Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering free essay sample

There are many benefits of genetic engineering, but there are many risks too. Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population. Basically, scientists take DNA of one product and put it into another product to get a mixture of traits from both products. It’s like breeding different breeds of dogs to get a certain look or personality. Some people don’t mind what goes into genetically altered foods, while others feel uncomfortable with the idea of eating any of it. The effects that genetic engineering has on the environment, living organisms and the product being engineered have been widely talked about up until the last few years where the amount of discussion going on about this topic has dropped immensely. For this reason this paper contains older information that I find to still be a valid outlook on what genetic engineering has in store for us. We will write a custom essay sample on Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As with many other topics of debate, there are two big sides to the controversy of genetically engineered foods: people who believe they are unsafe, and those who think they cause no harm. Many people believe that eating genetically altered foods is â€Å"unnatural† and dangerous. If the product was not originally meant to have a different gene in it, then it shouldn’t have it now. One fear about genetic engineered crops is that growing them will get out of hand. While federal rules require farmers to plant a certain percentage of non-genetically engineered corn alongside any pest-resistant corn, an estimated 21 percent of farmers are not following those rules (The Nation’s Health. 2010. Pg. 6). Farmers are putting too much reliability on modified crops. While so many people dislike the idea of genetically engineered foods, there hasn’t been any research that specifically states any negative effects of them. Sure, if a tomato is altered with peanut genes, it’s risky for people with peanut allergies to eat that tomato, but eating genetically altered foods hasn’t been proven to mutate one’s genes, make them sick or turn their skin weird colors. A study by a man named Arpad Pusztai claimed that some people who ate genetically modified potatoes suffered organ damage. After only 10 days of eating the wonder spud, which now produced its own pesticide, the rats suffered from damaged immune systems and organs. The pesticide wasnt the problem because rats (and humans) have been eating it in perfect safety in foods where it naturally occurs. The problem must have been due to the process of genetic engineering itself, it was the biggest shock of Dr Pusztais life. (Smith, page 74. ) However, the article, The Lanclet, that published the study also, critiqued it, stating that the experiments were incomplete, included too few animals per diet group, and lacked controls. So the conclusion that the potatoes were dangerous was not relevant. Pusztai was then sacked for publicizing research which hadnt been peer-reviewed (Wooster, 2001, pg. 1). As this article proves, even though there have been small experiments trying to prove the dangers of genetically altered foods, they are just speculations as to what could potentially be the effect of genetically altered foods. In an article about Transgenic Crops, some of the risks they listed included antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, eating foreign DNA, and changed nutrient levels (Soil and Crop Sciences, 2004, pg. ). Can eating genetically altered foods raise the dangers of allergic reactions? Will they make our bodies more resistance to antibiotics? Can it destroy our DNA in any way? While all these questions are being studied for answers, there is no proof that the answer is â€Å"yes† to any of them. It is all speculation right now and probably will be for a long time. On the other hand, the re are many people who believe that there is nothing wrong with genetically altered foods; they can be good for us, even. Scientists are trying to use genetic altering technology to save thousands of lives. Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient to our health, is the number one vitamin in the world that people do not get enough of. In places where there are high poverty levels, such as China and Africa, children and adults are so deficient in Vitamin A that it is the number one cause of blindness and death in many areas. White rice is the most commonly consumed product in the entire world, as it is cheap and easy to grow. Scientists think that by altering the genes of white rice to carry Vitamin A, it could significantly increase the health of thousands to millions of people all over the world. It could save lives (Williams, Doug. Speech). When I think about this, it seems like a really sensible idea. What’s wrong with making people healthier? There might be risks, we do not know what eating genetically altered food does to our bodies officially, but the benefits would outweigh those