In examining the different inferential statistical methods, consider their fundamental characteristics, underlying assumptions, strengths, weakness and suitability for producing generalisations regarding an unbeknown population.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Inferential Statistical Analysis
Inferential statistical methods are the critical component of testing and estimating different parameters of statistical hypotheses. Primarily, unlike descriptive statistics that mainly focus on analyzing data and summarizing the result in a meaning way, inferential statistical methods distinguish between a study population and a sample thereby assessing the strength and weakness of the relationship between dependent variables and independent variables (Dien, 2010. p. 142). Based on unknown population or statistical data that do not comply with inferential statistical criteria, different inferential statistical methods enable determination of the strength and weakness of sample relationships. According to Fernández and Hermida (1998), inferential statistical methods enable characteristics probability exploration of the population under study based on sample characteristics.
On a broad front, the fundamental characteristics of inferential statistics rely heavily on the means difference tests (t-tests), analysis of variance and sophisticated statistical model application. However, the primary characteristics of inferential statistics are reflected on the individual type of inferential statistic methods such as multiple-variate regression, bivariate regression, confidential interval, one sample hypothetical test, t-test or ANOVA, Chi-Square Statistic and contingency table as well as the Pearson correlation. Kalbfleisch and Prentice (2011.p.147) states that as ANOVA or t-test provide continuous and categorical variables characteristics of the unknown population data generation, confidence interval provide basic features of estimated scores or values in that population sample.
Comparatively, the underlying assumptions of different inferential statistical methods during the production of data generation in the unknown population are usually based on three different conditions. Before analysis inferential statistics, a complete list of the participants of the unknown population has to be provided for analysis. Besides, assumptions are made that a random sample has been drawing from the unknown population. Similarly, it’s pre-assumed that the sample size of the unknown population is large enough advocated by Box and Tiao (2011.p.167) theoretical arguments.
The suitability of applying different inferential statistical methods in data generation of unknown populations is multiple. Inferential statistical methods, unlike descriptive statistical methods, provide reliable and validity of the unknown population study findings and results since they can determine and demonstrate the strength of the relationships of the study samples by assessing the impacts and outcomes of the study variables (Huitema, 2011.p. 49). Besides, the inferential statistical methods are suitable for determining the unknown population characteristics probabilities, generalizing findings and the results of larger and unknown population and comparing the responses of the unknown population participants (Fernández and Hermida, 1998.p.198).
The strength of applying different inferential statistical methods in data generation of unknown populations is that they can analyze and describe with data transformation provides larger predictions for an unknown set of data population. Besides, inferential statistical methods can provide confident of the predicted outcome within a specified range based on categorical and continuous variables as described by Kalbfleisch and Prentice (2011.p.39). Therefore, more mathematical standardization is applied in inferential methods to provide valid and reliable data for unknown population compared to descriptive statistical methods. The weakness of inferential statistical methods in producing the generalization of an unknown population is that the fundamental conditions and assumptions have to be made for the inferential statistical methods to be applicable (Hayes and Scharkow, 2013.p.63). However, inferential statistical methods needs basic mathematical skills for the method to be utilized effectively since multiple mathematical manipulations may expose the findings to multiple statistical errors (Dien, 2010.p.146).
Bibliography
Box, G.E. and Tiao, G.C., 2011. Bayesian inference in statistical analysis (Vol. 40). John Wiley & Sons.
Dien, J., 2010. The ERP PCA Toolkit: An open source program for advanced statistical analysis of event-related potential data. Journal of neuroscience methods, 187(1), pp.138-145.
Fernández, J.R. and Hermida, R.C., 1998. Inferential statistical method for analysis of nonsinusoidal hybrid time series with unequidistant observations. Chronobiology international, 15(2), pp.191-204.
Hayes, A.F. and Scharkow, M., 2013. The relative trustworthiness of inferential tests of the indirect effect in statistical mediation analysis does method really matter?. Psychological Science, p.0956797613480187.
Huitema, B., 2011. The analysis of covariance and alternatives: Statistical methods for experiments, quasi-experiments, and single-case studies (Vol. 608). John Wiley & Sons.
Kalbfleisch, J.D. and Prentice, R.L., 2011. The statistical analysis of failure time data (Vol. 360). John Wiley & Sons.
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Inferential statistical methods are widely used in research in order to conduct tests of differences for dependent or independent samples, analyse associations between different types of variables and establish relationships using models between dependent and independent variable(s). For this week’s Key Concept Exercise you will evaluate examples of inferential statistical analysis by discussing empirical results and the strengths, weakness and suitability of different statistical estimation and hypothesis testing procedures.
To prepare for this Key Concept Exercise:
• Read the Required Learning Resources for Week 5. (Provided by email)
• It is strongly recommended that you work through the Week 5 Test Your Knowledge Questions and while undertaking your reading. These are located with the Week 5 Learning Resources. (the file is sent by email)
• In approximately 550 words, answer TWO of the FOUR questions in the file provided here on Inferential Statistical Analysis (PDF). (The file is sent by email)
SAMPLE ANSWER
Question 1
The below table shows the results of an OLS regression of US real GDP growth rates (REALGDP) on changes in oil prices (OIL), interest rate (INTERESTRATE) and inflation rates (INFLATION) (monthly data from 1990 to 2013):
REALGDP=CONSTANT+a∗OIL+b∗INTERESTRATE+c∗INFLATION
(a) Discuss the statistical significance of the parameters, interpret the sign and magnitude of the estimates, and overall fit of the model.
The p-value, in this case, quantifies the null hypothesis by indicating that the coefficient is analogous to zero. The zero coefficients mean that there is no effect (Yuan, Cheng & Maxwell 2014). Moreover, the low p-value for Constant, Oil and interest rates demonstrates that the regression model has rejected the null hypothesis. Implicitly, the Constant, Oil and interest rates predictor variables are pertinent to the regression model (Strasheim 2014). As such, any slight variation in these predictor variables will automatically result in changes in the response variable (Radu, 2014). On the other, a high p-value than the standard alpha level represented by inflation rates demonstrates that any variation in the dependent variable is statistically insignificant to cause variations in the independent variables. While the adjusted R-squared that leans towards 100% is considered model fit. There has never been the benchmark for what is a good value. In this case, the adjusted R-Squared for the regression model is 58% fit. When it comes to the significance of the approximated coefficients the T-stat for the constant is greater than 2 in scale and corresponds to the p-value that is less than 5%. This indicates that the independent variable belongs to the model. However, because the oil prices and interest rates have a T-stat that is less than 2 with a corresponding p-value that is less than the standard alpha value of 0.005, implies that the coefficient can only be significant coincidentally (Satorra 2015). On the other hand, the T-stat for inflation is less than 2 with a p-value that is greater than 0.005, hence the variable is not the best fit for the model.
(b) Are the results in line with the predictions of the theory and why?
Yes: the adjusted R-squared of 58% shows that the model expounds 58% of the response statistics around the mean
Question 3
A company wants to produce three different mobile phones, with low-range, mid-range and high-range specifications, respectively. A survey with 100 respondents has been used to reveal the choices of potential customers. The company wants to review the figures to see if the three mobile phones would be equally popular. The results of the Chi-Square test are given in the following tables:
(a) Describe the null hypothesis for the Chi-Square test.
H0 = Customers do not like phones with low-range, mid-range and long-range specifications
(b) Discuss the results and explain whether there are statistically significant differences in the preference for the three devices.
Mobile
Observed N
Expected N
Residual
1.00
31
33.3
-2.3
2.00
45
33.3
11.7
3.00
24
33.3
-9.3
Total
100
99.9
Because the Asymptotic significance of the statistical tests is less than the standard alpha value of 0.005, it refutes the hypothesis. Moreover, we can, therefore, sum up that other factors other than chance may be operating on the variables for the changes to be this great (Amodio, Aria & D’Ambrosio 2014). The p-value of 0.032 simply indicates that the probability of 3.2% chance may influence the variable. As such, the variations in predictor variables are so minute that chance may constitute to any change (Lemeshko 2015).
(c) What are the underlying assumptions of the Chi-Square test? Explain if, in your opinion, those are met in the above examples
The underlying assumption for this Chi-square test is that customers buy mobile phones regardless of whether or not they have mid-range, low-range and high-range specifications. As such, the chi-square test outcomes fit the model.
References
Amodio, S., Aria, M. & D’Ambrosio, A. 2014, “On concurvity in nonlinear and nonparametric regression models”, Statistica, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 85-98.
Lemeshko, B.Y. 2015, “Chi-Square-Type Tests for Verification of Normality”, Measurement Techniques, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 581-591.
Radu, S. C. 2014, TESTING THE MARKET MODEL – A CASE STUDY OF FONDUL PROPRIETATEA (FP). Knowledge Horizons. Economics, 6(1), pp. 126-131.
Satorra, A. 2015, “A Comment on a Paper by H. Wu and M. W. Browne (2014)”, Psychometrika, vol. 80, no. 3, pp. 613-618.
Strasheim, A. 2014, “Testing main and interaction effects in structural equation models with a categorical moderator variable”, Management Dynamics, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 31-68.
Yuan, K., Cheng, Y., & Maxwell, S. 2014, Moderation analysis using a two-level regression model. Psychometrika, 79(4), pp.701-732.
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The assignment due in 10 days please.
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SAMPLE ANSWER
Assignment 3:
Long-term Investment Decision
A low calorie or healthy option microwavable food is a fresh concept which has gained a lot of interest among consumers. A majority of consumers are evaluating the food products provided in the market and consideration is given to the healthiest diet. Thus, introduction of microwavable products made up of low calorie has gain a high market due to consumer’s health concerns. To cater for the needs of the market, managers must formulate methods that will increase the product’s market share and profitability while increasing value to consumers. As such, the intention of this paper is to outline a plan for managers in anticipation of rising prices, examine the major effects the government have on production and employment, determine whether government regulations are fair in the food industry, examine the major complexities under expansion via capital projects, and lastly suggest how a company could create convergence between the interests of stock holders and managers. The Company aims to keep the prices of its products as inelastic as possible.
Low calorie dietary is the new form of healthy foods and it has gained a lot of popularity among the consumers. In schools, homes, and restaurants, the concept of healthy feeding is not new. With the emergence of many chronic diseases, people desire to live healthy lives and lifestyles, thus the need for low calorie diets as will be produced and sold by Lean. The purpose of this paper is to assess the main impacts the government has on production and employment, if government policies and laws facilitate fairness, determine the complications of expansion, and finally, offer recommendation on the merger of a company’s stakeholders and the management. For sustainable growth and profitability, the firm seeks to have the prices of its products as inelastic as it possibly can (Sullivan and Sheffiran 2013).
It therefore means that the strategy used for pricing should have no effect on the way consumers recognize and purchase the commodities. In general, the type of demand occurs only for products that are essential for the normal living of consumers. However, the situation is not the same for food products that are microwavable. Elasticity of demand for low calorie products highly depends on the offered price, availability of substitutes, expenditure on promotions, income level of consumers, and prevailing economic conditions. Considering the demand function and elasticity, low calorie products are favorable in a monopolistically dominated market. In a monopolistic competitive market, buyers and sellers are usually few. Therefore, if one company raises its prices, consumers shifts to another brand. As thus, firms in this market increase demand for their products through differentiation.
ThProfit (NP) = Total revenue (TR) Total Cost (TC)
According to the FOC of profit maximization,
=Marginal Revenue =Marginal Cost = 0
So Marginal Revenue = Marginal Cost
By applying the elasticity of 1.9, it was stipulated that demand for low calorie microwavable processed products is low. Since the company purposes to keep the prices of the products inelastic, it will strategize on differentiation to obtain a competitive advantage in the market. Differentiation is important since consumers will be able to pick the product from other substitutes hence increasing the sales. More so, it is proved that when product differentiation is noticeable to competitors, a firm’s market power and leadership increases. As such, it is advisable for the firm to strategize on product differentiation to increase the rate of returns.
Globally, the government usually has the mandate of regulating the market to protect consumers and the firms. However, whether markets are regulated or unregulated they are always influenced by the forces of demand and supply. As such, government regulation is critical for stability. For instance, the government handles externalities through provision of public utilities such as roads, contracts enforcements, and supply of currency (Wall and Griffin 2013). All theses aspects are better done by the government compared to private firms whose main aim is profit making.
