During The 1930s American Citizens Witnessed A Essays -

During the 1930's American citizens witnessed a breakdown of the Democratic and free enterprise way of life. The government saw that the free enterprise system was failing. The New Deal increased the government's regulation and intervention and the economic system, thus temporarily abandoning the capitalism system and turning toward socialism to find the answer. The answer... the New Deal. Socialism is usually thought of as a form of government that advocates public ownership and public control of wealth (Britannica Jr. Encyclopedia 1980, p.231). In other words, a socialistic government wants the wealth of the nation spread out in such a way that the money is equally distributed among the country's citizens. Socialism is in favor of tearing down the class structure and forming a classless society. In this way, it was born out of Marxism, whose founder was Karl Marx. Leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union said that their country used socialism as a major step towards "building communism". However most socialist political parties in democratic countries of the West rejected the Communist idea of socialism. Socialists prefer the government ownership of industries that are vital to a country's welfare. These include the coal, oil, iron, and steel industries. The basic idea favored by all Socialists is the public ownership and use of property in order to extend the benefits of wealth more equally. Many economic, political, and social factor lead up to the New Deal. When staggering statistics such as 25% unemployment, and the fact that 20% of NYC school children were underwieght and malnourished (World Book, p.200) hit the White House, the government knew something had to be done. With the economy at on all time low people wanted change, Roosevelt's legislative program represented a new way of government for capitalism in America. Roosevelt first used the term "new deal" when he accepted the Democratic presidental nomination in 1932. He said "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people." When Roosevelt became President on March 4, 1933, business was at a standstill and a feeling of panic hit the nation (World Book, Vol.14, p.200). Roosevelt responded with a controversial policy that rocked the nation and what our nation stood for. Roosevelt's New Deal programs aimed at three R's- relief, recovery, and reform. The government established short range goals that included relief and immediate recovery, especially in the first two years. They then set up long-range goals which included permanent recovery and reform of current abuses particuarly those that produced the boom-or-bust catastrophe (World Book, Vol.14, p.748). The Congress authorized the National Recovery Administration (NRA) in a daring attempt to simulate a nationwide comeback. This scheme was to perform immediate relief with long range recovery and reform. It was designed to assist industry, labor, and the unemployed by setting standards for prices, wages, and hours. It also guaranteed the labor's right to organize unions and to bargain collectively with employers through agents of their own choosing (America The Glorious Republic). The NRA gave the President power to regulate interstate commerce. This power was originally given to Congress. While the NRA was effective it was bringing America closer to socialism by giving the President unconstitutional powers. The NRA was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme court. The Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA) was the first major effort of the new Congress to cope with the millions of adult unemployed. The main importance was immediate relief of economic disaster rather than long range recovery. This agency was founded in 1933 to cooperate with the states in relieving hardships caused by unemployment and drought.(Economic History of the U.S., vol. 9). By letting the unemployed draw unemployment payments, it moved American society towards what has been called"the Welfare State." The goal of this program was to bring the unemployed to a higher financial level so that the working class could survive in order to become self-sufficient. This is an example of socialist thinking because socialist policy strives to insure the financial well-being of all citizens. The Depression was a major devastating factor in America. Something different was needed to pull Ameica out of this economic disaster. Was FDR's New Deal the thing to do it? The New Deal brought America one step closer towards socialism. This step was temporilary needed to pull the vast members of poor people out of the Depression and back on their feet. World Book Encyclopedia, Vol.14, Britanica Jr Encyclopedia, Vol. 13, Economic History of U.S Vol.9

Long-term memory loss and treatments essays

Short/Long-term memory loss and treatments essays For my article summary paper, I have chosen to use chapter 7 The Human Memory. I have picked several articles to summarize. The majority of my information will becoming from Human Memory and Researchers Find Protein that Makes Long-term Memory possible. According to our text book, short-term memory is defined as a limited-capacity store that can maintain unrehearsed information, and long-term memory is defined as unlimited capacity store that can hold information over lengthy periods of time. The first article discusses the functions of short-term memory loss, and gives an example via experiment with mice. The second article focuses on the role protein plays in long-term memory. This article also features an experiment using mice. In the first article, they explains how STM works. When the brain forms new short-term memories, it creates new neurons in a region of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus. This process also cleans out the outdated memories, in order to fit new ones. The article then talks about popular, but potentially disruptive treatments for Alzheimers disease. Patients with the disease loose cells in the hippocampus. One popular treatment is to transplant stem cells into the region to replace the dead cells. Contrary to that treatment, new work suggest that the addition of new cells might disrupt memory retention. Memory retention is disrupted by altering connections between neurons in the hippocampus and by boosting the memory clearance process. (Human Memory) Richard Harvey, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, says he is not surprised that stem cell transplants might damage memory. "Our view is that stem cells offer hope in disorders like Parkinson's, but in Alz heimer's the problem is more to do with the network connections of neurons, transplanting new neurons could disrupt these networks, he says. ...

