Marketing Research

Introduction Introductory Paragraphs Marketing is a crucial part of a firm, business or financial institution. It determines the number of customers using services from the entity. As a result, it determines the profits that the business entity makes per unit time. Consequently, it determines the solvency and prosperity of the whole business.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marketing Research specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The firms, in turn, struggle to improve their marketing and advertising strategies in their system. The strategies must compete favorably with other firms that offer similar products. It must aim at adopting a strategy that leads to customers and client satisfaction. This ensures that the firms maintain their customers and gain more customers than their competitors (Kotler, 1986). In marketing, public relation officers carry out researches which aim at getting preferences from the cu stomers. In these researches, they collect data on the perceptions and opinions of the customers. This helps the business entities to provide new services and improve the quality of current goods and services. Consequently, they retain their customer and attract others. The demand and profit margin rise simultaneously. This paper will focus on designing a research that aims at collecting opinions of the customers. Particularly, it will design a research on a restaurant offering fast food. Specifically, it will use McDonald’s restaurant for the research. History McDonald’s restaurant is found in USA offering fast food. It was started in the year 1940 by Maurice and Richard at San Bernardino. In 1948, the restaurant improvised a speed serving system which increased efficiency and gained more customers than earlier. The company changed administrative bodies of management severally. In addition, it has changed the logo for a number of times due to marketing and advertiseme nt. The restaurant operates in 119 countries around the world. In the countries, it has thirty four thousand restaurants that operate under the headquarters in Illinois. The restaurant offers sandwiches, breakfast, soft drinks and desserts. The restaurants in other countries deviate from the standard menu fitting the countries culture. For example, china serves soup while the Indian restaurants refrain from serving beef. This is due to the religious taboos that exist in the country. They have the outdoor and indoor serving that fits the customer’s choices and decisions. Therefore, the restaurant is an all-inclusive restaurant that fits every social class.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Statement of Problem The restaurant has grown rapidly in accordance to history. However, various criticisms have been directed to fast food. The critics target the menu, pract ices of business and the expansion of the business. For example, Morris group had designed leaflets which aimed at criticizing the health status of the restaurants. In 2004, a documentary called Super-Size blamed the company for increased cases of obesity. The criticisms that revolve around fast foods have affected growth of the restaurant. For the last two years, the restaurant has been progressing in a slower pace than the previous years. This has posed a serious challenge to the overall profitability and the solvency of the company. As a result, this problem needs to be addressed with urgency. Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is to solve this financial and economic crisis existing in the restaurant. The research aims at involving the customers in improving financial status and services. It seeks to use the outside-in strategy to solve the internal challenges. In addition, the study will enable the restaurant to make additional inputs in the current menu. Lastly, it w ill help the management to add attractive and useful services in the restaurant. This will be fulfilled through various objectives. Objective of the study To understand their customers in details To collect the relevant information pertaining to customer’s preferences To make relevant recommendations and conclusions for improvement Research Question In this research, we seek to understand the perceptions and opinions of the customers towards the products and services offered. As a result, we need a query that will form the basis and foundation of the research. Therefore, we might seek to know whether restaurants perceive a negative change in the quality of the products and services offered. Do restaurants perceive declines in the quality of products and services? This is a broad question that allows the development and design of the research. It provides sufficient space to get the opinions of the customers towards the improvements of products. It is a question which can form the methodological center of departure for the entire research. Hypotheses Although there is the research question, it is essential to speculate and make predictions before the actual research. Therefore, we could assume that there is no decline in the quality of the products offered by the restaurant. However, this hypothesis cannot be tested. We cannot carry out a research for the purpose of scrutiny. Scientifically, it is called the null hypothesis. We could assume that there is a decline in the quality of food offered in the restaurant. The hypothesis will, therefore, state that restaurants perceive declines in the quality of products and services. The hypothesis could be broken down into sub-hypotheses to state that McDonald restaurant perceives declines in the quality of services.