A lot of discussion has been made on determination of the activities that the government is limited. Though regulations are important, extreme policies and laws are adverse to the growth of an economy. An ideal economic climate is only possible when government regulations are in accordance with the prevailing market conditions. The main reasons that the government involves itself in a market are enactment of policies and rules to facilitate exchange between buyers and sellers, and enforcement of the policies.
In the area of employment government sets rules for employers to follow when selecting, recruiting, and compensation. No employee should be paid below the set minimum wage rate, they are to be treated humanely and allowed to interact and work freely without fear of intimidation. Labor unions and other industrial agencies set regulations for firms follow failure to which employees have the right of suing the firm. The government also limits production through the taxation rates, production costs, and prices for raw materials (Frank 2013). When terms are favorable, firms are able to produce to full capacity but when there is over production, the government sets higher terms to stabilize the market. As such, the effects the government will have on the company are limitation of production capacity and selling prices, employment, and eventually profitability since regulations are costly to the firm.
It is the mandate of the government to ensure the market is stable and at equilibrium for benefit of all stakeholders (MIT 2012). For instance, without intervention, big mergers and monopolistic conditions would be possible leading to excessive exploitation of the consumers. Thus, the government gets involved by limiting mergers and monopoly situations. It is fair for the government to get involved in the low calorie microwavable commodities to control prices, limit entrants and exit for fair market competition, and avoid emergence of monopolistic powers that would made the firm irrelevant. When many unregulated firms are in the market, price wars would lead to consistent low prices causing the prices to be unstable. More so, unregulated market causes poor quality goods to be introduced as firms seek to minimize production costs for profits.
Thus, the major reasons for government involved are to control prices, ensure that the market is stable for protection of local firms, and protect consumers from exploitation. For microwavable foods, firms have to correctly label the contents of the products and they should be processed in certain measures to avoid provision of unhealthy contents. Moreover, regulations also assist in protection of the environment where firms are supposed to observe efficient waste management practices, as well as reduce usage of production methods that release poisonous gasses in the environment.
An example of government involvement is the control of industries in China which have the tendency of producing smog that forcing people to wear masks to avoid getting contaminated. These goods are exported to US and other countries and the government has set measures to control the packaging of the products, their distribution and usage. Additionally, the government enforces policies to regulate the banking and finance industry by setting minimum interest rates so that consumers are not exploited and for banks to remain in business.
Some capital projects that the firm could undertake are mergers or acquisitions for expansion purposes. The reason for the projects is to increase market share, share operational risks, and increase market leadership and profitability (Harris et al. 2014). However, these projects bring complexities such as collusion between the shareholders and management. Managers tend to get additional capital from the reserves or by requesting shareholders to top up using their savings. Shareholders may not be willing to use their reserves or contribute extra capital due to uncertainty of the venture. To avoid the complexity, managers should undertake projects that have high chances of generating returns in the short run by carrying out comprehensive evaluation of the project. For instance, managers should acquire a brand that is already dominating in the market to avoid experiencing losses.
Convergence between managers and shareholders is created through a firm’s strategic decision making process and through the use of financial statements. Whereas the shareholders own the company, they have limited control over the decision making process and the actions of management. On the other hand, managers are responsible for controlling the affairs of the firm. Managers seek for higher income and allowances irrespective of a firm’s performance while shareholders are usually interested in higher profits for increased dividends. As such, shareholders seek for firm’s growth through mergers. However, mergers may compromise manager’s job security and control leading to divergence between the interests of shareholders and managers. Therefore, strategic decision making should be done such that managers get allowances and salaries depending on the generate profits. If profits are high, their salaries are high and vice versa. As a result, managers will become productive so as to get high profits and allowances and in the process, the interests of shareholders will be met and both parties will be satisfied. Therefore, convergence of shareholders and managers lead to higher profits since managers become preoccupied in generating high revenues so that they pay is high and when the revenues are high, dividends are also high.
Instances that bring convergence of the interests of managers and shareholders include: managers being employed on contractual terms such that their contracts are renewable if they perform as required, and application of commission terms whereby managers are paid depending on the income generated at a certain period.
It therefore shows that the government should get involved in microwavable food market to ensure products are of high quality, control monopoly activities, and stabilize the market. For better returns, managers and shareholders should have a common vision and the needs of each party considered. The firm is likely to excel and attain market leadership through product differentiation since demand is inelastic, ensure all the needs of stakeholders are met, and follow government conditions as they relate to production and employment.
References
Frank, R. (2013). Microeconomics and Behavior, (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
McGuigan, B. P., Moyer, R. C., &Harris, F. H. (2014).Managerial economics: Applications, strategies and tactics, (13th ed.). Stamford, CT: CengageLearning.
Mit. (2012). Government Regulations in the Market. University of Cambridge.
A health care organization is comprised of different professionals who serve different functions. Their roles may determine how they view quality initiatives, including the different methods measurement and types of improvement tools.
Design a graphic organizer (such as a chart or table) that identifies a minimum of three quality measurement/improvement tools. Describe how they are used for measuring quality by at least four professionals in a health care organization. You must include at least one administrative health professional, one mid level provider, one physician, and one auxiliary staff member.
Make sure to include a References page with at least four references, including your textbook.
While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Unsatisfactory
0.00%
Less than Satisfactory
65.00%
Satisfactory
75.00%
Good
85.00%
Excellent
100.00%
90.0 %Content
70.0 % Content/Resource Requirements: A Graphic Organizer Mapping Three or More Quality Improvement Tools as Applied by Four or More Types of Health Care Professional
Graphic organizer does not demonstrate an understanding of the basic requirements as specified in the assignment. Graphic organizer does not demonstrate critical thinking and analysis of quality measurement tools in health care, and does not develop effective rationale as to how they are used by different types of health care professional.
Graphic organizer demonstrates minimal understanding of the basic requirements as specified in the assignment. Graphic organizer demonstrates only minimal abilities for critical thinking and analysis of quality measurement tools in health care, and develops weak rationale as to how they are used by different types of health care professional.
Graphic organizer demonstrates knowledge of the basic requirements as specified in the assignment. Graphic organizer provides a basic idea of critical thinking and analysis of quality measurement tools in health care, and develops satisfactory rationale as to how they are used by different types of health care professional. Graphic organizer does not include examples or descriptions.
Graphic organizer demonstrates acceptable knowledge of the basic requirements as specified in the assignment. Graphic organizer satisfactorily develops understanding of critical thinking and analysis of quality measurement tools in health care. Graphic organizer develops an acceptable rationale as to how they are used by different types of health care professional. Graphic organizer utilizes some examples.
Graphic organizer demonstrates thorough knowledge of the basic requirements as specified in the assignment. Graphic organizer thoroughly develops an understanding of critical thinking and analysis of quality measurement tools in health care. Graphic organizer clearly answers the questions and develops a very strong rationale as to how they are used by different types of health care professional. Graphic organizer introduces appropriate examples.
20.0 % Integration of Information From Outside Resources
Assignment does not use references, examples, or explanations.
Assignment provides some supporting examples, but minimal explanations and no published references.
Assignment supports main points with examples and explanations.
Assignment supports main points with explanations and examples. Application and description are direct, competent, and appropriate of the criteria.
Assignment supports main points with references, examples, and full explanations of how they apply.
10.0 %Documentation
10.0 % Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)
Sources are not documented.
Documentation of sources is inconsistent and/or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.
Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Quality Measurement by Health Care Professionals
In healthcare, measuring the quality of services delivered is essential since it presents a clear picture regarding the health structure’s performance while contributing to enhanced care. Quality measurement tools can take different forms and assesses care within health care structures ranging from doctor’s office, imaging facilities to the hospital structures (Schuur et al. 2013). This essay presents a table demonstrating three quality measurement tools including plan do study-act (PDSA), Six Sigma Methodology, DMAIC-define. In addition, the essay demonstrates how these tools are used by administrative health professionals, midlevel provider, physicians, and auxiliary staff members to measure quality.
Quality measurement tools
Administrative healthcare professional
Middle-level profession
Physician
Auxiliary staff
Six sigma
Administrative health care professional can use six sigma positive impact health care setting (Schembri, 2015)
For instance, in control operations, patients’ care leading to significant cost reductions as well improving quality. Can also use it to effectively use resources while eliminating wastes and get the required outcomes and ensure patient satisfaction.
Can use it to assess work flow such as reducing wait times, and increase number of patients in the hospital.
Can use it to minimize the number of errors while reducing steps in supply chain. This is done to improve patient outcomes.
Can utilize it enhance turnaround time
DMAIC
Can utilize it to not only define but also analyze existing processes.
Uses it in improving patients’ outcomes.
May use it in determining adverse actions and create preventive actions to tackle them (Pantouvakis & Bouranta, 2014).
PDSA
May use it to implement changes to improve health care service delivery
In deciding necessary actions to be taken to improve quality
Can use it in various processes including; -selecting quality improvement program; implementing an improvement program; assess the success of the program; and adjust improvement program based on the patient outcomes events (Bishop & Cregan, 2015).
References
Bishop, A. C., & Cregan, B. R. (2015). Patient safety culture: Finding meaning in patient experiences. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 28(6), 595-610. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1694933831?accountid=45049
Schuur, J. D., Hsia, R. Y., Burstin, H., Schull, M. J., & Pines, J. M. (2013). Quality measurement in the emergency department: Past and future. Health Affairs, 32(12), 2129-38. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1467750122?accountid=45049
Assignment requested deadline November 14; NLT 10pm. Please read below for information concerning assignment. Support responses with examples and use APA formatting in the paper. You may access the school’s website by logging into: https://mycampus.southuniversity.edu/portal/server.pt
Please note that when you log into the website you must click launch class, and on the next screen click syllabus to view this week’s readings (weeks 1) and Academic Resources to access the school’s library.
To support your work, use the textbook, lectures and scholarly outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format. The minimum length for this assignment is 1,200 words.
Darwin’s Theory
Darwin was not the first to consider evolution as a process but he did come up with the first effective explanation for how it happens. Describe Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Explain how this theory was a major advance over prior ideas as to how organisms changed over time. Give evidence in support of evolution and describe the driving forces for evolutionary change.
Assignment only requires 1,200 words however that isn’t an option, please write as thorough as possible in order to achieve good passing grade.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Evolution refers to the changes that occur over time on the living organisms heritable traits. The paper explores the concepts of evolution by examining Darwinian Theory of natural selection, describing the evidences that support evolution and driving forces of evolutionary changes.
Darwinian Theory of natural selection
Charles Darwin suddenly changed previous biology concept from his predecessors upside down when he published origin of species in 1859. Although there is some misconception that Charles Darwin came forth with the theory of evolution, a history is indicated that the raw materials used to develop Darwin’s theory have existed for decades. For instance, Aristotle, Lamarck and others had established evolution theory based on their observation and speculation. Lamarck for instance believed that life begun from simple single celled to form complex ones. Lamarck also described that the driving force of evolution was the need for an organism to have traits that will enable them survive in new environments. Therefore, the rate at which an organism use or does not use its body parts makes it remain or diminish over long period of time (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016).
According to Lamarck’s theory of use and disuse, the birds strong beaks was cumulative effects of evolution from their ancestors for using the beaks to feed, and acquired beak modifications was passed to their off spring. However, these explanations could not be indicated by the evidence of inheritance of acquired traits. For instance, a carpenter who gains muscular strength due to the nature of his work does not pass the enhanced muscles to their offspring. Despite the fact that Lamarck’s idea of evolution was incorrect, his idea that animals evolve due to interactive effects between the environments and organism set the platform for subsequent evolution theories (Darwin, n.d.).
Similar to Lamarck’s observation, Darwin noted that living species were descendants of ancestral organisms that were slightly different from the present day living organisms. The Darwinian ideas on evolution came into limelight in 1859 when he published the aforementioned influential books. In his book, he presented that species that exist today descended from ancestral species that were different from the existing ones. He called the process as “descent with modification.” This phrase captured the fact of shared descent and diversity. Second concept of Darwin theory of evolution is the process of natural selection (Simon et al., 2016).
