Child Labour in the Industrial Revolution | Essay

Child Labour in the Industrial Revolution | Essay Nardinelli (1980; pp.739-55) argues, contrary to popular opinion, that the employment of children in the early Industrial Revolution was not ceased by the Factory Acts of 1833[1] and 1844[2], but rather that the Factory Acts simply speeded up a process that was already underway, in terms of technological changes and increases in family incomes, which meant that child labour was no longer necessary (Nardinelli, 1980; p.739). Using data from school enrolment rates, Nardinelli (1980; p. 751) shows that, following the introduction of the Factory Acts, no difference between school enrolment rates existed between the textile districts and the rest of the country. Nardinelli (1980; p.755) concludes that the textile industry, which used child labour, was only one of the industries that formed the Industrial Revolution, and, indeed, was almost the only industry to use child labour, and that, as such, the issue of child labour and its role in the success of the Industrial Revolution is diminis hed. Verdon (2002; pp.299-323) also discusses child labour, in rural areas, and its relation to women’s employment, family income and the 1834 Poor Law Report. As Verdon (2002; p.299) argues, it is important to take a regional approach to studies of the Industrial Revolution, and its effect on the lives of children throughout the nineteenth century, as child labour levels, family incomes and social class relations varied widely from region to region during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Verdon (2002, p.322) concludes that region, gender and age were all key determinants of labourers’ experience of work in nineteenth century rural areas, with children contributing a substantial proportion of the household income in 1834, across every region. At this time, therefore, rural child labour was an important source of childhood income. How this was affected by the introduction of Factory Acts (which, of course, would not directly have affected rural employment, outside of ur ban factories) is not discussed. Horrell and Humphries (1995; pp. 485-516) look at child labour and the family economy during the Industrial Revolution, using data from household budgets of this period, and found that during the period of early industrialisation, the number of children working and the number of children working in factories increased, and the age at which children started work decreased, due to the fact that older children became economically independent from families at an early age, thus leaving younger siblings to work to increase the household income. Horrell and Humphries (1995; p. 510) conclude that, indeed, during the early Industrial Revolution, little children were exploited, in that there was an â€Å"enormous growth in the employment of children in factories† during this period. Horrell and Humphries (1995; p. 511) show, supplementing the work of Verdon (2002), that there was an â€Å"intensification of child employment in the factory districts† during the early Industrial R evolution and that this was in stark contrast to the under- and unemployment of children in the rural South East during the later Industrial Revolution. In contrast to Nardinelli (1980), Horrell and Humphries (1995; p. 511) conclude that the Factory Acts did have the effect of reducing children’s employment in factories, but that this doesn’t seem to have had any effect on the numbers of children within families who were expected to work, and that â€Å"legislation†¦.may have displaced more girls than boys†, who then, it is hypothesised, moved into domestic service, for example, thus remaining in employment. Horn (1974; pp.779-796) looks at child workers in the pillow lace and straw plait trades in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, stating that the cottage industries in the regions outside of the urban centres of the Industrial Revolution (i.e., the towns across Lancashire) provided employment for many female workers, who, otherwise, would have been employed in domestic service. Thus, again, a regional view of child labour during the Industrial Revolution proves important, as this work of Horn (1974) essentially goes against the conclusions of Horrell and Humphries (1995). Horn (1974; p.795) concludes that cottage industries, such as these two industries, gave much-needed supplement to the household incomes of working-class families in these counties, and that similar cottage industries in other rural areas must have had the same effect too. Horn (1974; p. 795) notes that â€Å"the general education of the children (who worked in the cottage industries) was neglected† and the next section will look in further detail at how the education of children changed during the period of the Industrial Revolution. Johnson (1970; pp.96-119) looks at educational policy and social control in early Victorian England, showing that educating the poor seemed to be one of the strongest of early Victorian obsessions, with concern for education figuring largely, for example, as we have seen, in the Factory Act of 1833, and with private institutions, such as the National Society, launching many educational projects during the period 1838 and 1843 (Johnson; p.97). Johnson (1979; p.119) concludes, essentially, however, that the concern for educating the poor as expressed by early Victorian governments was more about controlling the working class population than it was about providing opportunity for the working classes, although issues surrounding what he terms the ‘educational problem’ of this time were hotly debated[3]. Reay (1991; pp.89-129) looks at the context and meaning of popular literacy in nineteenth century rural England, and shows that functional analyses of literacy tell little about the actual educational state of people living and working during the Industrial Revolution (Reay, 1991; p.128) as recorded declines in illiteracy amongst rural child workers, for example, often reflect the acquisition of a new skill, such as writing, rather than a shift towards full literacy. Analyses of signatures and marks are also not particularly useful, argues Reay (1991; p.129) as these can tell us little about the actual literacy level of the signatory, especially, as he argues, for much of the nineteenth century population, reading equalled literacy, in its correct cultural context, such that â€Å"the ability to sign one’s name is, actually, one of the least interesting aspects of literacy† (Reay; 1991; p.129). Snell (1999; pp.122-168) looks at the role Sunday Schools played in the education of working class child labourers during the Industrial Revolution, and shows that Sunday Schools were widespread around both the urban centres of the Industrial Revolution and across the English regions, and that Sunday Schools, essentially, through a religious educational policy, taught many nineteenth century child labourers the value of education, and also about civic responsibility, although often, as Snell (1999; p. 168) notes, â€Å"clerical control was strict and the syllabus narrow†, such that, much as Johnson (1979) argued, at this time, education for working class child labourers was as much about social control as it was about providing opportunity to this section of the population. Thompson’s (1981) paper looks at the issue of social control in Victorian Britain, arguing that social order in Britain was â€Å"subject to strains imposed by the dual processes of urbanisation and industrialisation† (Thompson, 1981; p.189), arguing that social control led to social transformation in Victorian society, throughout the course of the Industrial Revolution, not through legal systems, police forces and the threat of prisons, but through social control (Thompson, 1981; p.207) exercised from within each social class almost as an internal ‘thermostat’ of order, with social organisms such as community being important in defining, adapting and shaping popular culture (Thompson, 1981; p.208). This social control also included controls over relaxation and pleasure, with football, social clubs and music halls arising as a way in which the working classes could find release from their daily grind (Thompson, 1981; p.208). Conclusion This paper has looked at the issues of child labour, home life (in terms of household incomes and household demographics), and education in nineteenth century Britain, showing that successive changes in legislature provided better working conditions for child labourers during the nineteenth century, and that these changes in legislature meant that children were, at least to some extent, better educated towards the end of the period of the Industrial Revolution than they had been at the beginning of this period of history. This education, which, although, as we have seen, seemed to have been designed with the explicit purpose of exerting social control, did push forward some changes to child labour, in terms of shifting work from full-time to half-time, and, as we have seen, shifting the demographics of work, with younger children entering work in order to provide supplemental household income, as the older children of the household, during this period, had a tendency to become indepe ndent more quickly, leaving the household to enter in to domestic service, for example, which left a hole in the household’s purses, which needed to be filled. Education, during the nineteenth century was formulated through the Education Act of 1870, and was provided both by government institutions, as we have seen, and also private and religious organisations, through the Sunday School network, for example. As suggested, there is, perhaps, no consistent way in which to measure the effect of schooling on the literacy levels at the time, except to say that perhaps more children were able to write. It is clear, from the