The Moral Instinct by Pinker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Moral Instinct by Pinker - Essay Example Moral judgments of certain actions and things have created conflict of views from different people across the world (Pinker 1-2). When it comes to decision-making, some people make judgments by rationalizing but they have no concrete explanation about the decision made. Other people use reasoning to explain why they have come up come up with certain decisions. According to Pinker (3-5), a group of neuroscientists has explained how different parts of a human brain assist them in reasoning and rationalization when making some decisions. By analogy, people possess universal moral senses that guide them to differentiate between right and wrong things. People show morality through the universal moral grammar they display when analyzing human actions even if the structure is different. However, the research conducted globally showed that moral judgments cannot be universal and the language used to express the opinions is not universal. People usually demonstrate varieties of molar experiences, these experiences revolve around five themes, and it depends on the environment they live. Additionally, the five spheres of morality can make the moral sense to be a global factor but it can be different at the same in different communities depending on their culture. Reassignment of activities to different spheres can attract different opinions from different people depending on their cultural backgrounds. Pinker states (5-7) that when the research considers fairness in the moral sense, it emerges that most people do good things to other in return for a repayment but few people are naturally generous. Several people are selfish and that why the go to extents of amoralizing so things for their selfish gains and if such a norm continues it will demote morality to a figment. To avoid degrading morality, people should be able to differentiate right things from the

Management Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management Strategy - Essay Example The big industries with WCM status have thus become pace-setters for the smaller enterprises. Introduction WCM came into prominence following the 1986 publication of  World Class Manufacturing: The Lessons of Simplicity Applied  by Richard J. Schonberger, which was his follow-up to  Japanese Management Techniques: Nine Hidden Lessons in Simplicity. World marketplace events during the 1970s and 1980s caused competition to grow to such an intense level that many firms were forced to re-examine their concept of manufacturing strategy, especially in terms of the tradeoffs among the four competitive priorities: cost, quality, delivery/service, and flexibility. Managers began to realize that they no longer had to make these tradeoffs but could instead compete on several competencies (E-notes World Class Manufacturer Journal, 2013). What is World Class Manufacturing? WCM refers to a standard of excellence, the kind of manufacturing considered the best in the world. World class manufac turing is a collection of concepts, which set standard for production and manufacturing for another organization to follow. Japanese manufacturing is credited with pioneer in concept of world-class manufacturing. World class manufacturing was introduced in the automobile, electronic and steel industry (Management Study Guide Journals-World Class Manufacturing, 2013). In another description, WCM is often used to describe a company that has achieved a perceived, but largely undefined, level of performance. In today’s highly competitive, global marketplace, being truly excellent is not only a desirable trait but increasingly a requirement to survive and prosper, even for a small to mid-sized manufacturer. WCM is an on-going journey towards total operational excellence. In defining WCM, the following four building blocks encompass attributes that are practical and workable interpretations of WCM: Compete with competitors on the basis of time Having very high levels of product and process quality Involving all stakeholders in the conduct of business Practicing continuous improvements in all aspects of business In order to adopt these WCM building blocks, the manufacturer needs have understanding, awareness, acceptance an implementation (Shearer, 2004). World Class Manufacturers are those that demonstrate industry best practice. To achieve this, companies should attempt to be the best in the field at each of the competitive priorities (quality, price, delivery speed, delivery reliability, flexibility and innovation). Organizations should therefore aim to maximize performance in these areas in order to maximize competitiveness. However, as resources are unlikely to allow improvement in all areas, organizations should concentrate on maintaining performance in qualifying factors and improving competitive edge factors (SM Thacker and Associates). The fundamental principle governing WCM is that cost added is equivalent to waste whereas value added is equivalent to loss. Typical manufacturers relies a 70 per cent to 30 per cent cost added to value added ratio as illustrated below: Source: World Class Manufacturing Performance Journal. Management Education and Consulting. Buker, Inc. The value added is eq