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marketing Research specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is, also, possible to rese arch on the hypothesis stating that restaurants rarely perceive declines in the quality of products and services. All these could form alternative hypotheses. However, there is no research that dwells on more than one hypothesis simultaneously. Therefore, this research will dwell on the alternative hypothesis about McDonald restaurant. A research can be carried out to determine the validity of this hypothesis. As a result, the research will revolve around this hypothesis. Background Literature Review The company has been offering products that have high calorie. The calorie products have been the target of criticism from many communities. Therefore, most customers feel that they should take food with fewer calories than the restaurant offers in the menu. Most of the current customers are aware of the dangers that the food bring to them. These dangers include obesity, high blood pressure and gaining unnecessary weight. In addition, the restaurant does not offer bitter drinks that hel p in breaking down the fats they consume. The customers get cautious of this situation and prefer making food at home rather than visiting the restaurant. Employment of young staff has deterred the companies’ reputation. The company was sued for the allegations of propagating child labor. Customers feel uncomfortable when they are served by staff members who are underage. The management has been overwhelming the staff for decreasing their efficiency during serving. Complains show dissatisfaction of service by the staff. This has been a crucial point of failure. Definitions of terms Qualitative analysis- This is an analysis that uses subjective reasoning on non-quantifiable data or information. Qualitative analysis- It refers to the analysis of quantifiable data by mathematical calculations and deductions. Sampling- Sampling refers to tactical selection of data sets from the target population Methodology- This refers to the strategies that are used to collect records and repr esent data for analysis. Instrumentation- Instrumentation focuses on the instruments used in the collection analysis of information. Methodology Population The population is comprised of the customers’ visit to the restaurant for the meals. It includes customers from the 119 countries around the world in 34,000 restaurants. The total number of customers served by the restaurants is approximately sixty eight million per day. This is a huge population that makes it difficult to reach all customers. Therefore, the research cannot consider the whole population of customers. For the purpose of data collection, sampling will be carried out. Sampling During sampling, two data sets will be considered for the collection of views. The two data sets will include customers who make regular visits and those visiting the restaurant occasionally. Regular customers visit the restaurant for three meals daily. On the other hand, occasional customers visit the restaurant for one meal only. On this sampling, the sample is not carried out in a manner that favors a desired outcome (Strauss, 1992). Therefore, the outcomes will be credible. The sample will randomize the respondent across gender, age and origin of the customers. Therefore, it will become extremely reliable and credible.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Instrumentation The most crucial instrument of this research will be the questionnaires which will contain several questions aiming at understanding the perceptions of the customers. On this light, the following questions will be included in the questionnaires. How many times do you visit the restaurant daily? What is your most preferred food product in this restaurant? What is your most preferred drink in the restaurant? What do you think is omitted in the menu? What should we add in the menu to suite the eating habit? How do you rate the service by the staff in this restaurant? Does the waiting time coincide with your time management? Does the cost of products match with their quality? What is your opinion regarding the health of the food you take on the restaurant? Customers will be given the questionnaires to fill when they visit the restaurant. Therefore, the questionnaire should have a few questions. This ensures that the questionnaire does not consume much of the respondent s time. Otherwise, it would lead to incomplete or unreliable formation. On this light, the questionnaires should be flexible. They should be designed in a manner that allows modification. This implies that it can be modified to include arising themes during the research. In addition, it allows the removal of any questions that are irrelevant to the study. These modifications arise during the actual research. A Facebook and Twitter account will be opened for the research. People will be invited to like the page and make their contributions. The questions will be posted on the page and customers invited to answer the questions. This will be a technological extension for the questionnaires. It will capture the customers who are in the social networks. As a result, the number of people considered will be sufficient to make conclusions. The children will be interviewed orally by the selected staff from the restaurant. The staffs will record the information on the questionnaire for analys is. However, the interview will be recorded using audio recorders. The audio recorders will ensure that the information that is omitted in the questionnaires is captured. Video recorders will be used where visual presentation of information is required. For example, a child who does not know the real name of certain food will tend to point at the food. The video recorder or camera will be used to capture the information. As a result, all the information that is required for analysis will be available. Therefore, the research will be all-inclusive and reliable. Consequently, the recommendations, conclusions, and solutions derived from the research will be credible. A suggestion box will be used for the purpose of the research. For the period of research, a small advert will be hanged beside the box. It will urge customers to drop any opinions on the box. The opinions will be incorporated in the analysis. This will widen the scope of the research. Procedures and Time Frames The most s ignificant procedure of data collection will be filling in the questionnaires. The questionnaires will have the nine questions. This will take a maximum of three minutes to answer the questionnaires. The questionnaire will have a section which will seek to capture additional information and opinions from the customers. This section might take about two minutes to write and express ideas. In total, a single respondent might take five minutes to fill in the questionnaire. The oral research for the children might take a little bit longer. Each question might take a maximum of 1 minute. On the other hand, they might take one minute to give an opinion about their experience in the hotel. A child might take a maximum of ten minutes to interview and get information that can be used for analysis. Analysis plan Analysis can either be qualitative or quantitative according to the data