Critical analysis of the article Designing and implementation of HR scorecard

Introduction This paper will give a critical analysis of the article ‘Designing and implementation of HR scorecard’, as written by Garrett Walker and J. Randall Macdonald, and published in the Human Resource Management Journal (Vol. 40 Issue No. 4, p365-377) during the winter of 2001. This article shows the importance of the HR scorecard in measuring performance in a business situation as an important step towards improving the business in terms of cost and value.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critical analysis of the article ‘Designing and implementation of HR scorecard’ specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Discussion The authors of the article have the proper credentials that make them eligible for writing this article on how to improve a business towards a market-focused approach. The authors have used the HR scorecard from Kaplan and Norton (1996) to argue out their ideas. Unfortunatel y, this is their only source of supporting material and is not enough because it is limited to this HR scorecard. The authors have not used comparison studies, which are very important in supporting the use of the HR scorecard. The bias in using the scorecard is justified by the rational that it recognizes valuations of a business’ intellectual and intangible assets. This article helps the reader to realize that human resource is not solely concerned with training and rewarding clients, rather it also entails the monitoring of employees’ performance to foresee business success and positive financial results. Conclusion The HR scorecard in an ideal tool that is used to assess the value of HR services in relation to business results. The article is successful in convincing the reader on the use of the HR balanced scorecard. The article is very important to human resource management as it gives insight into the effective use of the HR scorecard in assessing HR performa nce. The assessment results are important in determining people’s requirements and business drivers, all of which are part of human resource management. This essay on Critical analysis of the article ‘Designing and implementation of HR scorecard’ was written and submitted by user Harley S. 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.

Definition and Examples of Baby Talk

Definition and Examples of Baby Talk Baby talk refers to the simple language forms used by young children, or the modified form of speech often used by adults with young children. Also known as motherese or caregiver speech. Early research talked of motherese, notes Jean Aitchison. This left out fathers and friends, so caretaker speech became the fashionable term, later amended to caregiver speech, and in academic publications, to CDS child-directed speech Examples and Observations Eloise Robinson and John Redhead Froome, Jr. As I mounted the porch steps I could hear Miss Altheas voice through the open window. She was apparently, I regret to say, speaking to Mabel, for her words had a soft, cooing sound and were such that, were it not for the sake of veracity, I should be inclined to omit them. Is muvvers ittle cutey takin its ittle beauty nap after its din-din? Did it like its din-din? Good din-din with chicken in it for ittle cutey baby! Thats right, take its ittle beauty nap till its muvver turns down. She wont be longwont be long! Muvvers ittle sleepin beauty, ittle cutey beauty! There was more of the same or a similar, variety to which my decisive ring at the door-bell put a hasty end. –Dead Dog, 1918 Lawrence Balter Linguists who have studied the structure of baby talk words have pointed out that there are some typical sound change rules that relate the baby talk word to its adult equivalent. For instance, reduction of the word to a shorter form is common, as is reduplication of the short form, hence, words such as din din and bye bye. It is not clear, however, how some baby talk words were derived: no simple rule explains how rabbits turned into bunnies.Although there is a traditional baby talk vocabulary, almost any word in English can be turned into a baby talk word by the addition of a diminutive ending, -ie: foot becomes footie, shirt becomes shirtie, and so forth. These diminutive endings convey affectionate as well as size connotations. –Parenthood in America., 2000 Sara Thorne Baby words like doggie or moo-cow do not help a child to learn language more efficiently. The reduplication of sounds in words like baba and dada, on the other hand, does enable babies to communicate because the words are easy to say. –Mastering Advanced English Language, 2008 Charles A. Ferguson [T]he reduplication in baby talk is generally separate and unrelated to the use in the normal language. Reduplication can probably be regarded as a feature of baby talk throughout the world. –Baby Talk in Six Languages, 1996 J. Madeleine Nash When speaking to babies, Stanford University psychologist Anne Fernald has found, mothers and fathers from many cultures change their speech patterns in the same peculiar ways. They put their faces very close to the child, she reports. They use shorter utterances, and they speak in an unusually melodious fashion. –Fertile Minds, 1997 Jean Aitchison Caregiver speech can be odd. Some parents are more concerned with truth than with language. The ill-formed Daddy hat on might meet with approval, Yes, thats right, if daddy was wearing a hat. But the well-formed Daddys got a hat on might meet with disapproval, No, thats wrong, if daddy wasnt wearing a hat. You might expect children to grow up telling the truth, but speaking ungrammatically, as some early researchers pointed out. In fact, the opposite happens. –The Language Web: The Power and Problem of Words, 1997 Debra L. Roter and Judith A. Hall Caporael (1981) focused on the use of displaced baby talk to the institutionalized elderly. Baby talk is a simplified speech pattern with distinctive paralinguistic features of high pitch and exaggerated intonation contour that is usually associated with speech to young children. More than 22% of speech to residents in one nursing home was identified as baby talk. Further, even talk from caregivers to the elderly that was not identified as baby talk was more likely to be judged as directed toward a child than was talk between caregivers. The investigators concluded that this phenomenon is widespread and that baby talk directed toward elderly adults was not a result of fine tuning of speech to individual needs or characteristics of a particular patient, but rather a function of social stereotyping of the elderly. –Doctors Talking With Patients/Patients Talking With Doctors, 2006 Topher Grace (as Eric) You know, mom, there comes an age in a boys life when the baby talk stops working. Yeah, when it does, it just gives a boy the urge to kill. –That 70s Show, 2006