Traditional Practice of Buddism in Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Traditional Practice of Buddism in Asia - Essay Example Thesis statement: The contrast study proves that Buddhism practiced by contemporary Americans and traditional practices of Buddhism in Asia are different due to the difference in the role of women in religious matters, difference between text-based and meditation-centered practice, difference between traditional and reinterpreted Buddhism, and cultural differences (special references to American and Asian Buddhist practices). Buddhism practiced by contemporary Americans Buddhism practiced by contemporary Americans is a hybrid variety of Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Cambodian, Thai and Burmese Buddhist traditions. Seager made clear that â€Å"There are many forms of American Buddhism and many different Buddhist rituals, most of which have their origins in Asia but are being transplanted and adapted to the United States† (4). Besides, trade and commerce played an important role in the spread of Buddhist practice in America. To be specific, the American merchant ship, namely †˜The Empress of China’ aiming to expand trade and commerce with China, reached Canton in the year 1784 and introduced Buddhism in America. In addition, the immigrants from China who happened to reach the mainland of America in 1820s spread Buddhist practices in America. The World parliament of Religions (Chicago, 1893) deeply influenced the spread of Japanese Buddhism in America. Later, the influx of Tibetan immigrants to America due to Chinese holocaust in Tibet introduced Tibetan Buddhist practice in America. The instability in the Asian nations like Laos and Thailand resulted in the large scale immigration of Asians to America. Besides, this resulted in the introduction of Theravada tradition of Buddhism in America. So, Buddhism practiced by contemporary Americans is not rigid but flexible. To be specific, the amalgamation of different Buddhist traditions deeply rooted in the Indian Buddhism is the foundation of the Buddhist practices in contemporary America. This helped the American Buddhism to accept the core elements of American culture. Traditional practice of Buddhism in Asia The traditional practice of Buddhism in Asia is based upon Gautama Buddha’s preaching. Within this context, Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the God. Instead, Buddhism proclaims that one can attain salvation or ‘moksha’ through mediation. The Buddhist philosophy or the teachings of Gautama Buddha is the core aspect of the traditional practice of Buddhism in Asia. Besides, the traditional practice of Buddhism in Asia is able to incorporate different cultural aspects. To be specific, the Indian Buddhism can be considered as an extension of Hinduism. For instance, most of the practices of Indian Buddhism are deeply rooted in the practices of Hinduism. The only difference is that Hinduism believes in the existence of God but Buddhism discards the same. Within this context, Buddhism accepted some elements of Hinduism and became popular beyond In dian context. This characteristic of assimilation was helpful for Buddhism to spread to the different parts of Asia. Swearer made clear that â€Å"Buddhist monks in Southeast Asia have taken leadership roles in causes that have led to both direct and indirect political consequences† (132). In China, Japan, Tibet and other Asian nations, Buddhism accepted

Characterizing Positivism Interpretivism And Realism Approaches Psychology Essay

Characterizing Positivism Interpretivism And Realism Approaches Psychology Essay However, despite these ongoing arguments between the methodological traditions of qualitative and quantitative research (Gage, 1989); combined methods represent a fast developing field of social science methodology. As all methods have specific margins and particular strengths, many discussants propose that qualitative and quantitative methods should be combined in order to compensate for their mutual weaknesses (Tashakkori Teddlie, 2003). Moreover, it is claimed that this movement scripts the beginning of a new era in social research indicated by a tendency to combine quantitative and qualitative methods pragmatically unencumbered by old debates (Johnson Turner, 2003). Therefore it is emphasized that the uses of a mixed-method design provides an important tool in overcoming the limitations of both qualitative and quantitative mono-method research. This essay deals with social theories that influence qualitative and qualitative research methods employed in social sciences as either in principle separable or even as irreconcilable methods of social sciences. It starts with a characterization of positivism, Interpretivism and realism; and links these theories to the foundation of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Then, it shows how they deal with the various aspects of the qualitative-quantitative divide. Finally, it is the intention to show how the combined methodological approach may be integrated in a coherent way to add value and assist in the design of a single research project. With an emphasis on the differences and similarities between quantitative and qualitative approaches providing the basis for exploring the methods of combining both approaches to overcome their weaknesses by providing a commentary of the complementary strengths of each tradition. Characterizing Positivism, Interpretivism and Realism approaches Few sociologists would describe themselves as a positivist, interpretivist or realist. These are terms used primarily by methodologists and social theorists to describe and evaluate the theoretical assumptions underlying different approaches to research (Bickhard, 1992; Johnson, 2006; Hibberd, 2010). There are many different views in sociology about what societies are and the best ways of obtaining knowledge of them. This part of the essay simplifies matters to some extent by characterizing three of the most influential theories of knowledge in sociology: positivism, interpretivism and realism (Bryman, 1998 and 2001; Hibberd 2010). Positivism Positivism is frequently used to stand for the epistemological assumption that empirical knowledge based on principles of objectivity, verificationism, and reproducibility