Empirical Research Essay -- science

Empirical Research Empirical research is defined by the context of two separate types of study. Both methods are of value to the researcher in his/her quest for better understanding of the test subjects. However, correlational and experimental studies each has its own set of qualifications which allow for differences in subject and matter. Scientifically, some of these are useful, though others could be viewed as problematic. Correlational research is the process of studying the relationship between two variables. The examiner does not manipulate a relational study. Findings can either be positive, negative, or unrelated. Though scientific in the final statistical manner; the researcher uses his senses to observe and ultimately determine into which category a study falls. A positive correlation shows increases in both variables. Alternately, negative correlation looks at the increase in one variable, and the relation to the decrease in the other variable. There has to be an association between the two, or the result is unrelational. The scientific element to a correlational study is a measurable expression of degree defined as the correlational coefficient. It is a practical technique that gives a representation to the study. Numbers correspond with the level of correlation from a negative one demonstrating a perfect negative correlation, to positive one, showing a precise positive correlation. A zero on this graph would indicate no relation, or an unrelational cor...

The Maltese Falcon :: essays research papers fc

Dashiell Hammett’s San Francisco: A Unique Setting in the Changing World of Early 20th Century Detective Fiction The Pacific coast port city of San Francisco, California provides a distinctively mysterious backdrop in Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon. Unlike many other detective stories that are anchored in well-known metropolises such as Los Angeles or New York City, Hammett opted to place the events of his text in the lesser-known, yet similarly exotic cultural confines of San Francisco. Hammett used his own intricate knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area - coupled with details collected during a stint as a detective for the now defunct Pinkerton Agency - to craft a distinctive brand of detective fiction that thrived on such an original setting (Paul 93). By examining the setting of 1920’s San Francisco in The Maltese Falcon, it becomes apparent that one of Hammett’s literary strengths was his exceptional ability to intertwine non-fictional places with a fictional plot and characters in order to produce a logical and exceedingly believable detective mystery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dashiell Hammett called the San Francisco area home from 1920 until 1936. For a portion of those fourteen years, he shared an apartment on Eddy Street with his first wife Josephine Dolan. This apartment was located very near the San Francisco Public Library on Larkin Street where in 1921 Hammett first conceived the idea of his writing detective fiction. San Francisco historian and author Don Freeman explains: In the library he would read the magazines and the books and one day after reading several detective yarns he said, ‘I can do that.’ The truth is, he could. And he did. He wrote for Black Mask, a pulp detective magazine, and then as his skills increased he began to write novels. It was in this library that Dashiell Hammett saw his future. (79) Hammett contributed stories to Black Mask for ten years until The Maltese Falcon gained public and literary acclaim. Many of the stories that Hammett penned for Black Mask were set in San Francisco, as the city provided him with a unique atmosphere in which to observe and record different cultures, norms, and fads. In the 1920’s, San Francisco was thought of as an exotic melting pot of culture that was rivaled only by its eastern cultural counterpart of New York City. Therefore, it is no surprise that Hammett used San Francisco as the setting of The Maltese Falcon to further illustrate the exotic and striking nature of the plot and characters within the text (Dumenil 211).