According to this theory, organisms that have the best heritable traits that suit the environment tends to survive and have the largest number of offspring’s. The traits that enhance survival are passed into the offspring and are presented in large numbers in the next generation. This phenomenon of unequal reproductive success is what Darwin called as natural selection because the environment ‘selects’ only specific heritable traits from the population. Therefore, natural selection does not promote the organism’s changes but rather serves as a process of editing the products of changes that have occurred. Natural selection products are the accumulation of adaptive traits over time. An example of adaptive traits is the change of fur color in bears. The brown fur of brown bears and white fur of polar bears is an indicator of natural selection processes. Probably, the selection favored the fur color that gave each bear an appearance that is of advantage within its environment (Simon et al., 2016).
Another example of natural selection is the finches’ bird (kind of bird from Galapagos Islands). Over two decades, the researchers worked on these birds where they measured the beak size in a population of finch birds that feed on small sized seeds. Their findings indicated that birds that had large and stronger beaks had a feeding advantage and had greater reproductive success during dry seasons. During wet seasons, the small seeds gets abundant, that made the small size beaks to increase over the generations. Another example of natural selection is that of peppered moths and industrial Melanism. Before industrialization, the population of Biston betularia consisted mainly of the light colored moths. The environment was devoid of pollution which made the moths to camouflage effectively. In the next two centuries, industrial revolution occurred which made the region to be heavily polluted with soot. The light colored moths could not hide effectively on the polluted environment, which resulted in increased population of melanic individuals (Simon et al., 2016).
The world we live today has many examples of natural selection such as the development of antibiotic resistance. For instance, repeated exposure to the same antibiotics reduces bacterial susceptibility by random chance. Some of the bacteria are affected by the antibiotics and eventually die, while a small population survives. The population that survives has the potential to reproduce, giving rise to new populations that are likely to inherit the new modified traits so as to enhance their survival. In the next subsequent generations, the resistant bacteria thrive in greater numbers. Natural selection phenomenon gave rise to artificial selection. Artificial selection is the purposeful breeding of domesticated living organisms by human beings. The plants and animal products we feed on today have little resemblance to the wild types. This is evidence even in pets we live with in our homes. For instance, it is the power of selective breeding that we have saint Bernards and basset hounds dog breeds (Smith, 2011).
Evidence in support of evolution
Since Darwin’s first proposal about natural selection and evolution, different disciplines of science have produced sufficient evidence of biological evolution through natural selection. To start with, comparative anatomy indicates that living organism have a common ancestry. There are some similarities in the anatomical structures of different organisms (Darwin, n.d.). For instance, the forelimbs of the vertebrates such as cats, whales, and bats have same skeletal elements. The slight difference observed is influenced by the different functions of the limb. These structures are referred to as homologous structures- features that are structurally similar due to common ancestry but have different functions (Simon et al., 2016).
Similar observations are echoed in comparative embryology. Embryology is the study of how human being develops. For instance, during the first weeks of human development, the human embryo has gill slits such as fish. Later, the human embryos have long bony tail- a vestigial organ that becomes the coccyx in adult hood. The human fetuses also have lanugo (fine fur) at fifth month of development. These developmental anatomical similarities strongly indicate a common ancestral. The presence of vestigial structures in many organisms is also an indicator of common ancestry. For instance, human beings have a set of muscles for wiggling around their ears just as coyote. Human beings also have appendix that seems to have degenerated from cecum, where in other animals such as herbivores acts as storage for cellulose. The comparison of these vestigial organs reveals a common ancestry (Simon et al., 2016).
The study of fossil imprints of the past organism show some clues that the evolution of past living organisms. This is facilitated by radioisotope dating where scientists calculate the rates of decay of the chemical elements from the fossil. Recent advancement in molecular biology also indicates that human beings have a common ancestry. Comparison of DNA of various species provides adequate support for evolution processes. The study of DNA from the fossils indicates some similarity of distant related species. The biochemistry of living thing on earth indicates that the living organisms have a common ancestry. For instance, all nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), proteins and bio-molecules in all organisms reveal some commonality. The slight difference in associated with modification processes such as mutations that led to formation of the new sequences specific to the new functions (Simon et al., 2016).
Driving forces of evolutionary change
The main driving forces of evolutionary change are mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, and mating structure of the populations. Despite the fact that the each force will be discussed separately, it is important to note that the forces do not operate distinctly or differently from each other. The evolutionary changes are sum total effects of the interactions between these forces (Kull, 2013).
Natural selection phenomenon was brought forth by Charles Darwin. It is defined as a differential reproduction of species as a function of favorable heritable traits that enable them adapt to the environment. The special components of natural selection include a) differential reproduction, b) heritable traits and c) adaptation that lead to evolutionary changes. Mutation refers to the random heritable change of a chromosome due to alterations of the DNA sequences. The random changes can be of benefit, have neutral effects or deleterious. Deleterious mutations will be wiped out by natural selection. For instance, mutations that made houseflies’ resistance to DDT pesticide reduced their growth rate. This was a challenge to the flies that had these mutations. However, once DDT pesticide was introduced to the environment, the mutant alleles was beneficial and led to increase of their frequency through natural selection. Research indicates that chromosomal mutations that re-arrange, disrupt or delete the gene loci have deleterious effect as compared to duplication of genes through meisois(Simon et al., 2016).
Gene flow refers to the process of exchanging genetic materials between two populations. It is well evident when two population mix genes. This is commonly found in organisms that have random sexual reproduction which introduces genetic shuffling. It can lead to combination of genes that are favor natural selection, or are wiped out by natural selection. Genetic drift is the random changes of allele frequency in one generation to the next. In this force, some individuals may leave a few descendants by chance than other populations. The next population genes of the small population will consists of genes survives the natural selection and mutation forces. It is important to note that these forces occur to all populations, there is no strategies that can help living organism avoid the nature’s vagaries (Kull, 2013).
Conclusion
Natural selection is an important aspect as it promotes the evolutionary changes. Mutation is the main source of genetic variation, which is enhanced by sexual reproduction and natural selection. Like most people, I have always been confused about evolution, how it works and its relevance in the modern society. However, this study has been an eye opener on the importance of conservations efforts geared towards protecting the endangered species. Most people believe that protecting endangered species is just conserving the large number of species as possible, but studying evolution enables one to recognize that the real issue is protecting the genetic variability.
References
Darwin, C. (n.d.). On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life (1st ed.). Champaign, Ill.: Project Gutenberg.
Kull, K. (2013). Adaptive evolution without natural selection. Biological Journal Of The Linnean Society, 112(2), 287-294. doi.org/10.1111/bij.12124
Assignment requested deadline November 12; NLT 10pm. Please read below for information concerning assignment. Support responses with examples and use APA formatting in the paper. You may access the school’s website by logging into: https://mycampus.southuniversity.edu/portal/server.pt
Please note that when you log into the website you must click launch class, and on the next screen click syllabus to view this week’s readings (weeks 1) and Academic Resources to access the school’s library.
To support your work, use the textbook, lectures and scholarly outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Please take in consideration the “Hints from the Doc” below to achieve the best score possible.
Hints from the Doc:
Class, this assignment is fairly straight forward so there are not a lot of loose ends for me to cover to help you. I do find that it helps if you pick two specific things (one living and one never living) that you can look at or hold directly and compare to the lists of properties and characteristics of life we cover this week in the text and lecture.
Students tend to get into trouble on this one when they do not pick specific examples and when they do not compare them for all the characteristics of life described in our text and lecture. Short answers are also a problem. For some reason some students try to get by with the least amount of information as possible. This is not a winning strategy. I have to grade you based on the breadth and depth of understanding you display relative to the assignment. Short answers don’t give you enough verbal space to that and generally wind up with very poor grades.
By Saturday, November 12, 2016, respond to both of the discussion questions listed.
Discussion Question I
Question 1: Properties of life and recognizing living and nonliving things
Consider the properties and characteristics of life. Choose two items (one of which is alive or has been alive and one which has never been alive). Compare and contrast their characteristics. What characteristics do they share and how are they different. Be prepared to discuss the importance of the various characteristics of living things and how their combination makes life an emergent part of the universe.
Discussion Question II
Question 2: Thinking as a scientist, designing research
Consider the process by which scientists think through information and solve problems and how this is similar and different to how nonscientists approach the world. Consider a small problem that is solvable scientifically. Describe the process you would go through in solving that problem. Be prepared to discuss the significance of the scientific approach to the development and advancement of human knowledge
SAMPLE ANSWER
Discussion Question 1: Properties of life & recognizing living from non-living things
An object is considered to be alive if it possesses the following properties of life. The first property is order. All living things have complex and ordered organization in their system. Secondly, a living organism has the ability to adjust its internal environment in order to maintain it within the important limits. For instance, during cold season, a whale is able to regulate its body temperature to limits that will sustain its survival. Living things have the ability to grow and develop. The carry coded information in form of DNA which regulates its growth and development pattern (Robertson, 2016).
Energy processing ability is another property of live. Living organism takes in energy and applies it to perform their daily living activities. Their energy levels are emitted as heat. For instance, a dog obtains its energy by from eating meat, and the energy is used to power its activity such as running and panting. When performing these activities, the dog emits body heat continuously. Living things also have the capacity to respond to the environment stimuli. For instance, if a dog steps on hot surface, it will remove its limb immediately and/or even run away. Similarly, insect feeding plants such as Venus fly trap close its leaves when an insect gets into contact with its sensory hairs. Living things have the capacity for reproduction. They reproduce living things of their own make. Lastly, the reproduction underlies the capacity of the population to evolve over a period of time (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016).
Although these seven properties of life are used to differentiate living things from non-living things, some nonliving things do possess some these properties. For instance, motor vehicles have complex fuel and exhaust system; it responds to environmental stimuli, uses energy to perform its activities and emits heat to the atmosphere. In addition, the manufacturings of motor vehicles have evolved from the steam engines, coal, carbon products and most recently, electric vehicles. However, they do not grow, lack DNA and cannot reproduce (they are manufactured); thus, they are nonliving entities. On the other hand, a bacteria is a living entity because it have cells that carryout metabolism, maintains its internal environment within the required limits, and have the ability reproduce organisms of their kind. The concept of bacteria resistance is an indicator of how the bacteria have continued to evolve. Despite its size, bacteria are living entity (Robertson, 2016).
These properties of living things are important and their combination facilitates the ability to live. For instance, all living things feed. The food is processed to provide energy for their daily activities such as movement, growth, development, response to stimuli, respiration and excretion. In addition, the energy is used by living things for reproduction processes, and for developing adaptive responses to the environment (evolution). Therefore, each of the traits plays an integral role that makes the living things to survive in this universe (Robertson, 2016).
Discussion question II Thinking as a scientist, design research
Science is an approach that aids in understanding the worlds nature, based on literature search, explanations and objective answers to research questions. Scientist thoughts are guided by discovery science and hypothesis driven science (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016). For instance, as one is preparing her supper, the kitchen lights suddenly go off. You try to switch on the backup generator, but the problem persists. As a nonscientist, one is likely to blame the incidence on supernatural spirits, and one is likely to meditate on the occurrence of this situation. Unlike scientists, the nonscientist approach does not involve formulation of hypothesis, testing it or even trying to solve the problem.
On the other hand, as a scientist, the question that arises immediately is ‘why did the bulb blow up?’ There are dozen explanations to this problem that can be investigated simultaneously including power surge, electricity is lost, or the quality of the kitchen bulb. However, one is likely to focus and test one explanation (based on experience). In this case, the most possible explanation is that the ABG electricity bulb has blown up (where ABG is the brand name). If the incidence have occurred several times in the recent past, then a hypothesis can be formed as follows; the ABG electricity bulb do not last long because they are of low quality. The logical testing process will be as follows (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016);
Step 1: Observation – The ABG electricity bulb blow up easily. They do not last more than one month
Step 2: Research Question – The ideal question is ‘what is wrong with the remote?’
Step 3: Formulation of hypothesis
Hypothesis: The ABG electricity bulb do not last long because they are of low quality
Step 4: Prediction
If a replacement of ABG bulbs is done with another brand, then the electricity bulb will last for long
Step 5: Experiment
The ABG electricity bulb is replaced with a new brand. If the new bulb does not last long, then one should formulate another hypothesis and repeat the test, until a satisfactory conclusion to the research question is reached.