is the foundation of all authentic knowledge (Bryman, 2001; Hanzel, 2010). The term positivist has been critical for some time in the human sciences because positivist tends to subscribe to a number of ideas that have no place in present-day science and philosophy (Hanzel, 2010). Positivism views that sociology can and should use the methods of the natural sciences, that do not usually mean using experiments because there are all sorts of ethical problems with doing that, but positivists do believe that sociologists should use quantitative methods and aim to identify and measure social structures. As a philosophical approach, positivism encompasses a group of notions. Table 1 below, provides main characters for positivist key ideas. It shows that positivists sum up all the items by being against metaphysics (Hackin g, 1983). Character Description emphasis upon verification Significant propositions are those whose truth or falsehood can be settled in some way. Pro-observation What we can see, feel, touch, and the like provide the best content or foundation for all the rest of our non mathematical knowledge. Discoverability Scientific knowledge is something discovered (rather than produced or constructed). Anti-cause There is no causality in nature, over and above the constancy with which events of one kind are followed by events of another kind. Downplaying explanation Explanation may help organize phenomena, but do not provide any deeper answer to Why questions except to say that the phenomena regularly occur in such and such a way. Anti-theoretical entities Positivists tend to be non-realists, not only because they restrict reality to the observable but also because they are against causes and are dubious about explanations. Table 1: Positivism characters Source: Hacking, 1983 Positivist theory argues that the methods of the natural sciences are applicable to the study of societies. In the positivist view, sociology involves the search for causal relationships between observable phenomena and theories are tested against observations (Hibberd, 2009). Researchers adopting a positivist point of view may still be interested in finding out about peoples subjective views. For example, they explore things such as attitudes and opinions through survey research (Michell, 2003). However, they see the task of sociology as explaining why people behave in the way they do, and how people really feel about things cannot be explained scientifically. Interpretivist Interpretivists do not necessarily reject the positivist account of knowledge, but they question the idea that the logic and methods of natural science can be imported into the study of societies. Max Weber was one of the main influences on the interpretivist tradition in sociology. For him, natural science and social science are two very different enterprises requiring a different logic and different methods (Bryman, 1982). At the heart of interpretivist critique of positivism is a humanist viewpoint. Some of those favouring an interpretivist view of sociology have long argued that in their search for a scientific explanation of social life, positivist have sometimes forgotten that they are studying people, and to study people you need to get out and explore how they really think and act in everyday situations. Interpretivists argue that unlike objects in nature, human beings can change their behaviour if they know they are being observed (Collins, 1984; Guba, 1987). So, interpretivists argue that if we want to understand social action, we need to look into the reasons and meanings which that action has for people (Marsh, 2002). Take the example of crime, a positivist would argue that researchers can simply measure crime using quantitative methods and identify patterns and correlations.   While, an interpretivist would argue that we need to understand what people mean by crime, how they come to catego rize certain actions as criminal and then investigate who comes to be seen as criminal in a particular society . The aim of interpretivist approaches in sociology is to understand the subjective experiences of those being studied, how they think and feel and how they act in their natural contexts (Marsh, 2002; Johnson, 2006). Therefore, although interpretivists still try to be objective and systematic in their research, the key criterion in interpretivist epistemology is validity. The favoured research design is ethnography and the main methods are ones that help researchers understand social life from the point of view of those being studied, such as unstructured observation, unstructured interviews and personal documents. Interpretivism has provided a powerful critique of many of the taken-for-granted ideas of positivism that are widely used in sociology and in other social sciences (Marsh, 2002). It has also influenced a whole field of research illuminating peoples everyday life experiences. However, interpretivists accounts are criticised by some sociologists for not providing testable hypotheses that can be evaluated. This can lead to relativism where one theory, or study, is seen as just as good as any other. Realism Realist theory, like positivism, holds that sociology can, and should, follow the logic and methods of the natural sciences, meanwhile, it differs from positivism in its interpretation of science (Hartwig, 2007; Hibberd, 2010). In positivist research, theories are tested against observations and found to be true or false or somewhere in between. In simple terms, the facts are the judge of the theory (Hibberd, 2010). Realists do not make this clear-cut separation because they do not believe that observations can be separated from theories (Parker, 2003; Hartwig, 2007). They argue that no form of science relies exclusively on observable empirical evidence. There