reviews of the articles presented here, that the working class developed as a clear cultural phenomenon, with social control coming from within this class, as a response to community expectations of behaviour. Thus, in sum, child labour was prevalent throughout the nineteenth century, across Industrial Britain (i.e., both in the urban centres and in rural areas) but this labour was, towards the end of the century, better regulated, in conjunction with increasing educational opportunities and standards, which led to the rise of a clear, self-controlling, working class. Bibliography Gordon Baker, The Romantic and Radical Nature of the 1870 Education Act, History of Education, 30,3 (2001), pp.211-232 Pamela Horn, Child Workers in the pillow lace and straw plait trades of Victorian Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, Historical Journal, 17 (1974), pp.779-96 S.Horrell Jane Humphries, The Exploitation of little children: Child Labour and the family economy in the Industrial Revolution Explorations in Economic History, 32 (1995), pp.485-516 Richard Johnson, Education Policy and Social Control in Early Victorian England, Past and Present, 49 (1970), pp.96-119 Clark Nardinelli, Child Labour and the Factory Acts, Journal of Economic History, 40 (1980), PP.739-55 Barry Reary, The Context and Meaning of popular Literacy: Some Evidence from Nineteenth-Century Rural Ireland, Past Present, 131(1991), pp.89-129 K.D.M. Snell, The Sunday-School Movement in England and Wales: Child Labour, Denominational Control and Working-Class Culture, Past Present, 164 (1999), pp.122-16 F.M.L Thompson, Social Control in Victorian Britain, Economic History Review, 34,2 (1981) pp.189-208 Nicola Verdon, The rural labour market in the early nineteenth century: womens and childrens employment,family income, and the 1834 Poor Law Report, Economic History Review, LV,2 (2002),PP.299-323 Footnotes [1] which limited the employment of children to children over nine years of age (see Nardinelli, 1980). [2] which established the half-time system, whereby children worked half-day and went to school half-day (see Nardinelli, 1980) [3] Baker (2001; pp.211-232), for example, takes Johnson’s (1970) work further, and looks in detail at the 1870 Education Act and the consequences of this Act, in terms of what he terms ‘the distribution of life chances’ (Baker; p.211). Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation: Drug Addiction Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation: Drug Addiction Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation: Implications for Drug Addiction Jayan Samarakoon Abstract This paper looks at the current knowledge and debate surrounding memory reconsolidation. After a brief overview of consolidation and reconsolidation including the associated theories of each process the paper delved into the literature surrounding reconsolidation and critically evaluated research articles which either reinforced or shed doubt onto the physiological mechanisms of reconsolidation. The paper then discussed possible applications of this knowledge in the treatment of drug addiction, in particular the efficacy of blocking NDMA receptors to disrupt reconsolidation. Guidelines for future research concerning human trials were outlined. Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation: Implications for Drug Addiction Memories affect human behaviour (Nader Einarsson, 2010). An understanding of how memories are formed would give insight into the mechanisms that underlie behaviour. This paper will look at the physiological processes that affect memories such as consolidation and reconsolidation in particular the current knowledge and debate surrounding these memory processes. The paper will then delve into how this knowledge could affect psychology, in particular the realm of drug addiction. This will be done by critically evaluating the current literature and outlining areas for future research. Memories are believed to be located in the synapses between neurons of the brain (Nader Einarsson, 2010). New memories change the strength of the synapse which results in an adjustment of the specific memory (Clopath, 2012). Memory is categorised into two forms, short-term and long-term memory. The difference between the two is a process called consolidation which affects information stored in long-term memory via strengthening the neuron pathways affected by the memory called the memory trace (Nader Einarsson, 2010). Consolidation is the process of stabilizing a memory trace after the initial behavioural experience (Dubnau Chiang, 2013). Many different studies have found that several types of interference such as inhibiting protein synthesis, disrupting the function of specific proteins, and brain lesions or trauma can disrupt the process of consolidation (Alberini, 2011). These studies have formed the basis of understanding the different consolidation models. Consolidation consi sts of two distinct processes, synaptic consolidation and system consolidation (Clopath, 2012). Synaptic consolidation involves repeated stimulation of a neuron called long-term potentiation, which results in stable changes at the synapse over time while systems consolidation is a process where memories that are dependant of the hippocampus become independent and move to a separate brain region. Synapses can vary in strength, which is referred to as plasticity (Clopath, 2012). A change in synaptic plasticity can be a short-term change which lasts a few minutes to a long-term change which can last up to a life-time. A long-term change in plasticity is the basic definition of synaptic consolidation. This process allows memory to be consolidation within a single synapse, which cannot be altered by any new memories (Clopath, 2012). Synaptic consolidation usually occurs within the first few minutes to hours after the memory encoding has happened (Dudai, 2004). The physiological conditions that cause synaptic consolidation involve many different processes which result in a physical change of the synapse (Dubnau Chiang, 2013). They include modification and reorganisation of the synapse protein including the membrane receptors. Intracellular signalling proteins such as cAMP and MAPK are recruited to activate cellular remodelling and growth during synaptic consolidation (Dudai, 2004). The standard model of system consolidation posits that memory is dependent on the location of the encoding in the mediotemporal lobe (Dubnau Chiang, 2013). Initial memories are formed in the hippocampus via synaptic consolidation and then over a period of weeks or more the memory trace reorganises so that the retention is maintained by the neocortex and is not dependent on the hippocampus anymore (Dudai, 2004). There are some criticisms with this model of systems consolidation. For starters only declarative memory is processed by the hippocampus and as such this model cannot apply to non-declarative memory. An alternative view is called multiple trace theory. Multiple trace theory proposes that the hippocampus region is always involved in the retention and retrieval of episodic memories and that semantic memory follows the standard model of system consolidation (Dubnau Chiang, 2013). These models of consolidation assume that the process of consolidation occurs just once. This assumption is currently undergoing some criticism and debate on whether it is valid or not. Research has shown that the retrieval of a memory trace can induce a phase where the memory is malleable to change (Tronson Taylor, 2007). One paper proposed that memory was a dynamic process with two different states, an active state where memories both new and reactivated are labile to change and an inactive state where the memories stabilise over time (Nader Einarsson, 2010). Memory reconsolidation is induced by the reactivation of a specific memory (Reichelt Lee, 2013). This reactivation process causes the memory trace to become destabilised into a ‘labile’ state, a state where the memory pathway can be changed. The process to return the destabilised memory into a stable form is called reconsolidation and is dependent on protein synthesis (Reichelt Lee, 2013). Destabilisation occu rs when L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and cannabinoid CB1 receptors are activated, along with synaptic protein degradation in the dorsal hippocampus (Reichelt Lee, 2013). A study examined if it was possible to reactivate a consolidated memory into a labile state and introduce new information (Forcato, Rodrà ­guez, Pedreira, Maldonado, 2010). Participants were asked to learn an association between five cue-syllables and their respective response-syllables. 