The Broadway fountain in Madison Indiana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Broadway fountain in Madison Indiana - Essay Example This fountain is known as the Broadway Fountain (Save Our Heritage Organization 1) A sculptor known as Felix Peano made a design for the bronze eagle finial and three panels. Above the columns of the plaza is a decoration proclaiming â€Å"Broadway Fountain for the People† (Gresham 2). Architect Gill had won the job to design the plaza again beating twelve other entries. Gill’s design was beautiful and was welcomed and accepted by the community. However, after a few years other people started to present other plans for redesigning the plaza and the fountain (Gresham 8). In the period of the World War II, it was recommended the removal of the grass walks, palm trees and chains to enable conversion of the plaza into a bus depot for workers during the war. City Parks in San Diego opposed this move, but their opposition bore no fruit in 1943, the City Council modified the building amidst heavy opposition from the public. The sidewalks were widened on both sides and the grass was removed. Asphalt paving was laid around the trees and around the information booths (Save Our Heritage Organization 2) When the Second World War was over, the Park Commission decided to the remove the amenities that had been set in the plaza for the war. Their view was to put a closed off plaza street inside the plaza. Their idea, however, required the removal of the fountain, the palm trees, markers and cannon. These plans and many other plans presented alongside them were not approved by the city (Gresham 10). For several years, the focus was on how to change the design of the plaza or remove it and thus its condition and maintenance were not taken into consideration. By 1955, the state of the plaza had depreciated so much that it could not be ignored. (Save Our Heritage Organization 1) This time, the chamber of commerce was proposing the removal of the fountain, palm trees and the

The cultural impact regarding to the application of Balanced Scorecard Thesis Proposal

The cultural impact regarding to the application of Balanced Scorecard to improve capability in construction industry in Saudi Arabia - Thesis Proposal Example & Company Management Tools and Trends 2007 (Bain, 2007) reports that 66% of the respondents were using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as part of their strategic decision-making process. Yet fewer than 20% of companies utilising the BSC have realised measurable performance improvement (Williams, 2004). Buytendijk (2007) proposes that the perception that implementation of a BSC, in and of itself, will lead to organisational alignment is a â€Å"fairy tale.† Bititci, Mendibil, Nudurupati, Turner, and Garengo (2004, p. 28) posit that the implementation and use of such performance measurement systems is greatly affected by organisational culture and management styles. Denton (2005) reports that 76% of firms place importance on organisational culture, but only about 37% are measuring it. Indeed, Kaplan and Norton (2004, p. 56) observed that companies with successful BSC implementations â€Å"had a culture in which people were deeply aware of and internalised the mission, vision, and core values needed to execute the company’s strategy.† A third concept that plays a pivotal role in this relationship is Organisational Learning. Indeed, Kaplan and Norton (2001a) include Learning as the basis from which improvement in all other perspectives grows. Further, Kaplan and Norton (1996c, p. 15) refer to the BSC as a â€Å"strategic learning framework,† and outline how the BSC facilitates learning in each of the four processes of the BSC model (Kaplan and Norton, 1996b). Kaplan and Norton (2004) report that the Learning and Growth objective appearing most frequently in BSC’s is â€Å"shaping the culture† (p. 60). They link strategy changes resulting from the BSC to changes in culture. These changes are the direct result of organisational learning vis-à  -vis the BSC feedback system. Accordingly, the literature indicates that the BSC leads to performance improvement in the presence of the appropriate organisational culture. In BSC terminology, organisational learning and growth