Blood and Thunder: Indians and Manifest Destiny

Perhaps the most striking part of Blood and Thunder is the famed and fabled Kit Carson himself. He begins the book as a duty-driven youth who is able to kill anyone or anything without a sense of remorse, likely because of his experiences with the harshness of life as a child. However, once he begins to have a family—a real family, one he raises and takes care of and looks after—he begins to shift. Carson begins to balk at some killings, even going so far as to decry the killing of indian warriors at Carleton’s order. Whether it was the need to take care of his family or the need to find peace in the face of his increasingly failing healthy, Carson provides a look at the changes a man can undergo over the course of his life. He starts as one man, filled with certain ideals and desires, and over the course of his life, his goals and priorities shift. His sense of duty that was instilled in him from his childhood days fails him in his older age, leading him to increasingly attempt to leave behind the front lines and seek solace at home. This shift in character seems odd when the book is merely skimmed; however, the book structures Carson’s life in a way that provides clear understanding of the changes. This was not an abrupt shift, nor was it a conscious one. This change, rather, came as a result of the overall human need to adjust, to shift with the changes that life presented. This change makes Carson truly feel like a â€Å"real person,† someone who isn’t merely a character from a book. It makes Carson human, and thus served to catch my attention. The second part of Blood and Thunder that caught my attention was the conflict between the American mentality and the mentality of the Native Americans who already lived in the area. As is noted throughout the book, the Native Americans could not understand the point behind many of the â€Å"white† traditions that men like Carleton tried to impress upon them. The â€Å"white† ways had no resonance with the Native Americans because everything differed between them. The concept of â€Å"ownership† of the land meant nothing to the Native Americans because they saw themselves as stewards, caretakers of the land. The concept of Christianity meant nothing to Native Americans because they came from a rich, diverse, usually polytheistic religion that held nothing that mixed with Christianity. The concept of a single spokesperson for an entire race of Native Americans (i. e. for the entire people [Navajo, Ute, Kiowa, etc. ]) broke the tradition of having spokespeople from many tribes forming a council for the people. This imposition of mentalities on Native Americans caused at least some of the breakdown in communication; however, there were some aspects that the Native Americans chose to learn and accept in order to deal with the white men. Showing their ability for change, the Navajos elect Barboncito, at the end of the book in the epilogue, to serve as their spokesperson to Gen. Sherman. This collaboration between the Navajo need for the separate tribes and the white men’s need for a single person to deal with led to the eloquent plea to Sherman that ended with the Navajo returning to their home lands.

The significance of this quote

Nomi’s mother is never really developed within ‘A Complicated Kindness’ but is evidenced through Nomi’s reflections on her past life, a life that took her mother and sister from her.Nomi’s mother was excommunicated from the community in which she and her family lived. Quote 1 provides insight into how the plot will unfold by way of short sharp snippets of what, why, where and how things happen in Nomi’s life and her struggle to deal with the fate bestowed upon her.The significance of this quote to the plot of the narrative is clear because it illustrates how Nomi would prefer to believe her mother was travelling which in reality cannot be so, for how can she be travelling without a passport. Such inference assumes that she is wandering aimlessly or maybe even dead – as dead as the ghost she appears to be in Nomi’s life.Only the â€Å"ID information† and a â€Å"black-and-white photo† are in the passport which again connotes a feeling of futility; we know Nomi’s mother existed or exists because the passport is provided in testimony of her being but that is all that is left of her existence other than memories for Nomi.The fact that the passport has no stamps or evidence of use helps to illustrate the life her mother lived; a life confined to one location, which was one of oppression and governed by rules. The photo provides confirmation for Nomi and readers that her mother, although living within the small community of Manitoba and possessing a passport never used, was hopeful of a better life, a life of travel and experience but a life that would never eventuate.The passport and its contents not only serve to carry forward the plot of Nomi’s story but also to provide evidence of her mother’s existence, the hope and dreams she desired and the stark reality that she was in fact now only a ghost in Nomi’s memories and reflections.He (Sheridan) said it gave him the cree ps because that was where his mom had killed herself years ago? When it happened, years ago, Sheridan’s mom went nuts. Trudie had told me and Tash that she thought Sheridan’s dad should have left town to save his mom the pain of having to pretend he was dead. She’d really loved him. They’d had a lot of fun together when he wasn’t drunk (36-37).East Village Manitoba is a place filled with pretence, double standards, and secrecy. This quote is pertinent in that it reflects the irony evident in the lives of Manitoba’s community.We are told by way of a disjointed memory reflected upon by Nomi of how people living in Manitoba, more specifically in this case Sheridan and his family, live a lie. Sheridan’s father was a drunk but drank in secrecy in fear of being excommunicated from the town; his wife therefore rather than admit the truth pretended he was dead. Living a life of deceit caused Sheridan’s mother to go insane and commit su icide.The irony of being unhappy but shamming happiness is evident throughout the novel but this quote presages the futility and despair of living that lie. Both Sheridan’s mother and father achieved nothing from their pretence except pain and downfall, which in turn led to Sheridan’s plight of having to cope with his life without either parent.Nomi’s reference to her mother telling her and her sister Tash that they were once happy and in love serves to add more sentiment to the fact; the fact that living in a town full of oppression and rigidity in turn causes people to live a life of lies that has no ending other than misery.Through use of this quote and Nomi’s reflection we realize that living in fear of excommunication, people of Manitoba are forced to secrete what they do, but in doing so they are excommunicating themselves from their families, each other and most importantly themselves.   