24 hours later the memory was reactivated and the subjects were given additional information, in this case three extra syllable pairs. The participants were tested on their knowledge the third day. The results showed that the new information was successfully incorporated into the former memory since both sets of syllables were successfully retained in memory when the instruction stated to add the new information to the old memory, unlike the condition where the instruction was omitted. This condition showed evidence that the two sets of information were encoded independently from each other due to interference in retrieval. The study used a verbal reminder (briefly mentioned the previous pairs) to try and trigger reconsolidation. They did not asses if retrieval of the memory actually occurred. One method of bypassing the requirement of assessing if memory retrieval occurred is to design an experiment where the process of memory reconsolidation is interrupted, which should impair memory retrieval at a later date. A study conducted in 2010 successfully demonstrated that if the reactivation of a memory is followed by an emotionally aversive stimulus results in impairment when recalled at a later date (Strange, Kroes, Fan, Dolan, 2010). This study gives evidence that memories can be impaired following their retrieval. Reconsolidation has been found to occur not just in humans but in other animals as well (Robinson Franklin, 2010). A Considerable amount of research exists which indicates that when an animal is reminded of a previously learned experience the memory of that experience undergoes reconsolidation. This is supported by findings which show that treatment with a protein synthesis inhibitor immediately after re-exposing the experience can produce amnesia of the memory itself, due to the fact that recalling a memory triggers reconsolidation which requires the production of new proteins (Cai, Pearce, Chen, Glanzman, 2012). One study looked at how the amnestic drugs propranolol and midazolam would affect reconsolidation in rats (Robinson Franklin, 2010). They did this by exposing the rats to a box which contained both morphine and a saline solution in separate areas. The rats were exposed to this apparatus either four or eight times depending on the experimental condition. Afterwards the ra ts received either no dosage, or an injection of an amnestic drug. The rats were retested two and seven days after the dosage in the four pairings condition and with the eight pairings condition they were tested eight times in 48 hour blocks. The result showed that the amnestic drugs disrupted reconsolidation for weak memories (four pairings condition) and had little effect for strong memories (eight pairings condition). A study conducted by Cammarota, et al. (2009), examined if reconsolidation would occur in an inhibitory avoidance task using rats. The rats were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task and 24 hours later were exposed to the task again. After the exposure the rats were injected with a protein synthesis inhibitor and tested on the avoidance task for the third time. The results revealed that the protein synthesis inhibitor had no effect on memory retention. If reconsolidation had occurred there would have been a change in memory retention. This study used a short time period to measure reconsolidation. In the study conducted by Robinson Franklin (2010), there was evidence that reconsolidation had occurred yet in the study by Cammarota, et al. (2009), there was no evidence of memory reconsolidation occurring. There are two major differences between the two studies which may shed light into the discrepancy regarding the results. The study which showed reconsolidation used many repeated exposures to the memory stimulus and measured the possible effects of reconsolidation over a period of two weeks (Robinson Franklin, 2010), unlike the other study which only had two training sessions (as opposed to four or eight) and tested for any reconsolidation effects within 24 hours of the last training session (Cammarota, Bevilaqua, Medina, Izquierdo, 2009). These findings show evidence that memory reconsolidation may only occur in specific instances, with the two studies giving evidence that training strength and time may be two factors which affect reconsolidation. Research into finding the prerequisites of reconsolidation would be beneficial. One study looked at the limitations or boundaries of memory reconsolidation (Wang, De Oliveira Alvares, Nader, 2009). In the study Wang, et al. (2009) looked at the effects of strong training on fear-associated memory and reconsolidation. The data suggested that when 10 pairings were used instead of one the memory did not undergo reconsolidation until after thirty days have passed. By looking at the molecular mechanisms the researchers found that certain NDMA receptor subunits have to be stimulated in the BLA during reactivation of the memory to begin reconsolidation. They found that strong training could inhibit the activation of the NR2B receptor subunit which resulted in the fear stimulus not triggering reconsolidation. These results suggest that even though reconsolidation exists there are certain prerequisites that have to be met to start the process, such as the strength of the training and the time that has elapsed since encoding. These limitations may be the reason why some studies have not found a reconsolidation effect. These research articles show that reconsolidation is an actual process of memory. Reconsolidation can be the mechanism which enables our memories to be modified or updated since the memory that undergoes the process is activated often in situations which present additional complementary information (Lee, 2009). Since old, well-established memories can undergo reconsolidation there exists the possibility to exploit the destabilisation of the memory and either disrupt or even erase it completely (Milton Everitt, 2010). Therefore reconsolidation could be seen as an adaptive technique which can potentially affect or guide future behaviour. This has many potential applications. Many psychiatric disorders are due to underlying aberrant memories, such as drug addiction (Milton Everitt, 2010). Drug addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder whereby the main risk of relapse comes from the presentation of environmental cues which have been previously associated with harmful drug use (Font Cunningham, 2012). These cues are memories which can possibly be targeted and changed by memory reconsolidation to influence future behaviour. One study looked at reconsolidation and alcohol dependence in mice (Font Cunningham, 2012). The mice were trained with either a strong or weak conditioning process. The animals were then given an injection of propranolol, a receptor antagonist and tested for memory consolidation a day later. The test found that memory retention was not affected by the antagonist. The study examined the effects of propranolol after the reactivation of the memory therefore the antagonist was introduced after reconsolidation had started. A study that looks at the effects of an antagonist that has been introduced before reconsolidation has started may yield different results. One study looked at drug-associated memories and their relationship with amygdala NMDA receptors (Milton, Lee, Butler, Gardner, Everitt, 2009). They hypothesised that NMDA receptors in particular glutamate receptors within the amygdala are crucial for the consolidation between environmental conditioned stimuli and the effects of addictive drugs, therefore the NMDA receptors must be crucial for the reconsolidation of drug-associated memories (Milton, et al., 2009). The study used a behavioural task that measures the conditioned reinforcing properties of a drug-paired stimulus by first exposing the stimulus, then injecting a NMDA receptor antagonist before a memory reactivation session. They found that the antagonist disrupted drug-associated memory and decreased the conditioned reinforcement effect. This effect lasted four weeks which was the length of the experiment. Although there was a link found when the receptor antagonist was injected before the reactivation session there was n o difference when the drug was introduced after the session which indicates that the receptor may only have a limited role in reconsolidation. These results suggest that controlling the glutamate levels at the NMDA receptor may be useful in preventing relapses although further research has to be done, particularly on the actual effect of NDMA receptors on reconsolidation and the length this effect lasts for. In summary the current knowledge of reconsolidation is quite sufficient to have an impact in psychological applications such as treating drug addiction. Knowledge about the specific physiological mechanisms of reconsolidation from animal studies is a good foundation to advance towards human experiments. Further research into the specific physiological mechanisms which underlie reconsolidation would help create effective treatment plans as would moving from animal studies to human trials. References Alberini, C. M. (2011). The role of reconsolidation and the dynamic process of long-term memory formation and storage. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 5, 12. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00012 Cai, D., Pearce, K., Chen, S., Glanzman, DavidL. (2012). Reconsolidation of long-term memory in Aplysia. Current Biology, 22(19), 1783-1788. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2012.07.038 Cammarota, M., Bevilaqua, L. R. M., Medina, J. H., Izquierdo, I. (2009). Retrieval does not induce reconsolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory. Learning Memory, 11(5), 572-578. doi:10.1101/lm.76804 Clopath, C. (2012). Synaptic consolidation: an approach to long-term learning. Cognitive Neurodynamics, 6(3), 251-257. doi:10.1007/s11571-011-9177-6 Dubnau, J., Chiang, A.-S. (2013). Systems memory consolidation in Drosophila. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 23(1), 84-91. doi:10.1016/j.conb.2012.09.006 Dudai, Y. (2004). The neurobiology of consolidations, or, how stable is the engram? Annual Review of Psychology, 55(1), 51-86. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.142050 Font, L., Cunningham, C. L. (2012). Post-retrieval propranolol treatment does not modulate reconsolidation or extinction of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 101(2), 222-230. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2012.01.009 Forcato, C., Rodrà ­guez, M. L. C., Pedreira, M. E., Maldonado, H. (2010). Reconsolidation in humans opens up declarative memory to the entrance of new information. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 93(1), 77-84. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2009.08.006 Lee, J. L. C. (2009). Reconsolidation: maintaining memory relevance. Trends in Neurosciences, 32(8), 413-420. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2009.05.002 Milton, A. L., Everitt, B. J. (2010). The psychological and neurochemical mechanisms of drug memory reconsolidation: implications for the treatment of addiction. The European journal of neuroscience, 31(12), 2308. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07249.x Milton, A. L., Lee, J. L., Butler, V. J., Gardner, R., Everitt, B. J. (2009). Intra-amygdala and systemic antagonism of NMDA receptors prevents the reconsolidation of drug-associated memory and impairs subsequently both novel and previously acquired drug-seeking behaviors. The Journal of Neuroscience, 28(33), 8230-8237. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1723-08.2008 Nader, K., Einarsson, E. Ãâ€". (2010). Memory reconsolidation: an update. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1191(1), 27-41. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05443.x Reichelt, A. C., Lee, J. L. C. (2013). Memory reconsolidation in aversive and appetitive settings. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 7, 118. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00118. Robinson, M. J. F., Franklin, K. B. J. (2010). Reconsolidation of a morphine place preference: Impact of the strength and age of memory on disruption by propranolol and midazolam. Behavioural Brain Research, 213(2), 201-207. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2010.04.056 Strange, B. A., Kroes, M. C. W., Fan, J. E., Dolan, R. J. (2010). Emotion causes targeted forgetting of established memories. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 4, 175. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2010.00175 Tronson, N. C., Taylor, J. R. (2007). Molecular mechanisms of memory reconsolidation. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 8(4), 262-275. doi:10.1038/nrn2090 Wang, S.-h., De Oliveira Alvares, L., Nader, K. (2009). Cellular and systems mechanisms of memory strength as a constraint on auditory fear reconsolidation. Nature Neuroscience, 12(7), 905-912. doi:10.1038/nn.2350

Construction of a Research Questionnaire

Construction of a Research Questionnaire Construction of appropriate questionnaire items Section 2, Question 3 Describe what is involved in testing and validating a research questionnaire. (The answer to question 3 should be no fewer than 6 pages, including references) The following criteria will be used in assessing question 3: Construction of appropriate questionnaire items Sophistication of understanding of crucial design issues Plan for use of appropriate sampling method and sample Plan to address validity and reliability in a manner appropriate to methodology In order to construct an appropriate research questionnaire, it is imperative to first have a clear understanding of the scope of the research project. It would be most beneficial to solidify these research goals in written form, and then focus the direction of the study to address the research questions. After developing the research questions, the researcher would further read the related literature regarding the research topic, specifically searching for ideas and theories based on the analysis of the construct(s) to be measured. Constructs are essentially mathematical descriptions or theories of how our test behavior is either likely to change following or during certain situations (Kubiszyn & Borich, 2007, p. 311). It is important to know what the literature says about these construct(s) and the most accurate, concise ways to measure them. Constructs are psychological in nature and are not tangible, concrete variables because they cannot be observed directly (Gay Airasian, 2003 ). Hopkins (1998) explains that psychological constructs are unobservable, postulated variables that have evolved either informally or from psychological theory (p. 99). Hopkins also maintains that when developing the items to measure the construct(s), it is imperative to ask multiple items per construct to ensure they are being adequately measured. Another important aspect in developing items for a questionnaire is to find an appropriate scale for all the items to be measured (Gay Airasian, 2003). Again, this requires researching survey instruments similar to the one being developed for the current study and also determining what the literature says about how to best measure these constructs. The next step in designing the research questionnaire is to validate it-to ensure it is measuring what it is intended to measure. In this case, the researcher would first establish construct validity evidence, which is ensuring that the research questionnaire is measuring the ideas and theories related to the research project. An instrument has construct validity evidence if its relationship to other information corresponds well with some theory (Kubiszyn Borich, 2007, p. 309). Another reason to go through the validation process is to minimize factors that can weaken the validity of a research instrument, including unclear test directions, confusing and/or ambiguous test items, and vocabulary and sentence structures too difficult for test takers (Gay Airasian, 2003). After developing a rough draft of the questionnaire, including the items that measure the construct(s) for this study, the researcher should then gather a small focus group that is representative of the population to be studied (Johnson, 2007). The purpose of this focus group is to discuss the research topic, to gain additional perspectives about the study, and to consider new ideas about how to improve the research questionnaire so it is measuring the constructs accurately. This focus group provides the researcher with insight on what questions to revise and what questions should be added or deleted, if any. The focus group can also provide important information as to what type of language and vocabulary is appropriate for the group to be studied and how to best approach them (Krueger Casey, 2009). All of this groups feedback would be recorded and used to make changes, edits, and revisions to the research questionnaire. Another step in the validation process is to let a panel of experts (fellow researchers, professors, those who have expertise in the field of study) read and review the survey instrument, checking it for grammatical errors, wording issues, unclear items (loaded questions, biased questions), and offer their feedback. Also, their input regarding the validity of the items is vital. As with the other focus group, any feedback should be recorded and used to make changes, edits, and revisions to the research questionnaire (Johnson, 2007). The next step entails referring to the feedback received from the focus group and panel of experts. Any issues detected by the groups must be addressed so the research questionnaire can serve its purpose (Johnson, 2007). Next, the researcher should revise the questions and research questionnaire, considering all the input obtained and make any other changes that would improve the instrument. Any feedback obtained regarding the wording of items must be carefully considered, because the participants in the study must understand exactly what the questions are asking so they can respond accurately and honestly. It is also imperative to consider the feedback regarding the directions and wording of the research questionnaire. The directions of the questionnaire should be clear and concise, leaving nothing to personal interpretation (Suskie, 1996). The goal is that all participants should be able to read the directions and know precisely how to respond and complete the questionnaire. To bet ter ensure honesty of responses, it is imperative to state in the directions that answers are anonymous (if applicable), and if they mistakenly write any identifying marks on the questionnaire, those marks will be immediately erased. If that type of scenario is not possible in the design of the study, the researcher should still communicate the confidentiality of the information obtained in this study and how their personal answers and other information will not be shared with anyone. Whatever the case or research design, the idea is to have participants answer the questions honestly so the most accurate results are obtained. Assuring anonymity and/or confidentiality to participants is another way to help ensure that valid data are collected. The next phase entails pilot-testing the research questionnaire on a sample of people similar to the population on which the survey will ultimately be administered. This group should be comprised of approximately 20 people (Johnson, 2007), and the instrument should be administered under similar conditions as it will be during the actual study. The purpose of this pilot-test is two-fold; the first reason is to once again check the validity of the instrument by obtaining feedback from this group, and the second reason is to do a reliability analysis. Reliability is basically the degree to which a test consistently measure whatever it is measuring (Gay Airasian, 2003, p. 141). A reliability analysis is essential when developing a research questionnaire because a research instrument lacking reliability cannot measure any variable better than chance alone (Hopkins, 1998). Hopkins goes on to say that reliability is an essential prerequisite to validity because a research instrument must c onsistently yield reliable scores to have any confidence in validity. After administering the research questionnaire to this small group, a reliability analysis of the results must be done. The reliability analysis to be used is Cronbachs alpha (Hopkins, 1998), which allows an overall reliability coefficient to be calculated, as well as coefficients for each of the sub-constructs (if any). The overall instrument, as well as the sub-constructs, should yield alpha statistics greater than .70 (Johnson, 2007). This analysis would decide if the researcher needs to revise the items or proceed with administering the instrument to the target population. The