Analysis of Nicene Creed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of Nicene Creed - Essay Example The essay "Analysis of Nicene Creed" discusses the most widely accepted doctrine because of the use of its belief statements in Christian faith and liturgy. The Nicene Creed is majorly about the Trinity. It also highlights the historical realities as concerns the life and times of Jesus Christ. Its ideas are derived and found in scriptures and manifested in the New Testament. Others have remarked that â€Å"The Nicene Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostle's Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture." There are twelve articles included in the Nicene Creed, which defines the most important doctrines of our faith. 1. We believe in one God. This shows that as Christians, Jews or Muslims there is an overrunning belief that a Super Natural power God exists. The creed highlights an act of unity through belief. It is both my confession as well as our confession. 2. God the Father. God almighty is called â€Å"Father† in the scriptures by Jesus. This shows loving and omnipresence within His creation. God the Father also comes as the first person in the Holy Trinity – God Head. â€Å"Father† is the origin and spring of life in the Holy Trinity for He is the source of all things. God the Father is also referred to as â€Å"God unbegotten† in early Christian thought. 3. The maker of heaven and earth, of all that, is seen and unseen. This implies the feeling that God created all visible and invisible elements in the universe.

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power Do the advantages of using nuclear power outweigh the disadvantages and thus making it a safe and economical method of generating electricity? At this time it is believed that there are far more disadvantages than advantages when it comes to the use of nuclear power. This report will list the advantages and disadvantages and prove that nuclear power is the next stepping stone in technological advancements and a cleaner future. HYPOTHESIS The advantages of utilizing nuclear power will by far demean the disadvantages and therefore prove that it will be beneficial to make use of nuclear power as an energy source. DISCUSSION ADVANTAGES One of the main advantages of nuclear power is that it does not emit a large quantity of green house gases such as CO2 [1] [2] and thus does not contribute to global warming. In turn this allows for a cleaner global environment. As seen in the below diagram, Coal-fired power stations release 5912000 tons of CO2 per year. Nuclear power stations use less than a twenty-fifth of that because they only release 230000 tons of CO2 per year. Therefore in the environmental aspect, nuclear power is safe and beneficial for the world s future. Figure 1: A graph of the CO2 Emission by Each Power Source Another advantage of nuclear power is that it has relatively low costs involved in its production [5]. It yields much more electrical energy for each unit of nuclear fuel (uranium rods) used than the conventional fossil fuel power stations (coal) [1] [2]. Due to this it will also cost less to ascertain the resources needed to produce the same amount of energy as fossil fuels as is made evident in the below graph. This results in nuclear fuel costing much less per kilowatt hour for a consumer than any other method of producing electricity [fig. 2]. Therefore nuclear power will be economically beneficial for the world s electricity consuming population. Figure 2: A graph showing the US Electricity Production Costs for 1995 2008 An organization known as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in place to ensure that all nuclear power stations and nuclear activity which occur anywhere in the world is done without error which ultimately makes the use of nuclear power a safer option [7]. They implement standards and regulations which must be adhered to by all nuclear facilities [7]. One of their main tasks is to oversee the installation of the nuclear systems and transportation of nuclear materials to insure safety and security [7]. These monitoring protocols allow the usage of nuclear energy to be safe and secure. Over time improved designs have come about for nuclear reactors such as the advanced reactor in Japan which has been operating since 1996 [6]. The major safety feature in this reactor is its passive safety system. In the event of a malfunction, no intervention from an operator is required thus eliminating the chance of a human error [6]. If this type safety feature was to be implemented in all the current and future nuclear reactors, it would significantly enhance the safety of the nuclear plants. There is a variety of safety features for nuclear reactors one of which is the three barriers between the fuel rods and the environment [6]. The fuel rods are in a solid ceramic pellet which forms the first barrier [6]. These pellets are