Proofs of God Existence of God research paper

Proofs of God Existence

Order Instructions:

Title:Proofs of God Existence of God)

Pages: 8 excluding the bibliography & title page

For the critique find a recent (last 25 years) peer-reviewed scholarly journal article of 10–20 pages on an area of theology covered in this course. Such journals are The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Bibliotheca Sacra, Grace Theological Journal, and the Westminster Theological Journal and are NOT magazines like Christianity Today, Visions, etc., The Online Student Library Services at www.liberty.edu/informationservices/ilrc/library/

**DO NOT USE ANY OUTSIDE SOURCES

I. Introduction as a brief summary of the content of the article (1–2 paragraph). Include:

A. The author’s purpose, goal, context, question, and/or issue; indicate to your reader what the broader topic of the article is.
B. Can you identify the author’s thesis? HINT: compare the opening paragraph with the conclusion to identify what was promised vs. what was claimed by the author. NOTE: do not confuse an author’s purpose with his/her thesis. The purpose may tell why the author is writing, or what the goal might be, but a thesis takes a position or stance to fulfills that purpose or goal. Suppose an article’s purpose is to describe pre-Fall Eden, or clarify a distinction between physical and spiritual death. The thesis would be the position that takes a stance to achieve that goal: “The death of leaves occurred during photosynthesis in Eden prior to Adam’s sin, which is a kind of ‘death’ within pre-Fall Eden.” Locate that “position” statement.
C. The brief overview need be only a few sentences so your reader knows the article’s overall argument. Do not fill the JAC with in-depth summary. Leave space for the next component, which is more important if you wish to get full points.

II. Critical Interaction (2–paragraph)

A. “Critical” here does not mean to criticize, to find something wrong, or to dislike something. Instead, in academic writing it is to compare/contrast scholarly positions. So, just show how the article’s author compares/contrasts to the way Erickson or an Elwell article discusses the same issue (you may use other scholarly works, the textbooks are just a recommended pair of sources, but you may use others, too).
B. What strengths can you affirm or weaknesses expose through this process? This is how you make your voice heard in the interaction between these scholars.
C. When you reference the critiqued article, the one on the cover page, you do not need to use footnotes, you can just cite page #s in parentheses (p. 123). Other citations must use footnotes in the “Notes & Bibliography” style (chs. 16-17) of Turabian.

III. Conclusion (1 paragraph)

A. Note omissions that seem glaring, but be cautious. No one can say everything in an article. An OT scholar may not refer to NT texts, so it may be unfair to point that out
B. Questions you can raise or applications you can make are good here (e.g., how will it be useful in your paper; how your own theological positions may have changed, etc.) Bibliography On a new page, under “Bibliography,” list the three or more works cited by you: the article itself plus the two or more outside sources. Alphabetize this list. Follow the “Notes & Bibliography” style for Bibliography entries (the “B” examples in chs. 16-17 of Turabian).

Format using Turabian’s “Notes & Bibliography” style1 (see chs. 16-17 in Turabian): • Use Turabian footnotes; not endnotes, parenthetical citations (chs. 18-19), MLA, or APA. • Use 12-pt Times New Roman font (you may format “Footnote Text” style for 11 or 10 point font if you wish). • Double-space body text. However, single-space footnotes, Bibliography entries, block quotes, and headings (these then need an extra blank line after for visual separation; if you right click in any text and choos “Paragraph…” you can set spacing “After”). • Keep headings simple: Introduction, Critical Interaction, Conclusion, Bibliography would be sufficient (cf. Tur. ed. 8, pp. 391-92, or the Seminary Writing Guide). • Use 1” margins all sides; use left justified paragraphs, leaving ragged right margins; use a 0.5 in. first line indentation for body text paragraphs. • Omit extra spacing between paragraphs (MS Word has a default 8 or 10 pt space after paragraphs that must be set to 0). Any style in MS Word documents can be modified in the “Format” menu: Format > Style… > highlight “Normal” in the list of styles > Modify > Format > Paragraphs… to set spaces “After” each paragraph to “0.” • NOTE: “local guidelines” for the Seminary’s Writing Guide supersede Turabian 17.2 (http://www.liberty.edu/seminary/index.cfm?PID=28160). Just omit the reference that commercial databases such as ProQuest, EBSCOhost, etc., attach to journal articles. Cite as print articles (any PDF actually is a scanned print page).

SAMPLE ANSWER

Introduction

Different opinions relating either in favor of the existence of God or in opposition has remained a controversial element for a considerable period. It is therefore essential to note that most of the affirmations that have existed in proving the presence of God are primarily based on the mysteries that are involved in nature and the origin of humanity and the universe. In as much as the existence of God remains an objective matter, Mander’s approach in proving his existence remains one of the efficient approaches geared towards removing the doubts that exist in the human mind. This paper therefore seeks to carry out a critique on the factors that prove God’s existence.

Thesis

The author’s thesis therefore provides the fact that God’s existence determines the reasons why the universe and its contents are present.

In his introduction Mander gives a depiction of his own existence and alleges that he is a thinking thing. Mander therefore takes the opportunity of eradicating the element of doubt on the perception that his sensory experiences may not exist outside him but do exist inside him[1]. In the conclusion of the author provides a substantial factor that human beings may not exist independently considering the fact that they have been created by an infinite being that is eternal, independent and hold a higher power and intelligence[2]. The author in his conclusion therefore alleges that this infinite being remains the rationale behind the existence of humanity and everything surrounding him, a factor that points out to the fact that the being is God.

The author’s purpose in this paper is therefore aimed at establishing the validity of God’s existence amidst the different merging schools of thought that oppose this fact[3]. This therefore determines the fact that the goal of the author is in developing a ground that ensures a belief in God’s existence, a factor that has been supported by several literatures. This paper therefore provides a hypothesis that seeks to address:

How we acquired the concept of God
Where scientific laws find inclination on God
Where the sense of right and wrong come from.

Zhang on the other hand believes that it is necessary to prove the existence of God which remains a crucial element in establishing the reasons why human beings and nature exist. According to this author, the desires of people has led them into a state of emptiness and lack, a factor that has seen humanity fail to notice the emptiness and lack, that would be filled by the presence of an ideal presence[4]. Zhang through this literature therefore seeks to provide proof on the existence of God.

Having assented to the fact that God exits, this author takes another view and determines to seek answers the question as to why human beings acquired the concept of God. In developing a response to this, Zhang also gives a description of three ideologies: adventitious, innate and factitious. The concept of adventitiousness is determined by the knowledge that human beings gain through the process of life. The factitious ideas on the other hand are determined to be the ideas that we gain from our creative imaginations and lastly ran innate idea is considered as an idea that comes from within us. According to this author, this definition gives a clear depiction of the fact that the acquisition on knowledge possessed by human beings on the existence of God is something that human beings are born with and which God placed in every individual[5].

Descartes’ clear perception is therefore guided by the fact that God exists and this is as a result of his perfection. In justifying this Descartes’ gives an elusive illustration and mentions that in order for an individual to be considered a betrayer[6], there must have been a detection of some faults. Considering the fact that God is perfect ad infinite the element of God being a deceiver betrayer is unjustified.

Critical Interaction

In the authors approach in proofing the existence of God, he takes a closer look at two things, the essence and his existence. Before having knowledge on something that exists one is always aware of the essence. This therefore means that in determining the essence of things it is required that a thorough understanding on the reasons why certain things exist and are not available is determined. This therefore gives a depiction of the manner in which human beings perceive things.

Mander’s views weighed upon the lenses of the arguments of Siniscalchi (2013) on the essence and existence of God tends to agree on some issues. Siniscalchi alleges that the existence of God is an element that may not be proved or disapproved. According to this author, the scriptures take stance in bridging this gap with the element of faith on the fact that God exists (pp.697). The author brings in context Hebrews 11:6 and states that scriptures confirm that anyone who comes closer to God needs to have some element of belief on the fact that God exists and rewards those who commit to seek Him. However, this scripture leaves a lot to be determined. In any case God exists as is claimed then chances are He would appear to prove his existence to the world which is sceptic about this factor[7]. However this would therefore means that if God revealed his existence to humanity, the element of faith would lose its true meaning.

Siniscalchi (2013), in his journal alleges that it is essential to denote that God is not a thing that anyone can be moderately interested in[8]. According to Siniscalchi, if God’s existence cannot be proved then there are no reasons why humanity is interested in proving his existence. This author therefore supports Mander’s views on the fact that human beings are empty and need a vacuum to fill the emptiness in their hearts. This emptiness can never be filled by any other thing but by God who created and authored our lives[9]. The knowledge on God’s existence may therefore be denied on intellectual grounds but the presence and existence of God in humanity and around human beings remains an obvious element. Considering the fact that different people through the face of history and in all civilizations and culture believe in this existence, there is a rationale behind it.

Siniscalchi therefore brings into light other logical arguments that support the existence of God. The author therefore argues that God is a being which cannot be conceived, a factor that depicts the fact that God’s existence if greater than his nonexistence[10]. This point therefore takes an ontological stand that explains the fact that if Go did not exist then there would have not been a greater being who would have been conceived, a factor that would contradict God’s definition. Mander’s views in line with this factor therefore tends to slightly vary considering the fact that this author believes that since the universe plays a significant role in life, then there is a initiator of the universe.

Desecrates gives an illustration by alleging that if the earth was situated closer to the sun, the world would have experienced numerous challenges considering the fact that the earth would not be a conducive place to live in since everything would die. This therefore provides a fact that there is a designer who figured out everything in the creation of the universe. According to Hunter (2015), God’s existence can be proved by the fact that everything and every effect in the face of the universe have causes. The universe and everything that exists in it according to Sousa are underpinned to have had a cause since they are effects[11]. This author therefore proves his point by supporting the idea of Siniscalchi in proving that there is a force behind the existence of everything and the cause is attributed to God.

Mander on the other hand takes a moralist argument in proving the existence of God by alleging that in every culture throughout the source of history, there is an element of law that determines the rights and wrong in the society. As a result of this, human beings are aware of the rights and wrongs, a factor that has seen individuals avoid murders, thefts, lies and immoral actions rejected universally. This sense of right and wrong according to this author therefore emanates from God.

Having determined this, I believe the views of the authors can be tested by scripture in determining the fact that God exists. It is essential to mention that the scripture mentions that people at some point will reject the word of God on the knowledge of God’s existence and choose to focus on lies, a factor that can be substantiated in this case[12]. As featured in Romans 1:25, Humanity will exchange the truth of God for lies and choose to worship created things rather than the true God who needs to be praised forever. It is therefore essential to note that people have no proper excuses on proving the existence of their creator considering the fact that God has invisible qualities. However, as scriptures determine in Romans 1:20, his eternal power and divine nature can be depicted and understood in order to make men find no excuse.

Conclusion

As determined in this study, different opinions relating either in favor of the existence of God or in opposition has remained a controversial element for a considerable period. This therefore provides the fact that most of the affirmations that have existed in proving the presence of God are primarily based on the mysteries that are involved in nature and the origin of humanity and the universe. It is therefore essential to mention that people tend to refute God’s existence as a result of the influences that have been wrought by science that seek to determine proofs on the existence of God. Humanity therefore forgets the fact that the creation of the universe and everything in it is a science that was authored by the same God. It is therefore essential to note that God remains the rationale behind the existence of humanity and everything surrounding him, a factor that points out to the fact that the being is God

This knowledge is therefore vital in the contemporary society since its shapes the community into realizing that humanity needs to be responsible for God and they need to live lives that reflect the true image of God. Considering the fact that God exists, we need to remain accountable to him with our lives and actions. If in any case we are influenced to believe that God does not exist, then we can do whatever pleases us without worrying about God’s judgment. It is therefore essential to note that even those who deny the existence of God still believe and have never found answers to the development of the universe.

Christians therefore need to consider that God’s existence can be felt in their everyday lives since God is spoken of every single moment. Even when his audible words may not be heard, but his presence can be felt and his leading as well. It is also essential for Christians to embrace the love of God and desire in his grace. This knowledge should therefore be shared with other Christians with the aim of strengthening their faith on God since several ideologies are emerging to challenge the existence of God.

References

Hunter, H 2015, ‘George Berkeley’s proof for the existence of God’, International Journal For Philosophy Of Religion, 78, 2, pp. 183-193, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Mander, W 2013, ‘On arguing for the existence of god as a synthesis between realism and anti-realism’, International Journal For Philosophy Of Religion, 74, 1, pp. 99-115, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Mizrahi, M 2012, ‘Jewish Survival, Divine Supervision, and the Existence of God’, Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies, 30, 4, pp. 100-112, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Siniscalchi, GB 2013, ‘New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy’, Heythrop Journal, 54, 4, pp. 696-697, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Sousa, D 2014, ‘Epistemic Probability and Existence of God: A Kierkegaardian Critique of Swinburne’s Apologetic’, Heythrop Journal, 55, 1, pp. 45-58, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Wee, C 2012, ‘Descartes’s Ontological Proof of God’s Existence’, British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 20, 1, pp. 23-40, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016.

Watts, David. “New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy.” Science & Christian Belief 24, no. 190-191. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 13, 2016).