are always aspects of any form of reality that remain hidden beneath the surface of what can be observed (Duran, 2005; Hibberd, 2010). According to realists, the aim of scientific work is to uncover the underlying causal mechanisms that bring about observable regularities. Realists see research being guided primarily by scientific criteria, such as the systematic collection of evidence, reliability and transparency. However, because they recognise the importance of the subjective dimension of human action, they also include methods that document the validity of peoples experiences (Bhaskar, 1999). Research designs are more likely to be experimental or comparative in realist research, but there is no particular commitment to either quantitative or qualitative methods (Parker, 2003; Hartwig 2007).The focus of realist methodology, however, is on theory. Realists argue that as there is no such thing as theory-free data: sociological methods should be specifically focused on the evaluation and comparison of theoretical concepts, explanations and policies. The development of a clear, realist epistemology is comparatively recent in sociology and owes much to new realist writers like Bhaskar (1986, 1999) and Pawson (1989). They have provided a different interpretation of science and its relationship to social sciences, and a developing alternative to the dominant theories of positivism and Interpretivism that laid the foundations for a non-empiricist epistemology in social science (Hibberd, 2009 and 2010). However, they would say that this doesnt mean that either set of methods, positivist or interpretive, have to be ditched. The realists argument is that sociologists can be pragmatic and use whatever methods are appropriate for particular circumstances. Social reality is complex and to study it, sociologists can draw on both positivist and interpretivist methods. For purists, the assumptions associated with quantitative and qualitative paradigms regarding how the world is viewed and what it is important to know are irreconcilable. They envisage that both methods stem from different metaphysical and epistemological assumptions about the nature of research (Bryman, 1984; Collins, 1984; Tashakkori Teddlie, 1998). Purists advocate that the methods and tenets from positivism and post-positivism cannot and should not be mixed (Smith, 1983). They believe that the axioms of post-positivism and positivism have mutually exclusive assumptions about society; therefore, the research methods derived under each are considered to be mutually exclusive as well In agreement with purists and acceptance of both positivist and post positivist paradigms, situationalists maintain that qualitative and quantitative methods are complementary but should not be integrated in a single study. However, they believe that definite research questions relate more to quantitative approaches, whereas other research questions are more suitable for qualitative methods (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). Thus, although representing very different directions, the two approaches are treated as being complementary. By contrast, pragmatists, unlike purists and situationalists, contend that a false separation exists between quantitative and qualitative approaches (Newman Benz, 1998). They advocate the integration of methods within a single study. Sieber (1973) articulated that because both approaches have intrinsic strengths and weaknesses, researchers should utilize the strengths of both techniques in order to understand better social phenomena. Indeed, pragmatists assign to the philosophy that the research question should drive the methods used (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). In any case, researchers who ascribe to epistemological purity disregard the fact that research methodologies are merely tools that are designed to aid our understanding of the world. It is possible to argue that there are overwhelmingly more similarities between quantitative and qualitative approaches than there are differences (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). Bothe and Andreatta (2004), add that both approaches involve the use of observations to address research questions, describe their data, construct descriptive arguments from their data, and speculate about why the results they observed happened as they did. Both sets of researchers select and use analytical techniques that are designed to obtain the maximal meaning from their data, and so that findings have utility in relation to their respective views of reality (Kelle, 2006). Both methods investigators utilize techniques to verify their data. Such techniques include persistent observation with continuous and prolonged investigation of the research study with consideration to rival explanations. Replication of the chosen study method to other cases (of which may include extreme scenarios) provides the opportunity to gain validity of findings and the methodological approach used, by means of a representative study group to allow for reliable generalisations to be made. Triangulation, verification of researcher effects and weighting of the evidence identifies and resolves researcher bias and thick description (Creswell, 1998, cited Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005) which may impact on the findings. Debriefing of study participants may obtain valuable feedback from participants also. Moreover, quantitative and qualitative researches represent an interactive range and the role of theory is central for both paradigms. Specifically, in qualitative research the most common purposes are those of theory initiation and theory building, whereas in quantitative research the most typical objectives are those of theory testing and theory modification (Newman