resistive bridge sensors can be analyzed using Thevenins Theorem, where the circuit is reduced to voltage sources with series resistance Voltage across the bridge, VAC varies change as strain gauge, R1 So we can determine the voltage across the bridge, VAC terminals by applying the Ohms Law. R is the resistance that across the A and C of the bridge Lastly, determine the detector deflection for a gauge strain and the deflection are known as below, Deflection = Sensitivity x Current, Ig flow at VAC Deflection = (5 mm / ÃŽÂ ¼A) x 29.71 ÃŽÂ ¼A Deflection = 148.55 mm Determine the change in strain indicated for an increase of 20  °C in room temperature. Substitute the value that to the equivalent change in strain QUESTION 2 A telephone line will be used to carry measurement data as a frequency-modulated signal from 5kHz to 6kHz. The line is shared with unwanted voice data below 500Hz, and switching noise occurs above 500kHz. Design a band-pass RC filter that reduces the unwanted voice by 80% and reduces the switching noise by 90%. Assume CH is 0.05 µF, and use a resistance ratio r of 0.02. What is the Vout/Vin on the passband frequency of 5.5kHz? Given:- Frequency modulated signal from 5 kHz to 6 kHz Unwanted voice data below 500Hz Switching noise above 500 kHz Reduced unwanted voice 80% Reduced switching noise 90% CH = 0.05 ÃŽÂ ¼F Resistance ratio, r = 0.02 First need to find out the low pass filter Passive RC Low Pass Filter Also know that the capacitive reactance of a capacitor in an AC circuit is given as below The High Pass Filter is the exact opposite to the low pass filter. This filter has no output voltage from DC (0Hz), up to a specified cut-off frequency (Æ’c) point. This lower cut-off frequency point is 70.7% or -3dB (dB = -20log Vout/Vin) of the voltage gain allowed to pass. Passive RC High Pass Filter Also know that the capacitive reactance of a capacitor in an AC circuit is given as below After getting value of then substituting to the Substitute the R1 value to the formula to get the R2 value as well Using the FCL find out the C2 Band Pass Filter Circuit Passive RC Band Pass Filter Band Pass Filters passes signals within a certain band or spread of frequencies without distorting the input signal or introducing extra noise. This band of frequencies can be any width and is known as the filters Bandwidth Band Pass Filter Bode Plot QUESTION 3 Describe how the sensor control works in cycle with relay in filling and draining water from the tank. Find the value of amplifier gain, K, required to open the valve when the level reached 1.5 m. Description:- Input flow Q1 and Q2 fill the tank without controlled. When the level of water in tank reaches the height h = 1.5m, the level sensor sends signals voltage, Vh to the amplifier to amplify the voltage to relays voltage Vr = KVh with a gain of K, which the voltage of relay will be large enough to drive the relay closes. As the relays voltage reaches Vr = 6V, the relay is closed and activates the valve to open and water in the tank is started to drain out. After some time, the water level drops to 1.1m and the level sensor will read the signal. Again, the voltage Vh is amplified to Vr = 4.8V and latch the relay to open. The open relay is then instructed the valve to close. Even though the water stops draining out, the water tank is still filling with water. The water level will increase to h = 1.5m again. The same cycle is expected to occur continuously. Given:- Level sensors voltage, Vh = 0.8h + 0.4V Relays voltage, Vr = KVh Relays voltage closes, Vr = 6V h = 1.5m Find the amplifier gain, K Solution:- Level sensor linear static operating characteristics which is given, Vh = 0.8h + 0.4V. Apply this formula to the voltage relay to get the value of amplifier gain, K. Substitute all the info that given to the relays voltage, Vr = KVh At what level does the valve close? Given:- Relays voltage closes, Vr = 4.8V Level sensors voltage, Vh = 0.8h + 0.4V Amplifier gain, K = 3.75 Solution:- When the valve close, the voltage of relay, Vr = 4.8V and given that K = 3.75 and substitute to the formula relays voltage to get the level, h of valve close. 1.28 = 0.8h + 0.4 0.8h = 0.88 h = 1.1 m Suppose Q1 = 5 m3/min, Q2 = 2 m3/min, and Qout = 9 m3/min (when open). Determine the time for water level to rise from 1.1 to 1.5 meters and the time to drain out. Find the total time of cycle. Given:- Input flow rate (velocity), Q1 = 5m3/min and Q2 = 2m3/min Output flow rate (velocity), Qout = 9m3/min (when valve open) Solution:- Time for water level to rise from 1.1m to 1.5m Velocity shows how fast an object is moving to which direction. Average velocity can be calculated by dividing displacement over time. Where the t1 is the time when water start rise at height 1.1m. Assume the t1 = 0 (Initial time) Time for water level to drain out from 1.5m to 1.1m Output flow rate (velocity), Qout = 9m3/min (when valve open) t2 is the time when water reaches 1.1m, water drains out is stopped. Assume t2 = 0 QUESTION 