inside a closed zirconium tube, which forms the second barrier [6]. The final barrier is the containment of the fuel rods. They are stored in a steel pressure vessel and this vessel has walls up to 30cm thick therefore preventing all radioactive radiation from escaping. Other than those safety barriers the whole containment structure has one meter thick reinforced concrete walls [6]. Thus in the event of a human error there are provisions in place to minimize the severity of the error. These measures will increase the safety of using nuclear power plants even more. DISADVANTAGES The technology and resources used for producing nuclear power can also be used in malicious activities such as illegal nuclear weapons manufacturing [1]. The IAEA has a security area specifically implemented to eliminate such events. It protects the transport and installations of nuclear substances so that they cannot be used for the above mentioned malicious activities [7]. Therefore this is no longer a major disadvantage of using nuclear power. There is a possibility of a nuclear reactor melting down due to human error or bad maintenance. This will result in environmental destruction and/or human casualties [2]. If a human is exposed to a radioactive substance then it is likely that that person and their future generations could suffer from genetic deformities. In the last 50 years there have only been two serious nuclear catastrophes: The Three Mile Island (1979) and Chernobyl (1986). In the Three Mile Island incident the radiation was contained and there were no subsequent environmental or health problems. There have been ten other meltdowns but they were mostly a part of a military or an experimental reactor and they did not result in any hazards on the reactor s surroundings. The first nuclear power station ever created was at Calder Hall in England [10]. It was created in 1956 and has had no operational problems since [10]. This indicates that nuclear reactors can be very safe and therefore beneficial. One of the requi rements of a nuclear reactor is to ensure that a core meltdown must be restricted to the nuclear plant therefore ensuring the safety of nearby residents and the environment. It can thus be deducted that in the event of a reactor meltdown, our safety will not be compromised therefore human or accidental error are not a devastating issue. Terrorism is a huge concern in relation to nuclear reactors especially since the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York [3]. The concern is that a terrorist will crash an airplane in to a nuclear reactor or radioactive waste plant but such nuclear facilities are some of the most terrorist attack resistant infrastructures built [6]. This is because of their robust design (one meter thick walls). Analysts have conducted experiments that have proved that nuclear facilities are terrorist proof. One of the experiments includes using a Boeing 767 and a penetrating missile when testing the strength of facility. Therefore nuclear reactors and radioactive waste facilities are not prone to terrorist attacks. The earth s supply of nuclear fuel (uranium) is very limited and is only expected to last for another 30 to 60 years [2]. Because of the rate of technological developments, it is likely that a new source of electricity will be discovered within 30 to 60 years. With this in mind there is no reason to not use nuclear power in the meantime. A large disadvantage of nuclear power is that it takes about 20 to 30 years to create a nuclear power station (in western democracies) [2]. The planning and building is very time consuming [2]. This is not necessarily a bad thing because it decreases the chances of an error occurring which could have potentially lead to a meltdown accident or any other accidents occurring. This could also increase the quality of the power station s construction which therefore making the nuclear power station safe to use. CONCLUSION As can be seen from the above mentioned points, the use of nuclear power has numerous benefits, both in terms of economics and safety. One cannot deny the disadvantages to using nuclear power but there are solutions available, as showed above, that either negates the disadvantage or minimizes its severity. Therefore the advantages of using nuclear power outweigh the disadvantages by far, which makes nuclear power a safe, secure and economical option for generating of electricity. GLOSSARY Meltdown: When a nuclear reactor core overheats causing the encasement to melt thus allowing radiation to escape. Greenhouse gases: Gases that are produced by most traditional fuel sources which affect the ozone layer and the containment of heat within the Earth s atmosphere. Kilowatt: Is a unit used to measure power and is equal to 1000 watts. Fuel rods: A specialized container used to store nuclear fuel. Human error: An error which has occurred due to the incorrect intervention of human(s).