Zhang, L 2014, ‘A Logical Reflection on the Modal Argument for God’s Existence’, Philosophical Forum, 45, 3, pp. 273-284, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 February 2016

Introduction

It is essential to note that the scriptures were authored for everyone with the authors having a particular audience in mind. Fee and Stuart allege that the interpretation of the scriptures is required in determining its external relevancy and historical particularity. This therefore depicts the fact that the Bible is a divine revelation that needs to be humanly communicated. An individual therefore needs to understand the meaning and the intent of the original writer by conducting an exegesis and use sound hermeneutic to evaluate the scriptures contemporary significance and apply that in life.

According to Fee and Stuart the best approach in the interpretation of the Bible would be the consideration of the textual and linguistic approach. They explain that the textual issues are primarily focused on determining the original text and its linguistic focus on an individual’s translation. Theories of translation on the other hand vary from scripture to scripture, a factor that requires the readers to think contextually. This paper therefore seeks to determine the manner in which scriptures can be read for all its worth.

Critical Analysis

In interpreting the epistles, it is essential to consider the element of cultural relativity that primarily focuses on determining what needs to be transferred to the first century from the transcendent truth. It is essential to note that a text may not mean what it wouldn’t have meant to its author or to the readers[13]. Additionally, when sharing the same situation with the original audience, it is essential to note that the message for us still remains the same. Through a careful exegesis, a reader can reveal the principles that may extend to the contemporary application of the scriptures. This therefore means that a reader needs to resist extrapolating too far from the intent of the writer.

In the fifth chapter of Stuart and Fee’s book the author takes a look at the narratives that gives a depiction of Gods story that is based on the historical events. The Biblical narratives give stories that have a timeless significance to the readers. Fee and Stuart therefore give the three levels of narratives in which they mention the top level that is considered as the metanarrative that comprises of the big picture of the redemptive history that begun from creation to the eschaton[14]. The second level is comprised of Gods approach in redeeming humanity through the major covenants. It is therefore essential to consider the fact that the first level comprises of the stories that consist of the characters, plot, and plot resolution that gives a depiction of the three caveats that are expressed through allegories that are full of hidden meaning that is intended to teach moral lessons to the readers.

The sixth chapter provides a hermeneutical suggestion on the elements of biblical precedence. The author depicts that the book of Acts is divided into six panels that are delineated by short summaries and statements. Each panel therefore briefly builds upon another by giving an overall thrust of the expansion of the Church into the Gentile community through the power of the Holy Ghost[15]. The theme of the books therefore remains in setting a path for the expansion of the church outside Jerusalem. The authors therefore allege that in interpreting this narrative, it is essential not to use an analogy that is based on the biblical precedents as the authority for contemporary practice. Additionally, Fee and Stuart also allege that biblical narratives always have illustrative patterns that can be seen as repeatable even when they are not normative.

On the Gospels, Fee and Stuart alleges that these are unique genres that are characterized by layers of context. Considering the fact that they were written decades after the main events recorded, the readers need to consider the historical context of the authors[16]. The context of Jesus can therefore be assimilated by taking a deep look at the first century of Judaism in Israel. The reader therefore needs to think horizontally by reading each periscope with the awareness of the parallels that are involved. On the other hand, the readers also need to think vertically by recognizing the historical context of the authors and Christ. The eighth chapter of the book gives an interpretation of the parables as they were used by Jesus. Fee and Stuart therefore alleges that the main idea in the parables is that they were designed to proclaim the kingdom by calling forth a response.

In the ninth and tenth chapter of the book, Fee and Stuart depict how to deal with the laws and prophets. In this, it is essential to consider the fact that the readers need to understand the nature and the role of the law in Israel in order to ask the relevant questions on how this can be applied under the dispensation of the new covenant. God’s law for Israel was therefore the approach used in binding the readers through a vassal relationship[17]. In this case, the Old Testament is comprised of civil and ritual laws that enforce the conduct of the public on religious practices that have to be renewed.

In as much as Christ renewed the potions of these ethical codes, it is essential for the readers to understand that these can be explicitly renewed and applied today. It is therefore essential to understand that the laws are covenant stipulations in which the roles of the prophets need to be focused on first[18]. The prophets served primarily as Gods spokesmen and the enforcers of the covenant. These books are therefore a collection of the spoken oracles that are presented in their unique chronological sequence. It is therefore recommended that in interpreting these books, there is a need to read the Biblical dictionary before understanding the prophetic books.

According to Fee and Stuart, the Psalms remain complicated in interpreting and understanding since they are considered as prayers to God within the ancient context. The element of Hebraic poetry is therefore drenched in the Psalms through an emotional language that is spoken from the heart. The authors of the Psalms therefore use the element of synonymous parallelism as a device that elaborates the ideas within the repeated textual unit[19]s. It is therefore essential to consider the fact that there are seven categories of the psalms that include: hymns of praise, laments, thanksgiving, salvation histories, creation and affirmation, the wisdoms and the songs of trust. This therefore gives the impression that each of these categories has a formal structure and serves a particular function within the culture of the Israelites.

The books of Provers, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs are categorized as wisdom literatures that depict the right position with God as compared to intelligence. The book of Job therefore bases its theme on the element of the happenings of life[20]. On the other hand, the book of Ecclesiastes gives a similar idea that remains challenging to discern. Song of Songs is considered as a love literature that can be understood through allegories. In interpreting these books, it is essential to avoid taking verses out of their context and giving them meaning that was not intended by the authors.

Fee and Stuart also take a look of the book of Revelation that they consider complex considering the fact that its genre is multifaceted with a combination of prophecies, apocalypse and letters. The authors therefore give the characteristics of the apocalypse that include their dependency on the Old Testament prophetic literatures, there approaches of including visionary literatures, the use of imagery in the books and the use of stylized literary genre[21]. The book of revelation therefore involves prophecies that are written by John on behalf of God. The book therefore entails seven letters that are addressed to seven churches with the central theme that aimed to show the manner in which the church and the state are in a collision and victory tends to belong to the state.

Conclusion

Fee and Stuart allege that the interpretation of the scriptures is required in determining its external relevancy and historical particularity. This therefore depicts the fact that the Bible is a divine revelation that needs to be humanly communicated. The central element to consider when interpreting the scriptures is that the readers need to think in paragraphs as opposed to holding thoughts in verse in ascertaining the larger context. It is additionally essential to consider the fact that scriptures may not mean what the author never intended for the readers.

References

Bergant, Dianne. 2015. “How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth.” Bible Today 53, no. 4: 256-257. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 21, 2016).

Briggs, Richard S. 2015. “Biblical Hermeneutics and Practical Theology: Method and Truth in Context.” Anglican Theological Review 97, no. 2: 201-217. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 21, 2016).

Galli, Mark. 2015. “The New Battle for the Bible.” Christianity Today 59, no. 8: 31-33. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 21, 2016).

Gordon D. Fee and Douglas K. Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), 21.

Samuel, Leonora. 2005. “Accentuation: A Tool For Interpreting The Text Of The Hebrew Bible.” Jewish Bible Quarterly 33, no. 3: 174-183. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed February 21, 2016).

[1] . Mander, W 2013, ‘On arguing for the existence of god as a synthesis between realism and anti-realism’, International Journal For Philosophy Of Religion, 96

[2] . Mander, W 2013,97

[3] . Mizrahi, M 2012, ‘Jewish Survival, Divine Supervision, and the Existence of God’, Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies, 30, 4, pp. 110

[4] . Zhang, L 2014, ‘A Logical Reflection on the Modal Argument for God’s Existence’, Philosophical Forum, 45, 3, pp. 275

[5] . Zhang, L 2014, 276

[6] . Wee, C 2012, ‘Descartes’s Ontological Proof of God’s Existence’, British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 20, 1, pp. 25

[7] . Hunter, H 2015, ‘George Berkeley’s proof for the existence of God’, International Journal For Philosophy Of Religion, 78, 2, pp 185

[8] . Siniscalchi, GB 2013, ‘New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy’, Heythrop Journal, 54, 4, pp. 696

[9] . Siniscalchi, GB 2013, 698

[10] . Ibid

[11] . Sousa, D 2014, ‘Epistemic Probability and Existence of God: A Kierkegaardian Critique of Swinburne’s Apologetic’, Heythrop Journal, 55, 1, pp. 45

[12] . Watts, David. “New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy.” Science & Christian Belief 24, no. 190-191

[13] . Gordon D. Fee and Douglas K. Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House

[14] . Ibid. pp. 20

[15] . Bergant, Dianne. 2015. “How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth.” Bible Today 53, no. 4: 256-257.

[16] . Ibid. pp.21

[17] . Briggs, Richard S. 2015. “Biblical Hermeneutics and Practical Theology: Method and Truth in Context.” Anglican Theological Review 97

[18] . Ibid. pp. 201

[19] . Galli, Mark. 2015. “The New Battle for the Bible.” Christianity Today 59, no. 8: 31-33.

[20] . Ibid. pp 32

[21] . Samuel, Leonora. 2005. “Accentuation: A Tool For Interpreting The Text Of The Hebrew Bible.” Jewish Bible Quarterly 33, no. 3: 174

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Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts

Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts Order Instructions: After reading the article, respond with your own thoughts in an edited, three-paragraph, formal academic peer review.

At a minimum, be sure to include the following elements:

• Assess the conceptualization, analysis, and synthesis of key research concepts presented.

• Evaluate the extent to which a Presenter has addressed the elements from the Learning Objectives for this two-week pair.

• Does the presentation provide a cohesive summary of the assigned concepts with an effective evaluation of their implications for project portfolio management?

• Did the Presenter provide a meaningful academic argument or interpretation that demonstrated fluency with the material?

• Incorporate relevant scholarly resources in your posting.

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Analysis and Synthesis of Prior Research

A disruptive technology can have a positive impact on the industry and a negative influence the technology it replaces (Carayannopoulos, 2009; Rimal, Choi, & Lumb, 2009). The risk is a key criterion when assessing the probability of program success (Archer & Ghasemzadeh, 2007). When using risk as a criterion, managers must first determine the categories and the amount of risk allowed per category (Archer & Ghasemzadeh, 2007). The same criterion organizations use to decide to take on a project can also be used to terminate a project (Thiry, 2007). The decision of taking on a project, managing a project, or terminate a project is not an easy decision and one that requires a retail management system.

Reasons for Individual/Organizational Reluctance to Terminate Projects

Many times a Project Manager has poured so much time and sweat equity into a project the Project Manager begins to feel the project has become an extension of that person. Therefore, when it comes time to terminate the project the Project Manager may take this as a personal attack on the individual. Other times the Project Manager may accept the termination of a project as a loss of a loved one. Therefore, management continues with projects, which should be canceled, often referred to as “escalation of commitment to a failing course” (Keil & Montealegre, 2012). Thiry (2007) defines the time of project cancelation as the dissolution phase. Some of the reasons for projects entering into the dissolution phase are cost-benefit ratio lower than expected, projects benefits realized by other means, and cost of the projects have escalated out of control (Thiry, 2007).

The nature of information technology lends itself to continuing many projects long after they should be canceled (Keil & Montealegre, 2012). Information technology projects usually involve high complexity, risk, and uncertainty, which then leads to high levels of resources being expended (Keil & Montealegre, 2012). Lewis (2012) states when organizations have a substantial investment in a project, there is a reluctance to cancel the project and lose the financial investment. When a project is deemed to no longer supportive the organizational goals, the best thing to do is to cancel the project and move the resources to a project, which supports the organizational objectives (Lewis, 2012). One method of determining whether an organization should pursue a project is through the cash-flow model (Lewis, 2012).

When selecting a project for the organization, the organization must first determine which project to pursue. Utilizing the cash-flow model a company can determine the return on investment (ROI) to determine the cash flow over the lifecycle of the project (Lewis, 2012). The ROI will show the managers whether a project’s cash flow will be positive or negative, therefore helping to determine if the returns or less then company costs or do they exceed company costs (Lewis, 2012). Lewis (2012) discusses several scenarios of how to determine cash flows. Some of the peculiarities of cash flows are market dynamics, shortened development times, reduction in investments, or when a product must be developed before a need has arisen (Lewis, 2012).

Selection and Evaluation Criteria Used in the Balanced Scorecard

Before 1992, the primary method of evaluating a company was through financial measurements (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). However, Robert s. Kaplan and David P. Norton saw the financial measures were not enough to provide the entire perspective needed by management (Kaplan & Norton, 2007; Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). The benefit of developing non-financial measures present predictability aspects to management (Norreklit, 2000). Previously managers looked at the financial measure, which told how the company had done in the past but, did little to predict how the company would do in the future (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). Whereas Kaplan and Norton (2001) depicted the balanced scorecard as a measurement system, the Balanced Scorecard Institute (2011) identifies the balanced scorecard as a management system.

The balanced scorecard is a strategic planning and management system, which goes beyond traditional financial measures (Norreklit, 2000). The balanced scorecard introduces three additional aspects of measurement, which are, from the customer’s perspective, internal business processes, and learning and growth (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The learning and growth perspective represents the employee training and corporate cultural attitudes while setting the stage for the knowledge-worker foundation (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). The business perspective is based on internal business practices and tells managers how well their business is running (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). The customer perspective the customers are assessed to see if the company is meeting the customer demands by providing worthwhile products for the customer (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). The fourth perspective is the oldest perspective, which is the financial perspective showing how the company has performed in the past (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011).