From reading this, it is evident that the concept of solving society’s daily challenges is embedded deeply in scientific research method. The significance of solving problems using this approach is that it minimizes influences when solving a problem. This way, it creates an opportunity of developing objective and standardized approaches, which makes one feel confident that the truth will be revealed, and that the issue will be addressed appropriately. This approach is of relevance because the society is bombarded by facts and fiction information from magazines, televisions and website. It is challenging to filter out the truth from the available information’s. However, adopting a culture scientific way of reasoning enables one to test for theoretical facts and to integrate them into reality (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016).
References
Robertson, B. (2016). Science 101: Q: How Do We Distinguish Between Living and Nonliving Things? Sci. Child., 053(09) .doi.org/10.2505/4/sc16_053_09_76
Assignment: Instructional Content and Implications
Teachers need to determine the point at which consideration should be made for integrating social concepts, such as gender and diversity. Design a lesson plan that focuses on promoting diversity and equality in your classroom.
Write a four to FOUR (4) page paper in which you:
Formulate a lesson plan which focuses on maintaining a diverse classroom, including at least one (1) comprehensive integration strategy, a list of materials that will be utilized to integrate social concepts, and an assessment method for determining evidence of success.
Analyze two to four (2-4) implications that social class has on schooling, and determine a method of handling these implications in the lesson you have created.
Develop three to four (3-4) instructional strategies that avoid the seven (7) forms of gender bias in the lesson you have created.
Construct a method of conceptualizing and implementing the lesson you have created in terms of diverse population groups with your students.
Provide at least three (4) references (no more than two to three [2-3] years old) from material outside the textbook.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Instructional Content and Implications
Introduction
Diverse classroom lesson plan designing is a sophisticated, proactive and systematic process involving comprehensive, integrated, cohesive and participatory educational acquisition principles (Reece & Walker, 2016). Instructional content and implication accommodation in different classroom designing do not primarily alter the instructional standards, performance criteria or the instructional materials, but change the instructional delivery strategies and assessments methods. Based on comprehensive integration plans, the list of materials that are required to be utilized for integrated social concepts is instructional content, instructional process, instructional products, and the efficient learning environment. However, the specific materials needed for engaging diverse learning based on integrated social concept specifically involve auditory, visual, tactile-kinesthetic, practical and technology option materials. Social integration provides non-discrimination, diversity, equal opportunities and pluralism (Cremer-Schulte, 2016; Baker, 2016).
Comprehensive integration strategy on maintaining diverse classroom enables efficient designing of diverse and equality eliminating class harassment, victimization, and discrimination. Besides, full integration foster class relationships allowing various, inclusive presentation, specific or adapted resources, content selection and expected output. When designing diverse classroom lesson, comprehensive, integrated strategy allow understanding the list of materials and resources needed in diverse teaching programming, analyzing the learners’ characteristics and reviewing teachers expectations based on risk assessment and alternative identifications or adjustments. However, the comprehensive integration content, process and the environment should be differentiated to allow flexibility and manipulations (Cremer-Schulte, 2016).
The method used is assessing and evaluating the evidence of diverse classroom planning, and integrated social concepts are mainly diagnostic method. The diagnostic method takes into account of the accommodative teaching and learning content, process, products and the classroom environment aiming at determining the outcome and the objectives of integrated social concepts. The diagnostic assessment method takes an interim evaluation approach to enable periodical data collection and adjustments on the set classroom instructions and activities (Cremer-Schulte, 2016; Baker, 2016). An employing diagnostic method as both formative and interim assessment approach, instructors can assess the created plan for adapting the materials and resources used in integrated classroom designing. In this regard, the fundamental and strategic skills used in diverse instruction design and the individual’s role in implementing the created plan for adapting diverse materials and resources are assessed (Messiou & Vitorino, 2016). Comparatively, the diagnostic assessment method is an effective method for identifying and evaluating the learners and teachers demand that have not been meet diverse classroom lesson designing to allow future adjustments. Similarly, the assessment process can determine whether the integrated social concepts based on content and format are adequately adapted or need further modification (Reece & Walker, 2016).
Social class has both active and adverse implication on schooling as they can affect the steps of diverse instructional learning and teaching based on the process, content, environment, and products directly. The social class affects the political, social, economic and environmental background of schooling (Baker, 2016). From a political, economic and social perspective, the social classes based on complex industrial societies can influence classroom behaviors that only rewards acquire personality traits. Similarly, the social class affect schooling curriculum based on social power and regards administered such as medical and managerial skills and knowledge. Schools in complex industrial society or upper classes are likely to acquire better schooling compared to lower-class schools based on learning environment, social structure, and affluent professionals. Practically, the social class affects the success of education based on parental achievement, class and its environment, the class correlation and the gap between socioeconomic factors (Messiou & Vitorino, 2016).
The efficient method used in assessing the social class implications in schooling for the four effects is the formative assessment process. The applied formative evaluation method is a systemic approach to both mastery teaching and learning following detailed theoretical analysis of the social structure and the nature of the feedback obtained. Therefore, incorporating the formative assessment approach in social class implication is schooling assessment allow tracking and exploitation of the effects of social class in school. The formative evaluation method assesses the bridging gap, class correlation, parental achievement and the class environment that are directly affected by social class based on school (Reece & Walker, 2016).
The instructional strategies that avoid the seven forms of gender bias in the designed lesson planning are the social integration, social cohesion, social inclusion and social participation. The instructional strategies of eliminating the gender bias ensure that the materials and resources are accessible to all learners, students’ ability understandings are clearly demonstrated, technical instructions stereotyping, invisibility, unreality, imbalance selectivity, linguistic bias, and fragmentations are efficiently solved. Social integration allows instructional differentiation is eliminating gender isolation, linguistic bias based on gender and ethnicity, and promotes investigative approach for bias detectives (Cremer-Schulte, 2016). Therefore, integration, inclusive, cohesion and participatory strategies enable avoidance of the seven forms of gender bias in a diverse lesson instructional planning.
The method of conceptualizing and implementing the lesson created based on diverse population groups with learners is the adaptive differentiation method. The adaptive differentiated method measures the impacts of the diverse lesson formulation by establishing the starting point of the plan and setting the diverse and healthy equality learning outcomes (Messiou & Vitorino, 2016). Similarly, adaptive differentiation method for conceptualizing and implementing the lesson created based on diverse population groups with learners allows inclusive, differentiated and participatory learning where the issues with learners’ language, abilities and needs are handled. Similarly, the method allows both formative and diagnostic assessment of the learning process so that the steps of differentiated learning and teaching are implemented. For example, the method can challenge the impacts of social classes in schooling, the methods used in the formulation and implementation of the diverse lesson plan designing and the comprehensive integration strategies used on maintaining diverse classroom (Baker, 2016).
Conclusion
The diverse classroom lesson plan designing is a complicated process that can only be understood by collective bargains. However, employing comprehensive integration strategies on maintaining diverse classroom, understanding the social class impacts on schooling and the effective strategies to be used in eliminating gender bias enable efficient designing of the diverse lesson plan that is integrated, inclusive and cohesive. Therefore, diverse lesson planning requires both formative and diagnostic methods to test the outcome of the set objectives and make the future adjustments for effectiveness.
Cremer-Schulte, D. C. (2016). On the links between natural amenities, residential processes and urban planning: lessons from an Alpine urban region (Doctoral dissertation, Grenoble Alpes).
Messiou, K., Ainscow, M., Echeita, G., Goldrick, S., Hope, M., Paes, I., … & Vitorino, T. (2016). Learning from differences: a strategy for teacher development in respect to student diversity. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 27(1), 45-61.
Reece, I., & Walker, S. (2016). Teaching, training and learning: A practical guide. Business Education Publishers Ltd.
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Instructions: Respond to the questions at the end of this case study for EACH separate part. As you progress through the assessment requirements, be careful to integrate information from both the current and preceding parts into your responses, as they provide you with valuable history.
Think of each part as your first exposure to Danial, but in each successive part, consider all material from the previous scenarios. For example:
• When you respond to the questions for Part 1, all the information you know about Danial is contained in Part 1. Your answers will relate to ONLY this scenario.
• When you respond to the questions for Part 2, you will have access to the expanded history. You will be expected to respond to the scenario presented in Part 2, but you will also be aware of his previous history detailed in Part 1, as if Part 1 was information from a medical record. Be sure to integrate this information into your response to Part 2.
• When you respond to the questions for Part 3, you will have access to the full history. Respond to the questions with awareness of his previous history, detailed in Part 1 and Part 2. You will be expected integrate this information into your Part 3 answer.
Part 1
Danial is brought to you by his parents when he is seven years old and just starting second grade. He is small for his age and moves in a fashion that could be mistaken for a girl. His mother, Yalda, is 34. She worked as an aide in a pre-school program that Danial attended until he entered kindergarten, “because Danial liked her to be there.” She now works with and for her 39 year-old husband, Nasir, Danial’s father. Nasir owns and manages three convenience stores.
Danial has a 15 year old brother, Salim, who is a very good athlete and already the highest scoring player on a competitive high school soccer team. This Muslim family emigrated from Pakistan ten years ago. They have since helped Yalda’s parents move to the U.S. Assimilation into American culture is somewhat of a struggle from religious and cultural perspectives, particularly as the parents want to hold on to much of their culture of origin. Their English language skills are very good.
When they enter your office, Danial sits very close to his mother on one end of the sofa. His father sits in a separate chair. They speak with a strong Pakistani accent. They are concerned because Danial has been having stomachaches since the new school year started. They think he wants to stay home with Yalda, because he behaved the same way in kindergarten and first grade for the first month or so of school. His complaints about stomachaches, though, are worse this year. He has always wanted someone to stay with him at night until he falls asleep but Nasir put a stop to that at the start of kindergarten, “even though Danial cried like a baby.” Danial is a solid “A-B” student.
Since kindergarten, Danial has awakened frequently at night. He has been found sleeping outside his parents’ bedroom door on a number of nights because he has nightmares about his mother being kidnapped. They are concerned, too, because it was always a battle to get Danial to stay with a babysitter when he was a toddler. Eventually, they could only leave him with Yalda’s parents for an evening because he wouldn’t stop crying if left with anyone else. Throughout the interview, Danial holds tightly to his mother’s sweater or hand, despite her obvious attempts to get him to sit up straight and to move away from her.
You ask Danial if he feels frightened, to which he nods, and says in a soft and somewhat breathy voice, “I worry all the time that something will happen to my mom.” He and his brother speak without accent. You ask if you can talk to him by himself. He responds by clinging to his mother, shaking his head, and saying, “I don’t want to. Don’t make me, please, mommy.” To which his father says, “Good lord,” rolls his eyes, and turns further away from Danial.
Danial’s personal history, and his family’s history on both sides, is unremarkable for mental or medical concerns or for physical or substance use or abuse disorders. There is no history of physical abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. All of Danial’s developmental signs fall within the norm. Other than his concerns of being away from his parents, he has no other behaviors of concern, except, his father says, with another eye roll, “He likes to play with girls and dolls and can’t stand getting dirty. He’ll never be the soccer player his brother is.”
Part 2
Danial is now 16 years old. His mother accompanies him to the interview and tells you about Danial’s evaluation and successful treatment when he was seven. “He was fine after that treatment worked,” Yalda says, “but lately he’s taken staying to himself all the time. He’s always been a little different, too sensitive, you know. He gets tearful now and then. But lately he’s just been nasty to everyone, irritable. And he just can’t sit still. He’s like a cat on a hot tin roof. He can’t remember half of what I tell him. It’s as if he’s forgotten how to think, sometimes. He can’t keep his mind on anything.” She’s also concerned because he only weighs 130 pounds and has lost twenty pounds in the last six weeks without trying. “He eats like a bird,” she says. “He’s lost his appetite.”
Danial appears agitated. He sulks, won’t make eye contact, sits as far away from his mother as he can, and rolls his eyes when she talks. Again, his history is unremarkable for medical concerns, or physical or substance use or abuse disorders, and there is no history of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. His only psychological history of note is his treatment at age seven. He expresses irritability with his mother for “tricking” him into coming to see a shrink. His mother thinks he is angry because he isn’t sleeping well at night, and hasn’t been sleeping well for several months. Further questions about that do not reveal any manic behavioral concerns.