State Parks Essay -- Personal Experience, Outdoor Leisure, Recreation

Growing up in a county with two state parks ten miles either way from me, a lot of my summer holidays and family events were held there. I always found that environment to be very enjoyable. State parks are a great resource for outdoor leisure and recreation, have a good economic impact and benefit communities in numerous ways. The parks are filled with numerous activities and educational experiences, all of which can be enjoyed in the presence of nature. Most state parks offer their visitors the opportunity to learn. State park environmental educators, also known as naturalists, help visitors understand and appreciate that area they are in. They also work with teachers and students to help stress the importance of awareness on environmental issues, education and prevention. Although different parks vary between seasons and types of programs provided, they can accommodate all age groups and types of people. For example, activities and accessibility are provided for visitors with disabilities. Pennsylvania state parks even offer programs and activities for educators. The variety of workshops can provide educators with resources or materials to use in their classrooms and even fulfill Act 48 credits or hours. Classroom visits to educate on environmental sciences and resources can also be arranged; most being hands on, outdoor educating. A lot of Pennsylvania state parks offer organizations and different kinds of groups for schoo ls. These are offered for all ages, kindergarten through senior year, and work with the students according to grade level. Award winning programs such as the Watershed Education program, are offered across the state of Pennsylvania for grades six through twelve. These programs have to goal to... ...showed local gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and bars all making big money due to these nearby parks. The results also showed an increase of over two-hundred fifty million dollars from total sales and about five-hundred new jobs were created from the last economic impact study.(dcnr economic report) State parks clearly have are impacting the economy in a good sense. State parks are very important places. The public’s use of these places is important in societal activity in the United States with economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts.(sr4) It would be a shame to lose any of these parks. Not only do they provide recreation, but they protect and preserve what is left of America’s natural resources and beauty. State parks are one of the best kept secrets of vacation and recreation spots because of all they have to offer.

Recognizing Women artists Essay

Linda Nochlin’s article tries to bring to light the differences that exist between men and women art and how this disparity has been linked to the distinct nature of men and women. However, Nochlin believes that the differences that may exist in art do not come about as a result of ones gender but rather these discrepancies are influenced by particular social institutions. This, Nochlin says, is because art develops in a specific social situation and that it is usually a fundamental component of that social structure. Nochlin further explains that art can not be considered a free self-directed activity that can be influenced by social forces since it crops up in a social situation, gender, previous artists and other things normally considered influential notwithstanding (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). As a result therefore, Nochlin states how feminity does not count when it comes to evaluation of great artists. Therefore Nochlin defines the background of some of the great artists like Picasso who came from already artist families. Nochlin also cites how the works of Redon and Corot, both male, had a feminist touch thus it could not be concluded that women art should be classified according to its own standards. This argument makes sense because art is not gender based; rather it is learned through teaching, apprenticeship or even from a long experience period (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). I agree with Nochlin’s reasoning because one can not classify art as masculine or feminine. When one sees a piece of art, what comes out is the expression captured in that piece of work and not the masculine or feminine touch in it. Therefore Nochlin’s argument is sound because even if it is assumed that women artists are inward-looking, delicate and nuanced in their art pieces, other male artists also exude such characteristics in their work. For instance Redon’s pieces were inward turning and Corot’s art was also delicate and nuanced (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). Nochlin’s position relies upon the assumptions that great art is a result of intelligence and talent. It is not merely influenced by gender, social class or any other social forces. This is true because great artists like Michelangelo produced exemplary pieces because of the talent they had and not because of social influences. Further still, artists such as Giotto became great artists even though he started off drawing on stone. It is the intelligence and talent that he had in art that elevated his work to great art (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). Besides, Nochlin’s position also relies on the assumption that the creation of art entails its own form of language. What is more, this language comes to life in paper and not in a mere story that could be told to another party thus disregarding the feminist notion in art. This argument is true because art is learned and perfected through experience and this means that regardless of gender artists with the experience can bring out great art work (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). Therefore this means that women can produce great art as much as men because art is not gender based. Art is learned and comes to perfection from a period of experience. Besides, great art is also primarily a result of an individual’s intelligence and talent therefore other social forces are just secondary factors in the creation of great art. This therefore implies that women art can be accorded much attention and appreciation if only people could get a deeper insight into what art really entails (Nochlin, 1988, pp. 147-158). Reference Nochlin L. (1988). Why have there been no great women artists? Women, Art and Power and Other Essays. Westview Press.

How to Sound Smart When You Have Nothing to Say

How to Sound Smart When You Have Nothing to Say You’ve all been caught in a conversation or meeting where you really,  really have no idea what’s going on, right? You try to understand the gist of the topic, but you keep drifting. And then†¦it’s your turn to speak.  What can you do to say something coherent  in order to seem cool, collected, and competent? Here, New York Magazine gives stellar advice on how to give the impression that you are aware, awake, and interested in any topic.