risks. There are other potential benefits to genetically altered foods that have been talked about. Benefits besides the white rice theory include oranges that replace daily multi-vitamins, potatoes with higher starch content that will not absorb fat, and soybeans ontaining insulin for the treatment of diabetes. (PR Newswire, 2009, pg. 1). For someone who has problems with taking vitamins, whether they just don’t have the time or can’t get into the habit, this could be another easy way to get those essentials. Eating food that is rich in starch but not in fat can also be appealing to many people. Starch is a tricky mineral to obtain but something that our body needs for goo d digestion. Even more, put yourself in the shoes of someone who has diabetes. Taking insulin shots everyday gets tedious and is time-consuming, and many people find the prospect of putting needles in their arms unpleasant. If there were a way to make taking insulin as easy as eating a meal, it would be a huge breakthrough. Soybeans containing insulin would make the lives of millions of people easier. Not only could genetic engineering be used on crops and plants, but animals could also be engineered for leaner meat. (Union of Concerned Scientists. 2002. â€Å"Potential Benefits of Genetic Engineering† page). Again, yes there may be other risks to this, but it’s the same thing with every medicine and antibiotic out there. There can be side effects of anything you take. Eating genetically altered foods would just be an effortless way to get the vitamins you need and for some, the medicine they need to stay alive. There are many ways to tell if a food has been genetically modified. I myself have noticed the changes that come from genetically engineering food from working on a family farm. There are a few major differences that can be noticed between natural and engineered crops. One difference is that engineered crops are generally bigger and if one compares them to naturally grown foods, they would notice that they tend to have less taste. Taste of course is all a matter of opinion, but it is noticeably less juicy and many of the genetically altered tomatoes I encountered had no seeds. Another noticeable difference of the foods is that the engineered ones have less of a rich full color, like tomatoes for instance, while a nice naturally grown tomato has a nice bright, juicy red hue to it. Yet another difference one would see in a genetically modified tomato is the size difference. A modified tomato is about two to three inches bigger in circumference. The last major difference one wouldn’t know unless they were the farmer or the buyer is that some plants are genetically engineered to have pesticides mapped onto their D. N. A so that they repel insects without needing to be sprayed. On one hand, this is an extremely useful trait. It saves the time and effort farmers put in to spraying fields, but on the other hand, it’s debatable on whether it’s healthy to do that to crops. Is it a harmless gene? Or is it as though they put the pesticide inside the plant itself, and that’s what we would be eating? Now with extra Pesticides! Doesn’t sound extremely appetizing. To me, I think the effort of perfecting a crop without the use of altering its genetic structure is good in its own way because it makes the quality of the food more than that of the engineered food. There are many things to consider when it comes to the topic of genetic engineering. It’s a topic that people talk and debate about, but that no one can officially prove or disprove facts about. While a few people are indifferent to the issue, most people have a view on the matter of genetic engineering. There are those who are opposed to genetic engineering, with its unknown side effects it could have and the potential risks impacting our society. Then, there are those who are for genetic engineering, which say it could lead us into a better future, like the examples stated earlier in the paper. It could make people sick, or it could save thousands of lives. No one really knows at this point in time. Experiments are done on animals, which often times have different reactions to experiments than would a human. The only way to test genetically altered foods on humans is by selling the products. Whether white rice, tomatoes and soy beans should be tampered with or let be as nature intended, the fact is that genetic engineering is our future. It will soon be brought more to attention, as has every other medical controversy, and we will decide to either abandon it altogether or step up and advance it even further. As was stated in the paper, my own opinion is that we need to approach genetic engineering with caution. Man has been known to meddle and tamper with nature. Is there a limit to what we should do? Or is this knowledge of mutating and changing genes to our benefit just another gift of nature to provide for its inhabitants? With more research and tests, hopefully scientists will someday be able to determine for sure what is best for the world.