being collected (Strauss, 1987). In this research, qualitative analysis will be used to analyze data. During t he research, the collection of data and analysis will be done simultaneously. The simultaneous operations will ensure that the questionnaires are changed and altered to accommodate new themes rising during the research. The data between the mature customers and the children will be done separately. In addition, the data between occasional customers and regular customers will be separated. This allows comparison between the two data sets. It ensures that the existing similarities are reconciled, and the differences appearing in the opinions are retained. The diversity of the opinions in those data sets makes the results reliable and credible. Reliability and Validity of the Research Reliability and credibility in this research cannot be ignored. The consideration of the two factors is mandatory and paramount. Violating the reliability of research makes it biased and incredible. For this reason, the research has employed various factors to ensure the validity and reliability of the re sults. First, sampling will be done randomly. This implies that the research is not biased or inclined to a desired outcome. Secondly, the use of various data sets ensures that there is sufficient variation among the respondents. The variation occurs in reference to age, gender and level of regularity to the restaurant. Lastly, the use of flexible questionnaires, which allowed the incorporation of the arising themes, ensured the capture of much information. Also, it ensured that the research focused on the relevant information only. The three measures ensure full credibility, validity, and reliability of the information collected from the respondents. Conclusions This research will be a positive step towards solving the financial crisis that is facing the restaurant of McDonald’s. It will provide the necessary information which can be used to make recommendations and conclusions. The research described every step and detail that will be followed in collecting, recording, and analyzing the data and information. Consequently, it can be described as an all-inclusive research. In fact, it will be a crucial step towards solving the challenges that have been posed to the company. Works Cited Kotler, Philip. Principles of marketing. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1986. Print. Strauss, Anselm L. Qualitative analysis for social scientists. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987. Print. Thompson, Steven K.. Sampling. New York: Wiley, 1992. Print. This research paper on Marketing Research was written and submitted by user Tanner H. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Extraordinary Man essays

Extraordinary Man essays Before dreams were a science they were used in literature. Before Sigmund Freud there was Fyodor Dostoevsky who used dreams to give a point of view of his own regarding Raskolnikov and his opinion that he was superior to other humans, as well as to show the dual nature of the character Raskolnikov in his novel Crime and Punishment. Through the entire novel FD entraps the reader into a world in which most will never be familiar with, the mind of a murderer. The incredible way FD portrays his murderer is that he gives an insight from the outside of a man who is by no means a true killer. From the way Raskolnikov acts and thinks the reader can infer he is by no means a person of violence. Indeed, he is in question of himself (as he always is) of the killings before he commits the murders due to the fact that he did not want to commit the actual deed itself, not the fact that he would be killing another person. FD allows his audience to truly feel the pain and suffering of a man who once felt he was on top of the world and his demise through many torturous realities which he finally comes to realize as the truth. The truth which can evidently be seen in Raskolnikovs final dream puts a final rest to the theory of which he held in such I esteem. While putting his theme to rest his dreams also show how he is two-faced in a sense; his personality is quite dual natured. Raskolnikov is a man who undergoes much psychological tension throughout the novel. He feels that he indeed is an extraordinary man, and that events, as well as everything else, around him revolves around him. His theory which in basic terms state that, an extraordinary man is above the law and ... an 'extraordinary' man has the right... that is not an official right, but an inner right to decide in his own conscience to overstep... certain obstacles, and only in case it is essential for the practical fulfillment of his idea (sometimes, perhaps, of ...

Case Study Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case Study Analysis - Research Paper Example Even sites that were contaminated got their attention. They refused to give up. The Americans made few mistakes. The Mexicans made many mistakes. At times it seemed as though they were trying to obstruct justice. They contaminated scenes and slowed down the process. They refused to cooperate in the interests of getting to the bottom of the case. Indeed, they did little investigating on their own. Most of the time they followed the Americans around trying to prevent them from finding new evidence. There was a serious air of complicity in their actions. The Americans had a hard time because they werent in their own country and had to obey the Mexican law enforcement agents. That made their situation especially difficult. Under normal circumstances, the rule of law would have applied, and it would have been much easier to do their investigation in a timely and methodical fashion. In the United States those who obstruct the investigation of law enforcement agents face a criminal complaint. Unfortunately this case occurred before many modern methods of investigation were available. DNA profiling would have been useful. The best method of collecting a sample is through a â€Å"buccal swab.† Sometimes this requires a court order and police can’t get it. In these cases, other methods can be used including taking samples of blood, saliva, semen, or other fluid or tissue from personal items (for example, toothbrush, razor, etc) or stored samples. Sometimes, samples taken from blood relatives may be used to catch bad guys. So far these methods have proven to be very successful. These processes could have been done on the bodies and the residence and the

