Ethnographic Methods Free Essays

Examine the advantages and disadvantages of using ethnographic methods for sociological research I am going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of using ethnographic methods for sociological research. Ethnography is in-depth research into people’s lives through the use of primary data such as Observations and Interviews, and also secondary data such as diaries, and official documents. The first method of research I am going to look at is a primary research method that is unstructured interviews. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethnographic Methods or any similar topic only for you Order Now There are a few advantages to unstructured interviews such as; if a researcher is going to conduct and unstructured interview then the participant is more likely to discuss sensitive information with them, this is because they may feel that the interviewer is sympathetic and understanding and so are more likely to open up towards them. Another advantage is that it allows people to explain their answers further if they need to, for example with questionnaires the person answering may not be able to explain why they put that answer, and so their point is not put across as they would like to have been. There are also some disadvantages to unstructured interviews such as it takes time and can cost a lot of money; although this method is very effective at finding out detailed information about a person and their life, it can take a lot of time to conduct an interview and even longer as it is unstructured so the interviewer can ask as many questions as they like; it could cost quite a lot as you might need to hire an office to do so, and if you need to interview a lot of people over a few days the cost could rise very quickly. Also interview bias is another disadvantage; this means that the interviewer can ask questions that can influence the answer, which then affects the outcome of the results. Interviewer bias can be illustrated through the use of leading questions for example â€Å"Do you get on well with your boss? † this question can make the interviewee question their relationship with their boss, and subtly raises the prospect that maybe they don’t get on with their boss. Another method of primary research covert observation, this involves the researcher joining the group that they are studying, and in covert observation the researcher does not tell them or allow them to find out their true identity. There are some advantages to covert observation such as it has high validity, as the researcher gets first-hand information about the people they are studying. This is a major advantage to covert observation because if this was done by someone else it may not be on the exact same topic and so not all the information they need is there. Another advantage of this method is that it avoids the observer effect, which is that people change their behaviour when they know they are being observed, and this would not show a true reflection of what they are really like. Some disadvantages to covert observation is that the participants are unaware of the experiment and so this is an ethical issue, as some people may not have wanted to be a part of the experiment, and if they find out that they are they could try and sue the researcher. Another disadvantage of this method is that the researcher could become influenced by the group and when writing their findings down it could be in favour or prejudiced against the group. How to cite Ethnographic Methods, Essay examples

Debut Albums and Child free essay sample

This is a small play depicting the importance of unity. Here is an old man in a village. He has 4 children. He is worried because his children are always fighting among themselves. Scene: All the children are fighting with each other. Child 1: Father, he (II) does not work at all. He Is very lazy. Child 2: You are lazy and cunning. I hate you. Father, I dont want to live with him, Child 3: Father, he always takes away my things.Child 4: Dont lie in front of father. Father, he is a liar. Father: Children II Enough. For God sake stop flitting. Come here. (They all come near him) Father: Each one of you go and get a stick from our backyard. (They all come back with a stick) Together: Father, we have the sticks. Father: Now, break them in to pieces. Children: Yes, we did. That was so easy. Father: Now, tie all those pieces together with a string. We will write a custom essay sample on Debut Albums and Child or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Children: Here it is ready. Father: Now try to break it. Children: Father!! Its not breaking. Its strong now. Father: All of you learn from this simple example. You could break them when they were single but could not even bend them when they were together.