researcher should also use the feedback obtained from this group to ensure that the questions are clear and present no ambiguity. Any other feedback obtained should be used to address any problems with the research questionnaire. Should there be any problems with particular items, then necessary changes would be made to ensure the item i s measuring what it is supposed to be measuring. However, should there be issues with an entire construct(s) that is yielding reliability and/or validity problems, then the instrument would have to be revised, reviewed again by the panel of experts, and retested on another small group. After the instrument goes through this process and has been corrected and refined with acceptable validity and reliability, it is time to begin planning to administer it to the target population. After the research questionnaire has established validity and reliability, the next step is to begin planning how to administer it to the participants of the study. To begin this process, it is imperative to define who the target population of the study is. Unfortunately, it is often impossible to gather data from everyone in a population due to feasibility and costs. Therefore, sampling must be used to collect data. According to Gay and Airasian (2003), Sampling is the process of selecting a number of participants for a study in such a way that they represent the larger group from which they were selected (p. 101). This larger group that the authors refer to is the population, and the population is the group to which the results will ideally generalize. However, out of any population, the researcher will have to determine those who are accessible or available. In most studies, the chosen population for study is usually a realistic choice and not always the target one (Gay Airasian, 2003). After choosing the population to be studied, it is important to define that population so the reader will know how to apply the findings to that population. The next step in the research study is to select a sample, and the quality of this sample will ultimately determine the integrity and generalizability of the results. Ultimately, the researcher should desire a sample that is representative of the defined population to be studied. Ideally, the researcher wants to minimize sampling error by using random sampling techniques. Random sampling techniques include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and systematic sampling (Gay Airasian, 2003). According to the authors, these sampling techniques operate just as they are named: simple random sampling is using a means to randomly select an adequate sample of participants from a population; stratified random sampling allows a researcher to sample subgroups in such a way that they are proportional in the same way they exist in the population; and cluster sampling randomly selects groups from a larger population (Gay Airasian, 2003). Systematic sampling is a form of s imple random sampling, where the researcher simply selects every tenth person, for example. These four random sampling techniques, or variations thereof, are the most widely used random sampling procedures. While random sampling allows for the best chance to obtained unbiased samples, sometimes it is not always possible. Therefore, the researcher resorts to nonrandom sampling techniques. These techniques include convenience sampling, purposive sampling, and quota sampling (Gay Airasian, 2003). Convenience sampling is simply sampling whoever happens to be available, while purposive sampling is where the researcher selects a sample based on knowledge of the group to be sampled (Gay Airasian, 2003). Lastly, quota sampling is a technique used in large-scale surveys when a population of interest is too large to define. With quota sampling, the researcher usually will have a specific number of participants to target with specific demographics (Gay Airasian, 2003). The sampling method ultimately chosen will depend upon the population determined to be studied. In an ideal scenario, random sampling would be employed, which improves the strength and generalizability of the results. However, should random sampling not be possible, the researcher would mostly likely resort to convenience sampling. Although not as powerful as random sampling, convenience sampling is used quite a bit and can be useful in educational research (Johnson, 2007). Of course, whatever sampling means is employed, it is imperative to have an adequate sample size. As a general rule, the larger the population size, the smaller the percentage of the population required to get a representative sample (Gay Airasian, 2003). The researcher would determine the size of the population being studied (if possible) and then determine an adequate sample size (Krejcie Morgan, 1970, p. 608). Ultimately, it is desirable to obtain as many participants as possible and not merely to achieve a m inimum (Gay Airasian, 2003). Lastly, after an adequate sample size for the study has been determined, the researcher should proceed with the administration of the research questionnaire until the desired sample size is obtained. The research questionnaire should be administered in similar conditions, and potential participants should know and understand that they are not obligated in any way to participate and that they will not be penalized for not participating (Suskie, 1996). Also, participants should know how to contact the research should they have questions about the research project, including the ultimate dissemination of the data and the results of the study. The researcher should exhaust all efforts to ensure participants understand what is being asked so they can make a clear judgment regarding their consent to participate in the study. Should any of the potential participants be under the age of 18, the researcher would need to obtain parental permission in order for th em to participate. Lastly, it is imperative that the researcher obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before the instrument is field-tested and administered to the participants. People who participate in the study should understand that the research project has been approved through the universitys IRB process. References Gay, L. R., Airasian, P. (2003). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and Applications (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Hopkins, K. D. (1998). Educational and psychological measurement and evaluation (8th ed.). Boston: Allyn Bacon. Johnson, J. T. (2007). Instrument development and validation [Class handout]. Department of Educational Leadership Research, The University of Southern Mississippi. Krejcie, R. V., Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 607-610.k Krueger, R. A., Casey, M. A. (2009). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, SA: Sage Publications, Inc. Kubiszyn, T., Borich, B. (2007). Educational testing and measurement: Classroom application and practice (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Suskie, L. A. (1996). Questionnaire survey research: What works (2nd ed.). Tallahassee, FL: Association for Institutional Research.

eHarmony Promotion and Price :: essays research papers

eHarmony.com is a subscription-based, relationship-building service that provides a unique solution for serious single men and women seeking fulfilling, long-term relationships. It is the only service, on- or offline, that utilizes empirical research, clinical study and a patent-pending predictive technology to effectively match singles. (www.netplusmarketing.com) The company’s focus is matching people together who eventually want to be married or at least have a long-term, committed relationship. Their company’s founder, Dr. Neil Clark Warren, is an older, distinguished gentleman, whose focus is to put people together, and keep them together. eHarmony’s member count is at about five and a half million, with more than 9000 marriages that they can confirm. Their clients tend to be college-educated, many with some secondary education. From a psychographic standpoint these are people who are looking for a long-term relationship; to find the love of their lives; and somebody with whom they can get married. It caters to people who want to be matched on deep dimensions of compatibility. As a result of more than 35 years of experience in counseling married couples, Dr. Neil Clark Warren determined that there were 29 key drivers or dimensions of long-term relationship-success like character, values, intellect, and emotional make-up. The company has designed a compatibility quiz to determine these areas and match people accordingly. The ‘29 Dimensions of Compatibility,’ are lumped into four major categories -- Character & Constitution; Personality; Emotional Makeup & Skills; and Family & Values. The company has even patented the concept, known as the Compatibility Matching Systemâ„ ¢. (www.eHarmony.com) Their spokesman is Dr. Warren himself, and he appears in all of their TV spots, is the voice in their radio ads, and appears in print advertisements as well. He is the unifying message for the company. It is his model, and he explains it well. He keeps the terms simple and straightforward – targeting those single adults who are looking for committed relationships. In the TV ads, Dr. Warren speaks first and tells a bit about the service eHarmony offers. The shot then breaks to focus on actual couples who have had success using eHarmony. The radio ads feature Dr. Warren’s voice, and go along the same lines as the TV ads – it is his calm and mature voice, extolling the virtues of his company and how the compatibility test will help you find your soul-mate. The print ads, running in USAToday are prominent quarter-page ads featuring eHarmony’s simple message – if you’re looking for deep, long-lasting, committed love, this is the place for you.