Within the four perspectives of the balanced scorecard, there are four processes (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The translating the vision process takes the high-level corporate vision and mission statement and translate it thus every person in the organization can relate to it, furthermore, consensus can be built (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The communicating and linking process is intended to provide a mechanism to communicate the company strategy up and down the organization while linking to other processes (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The business planning process creates an integrated business and financial strategic plan to show where the company desire to be in future year groups (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The feedback and learning process provides a structure to learn from the efforts the organization it ongoing while allowing for the unpredictable aspects of the real world and thus providing double-loop or strategic learning (Kaplan & Norton, 2001).

The selection and evaluation criteria used in the balanced scorecard for identifying projects that support strategic and operational initiatives are uniquely developed for each business since each business is unique (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). There is no one size fits all for projects or the balanced scorecard (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011; Shenhar & Dvir, 2007). Shenhar and Dvir (2007) stated the Theory of Contingency alludes that different external conditions will warrant different organizational characteristics and the success of the organization is contingent on the fit of structure and environmental variables. An organization must use the four identified processes from each of the four perspectives to develop their unique balanced scorecard to support their unique business (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). The utility of the balanced scorecard is the structured processes, the identified perspectives to view the processes, and the uniqueness of the company; allow the organization to create a system that works for the company (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). Using the balanced scorecard will enable a company to identify projects that support the strategic and operational initiatives of the organization (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011).

Benefits and Limitations of Using the Balanced Scorecard

The balanced scorecard started as an enhanced way of accomplishing performance measurements; but has evolved into a common system of aligning an organization to its strategic objectives (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). The benefits of using the balanced scorecard at a high level are organizations have an interactive tool which has evolved into a way to help managers identify what should be done to meet organizational objectives and how these steps should be measured (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). Whereas Kaplan and Norton (2001) depicted the balanced scorecard as a measurement system, the Balanced Scorecard Institute (2011) identifies the balanced scorecard as a management system. Norreklit (2000) further depicts the balanced scorecard as a strategic control mechanism. The many gains from using the balanced scorecard, at a high level are organizations have an interactive tool, which allows managers to a better way to manage the organization (Seal & Ye, 2014).

The many benefits have been discussed thoroughly in the preceding paragraphs. While there are many advantages of using the balanced scorecard, there are some limitations of using the balanced scorecard (Seal & Ye, 2014). Organizational policies derived from the balanced scorecard do not translate to organizational profitable (Norreklit, 2000). Profitability of an organization, portfolio, or project depends on price and the cost structure of the firm (Seal & Ye, 2014). Organizations often mistake the completion of the steps in the process as the completion of the balanced scorecard (Seal & Ye, 2014). The balanced scorecard is a living process to flex and morph, as the organization learns and external environmental factors dictate (Seal & Ye, 2014).

The Herrmann Brain Dominance Model in Developing a Balanced Scorecard

Ned Herrmann read previous research, which indicated the two hemispheres of the brain controlled different aspects of thinking and reasoning (Lewis, 2005). However, Herrmann realized the differences in the brain did not explain everything about human thinking (Lewis, 2005). Therefore, Herrmann added a dimension based on cerebral/limbic thinking (Lewis, 2005). With the added dimension, Herrmann could now divide thinking in four distinct modes (Lewis, 2005). Herrmann’s models are referred to as the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI ^TM) (Lewis, 2005). The HBDI does not provide exact scores but rather ranges and acknowledges all people have representation all four modes of the instrument (Lewis, 2005). Although everyone as a little of all four modes, only five percent of people show a preference for a single mode of thinking (Lewis, 2005). The majority of people have a preference of two, three, or even four modes of thinking (Lewis, 2005).

Herrmann determined quad-quadrant domination is most likely for CEOs because most CEOs are well balanced in the four thinking modes (Lewis, 2005). The HBDI can also be used for organizations (Lewis, 2005). One of the primary uses in forming teams is to select individuals who are dominant in the modes of thinking desired by the organization (Lewis, 2005). However, organizations should strive to create a whole-brain team (Lewis, 2005). While induvial teams in the organization may represent single modes of thinking, the organization as whole should have representation across all modes, thus representing a whole-brain team (Lewis, 2005).

The HBDI is also useful in developing and implementing the balanced scorecard in an organization (Lewis, 2005). Management would be wise to use the HBDI to assess the organizations make up to construct and measure each process of the balanced scorecard (Lewis, 2005). Quadrant A thinkers would be useful handling the financial and statistical measures, and quadrant B thinking would be great for measuring the policies, procedures, and controls of the organization (Lewis, 2005). When dealing with the training, development, and maintaining ideal associations with customers, clients, and key suppliers; management should seek quadrant C thinkers (Lewis, 2005). Quadrant D thinkers are ideal for long-range planning and strategies (Lewis, 2005). When management uses the HBDI Model to develop and implement the balanced scorecard, they can be more assured that the correct thinkers are involved in the organizational strategy.

Companies That Have Been Successful, As Examples to Support Your Research

The balanced scorecard has been successfully implemented in roughly 57% of the business and industry, government, and nonprofit organizations worldwide (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Mecklenburg County Government, adopted a new strategy and implemented many of the balanced scorecard processes (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Mecklenburg County Government constructed a vision, which remains at the center of their process implementation (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). The balanced scorecard initiative was named Managing for Results, and the transformation principles were Understandable, Responsible, Sustainable, Affordable, Choices & Consequences, and Accountable (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Implementing these principles the Mecklenburg County Government ensure all members and customers understood and abided by the principles (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Mecklenburg County Government has become a benchmark for other county governments throughout the USA (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.).

Veolia Water North America implemented an ISO 9000 framework, which has many of the balanced scorecard process embedded (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). The problem was that the company did not have a central set of strategies and key performance indicators (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). The ISO 9000 framework contained three strategic objects, which are Sustainable, Profitable High Growth; Innovative Solutions & Partnerships; and Operational & Technical Excellence (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). In 2012, due to Veolia Water North America success, the Balanced Scorecard Institute presented it with the Award for Excellence (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.).

Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia sought to improve the health status of the country (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Therefore, the Federal Ministry of Health recalibrated their previous scorecard (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). The system used is called The Institute Way, which contained Results Oriented Program Appraisal process, Business Process Reengineering, and Marginal Budgeting for Bottleneck (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). Due to the Federal Ministry of Health success in improving strategic direction, the Prime Minster of Ethiopia directed all Ministries in Ethiopia to embrace the balanced scorecard approach (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.).

Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts Conclusion

Project management is an effective way to management project in an organization (Archer & Ghasemzadeh, 2007). However, organizations need management tools to determine when to take on a new project and when to terminate projects (Thiry, 2007). One tool that is in use by more than half of businesses is the balanced scorecard (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2011). Through the integration of four processes into the vision and strategy, an organization can measure its performance along four different perspectives (Kaplan & Norton, 2007). In conjunction with the balanced scorecard, management should analyze their companies using HBDI (Lewis, 2005). The HBDI will allow management to align the thinking processes of individuals to the best fit in the balanced scorecard (Lewis, 2005).

Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts References

Archer, N., & Ghasemzadeh, F. (2007). Project portfolio selection and management. In P. W. G. Morris & J. K. Pinto (Eds.), The Wiley guide to project, program & portfolio management (2nd ed., pp. 94–112). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Balanced Scorecard Institute. (n.d.). The balanced scorecard – Who’s doing it? Retrieved from http://balancedscorecard.org/Resources/Examples-Success-Stories

Balanced Scorecard Institute. (2011). What is the balanced scorecard? Retrieved from
http://www.balancedscorecard.org/BSCResources/AbouttheBalancedScorecard/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Carayannopoulos, S. (2009). How technology-based new firms leverage newness and smallness to commercialize disruptive technologies. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 33, 419–438. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00297.x

Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2001). Transforming the balanced scorecard from performance measurement to strategic management: Part I. Accounting horizons, 15(1), 87-104. doi:10.2308/acch.2001.15.1.87

Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2007, July). Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/pl/13961223/13961225/613e136a580ef2a0498f0bcf3579e2d0

Keil, M., & Montealegre, R. (2012). Cutting your losses: Extricating your organization when a big project goes awry. Sloan Management Review, 41(3). Retreived from http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/cutting-your-losses-extricating-your-organization-when-a-big-project-goes-awry/

Lewis, J. P. (2005). Whole brain project management. In Project planning, scheduling, and control: A hands-on guide to bringing projects in on time and on budget (4th ed., pp. 103–131). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Lewis, J. P. (2012). A cash-flow model for making project cancellation decisions. Unpublished manuscript. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1 /201640_02 /DR_DDBA/DDBA_8570/artifacts/Weeks04_05_Lewis.pdf

Norreklit, H. (2000). The balance on the balanced scorecard a critical analysis of some of its assumptions. Management accounting research, 11(1), 65-88. doi:10.1006/mare.1999.0121

Rimal, B.P., Choi, E., & Lumb, I. (2009, August). A Taxonomy and Survey of Cloud Computing Systems. Paper presented at 2009 Fifth International Joint Conference on INC, IMS and IDC, Seoul, Korea. doi:10.1109/NCM.2009.218

Seal, W., & Ye, L. (2014). The balanced scorecard and the construction of a management control discourse. Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 10(4), 466-485. doi:10.1108/jaoc-10-2012-0098

Shenhar, A. J., & Dvir, D. (2007). How projects differ, and what to do about it. In P. W. G. Morris & J. K. Pinto (Eds.), The Wiley guide to project, program & portfolio management (2nd ed., pp. 177–198). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Thiry, M. (2007). Program management: A strategic decision management process. In P. W. G. Morris & J. K. Pinto (Eds.), The Wiley guide to project, program & portfolio management (2nd ed., pp. 113–143). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts Sample Answer

Conceptualization, Analysis, and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts

As determined in the review, the writer synthesizes the accumulated knowledge on the topic and emphasizes the essential research questions that have not been sufficiently covered by other research inquiries. Additionally, the author of also develops theory, ensures that the knowledge of the i8s synthesized and an evaluation is provided for substantive methodological advances, a factor that develops inference into the analysis of the empirical study(Perdana, Robb, & Rohde, 2015). A critical summary of the previous studies in this area are also reviewed thus providing new conclusions into the subject area.

The presenter on the other hand addresses the elements of the learning objectives as determined in the two-week pair. In this, the presenter capsulates highlights the essence of conducting the review based on the specified research questions, the description the related variables and the manner in which the related variables in the study would be included in the research study(Plonsky, & Gonulal, 2015). This therefore determines that the presentation captures the cohesive summary of the required concepts within the paper. However, the presenter does not adequately provide an efficient evaluative approach for the implications of project portfolio management.

It is therefore essential to note that the presenter provides a meaningful academic argument in some areas that demonstrate the fluency of the comprehensive concepts identified in the study. Through the analyzed literatures, the presenter identifies some of the related hypothesis for the study that needed a careful approach into the application of an evaluation criterion(Seal, & Ye, 2014). It is therefore essential to determine that presenter needs to generate new approaches and ideologies on this area through the development of an effective evaluation method for this research study.

Conceptualization and Synthesis of Key Research Concepts References

Perdana, A., Robb, A., & Rohde, F. (2015). An Integrative Review and Synthesis of XBRL Research in Academic Journals. Journal of Information Systems, 29(1), 115-153. doi: 10.2308/isys-50884

Plonsky, L., & Gonulal, T. (2015). Methodological Synthesis in Quantitative L2 Research: A Review of Reviews and a Case Study of Exploratory Factor Analysis. Language Learning, 659-36.

Seal, W., & Ye, L. (2014). The balanced scorecard and the construction of a management control discourse. Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 10(4), 466-485. doi:10.1108/jaoc-10-2012-0098

Evaluation of Epidemiological Problem Paper

Evaluation of Epidemiological Problem

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REQUIREMENTS
This paper should clearly and comprehensively identify the disease or population health problem chosen. The problem must be an issue in your geographic area and a concern for the population you will serve upon graduation with your degree. The paper should be organized into the following sections:
1. Introduction with a clear presentation of the problem as well as significance and a scholarly overview of the paper. = HIGH RATES OF HIV/AIDS CASES IN ;’; COUNTY, FL
2. Background of the disease including definition, description, signs and symptoms, and current incidence and/or prevalence statistics current state, local, and national statistics pertaining to the disease. (Include a table of incidence or prevalence rates by your geographic county, state, and national statistics.)
3. A review of current surveillance methods and any mandated reporting or methods for reporting the disease for providers.
4. Conduct descriptive epidemiology analysis of the disease including who is more frequently affected and characteristics of the population that might help in creating a prevention plan. Include costs (both financial and social) associated with the disease or problem.
5. Review how the disease is diagnosed, current national standards for screening or prevention, and pick one screening test and review its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, cost and any current national guidelines for conducting which patients to conduct this test on.
6. Provide a brief plan of how you will address this epidemiological disease in your practice once you are finished with school. Provide three actions you will take along with how you will measure outcomes of your actions.
7. Conclude in a clear manner with a brief overview of key points of the entire disease,
PREPARING THE PAPER
• Page length: 7-10 pages, excluding title/cover page
• APA format 6th edition
• Include references (MUST BE AT LEAST FIVE FROM 2011-2016)
• Include at least one table to present information somewhere in the paper.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Evaluation of Epidemiological Problem

The problem and significance- high HIV/ AIDS cases in Broward County, Fl

Every month, the department of health in Florida releases data related to the newly reported HIV/ AIDS cases in the entire state. A majority of the reports are organized using the counties breakdown. Broward County has for a long time been second to Miami-Dade as far as the infections are concerned. Between the January and the April of 2015, Broward County reported four hundred and three HIV infection cases (Tookes et al., 2015). Within this period in 2014, Klevens et al. (2016) noted that 328 cases had been tracked in Broward. Therefore, there was a 23% infections increase in 2015. During 2015’s first months, the county had reported one hundred and thirteen fewer cases, representing a 17% decrease compared to 2014 (136 cases) (Taveras, 2015). Taveras (2015) also indicated that by the close of April 2015, 18,317 people were believed to be living with the disease in Broward.