Free Essays on Art-Ahdaf Soeuif-

â€Å"A Reflection in the Looking Glass: A Parallel with the Past† An analytical analysis of Ahdaf Soueif’s In the Eye of the Sun Universally and historically female writers have addressed issues regarding their female sexuality and women’s role in society, per their cultural norms. Since this has long been the case many cultural norms and mores have been introduced to other societies. For instance, Gabrielle Colette’s The Vagabond forces readers to view the main character’s struggle with her own sexual identity in addition to grappling with her own views of what a â€Å"proper woman† should do and not do within her surrounding society. In doing so, the reader must come to grips with a side of France that had not and is not typically discussed; the vaudeville lifestyle. Ahdaf Soueif addresses this issue, as well. The main character of In the Eye of the Sun, Asya, struggles with her own sexual identity while trying to wrestle with her instilled cultural criteria. Her ethnic background pushes her towards finding and obtaining an â€Å"ideal lifestyle,† which includes a bread-winning husband and a â€Å"baby on one arm† (Soueif, 529). Soueif apparently looks to historical fiction writing that parallels with social female issues. Her book, Eye in the Sun, includes a story pulled straight from a nineteenth or early twentieth century novel penned by a female. These periods embodied extreme separation of gendered identities and domains. Romantic novels tended to make the contrast between the domestic enclosure of women - their spatial and social immobility - and the mobility of men central to the narrative. The heroine/ main character lingers, dreams and hopes - the hero (man unattainable) has an active life, occupies some place in the public world, and must be drawn into the private world of feeling if her happiness is to be achieved. This particular convention is shown throughout Soueif’s novel via Asy... Free Essays on Art-Ahdaf Soeuif- Free Essays on Art-Ahdaf Soeuif- â€Å"A Reflection in the Looking Glass: A Parallel with the Past† An analytical analysis of Ahdaf Soueif’s In the Eye of the Sun Universally and historically female writers have addressed issues regarding their female sexuality and women’s role in society, per their cultural norms. Since this has long been the case many cultural norms and mores have been introduced to other societies. For instance, Gabrielle Colette’s The Vagabond forces readers to view the main character’s struggle with her own sexual identity in addition to grappling with her own views of what a â€Å"proper woman† should do and not do within her surrounding society. In doing so, the reader must come to grips with a side of France that had not and is not typically discussed; the vaudeville lifestyle. Ahdaf Soueif addresses this issue, as well. The main character of In the Eye of the Sun, Asya, struggles with her own sexual identity while trying to wrestle with her instilled cultural criteria. Her ethnic background pushes her towards finding and obtaining an â€Å"ideal lifestyle,† which includes a bread-winning husband and a â€Å"baby on one arm† (Soueif, 529). Soueif apparently looks to historical fiction writing that parallels with social female issues. Her book, Eye in the Sun, includes a story pulled straight from a nineteenth or early twentieth century novel penned by a female. These periods embodied extreme separation of gendered identities and domains. Romantic novels tended to make the contrast between the domestic enclosure of women - their spatial and social immobility - and the mobility of men central to the narrative. The heroine/ main character lingers, dreams and hopes - the hero (man unattainable) has an active life, occupies some place in the public world, and must be drawn into the private world of feeling if her happiness is to be achieved. This particular convention is shown throughout Soueif’s novel via Asy...

Cómo hacer para pedir un perdón migratorio en USA