Application of One of Four Individual Theories to Health Behavior Term Paper

Application of One of Four Individual Theories to Health Behavior - Term Paper Example rature study about the mental health disorder among young adults and middle aged people it can be suggests that depression and anxiety can be treated and cured if those are identified in early stages. This paper uses the theory of planned behavior to critically analyze the prevalence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety among young adults and middle aged groups. My selection for the condition, mental health behavior and priority group is particularly based on the fact that mental disorders such as depression, stress and anxiety are currently the most common cause of mental health problems among young adults and middle aged individuals and are a leading. For example, depression, problem of anxiety is common among young adults, with nearly 10% of young adults currently suffering from depression and anxiety disorder related problems This is attributed to the fact that many young adults and people in their middle ages often undergo a number of stressful situations related to their career, work, family, religion and economic status (Middle life crisis). Some of the potential specific reasons may include: The chosen group often experience mental disorders such as depression and anxiety as this is the age people begin to experience changes associated with aging in life and may long to get back the youthfulness they had during adolescent. The Theory of Planned Behavior is one of the four individual theories to health behavior that can effectively be used to explain the high prevalence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety among young adults and middle aged individuals. According to the theory, an individual’s control over behavior is determined by a number of constructs namely: Often times, an individual’s willingness to seek for psychiatric help for a mental disorder like anxiety and depression can, to a great extent, be explained using a series of beliefs and attitudes as Icek Ajzen conceptualizes in the TPB (Buckworth & Buckworth,

The islamic idea of death

The islamic idea of death In The Name Of Allah The Beneficent The Merciful In this essay I would like to talk about death. I will define death according to the general understanding as well as the Islamic definition. I will use Quranic Verses along with some Hadith to prove the certainty of death. Then I will describe and present the Islamic idea of death. I will describe the process of death, what occurs after death and what happens to the soul. I will conclude by describing how the remembrance of death is important and how it should affects the thoughts and ideas of a Muslim and causes him to act ethically in this life. Death is defined as the termination of the biological functions of the body[1]. In Islam it refers to the separation of the soul from the body by the Angel of Death. Death is the only certainty in life. It can occur at any moment no matter whether you are 9 or 90. There is no guarantee when we wake up in the morning that we will see the evening or when we go to sleep that we will see the morning. We have a fixed time on the earth and once it is up it cannot be extended. Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even though you were in lofty towers.[2] The above verse shows that we will have to face death at some point. It is a certainty and it will occur. There is no hiding place not even in high towers. There is no cure for death. What happens after death is unknown because no one has returned to tell us about it. This is why man busies himself in the worldly affairs. He believes it will make him immortal but it is only a distraction for him. The Quran says: Rivalry in worldly increase distracts you. Until you come to the graves.[3] I would like to state the example of Fir Awn[4] for those who believe their wealth will bring them immortality. Here is a man who had power and wealth so much so that he claimed Divinity. Where is he now? His body is in a museum in Cairo. He claimed to be God but look at him now. Fir Awn drowning, in his last moments, tries to accept Islam but it is far too late and his repentance is rejected. This is a harsh warning to those who think they can accept Islam or repent while on their death beds. The Quran mentioned that his body would be preserved. But this day We save you in your body that you may be a Sign for those after you. Most of Mankind are heedless of Our Signs.[5] A Hadith[6] warns us about a man who did not do a single good deed but at the time of death he was so fearful he thought he could escape ALLAH (SWT) by telling his children to burn his body and scatter his ashes across different lands and oceans. ALLAH (SWT) was still able to resurrect him[7]. It does not matter how you die or what condition your body is in. If you did not have a burial your soul will be placed in the ground where you took your last breath. Every soul will taste of death. Then to Us you will be returned.[8] Even the Prophets, the best of mankind, had to taste death. The Prophet Ibrahim[9] (AS)[10] was reluctant stating a friend does not take the life of his friend. ALLAH[11] (SWT)[12] told Izrail[13] to say a friend does not refuse the invitation to meet his friend. Upon hearing this, the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) submitted to ALLAH (SWT) one final time[14]. What a way of looking at death as going to meet your Friend! The Prophet Musa[15] (AS) also did not wish to die and ended up punching Izrail so hard; one of his eyeballs fell out. Izrail reported this to ALLAH (SWT) who restored his eye and told him to tell the Prophet Musa (AS) to place his hand on the back of an ox and that however many hairs he held, he would live for the equivalent number of years and then die. Upon hearing this the Prophet Musa (AS) agreed to die immediately[16]. Muslims believe the Prophet Isa[17] (AS) will return to earth a 2nd time and he will do many miraculous things such as killing the Dajjal.