Background of the disease

Definition and description

AIDS is a potentially life-threatening, chronic disease that is caused by HIV. HIV interferes with the ability of the body to fight disease-causing organisms, therefore damaging the immune system. HIV is mostly transmitted sexually. It may also be spread through contact with blood that is infected, as well as from a mother to the child during childbirth, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. There is no cure for the disease (Collins, Friedland & Pickett, 2014). However, there are medications which dramatically slow down the disease’s progression.

Signs and symptoms

Two to four weeks following the infection, some people are likely to experience flu-like illness. Nonetheless, there are some who never feel sick during the stage. Some of the flu-like symptoms are mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, night sweats, rash, chills, and fever (Collins, Friedland & Pickett, 2014). These symptoms might last from a number of days to weeks. Within this period, the infection never shows on the test but the people are highly infectious.

The signs and symptoms differ based on the stages that are acute/ primary infection, latency, and finally, AIDS. With the acute infection stage that lasts for a number of weeks, the symptoms are esophageal and mouth sores, malaise, rash, muscle pain, throat inflammation, swollen lymph nodes, and fever (Collins, Friedland & Pickett, 2014). During the latency stage, there are no or few symptoms, and it can last for two weeks to 20 years or more, based on the person. During the AIDS stage, there is a low CD4+ T cell count (less than two hundred per microliter), cancers, different opportunistic infections, and other conditions (Tookes et al., 2015).

Current prevalence and incidence statistics

In 2012, there were 18,030 people living with HIV/ AIDS in the county of Broward. In 2013, 804 new cases were diagnosed (Tookes et al., 2015). Moreover, in 2012, 249 people died from the disease (all-cause mortality). In 2012, 71% of the people suffering from the disease were men while 295 were women (Taveras, 2015). In the same year, 48% of those with the disease were black, 34% white, and 15% Latino or Hispanic (Tookes et al., 2015). Moreover, 62% of the HIV infections in men were as a result of gay sex, 5% injection drug use while 4% was from gay sex and injection drug use (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). 73% of the cases in women during the same year could be traced back to heterosexual contact among women while 9% was because of injection drug use (Tookes et al., 2015).

Table of prevalence/ incidence rates by the geographic county, state, and national statistics

Fig. 1: A graph comparing HIV/AIDS infections in Florida and Broward in 2014

Current surveillance methods and mandated reporting for providers

Surveillance systems make use of the data related to HIV infection; implications resulting from activities such as voluntary counseling and testing, in addition to testing to screen donated blood or for diagnostic purposes (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). Some of the objectives guiding the surveillance include assessing the epidemic’s magnitude, identifying most vulnerable or affected population segments, aid in resource allocation and policy formulation, and aid in prevention programs’ evaluation (Klevens et al., 2016).

After a healthcare provider realizes that a patient is positive, the testing site or clinic reports these results to the state health department, which then sends the information to CDC. If the partner-notification laws apply, the provider can inform the needle-sharing or sex partners. In some cases, the healthcare provider can inform a third party if there increased risk.

Descriptive epidemiology analysis

The frequently affected

HIV is transmitted through various bodily fluids including breast milk, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, pre-seminal fluid, semen, and blood. People who engage in behaviors which ensure contact with the fluids are at risk. Some of these behaviors include having anal or vaginal sex without being on medications which treat or prevent HIV or without a condom, sharing injections and drug equipment with infected people, blood transfusion from an infected person, breast feeding, and mother to child transmission (Tookes et al., 2015). Sexually assaulted people are also at a high risk. People aged between thirteen and sixty four years are sexually active and, therefore, at risk. Some ethnic and racial groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, and Asians are also at risk. Based on gender, women, the bisexual and gay men, as well as transgender people are at a higher risk. Other groups of people at high risk include the incarcerated, sex workers, healthcare workers, and the economically disadvantaged (Collins, Friedland & Pickett, 2014).

Characteristics of the population that can help in creating a prevention plan

Prevention plans are more viable in populations where infected mothers breastfeed without proper guidance; among the uneducated who lack information about different aspects of the disease; where drug abuse and sexual assaults are prevalent; high levels of sex workers and homosexuality; and where poverty is prevalent (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). People engaging in these behaviors or activities are at a high risk of contracting the disease.

Social and financial costs linked to the disease

Considering that HIV/ AIDS is mostly prevalent among the poor people, the disease further imposes a fundamental financial burden on both families and patients. With the increasing accessibility and advent of antiretroviral therapy, the disease is presently acknowledged as a significantly chronic treatable condition with immense social and economic impacts. Direct costs are linked to monitoring, medications as well as medical care. There are also long-term financial costs where earnings are lost by the infected people who can no longer work. In addition, other members in the family have to chip in to promote efficient care provision (Collins, Friedland & Pickett, 2014).

HIV/ AIDS patients are isolated a lot and alienated in their communities, workplaces, and families. A lot of social stigma is connected to the disease, in addition to discrimination. The infected also suffer socially, mentally, and physically. The disease often results to breakups of families, particularly where one spouse was totally faithful, based on suspicion and mistrust (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). The children from such families are also hurt emotionally, and this might affect their entire lives.

How the disease is diagnosed

HIV/ AIDS is diagnosed through HIV testing. Tookes et al. (2015) acknowledged that those unaware that they are infected mostly transmit a majority of the infections. There are different tests for the disease.

Current national standards for prevention or screening

CDC promotes the increased utilization of the intentional opt-out HIV screening, especially for patients aged between thirteen and sixty four years in all healthcare settings in which different other screening and diagnostic tests are performed routinely. All pregnant women should be tested (Taveras, 2015). Before the opt-out HIV screening is conducted, the patient should be informed about the intended HIV test, and he or she is permitted to defer or decline the test (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). Based on CDC recommendations, the practitioners should first offer the patient specified information about the disease as well as offer a chance to defer or decline testing. The test results’ meaning should be discussed before and after the test.

A screening test

With a specificity of 99.9% and sensitivity of 99.9%, ELISA test is an excellent test. The positive predictive value of ELISA test is 91% (Daniel-Ulloa et al., 2015). As far as cost is concerned, the test is regarded as the least expensive and most effective. Other advantages include promoting accurate results. The test is also safe, simple to use, convenient, as well as superior in specificity and sensitivity. There are some national guidelines of the test. Patients are advised to be tested again after three months. The blood sample is normally tested for antibodies (Klevens et al., 2016). There can also be use of oral fluid, apart from saliva, that can be collected from the gums and cheeks. A urine sample might also be used, but is less accurate compared to an oral fluid or blood test. Confirmatory tests are also recommended after the test. The test can be performed on anyone willing to be tested, particularly those feeling that they have been exposed to viruses and other substances which might cause the infection. It can screen for both past and current infections (Taveras, 2015).

Plan for addressing the disease

HIV/ AIDS can be fought effectively through a testing and counseling campaign. The campaign can be developed with collaboration from different stakeholders including the government, private sector, and civil society (Taveras, 2015). This would go a long way in identifying and reaching many of the patients who require ARVs and reducing HIV infections. Regardless of the increased awareness creation including advocating for the use of condoms through mass media advertisements, HIV infection rate is rising, and the present generation is engaging in persistently risky behavior. Therefore, there is a great need to test and counsel people, considering that there are some people living with the disease but they are not yet aware. This campaign will involve having the healthcare providers take a prerogative of engaging their clients so that they are tested when attending the local healthcare facility for different services (Klevens et al., 2016). Before testing and counseling, the healthcare provider will have a role of explaining and reinforcing the significance of being aware about one’s status through being tested. This ideology focuses on the need of people to have a productive, long, and healthy life. The counseling will be founded on the idea that a single encounter with a HIV/ AIDS counselor lacks the power to totally transform the person’s behavior. Nonetheless, regular conversations around behavior in addition to an engagement with the person is without doubt valuable since it facilitates a change mindset that might affect future actions (Tookes et al., 2015).

Three actions

One of the actions that should be promoted during the testing and counseling sessions is creating awareness on how HIV/ AIDS is spread as well as what people need to do to guard themselves from the disease. In addition to being offered the information face-to-face, the patients will be given pamphlets and brochures that they can use for future reference. They will be permitted to carry more brochures and pamphlets in case they have people they can give to. While providing the people with information as well as the interventions they can use to manage their health and prevent HIV transmission, it will also be necessary to fast-track those in need into the treatment program. Therefore, this will be the second activity or action (Taveras, 2015).

The third action is encouraging all those visiting their local healthcare institutions to be tested so that they can be aware of their status. This will be after raising awareness on the issues surrounding the disease and demystifying the social stigma often attached to the disease (Tookes et al., 2015).

Measuring the actions’ outcomes

The first action will be measured or evaluated by assessing the extent to which people visiting the local healthcare center are informed on the transmission and preventive approaches. Since people will be allowed to carry the pamphlets and brochures to their friends and family, it is expected that many more people than those who were attended to at the healthcare institutions will have acquired the information. Definitely, the informed will cease engaging in risky sexual behaviors and take the necessary preventive measures, which will lead to a reduction in the newly diagnosed HIV/ AIDS cases (Carey et al., 2015).

The second action will be measured through the number of people diagnosed with the disease during the testing and included in the treatment program. It is expected that there will be some infected people who were not aware of their status that will be identified. People with high needs will also be referred to other programs (Carey et al., 2015). Third, more people are expected to be tested voluntarily after being urged by the healthcare professionals and the need for regular testing emphasized.

Conclusion

From the foregoing discussion, it has been established that Broward County has a relatively high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. It has been established that male to male transmissions account for many of the new cases. Therefore, regular testing and counseling is recommended so that those infected can start receiving care and treatment as early as possible to avoid complications and slow down progression (Taveras, 2015). ELISA test is one of the screening methods that is highly accurate (Taveras, 2015). When implementing the campaign, carrying out regular evaluations would enable tracking progress and resource use. People should also be informed about the different aspects of the disease including the causes, signs and symptoms, need for regular testing and screening, proper prevention and managements, and the care that patients should receive. More specifically, preventive services should be emphasized on.

References

Carey, J. W., LaLota, M., Villamizar, K., McElroy, T., Wilson, M. M., Garcia, J., … & Flores, S. A. (2015). Using High-Impact HIV Prevention to Achieve the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Goals in Miami-Dade County, Florida: A Case Study. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 21(6), 584-593.

Collins, C., Friedland, B., & Pickett, J. (2014). A Rectal Revolution Takes a Village: Developing an Educational Video about Rectal Microbicides. AIDS research and human retroviruses, 30(S1), A94-A95.

Daniel-Ulloa, J., Ulibarri, M., Baquero, B., Sleeth, C., Harig, H., & Rhodes, S. D. (2015). Behavioral HIV Prevention Interventions Among Latinas in the US: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 1-24.

Klevens, R. M., Jones, S. E., Ward, J. W., Holtzman, D., & Kann, L. (2016). Trends in Injection Drug Use Among High School Students, US, 1995–2013. American journal of preventive medicine, 50(1), 40-46.

Taveras, J. (2015). Integration of prevention, care and treatment in Broward County, Florida. In 143rd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (October 31-November 4, 2015). APHA.

Tookes, H., Diaz, C., Li, H., Khalid, R., & Doblecki-Lewis, S. (2015). A cost analysis of hospitalizations for infections related to injection drug use at a county safety-net hospital in Miami, Florida. PloS one, 10(6), e0129360.

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Article 1

The author of the article has duly defined the factors that favor incompetence that occurs in the care of patients with diabetes type 2. The article’s primary focus is the provision of care to patients with diabetes type 2, which has been shown to be a task that is faced with more challenges than not. For instance, the article has well described the attitude towards the care African American men get for the condition. The fact that the medicines offered affect the masculinity of some of the patients has led to the patients deciding not to undertake such medication (Hooker et al., 2012). The fact is the drugs affects one’s self-esteem. However, the author has achieved a sense of making the patients rethink their previous decisions. This sense can or could be delivered in a perfect way through a patient education in spite of the stressed workforce that offer health care. Thus, the evidence illustrated by the author has justified the key point of the article in their appending nature.

Article 2

The article talks about vaccination. The need for it and the importance of it. The author has succeeded in showing the impending need for the education of generations to come. After all one cannot see the need for a vaccine unless there is worry of contraction of the disease after a major outbreak. However, as mentioned by the author, it is possible that the process of vaccination of rather the practice of it saves lives apart from being cost effective. The cost-effectiveness comes in the concerning the hospital bills incurred for treating a disease that would rather have been prevented by a vaccine. Other than that, the particular instances that cause parents to refuse vaccination for their children are rather alarming (Healy et al., 2014). Due to these facts mentioned in the article. The author has achieved a given significance in educating people on the importance of getting vaccinated and all about the different vaccines that exist.