Cà ³mo hacer para pedir un perdà ³n migratorio en USA Pedir el perdà ³n (tambià ©n conocido como waiver)  depende de la causa del problema y si lo que se busca es una visa no inmigrante, como por ejemplo la de turista, o una de inmigrante para la tarjeta de residencia. En este artà ­culo se explican las dos situaciones, segà ºn el tipo de visa que se busque. Perdà ³n para sacar la tarjeta de residencia Las peticiones de green card pueden ser rechazadas por ms de 40 causas. Cuando esto sucede se dice que la persona para la que se solicità ³ es inadmisible.   Dependiendo de la causa de inadmisibilidad y si se cumplen otros requisitos a veces es posible solicitar con à ©xito un perdà ³n.   Estas son distintas situaciones a tener en cuenta: Si el solicitante es familiar inmediato de un ciudadano americano y se encuentra en Estados Unidos y el à ºnico problema es que ingresà ³ ilegalmente al paà ­s y ha estado en esa situacià ³n ms de 180 dà ­as haciendo asà ­ saltar el castigo de los 3 y de los 10 aà ±os, entonces asesorarse si serà ­a posible pedir el perdà ³n provisional I-601A. En los dems casos, para la mayorà ­a de las causas de inadmisibilidad se podrà ­a solicitar el perdà ³n I-601. Estos son 5 errores que hay que evitar cuando se solicita por el problema de presencia ilegal. Para el perdà ³n I-601 los requisitos son distintos segà ºn la causa de inadmisibilidad. Para muchas se pide, adems, que se dà © una situacià ³n de dureza extrema.   Adems, hay que tener en cuenta que algunas causas de inadmisibilidad, como por ejemplo las relacionadas con la seguridad nacional o delitos graves son extraordinariamente difà ­ciles de obtener por no decir que imposible. Si adems, ha habido una deportacià ³n o expulsià ³n, seguir leyendo hasta encontrar ese punto en este artà ­culo ya que adems de la penalidad por ser inadmisible hay la penalidad por la remocià ³n y habrà ­a que pedir los 2 perdones conjuntamente. Perdà ³n cuando se solicita una visa no inmigrante Las visas como la de turista, trabajador temporero, estudiante, etc, pueden ser negadas porque se considera que el solicitante es inadmisible para ingresar a Estados Unidos.   No confundir cuando una visa se rechaza por una causa de inadmisibilidad a cuando se niega porque el solicitante no es elegible (20 causas). Por ejemplo, cuando una visa de turista no es aprobada porque el aplicante no demuestra lazos familiares y/o econà ³micos con el paà ­s en el que reside. Esa no es una causa de inadmisibilidad y, por lo tanto, la solucià ³n no es pedir un perdà ³n. En estos casos de ser inadmisible, las opciones son dos: Si se tiene una visa vlida, se es solicitante de visa U (violencia) o T (trfico de personas) o se es canadiense, se podrà ­a solicitar un perdà ³n I-192.En los dems casos, se podrà ­a solicitar un perdà ³n sin utilizar ningà ºn formulario oficial pero con documentacià ³n para respaldar por quà © se solicita. En este caso se presentarà ­a ante el consulado o embajada americana donde se solicita la visa. Y a partir de ahà ­ se envà ­a a Estados Unidos a una oficina que se conoce como ARO, que son los encargados de decidir.   Ejemplo: perdà ³n para obtener una visa no inmigrante cuando el problema es fraude 212(a)(6)(c)(i). Si ha habido una deportacià ³n o remocià ³n En los casos de deportacià ³n se impone un castigo y no se puede regresar a Estados Unidos por un nà ºmero de aà ±os, que dependen del caso. Si se considera que se podrà ­a obtener un perdà ³n para regresar hasta de que transcurran esos aà ±os, hay que pedir el perdà ³n I-212. Dependiendo de las circunstancias del caso, sà ³lo este o à ©ste y otro. Por ejemplo, puede que se tenga que pedir el I-601 y el I-212 conjuntamente. Todo va a depender de las circunstancias del caso. En los casos de deportacià ³n tener en cuenta antes de presentar el perdà ³n que si se est en una situacià ³n de prohibicià ³n permanente, ya que ahà ­ rigen sus propias reglas, que son muy duras. A tener en cuenta En casos antiguos puede que aplique la  proteccià ³n 245(i).  Ya no serà ­a necesario pedir un perdà ³n. Los perdones son totalmente discrecionales, esto es, si se aprueban o deniegan dependen de la persona encargada de resolverlos y siempre est radicada en Estados Unidos. Es necesario entender que los perdones son asuntos complejos, difà ­ciles, que requieren presentar bien el caso y toda la documentacià ³n, por lo que es realmente recomendable contar con un abogado migratorio reputado con experiencia en este tipo de casos. Y aà ºn asà ­, entender que es probable que no se gane el caso. Por à ºltimo, evitar ser và ­ctima de fraude migratorio. Particularmente de las personas que asegurar poder obtener un perdà ³n a cambio de una fuerte cantidad de dinero. Los casos de estafas migratorias pueden reportarse anà ³nimamente. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Functional Ares of Top Shop Business Case Study