[18] However the main purpose of his return is to fulfil the promise of ALLAH (SWT) in the above verse. The Prophet Isa (AS) has yet to taste death and the idea of crucifixion is heavily rejected in the Quran. Whatever came from the earth must return to the earth meaning we came from dust and we shall return to dust. They slew him not nor crucified him[19] When the Angel of Death comes to collect a soul he does not leave without taking what he came for. The believers soul is removed gently where as the disbelievers soul is ripped out. When the soul of a disbeliever is removed, it is black and has a foul stench where as the believer soul is shining and has a beautiful fragrance. The soul of the believer is handed to the Angels of Mercy who inform him of glad tidings and blessings of his Lord (SWT). The soul of the disbeliever is handed to the Angels of Punishment who curse him and inform of his Lord (SWT)s wrath. The souls are then taken to their respective locations to have their book of deeds registered. Nay, but the record of the vile is in Sijjin[20] Nay, but the record of the righteous is in Illiyin[21] Both souls will at first go up but the disbelievers soul will be thrown down after being rejected entry into Heaven and then is taken to Sijjin which is either in the vicinity of or close proximity to Hell and is a dreadful place. The believers soul is admitted into Paradise where it is greeted by the angels and inhabitants who wish peace. It is taken up to the 7th Heaven going through each Heaven with all inhabitants and Angels accompanying it until it reaches Illiyin. Once registration is complete, the believing soul is greeted by ALLAH (SWT)! What a great honour! It is then unclear what happens to the soul while waiting to return to the body. In Islam, it is recommended to perform the funeral as soon as possible, on the same day if possible because the soul is returned to the body before the funeral. This does not mean a return to life but simply that the soul resides in the body and is able to see and hear happenings but unable to communicate or perform any action. At the site of the graveyard, the soul will be able to sense the Angels but they will not approach whilst the relatives are there. The soul will cry out but to no avail. No one is able to help any more. Once the burial is completed, slowly everyone disperses, as the last relative leaves the soul will hear the footsteps departing. Now the Angels will descend and the questioning will begin. The 3 questions will be: Who is your Lord?[22] What is your religion?[23] Who is your Prophet?[24] The answers may seem obvious now but at that moment it will be extremely difficult especially when faced with the sight of two tremendous Angels. Only a true believer will be able to answer correctly and his grave will be made a place of rest and comfort. A disbeliever will not be able to answer and thus the Punishment of the Grave will begin[25]. This is ones individual judgement but does not necessarily determine whether one will enter Heaven or Hell as the Punishment of the Grave may be a process of purification especially for Muslims who were sinners so that they may receive the Forgiveness and Mercy on the Last Day. Having answered correctly, the believer will be shown a vision of Hell which he is safe from and then a door to Heaven will be opened so that he may enjoy the sights and smells. His grave will be lit and expanded for him and his good deeds will be personified into a handsome young man to keep him company until The Day Of Judgement. On the other hand, a disbeliever will be shown a vision of Heaven which he will never enter and a door to Hell will be opened so that he may have a preview of the torment to come. His grave will be constricted until his ribs are crushed and his evil deeds are personified as a vile ugly old man and the Angels of Punishment will strike him with hammers and other Punishments will occur until The Day Of Judgement[26]. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.[27] This life is just temporary. It has been designed as a test for us to see who remembers ALLAH (SWT) and who is distracted by the dunya[28]. After life in the grave, everyone will be resurrected and receive their final Judgement based on their actions. Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and, He is Able to do all things. Who has created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving.[29] The remembrance of death should play a vital part of a Muslims daily life and he should take a portion of his time every day to contemplate on this. He should contemplate the certainty of death and the fact that it could happen anywhere anytime. He should reflect on the events during and after death. He should ponder over the fact that his possessions and property will remain here. By remembering the certainty of death, he will realise how petty and temporal the temptations of this world are. By remembering the fact it could happen instantly it will cause him to repent immediately as he aware of the example of Fir Awn. It will also lessen the inclination to sin as he will not want to die in a state of sin. By reflecting on the process of death, he will be determined to achieve the fate of the righteous soul not that of the evil soul. He will realize how temporary the material things are and spend less time trying to acquire them and focus on the good deeds which will accompany him. I would like to end with a verse of the Quran which we should ponder over. We belong to ALLAH and to Him is our return.[30] Bibliography Sahih Bukhari: Book 4: Volume 55: Hadith 619 Sahih Muslim: Book 37: Hadith 6637 Abu Dawud: Book 40: Hadith 4735 Azimabadi, B. (2001) Stories Of The Holy Prophets Lahore: Talha Publications Emerick, Y. (2002) The Complete Idiots Guide To Understanding Islam New York: Beach Book Productions Hadimi M. Emrullah A. (2001). Ethics Of Islam. (3rd Ed). Istanbul: Waqf Ikhlas Publications. Pickthall, M.M. (2006). The Meaning Of The Glorious Quran. (Revised Edition). Birmingham: I.D.C.I. Toropov B. Buckles L. (2004). The Complete Idiots Guide To World Religions New York: Beach Brook Productions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death 14/12/09 [1] Wikipedia [2] 4:78 [3] 102:1,2 [4] Fir Awn was the Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt who opposed the Prophet Musa (AS) [5] 10:92 [6] Saying or action or approval of the Prophet (SAW) [7] Sahih Muslim [8] 29:57 [9] Abraham [10] Alayhis Salaam = Peace be upon him [11] GOD [12] Subhanahu Wa Taala = Glorious and Exalted is He [13] The Angel Of Death [14] Stories Of The Holy Prophets P:46 [15] Moses [16] Sahih Bukhari [17] Jesus [18] Anti Christ [19] 4:157 [20] 83:7 [21] 83:18 [22] The only correct answer is ALLAH (SWT) [23] The only correct answer is Islam [24] Every nation was sent a Prophet and each nation must give the name of its own Prophet. Previous nations answers would include Prophet Musa (AS) or Prophet Isa (AS) but since the advent of the last final Prophet in Arabia, the only acceptable answer from the 7th Century onwards is Prophet Mohammed (SAW) [25] Abu Dawud [26] Understanding Islam P:60 [27]3:185 [28] World [29] 67:1,2 [30] 2:156