New York: City Information Essay

It is located on the Atlantic Coast on the United States of America. It was first settled in 1625, known as New Amsterdam by the Dutch. It is known as the city that never sleeps. New York City is probably one of the most interesting cities in the world. It has something to offer to everybody. From the moment you land in New York City there is a realization that you have landed in a different world. New York City is home to virtually every nationality on earth. With each culture represented in New York City by individuals alone the many opportunities to visit miniature versions of the cultures is apparent in areas known as Little Italy, Chinatown and Harlem. However culture is not the only reason to visit New York City. There are hundreds of reasons to visit a city known as The Big Apple. There are twenty-four major attractions from going to the Bronx Zoo to riding a ferry to the first immigration terminal, Ellis Island. Over twelve million immigrants passed through the gates of Ellis Island while entering the United States. These immigrants left his or her homes due to religious and politically oppression. Some journeyed to America simply for the Great American Dream. Ellis Island is located in the upper bay off the coast of New Jersey. It is shadowed by one of the greatest statutes in America, the Statue of Liberty. Originally it was 3.3 acres but has grown to 27.5 acres. Throughout history, Ellis Island has served itself as one of the most famous immigration ports. It officially closed in November 1954. If you prefer the more recreationally side of New York City then Central Park is the most visited and famous. Being known as one of the urban wonders of the world, Central Park is a vast, green oasis in the middle of skyscrapers and miles of pavement. Twenty years after the approval for the man made park, Central Park became a place for all to enjoy as a get away from the frenzied New York City lifestyle. The sky is the limit when it comes to Central Park activities. Every New York native knows the beauty and haven that is offered while sitting on a park bench, tossing a ball with friends or pets, jogging, cycling, or just relaxing. However the millions of visitors each year that descend onto Central Park also know of the benefits of the Central Park Zoo, the Hans Christian Anderson and Alice in Wonderland sculptures, the Carousel, the Bridle path for those who love to ride their  horse, and many more. Besides the hundreds of activities within Central Park since 1908 it has been th e background scene for more than two hundred feature films. An Affair to Remember, Baby Boom, Little Nicky and Breakfast at Tiffany’s just to name a few. Anyone can fulfill almost all his or her needs from high culture to wilderness inside the city limits, but if you are determined to see the surrounding areas, here are a few ideas for day trips out of the city. There are some good beaches near New York and it’s possible to get to them for a day trip. Coney Island is the nearest; you can get there by the subway. One of the most respected Universities in the U.S. and also one of the prettiest, Princeton University is north of New York City. Its location is very picturesque and even produced its own style of landscape painting, the Hudson River school. The town of Cold Spring is a small riverside community with small restaurants and antique shops with a dramatic view across the river. It’s especially attractive during fall foliage season. As you can see New York offers something for everybody.