Owens Valley Tragedy :: Environmental California Essays

Earth’s Seemingly Irreparable Landscape Time and time again it has been seen that human interaction with his/her environment and it’s ecosystems has shown to be increasingly arrogant and self-serving. These endless accounts are proven by the amount of important biological diversity that is being lost to the surrounding environment due to these threats of human development and population growth. There are two forms of these losses of diversity by human hand: direct and indirect. Direct losses would be the destruction of an area needed for human requirements be it social or economical. Examples of these losses would be housing, agriculture, and others. Indirect losses would be those caused by the destruction of an area also needed for the same requirements but the area’s commodities which are valued, water, food, land in general, is needed elsewhere. These losses are few in number compared with those of direct losses yet they are of the greatest importance. They are important because they involve the removal of resources of an area in which other inhabitants are dependent upon. A great example of this regrettable indirect expansion is the loss of the rich habitat of the area known as Owens Valley. Owens Valley History Owens Valley lies to the east of the Sierra Nevada mountain and west of the White-Inyo mountain ranges, just to the west of the U.S.’s Great Basin. Early settlers to this area, as all other immediate surrounding area’s originally, were Indians, one of the Paiute tribes. This tribe lived by a simple and direct policy in terms of living with the environment. Their food supply was derived from seasonal crops of wild seeds and roots, fishing, and hunting of the deer, antelope, mountain sheep, jackrabbit, and waterfowl which flourished along the valley floor and hillsides. They took only what they required for food and trade. Unfortunately, pioneer expansion soon took precedence with the majority of them being miners who migrated to the region from the east following the Western mines (Sauder, 1994). With this colonization came agricultural expansion as well, which included cattle production and various farming crops. Of course, confrontation, the beginning of a lifetime of fight over Owens Valley, was spurred with the Paiutes over ownership of this rich valley abundant in usable resources. Due to the Paiute’s simple and peaceful attitude, the early pioneers took over the valley and every one of it’s resources, placing the Paiute’s out in the cold, where they continued urbanization and agriculture of the landscape.

Elasticity :: Economics, Price

Introduction Elasticity is one of the most important theories in economics and it is a measure of responsiveness (Baker, 2006)i. There are mainly two types of elasticity, the elasticity of demand which includes price elasticity of demand, income elasticity of demand, and cross elasticity of demand as well as elasticity of supply (McConnell, Brue, & Flynn, 2009)ii. The degree to which a demand or supply curve reacts to a change in price is the curve's elasticity (Lingham, 2009)iii. Elasticity varies among products because some products may be more essential to the consumer. Consumer Price elasticity plays an important role in the lives of consumers. The price elasticity of demand is the sensitivity of the demand for a product when its price changes (McConnell, Brue, & Flynn, 2009)iv. Cafes like Panera Bread refuses payments from customers and politely asked them instead to â€Å"take what you need, and leave your fair share† (Strom & Gay, 2010)v, resulting in more people getting goods like food at a fair price that they are willing to pay. Based on the income elasticity of demand, consumers can get a better and healthier life as they will buy things with better quality as their income rises. People will go to Italiannies for pizza and not to Pizza Hut as Italiannies offers a better, tastier, healthier and wider variety of choices, even when it is more expensive. With cross elasticity of demand, consumers can get the same quality product at a cheaper price as the rivalry between substitute goods will result in price reduction or improved quality. Consumers get to travel by MAS Airlines at a cheaper price as the rivalry between MAS and other airline companies has caused its price reduction (Gunasegaran, 2011)vi. Consumers with a low budget can also buy what they need. Consumers can get more value from a package offer when buying complementary goods as they â€Å"go together†, for example: McDonald's McValue Lunch which comprises of a burger, fries, and soft drink, all for only RM5.95 onwards (My Food Fetish, 2009)vii. With this, consumers can get convenience when buying certain products. Business Elasticity is also prominent to businesses. The price elasticity of demand is very important for companies to determine the price of their products and their total sales and revenue. Newell showed that by cutting the price of the Left 4 Dead game in half to $25 during a Valve promotion, its sales increased by 3000 percent (Irwin, 2009)viii.

He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best

Freislyn Santana Revision English 106-112 (College English II) Professor Jaime Gallagher Essay #1- Short Story 11/12/2012 He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best Edgar Allan Poe is an extraordinary writer with many powerful pieces of work, such as The Raven, The fall of the House, and The Tell-Tale Heart. The author’s theme in the story â€Å"The Black Cat† is Overconfidence can betray. In his short story â€Å"The Black Cat† Poe explores the perils of overconfidence. Poe’s use of character, tone, and irony develop this dark tale of arrogance with adventure.To portray his theme, Poe uses the story element â€Å"character† towards the ending of the story, illustrating how the narrator believes there is no way he can be caught. IN the flowing days after the murder, he begins to feel free, happy, and secure. His overconfidence becomes evident when the police unexpectedly come to search his home. He felt no embarrassment nor regret in allowing them inside. He ac companied them in the search in a calm and collected manner. As the police prepare to leave, the narrator describes himself as too happy to contain himself and badly wanted to mention a single word of his triumph.He believes there’s no way he’s going to be caught, and becomes too confident and cocky. His overconfidence leads to his demise. His final act of overconfidence is evident as the police leave, he shows off by brazenly tapping the wall with his cane. The cat cries out from the wall which leads the police to tear down the wall. They find the cat atop the corpse, the same cat the narrator so loathed and believed had ran away. Furthermore, Poe also uses â€Å"tone† as a means to portray his theme. Poe establishes calmness when the police arrive to search the home.The narrator is not in any way nervous or afraid that he might get caught; in fact, he feels secure of his concealment of his wife’s remains. Faced with a police search, the narrator quivere d not a muscle. He says â€Å"His heart beats calmly as that of one who slumbers in innocence. † He invites the police in assists them in their search. The speaker is obviously calm, and Poe illustrates the tone calm here perfectly while also using a simile, comparing the narrator’s calm heart to that of one whom innocently sleeps.Lastly, Poe uses irony as a way to demonstrate his theme. The speaker’s thought triumphing over the cat is a good example of irony. The day after he hanged Pluto, his first cat, his house unexpectedly burned down. He imagines seeing in the ruins the shape of a cat imprinted on a wall, a cat with a noose around its neck. It’s clearly ironic that even though he killed the cat, his overconfidence of believing he defeated it leads to the Pluto having the last laugh when the narrator’s house and all his riches burn with it.Poe illustrates another example of irony when the narrator kills his wife and believes the cat has run aw ay in fear. When the narrator hides his wife’s corpse in the wall and during the search of his home out of overconfidence taps on the wall repeatedly, a cry responds leading the police to tear down the wall and discover the corpse and also the cat. It’s ironic that in the end it was the cat that leads to the narrator’s demise after believing the cat had ran away.In conclusion, Poe portrays his theme Overconfidence can betray by using story elements such as tone, character, and irony. There are several examples throughout the story and Poe uses them effectively. Imagine the joy and overconfidence combines with the adrenaline that one must have while knowing they’re about to get away with murder. In the end the narrator just couldn’t contain all that emotion. Put yourself in that situation, do you think you could’ve maintained composure and got away with it?