Article 3

Education makes people aware of terms and information that would rather have been oblivious to them. In such sense, it is essential to monitor a given education program by evaluating the effectiveness of the system used to implement such informative programs. For one to know what he or she is teaching has an audience that is attentive, and keen ton is learning the details of what is being taught. You have to give tests. Simple tests are suitable for such awareness programs. The tests only need to capture the factual information and the context in which the one being examined understood the subject. Such tests would be the probable effectiveness measuring tool. However, in any education program, feedback is critical (Tones et al., 2013). Not alone important but also significant. If the students don’t come back with feedback. Either in the form of seeking clarification, mere curiosity or fact-seeking questions. The system of delivering the program would not have been effective at all. Therefore, any feedback should be appreciated as it shows concern and interest in the subject being taught.

References

Healy, C. M., Montesinos, D. P., & Middleman, A. B. (2014). Parent and provider perspectives on immunization: are providers overestimating parental concerns?. Vaccine, 32(5), 579-584.

Hooker, S. P., Wilcox, S., Burroughs, E. L., Rheaume, C. E., & Courtenay, W. (2012). The potential influence of masculine identity on health-improving behavior in midlife and older African American men. Journal of men’s health, 9(2), 79-88.

Kim, J., Kwon, Y., & Cho, D. (2011). Investigating factors that influence social presence and learning outcomes in distance higher education. Computers & Education, 57(2), 1512-1520.

Sherman, L. D., McKyer, E. L. J., Singer, J. N., Larke, A., & Guidry, J. J. (2014). Understanding the essence and lived experience of self-care management among African-American men living with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Social Health and Diabetes, 2(2), 96.

Tones, K., Robinson, Y. K., & Tilford, S. (2013). Health education: effectiveness and efficiency. Springer.

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Project performance Assignment Available

Project performance

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A portion of the Ajax project has five tasks we are tracking with EVA. Here is the status for this work period for those 5 tasks:
TASK 1.5
Task- 1.5.1 was budgeted at $755, so far we have spent out the door $824. I understand that it is 80% done. This is the end of the 3rd week and it was supposed to be done in five weeks.
Task- 1.5.2 is 25% complete one full week into a 3 week task. The budget says $1,250 for this one. We are out of pocket $800 so far for this puppy.
Task- 1.5.3 was done at the end of last reporting period. The planned 5 week time period for the task has passed. It was actually completed it 2 weeks early! The budgeted amount was $675, but it actually cost us $890 (Maybe that was why it went so fast -overtime?!.)
Task- 1.5.4 is 25% complete one full week into a 3 week task. The budget says $1,125 for this one. We have spent so far I’m told $790 for this guy.
Task- 1.5.5 has not started yet. We are about four weeks before we can start that one. It is budgeted at $2550 and a duration of 3 weeks.

Some questions for you
1. Using EVA what are the PV, EV, and AC values for each Task and for the entire TASK 1.5 effort to date?

2. What are the SV, CV, SPI, and CPI values for each Task and for the entire TASK 1.5 effort to date?

3. What is your overall assessment for this effort at this time?

SAMPLE ANSWER

Introduction

According to Philipson & Antvik (2009) for many companies that are focused on improving project performance, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on earned value analysis (EVA) as the most crucial logical technique for utilization on projects with an aim of getting a better understanding and management performance. This is attributable to the fact that, in these techniques procedures are well written and there is also provision of some training (Project Management Institute, 2013). Humphreys (2011) reiterates that project managers’ use earned value analysis, with an expectation of the project management results will soon improve significantly.

Marshall (2014) reiterates that earned value analysis is considered to be an industry’s standard way for the measurement of a project’s progress, forecasting its completion date and final cost, and providing schedule and budget variances along the way. As a result, through integration of three measurements, it provides consistent, numerical indicators with which you can evaluate and compare projects (Abba, 2012; Devaux, 2014).

Defense Systems Management College (2007), note that the approach of earned value analysis is used to measure the extent to which the project work has been completed in a project with regards to each task at given point of performance and time. This analysis is often carried out through calculation of how much time, the work has taken as well as the resources that have been used, and the values obtained for both resources and time are compared to the planned values in order to determine whether the project is running ahead or behind schedule (Fleming & Koppelman, 2005). Similarly, the earned value analysis is also used to determine whether the resources utilized are more than initially planned, meaning that the project management has not been efficient with regards to resources (Fleming & Koppelman, 2005; Goodpasture, 2004). Formally, Earned value analysis may be defined as a tool to objectively measure project performance by integrating scope, time and cost data. Earned value management also provides a means to forecast future performance based on past performance (Goodpasture, 2004).

This report will provide an analysis of earned value based on key formulas and key metrics essential for the monitoring of a project when using earned value analysis. This will be in addition to a consideration of the common errors encountered in implementing EVA and corrective actions that are appropriate. An informed conclusion will be arrived at based on the carried out analysis from the perspective of EVA concepts and principles as well as project performance metrics, which is a cornerstone of earned value management.

Questions (Calculated values are within the PowerPoint file)

Using EVA, the PV, EV, and AC values for each are shown in the PowerPoint presentation. In addition, the SV, CV, SPI, and CPI values for each Task are also shown in the PowerPoint presentation. Furthermore, an overall assessment for this effort at this time based on the calculated performance metrics show that the project is not well managed. For instance, the schedule and cost efficiency of all the four tasks is relatively not very good whereby only Task 1 and Task 2 are ahead of schedule; while both Task 2 and Task 4 are behind schedule. All the four tasks are over budget with relatively large margins indicating that the actual costs for all tasks were above the planned values. SPIs show relatively good efficiency for schedule with ratio ranging from 0.67 to 1.33, while CPIs terrible cost efficiency with ratios of 0.73, 0.39, 0.76 and 0.36 for Tasks 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is undoubtedly evident that earned value analysis can be used to analyze the progress of a project in order to succinctly know how effectively it is managed with regards to schedule (time) and resources (cost). This provides a comparison between the planned values and the actual values in order to gauge the extent of efficiency in project management. For example, the values obtained in the Ajax project show that the extent of efficiency was relatively not very good both in terms of time and resources. However, its implementation was still with an achievable range.

References

Abba, W. (2012). How Earned Value Got to Prime Time: A Short Look Back and a Glance Ahead. PMI College of Performance Management. Retrieved from www.pmi-cpm.org

Defense Systems Management College (2007). Earned Value Management Textbook, Chapter 2. Defense Systems Management College, EVM Dept., 9820 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5565.

Devaux, S. A. (2014). Managing Projects as Investments: Earned Value to Business Value. London, UK: CRC Press.

Fleming, Q., & Koppelman, J. (2005). Earned Value Project Management (3^rd ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Goodpasture, J. C. (2004). Quantitative Methods in Project Management. J. Ross Publishing. pp. 173–178.

Humphreys, G. (2011). Project Management Using Earned Value. Newtown Square, PA: Humphreys and Associates.

Marshall, R. (2007). The Contribution of Earned Value Management to Project Success of Contracted Efforts. Journal of Contract Management, 2007, pp. 21-331.

Marshall, R. A. (2014). The contribution of earned value management to project success on contracted efforts: A quantitative statistics approach within the population of experienced practitioners. PMI College of Performance Management. Retrieved from www.pmi-cpm.org

Project Management Institute (2013). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute. 2013. pp. 217–219.

Philipson, E., & Antvik, S. (2009). Earned Value Management: An introduction. Philipson Biz.

Project Management Institute (2005). Practice Standard for Earned Value Management. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Solomon, P., & Young, R. (2006). Performance-Based Earned Value. New York, NY: Wiley-IEEE Computer Society.

Stratton, R. (2006). The Earned Value Maturity Model. New York, NY: Management Concepts.

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Commenting on Research Technology Management

Commenting on Research Technology Management Order Instructions: see attached

Commenting on Research Technology Management Sample Answer

Commenting on the articles

Article 1

In this article, the student has correctly pointed out that the stage-gate model is basically a theoretical framework that takes a particular idea from concept to launch by means of breaking that idea into gates, in which business assessments and decisions occur. In essence, this model remains a process that creates value and determines the risks that accompany the process, a factor that is intended to transform a company’s best new ideas into winning products in a quick and profitable way (Cooper & Edgett, 2012). This is a crucial point which the student has clearly articulated in the article. Furthermore, the student has rightly identified and described each of the stages of this model that entails the process of scoping, development, building a business’s case, testing and validating, and lastly the launching phase. This, therefore, points out to the fact that there are a number of benefits of the stage-gate model have been clearly and accurately pointed out by the student, with an instance is in the model’s provision of strong solutions, that ensures its alignment to an organizations goals and the model enhances team performance and accountability. It also creates product excellence and creates an innovative culture in the company (Stage-Gate International, 2016).

Article 2

The student in this article has correctly stated that the Stage-Gate process has a number of checkpoints and that the model is helpful in managing new product development projects. When companies embrace the Stage-Gate model, it would create a culture of product innovation excellence (Stage-Gate International, 2016). The student points out that the stages of the Stage-Gate model represent the application of interdisciplinary actions that ensure a product is taken from its creation into its launch in the market. To add on to this point, it is notable that the model is anchored in the belief that product innovation starts with ideas and concludes after the product is introduced into the marketplace successfully (Cooper & Edgett, 2012). The student has also correctly revealed that at every gate in this model, company executives utilize defined criteria in establishing whether or not they should continue or abort innovation projects. In essence, preceding every stage, the project will pass through a gate in which a decision is made regarding whether the company should continue to invest in the project or not; this is termed as a Kill/Go decision. This act cans, therefore, be determined as a quality-control process that has the main objectives of ensuring that: quality is determined, the business routine is rationalized, and resources and plan of the project are approved (Stage-Gate International, 2016).

Commenting on Research Technology Management References

Cooper, R. G., & Edgett, S. J. (2012). Best practices in the Idea-to-Launch process and its governance. Research Technology Management, 55(2), 43-54. doi:10.5437/089563308X5502022

Stage-Gate International. (2016). Innovation Process. Retrieved from http://www.stage-gate.com/resources_stage-gate_full.php

Project Scope Statement Assignment Paper

Project Scope Statement

Order Instructions:

Course Project Part 2—Due Week 4

In project Part 2, we create a schedule and accurate budget for your project. You need to focus on detailed cost estimating, scheduling, and cost justification. Estimating includes specific assumptions made during the estimating process, as well as quantities, unit prices, hourly rates for tasks, and accumulated totals. You must justify all of your costs; this includes direct, indirect, variable, fixed, and overhead.

The CP-2 Project Proposal will be structured with the following sections.
•Cover page including assignment, project title, course, and student contact information
•Executive summary summarizing the content from the entire document with quantifiable highlights, such as overall cost, duration, and so on
•Project scope statement describing the project
•Resource loaded WBS and schedule with proper grouping, indenting, and coding for approximately 25 to 40 line items. This also needs to include a work package, deliverables, and activities, activity relationships, activity durations, and activity resources.
•Cost estimates for each activity. Capital cost estimates should include building, franchise fees, equipment, and so on, if required for your project.
•Cost assumptions including a list of assumptions made when deriving your estimates

NOTE: Each section should include the detail as described above, along with a proper discussion about the included data as well as the project manager’s analysis and interpretation of the information.

Submission Requirements
•The assignment should be submitted as two files: one MS Word file for the scope statement and documentation excerpt for the WBS; and one MS Project file containing the project WBS, schedule, resource loading, and budget information.
•CP-2 must include a cover page.
•As a guide, the body of CP-2 should be between five and 10 pages in length (i.e., not including cover page, appendix, and MS Project file).

SAMPLE ANSWER

Executive Summary

The proposed project is aimed at developing software that would centralize the operations of Sparkle Enterprises Limited onto a single management platform for the purpose of improving resource allocation, operations management, and prioritization of the organization’s different operations/programs. Successful execution of the proposed project would help to significantly reduce the organization’s schedule delays and cost overruns. This project would be carried out over a period of 6 months starting January 16, 2016 and completing it on June 9 2016 at a cost of $172,000. One of the deliverables is new software that is tested and fully operational free of errors and satisfies the stipulated specifications.

Course Project Part 2

Project Scope Statement

Project scope, as Schmidt (2011) pointed out, is the part of project planning in which a listing of exact project deliverables, goals, deadlines, costs and tasks are determined and documented. The documentation of a project’s scope defines the project’s boundaries, explains the roles of every member of the project team and spells out the procedures for how the finished work would be validated and approved (Patanakul & Shenhar, 2012). The document might be called the scope statement. The proposed project is aimed at developing software that would centralize the operations of Sparkle Enterprises Limited onto a single management platform for the purpose of improving resource allocation, operations management, and prioritization of the organization’s different operations/programs. All the company operations would be managed in this new software.

In the project, new software would be designed, developed, tested and implemented at Sparkle Enterprises Limited that would allow the company to track its operations and effectively manage all current programs, future programs and/or operations in its portfolio. By developing and implementing the new software, Sparkle Enterprises Limited would have a better leverage on its limited resources through prioritization of operations, efficient allocation of resources, and provision of proactive management oversight which is helpful in the identification and mitigation of risks prior to their adverse impact on operations. Therefore, successful execution of the proposed project would help to significantly reduce the company’s schedule delays as well as cost overruns. Relevant permissions and access would be granted to the administrator or a particular designated individual who will be in charge of updating, managing, and viewing programs and operations. All programs and operations would entail integration of a virtual dashboard including the important metrics for the provision of consistency in the methodology of measuring the performance of the programs and operations. Programs and operations dashboards will display budget data, schedules, assigned resources, potential risks, in addition to attained milestones.