Meaning of supervision and my professional life Essay

Instructional Supervision Instructional supervision is a very important concept which must be understood by all educators for the sake of achieving their teaching objectives. For this case, the process of instructional supervision must be applied for the sake of delivering effective instructions to the students. Supervision of instruction for example in England began as an external inspection where some people were appointed to go around the school to observe what the students were learning and what the teachers were teaching the students. The main aim of these supervisors was to ensure that the set curriculum was being followed and the students were actually being taught. On the other hand, in United States, supervision began in 1830’s after the formation of common schools. Initially, supervision in schools was undertaken by superintendents after the formation of city school system due to increased population in major cities. Later on, the role of supervision by superintendents became impossible as the number of schools increased. The role of supervision had to be delegated to the principal to oversee that the teachers we following the curriculum in their teaching. In order to promote growth of teachers and recognizing practice of supervisors time restrain, Sergiovanni and Starratt (1998), suggested that a supervisory system be created that would contain a number of processes of supervision even summative evaluation. The system was not to involve direct formal supervision every year for every teacher. This system was to evaluate the teachers within a period of three to five years. In this kind of evaluation, the teachers were to receive a variety of evaluation during the three or five years and finally be evaluated formally only once. Professional growth evidence is required during once-a-cycle formal evaluation. The work of supervision was also attempted to be opened at international involvement by Sergiovanni and Starratt. In a school setting, the principal has the overall responsibility of supervision of the whole school. For this case, he supervises, teachers, students and all the other staff working in the school that include: librarian, gardeners, drivers, cleaners etc. The supervision role is not an easy task especially of teachers and for this case, the principal has to carry out the exercise with intelligent and diplomacy. The teachers of course knows their role and they would feel not motivate if they see they are being supervised like factory workers. This would in turn kill their morale at work and finally they would not deliver the required knowledge to the students and the end result would mean that the teaching objectives will not be achieved. The principal on the other hand has a responsibility of supervising the work of the students and together with their behaviors. Students tend to acquire deviant behaviors from other students like smoking and unless this behavior is corrected at an early stage, the student will not concentrate in his learning. In some situation, the supervision of students gets out of hand as they tend to have acquired more serious behaviors such as carrying of weapons and may be killing of their fellow students. For this case, this becomes criminal offence and is not likely to be handled the principal. Principal should be very strict when it comes to discipline for the sake of ensuring that education objectives are achieved. Since the students are in a crucial stage of adolescent stage where influence of behavior is at high level hence their behaviors should supervised keenly. According to Glickman (1990), there are a number of supervisory approaches within clinical supervision structure. He developed a supervision model that provides theoretical framework that with four supervision approaches that would be found in supervision concept. These approaches are similar in the intended end goal but they differ differs slightly in the power and control that is accorded to the teacher. The four approaches are a follow: The first supervision approach is the nondirective supervision whereby the teacher has the freedom of formulating his own plan on the future development. In such a situation, the supervisor is there to give advice to the teacher when he comes up with his own ideas on the way forward. This kind of approach indeed motivates the teaching staff members as they feel they are in control with their undertakings. For this case it should be encourage at situations where the teachers are experienced in their work and they can work with little or no supervision. (Glickman, 1990) The other supervision approach is collaborative supervision. In this approach, the teacher and the supervisor do share idea before the supervisor makes decision on whatever decision he wants to make. This approach too is a good one also as the teachers feels motivated as they are consulted before any decision can be arrived at. For this case, the teachers contribute their ideas and the supervisor weighs various options before settling on the best idea that has been contributed by the teachers. By merely brainstorming of ideas, the approach is of much help for the sake of choosing the best approach to be used. For this case, this kind of approach should be encouraged at situation where teachers involved are experienced in their work. The third supervision approach is the directive informational approach. In this situation, the supervisor formulates the supervisor plan and it is the responsibility of the teacher to decide if he is going to follow the plan. In this kind of an approach, the teachers are not motivated with it as they feel they are not consulted before a decision is being made in their work. Although some of the approach since it consumes less time before it is formulated, majority of them especially the experienced ones feels that some ideas which are better are overlooked. In this kind of approach, the teachers are given an opportunity to follow or not to follow the approach directives. However, the approach is appropriate mostly to teacher who are not experienced