4 A measurement of temperature using a sensor that outputs 6.5 mV/ËÅ ¡C must measure to 100ËÅ ¡C. A 6-bit ADC with a 10V reference is used. Develop a circuit to interface the sensor and the ADC. Find the temperature resolution. Given:- Output of the sensor = 6.5 mV/ ËÅ ¡C measure to 100ËÅ ¡C 6-bit ADC = 10Vref Solution:- Find the output sensor during 100ËÅ ¡C where the output sensor 6.5 mV/ ËÅ ¡C measure 1ËÅ ¡C is given. Resolution can define electrically, and expressed in volts. The minimum change in voltage required to guarantee a change in the output code level is called the LSB (least significant bit, since this is the voltage represented by a change in the LSB). The resolution Q of the ADC is equal to the LSB voltage. The voltage resolution of an ADC is equal to its overall voltage measurement range divided by the number of discrete voltage intervals: N is the number of voltage intervals, EFSR is the full scale voltage range, 10 V Normally, the number of voltage intervals is given by, Where the M is the ADCs resolution in bits. Solution:- Develop a circuit to interface the sensor Block Diagram Figure 4.1 Interfacing an Analog Output Temperature Sensor to an ADC At first sensor consists of a band gap reference circuit that produces a voltage. A switched capacitor op amp amplifier is used to amplify the temperature coefficient to a voltage mV/ °C because of the ease of building capacitors that are a ratio of each other. Lowpass filter is used to remove the switching noise of the amplified signal. The output signal is then driven by a buffer amplifier. The temperature sensors output pin is driven by an op amp that has output impedance (ROUT). The input of the ADC consists of a simple sample and hold circuit. A switch is used to connect the signal source with a sampling capacitor, while the ADC measures the CSAMPLE capacitors voltage in order to determine the temperature. The ROUT and RSWITCH resistances and the CSAMPLE capacitor form a time constant that must be less than the sampling rate (TSAMPLE) of the ADC as shown. An external capacitor can be added to the output pin to provide additional filtering and to form an anti-aliasing filter for the ADC. This capacitor may impact the time response of the sensor and the designer must allow time for the capacitor to charge sufficiently between ADC conversions. Also, the sensor amplifier may oscillate if the filter capacitor is too large. A small resistor of approximately 10 to 100ÃŽÂ © can be added between the output pin of the sensor and CFILTER to isolate the sensors amplifier from the capacitive load. The output impedance of the sensor (ROUT) varies as a function of frequency. Thus, a series resistor should be added to the effective ROUT resistance if CFILTER is intended to serve as the ADCs anti-aliasing filter. The output impedance of the TC1047A is less than 1ÃŽÂ © because operational amplifier A2 functions as a voltage buffer. The output impedance of the sensor is low due to the negative feedback of the buffer circuit topology. The negative feedback results in an output impedance that is equal to the impedance of the amplifier divided by the open-loop gain of the amplifier. The open-loop gain of the op amp is relatively large which, in turn, forces the output impedance to be small. QUESTION 5 A pressure sensor has a resistance that changes with pressure according to R = (0.15 kà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦/psi)p + 2.5 kà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦. This resistance is then converted to a voltage with the transfer function, The sensor time constant is 350 ms. At t = 0, the pressure changes suddenly from 40 psi to 150 psi. What is the voltage output at 0.5 s? What is the indicated pressure at this time? Given:- Pressure sensor has resistance changes with pressure, R = (0.15 kà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦/psi)P + 2.5 kà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ Transfer function of voltage, Sensor time constant, à Ã¢â‚¬Å¾ = 350 ms At t = 0, Pressure, P change suddenly from 40 psi à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 150 psi Solution:- Pressure changes suddenly from 40 psi to 150 psi and we can assume that the initial pressure, Po = 150 psi Voltage output after t = 0.5 sec, find pressure after 0.5 sec first; Basic formula a quantity pressure depends exponentially on time t if. During the resistance 0.5 sec, P = 35.95 psi. Substitute the indicated pressure at 0.5s, P in resistance changes with pressure according to to find out the resistance during 0.5 sec Voltage output at 0.5 s, 2. At what time does the output reach 5.0 V? Find out the resistance by substitute the output voltage at the formula that giving Indicated pressure at output 5.0 V 50 psi A quantity pressure depends exponentially on time t if, substitute the value of initial pressure, indicated pressure output at 5.0 V and time constant is giving 350 ms. Finally we can get the time does the output reach 5.0 V. ,