On the whole, the project comprises all the work that pertains to planning, designing, developing/programming, implementing and installing the new software for Sparkle Enterprises Limited. This would entail gathering functional requirements for the software and obtaining input from the company’s departments and users of the system, server configuration, technical and conceptual design and coding work, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation of the new software across the company. The project scope will also include training and/or operational manuals as well as troubleshooting guides. Following successful completion and implementation of the proposed project at Sparkles Enterprises Limited, the expected deliverables include the following:

Deliverable 1: New software that is tested and fully operational free of errors and meet the stipulated specifications whose descriptions are in the Project Scope Description based on the functional requirements.
Deliverable 2: New tested and operational software template allowing users to enter software metrics and data consistently.
Deliverable 3: A complete and comprehensive user’s manual providing stepwise instructions on the usage of the software.
Deliverable 4: A complete as well as comprehensive troubleshooting guide providing corrective steps or measures to the software users.

With regard to cost and deadline, the proposed project would be carried out for a period of 6 months starting January 16, 2016 and completing it on June 9 2016 at a cost of $172,000.

The table below shows the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders and members of the project team:

Name	Designation	Responsibilities
James Daniels	Sponsor	· Approving or denying requests for scope change as appropriate · Evaluating requests for scope change need · Accepting project deliverables
Margret Daniels	Project Manager	· Measuring and verifying project scope · Facilitating requests for scope change · Facilitating the assessments of requests for scope change impact · Organizing and facilitating meetings for scheduled change control · Communicating outcomes of requests for scope change · Updating project documents after all scope changes are approved
Mary Roberts	Steering Committee	· Providing assistance to resolve issues arising from the project scope that are beyond the jurisdiction of the project manager · Monitoring the progress of the project and providing necessary support and tools especially when project milestones are in jeopardized.
Bob Williams	Team Lead	· Measuring and verifying project scope · Validating requests for the project scope change · Participating in assessing requests for scope change impact · Communicating outcomes of requests for scope change to the team · Facilitating change review process at team level
Dave Jacobs	Team Member	· Participating in the definition of change resolutions · Evaluating the need for changing the scope and subsequently communicating them to the project manager appropriately
Tom Smith	Team Member	· Participating in the definition of change resolutions · Evaluating the need for changing the scope and subsequently communicating them to the project manager appropriately

Resource loaded Work Breakdown Structure and schedule

A Work Breakdown Structure is essentially understood as a chart wherein the crucial work elements, commonly referred to as tasks, of the project are shown to illustrate how they relate to each other and to the entire project altogether (Killen et al., 2012). It is worth mentioning that the Work Breakdown Structure’s graphical nature helps the project manager in predicting outcomes basing upon different scenarios, which could ensure that the best possible decisions are made with regard to whether or not to adopt suggested procedures (Colber, 2014).

For the proposed project, the Work Breakdown Structure is illustrated in the chart below:

The resources required to complete the project effectively comprise human resources including the project manager, programmers and system analyst; financial resources; and computer hardware resources such as computers, servers, a router, cables, backup devices, disk storage devices, and universal power supplies (UPSs).

Schedule

	Task Name	Duration	Start	Finish
1	Scope	107 days	1/18/2016	1/29/2016
2	Determining project scope	1 day	1/30/2016	1/30/2016
3	Secure project sponsorship	2 days	1/31/20116	2/1/2016
4	Order preliminary resources	2 days	2/2/2016	2/3/2016
5	Secure core resources	5 days	2/4/2016	2/10/2016
6	Scope complete	0 days	2/10/2016	2/10/2016
7	Analysis of software requirements	20 days	2/11/2016	3/9/2016
8	Conduct analysis needs	2 days	2/11/2016	2/12/2016
9	Draft preliminary software requirements	2 days	2/13/2016	2/15/2016
10	Develop preliminary budget	2 days	2/16/2016	2/17/2016
11	Review software specifications/budget with members of the project team	1 day	2/18/2016	2/18/2016
12	Integrating feedback	1 day	2/19/2016	2/19/2016
13	Develop delivery deadline	4 days	2/20/2016	2/24/2016
14	Obtain approval to proceed	5 days	2/25/2016	3/2/2016
15	Secure the required resources	3 days	3/3/2016	3/7/2016
16	Analysis complete	0 days	3/8/2016	3/8/2016
17	Design	30 days	9/3/2016	4/19/2016
18	Review preliminary software specifications	2 days	3/9/2016	3/10/2016
19	Develop functional requirements	3 days	3/11/2016	3/15/2016
20	Develop prototypes	14 days	3/16/2016	4/4/2016
21	Review functional requirements	2 days	4/5/2016	4/6/2016
22	Incorporate feedback	8 days	4/7/2016	4/18/2016
23	Design complete	0 days	4/18/2016	4/16/2016
24	Development	35 days	4/19/2016	6/6/2016
25	Review functional specifications	3 days	4/18/2016	4/21/2016
26	Identify design parameters	10 days	4/22/2016	5/5/2016
27	Implement prototypes	22 days	5/6/2016	6/6/2016
28	Development complete	0 days	6/6/2016	6/6/2016
29	Testing the new software	8 days	6/7/2016	6/16/2016
30	Training	4 days	6/17/2016	6/22/2016

As illustrated in the schedule above, the entire project would last a total of 6 months. The human resources who would be required to ensure effective completion of the project are as follows: 1 project manager; 1 team leader who will also act as the supervisor; 5 software developers/software designers/analysts who are the team members. Therefore, the entire workforce would comprise only 7 personnel.

Cost estimates for every activity

Developing an effective budget for a software development project is often contingent on developing all-inclusive software engineering schedule and cost models with the use of industry-standard estimation methods. Pinto (2010) pointed out that to accurately determine the budget for a software development project, it is important to first identify both the scope and type of the software product being developed by the project team. Developing software that has complex features and benefits would certainly increase the amount of time needed for testing. It also increases the costs linked to production of the software.

With regard to the financial resources needed for the current project, the total estimated budget is $172,000. This amount is broken down as follows:

Ref.	Project Expenditures	Quantity/units/days	Rate per unit ($)	Total ($)
1	Hardware costs
1.1	Computers	6	$500	$3,000
1.2	Servers	2	$3,500	$7,000
1.3	Backup devices	3	$1,500	$4,500
1.4	Disk storage	2	$300	$600
1.5	Universal Power Supply (UPS)	1	$450	$450
1.6	Additional processing services which could be permanent or temporary for instance through cloud services	1	$1,000	1,000
1.7	Router	1	$1,000	$1,000
1.8	Cabling / cables	7	$200	$1,400
				$18,950
2	Personnel
2.1	Project manager	1	$13,800	$13,800
2.2	Team leader	1	$12,000	$12,000
2.3	Software developers, software designers, analyst making up the project team members	5	$13,800	$69,000
				$94,800
3	Software requirements analysis	20 days	$500	$10,000
4	Software design	30 days	$500	$15,000
5	Software development and programming	20 days	$500	$10,000
6	Software testing and installation	35 days	$350	$12,250
7	Security application for the software	1 antivirus software and firewall	$1000	$1,000
8	Training	1 day	$5,000	$5,000
9	Contingency	N/A	$5,000	$5,000
				$58,250
	Total			$172,000

Cost assumptions

This current project would be carried over a period of 6 months. When deriving the cost estimates illustrated above, the cost assumptions that were made include the following:

The personnel would be paid not on an hourly rate, but on a monthly rate for a period of 6 months. For instance, the cost of employing project manager is $2,300 per month which adds up to $13,800 for the 6-month period, and that of employing one team leader is $2,000 per month amounting to $12,000 for six months.
Once the system has been completed successfully and deployed at Sparkles Enterprises Limited, a firewall and/or antivirus software would be installed, which would cost an estimated $1,000. This would help in protecting the new system against any malicious software from outside the organization.
The charges for software requirements, software design, software development/programming, as well as software testing and installation are essentially the funds which the project team members would incur in the course of the project. They are not part of the personnel fees.
The contingency funds amounting to $5,000 as shown in the budget is reserved for responding to any risks that are identified.
Indirect costs are the charges and other overheads which are shared out across different departments or many activities such as computers.
Direct costs are the expenditures that are exclusive to this particular project and consist of the resources that are directly involved in delivering the work and managing it (Wysocki, 2013). The following charges are examples of direct costs for this project: charges for software requirements, software design, software development/programming, software testing and installation, and training.
Fixed costs do not change in spite of how much output is attained for instance cost of the building, whereas variable costs change depending on the amount of resource that is utilized, for instance wages for the personnel involved in the project (Kendrik, 2013). If the duration of the project increases to 7 or more months, then the salaries would also increase.

References

Colber, V. (2014). Work Breakdown Structure. Moraga, CA. Bright ideas and concepts.

Kendrick, T. (2013). The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right, (3^rd ed.). New York, NY: AMACOM Books.

Killen, C. P., Jugdev, K., Drouin, N., & Petit, Y. (2012). Advancing project and portfolio management research: Applying strategic management theories. International Journal Of Project Management, 30(5), 525-538. doi:10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.12.004

Patanakul, P., & Shenhar, A. J. (2012). What project strategy really is: The fundamental building block in strategic project management. Project Management Journal, 43(1), 4-20. doi:10.1002/pmj.20282

Pinto, J. K. (2010). Project Management: Achieving competitive advantage (2^nd ed.). Boston, MA: Prentice Hall.

Schmidt, T. (2011). Strategic Project Management Made Simple : Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons

Wysocki, R. K. (2013). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Adaptive, Extreme, (11^th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

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Stage-Gate Theory and Practice Assignment

Stage-Gate Theory

Order Instructions:

Stage-Gate Theory and Practice

Years of hard work and perseverance have earned you the job that you coveted—head chef at a fabulous and very popular restaurant. But as you go about trying to implement ideas that you think will improve an already strong business, you find that innovative thinking is not always happily received by management. And it is not just the restaurant manager you must convince; there is an owner and even some patrons who seem to be very influential in the decision-making process. It appears that innovative ideas must come with a virtual guarantee of success. If only there were ways to tangibly demonstrate the efficacy of your plans.
In a way, project managers face similar challenges. It seems that innovative thinking is encouraged but then resisted. Tangible means are needed to bring new successful ideas to the fore. This is where the Stage-Gate theory comes in.

In a 2 page word document, respond to the following questions:

• What are the benefits and limitations of using the Stage-Gate product innovation process in project management?

• How might a project manager utilize Stage-Gate theory to encourage, maintain, or discourage management support of a project?
o Be specific and provide examples and also use sources not older than 5 years pear review articles.

SAMPLE ANSWER

With an already healthy business, it is of importance to use a well-defined set of methodologies and strategies to reduce the risk of either getting a less-than-expected project return, or even a total project failure. The adoption of the stage gate theory is, therefore, necessary and have been adopted by many organizations to reduce the risk of new product development failure. In this theory and a strategic approach, it ensures that a project remains aligned with its initial strategic goal such that its value remains high to facilitate the progress of the project to the next stage. Sometimes, already flourished businesses and investments may deviate from its goal focuses due to small modifications brought about by the management or any other decision makers and, on the other hand, slight changes can lead to success that or turns around the project focus to a new level that can lead to a great success (Wang, 2013).

The stage gate model comes in handy with many advantages which in turn may lead to a total focus on the project’s goals and ensures that the project improves in its quality. One of the advantages of using the stage-gate product innovation process is that the initiative can be a source of competitive advantage. Competition is a necessary tool for any business or an investment that enables it to remain relevant in the field. Product development is also accelerated with the use of the stage gate methodology, which is necessary because of shortening the product life cycles (Newton, 2011).

Apart from the advantages of the stage-gate methodology, the increased chance of new products is another benefit of this strategy. This approach helps to improve the chances of any business in the identification of new products hence preventing early project failures and hence helping to redirect them. The stage-gate process helps to break down the broad and complex innovation processes into smaller manageable corporations and hence encouraging specialization within the project. It aids in realizing a shortened product life cycle (Wang, 2013).

On the other hand, the stage-gate process comes in handy with some limitations to a project or an investment that is already flourishing. Although at each stage the process is conducted in parallel, the stage-gate approach performs its process in a regular form regarded as the waterfall. Innovation is supposed to be carried out in an organized parallel manner, and it is according to some innovation experts. Another limitation of the stage-gate approach to a project model is that the framework does not deal with the discovery process and hence does not deal with the activities of the creation of new ideas. A tension normally exists between the creativity and organization within a project development, and they are crucial within a project development. For a successful organization, the gap between organization and creativity should not exist and hence a limitation of the stage-gate process in a project (Newton, 2011).

For one to manage a business properly using the stage-gate innovation process technique, there are some factors to consider. For example, the new manager should never ignore any advice from any board of managers since they are well informed of the previous lessons in the project progress. For a successful manager, a proper understanding of the process is essential for the maintenance and the striking forward of the business and the project. Being flexible helps in the encouragement and the support of the project at any level. The need to facilitate any project success includes a proper preparation of the software infrastructure. With this, the managers are able to encourage, maintain, and support the project.