10 Ways to Maximize Research at the Courthouse or Archives

10 Ways to Maximize Research at the Courthouse or Archives The process of researching your family tree will eventually lead you to a courthouse, library, archives or other repository of original documents and published sources. The day-to-day joys and hardships of your ancestors’ lives can often be found documented among the numerous original records of the local court, while the library may contain a wealth of information on their community, neighbors and friends. Marriage certificates, family histories, land grants, military rosters and a wealth of other genealogical clues are tucked away in folders, boxes, and books just waiting to be discovered. Before heading for the courthouse or library, however, it helps to prepare. Try these 10 tips for planning your visit and maximizing your results. 1. Scout the Location The first, and most important, step in onsite genealogy research is learning which government most likely had jurisdiction over the area in which your ancestors lived during the time they lived there. In many places, especially in the United States, this is the county or county equivalent (e.g. parish, shire). In other areas, the records may be found housed in town halls, probate districts or other jurisdictional authorities. Youll also have to bone up on changing political and geographical boundaries to know who actually had jurisdiction over the area where your ancestor lived for the time period youre researching, and who has current possession of those records. If your ancestors lived near the county line, you may find them documented among the records of the adjoining county. While a bit uncommon, I actually have an ancestor whose land straddled the county lines of three counties, making it necessary for me to routinely check the records of all three counties (and their parent co unties!) when researching that particular family. 2. Who Has the Records? Many of the records youll need, from vital records to land transactions, are likely to be found at the local courthouse. In some cases, however, the older records may have been transferred to a state archives, local historical society, or other repository. Check with members of the local genealogical society, at the local library, or online through resources such as the Family History Research Wiki or GenWeb  to learn where the records for your location and time period of interest might be found. Even within the courthouse, different offices usually hold different types of records, and may maintain different hours and even be located in different buildings. Some records may also be available in multiple locations, as well, in microfilm or printed form. For U.S. research, The Handybook for Genealogists or Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, both include state-by-state and county-by-county lists of which offices hold which records. You may also want to explore WPA Hist orical Records Survey inventories, if available for your locality, to identify other potential records. 3. Are the Records Available? You dont want to plan a trip halfway across the country only to find that the records you seek were destroyed in a courthouse fire in 1865. Or that the office stores the marriage records in an offsite location, and they need to be requested in advance of your visit. Or that some of the county record books are being repaired, microfilmed, or are otherwise temporarily unavailable. Once youve determined the repository and records you plan to research, it is definitely worth the time to call to make sure the records are available for research. If the original record you seek is no longer extant, check the Family History Library Catalog to see if the record is available on microfilm. When I was told by a North Carolina county deed office that Deed Book A had been missing for some time, I was still able to access a microfilmed copy of the book through my local Family History Center. 4. Create a Research Plan As you enter the doors of a courthouse or library, its tempting to want to jump into everything at once. There usually arent enough hours in the day, however, to research all records for all of your ancestors in one short trip. Plan your research before you go, and youll be less tempted by distractions and less likely to miss important details. Create a checklist with names, dates and details for each record you plan to research in advance of your visit, and then check them off as you go. By focusing your search on just a few ancestors or a few record types, youll be more likely to achieve your research goals. 5. Time Your Trip Before you visit, you should always contact the courthouse, library or archives to see if there are any access restrictions or closures which may affect your visit. Even if their website includes operating hours and holiday closures, it is still best to confirm this in person. Ask if there are any limits on the number of researchers, if you have to sign up in advance for microfilm readers, or if any courthouse offices or special library collections maintain separate hours. It also helps to ask if there are certain times which are less busy than others. Next 5 More Tips for Your Courthouse Visit Research Tips 1-5 6. Learn the Lay of the Land Each genealogical repository you visit is going to be slightly different - whether its a different layout or setup, different policies and procedures, different equipment, or a different organizational system. Check the facilitys website, or with other genealogists who utilize the facility, and familiarize yourself with the research process and procedures before you go. Check the card catalog online, if it is available, and compile a list of the records you want to research, along with their call numbers. Ask if there is a reference librarian who specializes in your specific area of interest, and learn what hours he/she will be working. If records youll be researching use a certain type of index system, such as the Russell Index, then it helps to familiarize yourself with it before you go. 7. Prepare for Your Visit Courthouse offices are often small and cramped, so it is best to keep your belongings to a minimum. Pack a single bag with a notepad, pencils, coins for the photocopier and parking, your research plan and checklist, a brief summary of what you already know about the family, and a camera (if allowed). If you plan to take a laptop computer, make sure that you have a charged battery, because many repositories do not provide electrical access (some do not allow laptops). Wear comfortable, flat shoes, as many courthouses don’t offer tables and chairs, and you may spend a lot of time on your feet. 8. Be Courteous Respectful Staff members at archives, courthouses and libraries are generally very helpful, friendly people, but they are also very busy trying to do their job. Respect their time and avoid pestering them with questions not specifically related to research in the facility or hold them hostage with tales about your ancestors. If you have a genealogy how-to question or trouble reading a particular word that just cant wait, it is usually better to ask another researcher (just dont pester them with multiple questions either). Archivists also greatly appreciate researchers who refrain from requesting records or copies just before closing time! 9. Take Good Notes Make Plenty of Copies While you may take the time to reach a few on-site conclusions about the records you find, it is usually best to take everything home with you where you have more time to examine it thoroughly for every last detail. Make photocopies of everything, if possible. If copies arent an option, then take the time to make a transcription or abstract, including misspellings. On each photocopy, make note of the complete source for the document. If you have time, and money for copies, it can also be helpful to make copies of the complete index for your surname(s) of interest for certain records, such as marriages or deeds. One of them may later make an appearance in your research 10. Concentrate on the Unique Unless the facility is one you can easily access on a regular basis, it is often beneficial to begin your research with the parts of its collection that arent easily available elsewhere. Concentrate on original records that havent been microfilmed, family papers, photograph collections, and other unique resources. At the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, for example, many researchers begin with the books as they are generally not available on loan, while the microfilms can be borrowed through your local Family History Center, or sometimes viewed online. Sources Eichholz, Alice (Editor). Red Book: American State, County Town Sources. 3rd Revised edition, Ancestry Publishing, June 1, 2004. Hansen, Holly (Editor). The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America. 11th Edition, Revised edition, Everton Pub, February 28, 2006.