Functional Ares of Top Shop Business - Case Study Example It has over 300 stores around the world. It also has around 165 stores for men’s wear. It is the number shop in Britain when it comes to clothing, accessories and make up. This company offers high quality products at a reasonable price and it has embarked on technology to market and sell its products. THE 5 KEY FUNCTIONAL AREAS IN TOP SHOP BUSINESS Human resource: their main responsibility is to look and hire new employees who will efficiently carry out the company’s responsibilities. They also make sure that their employees are well trained to enhance efficiency in their endeavors. They should make sure that the employees have filed in all the paper work before they embark on their duties. They also determine the salary scale for each employee according to the employee’s occupation and responsibilities in the company. Marketing: this department should always give directions on what products the company should release to the market. It should always be aware of w hat is on market and what is not. They should also know the needs of their customers and be sure to meet each and every one of it. They reach these conclusions by researching through various mechanisms. They help the company to put its strategies in order so as to meet the demand of the customer. They have a responsibility to determine the price of a certain product considering the cost involved in processing it. All products should be advertised and promoted so as to educate the public on the products. This needs budgeting and proper planning. They determine the distribution channels that are going to be involved in distributing the products. The ICT and administration support: This group has always supported day to day running of the business. They involve themselves in the clerical duties, cleaning of the premise, they offer computer and technological help and they ensure people’s security health and safety. Operations: this is a department involved in producing the nice a nd appealing garments seen on the web to see that the customers are coming back for more. They are people with skill, creativity, attention to detail and informed. They use the available machinery, the building and raw materials provided to come up with products to be sold to the clients on order. Research and development: With the use of ICT, people are able to stay informed and get as much information as possible. The customers can give feedback which will inform this department on what they want. This department keeps competition on check by updating on existing designs. Customer care: (Lyon, 2012) notes that the front desk is the most critical and sensitive area. The front desk personnel should never fail to impress so as to have many clients. For every opportunity be it a phone call, an appointment honor, the excellence of the business should be seen. The front desk has always set the pace for everyone in the company to emulate and internalize. The main responsibility of this d epartment is to make sure that their customers are satisfied and their questions are well answered. They answer calls from customers, give extra information on the products or services offered and solve their customers’ problems in relation to the products they are interested in. The personnel in this department are well trained and they understand the company’s policies. Additional responsibilities include receiving of payment, handling refunds, cashing checks, and selling stamps.  

NYSEGs Corporate Responsibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

NYSEGs Corporate Responsibility - Essay Example This altruistic program conforms to Milton Friedman and R. Edward Freeman’s concept of attempting to satisfy the profits needs of the company as well as the social responsibility needs of the employees and other stakeholders. This shows that the company is not only concerned with maximizing profits from its operations but it also has a duty to be socially responsible to the people in the environment in which it is operating from. Friedman states that the executives of the company ought to operate profitably while at the same time fulfilling the needs of the stakeholders impacted by its operations. In this case, it can be observed that Project Share is designed to appeal to the customs laws or public policies which require the companies to give back part of their profits to the members of the society in which they operate. This program does not interfere with the operations of the organization since there are responsible people who handle issues related to donations of funds to different people while the managers in the company are expected to focus on their core business of generating profits for the firm. But I believe that NYSEG uses this program as a marketing gimmick where it seeks to maximize profits in the guise of corporate social responsibility citizenry. The customers and stakeholders are very important for the survival of the company according to the stakeholder theory advanced by Edward Freeman. All stakeholders including employees, managers, customers among others must be treated as valuable asserts.