Lego free essay sample

How did the information systems and the organization design changes implemented by knudstorp align with the changes in business strategy? Advances in the field of information technology and introduction of new hi-tech form of entertainment such as tablets and gaming consoles had left Lego trailing in the entertainment field. Jorgen Vig Knudstorp was appointed as the CEO to revamp the company’s business process, organization structure and information systems. Knudstorp was quick to act and first made changes in the company’s production process.He encouraged designers to use the unused components in development of new products and design, thus reducing the number of unused components and reduced losses as the cost of production of each unit was very expensive. Lego created a new strategy to broaden the product range and target a new customer segment. Earlier Lego used to develop products which primarily targeted boys; with this new strategy they started developing product s keeping a larger segment into perspective. We will write a custom essay sample on Lego or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They started developing products based on movie themes.Most drastic changes came in the organization structure at Lego, switching the employee pay structure, providing incentive for innovative product designs. Lego also started developing video games thus targeting a new segment of customers. All these changes in the business aspects of the company led to an increased revenue, increased demand and growth in the number of employees. Development of new product based on the internet, addition of new employee and inability to meet the consumer demands led to need for a new advanced and upgraded system which would fulfill all the above mentioned.Lego developed a new modularized and standardized architecture for their information system, which they could easily expand and add functionality and capacity. The latest IT infrastructure in the organization enabled the employees to become more creative in terms of the product development and also business process development. The new system helped manage data, provided application for operation support and human capital management. Q. 2: Which of the generic strategies does Lego appear to be using based on this case? Provide support for your choice. Based on the case study Lego appears to be using the Focus strategy.Michael Porter proposed three generic strategies Cost Leadership, Differentiation and Focus. Focus is a strategy where organization focuses on specific niche markets; this may include a particular geographic region or particular segment of customers. Organizations which use this strategy develop their products after having a study of dynamics of the segment and unique needs of customer. Lego before the appointment of the new CEO appear to use the focus strategy as their top priority was always to focus on innovation and creativity with taking profits into consideration.Add to that the case study also mention that Lego used to create products that primarily targeted boys. After the appointment of new CEO Jorgen Vig Knudstorp the company appears to have changed its policy form Focus to Cost-Leadership. Cost-Leadership is a strategy where organizations focus on gaining competitive advantage by offering products and services at the lowest possible price. They achieve this by increasing profits by reducing production cost and other way is to increase market share by reducing the prices of products compared to the competitors.Knudstorp after taking charge of Lego changed their focus on reducing the production cost. He proposed a strategy to reuse most of the components produced by them as the production for each component was too high. Under Knudstorp Lego started creating products on themes of popular movies, they engaged in online communities through websites and blog which allowed them to create a bond with their proposed market. Knudstorp also changed their organizational structure; Key performance indicators encouraged innovation and thus resulted in cost reduction. Q. : Are the changes implemented by knudstorp an indication of hypercompetition? Defend your position. The generic strategy focus on maintaining a competitive advantage Hypercompetition model suggests that the speed and aggressiveness of the moves and countermoves made in any given market create an environment in which new advantages that cannot be sustained for a long time. Organizations must constantly compete in price or quality, or innovate in, supply chain management, new value creation, or have enough financial capital to outlast other competitors.The hypercompetition model is based on the assumptions that every advantage is eroded, sustaini ng an advantage can be a deadly distraction, goal of advantage should be disruption and not sustainability and initiatives are achieved by a series of small steps. The changes made by Knudstorp are an indication of hypercompetion. Organizations try to attain relative competitive advantage in such a competitive market in four ways. Knudstorp’s strategy to revamp the business process, organization structure and production process 1.Cost/ Quality: After taking over Lego, Knudstorp most important task was to get the company out of losses and back in the green. Lego at that time was losing $1Million a day. He revamped the production process to make sure that designers reused their components in new products thereby decreasing the number of unused components from 13000 to 7000 Lego components. This resulted in a decreased production cost which indirectly had its effect on the company revenue. 2. Know-how/Timing: Lego’s supply chain system was out of order before Knudstorp came into the company.The company struggled with missed deadlines and poor delivery. There were instances where the most popular toy would run out of stock and company would not be in a position to meet the demands of the retailers on time or did not have the correct supply infrastructure to deliver the products. Knudstorp changed all this. He fixed the missing links in the supply chain system. He moved the manufacturing and distribution function to locations from which delivery and reach to the market would be easier. 3. Stronghold Creation/Innovation: Knudstorp new strategy was to broaden the product range.He encouraged the designers to develop new products and provide incentives for appropriate product innovation. Under his new strategy Lego created products based on movie themes, developed products for a larger segment of population making toys for adults and girls. Lego expanded into virtual world and started creating video games and virtual interaction games. This helped them by reducing production cost and increasing customer interaction. Q. 4: What advice would you give to Knudstorp to keep Lego competitive, growing and relevant?