Upon conclusion, several components are needed by any business when using the stage-gate innovation model for the realization of new product development and hence the success of the ongoing activities. An integrated approach using this model avoids the many unnecessary failures of projects and businesses.

References.

Wang, X. (2013). Agile and lean service-oriented development: Foundations, theory, and practice. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

Newton, R. (2011). The management book. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall.

Information Resources Management Association. (2014). Software design and development: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications. Hershey, Pa: IGI Global (701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA.

Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2012). Project management: A managerial approach. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

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Americans political history;maryland Paper

Americans political history;maryland

Order Instructions:

The purpose of this paper is to provide practical application of material learned by developing concepts presented in the presentations. The body of the paper must be at least 6 pages (double spaced, 12-pt font). In addition to the body there must be a separate title page and a page of references. A separate abstract is not necessary and must be omitted.

Do not attempt to write the paper without carefully studying the related presentations. To achieve more than a passing grade, you must demonstrate a mastery of the presentations and factual information and incorporate those ideas into your papers. Naturally, stylistic points such as grammar and spelling will be considered in grading. Your paper must be in current APA format. Doing the minimum amount of work does not guarantee a perfect score.

-The research paper has 2 steps. First, you will analyze the background of your congressional district and your U.S. Representative. Second, you will analyze the political background of your state and 1 of your U.S. Senators. You may choose which senator to study; however, if one senator is newly elected and does not have interest group ratings, choose the other one. Note that these are United States Representatives and Senators. Do not use members of your state legislature.

——MY STATE IS MARYLAND——

-Begin by reviewing the presentation on “Becoming an Informed Voter.” After reviewing the presentation, you will write an essay with 2 parts. The first part will deal with your congressional district and congressman; the second part will deal with your state and senator. As explained in the presentation, interest group scores may be found at http://www.votesmart.org.

****REMEMBER MARYLAND IS MY STATE****

A helpful source to find information for this paper is The Almanac of American Politics by Michael Barone and Chuck McCutcheon.

This essay will address a number of questions:

• What is the recent political history of your district and state?
• How have they voted in recent presidential and congressional elections?
• Can your district or state be considered to be leaning Republican or leaning Democratic?
• Are the parties relatively even or does one party dominate the elections?
• Does your district have a long tradition of supporting one party or has it been changing in recent years?
• How did your representative and senator come to power? (Thoroughly describe their backgrounds.)
• How do the interest groups (ADA, ACLU, ACU, CC or FRC) rate your representative and senator? (Note: If the Christian Coalition score is not available, you may substitute the Family Research Council score. Include the exact scores from each of these groups. The rationale for this is explained in the presentation.)
• Based on these ratings, would you classify your representative and senator as conservative or liberal? Justify your answer.

Be sure to list your sources.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE PRESENTATION….

https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/id565986529#

SAMPLE ANSWER

Introduction

The 3rd congressional district in the state of Maryland consists of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and other considerable parts of the independent city of Baltimore. Currently, Maryland’s 3rd congressional district is represented by a Democratic John Sarbanes. Some of the landmarks in this district include the Maryland Science Centre, Annapolis, Fort McHenry and the state’s capital. Three previous individuals to represent Maryland in the US Senate include the former representative of the 3rd district such as the retired senator Paul Sabarnes, current senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin. The 3rd district’s gerrymandering resulted from the support for a Democratic candidate in the 2000 and 2010 consensus. In 2012, the 3rd district was the least congressional district across the US (Barone and Cohen, 2013).

Consequently, the 3rd district is among the 61 districts that elected a representative to the first US Congress. It was initially included Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Anne Arundel. In 1792, the district was moved to comprise eastern half of Fredrick, Montgomery and Maryland counties (Pedersen, 2001). Again, in 1853, the 3rd district was redrawn to include Baltimore County apart from western and northern regions of the county and a third of the eastern part of Baltimore city. In the 1860 census, Maryland was cut to about five congressional districts while the 3rd congressional district was extended to include areas of the Baltimore, which were not part of the district before 1863 (Pedersen, 2001).

What is the recent political history of your district and state?

The recent political history of the 3rd congressional district is the most gerrymandered not only in Maryland but also across the US. The 3rd congressional district and Maryland the assembly is especially aggressive as well as creative. The assembly has been able to shift the majority of black electorates from Al Wynn’s majority-minority fourth district into eighth district, to expel the Republican representative. Again, in 2012 the Maryland’s assembly removed the current. Roscoe Bartlett by cutting his district into a half while merging it to a prosperous, democratic neighborhood near D.C, which made Bartlett lose by about twenty, points (Barone and Cohen, 2013). Currently, the Democrats control 7 out of 8 House seats.

As a matter of fact, gerrymander issue has been exaggerated; Marylanders still uphold the law and voted for Barack. The 3rd district under John Sarbanes includes metro regions of D.C; Annapolis and Baltimore are the ugliest and least compact across the United States. Much as Sarbanes was not likely to lose the race, the recent amendments offered him a position to get hold of the rich Democrats from the county of Montgomery- likely supporters of the future senatorial campaign. Some Democrats were not happy with such a move that was as a result of Donna Edwards., a black congresswoman.

How did your representative and senator come to power? (Thoroughly describe their backgrounds.)

John Sarbanes sought the Democratic nomination for the third district following a decade incumbent Ben Cardin, who forfeit the seat to run for the senatorial position of John Sarbanes’s father, Paul Sarbanes. The primary campaign involved Paula Hollinger the state senator, Peter Beilenson the former Baltimore City Health Commissioner and Oz Bengur the former Maryland Democratic Party Treasurer. During the September 2006 nominations, John Sarbanes won with approximately 31.9% votes (Barone and Cohen, 2013). In the general election, his Republican rival was John White, the Annapolis, and marketing executive. Nevertheless, Maryland’s 3rd district is mainly democratic from 1927 and some expected that Sarbanes to experience challenges in the elections. Furthermore, some allege that Sarbanes won the election following the popularity of his father, Paul Sarbanes, who was the representative of the 3rd district from 1971-1977. During November 2006 elections Sarbanes worn with about 64 percent, the White gained 34% votes while Charles Curtis McPeek the Libertarian got 2 percent. Sarbanes has been reelected four times without practical opposition.

Campaign funds

John Sarbanes campaign income in 2008 was about USD 1,012,936 and spend about USD 799,506 (Barone and Cohen, 2013). His chief supporter was Veneble LL6; USD 38,854, a place he spent 18 years (1989-2006) for his legal career, which represents non-profit health care facilities providing quality care to Marylanders. Other supporters were Chesapeake Partners Management, Johns Hopkins University, Carpenters & Joiners Union. The main industries that contributed funds to Sarbanes campaign are interest groups, lawyers, health, labor and real estate.

How have they voted in recent presidential and congressional elections?

Maryland’s 3rd congressional district held elections in November 2014 for US general elections. John Sarbanes, a Democrat, defeated his opponent Charles Long a Republican with 128,594 votes or 59.6 percent. Sarbanes also won the Democratic primary against his challenger Mathew Molyett. On the other hand, Charles Long won the Republic nominations against Thomas Harris and Michael Jackson. Moreover, in 2012 presidential election Barrack Obama, a Democratic candidate garnered majority votes in Maryland’s 3rd congressional district; he won with 49.39 percent against Mitt Romney with 49.31%. The state of Maryland is among the 21 states associated with the mixed primary structure. The parties have the right to elect who can vote in the primary and close the process to all electorates apart from those registered under their party.

Does your district have a long tradition of supporting one party or has it been changing in recent years?

Political parties

The Democratic and Republican parties are central political parties commanding huge following in Maryland and especially the 3rd district. Towards the Civil War, the Democratic Party drew a significant part of their ability from eastern shores and their enemies from Whigs, who were common across Baltimore. The collapse of the Whigs led to the rise of the Native American party, which viewpoint on anti-immigrant and anti-Catholics attracted Marylanders as they believed that their wellbeing was vulnerable to Roman Catholics immigrants. Maryland was the only state to vote for the presidential candidate of the American Native party. Nevertheless, declined remarkably and Maryland started to support the Democratic Party, electing John Breckinridge, the secessionist. In the 1970s corruption and peddling afflicted the main parties and in 1973 Spiro T. Agnew, a Republican and the Vice President of US during that period was accused taking money from individuals engaged in business dealings in the state especially when they were in Baltimore County and Maryland’s governor. In 2000, the majority of Marylanders supported the Democratic party, for example, 57% voted for Al Gore a Democrat, 40% for the Republican George Bush and three percent to Ralph Nader, the Green, party candidate. Two years later, John Kerry a Democratic challenger won 55.7% votes against Bush with 44.6 percent in 1994, governor election was a major race in the history of Maryland, Democrats won and reelected in 1998 and 2002 Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. a Republican was elected. In 2000 and 2004, both Sarbanes and Mikulski, from Democratic Party got re-election. As of 2004, approximately 3,105,000 voters were registered, of which 58% were Democrats, 20% Republicans and 12 percent independent members. Additionally, the congressional delegation comprised of 6 and 2 democrats and republicans respectively.

How do the interest groups (ADA, ACLU, ACU, CC or FRC) rate your representative and senator?

Interest Group

Some interest groups periodically publish congressional scores to assess the representatives as well as senators position on particular issues. These scorecards are mainly obtained from determining the manner in which member voted to how the group could have voted on a given legislation and provide a score to demonstrate how vote match up (Mitchell, 2007). This means interest groups rate representatives and senators in the way they vote. Common awareness groups consist of the American Conservative Union (ACU) and Americans for Democratic Action. They stem from the conservative and progressive wings respectively. These groups give the score of 8 and the mean of every senator. Nevertheless, the scores are not independent. In most cases, senators who get a good score from ADA are likely to score poorly from ACU and vice versa (Mitchell, 2007). When 4 progressive and four conservative groups are used, then each senator will score 50%, which is not interesting. To address this issue, it is appropriate to use progressive groups, since a legislator with a high rating is rather prospective, that is, they support every progressive project, and he becomes a liberal thinker (Barone & Cohen, 2013). On the contrary, a conservative senator has a low ranking, as such, against all ongoing projects.

Table 1: Interest Group Ratings

State	Senator	ACLU	ADA	CDF	LCV	NAACP	NARAL	PTA	SEIU	Mean
Maryland	Paul Sarbanes	78	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	97
Maryland	Ben Cardin	78	90	89	85	95	100	100	100	92

Political background Maryland and Senator Ben Cardin

Maryland is one of the first thirteen colonies that joined the Union in 1788, and it has taken part in all the 57 presidential elections. Furthermore, Maryland has been mainly “blue” state following the introduction of contemporary political parties during the period of Civil war. From 1960, Maryland has been voting for Republicans in the landslide such as Nixon in 1972, Reagan in 1984 and Bush in 1988. In 2012, Obama easily defeated Romney. On politics, there are two Marylands. The Democratic Maryland is multiracial and includes all socioeconomic groups stretching to parts of Washington and Baltimore metropolitan regions (Sheckels, 2006).

The second part is the Republican Maryland that is primarily rural, dominated by white community and conservative. It includes Maryland Tidewater and western counties of Maryland. The early 21st-century Republican Party Maryland is not similar to the previous one, which was progressive compared to social and fiscally conservative Democrats. Modern Republican candidates demonstrate policy standpoints of the party such as protection of property rights, Anti-tax, anti-government and anti-abortion. Republicans opposition to the dominance of democratic is not only deep-seated but also the degree of politics generated by this problem is intense compared to the present day history of Maryland. Cardin joined politics while in law schools and served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 -1968. In 1986, when Barbara Mikulski, a US representative, declared to view for the senatorial seat; Cardin joined the race in the House of Representative and was victorious by a decisive margin. He served from 1987 to 2007, an era he became well known for his efforts in social works such as health as well as other initiatives (Mitchell, 2007). Cardin is known for his support for child welfare, the bill to expand child programs, health benefits and high tax credits for children. In 2005, when Senator Paul Sabres announced his retirement, Cardin joined the race, he was successfully in the tight contested Democratic primary and defeated his challenger Michael Steel a Republican. In 2007, Cardin assumed office and set the record straight as a liberalist (Mitchell, 2007). He was considerably interested in the environment, enforced a law to safeguard the Chesapeake Bay while seeking to reinforce standards of clean water. Also, he is an active foreign policy fun and became a member of Foreign Relations in the Senate committee.

References

Barone, Michael; Richard E. Cohen (2013). The Almanac of American Politics 2010. Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group.

Estache, A., & Foucart, R. (2013). Benchmarking Politicians.

Mitchell, C.W. (2007). Maryland Voices of the Civil War. JHU Press. 548pp.

Pedersen, V. L. (2001). The Communist Party in Maryland, 1919-57. University of Illinois Press.

Sheckels, T. F. (2006). Maryland Politics and Political Communication, 1950-2005. Lexington Books.

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Interviewing Spiritual leader Assignment

Interviewing Spiritual leader

Order Instructions:

Refer to the “Collaborative Learning Community: Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma” resource for the dilemmas and resources that will be used for this multi-part Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma assignment. Part Two is an individual assignment that will also be used in Part Three, the culiminating paper.

For this individual assignment, interview a hospital administrator, a spiritual leader, a health care colleague, or a neighbor/friend.

Individually, you only need to interview one person, but your CLC group must have representation from four different individuals and perspectives to complete Part Three of the Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma assignment.