University Peer Selection and Influences of Social Support

University Peer Selection and Influences of Social Support Phase 1 – Peer selection and influence of perceived social support of university students: do connections matter? Background Perceived social support has been shown to be an important predictor of psychological disturbance where individuals are exposed to distressing stimuli such as earthquakes (Xu et al, 2013) and war (Besser Neira, 2012). Additionally, perceived social support has also been shown to an important predictor in school environments for academic achievement (Song et al, 2014), and other problematic behaviour indicators such as low self-esteem, adaptive skills and teacher reported social skills (Demaray Maleki, 2002) which are linked to educational advancement. Other studies have observed the origins of perceived social support for particular populations being an important factor. Chavajay (2013) found that international students felt great levels of social support came from fellow international students, and Zagenczyk et al (2010) found perceived organisational support (POS) of employees would be more like the nearest person they found to be influential. perceived social support is complex in nature, its links with human growth and prevention of psychological disturbance, but also how and where the sense of perceived social support transcends to and from can depend on the similarities of the people around them. Social network analysis considers the human in relation to others within the network, and it is shows the nature of their relationships that give rise to social phenomena found within the analysis of networks. This could be via structural effects such as reciprocity, centrality in the network and popularity, or it could be actor driven such as the tendency to behave in a certain manner, such as the case for friendships being linked to smoking behaviour (Mercken et al. 2012) or it could be levels of psychological phenomena (which are also characterised as behaviour) (Snjiders et al, 2010), or more commonly aspects of the self such as cultural indicators such as nationality, gender, race, sexuality and so on. Psychological research could develop into a new branch of social network analysis, the longitudinal actor-driven stochastic models (actor-driven stochastic model) as developed by Snijders et al. (2010) which can be used to validate social network phenomena variance with psychologi cal phenomena, such as perceived social support, by observing it longitudinally and use that information to model expectations on actor and network development while utilising Markov chain process to model the networks evolving structure. Rationale The rationale for exploring perceived social support with actor-driven stochastic model metholology can be found via a synthesis of some recent research in perceived social support. Besser Neira (2010), made inferences based on means that can no understand the individual in relation to their situation within a network. They discounted medium effect size change of attachment style across the length of their study, perhaps as a result of an inability to look at socialising factors, such as covariates of reciprocity and the tendencyofhomophily between dyads. When consideringZagenczyk et al. (2010) in conjunction with Besser Neira, they show that peer influence on perceived support options in an environment might be important, and therefore it is plausible to hypothesise that similar phenomena could change attachment style behaviours that Besser Neira observed. Zagenczyk and colleagues work was cross-sectional and used social network measures in a 2 step multivariate analysis, and the refore is unable to infer causality (a common criticism of social network analysis (Borgatti and colleagues)), although it shows that social network phenomena correlated with beliefs it does not show how these beliefs became over the life-cycle. When considering the origins of perceived social support within the university context Chavajay (2013) focused his attention on international students, in essence he focused his attention on a population with situational similarities and found that higher levels of perceived social support were reciprocated between these similar groups. Chavajay suggested that this may have been a result from a greater need to experience social support when entering a new culture, and this collective need amongst international students engenders greater levels of the perceived social support phenomena, but these inferences are subjective and have not been clarified with a qualitative investigation. Chavajays research describes the tendency for homophily wher e by similar populations naturally evolve denser and become more homogenous networks (Steglich et al. 2010) while Zagenczyk and colleagues research suggests structural factors such as centrality (as inferred by the importance advice ties which have a strong relationship with friendship ties and ties of structural equivalence) of certain individuals within proximate networks in organisations is indicative POS as POS emanate from advice ties of structural equivalence. If perceived social support or POS can be related to self-ordering phenomena as well as hierarchical network effects then research into this field can describe behavioural change via two distinct psycho-social roots. Psychology can utilise the actor-driven stochastic model to discover the relationships of perceived social support within categorical groups as well as through common mechanisms of friendship formation lime, reciprocity, homophily and transitive closure, i.e. researchers can combine agency and structure while modelling behaviour (perceived social support). The psychologist can analyse multiple data sets and generate a wide variety or multivariate and bivariate statistics, and to a degree infer time sequentiality when seeking causality. Research can combine active theory development through generating and comparing findings, and then control for alternative explanations while assessing uncertainties in inference Snijders et al. (2010). However, the model is assumption-intensive – the actor-driven