A Day in the Life of Noble essays

A Day in the Life of Noble essays Describe a day in the life of noble and his family. A noble was a person of the official or upper class. They were men of great wealth. Their wealth came mainly from real estate appointed to them by the king. They were highly respected and were expected to live up to certain roles. A nobles household was a hive of activity. A noble would have many servants to attend his every need. A day in the life of a noble man would consist of.... When a nobleman and his wife woke up, their first task for the day was grooming. Before beginning their day they would pay very close attention to their personal cleanliness and appearance. This was achieved by the men removing body and facial hair with bronze razors, tweezers and scrapers, they also anointed their bodies with perfumed oils. Because Egypt was a warm place to live in their clothing was lightly clad. They men went bare chested except for many large pieces of expensive, bright, beaded and jeweled colars and jewellry. He also wore a broad, pleated white linen kilt and sandals. His short-cropped hair was covered in a wig. The noblemans wife paid particular attention to her hair and cosmetics. She would surround her eyes with kohl and malachite, which served for beautification and protection. Their dress was much more different to those of the men. They would wear simple ankle length sheaths of linen with broad straps over the shoulders. A woman would accessorize her outfit with beautiful jewellry. Once the nobleman had completed his toilet he would then receive the reports from his overseers and foremen. His scribes were always available to write any letters or dispatches that he needed. He also kept all the estate records. A noble man would enjoy three daily meals. He would be able to choose form a large banquet of foods. Their meals consisted of bread, cakes stews, fish, barley, cereal, fruit and would even indulge five types of poultry, sixteen form ...

Ethical Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethical Perspectives - Essay Example Another expectation is that if the company is not announced bankrupt, some of the members will be retrenched. The first approach that corresponds to the above situation is Utilitarianism (the approach means choosing of an option that is of the greater view of most of the people in the organization). The above approach can be considered in the above case by ensuring that top management of the organization is investigated about the charges of corruption bestowed upon them. For the common good of the people in the organization if they are found guilty of an offense then they should be charged and pay back what they had taken from the organization to allow smooth running of the organization. The other approach is Categorical Imperative. This is considered as a moral right action to be undertaken despite the consequences that will follow (Johnson, 2011). Employee should consider informing the top executive of what is happening within the organization for them to change the moral behaviors for the better side of the organization. Based on the case the management board is not fair since it has not incorporated a representative of the employees. Despite the fact that they are junior members in the organization, they play a significant role in ensuring the company meets it objectives and attains it goals. Thus, for equality and freedom of expression within the organization the management board should consider incorporating a representative of the employees. This will help them highlight the immoral activity of corruption taking place. The other ethical approach to be considered with respect to the above case is communitarianism. This approach takes about the common promotion of shared moral values by the community. Since the firm is a community project, it will be of the much significance if the board of directors of the company to ensure that the moral values of their top managers are in-line with the community expectations. The last ethical

Nursing Organizational change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nursing Organizational change - Essay Example That is until the recent economic down turn. Comanche has a couple of major problems at this time, that will require major change. They are running in the red like many hospitals but this has not happened to them before and they have a very traditional history and the Senior team is older and very traditional in their approaches. This is also true of the second layer or Senior Directors. They have had one lay off this year and the new fiscal year began in July. The end o July figures showed that they were in the black by $134,000. Some of the middle level directors and managers have been replaced by attrition by more forward thinking staff. However, most of them have been there a year and there has been little change and these new leaders are becoming very frustrated. This paper will discuss the change needed at Comanche Regional Hospital Kotter (1996) tells us that there are eight stages of change. Those stages are establishing a sense of urgency, creating the guiding coalition, developing a vision and strategy, communicating the change vision, empowering a broad base of people to take action, generating short-term wins, consolidating gains, and producing even more change and institutionalizing the new approaches in the culture. The change initiative that will need to go through these stages is a reduction of length of stay which will improve hospital throughput. There are many issues related to length of stay so for the sake of a shorter paper, discharging patients by noon will be chosen. Establishing a sense of urgency is the first of the eight stages of change that are proposed by Kotter (1996). For Comanche Memorial Hospital, this will not be a simple task. This is a group of senior leaders that just does not get riled up about most things. . This has filtered down through the rest of the organization and has created a sense of complacency. The CFO in this case understands the need for the change so the initial plan here would be to illicit his help in putting together some realistic but important numbers together to show what can be gained by improving this process. Convincing of the whole administrative group is crucial (Kotter, 2008). only then can we proceed. This same process will then need to go to the director level and an incentive program here will work very well to establish urgency. Creating a guiding coalition in this case should be happening with the creation of the first sense of urgency. Many times, according to Kotter (1996), the guiding coalition is given credit to one person but in the case of this hospital, that guiding coalition must be the C suite and the Senior Directors. They must be convinced and added to this group are the informal leaders of patient care. This group must be credible though and must contain people who are movers because to have a stagnant committee will only teach the lesson that complacency is OK after all when the lesson needs to be, the train in moving on, get aboard. This coalition must have four kinds of power to be successful. Those include position power which means that there are enough of the key players on board to make a difference (pg. 57), and expertise which is that there are people in the group that have experience relevant to the problem. Credibility is high only if the