When you talk with Danial alone, you learn that he has only one male friend, “More of a good acquaintance,” he says. “But he’s like me.” The only other people he has spent time with are a couple of girls who are loners, too, and who “accept” him. “We don’t really trust people much. I’m a lot more like them than I am like “the guys.” He rolls his eyes. “You know the ones who think they’re better than everyone.” He studies his fingernails, which you notice have been polished with a clear nail polish. You ask him about his relationships with “the guys” and he snaps angrily at you. “They’re like my older brother’s friends. A bunch of jocks. To them, I’m a worthless piece of garbage.” He laughs. “And maybe I am. Ha! Maybe!? Who am I kidding? I’m not worth the dirt on the bottom of my brother’s running shoes! Just ask my old man. My brother was a college jock! Daddy’s star! The big college soccer player!”
For the last two months Danial has not wanted to spend time with anyone, and withdraws to his room whenever he can escape the family. He has withdrawn from his already small group of acquaintances as well as family, and lost interest in almost everything, including band and the theater group, both of which he has dropped out of in the last two months. You get the impression that Danial has started buying half-pint bottles of vodka from an acquaintance in the past month, but he will tell you no more about this once it comes out. You ask if he feels depressed and he snaps at you irritably that he is not. He denies any reason for not wanting to see people or for his loss of interest in almost everything he used to do. “Nothing’s happened to me, I just don’t want to be around people, any people, including you.” He denies feeling suicidal but mentions playing with his father’s revolver the previous week, holding the muzzle to his head and clicking the trigger to imagine what it would feel like if it was loaded. He thinks about death a lot, he says, “But it’s only an existential dream. We’re all going to die. It’s just a matter of when.” At this, he smiles again, as if to himself.
Part 3
Danial, 25, works as a draftsman for a large architectural design firm. It is a fairly solitary job. He’s come to see you because, “My boss told me to get help, or else. Bottom line: He wants to fire me, but his boss, my uncle, won’t let him.” He smiles and says, “It’s good to know people in high places.”
Danial’s physician also referred him, and has sent you Danial’s previous treatment records (Parts 1 and 2), which indicate no significant medical concerns. You ask why he thinks his boss wants to fire him and are told, “He’s always making jokes about me behind my back. I hear ‘em all laughing. I’m his star draftsman, but he doesn’t pay me what I’m worth. I’m sure he pays the others more than he pays me, not that they’ll say boo about that. They have kind of a pact, I think, to keep stuff like that from me. And my boss only gives me compliments to get me to work harder. He’s not fooling me. Neither are the others. They’re jealous because of my uncle and . . . other things. You know the kind of stuff I mean.”
You ask him to tell you more. He frowns at you, stares, then shakes his head. “You’re in on this, aren’t you!?” He laughs. “Sure. I see it now. He gives me the names of three therapists and tells me to see one. Smart. I’ll bet he paid the three of you to do what he wants. You all knew I was coming to one of you! To think I was dumb enough to believe that with three names to choose from this had to be on the up-and-up.” He shakes his head. “Jeez!”
You explain that you don’t know his boss. “Yeah,” Danial says, “I believe you. Now, I suppose you’ve got a bridge to sell me.” You explain that he is welcome to choose any therapist he wants, and that if he prefers to end the session he is free to choose another therapist. “Sure,” he says, “so you can tell my boss I walked out, and he still gets me to work with someone in his pocket. I’m not falling for that. I’m here. I’ll work with you. He said I needed therapy and my uncle went along with it. So, I’m getting therapy. I’m not playing my boss’s game. But I don’t want you sending him any little messages about what we talk about.” You agree that everything you talk about will be confidential unless (in the spirit of informed consent) there’s a potential Danial could harm himself or someone else. “Did he tell you I was a danger to him?” he asks. “Is that what this is about? You can’t trust the man. He’ll say anything to get his way.” You reiterate that you have never spoken with his boss.
In a few minutes, he calms down and asks, “So what do we do in this so-called ‘therapy’?” You suggest that he tell you about himself, maybe what his boss is concerned about, or what he (Danial) might want help with. After another discussion about confidentiality, he insists that you to sign a note stating that you will not reveal anything to anyone about what he says unless it’s about hurting himself or someone else, “Because I’m not going to hurt anyone unless they try to get me first.” You sign the agreement. Only then does he begin to talk about himself, after insisting, “I don’t want you writing all this down. And if you break our agreement, I’ll sue you. I will. Believe me.”
You ask about his earlier emotional issues and the event with his father’s revolver, which you read in the records. “I’m not depressed, if that’s what you’re thinking. I like everyone and everything, I just don’t trust ‘em,” he says. “I’m happy. I sleep fine. I’m not losing weight. I’m not here for happy pills. I’m just here to find out how to get my boss off my back.” He smirks. “And, maybe, how to know if my partner is having an affair. I’ve never been able to prove anything, but . . . I know he is, and he gives me signs all the time. I just haven’t caught him at it.”
Danial is reluctant to talk about himself, but eventually answers some questions after making you explain why you are asking each one. You learn that he drinks three to five highballs a day on weekends, “sometimes more, lots more once in awhile,” and that he has ongoing trouble with his family of origin, whom, he says, “tried to hold him hostage” to old country ways. He tells you his parents don’t understand him and are always “snooping” into his life, which is why he changes his cell phone every couple of months.
“Besides,” he adds sarcastically, “There are no gay Muslims, you know. My dad tells me that all the time.” He wags his head. “Hell, almost everyone at the firm is gay, and we come from all over the world. What’s he think—that Allah only makes Christians and atheists gay?”
SAMPLE ANSWER
Case Study of Danial Assessment Paper
Introduction
This paper intends to come up with an analysis of a case study of Danial Assessment Paper. To achieve this task the essay will look at Danial’s Assessment Paper in four parts.
Part 1
Diagnostic hypotheses for Danial
A lot of people associate Danial’s behaviors with stubbornness in children, believing they are something you grow out of (Brooks, 2014). However, it is not uncommon for children growing to become teens and adults to experience the nightmares as well (Flynn, Johnson, Bolton, & Mojtabai, 2016). In fact, in every 2 adults will experience nightmares now and again, while 2% to 8% of the adult population suffers from chronic or recurring nightmares Last, F. M. (2012, 5,12 ) post traumatic stress disorder (Crafter, 2015). The nightmares are characterized by vividly realistic images, thoughts and emotions which cause your heart to beat faster and sometimes even force you to wake from your sleep (Ferns, 2016). Sometimes details of the nightmare will be remembered and the terrifying or disturbing images can be difficult to shake (Flynn, Johnson, Bolton, & Mojtabai, 2016). As a result, nightmares affect the quality of sleep, leading to physical exhaustion and mental anxiety along with stress. If your sleep is being interrupted by nightmares, it can cause issues in other areas of your life and even lead to long-term health problems (Glăveanu, 2011). Therefore, it is important to understand the source of the nightmares and take steps to prevent them (Ferns, 2016).
Notably, it is very common for pre-school children to develop specific fears or phobias, where most common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, and the dark, though these fears usually go away gradually on their own (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). Throughout a child’s life there will be other times when they feel anxiety, for instance lots of children feel anxious when going to a new school, for example, or before tests and exams, while some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014).
Danial is seven years by age and is in second grade. He can be easily mistaken for a girl due to his fashion and looks quite tiny for his age. Danial parents, Yalda his mother is 34 years and his father Nasir is 39years.his father runs three convenience stores.Danial has a brother fifteen years of age who is perfect in athletes and is the best player in scoring in his high school team. Danial parents moves to from Pakistan 10 years ago and they brought Yalda parents with them. danial looks frightened when they entered the office danial clings onto his mother on the one end of the sofa. Danial has complained of stomachaches since beginning of New Year in the new school. His mother thinks that Danial wants to stay at home since he used to behave the same way in kindergarten and the first months of his first grade schooling.
Further diagnostic information needed
It is important to keep Danial’s bedroom neat, and make sure it’s dark enough while also avoid temperatures that are too hot or cold (Ferns, 2016). In addition, make sure his bed is comfortable by use of a white noise machine to block out any undesirable sounds, while also reserve the bedroom for sleeping since working in the bedroom may cause one to associate it with stress (Shah, 2016). Moreover, it is important to make sure that Danial is involved in physical exercise as a way of improving his sleep, hence finding an activity that Danial enjoys, whether it’s running, strength training, dancing, rowing or rock climbing and encouraging him to work out 3 to 5 times a week would be effective (Harre, 2016). Moreover, exercise time should be schedule for the morning if possible, which implies that one should not exercise right before bed as it will leave them too amped up for sleep (Heru, 2012).
Furthermore, it is important to ensure that Danial also has bonding time with his brother, which is fundamental in owning to the fact that his brother likes sports, which also help Danial as he drifts off to sleep, by making him have happy thoughts (MacIver, 2013). Encouraging Danial to be anything he likes through trying to imagine himself as a superhero saving the world, or a famous actor or heading off on his dream holiday may positively impact on assiststing Danial to focus on his goals and envision himself achieving (McAndrew & Warne, 2012).
Impact of culture, and ethnic issues along with psychosexual issues on the life of Danial and his family using diathesis-stress outlook
Some psychologists believe that today’s middle-years youngsters actually are faced with more stress than the children of previous generations were and have fewer social supports available, due to changes in family structure from the large, supportive, extended families (including both parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents) of previous generations, to the present high incidence of divorced families, single-parent families and stepfamilies, which has drastically altered the experience of childhood hence millions of youngsters are forced to adjust to such changes (Klasios, 2014). However, even in intact and stable families, the growing number of households with two working parents often forces children to spend more time in after-school programs or at home alone, which leads to some children experiencing stress due to loss of time with their parents, which forces them to have the responsibility for caring for themselves and the family home and sometimes for overseeing a younger sibling after school (MacIver, 2013). Many children and their families are stressed by the multiple activities that fill children’s “free time.” Overscheduled children with inadequate “down time” can become exhausted (Heru, 2012).
Danial is a member of a muslim family. Moreover, Danial’s family is more interested in maintaining the culture of their country of origin, as opposed to assimilating to the American culture. Notably, the culture of Danial’s family’s country of origin is influenced largely by religion, which is muslim religion. However, in America there are approximately 2 to 8 million muslims. The population of muslims in America is ethnically diverse, and originates from over 80 countries across four continents. Two thirds of the muslims in America are immigrants. Consequently, some American muslims are pious, while others are only moderately religious, whereas others are secular and don’t practice Islam, they only relate to it. Some American muslims may attend the mosque once a week and also pray daily while other American muslims rarely practice or engage in Islam. Therefore, this implies that, since when Danial was a child, he interacted with fellow muslims, who had different levels of engagent to Islam and hence influencing Danial’s growth and belief in Islam.
Today’s children are also being raised in an era in which they are exposed to violence and peer pressure about sexual activity and drug use and are warned to be cautious about kidnapping, sexual abuse and other crimes, which creates the sense that they are living in an unsafe world hence gradually developing a constant source of stress for some children (Roe, 2015). In short, today’s youngsters are regularly confronted with challenges to their coping skills and often are expected to grow up too fast, which is also presented in Danial’s case where we see that danial parents moved from Pakistan to United States ten years ago, later they helped yalda parents move to United States (McAndrew, & Warne, 2012). The family being from a Muslim culture, they find it hard to fit into American culture, especially Yalda’s parent who embraces their origin in culture, while it is also documented that Danial has never been comfortable being left with a baby sitter since he was a toddler, which is an American culture (Knights, 2012).
Therefore, it is important to ensure that Danial also has bonding time with his brother, which is fundamental in owning to the fact that his brother likes sports, which also help Danial as he drifts off to sleep, by making him have happy thoughts (MacIver, 2013). Encouraging Danial to be anything he likes through trying to imagine himself as a superhero saving the world, or a famous actor or heading off on his dream holiday may positively impact on assiststing Danial to focus on his goals and envision himself achieving (McAndrew & Warne, 2012).