Scm at Cathay Pacific

â€Å"AVIATION SPARE PART SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT OPTIMISATION AT CATHAY PASIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED† CASE STUDY GLOBAL LOGISTIC COURSE ASSIGNMENT Prof. Hiroshi Hoshino Umurbek Osorkhan 2EC12056R QBS 10th 5 November 2012 1 Company Overview Cathay Pacific Airways is an airline company founded on September 24th, 1946 by Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow. Starting with a very limited schedule service, the company grew larger through multiple product innovations, technological investments such as the computerized reservation system and successful acquisitions.In 1986, Cathay Pacific went public and further expanded in Europe, North America, and China. The company employed over 25000 people worldwide, serviced over 43 destinations throughout Asia, Europe and North America, and carried more than 16. 7 million passengers in 2006. 1. Why is good supply chain management of spare parts so critical for an airline? Supply chain management has become one of the crucial competitive advantage in today`s organizations. Finding opportunities in supply chain can make companies unique and different from competition.Today more and more companies are trying to manage their supply chain in an effective and efficient manner in order to provide better services at lower cost. Unlike other industries, the aviation industry known as highly regulated1 industry and the aviation spare parts 2 are very complex3, large amounts of money are invested in spare parts inventory and this has increased over the years. Because of these large amounts of money involved, there is great interest in cost savings, and even savings of a few percents only constitute large cost savings in absolute terms.This case study shows us how Cathay Pacific Airways successfully manage their supply chain in an optimal manner, despite some circumstances. According to the case study there were several points that good supply chain management of spare parts so critical for commercial airline operators. We can briefly des cribe them as stringent industry regulations, turnaround time and lead time, large number and expensive parts. Firstly, managing supply chain in aviation industry was so complex and challenging for all operators, andCathay Pacific is no exception as reflected in the huge inventory carrying costs of US$350 million as of December 2005. In addition, dead and inactive stock made up 20% of Cathay Pacific’s annual supply chain expenses of US$250 million. Moreover, substantial resources are consumed with over 100 personnel in the inventory management department overseeing over 230,000 line items of aviation spare parts and over 600 supplier relationships. As I mentioned earlier aviation spare parts themselves were very complex and expensive.For instance in a single airplane there are over 1 million parts and components and the average cost of engine was $12 million. Another critical issue for the supply chain management in aviation industry was the tight regulation of the aviation i ndustry, which is regulated by international and local authorities such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Department of the Government of the Hong Kong (CAD). Airlines operators have to comply with different statutory regulations.For instance, they have to complete the deferrable repairs within the stipulated timeframe, suppliers of aeroplane spare parts are required to possess special legal certifications and formal protocols, as well as issues of reliability and safety. 1 Because of safety issues the Aviation industry was regulated by international and local authorities such as FAA, EASA or some local regulatory bodies. 2 Spare parts are defined as components, assemblies, and equipment that are completely interchangeable with like items installed or in use, which are used, or can be used, to replace items removed during maintenance and overhaul. Joseph D. Patton, 1984) 3 There were over 1,000,000 part s in a single airplane. 2 Initially safety issues are crucial for all operators and supplier. It`s true that strict rules and tight regulations are necessary-they protect consumers, customer safety, environment and other things. However sometimes it causes some burdens on businesses. It always increases the cost of operations. Also turnaround time for repairs was highly critical and cost for flight delay was extremely huge. Customers might be upset or even shift to other airlines if delays caused them lose the connecting flights.Thus, the cost of aircraft delays was crucial element in engineering. Bargaining power of supplier, difficulty to forecast demand and harsh competitions were other important issues in aviation industry. As a result of tight aviation regulations airline companies, as a customer, were constrained in supplier selection. Spare parts solely supplied by only single dominated supplier as called OEM (original equipment supplier). The limited choice and high concentr ation of OEM`s limited airline operators` negotiation power.According to the M. Porter`s five force analysis aviation industry has low entrance barrier and it cause very intensive competition between airlines operators. A few decades ago flying with airline was very expensive for ordinary people but today everyone can benefit from this because airline ticket prices have constantly and significantly fallen. Finally, demand forecasting was very difficult. The forecast for spare parts is made based on maintenance information, scheduled maintenance plans and past usage patterns.Even so, the usage pattern of spare parts remained highly unpredictable because of the irregular behavior and the high level of demand variability of airplane spare parts for aircraft maintenance repair parts, which make the demand forecasting very challenging and tough to deal with. 2. Explain the financial impact of having higher inventory level of spare parts. It`s obvious successful supply chain management is focuses in an inventory and inventory control management.A common perception and experience is that supply chain management leads to cost savings, largely through minimizing inventory holding costs. As I mentioned before certain risks (delaying aircraft can lead huge cost) airline operators was needed to hold certain level of spare parts that could satisfy all possible demand of its aircraft. However, this was both financially and operationally impossible. Thus, managing balance between most effective inventory levels to hold onto relative to the responding service level is very important.According to the case study spare parts constituted a significant expense (total inventory value was $350 million in BS) in Cathay Pacific`s financial statement. Followings are several financial drawbacks of having higher inventory level of spare parts. ? It could increase the carrying inventory cost. High inventory increases the warehousing cost (facility, handling, etc. ), the investment cost (b orrowing and opportunity, etc. ) and holding cost (insurance, tax, obsolescence, etc. ) directly linked to the increase of inventory. It could also increase the labor cost.High inventory level conducts to inventory discrepancies, so lots of counting and recounting, tracking and tracing costs associated. It had negative impact on cash flow. More buy spare parts, components and assembles or any goods mean more consume cash only holding inventory. Moreover, holding high inventory levels always hide process inefficacies where inventory is made to cover malfunctions such as breakdowns, quality issue, long die exchange time even risks of mistakes. ? ? ? 