or the novice teachers. Lastly is the directive control approach in which the teacher formulates the supervisory plan and expects are the teacher to follow it. For this case, the teachers have no alternative on whether to have another idea. They have to follow the supervisory plan that has been formulated by their supervisor. This approach however does not motivate the teachers as they are not given an opportunity to contribute their ideas toward formulation of a supervisory plan. For this case, they have to follow the directives as formulated by their supervisor. This approach is popular where the teachers being supervised are less experiences of novice. It is also very appropriate in situations whereby there is not time to gather in a meeting and brainstorm on the way forward as far as supervisory plan is concerned. Before the supervisor can know on which approach he should use, he should consider knowledge and experience of the teachers concerned before settling on the supervisory approach plan to use. The issue of responsibility and accountability should also be looked into in order to decide on the approach to use for the sake of at least motivate the teacher in their work. Motivation is the inner drive to do something, and unless the teachers have that inner drive to deliver knowledge to their students, teaching objectives might never be achieved Glickman (1990) asserts that collaborative approach is very popular among the teachers and they really enjoy their work if used. For this case, school principal should at least ensure they use this kind of an approach when they are formulating their supervisory plan to be applied in their school. There are three supervisor responsibilities that should be considered in the supervision process. They include: ? The Supervisor to carry our observations to both the teachers and students. ? The supervisor to give guidance and support to teachers and students. ? Lastly is for the supervisor to give feedback to the teachers. According to Knoll (1987), the information that a supervisor gather after carrying out a classroom observation is very important. He is able to have an access to a wide range of skills necessary for teaching which he can in turn share it with other teachers. The main aim of carrying out a classroom observation is to collect data that is necessary for carrying out an evaluative rating which is accurate. As far as supervision is concerned, guidance and support should be the main idea of supervision in the first place. Supervision is not done just to see whether teachers are following the curriculum or not and then note that one down, no. One should continuously offer guidance and support as he supervises. For this case, the supervisors are urged to make correction on the spot while carrying out their supervision roles in order for them to achieve their objectives. In order for teachers to improve on their areas of teaching, the supervisor must ensure that he gives feedback to them on the areas he has observed that would like to be improved. There would be no need of supervision if the teachers are not given the feedback as it is this feedback that they will know what areas they need to improve in while carrying out their duties. There is very big difference between evaluation and supervision though the two terms interrelates. Evaluation is the art of making judgment about the performance of a teacher. On the other hand, supervision is mere the art of ensuring that the teachers are following the laid down rules and regulation in their work. Evaluation comes after one has carried out an observation on the teachers. Appendix Literature Review Instructional supervision improves teaching performance if it is carried out in the manner that is desired by teacher. If the collaborative supervision approach is used according to Knoll (1987) is used, the teachers will be motivated in their work and the overall performance of the school will be felt. In his book – Supervision for better instruction: Practical techniques for improving staff performance, Knoll (1987) asserts that teachers are motivated in their work of teaching when collaborative supervisory plan approach is applied in their supervision. Pfeiffer and Dunlap (1982) in their book – Supervision of teachers: A guide to improving instruction asserts that teachers need to be motivated in their work for the sake of achieving their teaching objectives. Motivation can only be achieved if the supervisors uses collaborative supervisory plan in their work. On the other hand, Rettig (2000) in his journal – Leslie’s lament: How can I make teachers’ supervision meaningful? – asserts that unless guidance and support is given to teacher, there is no need of supervision in the first place. He further states that teachers should be given a feedback after they have been successfully evaluated by their supervisor in order for them to improve in their teaching. He concludes that teachers’ supervision will be meaningful after the guidance, support and feedback is given to teachers by their supervisors. References Bourisaw, D. M. (1988): Anticipatory set bias: Effects on teacher observation in Evaluation: Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames Glickman, C. D. (1990): Supervision of instruction: A developmental approach, 2nd Edn: Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Knoll, M. K. (1987): Supervision for better instruction: Practical techniques for Improving staff performance: Englewood Clif, NJ: Prentice Hall. Odell, S. J. (1986): Induction support of new teachers: A functional approach. Journal of Teacher Education, 37(1), 26-29 Pfeiffer, I. L. , & Dunlap, J. B. (1982): Supervision of teachers: A guide to improving instruction: Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. Rettig, P. R. (2000): Leslie’s lament: How can I make teachers’ supervision meaningful? Educational Horizons, 79(1), 33-37. Sergiovanni, T. J. (1982): â€Å"Toward a Theory of Supervisory Practice: Integrating the Scientific, Clinical, and Artistic Views. † In Supervision of Teaching, ed. Thomas J. Sergiovanni. Alexandria, VA: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Sergiovanni, T. J. and Starratt, R. J. (1998): Supervision: A Redefinition, 6th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Shantz, D. , & Ward, T. (2000): Feedback, conservation and power in the field experience of preservice teachers. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 27 (4), 288-294.