Part 2
Diagnostic hypotheses for Danial
Danial’s disturbances are bound to occur during the deeper stages of sleep and so tend to happen in the first few hours of going to bed, which Danial experiences in form of an intense feeling of fear, which is not accompanied by dreams or images, but rather is often accompanied by movement (thrashing or sitting upright in bed) which may cause the him to wake up but usually Danial cannot remember why he was so frightened upon waking (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014). Intially in the presented case study Danial is small in appearance and loves girly things. We see that he loves playing with girls and dolls too. His father is uncomfortable since he wishes Danial to be like his brother who loves playing soccer and he is the best in his high school team. His discomfort is evident when he rolls his eye during the interview explaining to me about danial behavior. Danial is seven years by age and is in second grade. He can be easily mistaken for a girl due to his fashion and looks quite tiny for his age. Danial parents, Yalda his mother is 34 years and his father Nasir is 39years.his father runs three convenience stores.Danial has a brother fifteen years of age who is perfect in athletes and is the best player in scoring in his high school team. Danial parents moves to from Pakistan 10 years ago and they brought Yalda parents with them. danial looks frightened when they entered the office danial clings onto his mother on the one end of the sofa. Danial has complained of stomachaches since beginning of New Year in the new school. His mother thinks that Danial wants to stay at home since he used to behave the same way in kindergarten and the first months of his first grade schooling.
Moreover, in Danial’s case he loves someone to keep him company during the night till he falls asleep but his father Nasir ensured that he stopped it. Danial would cry like a baby when he was left alone. Danial has been often sleeping outside his parent’s bedroom door due to his nightmares about his mother being kidnapped. When danial was a toddler he had troubles staying with the babysitter as he would cry all night long. This made danial to be left under care of his grandparent’s but still he wouldn’t stop crying, his mother had to stay with him. his mother makes effort to move away and make him sit straight from danial since the whole time of the interview danial tightly holds her mother’s hand .when I asks Danial if he is frightened he nods his head and he tells me that he worries all the time that something might happen to his mother, when I check their famiy history I see no traits of mental abuse, physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence or substance abuse.
Although nightmares in children often happen spontaneously with no serious underlying cause, sometimes they occur as a result of psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014). Notably, it is very common for pre-school children to develop specific fears or phobias, where most common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, and the dark, though these fears usually go away gradually on their own (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). Throughout a child’s life there will be other times when they feel anxiety, for instance lots of children feel anxious when going to a new school, for example, or before tests and exams, while some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014).
This situation is particularly likely if the sufferer has recently experienced a traumatic or life-changing event, such as the loss of a loved one, changing or losing a job, having a baby, undergoing surgery or being involved in an accident, while sometimes nightmares are a symptom of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or restless leg symptom, whereas other times, a person is just genetically predisposed towards nightmares, as research has shown that the likelihood of having nightmares runs in the family (Flynn, Johnson, Bolton, & Mojtabai, 2016).
In Danial’s case he loves someone to keep him company during the night till he falls asleep but his father Nasir ensured that he stopped it. Danial would cry like a baby when he was left alone. Danial has been often sleeping outside his parent’s bedroom door due to his nightmares about his mother being kidnapped. When danial was a toddler he had troubles staying with the babysitter as he would cry all night long. This made danial to be left under care of his grandparent’s but still he wouldn’t stop crying, his mother had to stay with him. his mother makes effort to move away and make him sit straight from danial since the whole time of the interview danial tightly holds her mother’s hand .when I asks Danial if he is frightened he nods his head and he tells me that he worries all the time that something might happen to his mother, when I check their famiy history I see no traits of mental abuse, physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence or substance abuse.
Further diagnostic information needed
Notably, One of the biggest stressors for kids is being overscheduled, yet, today, kids are expected to pay attention and perform in school for seven hours, excel at extracurricular activities, come home, finish homework, and go to bed just to do it all over again the next day, which leaves children with no downtime (Flynn, Johnson, Bolton, & Mojtabai, 2016). It is important for kids to have downtime to rejuvenate, their brains while their bodies need to rest though children might not realize this by themselves, hence it is the task of the parents to know when their child is overscheduled as it is important (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011).
Danial is a member of a muslim family. Moreover, Danial’s family is more interested in maintaining the culture of their country of origin, as opposed to assimilating to the American culture. Notably, the culture of Danial’s family’s country of origin is influenced largely by religion, which is muslim religion. However, in America there are approximately 2 to 8 million muslims. The population of muslims in America is ethnically diverse, and originates from over 80 countries across four continents. Two thirds of the muslims in America are immigrants. Consequently, some American muslims are pious, while others are only moderately religious, whereas others are secular and don’t practice Islam, they only relate to it. Some American muslims may attend the mosque once a week and also pray daily while other American muslims rarely practice or engage in Islam. Therefore, this implies that, since when Danial was a child, he interacted with fellow muslims, who had different levels of engagent to Islam and hence influencing Danial’s growth and belief in Islam.
It is therefore recommendable for one to look at their kids’ schedules over the course of a week, and make sure that there is enough downtime when the parent is not watching the clock, by ensuring that there several hours on the weekend or a few nights during the week when their child can simply kick back and relax (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). In addition, it is also important for parents to pay attention to how their family is eating their meals and identifying whether everybody is eating on the run, in the car, grabbing and going, since that is an indicator that too much is going on (McAndrew & Warne, 2012).
In Danial’s case he loves someone to keep him company during the night till he falls asleep but his father Nasir ensured that he stopped it. Danial would cry like a baby when he was left alone. Danial has been often sleeping outside his parent’s bedroom door due to his nightmares about his mother being kidnapped. When danial was a toddler he had troubles staying with the babysitter as he would cry all night long. This made danial to be left under care of his grandparent’s but still he wouldn’t stop crying, his mother had to stay with him. his mother makes effort to move away and make him sit straight from danial since the whole time of the interview danial tightly holds her mother’s hand .when I asks Danial if he is frightened he nods his head and he tells me that he worries all the time that something might happen to his mother, when I check their famiy history I see no traits of mental abuse, physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence or substance abuse.
Impact of culture, and ethnic issues along with psychosexual issues on the life of Danial and his family using diathesis-stress outlook
Notably, it is very common for pre-school children to develop specific fears or phobias, where most common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, and the dark, though these fears usually go away gradually on their own (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). Throughout a child’s life there will be other times when they feel anxiety, for instance lots of children feel anxious when going to a new school, for example, or before tests and exams, while some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014).
Severe anxiety like this can harm children’s mental and emotional wellbeing, affecting their self-esteem and confidence, hence they may become withdrawn and go to great lengths to avoid things or situations that make them feel anxious (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014). Therefore, it is important to talk to Danial about his anxiety or worries and reassuring and show him that you understand how he feels, since Danial is now a child who is old enough, it may help to explain what anxiety is and the physical effects it has on our bodies, thus it may be helpful to describe anxiety as being like a wave that builds up and then ebbs away again (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011).
Notably, as a child, due to his continuous cries when left by the mother, they opted that Danial would stay with Yalda’s parents. Danial always wanted someone to keeping him company till he falls asleep but his father put a stop to that although he would cry terribly. That was when he was in kindergarten. Danial has also been having nightmares hence has also been found a couple of times sleeping outside his parent’s bedroom door as he complained that he has nightmares of his mother being kidnapped.
Moreover, Danial’s always loved someone to keep him company during the night till he falls asleep but his father Nasir ensured that he stopped it. Danial would cry like a baby when he was left alone. Danial has been often sleeping outside his parent’s bedroom door due to his nightmares about his mother being kidnapped. When danial was a toddler he had troubles staying with the babysitter as he would cry all night long. This made danial to be left under care of his grandparent’s but still he wouldn’t stop crying, his mother had to stay with him. his mother makes effort to move away and make him sit straight from danial since the whole time of the interview danial tightly holds her mother’s hand .when I asks Danial if he is frightened he nods his head and he tells me that he worries all the time that something might happen to his mother, when I check their famiy history I see no traits of mental abuse, physical abuse, neglect, domestic violence or substance abuse.
Part 3
Diagnostic hypotheses for Danial
When a child’s nightmares are the result of an underlying condition such as sleep apnea or restless leg symptom, receiving treatment for these conditions should help to reduce them (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). Notably, it is very common for pre-school children to develop specific fears or phobias, where most common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, and the dark, though these fears usually go away gradually on their own (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011). Throughout a child’s life there will be other times when they feel anxiety, for instance lots of children feel anxious when going to a new school, for example, or before tests and exams, while some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this (“Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims”, 2014).
Danial’s nightmares are related to anxiety, depression or PTSD, certain forms of therapy or medications might help to alleviate these conditions and lessen nightmares, in particular, a drug known as Prazosin is often prescribed to help patients with PTSD, anxiety and panic disorders, and can alleviate nightmares too (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011).
Moreover, it is also important to involve a medical doctor in attending to Danial so as to figure out the best option of treatment option for Danial, as it is also important to note that certain medications can increase the likelihood of nightmares, so speaking to a doctor is essential in identifying whether certain medications can cause issues in Danial’s health (“The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth”, 2011).
Notably, Anti-depressants and certain blood pressure medications are often responsible for causing nightmares, so speaking to a medical doctor about switching to a different drug is crucial since, sometimes a change in dosage or coming off a particular drug can cause nightmares, in which case the bad dreams experienced by Danial should subside once his body adjusts therefore, the main concern is denial staying away from his parents, all other development signs fall inside the standard (Roe, 2015).
His father complains that Danial loves to play with dolls and girls unlike his brother who kloves playing soccer. His father wishes Danila to be like his brother. Danial is afraid that something bad might happen to his mother, this is diathesis stress. This is making him to be irrational. He usually complains about stomachaches which uses it to seek attention. It seems that his parents don’t him much attention .he also loves girls fashion and loves to play with dolls and girls unlike his brother. His father doesn’t seem happy since we see him rolling his eyes when he is explaining. The father can’t deal with psychosexual issues of Danial.
Further diagnostic information needed
When a person is in middle age, pressures may come from a number of sources, such as within the person himself, as well as from parents, teachers, peers and the larger society in which the person lives (Roe, 2015). Additionally, pressure can take many forms that challenge individuals and to which they must respond and, often, adapt, whether these are events of lasting consequence like the divorce of their parents, or merely a minor hassle like losing their homework, these demands or stresses are a part of individual’s daily existence (McAndrew & Warne, 2012).
In the case of children, they welcome some events and are able to adapt to them with relative ease, while perceiving other events as threats to their own routines or the family’s daily routines or general sense of well-being, and these stresses are more troublesome (McAndrew & Warne, 2012). Most stress faced by children is in the middle, neither welcomed nor seriously harmful, but rather a part of accomplishing the tasks of childhood and learning about themselves (Roe, 2015).
Young adults may also worry about making friends, succeeding in school, combating peer pressure or overcoming a physical impairment, whatever its form, if stress is too intense or long-lasting, it can sometimes take a toll on individuals (Flynn, Johnson, Bolton, & Mojtabai, 2016). Clusters of stressful events seem to predispose children to illness, such as major events, especially those that forever change a child’s family, like the death of a parent, can have lasting effects on children’s psychological health and well-being, while minor daily stresses can also have consequences, which may contribute to loss of sleep or appetite, individuals may also become angry or irritable or their school grades may suffer, while their behavior and their willingness to cooperate may change (Klasios, 2014).
Impact of culture, and ethnic issues along with psychosexual issues on the life of Danial and his family using diathesis-stress outlook
For many adults, childhood can seem like a carefree time, but for children they still experience stress, through activities such as school and their social life, which may sometimes create pressures that result in overwhelming for kids (Klasios, 2014). As a parent, you cannot protect your kids from stress, but you can help them develop healthy ways to cope with stress and solve everyday problems, since children deal with stress in both healthy and unhealthy ways, while they may not initiate a conversation about what’s bothering them, they do want their parents to reach out and help them cope with their troubles (McAndrew, & Warne, 2012).
Notably, young adults don’t always feel like talking about what’s bothering them, which sometimes is not bad, hence letting your children know you’ll be there when they do feel like talking is important since, even when kids don’t want to talk, they usually don’t want parents to leave them alone (McAndrew, & Warne, 2012). As a parent one can help their child feel better just by being there, keeping him or her company, spending time together, which therefore means that if a parent notices their child seems to be down in the dumps, stressed, or having a bad day, but doesn’t feel like talking , then it is important to initiate something they can do together, like taking a walk, watching a movie, shooting some hoops, or baking some cookies, which proves the importance of being present (Roe, 2015).