3 3. How do you evaluate Cathay Pacific's logistics management?I was very impressed and fascinated with Cathay Pacific’s logistics management. Despite of existing challenges such as heavy regulations, dependence on OEM`s, large numbers and complexity of spare parts and supplier relations and so on Cathay Pacific was successfully man age their supply chain and made themselves different other airlines. As a result she has become a leading airline company in the world. Cathay Pacific handles all procurement and inventory management in-house whilst third party logistics service providers are employed for repair and logistics management.Through following successful procurement, inventory management, repair management, and logistics management Cathay Pacific could optimize their supply chain management of spare parts operation. ? Despite large scale of operations with thousands of suppliers and distributors cross functional teams at Cathay Pacific helped in gaining leverage on purchasing by applying a systematic process of reducing the cost of spare parts purchased from different vendors. The procurement process gave an edge to Cathay Pacific in monitoring, evaluating and managing relationships with suppliers to ensure operational effectiveness.With its implementation, the airline was able to leverage purchasing powe r across different divisions and negotiate favorable prices with the suppliers. Strategic sourcing also focused to consolidate the supplier’s database and chose the preferred ones. Through the finding following options Cathay Pacific successfully was handled the shortage. – Express Shipping: This situation happens when aircraft is grounded and could not take off due to the nonavailability of certain part. The system at Cathay Pacific generates an urgent AOG (Aircraft on Ground) order request and the parts are expressed shipped for same day delivery.The express shipping situation clearly shows the shortcomings of current purchasing practices and inventory management of Cathay Pacific. – Borrowing: The other method Cathay Pacific uses is of borrowing form other Airlines. Borrowing seems to be a good idea however Cathay Pacific cannot depend on this method as it cannot ensure the availability of parts as the parts required might not be available with other airline. Also borrowing might even be not possible as different airlines uses different aircraft models. Again it will be costly option for Cathay Pacific because other airline might charge a premium. Airline Technical Pool: The third option Cathay Pacific has for meeting shortage is by pool loan, Cathay Pacific has signed a contract with International technical pool which maintain network of 100 Airlines. With this use of this network Cathay Pacific can share spare parts when in need without a surcharge. Collaborating through this network is a good option for Cathay Pacific, however still it cannot ensure the availability of required parts. Cathay Pacific cannot rely completely on this option. Also it might me time consuming and costly to ship the part form different regions.Being part of this network Cathay Pacific also need to share their inventory with other Airlines which could create instability in their own system. – Internal Borrowing: The final option Cathay Pacific has is o f internal procurement, whenever a part is needed Cathay Pacific can borrow it form their Aircraft. This solution might make the part available in short term but it does not necessary solve the actual problem as they will still be requiring the part in future. Similar to the other options Cathay Pacific cannot rely on this option because it does not ensure the part availability when needed.In addition improving and introducing Ultramain information system, which enables Cathay Pacific`s technical log process and support the maintenance management afterwards was clearly helped to optimize their supply chain management of spare parts. Another successful supply chain optimization at Cathay Pacific was implementation of Aerochange system Development of a collaborated supply chain system to expand the sharing and exchange of information (Spare parts availability and suppliers list) with different airlines gave an advantage to Cathay Pacific to select a supplier from the huge database.Aft er its launch in 2000, technological advancement in Aeroxhange made this system capable of doing numerous tasks which helped the airlines to be more effective in their procurement. ? ? ? 4 ? E. g. : In 2001, Aeroxchange launched its e-procurement platform to integrate the partners for quote management and also it incorporated the service order management in 2005. Finally, Cathay Pacific was successfully outsourced to third-party logistics (3PL) companies to transport their parts to various repair houses across the globe.This outsourcing approach allowed Cathay Pacific to save costs and hence reduce financial risks. Assets required establish distribution centers and networks normally need a huge amount of money that encompasses financial risks and hence by outsourcing, this risk can be spread to 3PL partners. Also the perform of repair and logistics management activities Cathay Pacific pays millions of dollars. However outsourcing these activities will result in saving the capital wh ich can be spent on further expansion of the airline. . Any suggestion for the company to reduce the inventory cost while maintaining safe operation of aircrafts? Although Cathay pacific invested a lot of time and money to improve their procurement, there are still many rooms for the advancement in their processes. The history of Cathay pacific says that they have always tried to lock the deals with the airlines and individual suppliers to enhance their procurement process.On the other hand, one point that should have been taken into account was establishing strategic alliances with the suppliers or manufacturers (Boeing and Airbus) for the procurement activities. (According to the case study Cathay Pacific ) An alliance where manufacturers should focus on the materials management and help Cathay pacific to focus on core business activities. The integrated alliance with Boeing and airbus services will help to achieve greater transparency and efficiency in the resource operations.The se services are acquired by most of the big players in the market like Delta airlines and Singapore airlines where they succeeded in generating good revenues by focusing on their core activities. The other alternative for improvement is to reward the suppliers to suggest the cost saving ideas. This will help the airline to develop a sense of competition among suppliers for developing a sustainable and cost effective model for procurement which will eventually result in increasing the productivity of the fleet.Despite the Cathay Pacific`s efforts to manage their spare parts inventory in an optimal manner, they still encountered several circumstances. Dealing with spare part shortage they have offered express shipping. Definitely express shipping is a very costly option for Cathay Pacific and should be avoided by keeping the AOG parts in inventory. Finally outsourcing whole engineering division can be another suggestion to improve inventory cost. By this it could save enormous costs a nd risks. 5