Culture Clashes in Daisy Miller Essay

Throughout the world people have differing ideas on what is good and bad based on whatever culture one visits one is sure to find major differences. In the period that this story takes place the US is trying to find its own identity and establish their own traditions. In the Europeans perspectives the Americans were deviant people because their culture was out of the norm. Winterbourne is stunned and intrigued immediately once he meets Daisy. He growing up with a more European lifestyle finds Daisy’s flirtatious and outgoing attitude very abnormal yet refreshing. Many of the older women in society, especially his mother, find her to be cheap and very unlady like due to her lack of classy behavior compared their idea of a proper high society woman should behave like. The book Daisy Miller, illustrates the American lifestyle, compared to the proper etiquette of European social standards. The novel Daisy Miller is the story of a girl who is on vacation with her mother and little brother. Along the way she meets Winterbourne and whom he immediately notices that she is different than other girls he has met in the past. She gives off an aura of wanting to become independent and a free spirit. Which all of the other women look down upon because they find it very trashy and very improper, especially for someone of such a high status also. Daisy’s family is of high society and normally girls like Daisy are quiet and respectful, never is it heard of to approach a man to which she is not acquainted with. Therefore, the idea that Daisy is flirtatious and so headstrong and direct with Winterbourne is just shocking to everyone who hears of her. She makes a great impact on those around her and unfortunately most do not like her because she is different and American. Henry James was born in New York on April 15, 1843 and died February 28, 1916 of edema following a series of strokes in London( â€Å"Henry James† par 1). He was the son of Henry, a minister, and Mary (â€Å"Henry James† par 1). He immigrated to England in 1910 and was naturalized in 1915(â€Å"Henry James† par 1). Since he was born in the US he had a similar outlook on perhaps what he wrote about. He moved to London for the latter part of his life, which caused him to see the extreme difference in the European perspective. This is what the novel Daisy Miller is all about. The differences and the controversy that occurs when two different cultures clash together. James had a very successful career that always involved writing. He was a well-known literary critic and novelist. He was a writer for Nation and art critic for The Atlantic in 1866-1869(â€Å" Henry James par 2). He was a writer for the New York Tribune while living in Paris for a year. Surprisingly though he was also a volunteer among the displaced and wounded during World War I (â€Å" Henry James par 2). He received many prestigious awards throughout his life including the Order of Merit in 1915 and he was commemorated with the James memorial stone (â€Å" Henry James par 4). Henry James lived from 1843 to 1916, which is around the same time that he set the period in the novel Daisy Miller. James lived the majority of his life in the US and was raised with the American culture. For the latter years of his life he moved to London were most people were still living in an old-fashioned setting as opposed to Americans who were exploring and expanding from the European way. James having experienced life in both areas causes him to not give quite a clear suggestion on which culture he prefers, â€Å" In late Victorian eyes, Daisy was likely to be either wholly innocent or guilty; James, either all for her or against her†( Ohmann par 1). Due to this the reader is never told which culture James ends up supporting, â€Å" James began writing with one attitude towards his heroine and concluded with a second and different attitude toward her(Ohmann par 1). In the novel Daisy is often regarded as an outsider or an unwelcome intruder in society. Her outgoing and free spirit causes people, specifically Europeans, to look down on her because her behavior does not conform with the norms of that particular society. She stands out but at the same time she does not really care that people are talking about her and looking down on her with distaste. She puts it in the back of her mind and just tells her self that she will do whatever she wants and she will not let anybody tell her that she is not able to. She does not let the fact that she is a woman restrain her from achieving what she wants. Yet at the same time she maintains her dignity and pride while still acting like a woman to a certain extent. She balances the fine line through the book of the quiet proper woman and the wild American. She maintains the free spirit of an American girl, but traditionally she is still a woman who has escorts and fine extravagant dinner parties for young high society people. She revolutionizes the idea that it would be alright to loosen up on occasion, â€Å" her conduct is without blemish, according to the rural American standard, and she knows no other†(Howells par 2). However in the perspective of other people they regard her as a nuisance and someone who is a threat to society because she could soil and corrupt the minds of their young daughters: â€Å" Daisy exemplifies those young girls who have fine social gifts to be sure but whose cleverness is too much for them and if allowed any influence their folly runs away with them, like horses with the bits between their teeth†(Montiero par 4). She stands out and people around her do not appreciate her trying to be different because they do not want to accept change or different cultures. They are all used to the regular routine and tradition that the generations before them have set up and carried out for hundreds of years before them. They expected to continue with tradition for hundreds until they saw things were changing and were scared to approach it so they tried to shut it out. The novel Daisy Miller represents a major problem that is still controversial to this day. Still in the world cultures clash and people are sometimes offended at others. However no one can be blamed because its all about the society’s norms and values. Every society is different and what may be important not one may not necessarily be as important to some one else. Many cultures differ but fortunately they find a common ground to agree upon on the basic rules of society. They may not agree completely but they are willing to acknowledge that its true. Works cited Deakin, Motley F. â€Å"Daisy Miller, Tradition, and the European Heroine. † Comparative Literature Studies. 6. 1(Mar. 1969): 45-59 Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale. Farragut High School. 26 oct. 2009 < http://go. galegroup. com> â€Å"Henry James. † Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Farragut High. 22 Oct. 2009 < http://go. galegroup. com > Howells, William Dean. â€Å" Defense of Daisy Miller. † Discovery of a Genius: William Dean Howells and Henry James. Ed. Albert Mordell Twayne Publishers, 1961. 88-91. Rpt in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. Vol. 8. Detroit: gale Research, 1991. 88-91. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Farragut High School. 26 Oct. 2009 James, Henry. Daisy Miller. New York: Penguin Books,1995. Monteiro, George. â€Å"What’s in a Name? James’ Daisy Miller. † American Literary Realism. 39. 3 (Spring 2007): p. 252. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Farragut High School. 25 Oct. 2009 < http:// go. galegroup. com> Ohmann, Carol. â€Å" Daisy Miller: A study of Changing Intentions. † American Literature. 36. 1 (Mar. 1964):1-11 Rpt in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 32. Detroit: gale Group, 1999. 1-11. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Farragut High School. 22 Oct. 2009 < http://go. galegroup. com > Wardley,Lynn. â€Å"Reassembling Daisy Miller. † American Literary History. 3. 2(Summer 1991):232-254. Rpt in Short Story Criticism. Ed Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 32. Detroit: Gale Group,1999. 232-254. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Farragut High School. 23 Oct. 2009