stochastic model uses two functions to predict network evolution via microsteps. Firstly, rate function which depends on observation period, actor cocariates and network position, which combine to consider the speed and opportunity for change within the network, and secondly, the objective function which evaluates the actor decision to change a tie based on short-term goals following preferences, opportunities and constraints. These functions require network and behaviour parameter estimates to be used in order for the model to estimate network evolution, therefore good data and awareness of group context is important when carefully developing theory (Steglich et al. 2010). Investigations of human psychology, can benefit from interpersonal methodology such as the actor-driven stochastic model as the individual can be noticed within the context of their immediate relationships. Although, limitations to the model include traditional problems associated with effects that are distil in nature (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) – it can not explain the disappearance of a tie as a result of exo-system decisions in the wider environment, however as is traditional in the empirical method mechanisms are in place to resolve sample problems. However, since the researcher requires high levels of contextual understanding when using actor-driven stochastic model to understand phenomena, descriptive phenomenological investigation would be welcomed to help identify spurious relationships in quantitative data. In cases such as small pilot studies, when sample sizes are inadequate and where the aim is the learning of a new methodology Trafimow (2014) may argue that this links with the goals of qualitative inquiry. A researcher considering human intelligence of an alien culture is less likely to make valid measurements of intelligence if he basis them on personal experience. So when embarking on an exploratory phase of a research project Trafimow (2014) recommends using qualitative methods to find out the variables that matter and then to use empirical methods to quantify how much they matter. Another point to consider before implementing actor-driven stochastic model is its complexity. Not only must the researcher understand its core concepts and assumptions of the stochastic social network analysis, they also have to aquire the skills and knowledge to produce social-network panel data that fits the stochastic model. Additionally, the researcher must then be able to navigate and use RSiena, the program which runs inferential statistics and generates predicted network models in accordance with the statistics related to the actor-driven stochastic model (Snijders et al, 2010). With the level of complexity within such a psychological methodology, correctly measuring and validating perceived social support within the group context while correctly estimating parameters for ongoing theory development and model validation requires a 2 phase approach. Aims Phase 1 (MSc) To understand contemporary issues surrounding perceived social support Understand the ways social networks are analysed Understand perceived social support within the group context Develop valid panel data gathering forms for pilot study To understand practical psychological applications of actor-driven stochastic model To understand the relationship of peer selection and perceived social support Objectives Systematic Review of Literature: perceived social support perceived social support Measures Social Network Analysis actor-driven stochastic model Design Focus Group with Open Ended Questions on perceived social support Survey Focus Group on how they understand perceived social support Analyse and Evaluate Findings From Focus Group Compare Focus Group Findings with validated perceived social support questionnaires Build Panel Data Gathering Form Conduct Pilot Study using actor-driven stochastic model using RSiena Method This study is exploratory in nature and will be divided up into two parts. The first part will be qualitative and the second quantitative. Part 1: Participants For an exploratory qualitative exercise 8 – 15 will suffice to inform the evaluation of perceived social support. The group will be taken from a selected population university students that take part in a society and see each other on a regular basis. Prodecure Participants will be informed that they their information will be kept in strict confidentiality and that the session will be recorded for analysis. Participants will then be asked to complete a consent form before the focus group will begin. Focus group with open-ended questions The focus group will be structured around open-ended questions regarding the nature of perceived social support and how they understand it. An example could be â€Å"I wonder what comes to mind when you consider the support around you?† this would illicit the participants perceptions toward support and what kind of resources they see as available. Analysis This information will then be analysed using a content analysis method proposed by Berg (2007) and then used to validate existing self-report questionnaires such as Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, Farley, 1988) or the The 18-item Index of Sojourner Social Support Scale (Ong Ward, 2005), both of which were used on populations of university students. The validated survey questions will then be used as part of the panel data gathering form used in the quantitative analysis. Part 2: Participants The specification for the participants is that they will be in a reasonably dense network structure and therefore see each other on a regular basis and reciprocate within the group. Although the minimum amount of participants for the method for reliable results is n > 25 (Snijders et al, 2010) 8 – 15 participants will suffice to form the basis of a RSiena pilot study. Prodecure Participants will be informed that they their information will be kept in strict confidentiality and that the session will be recorded for analysis. Participants will then be asked to complete a consent form before the focus group will begin. Measures For the study to produce meaningful parameter