Experiential Leadership Essay

Executive Summary    The researchers’ aim is to point out to the effect of Experiential Leadership in the selected company liked Barras Home Improvements. Background:    The Progress Report Name of the Business Manager of Barras Home Improvement Company is Mike Allen. He supervised 16 employees. Eight of them were assigned in office and eight were outside in the field. Nature of business/service market Barras Home Improvements was formed in 1987. During the past year, the company has positioned itself as a leader in the sales and home improvement. Home Improvement is the field of expertise in fact customer can easily choose their desired lay out for their home improvement, guided by the advice support to meet the great improvement of the home. In addition, they are now celebrating a twenty years in service. Barras Home Improvements Company is classified as family Business. They have large selection of Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms gallery lay-out or so called showrooms. Their mission statements are choice and value for money, service and quality product, and first class workmanship. The purposed of the operation of the company is to provide customer with highest standards of quality and service. Their products are sinks, taps, wall and floor tiles, Amtico flooring and shower enclosures and etc. They are also specialised in the complete installation service covering every aspect from plumbing and electric’s, plastering and minor building work and tiling to maintenance free ceilings. Insurance work is also undertaken and a 12 month written guarantee is given on all our work. We are both CORGI and NIC EIC registered. They also have a promotion of  £50.00 deposit only for the customers instillation fee Customer scope and demographics The informational data that the company can offer to the customer is as follows: Local: This Company is situated at the top of Clay Lane, off Ball Hill Shopping Centre on the Walsgrave Road. M6 –   Heading South: Leave M6 at Junction 3. Follow A444 towards Coventry. Turn   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   left into Mercer Avenue and the showroom is at the top of this road, which is at   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     the junction of Clay Lane. M6 – Heading North: Leave M6 at Junction 2. Follow signs for the A4600 heading towards Coventry City centre. At Ball Hill shopping centre on the Walsgrave Road turn right into Clay Lane and our showroom is at the junction with Barras Green and Mercer Avenue.    Organizational Structure of the Barras Home Improvement Company Organization’s Workforce The Barras Home Improvement Company was subdivided into two groups of 8 in the office and 8 in the out field for installation and contractors. The people in office were responsible for customer service and do some paper works and entertain clients or customer. And in addition they lead the customer on the computer lay outing for the home improvement processing. Presentation Situation; The current situation of the organization is very exciting.   Recently, business has relocated to a larger and more efficient facility. This move will enable the company to streamline its method of operation and increase its bottom line. Market environment; The market place is undergoing tremendous technological change. New Technologies of Home improvement and materials are making products increasingly attractive stronger and less costly.   The business is poised now to take advantage of these changes, and expect to become an important supplier of home appliances and home improvement installation. Products and Services; The raw material and other home appliances that we are using were the latest awith high quality materials. This is primarily due to the strong influence of committed manufacturers and the demands of the appliances and raw materials. Gathering and Collection of Data: This investigation adopted the descriptive method of research as this is the appropriate way in evaluating the manager of the Barras Home Improvement Company in relation with his experience in Leadership Management style and behavior. This will be viewed from the responses of his 16 employees in the company. The descriptive method is also defined as studying components to serve as direction in reaching the goal. Its purpose is to tell what exist or what is about a certain business phenomenon, predicting and identifying relationships among and between the variables describe. The data and information was gathered through interview of some customers of Barras Home Improvement Company, employees and through internet the profile of the company has been gathered and studied.    Facts: The company is still a leading company in terms of home improvement because of the experienced manager of the company. The trend of the company was remarkably improving because of the good feedback and referral of the customer. They have the additional benefit of being able to provide a computer aided photo-realistic image that can even show the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom in the finish of their own choice. The Actual Report    Executive Summary    This paper studies the company named Barras Home Improvements (BHI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of the Experiential Leadership Manager to the Business Flows specifically in family business like BHI. This study was conducted to enlighten other businessmen in the market place to exercise Experiential Leadership Management. Background: Barras Home Improvements was formed in 1987. During the past year, the company has positioned itself as a leader in the sales and home improvement. Home Improvement is the field of expertise where a customer can easily choose their desired lay out for their home improvement, guided by the advice support to meet the great improvement of the home. In addition, they are now celebrating a twenty years in service. Barras Home Improvements Company is classified as family Business. They have large selection of Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms gallery lay-out or so called showrooms. The purpose of the operation of the company is to provide customers with highest standards of quality and service. Their mission statements are choice and value for money, service and quality product, and first class workmanship. Their products are sinks, taps, wall and floor tiles, Amtico flooring and shower enclosures and etc. They are also specialised in the complete installation service covering every aspect from plumbing and electric’s, plastering and minor building work and tiling to maintenance free ceilings. Insurance work is also undertaken and a 12 month written guarantee is given on all our work. They are both CORGI and NIC EIC registered. They also have a promotion of  £50.00 deposit only for the customer’s instillation fee Definition of the Problem       The objective & goal of this research is to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of experiential leadership management in business. The Barras Home Improvement is the company that will be treated on this study. Initially, a simple random sample of 16 employees will be given a baseline test organized by the researcher. The results will be compiled for later comparison with the research results, and those initially tested will no longer take part in the study. Questionnaires are one of the most popular ways in which data may be collected. These are used for a range of purposes and will often be the tool used to collect quantitative data. But it is worth mentioning that although this may be classified as mostly a quantitative process of collecting data it may also be a qualitative method, depending on the number, depth and style of the questions. Research questions This study sought to evaluate the Business Manager of Barras Home Improvement Company. Specifically, it aimed to answer the following questions: How to determine the degree that the person like working with task and people? What is the Leadership dimension of the Business Manager of Barras Home Improvement Company possess? What practice of leadership style does the Business Manager of Barras Home Improvement Company have? Is there a significant effect on experiential leadership management to the Barras Home Improvements company employees?    HYPOTHESIS: Ho  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚   There is no significant effect on experiential leadership management to the Barras Home Improvements employees.                      THEORETICAL Framework   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the theoretical framework adopted for this study may be reflected in this model below. Input  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Process  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   output    Figure1. This paradigm was used to determine the effect on experiential leadership in the Barras Home Improvements.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This model suggests that Leadership behavior and leadership style survey questionnaire may be anchored on the manager of Barras Home Improvement Company who is Mike Allen. The conceptualization of this study revolved around the notions clearly represented by this model. The paradigm of the study consists of the inputs that contain all those which have been studied in this research. The process consists of the survey questionnaires that were used to analysis the company data.   