Economic man vs islamic man

Economic man vs islamic man Economic Man Vs Islamic Man Abstract Modem economics presents a concept of economic man on the other hand Islam gives the idea of an Islamic man. The former is based on a materialistic approach in which the basic objective of life remains just to get maximum satisfaction and maximum profit or any other form of utility. Man lives only for these objective, which is completely less human level. On the other hand latter is based on believe of Allah and high moral values and present a much better way of life as compare to the former. 1. Introduction The term economic man was first used by Joseph Pseky1. Although it is a new concept in economics, but it is often associated with ideas of 18th century thinkers like Adam Smith and David Recordo etc. No doubt this concept in the raw form can easily be found in the writings of these thinkers, for example in the following quotation of Adam Smith, reflection of this modern concept can easily be found. He writes â€Å"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner but from their regard to their own interest†2. It means that in a more or less form it was exist, but recently it has taken a concrete form. This concept was developing to show the rational behavior of individual decision making units i.e. a consumer, a firm and an industry. On the same line the concept of an Islamic man can also be drawn from the teachings of Islam. At many places in Quran and Hadith characteristics of momineen are given, with the help of these qualitie s a concept of Islamic man can be derived. The basic objective of this paper is to analyze and compare these two concepts. For this purpose first the characteristics of an economic and Islamic man are discussed and then a comparison is made between these two. 2. An Economics Man The concept of economic man is one of the basic notions of modern economics. It is assumed that each individual in a capitalistic society, whether he / she are a consumer, investor, worker or businessman is motivated by economic forces, hence will always act to obtain the maximum satisfaction for the least sacrifice or cost. This maximum satisfaction take different forms e.g. it may be maximum profit for a businessman, leisure hours for a worker and maximum utility from the consumption of goods for a consumer etc. A consumer, a firm and an industry are the basic individual decision making units in a capitalist economy. Under this concept it is assumed that behavior of these units will be rational. Rational behavior means that, each of this unit wants to maximize his advantage. In the other words, when a consumer decides to purchase something he / she will spent all available resources in such a way that he / she will get maximum satisfaction from these items. If he / she dose the same then their behavior will be rational, and consumer will said to be in equilibrium position. In the other words achievement of maximum satisfaction is the primary goal of a consumer or economic man. In the same way when a firm decides to produce something in response of demand from consumers, then main objective of the firm will be to get maximum profit. For this purpose firm will made all efforts to maximize the difference between cost and selling price, so that she can get maximum profit. It will be rational beh avior of firm / man. The same situation is with industry, which is the collective name of all firms. In the same line a worker wants to maximize his / her leisure and so on. In this whole process there is no concept of God or moral values or the Day of Judgment or benefits of the others. The whole story is just based on me and my interest only, and no room is left for any moral values. Due to this situation an economic man is selfà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬centered and self interested personality and never thinks beyond his self interest3. The approach of economic man is completely materialistic and he / she is always busy in calculation of his / her profit / loss in monetary terms. To get maximum advantage of this worldly life, becomes his / her ultimate aim and do not have any concept of life after this life. This type of thinking naturally restricted his / her life just for today and there is no concept of long term benefits. 3. An Islamic Man The characteristics of an Islamic man can be derived from the qualities of momineen given in Quran and Hadith. At least in Quran more then sixty qualities are given in this regard. The term amale saleha is used for those activities which are required by Quran and Hadith from momineen. An amle saleh is any activity which results on the benefits of others or it creates equilibrium in the society or results on elimination of disequilibrium (Fasad) in the society. Since the limited scope of a paper cannot considerate the narration of all these characteristics, hence only the main qualities of momineen are discussed in following lines. 