estimates for modelling the data will be captured in 3 waves of fortnightly assessments. The participants will complete a self-report questionnaires providing panel data Friendship network. Students will be asked to identify up to 5 close friends within the group. Only friendships in which nominations are shown to reciprocate will be retained for analysis. Homophily. Students will be asked four indicators of homophily on socio-demographic characteristics: gender, race, university year and age. Perceived Social Support. Students will be asked a chosen number of indicators which reflect their perceived social support and make up a scale where internal consistency will be tested. The scores will then be divided up into meaningful ranges where by the participants can be catergorised. Analysis The analysis of the data will be consistent with the longigtudinal actor-based stochastic method as described by Snijders et al (2010). The analyses will be implemented with the Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analysis software program (Snijders et al. 2007). All changes in friendship ties and perceived social support scores observed between the final 2 measurements are modelled as the most probabilistic sequence of events that explain the total amount of observed changes. In this scenario there are two dependent variables, one describes perceived social support and one describes changes in friendship ties, and are modelled simultaneously with each other as dependent variables with each other. Within subjects effects can be measured with ANOVA where appropriate and parameter estimates for the actor-based model deemed to be statistically significant with a t-ratio obtained by dividing the unstandardised estimate by the standard error.  ­

The Head vs. the Heart

The Head Vs.. The Heart The sounds of tools and chains clink and Jingle not too far off Slaves are in the fenced off field picking the soft cotton from the dry earth. The dust coming from the path that leads from the big, white house to the field gets picked up in gusts of wind making them squint their eyes. The owners of the house are chatting and laughing on their dusty porch sipping on their tea while their children play tag and hide-and-go-seek with each other on the grass below.The sun Is beating down on them with Intermittent periods of shade from the passing clouds blocking the suns harsh rays. To the left, there Lies the Millponds river. The water calmly passes by. Carrying branches and logs that slowly drift down the river passing quacking ducks swimming to keep from the heat. Hanging over the cool, dark water are willow trees that one could lie under peacefully in the shade. It is quiet there and is the perfect place to unwind and forget all the worries of the day.This mixe d setting is something that is easily seen in Mark Twain's book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn does not need d quiet place Eke that to get to thinking about his day, his upcoming decisions, his past choices, and his life In general. He constantly thinks about what Is right and what Is wrong, but In his society, there are often conflicting answers, the things his head tells him to do, which Is what society tells him, and the things that his heart tells him, the Ramirez 2 things that he believes to be right.Mark Twain satires d society that forces d child to go to hell† In order to do what Is morally right. Husks caretakers wanted Heck to be well educated, go to church, and learn about the bell_ Ironically, he never found anything interesting. When the Widow Douglas tried to â€Å"learned [Ã'›_him] about Moses and the Bulrushes and [†¦ He] was in a sweat to find out all about him,† he found out â€Å"that Moses had been a considerable long t ime, so then [†¦ He] didn't care no more about him because [†¦ He] don't take no stock in dead people† (cal).Heck wanted to learn about religion, but he could never bring himself too it because of his lack of Interest. He also did not believe In It because Miss Watson told him that whatever he prayed for, he would get. â€Å"But It warrant so. [†¦ Hell tried It. [†¦ Hell tried for the hooks three or four runes, but somehow [†¦ Hell couldn't make It work† (chi). Heck viewed the slaves In a different light. He did not Just see them as objects to be owned and sold. He knew he could not do whatever he pleased with them because to him, unlike the majority of socio', they were actual people with feelings and emotions.When Jim ran way from Miss Watson, even though Heck knew him to be â€Å"most ruined for a servant, because he got stuck up on account of having seen the devil and been rode by witches† (chi en still gave him a chance and treated m as t en were anyone else to go along with him on his adventures. He believes what he is told until he finds that it actually is not the case. Even though the rest of society wanted him to and would have turned Jim in, Husks kind heart told him that the people were wrong and to do what he thought was morally right.Authority was also a challenge for young Huckleberry. He disobeys his father which is a young boys largest role model as well as authority figure. Pap tells him to â€Å"look here–mind Ramirez 3 how [†¦ Heck] talks to [†¦ Him]; [†¦ He is] a-standing about all [†¦ He] can stand now– so don't game no sass† (chi) because Heck wan not giving his father the respect that he deserved. When Heck ran away, he knew he was going against his father's wishes, but did not care that he was going against authority because he was following what his heart was telling him to do.Throughout the book, Heck knows what is right and hat is wrong according t o the world he lives in, but according to him, â€Å"What's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and anti no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is Just the same? † (chic). It was difficult in that time period to distinguish the difference between true right and wrong, but Heck broke the standard and questioned what he knew in order to do what he found to be the truly right way. Works Cited Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. De. Thomas Nash. New York: Penguin, Ltd. , 1985. Print