Benz, 1998). Clearly, neither tradition is independent of the other, nor can either school encompass the whole research process. Thus, both quantitative and qualitative research techniques are needed to gain a more complete understanding of phenomena (Newman Benz, 1998). Hence, there are many parallels exist between quantitative and qualitative research. Indeed, the purity of a research paradigm is a function of the extent to which the researcher is prepared to conform to its underlying assumptions (Luttrell, Wendy, 2005).This suggests that methodological pluralism (Larsson, 2009) should be promoted, the best way for this to occur is for as many investigators as possible to become pragmatic researchers (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). Combined research methods and function in the research process A combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches can assist in practical solutions to overcome limitations of mono-method research discussed for the last 50 years (Kelle, 2006). However, it is rarely addressed in current debates whether it is possible to develop solid methodological strategies for structuring research methods based on that insight of combining qualitative and quantitative methods (Creswell et al., 2003; Tashakkori Teddlie, 2003; Onwuegbuzie Leech, 2005), though there is a broad agreement that a use of multiple methods with complementary strengths and different weaknesses can add value to a single research. Despite this, the discussion provides only sparse information about which designs could overcome which weaknesses of mono-method research. Furthermore, there is still a lack of agreement about the exact classification and terminology of different mixed methods, combined method or multi-method designs which are used in research practice (Tashakkor i Teddlie, 2003, cited Onwuegbuzie Leech, 2005, p:307 ). By starting the research process with a qualitative study, researchers may obtain access to knowledge that helps them to develop the appropriate theoretical concepts and to construct consistent research instruments later on that cover relevant phenomena by consequential and relevant items. Such a design helps to overcome the limited transferability of findings from qualitative research as well as the initially mentioned hazards of the heuristics of commonsense knowledge (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005, p: 307). This approach can help to construct consistent research instruments that cover relevant phenomena by consequential and relevant substances. Meanwhile, combining qualitative and quantitative methods the opposite way could be useful in many cases; that means starting with a quantitative study, followed by qualitative questions (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005; Lund 2005). In this quantitative-qualitative approach, problem areas and research questions are identified by carrying out a quantitative study which will have to be further investigated with the help of qualitative data and methods. The problem of quantitative research addressed by this design is often the difficulty to understand statistical findings without additional socio cultural knowledge. Furthermore, the quantitative part of a sequential quantitative-qualitative design can guide systematic case comparison in the following qualitative inquiry by helping to identify criteria for the selection of cases and by providing a sampling frame (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005; Kelle, 2006). Thus, this design can help to overcome an important threat of validity existing in qualitative research that researchers focus on distant and marginal cases. Another problem of qualitative research can be addressed by this design: it helps to avoid a qualitative study with an outsized scope that covers a domain too wide to be captured with the help of a small qualitative sample. Onwuegbuzie and Leech (2005) give a simple example to understand the above problem: a qualitative study of family life in a contemporary city would have to take into account many more different forms of families than a similar study in a traditional rural community in the first decades of the twentieth century. By drawin g on statistical material about the distribution of different family forms, the minimum requirements for qualitative sampling could be easily captured, and may be well advised to downsize the research question and research domain (Bryman, 2001; Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). On the other hand, a parallel qualitative-quantitative design can fulfil similar functions to a sequential design: the qualitative part of the study can provide information that helps to understand statistical relations, to develop explanations and to identify additional variables that increase variance already explained in the quantitative data. A great benefit of a parallel qualitative-quantitative design is that it helps to identify measurement problems and methodological artefact of both qualitative and quantitative data, as the same persons are interviewed with different techniques (Bryman, 1992 and 2001). However, this parallel design approach encloses an important disadvantage, it is that qualitative sampling and data collection cannot be systematically developed from research questions derived from quantitative data; therefore it can easily be the case that the available qualitative data provide no answers for questions coming from the quantitative study, as they were not col lected for that purpose. Conclusion It is shown throughout this essay that the theoretical approach influences the methodological approach and vice versa. Many studies in sociology use a combination of positivist, interpretivist and, realist ideas. The essay demonstrates that the influence