Moreover, as a parent it is important to be patient since it is a key component though it hurts to see your child unhappy or stressed, effectively trying to resist the urge to fix every problem is important and instead, focusing on helping your child, slowly but surely, growing into a good problem-solver (Roe, 2015). Notably, a kid who knows how to roll with life’s ups and downs, put feelings into words, calm down when needed, and bounce back to try again is stronger, while again parents cannot solve every problem that their kids go through in life, but by teaching healthy coping strategies, a parent will prepare their kids to manage the stresses that come in the future (Glăveanu, 2011).
Moreover, creating a healthy and clean home, work space and even social environment can influence a persons behaviors, which therefore means that altering your environment can help alleviate stress, such as, cleaning up a cluttered environment can help (Glăveanu, 2011). It is therefore important to look around one’s home or even their car and ask themselves, does this space feel clear and relaxing? (MacIver, 2013). Clearing up one’s home space for the family is something a parent and his/her children can control, and it teaches children to focus on those things they can control when feeling stressed (Roe, 2015).
Intially in the presented case study Danial is small in appearance and loves girly things. We see that he loves playing with girls and dolls too. His father is uncomfortable since he wishes Danial to be like his brother who loves playing soccer and he is the best in his high school team. His discomfort is evident when he rolls his eye during the interview explaining to me about danial behavior. Danial is seven years by age and is in second grade. He can be easily mistaken for a girl due to his fashion and looks quite tiny for his age. Danial parents, Yalda his mother is 34 years and his father Nasir is 39years.his father runs three convenience stores.Danial has a brother fifteen years of age who is perfect in athletes and is the best player in scoring in his high school team. Danial parents moves to from Pakistan 10 years ago and they brought Yalda parents with them. danial looks frightened when they entered the office danial clings onto his mother on the one end of the sofa. Danial has complained of stomachaches since beginning of New Year in the new school. His mother thinks that Danial wants to stay at home since he used to behave the same way in kindergarten and the first months of his first grade schooling.
Part 4
Danial is a member of a muslim family. Moreover, Danial’s family is more interested in maintaining the culture of their country of origin, as opposed to assimilating to the American culture. Notably, the culture of Danial’s family’s country of origin is influenced largely by religion, which is muslim religion. However, in America there are approximately 2 to 8 million muslims. The population of muslims in America is ethnically diverse, and originates from over 80 countries across four continents. Two thirds of the muslims in America are immigrants. Consequently, some American muslims are pious, while others are only moderately religious, whereas others are secular and don’t practice Islam, they only relate to it. Some American muslims may attend the mosque once a week and also pray daily while other American muslims rarely practice or engage in Islam. Therefore, this implies that, since when Danial was a child, he interacted with fellow muslims, who had different levels of engagent to Islam and hence influencing Danial’s growth and belief in Islam.
According to traditional perspectives of Islam, the hadith talks of the main offences practiced in Sodom being idolatry along with avarice. Additionaly, inhospitality was also witnessed with raping of men visitors being rampant. Nonetheless, the hadith unequivocally also condemns acts of male homosexuals. In Quran 4:16 the Quran stresses that there should be indeterminate punishment of men who are found guilty of profanity as one unless the men repent. To a majority of muslims, they are of the view that Prophet Muhammed should have instead declared a penalty of equal weight to Zina for the active partner in homosexuality, along with the passive partner, which is capital punishment through stoning. This then implies that, this is one of the reasons, Danial’s father is so hard on him and disapproves of his behavior and character.
However, in some references of the Quran, there are implications of homosexuality in paradise, which is attributed to Arab culture along with the Muslim culture. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder became famous in the 1950s and was acknowledged by the psychoanalytic community. The clinicians of psychoanalyst differentiated the as a more severe mental illness that made people to lose touch with the actuality of the world. The disorder is caused by how an individual is raised. It was views as a fault in an individual’s personality. The theory of Frued’s was used for psychotherapy in the 1960sIn the 1980s a new model of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as the study fields for sciences. The new models are based upon scientific references unlike in the 1960s where the model was based upon theories which were not proven. For these disorders to proceed to the next level of research, they had to be characterized in a way that they would be observable hence the disorders could be measured. Frued’s theory did not measure disorders hence the theory was swapped with behaviors and thoughts that could be observed and measured. This made Freudian theory to decline and cognitive behavior theory rose rapidly since it put emphasis on manifestation of measurable and observable disorders. The was also rise in the model of medicine since it stressed on symptoms of pathology and their biological causes. This models assisted individuals to have a new knowledge of more efficient healthy ways to behave and think so as to have a better way of reducing their stress.
It is therefore recommendable to keep Danial’s bedroom neat, and make sure it’s dark enough while also avoid temperatures that are too hot or cold (Ferns, 2016). In addition, make sure his bed is comfortable by use of a white noise machine to block out any undesirable sounds, while also reserve the bedroom for sleeping since working in the bedroom may cause one to associate it with stress (Shah, 2016). Moreover, it is important to make sure that Danial is involved in physical exercise as a way of improving his sleep, hence finding an activity that Danial enjoys, whether it’s running, strength training, dancing, rowing or rock climbing and encouraging him to work out 3 to 5 times a week would be effective (Harre, 2016). Moreover, exercise time should be schedule for the morning if possible, which implies that one should not exercise right before bed as it will leave them too amped up for sleep (Heru, 2012).
Ferns, S. (2016). Changing Gender Roles and Public-Policy Perspectives since Donovan: A Trade-Union View. Historical Studies In Industrial Relations, 37, 229-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.3828/hsir.2016.37.11
Flynn, A., Johnson, R., Bolton, S., & Mojtabai, R. (2016). Victimization of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People in Childhood: Associations with Attempted Suicide. Suicide And Life-Threatening Behavior, 46(4), 457-470. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12228
Knights, M. (2012). Taking a Historical Turn: Possible Points of Connection Between Social Pyschology and History. Integrative Psychological And Behavioral Science, 46(4), 584-598. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12124-012-9211-1
Living out Islam: voices of gay, lesbian, and transgender Muslims. (2014). Choice Reviews Online, 51(09), 51-5325-51-5325. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.51-5325
MacIver, E. (2013). Homosexuality in Islam: critical reflection on gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15(sup1), 108-110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2012.732745
McAndrew, S. & Warne, T. (2012). Gay Children and Suicidality: The Importance of Professional Nurturance. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 33(6), 348-354. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2012.656821
Roe, S. (2015). Examining the Role of Peer Relationships in the Lives of Gay and Bisexual Adolescents. Children & Schools, 37(2), 117-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdv001
Shah, S. (2016). Constructing an alternative pedagogy of Islam: the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims. Journal Of Beliefs & Values, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2016.1212179
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Financial resources are critical to the operations of organizations in the sense that they promote efficacy through the acquisition of human resources, equipment, and technology among other vital organizational elements. However, the management of financial resources is also a challenge as many cases of misappropriations are reported all over the world. In the health care sector, the management of financial resources is even greater considering that the sound financial resources management improve the quality of care given to the patients and save healthcare expenditures.
Unit 14 Assignment
Introduction
Financial resources are critical to the success of organizations because, with sound financial backgrounds, the institution can achieve efficiencies in some areas. However, a robust financial background implies having effective and relevant financial management strategies. This is even more essential when it comes to the health or social care sector where there are diverse departments and many personnel. This essay explains some of the aspects related to financial management in the health or social care sectors.
1.1The Principles of Costing and Business Control Systems
In the health or social care organizations, costing applies to the financial process of estimating the amount of money spent while generating services to patients or clients (Field & Brown 2007).
The main principles of costing in the institution are based on the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in health care. Understanding the concept of costing and business control system in health and social care organization, it gives a comparison to the expected monetary benefit that is derived from several varied health care interventions with the anticipated cost of providing each intervention to establish what is the best or the most profitable option. Underpinning the different internal and external cost that includes institution maintenance, clinical workers or health care workers, and health care treatment to the residents of the institution; which may involve supplies and labor.
In order for the institution to take control of its business, it is also highly important for the company to include basic needs for a health care institution to succeed; such as preventive controls for both patients and health care workers, defective, and security controls.
Preventive controls are the most basic but vital in business. It provides protection that separates staff to the patient. For instance, home care workers often deal with stress and pressure; thus, to prevent health care worker errors, it is imperative for the institution to provide assurance of job safety and security. Moreover, it allows the institution to identify and monitor inaccuracy of information data.
1.2Information needed to manage financial resources
Management defines the process of controlling things while financial resources are the money the organization has at its disposal to spend and is available in different formats such as credit lines, liquid securities, and cash (Field & Brown 2007). The management of financial resources does not occur in a vacuum but instead require certain critical information.
The institution’s responsibility for managing financial resources is gathering and pay respect to the past performance, availability and or shortage of funds that may also occur in the present operational process.
Finance and health care personnel must have great collaboration during financial difficulties and how to maintain financial flow and solvency. Thus, during financial difficulties, the management are able to recover costs, cash flow forecasting possibilities of inaccuracy in cash flow and assets, and other working capital.
On another aspect, it is also imperative to provide accuracy in consumable items such as food, bed sheets, towels, and soaps to mention but a few. The information that arises from the use of consumables is significant in the management of financial resources because failing to establish the pattern may mean not having an appropriate control system. Administration refers to the process of management, and because there are equipment, technology, and personnel tasked with the administration purposes, the information from the administration is also key to the management of financial resources. Lastly, income streams apply to the organization’s sources of income, and this information is crucial for the management of financial resources because it helps to determine the balance between income and expenditure (HFMA 2015).
1.3The Regulatory Requirements for Managing Financial Resources
Regulatory requirements are the policies and legislations that control the financial operations of the organization. It is the regulatory requirements that function to align the financial operations of the organization with the statutory provisions standards expected. For instance, in the UK, the Health and Social Care Act of 2012, governs all the financial operations in the health sector (HFMA 2015). In healthcare, there are external influences to business costs from a regulatory requirement perspective. One of the external influences to business costs revolves around changes in policies. When there is a change in healthcare policy, the organization has to embrace changes that will reflect the adaptation to the new policy and the integrations of the new requirements means expenditure (Lindsay et al. 2014). Competitive factors such as the pricing of health care services or diagnostic costs also represent another external influence to business costs in the healthcare sector. With the competitive factors, the healthcare organization is forced to introduce new technologies or professionals, and this means additional costs (Field & Brown 2007). Legal requirements are the other external influences that add costs in the healthcare sector. The legal requirements imply that the organization has to be regulated by certain bodies and this implies subscription fees and other necessities to be fulfilled. The financial legislation and codes of practice also have their associated implementation costs, and when the healthcare institution implements them, there are costs incurred. Another source of regulatory cost to the business is an audit. Although internal auditors can undertake auditing activities, sometimes it is a requirement that external auditors have to be used. In such case, external auditing firms have to be given the job on a fee or contract, and this means additional costs to the business. Lastly, accountability is another external factor that influences business costs. Accountability generates costs in the sense that the organization has to implement systems and establish external associations to oversee accountability (Monitor 2016).
1.4 System Evaluation for Management of Financial Resources
Collectively, the institution shall utilize Financial Management System (FMS) to manage the institute’s finances. Financial Management System (FMS) according to Anderson (2007), FMS is an efficient software and methodology that enables the management to control its allocation on expenses, income, and assets. Additionally, as its goal to maximize profits and ensure the institution’s sustainability, it allows the health care facilitator to monitor the institution’s total expenditures freely. Thus, by adopting this process in managing the financial resources, the management will be able to timely record all the budget line items such as salaries, utilities, equipment, and other expenses needed in the health care institution. Furthermore, by practicing the financial management system, it shall assist the management to produce financial records on time.
The institution is able to produce reliable analysis on budgets and costs with the data produced through the utilization of Financial Management System. For instance, the institution is able to decide on budget allocation on products and services through the financial reports produced by FMS.
2.0 Planning and Management on Social and Health Care Budgets
2.1 Diverse Source of Income in Health and Social Care
Understanding budget and planning have its internal and external sources of income. Like other health care institutions, the institution utilizes resources such as customers, government institutions, private sectors, and corporation. The institution may encounter income non-stabilization due to funding mechanisms that influence the institution’s profit, which is similar to other health care homes. However, through the utilization of a diverse source of income, the institution is capable of sustaining its needs. For instance, contributions to tax, loans, social insurance, grants from different government and private sectors.