The output consists of the effects of Experiential Leadership Management to the company performance. Analysis of Variance was also used to treat the data statistically. Research design    Sample Size: All the employees were included in the sample and then the researcher calculated the weighted mean of the survey questionnaire to determine the effect of experiential leadership. Sample selection: Employees of Barras Home Improvements company were selected as sample selection of this study Instrument used: This study used a survey questionnaires of leadership behavior and leadership style    Editing of data: Standard editing and coding procedures with MS-EXCEL program. Analysis of data: Simple tabulation and cross-tabulation used. RESULTS: The following results were gathered and tabulated with the use of leadership survey questionnaire: This study reveals that the Manager of Barras Home Improvements Company has a characteristic of a Team leader. This is because the score 6.9 in the people section and a score of 7.3 in the task section revealed it. The quad where the two lines intersect is the leadership style in case of Team Leader quality. The manager used delegative and democratic leadership style. Sometimes he also used autocratic leadership style may be because it is necessary and it is revealed in the scores that 26 means being autocratic. This means that the style was used in some cases where the problem arises or decision making is required in the process for humanitarian sake. Conclusions: From the results of the experiential leadership management evaluation the following conclusions were drawn: The more experience the manager have the more effective and organized the business is. Experienced manager has more wisdom than an autocratic manager or even none experienced leader. Managers need to be team leaders for building much effective and successful business. A Team leader is the most ideal manager a company needs. Recommendation: This study suggests every businessman to undergo on the survey questionnaire to identify if their characteristics are autocratic, democratic or free reign. The new public relation officers must widen the scope and topics. Leadership Questionnaire Questionnaire Below is a list of statements about leadership behavior. Read each one carefully, then, using the following scale, decide the extent to which it actually applies to you. For best results, answer as truthfully as possible. Never  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sometimes  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Always  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   0  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5   _______ encourages team to participate when decision making time comes and also attempts to implement ideas and suggestions. _______ â€Å"Nothing is more important than accomplishing a goal or task†. _______ closely monitor the schedule to ensure a task or project will be completed in time. _______ enjoy coaching people on new tasks and procedures. _______ â€Å"The more challenging a task is, the more he enjoys it. _______ encourages employees to be creative about their job. _______ seeing a complex task through to completion, he ensures that every detail is accounted for. _______ found it easy to carry out several complicated tasks at the same time. _______ enjoy reading articles, books, and journals about training, leadership, and psychology; and then putting what have been read into action. _______ when correcting mistakes, he do not worry about jeopardizing relationships. _______ He manages time very efficiently. _______ He enjoys explaining the intricacies and details of a complex task or project to my employees. _______ breaking large projects into small manageable tasks is second nature to me. _______ nothing is more important to him than building a great team. _______ He enjoys analyzing problems. _______ He honors other people’s boundaries. _______ He Counsels his employees to improve their performance or behavior which is second nature to me. _______ He enjoyed reading articles, books, and trade journals about my profession; and then implemented the new procedures he learned.       Scoring Section Put your answers on the spaces provided for every question. PEOPLE TASK    Question 1.______   4.______   6.______   9.______   10.______   12.______   14.______   16.______   17.______   TOTAL ________ X 0.2 = ________    Question 2.______ 3.______   5.______   7.______   8.______   11.______   13.______   15.______   18.______   TOTAL ________ X 0.2 ________ Leadership Style Survey Directions: This questionnaire is about leadership style ideas. Please encircle any of the number provided for at right-end of each item/statement to express your honest judgment by using the following code: Category  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Weight Almost Always True   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5 Frequently True   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4 Occasionally True   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3 Seldom True   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2 Almost Never True   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1 1. I always retain the final decision making authority within my department or team. 5 4 3 2 1 2. I always try to include one or more employees in determining what to do and how to do it. However, I maintain the final decision making authority. 5 4 3 2 1 3. I and my employees always vote whenever a major decision has to be made. 5 4 3 2 1 4. I do not consider suggestions made by my employees as I do not have the time for them. 5 4 3 2 1 5. I ask for employee ideas and input on upcoming plans and projects. 5 4 3 2 1 6. For a major decision to pass in my department, it must have the approval of each employee or the majority. 5 4 3 2 1 7. I tell my employees what has to be done and how to do it. 5 4 3 2 1 8. When things go wrong and I need to create a strategy to keep a project or process running on schedule, I call a meeting to get my employee’s advice. 5 4 3 2 1 9. To get information out, I send it by email, memos, or voice mail; very rarely is a meeting called. My employees are then expected to act upon the information. 5 4 3 2 1 10. When someone makes a mistake, I tell them not to ever do that again and make a note of it. 5 4 3 2 1 11. I want to create an environment where the employees take ownership of the project. I allow them to participate in the decision making process. 5 4 3 2 1 12. I allow my employees to determine what needs to be done and how to do it. 5 4 3 2 1 13. New hires are not allowed to make any decisions unless it is approved by me first. 5 4 3 2 1 14. I ask employees for their vision of where they see their jobs going and then use their vision where appropriate. 5 4 3 2 1 15. My workers know more about their jobs than me, so I allow them to carry out the decisions to do their job. 5 4 3 2 1 16. When something goes wrong, I tell my employees that a procedure is not working correctly and I establish a new one. 5 4 3 2 1 17. I allow my employees to set priorities with my guidance. 5 4 3 2 1 18. I delegate tasks in order to implement a new procedure or process. 5 4 3 2 1 19. I closely monitor my employees to ensure they are performing correctly. 5 4 3 2 1 20. When there are differences in role expectations, I work with them to resolve the differences. 5 4 3 2 1 21. Each is responsible for defining their job. 5 4 3 2 1 22. I like the power that my leadership position holds over subordinates. 5 4 3 2 1 23. I like to use my leadership power to help subordinates grow. 5 4 3 2 1 24. I like to share my leadership power with my subordinates. 5 4 3 2 1 25. Employees must be directed or threatened with punishment in order to get them to achieve the organizational objectives. 5 4 3 2 1 26. Employees will exercise self-direction if they are committed to the objectives. 5 4 3 2 1 27. Employees have the right to determine their own organizational objectives. 5 4 3 2 1 28. Employees seek mainly security. 5 4 3 2 1 29. Employees know how to use creativity and ingenuity to solve organizational problems. 5 4 3 2 1 30. My employees can lead themselves just as well as I can. 5 4 3 2 1 Scoring Section Put your answers on the spaces provided for every questions. Item Score Item Score Item Score 1 ______ 2 ______ 3 ______ 4 ______ 5 ______ 6 ______ 7 ______ 8 ______ 9 ______ 10 ______ 11 ______ 12 ______ 13 ______ 14 ______ 15 ______ 16 ______ 17 ______ 18 ______ 19 ______ 20 ______ 21 ______ 22 ______ 23 ______ 24 ______ 25 ______ 26 ______ 27 ______ 28 ______ 29 ______ 30 ______ TOTAL _______ TOTAL ________ TOTAL ________    Authoritarian Style    Participative Style    Delegative Style    (autocratic)    (democratic)    (free reign)                         References:    Covello, Joseph and Hazelgren, Brian, (1998). Your First Business Plan.Sourcesbooks 3rd Ed., Inc.USA Culp, C.(2001), The Risk Management Process: Business Strategy and Tactics, Wiley, New York, 60 -75. Gardner, Lawrence , (2006) Why businesses fail: †¦ and strategies for a successful turnaround, Detroiter, retrieved July 3, 2006, Kiyosaki, Robert T. and Lechter, Sharon L. (2002) Prophecy. Rich Dad’s.Warner Business Books, Inc. USA Spindler, A.,(1984) Publication Information: Book Title: The Politics of International Credit: Private Finance and Foreign Policy in Germany and Japan, The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC., P. 37-50. Vlieghe, G.(2001) Corporate Liquidations in the United Kingdom, Bank of England Financial Stability Review Weygandt, Jerry J., Kieso, Donald E. and Kimmel Paul D. (1998) Financial Acounting, John Wiley and son Inc. Canada Yoder James, (2004) Time diversification and changing volatility in an options pricing framework, Journal of Academy of Business and Economics    Unpublished Book: No author, (2007) My firm, Business Resource Services, has developed a process that I call â€Å"Profit Mastery.†,   At the risky end of finance – Credit derivatives, Economist