of positivism has inspired much of social research most prevalent research methods. Some of these include surveys, questionnaires and statistical models. Researchers applying a positivist methodology for their study consider large-scale sample surveys and controlled laboratory experiments as suitable research methods. These methods can be justified as they allow positivist researchers to employ empirical and logical quantitative data. While, interpretivism employs qualitative methods to understand people, not to measure them, it attempts to capture reality in interaction, however, does not necessarily exclude quantitative methods. Whereas, quantitative results from a positivist method like a survey are unlikely to provide understandi ng of this deeper reality and therefore should not be a major part of any realism research project, basically, because realism research data are almost always qualitative data about meanings. The essay provides several benefits of performing mixed method research. Researchers of social science use a wide variety of research methods to gain and enhance knowledge and theory. The different types of research methodologies, quantitative and qualitative, are associated with the epistemological and theoretical perspectives the researcher wishes to adopt. The essay demonstrated that quantitative and qualitative methods can fulfil different, yet, complementary purposes within mixed-method designs. Quantitative methods can give an overview about the domain under study and can describe its heterogeneity on a macro-level, whereas qualitative methods can be used to gain access to local knowledge of the field in order to develop theoretical concepts and explanations that cover phenomena relevant for the research domain. Thus, quantitative and qualitative methods cannot substitute each other, but help to illuminate different aspects of sociological phenomena: in a sociological investiga tion quantitative methods can describe the actions of large numbers of different actors, whereas qualitative methods provide information about possible reasons for these actions. In such cases qualitative and quantitative methods help to answer different questions such as the kinds of actions social actors typically perform. Finally, the essay demonstrated that results from qualitative interviews can help to identify unobserved heterogeneity in quantitative data as well as the previously unknown explaining variables and unspecified models (Kelle, 2006). It is also clear that results from the qualitative part of mixed-methods design can help to understand what once incomprehensible statistical findings were; the qualitative part of the research can help to discover a lack of validity of quantitative measurement operations and instruments. Moreover, in a sequential quantitative-qualitative design quantitative research can help to guide the selection of cases in qualitative small studies. In this case the quantitative part of the study can help to confirm findings from a qualitative study and to transfer these findings to other domains.

The Use of Laughter in Poetry by Langston Hughes Essay -- Biography Bi

The Use of Laughter in Poetry by Langston Hughes Jessie Fauset explains in her essay The Gift of Laughter that black comedy developed not as a method for blacks to make people laugh, but as a necessary emotional outlet for black people to express their struggles and hardships. The "funny man" took on a much more serious emotion than appeared on the surface level. Comedy was one of the few means black people had available to them to express themselves. The paradoxical definition of laughter is applicable to all human beings; the limited means of expression is unique to those in an inferior place in society, such as the black Americans of the Harlem Renaissance. In a sense, what makes the struggles represented by the black comedian comic is the white audience member's ability "to retain mastery over himself and the situation" (Swabey 184). The white audience can laugh at the struggles and hardships on stage because of their refusal to accept the role they have played in the oppressions that caused them. Marie Collins Swabe y also writes in her book Comic Laughter that "By uncovering neglected hypocrisies, illusions, vanities, and deceptions in the behavior of persons and societies...while making us laugh, also removes in part our blindness with regard to certain factual and moral weaknesses in mankind" (11). Generally speaking, comedy makes us aware of certain character flaws. Fauset entertains this idea in her essay by wondering, "...if this picture of the black American as a living comic supplement has not been painted in order to camouflage the real feeling and knowledge of his white compatriot" (161). Whether or not the black comedy of the Harlem Renaissance caused an epiphany for the white audience is not cl... ...nd His Continuing Influence. Ed. C. James Trotman. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 1995. 119-129. Phelps, Thomas C. "An Introduction to Arnold Rampersad." Langston Hughes: The Man, His Art, and His Continuing Influence. Ed. C. James Trotman. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 1995. 19-34. Rampersad, Arnold, ed., and David Roessell, assoc. ed. The Collected Poems ofLangston Hughes. New York: Vintage Books, 1994. Simpson, J.A., and E.S.C. Weiner, eds. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd Edition. Vol. VIII. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989. Swabey, Marie Collins. Comic Laughter. Archon Books, 1970. Tracy, Stephen C. "Langston Hughes: Poetry, Blues, and Gospel--Somewhere to Stand." Trotman, C. James, ed. Langston Hughes: TheMan, His Art, and His Continuing Influence. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 1995: 51-61.