Individual report of Digital Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Individual report of Digital Marketing - Essay Example However, the industry has seen a demand upsurge in recent years for outbound holiday travel packages, especially as the pound has strengthened. In spite of the revenue contractions in the industry for the year 2011-2012, the sector is expected to post a 0.6% compound annual growth through 2015-2016. The strongest focus has been on online travel sales, which accounted for over 50% of total travel sales in 2013 (euromonitor.com, 2014: p1). Indeed, customers are increasingly turning to the internet for information on travel destinations in order to make informed decisions. Thus, a digital marketing strategy will be essential for tour and travel operators going forward. The UK political environment is relatively stable, which has a positive impact on potential clients. Border policy and resultant entry fees is also a factor affecting the UK travel sectors with shorter 3-month group visas at reduced costs being a positive factor for the sector (ibisworld.co.uk, 2015: p1). In addition, the UK government and governments in countries that are favoured by UK travel tourists, such as Australia and South Africa, are implementing environmental policies that may impact on the travel sector. Finally, terrorist threats on UK citizens may also portend a specific risk for the industry. The global financial and economic crises affected countries like the UK significantly, which has resulted in reduced travel by UK consumers due to purchasing power pressures and uncertainty about employment (ibisworld.co.uk, 2015: p1). However, the strengthening pound in relation to other major world currencies has increased the spending power of outbound travel clients from the UK. Declining inflation in the UK and the wider EU region has also meant that costs for travelling in the UK have reduced. Increasing concerns about sustainability in the travels and tours industry, especially in