Students should discuss within their CLC group to determine who will be responsible for interviewing the hospital administrator, the spiritual leader, the health care colleague, and the neighbor/friend to make sure all roles are covered.

In your interview, ask about the individual’s philosophy and worldview in relation to the ethical dilemma your CLC group chose for Part One of the Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma group assignment. Craft a 250-500 word summary of the individual’s response, including the individual’s identified philsophy and worldview.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
NRS437V.CLCAnalysisofanEthical Dilemma_11-24-14.docx

The Terry Schiavo Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cki55BM42kw

This is a multi-part assignment spanning Topics 4 and 5 in the course.

Part One is a group assignment. Group members will select one of the dilemmas listed above and write a 750-1,000-word paper. Please review the full paper criteria listed in the assignment description in LoudCloud.

Part Two is an individual assignment in which students will conduct an interview about the ethical dilemma with a hospital administrator, a spiritual leader, a health care colleague, and a neighbor/friend. Although the work is done individually, the interview responses are used in Part Three. Students should discuss within their CLC group to determine who will be responsible for interviewing the hospital administrator, the spiritual leader, the health care colleague, and the neighbor/friend. Please review the full interview criteria listed in the assignment description in LoudCloud.

Part Three is the culminating submission for the multi-part assignment. The group will write a 750-1,000-word paper with a resolution to the ethical dilemma. The paper will incorporate interview responses from the individual work done in Part II and the group’s research. Please review the full paper criteria listed in the assignment description in LoudCloud.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Interviewing Spiritual leader

The modern healthcare providers are faced by ethical dilemma issues during their daily practice. This is especially because they are bound by the ethical principles of delivering care. One of the healthcare issues that have remained controversial from decade to decade is the assisted euthanasia. Euthanasia refers to act of letting the patient die intentionally, by injecting them with lethal drug. This is also commonly referred to as dying with dignity. There are various forms of euthanasia including the voluntary euthanasia- where the patient requests with informed consent the physician to end his or her life (Baeke, Wils & Broeckaert, 2011).

The non-voluntary euthanasia refers to the euthanasia that is requested by the appropriate person associated with the patient in their end of life stages, especially if the patient is in a coma, minor, brain is under severe damage or is totally mentally challenged. The assisted euthanasia which occurs in two forms- active euthanasia where the patient death is intentionally caused by injecting the patient with a lethal injection and passive euthanasia where the patient death is caused by withholding the patient general and ordinary care such as food, medicine and water (van Ittersum & Hendriks, 2012).

This issue positions range of reaction in the society such as enthusiastic advocacy, outright rejection, and increased condemnation. For this reason, I interviewed a spiritual leader (Christian) from the local community in order to identify and understand their instincts and perspectives about assisted euthanasia. During this interview, I asked five questions about religious perspectives about euthanasia. The interview took place at the Spiritual leader chapel (name of the leader and church withheld purposely to maintain confidentiality and privacy of the participant) at 1345hrs. The interview took approximately 45 minutes. The following questions were asked;

1 What do you understand the term euthanasia?

From my perspective, euthanasia refers to the process of deliberately ending person’s life. I know there are various forms of euthanasia including voluntary, assisted and non-voluntary.

Q.2 Is euthanasia justifiable and should it be legalized?

My faith does not support euthanasia, it is not justifiable nor should it be legalised.

3 When is death good or justifiable?

In Genesis 1, we were created by God in his own image. We were given the mandate to be fruitful and rule over the earth. Ruling in these concepts is the confusing part especially when confronted by the ethical discussion. Although we are encouraged to take charge of our responsibility, who are we to decide how we prefer our death? Is there tome when a person becomes useless or seem to outlive their life? How do we measure or evaluate the appropriate time for a person to die. This is God’s responsibility to know when to end life and bring forth life.

Q4. As you have said, our life is in God’s hands, then isn’t it a sin to extend patient’s life regardless of their condition beyond the God’s designated time? Thus, isn’t prolonging life a sin and equal measure as assisted euthanasia?

From my religious background, God has our plan in life and we have not known when we die. Without this knowledge, then I will be judgmental to say that someone’s life is prolonged or not. Most of the patient who die, don’t they receive equal amount of care in terms of quality and efficiency as those who survive, yet they don’t because their designated time has been reached. However, willingly causing death to a person is a sin. God commanded us to be our brother’s keeper.

Q.5 what are your final sentiments about this issue?

Philosophers and healthcare providers have been trained to respect patient dignity and autonomy. Within the same principles, they still define the importance of doing no harm and providing justice to the patient. In this context, I trust that the healthcare providers must do what is morally upright and ethical.

Lastly, I am guided by the scriptures in the old testaments, the sixth commandments of the ten commandment “Thou shalt not commit murder” These scriptures is absolute as it allows killings during martyrdom, self-defence, wars and capital punishment. Thus, I believe whether the patient requests or does not, assisted euthanasia can be equated to murder. With this increased support of euthanasia, I cannot help but wonder if Hippocrates oath still pivotal in health care as it used to before?

Summary

From this analysis, it is evident that Christianity does not condone euthanasia. This is because they believe that life is a sacred entity and that only God giveth and taketh. According to their doctrines, one thing is evident that life belongs to God. Christianity is against the notion of valuing persons usefulness based on their lives. This is discrimination as there is no standard measure that can be used to determine the value of human life. If human functionality is important, how about the mentally ill persons, the retarded, criminals or even the trouble makers- do they still deserve to live (Dierckx de Casterlé, Denier, De Bal & Gastmans, 2010)?

The church principles reject deliberate cause of death of the terminally ill patient. It does not bring the suffering to an end, but rather it is contrary to God’s law. Life is a gift we have from God and thus must be cherished. Therefore, the primary intent of our knowledge is to seek ways that will minimize patient suffering, sustain and enhance it, not to destroy life of other people. Additionally, death is an integral part of life’s cycle. Through this cycle, death must be accepted as inevitable. Until then, the optimal palliative care must be given to the patient regardless of the patient socioeconomic status, age or even the social circumstances (Halman & van Ingen, 2015).

Additionally, people’s life must be respected and they must never be made to think that they are burden or that it is their duty to die or they have to make measures to ensure that they die. Condoning with deliberate killing for the most vulnerable people is supporting inhumane activity and poses ethical risk to our community. In this regard, it is the church responsibility to urge the government to show their commitment to the people’s life, and consider other alternatives that can substitute euthanasia (Ping-cheung, 2010).

References

Baeke, G., Wils, J., & Broeckaert, B. (2011). â€˜There is a Time to be Born and a Time to Dieâ€™ (Ecclesiastes 3:2a): Jewish Perspectives on Euthanasia. Journal Of Religion And Health, 50(4), 778-795. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9465-9

Dierckx de CasterlÃ©, B., Denier, Y., De Bal, N., & Gastmans, C. (2010). Nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia in general hospitals in Flanders, Belgium. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 66(11), 2410-2420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05401.x

Halman, L., & van Ingen, E. (2015). Secularization and Changing Moral Views: European Trends in Church Attendance and Views on Homosexuality, Divorce, Abortion, and Euthanasia. European Sociological Review, 31(5), 616-627. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcv064

Ping-cheung, L. (2010). Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide from Confucian Moral Perspectives. Dao, 9(1), 53-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11712-009-9147-4

van Ittersum, F., & Hendriks, L. (2012). Organ Donation after Euthanasia. The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 12(3), 431-437. http://dx.doi.org/10.5840/ncbq201212326

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is defined as the intentional administration of drugs that are lethal with the intention of terminating person’s life in a painless manner; to relieve patient from continued suffering from an chronic and incurable condition which that is unbearable. There are three types of euthanasia; a) voluntary euthanasia- which refers to euthanasia conducted upon patient requests; b) Non- voluntary euthanasia- which refers to euthanasia performed but not from patient wish/ request and c) Physician assisted suicide- where the physician willing and knowingly terminates patient life at the patient request (Dierckx de Casterlé, Denier, De Bal & Gastmans, 2010).

Impact on nursing practice, social values, morals, and norms

For example, in nursing profession, there is the issue of trust, i.e. the patient should trust the nurse that he or she will not be killed by the nurse. In this context, euthanasia concepts develop the dimension of suspicion that conflicts with the nurse roles as healer and comforter (Sharp, 2012). On the other hand, the patient expects the nurses to be their advocates, thus, institutions that co-opt euthanasia in their policy could cause the rise of the concept of distrust due to the interrupted confidence in relationship between the service user and the service provider (Quaghebeur, Dierckx de Casterle & Gastmans, 2009).

The integrity of nurses should never be used mainly to meet the patient goals i.e. patient wishes to die. Although utilitarian theory supports this practice, it is against the nurse moral and professional dignity for the nurses. Although involvement of the nurses in executing euthanasia adversely affect the society faith as well as trust in nursing practice; it is in line with the nurses professional responsibility of protecting human dignity, caring and promoting as well as protecting patient interest. Thus it can be said it is compatible with nursing practice (Salladay, 2015).

Ethical theory and principle

The dialogue between Dax Cowart and Robert Burt is paradoxical and somewhat disturbing. On one hand, there is Dax whose storyline begins from gas explosion that caused injuries that caused him involuntary rehabilitation and treatment. After treatment, he faced seven years of severe depression with unsuccessful suicidal attempts. Through the dialogue, it is evident that Dax remained adamant that he was treated with just as his requests were denied. Dr. Burt is an expert in biomedical ethics as well as the constitutional law. Within the debate, Dr. Burt stance on how Dax was treated is paternalist. His arguments are that patients who are suffering may not reject treatment so as to end their lives.

The core concept from this dialogue is patient’s autonomy. Dax forceful administrations of treatments and physicians practices were immoral; which made him feel that his autonomy is compromised. On the other hand, Burt argues that doctor’s interventions and rejection of Dax’s requests were acceptable. The dialogue between the two continues to revolve around the ideal course of action. However later, both men agree that interaction between the patient and the healthcare provider, with Burt positing that such conversations should be prolonged as much as possible or atleast when the patient reluctantly admit or when the physicians have exhausted all alternative options. However, Dax pursues the objection o of the idea posing the question on what time would be appropriate for the physician to comply with patient’s issues. This evokes an issue that there lacks appropriate time to for such decisions. In this case, the patient should willingly allow the physician have indefinite time to search for opitions, while they undergo pain and suffering is unjust.

From the Dax and Burt dialogue, the basic medical ethical principles are evident. These include non-maleficence, autonomy, justice and beneficence. For instance, the nurses are obliged to respect for the patient autonomy. This justifies the issue of euthanasia, as the nursing professional ethics indicates that patient’s autonomy must be respected. The patient request on their private life must be respected by the physician, government and the nurses. The lack of empathy and justice are some of the key concerns that he had with the medical team, which I believe was a basic flaw of the healthcare system. Therefore, the nurses must never feel guilty when undertaking these tasks as it is respecting autonomous (Salladay, 2015).

The critics that arise in this context include the fact that these practices have little respect to empathy and autonomy of the patient family and relatives. This is evidenced by the case study of Terri Schiavo. This case study involved numerous motions, hearings and petitions in the courts. In this context, I would argue that a patient autonomy is not vital if it erases all the importance of the community social paradigm. Life is a valued paradigm in the society. What is patient autonomy if the patient does not enjoy his/her autonomy? Is euthanasia an indication that the healthcare providers are unable to deal with death(Sharp, 2012)?

Rejection of euthanasia is mainly supported by the nursing ethics principle of non-maleficence. This principle supports the sanctity of life making it difficult to acknowledge euthanasia as ethical practice. Therefore, this principle calls for respect for life. This is also supported by the ethical principle of beneficence delineates the importance of promulgating the legitimate interests of all other people involved. On the other hand, the ethical principle supports in practicing the overall good of the patient, which requires in stating what is medically appropriate for the patient (Quaghebeur, Dierckx de Casterle & Gastmans, 2009). This discussion is peculiar because Terri Schiavo case study hinges on paternalist interpretation of life that all lives are worth living. On the other hand, Burt and Dax dialogue arguments deal with the concept of another person deciding the worth of your life. Obviously, no one understands the feelings and thoughts of the patient who is suffering; therefore, there is no way a person can evaluate the worthiness of another person’s life. Terri Schiavo case study and Dax & Burt arguments discount the suffering and pain of the patient; arguing the sanctity of life; this brings forth the question, “Who chooses, who controls (Salladay, 2015)?

Conclusion

The increased lack of consensus between the nurses on this ethical issue points the importance to analyse the world view and ideologies as well as the nurse’s attitudes and beliefs about assisted euthanasia. Attention should be focused on the role of assisted euthanasia in essence of care by evaluating the evidence based studies. This is especially important because of the specificity nature of the nursing expertise in care, especially in end of life care.

References

Quaghebeur, T., Dierckx de Casterle, B., & Gastmans, C. (2009). Nursing and Euthanasia: a Review of Argument-Based Ethics Literature. Nursing Ethics, 16(4), 466-486. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0969733009104610

Salladay, S. (2015). Ethical Problems. Nursing, 45(2), 14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000459548.37627.9a

Sharp, R. (2012). The dangers of euthanasia and dementia: how kantian thinking might be used to support non-voluntary euthanasia in cases of extreme dementia. Bioethics, 26(5), 231-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8519.2011.01951.x

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