Regional and Economic International Organizations Essay

Regional and Economic International Organizations - Essay Example Many people lived lives of total despair. However, there were a number of brave men and women who decided to look at this crisis as an opportunity and to fashion something new out of the mess. The most important change to make involved the world economic system. And so the Bretton Woods regime was founded on July 1944, in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States, by the delegations of the 44 Allied nations with the intent of creating a new financial and economic order, due to the shift of power occurred as a result of the Second World War. The Bretton Woods regime was a result of the events which affected the world economy and political system, starting from the great Depression to the rise of Nationalist dictatorships and finally the Second World War; its declared objective was to ensure prosperity to all nations, so conflict would never occur again, and can best be understood by this quotation: "The nations should consult and agree on international monetary changes which affect each other. They should outlaw practices which are agreed to be harmful to world prosperity, and they should assist each other to overcome short-term exchange difficulties." The lesson learned by the horrors of the war were that increased economic integration would stand a good chance of reducing the opportunities and incentives to go to war. If war cost the same amount to everyone there would be few advantages for any one country to start one. Economic integration and some standardization would be key to this. The policy of open markets first seriously pushed at this conference would have a major influence on the world economy to this day. This policy however did not come out of the blue. There were a number of significant individuals who came up with the theories and principles that underlay and who worked hard to guide the process forward. Without a doubt one of the most important of these figures was the economist John Maynard Keynes, one

Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Research - Essay Example With regards to this, this paper focuses on a peer reviewed article in nursing research. This article takes into consideration the nurse staffing in hospitals and its effects on patients as well as the nurses. This article focuses on staffing of nurse in hospitals. The study aims at estimating the cost of increasing the number of nurses in hospitals and its effects in reducing deaths, besides adverse outcomes. In addition, it looks at various ways of improving the quality as well as safety of the patients. These include investing in training and education, investing in new technology and increasing nurse staffing. In this study, there is provision of data for the purpose of helping hospitals as well as policy makers to consider both social cases and business for investing in increasing the number of nurses in hospitals. This is through estimating the costs of increasing nurses and cost savings as a result of avoided deaths and reduced length of stay (Jack, Peter, Maureen, Katya & Mattke, 2006). In addition, it is through decrease of the outcomes of adverse patients, related to a higher number of nurses in the hospitals. While estimating the increased number of nurses in this study, there are no considerations of the patients’ value and their families, improved reputation of the hospital and the economic value with regard to lower liability. In addition, the study does not consider estimating the potential cost savings as a result of reducing the turnover of nurse through increased nurse staffing. This study significantly relates to my area of study which is nursing. Through this study, nurses are able to understand the benefits of increasing the number of nurses in hospitals. In addition, they became aware of the feasibility of increasing nurse staffing with regards to the costs involved in increasing nurse staffing in hospitals. Peer review is the process which journals use for