3.1 Iman (Believe) The first and the most important demand of Islam from momineen is that, they should have believe on Allah, His books, His prophets, angles and the Day of Judgment. It is not the righteousness that ye turn your faces to the east and the west; but the righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angles and the scripture and the prophets. (2:1 77) This believes create a significant change in his behavior and character, and changed the whole concept of life, and expands the scope of life. Man with iman lives with high moral values. Concept of life hereafter and accountability keeps him away from all bad activities. The activities which are harmful not for the society but also for that person who performs them. 3.2 Consent of Allah According to Quran, the basic objective of the life of momineen is to get the consent of Allah. Thou (0 Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship),seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. (48:29) For this purpose they follow all the orders of Quran and Hadith. 3.3 Fear of the Day of Judgment Another quality of momineen counted in Quran and Hadith is that, momineen keep hard believe on the Day of Judgment and accountability of that Day. This concept put them further away from each and every type of tyranny. 3.4 Living for the Others According to Quran momineen live for the others. They are always ready to sacrifice their current benefits for the betterment of others. Even they are personally needy people but in this condition also they sacrifice for the others. And find in their breasts no need for that which hath been given them but prefer (the refugees)above themselves though poverty become their lot. (59:9) 3.5 No Concept of Reward Quran said, the momineen never have any desire of reward or thanks, they all do it only for the consent of Allah. (Saying) we feed you for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you (76:9,) No materialistic reward is required by them. 3.5 Prohibition of Riba (Interest) Since riba (Interest) is strictly prohibited by Quran Hadith and momineen completely avoid the same, and do not involve in any such type of activity. 3.6 Infaq (Donation) One of the most important quality of momineen is that, they donate all of their income in the way of Allah which is beyond their requirements. And they ask thee what they ought to spend say: that which is beyond your requirement. (2:219) 3.7 Concept of Halal Haram Quran Hadith have restricted momineen from particular type of activities which are termed as haram. Momineen strictly avoid themselves from these actions. 3.8 Care of Poor People of Society In accordance with the orders of Quran Hadith momineen take care of poor people of society. And feed with food the needy wretch the orphan and the prisoner, for consent of Allah. (76:8). These are just a few characteristics of momineen described in Quran and Hadith which are specially mentioned because these are the base of comparison between these two concepts. 4. Comparison Between Economic Man Islamic Man In the light of above discussion it can be said that there is a wide difference between these two concepts. The main points in this regard are as follows. 4.1 Limited Wide Concept The concept of economic man is quite limited, which restricts the man just up-to this materialistic world, whereas an Islamic man has a quite wide horizon. He does not see the life just for this world but hereafter also, which will be a real and long lasting life. 4.2 Animal Human Level Economic man concept presents a just animal level of life, which is restricted to maximum satisfaction, profit or leisure etc., without any moral values. On the other hand Islamic man is a better concept which is based on high moral values and represents a human level of life. 4.3 Selfish and Opulent Way of Life Self benefit is the limit of economic man thinking, he cannot go beyond this boundary. On the other hand the objective of life of an Islamic man is to serve the others for the consent of Allah. 4.4 An Open Restrict Way of Life The economic man is completely free to do anything under the rules of state. No other bindings can be imposed on him. But an Islamic man is under the Devine rules as well as the regulations of state. 4.5 Preference of Today or Tomorrow The former man just believes on benefits of today and he is not ready to sacrifice his today for tomorrow. On the contrast Islamic man is always prefer the advantages of tomorrow by giving up the benefits of today. This is the reason that, a Muslim can easily sacrifice his life in Jehad (Fight in the way of Allah) whereas it is quite difficult for a Non-Muslim. Conclusion On the basis of above discussion it can be said that, the concept of Islamic man is much more superior then economic man. The latter is just a materialistic approach and completely barefoot from moral values. Negation of moral values put the human being on just animal level. This is the reason that, an economic man lives on animal level and just alive to get maximum satisfaction or profit or other advantages. No doubt he gets all these things in this world but in the life hereafter his share will be nil. On the other hand an Islamic man lives with the believe on Allah and high moral values. He lives on human level, he also gets the advantages of this life but with that, he will be in a much better position in the second life.