Charity donations from private sectors individuals, who are interested in aiding elderlies and disables, are another diverse source of income that helps sustain the institution. Additionally, these types of the collection do not negatively influence the institution’s finances since the latter are not generated from the main financial source unlike insurance, tax for payments and health and patients’ payments.
2.2The Factors That May Influence the Availability of Financial Resources in Health And Social Organizations
Despite the presence of various sources of income in the health and social care, there are factors that determine the availability of the financial resources. One such factor is the availability of resources. In some cases, only a few sources of income may be available while in other cases, the health or social organizations may be swarmed by the various sources (Ball et al. 2013). Therefore, the more the financial sources are available, the more the financial resources are likely to be available.
The institution is mainly influenced by varied risks on financial resources and the payments from service providers, service seekers, and business corporations. Under availability of resources, the funding priorities also determine the availability of financial resources in the sense that where health or social care are not given priority, then financial resources will be limited and vice versa.
Moreover, similar to other home care institutions, the operating system of the institution faces similar challenges when raising funds because of the level of income and due to the institution and limited administrative capacity (Erxton & Marel, 2011). Thus, the availability of financial resources depends on the capacity of the state to pay for the service.
The second factor that may influence the availability of financial resources in health and social organizations relates to agency objectives and policies regarding financing. If the potential contributors of income establish that the objectives and policies related to finance are sound or advancing health or social, they are likely to channel their contributions to the organization (Field& Brown 2007).
2.3The Different Types of Budget Expenditure in Health and Social Care Organizations
In health and social care, budget refers to the estimated financial data relating to the different departmental and operational activities in the organizations based on the trends. On the hand, expenditure applies to the actual finance spent on different aspects while the organizations deliver care (Broadbent & Cullen 2003).
The institution is mainly concerned with its budget expenditures including operating budgets, personal budgets, and sales budget. Operating budget are the expenses with significant influence to the incurred expenses within a financial year; this includes labor costs. Personal budget, on the other hand, receives a major impact due to the growing competition and the level of the financial resources dependency caused by demand on technology and other human resources utilization. Lastly, when it comes to sales budget the actual estimation of the sales and services provided by the current financial year and reported. Mainly, the focus of the budget is to provide estimation in the sales expenses, the estimated amount of services and products during the budget year, and the estimated on the accrued revenue by selling the institutes services and products.
2.4How the Decisions about Expenditure Are Made Within a Health or Social Care Organization
There are various reasons to make decisions in health and social care. The institution’s decisions are based on understanding the needs of residents, altogether with its detailed analysis. Thus, ensuring the financial resources are well managed is one of the utmost priorities in making decision within the health care institution. Moreover, with the help of internal and external financial analysis, the institution is capable of deciding on the estimated accrued expenses for monitoring of current and future expenditure (Herman, 2008).
The expenses and value added services expenses incurred are taken into a strategic, operational planning to ensure financial resources sustainability. Moreover, the institution assures that decision making shall include varied project management capabilities, estimations on financial risks, and calculations of the cost benefits and more. The advantage of this factor is that it enables the organization to distribute its financial resources in the right ways. Its disadvantage is that it can confuse the long and short-term objectives and create financial shortfalls.
3.0 Importance of Monitoring the Budget Expenditure
3.1How Financial Shortfalls Can Be Managed
Financial shortfall refers to a situation whereby the amount of finance available is lower than the amount that is needed to fulfill a given organizational function (Armit & Oldham 2015). In other words, it means having fewer amounts than what is required. One of the obvious reasons for financial shortfalls in health or social care concerns embezzlement or misappropriations. This can take place when those charged with financing and budgeting divert the financial resources for their personal or other uses (Iacobuci 2013). Second, financial shortfalls can be caused by poor forecasting and budgeting techniques that may engender discrepancies between what is budgeted and what takes place in reality (Field & Brown 2007). The lack of costs controls can also be a source of financial shortfall because not all departments may observe the projections guidelines. Lastly, changes in the external environment such as currency value as well as changes in technology and employee aspects can also lead to financial shortfalls (Broadbent & Cullen 2003).
In this case, the institution does not consider cost-cutting nor inappropriate decision making without strategic, operational analysis; while, the institution focuses on the generated wastage during operations. In this stance, wastage reduction within the operational process shall enable the institution to gain performance improvement charted by covering the shortage. Additionally, to reduce shortage, the institution anticipates the future financial requirements; thus, all planning are based on strategic analysis. Strategic planning and analysis includes assessment of satiation of the market and tends to gauge the level of future shortage in resources.
3.2The Actions to be Taken In The Event of Suspected Fraud
Fraud is defined as an intentional act to gain financial rewards unfairly. This can be done by hiding the identity and manipulating the financial spreadsheets that contain financial information of the healthcare organization (Field & Brown 2007). So to speak, to handle fraud and other related frauds within the institution, the management has considered a separate department that will be responsible for the investigation and evaluating the situation. The institution understands that most of the frauds are brought about by misinformation and miscommunication on the rules and process of the operation. Therefore, a good investigation and justification of evidence when analyzing improper behavior will lead to an immediate solution.
Since the institution had instilled a group that will handle fraud cases, they are also responsible for providing accurate data analysis on the fraud cases. This analysis may include the incident inquiry, determining the culprits, the development and how the fraud incident was handled, a detailed incident report, and recommendations on preventing similar fraudulent activity.
3.3Evaluations of Budget Monitoring Arrangements in Health or Social Care Organization
Budget monitoring according to Scheiber et al. (2001), is a process of evaluating the organization’s ability in fulfilling the financial goals and objectives in accordance to the institutes’ budget preparation.
Example of the organization budget for the year 2016
Sources of income
Amount
Expenditure
Amount
Public
$10000000
Employees’ salaries
$1200000
Private
$6000,000
Equipment
$3000000
Local
$3000000
Consumable goods
$2000000
National
$5000000
Maintenances/regulatory requirements
$1000000
Total
$24000000
Total
$7200,000
To monitor the budget, the organization has adopted different strategies. One of the strategies is the establishment of cost centers which are departments created specifically to evaluate the budgets and financial practices of the organization (Armit & Oldham 2015). Through the cost centers, the organization is able to discern the wasteful practices and the spending trends and consequently adopts the relevant practices. Accountabilities represent another approach used to monitor the budgets, and this means the integrations of systems that facilitate transparencies and responsibility on financial matters (Broadbent & Cullen 2003). The organization also uses regular audits to identify variances in budgets and promote compliances with the established standards.
4.0 Systems and Process for Managing Financial Resources
4.1The Information Required To Make Financial Decision Related To Health and Social Care Service
When making financial decisions related to health and social care service, there is certain information that is of significance. Information on expenditure which is the amount spent on different areas is important because it shows the organization what it needs to spend to realize its objectives or obligations (Lingg et al. 2016). Budget information is also important because it provides the estimations of the income and expenditures as well as their trends. Capital information is another component that is important because it gives the picture of the assets that the company has and how such assets can be used. The health or social care organization must also understand its sources of income so that financial decisions reflect the available income to the institution (Pflueger 2015). Cost-benefit-analysis information is also essential in the making of financial decisions in the sense that it facilitates the adoption of the best decisions with the greatest impacts. It is also imperative that the financial information is analyzed for reliability and validity before making the financial decision so that issues of malpractices are avoided (CIMA 2016a).
4.2The Relationship between a Health and Social Service Delivered, Costs and Expenditure
The institution focuses on the development of health care services to its clients; this includes issuing provisions in providing utmost satisfaction and quality to its clients. Service delivery refers to the health or social care component that describes the interaction between the organization and the patients/clients whereby the organization provides services, and the clients/patients derive value from the services. Expenditure talk about to the amount of money that has been spent while the cost is the amount to be disbursed in order to obtain something (Mccan et al. 2015). From a cost –benefit analysis perspective, the service delivered is usually connected to the cost and expenditure in direct ways. Where the quality is of service delivered is high, the costs and expenditure are also the same and vice versa. Concerning pricing policies, service deliveries of premium prices are often linked to high costs and expenditure. Additionally the expenditures within the health and social care sector, according to OECD (2001) have been spent on elderlies, patients with terminal and complicated diseases.
Therefore, the health and social care point of collaboration and connection should be improved for the purpose of achieving a suitable saving arrangement for the organization’s resources. For instance, the institute can save the cost wastage if the primary focus and objective are primarily based on improving the quality health care services even accompanied with issues.
Unnecessary hospital admissions can be undermining to the institute’s operational revenue; thus, it is reasonable to avoid such tendencies for the purpose of reducing cost expenditures. Modification and technological enhancement can be considered as significant barriers to cost reduction. Ideally, to provide quality service to its clients, the Institute is obliged to keep all the institutes’ structure in order; however, this requires funding and expenditures. For this matter, the institute must consider reviewing the needed enhancement and technological upgrades that will is capable of withholding on a long-term basis. Furthermore, the institute must have purchasing arrangements to determine the efficiencies of the services delivered and eliminate unnecessary costs and expenses (Lingg et al. 2016).
4.3How Financial Considerations Impact Upon an Individual Using Health and Social Service
Financial considerations impact upon an individual using health and social services in two primary ways. For starters, financial consideration affects the quality of care given because where there are budget constraints, some services, technologies, or expertise have to be overlooked, and this lowers quality (Mann et al. 2016). In this stance, the institute must have strategies in obtaining an improved and modified health care and social service since it is undeniable that the industry is facing an upsurge of cost and expenditures.
Critically, the since the industry demands technological advance to provide quality service to its clients, there are significant changes in the growth of public health care institutes even with the declining quality service. Correspondingly, private sectors are more focused on improving the quality service; thus, this includes high expenditures that lead to a costly service for its clients. Then, with the high cost of service, this does not only impact the revenue but the customers who may consciously consider that the term quality service is based on the price they need to pay.
4.4Ways to Improve the Health and Social Care Service through Changes to Financial Systems and Resources
Health and social care services such as the National Health Service (NHS) are facing various problems such as huge and unsustainable budget deficits on a yearly basis (Iacobucci 2013). The reason for the persistence of this problem is that the organization uses irrelevant resources and systems in some areas yet such resources or systems are expensive. To overcome this challenge, it is worth considering certain recommendations. The financial decision makers should shift huge parts of the budgets to preventive strategies as opposed to treatment strategies. Another recommendation is that such organizations should adopt evidence-based practices in services delivery. Studies have shown that where preventive measures are stressed, health and social services considerably reduce their budgets (Turner-Stokes et al. 2011). The benefits of these recommendations are that they eliminate the need for treatments, which increase costs and encourage the use of true and tested approaches to service deliveries that eliminate wastes.
In conclusion, the benefits of effective financial management are varied and evident. Nonetheless, management of financial resources in health and social care organizations continues to be a problem. At the heart of the problem are ineffective financial systems, lack of compliance with the code of ethics, and financial malpractices. Health and social care organizations should thus develop approaches that address these factors.
References
Anderson GF.,2007, In search of value: An international comparison of costs, access, and outcomes. Health Affairs, 116:163-171
Armit, K. and Oldham, M., 2015. The Ethics of Managing and Leading Health Services: a view from the United Kingdom. . Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 10(3), pp.118–121. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Ball, R., Eiser, D. and King, D., 2013. Assessing Relative Spending Needs of Devolved Government: The Case of Healthcare Spending in the UK. Regional Studies, 49(2), pp.323–336. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Broadbent, M. and Cullen, J., 2003. Managing financial resources. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
CIMA, 2016a. [online] CIMA Financial Management Magazine | Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Available at: <http://www.fm-magazine.com/> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016].
CIMA, 2016b. HELPING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED. [online] CIMA. Available at: <http://www.cimaglobal.com/> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016].
Erxtin,F. and Marel, E. V., 2011. “What is driving the rise in health care expenditures? An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the cost Disease.” SciencePO ECIPE
Field, R. and Brown , K., 2007. Managing with plans and budgets in health and social care. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Herman, L., 2008, What Do We Really Know About International Trade in Health Care Services? Brussels: European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)
Iacobucci, G., 2013. NHS cash props up private health sector as recession cuts private patients’ spending. Bmj, 346(may22 16). 24(1)-p13-18. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Lindsay, C., Commander, J., Findlay, P., Bennie, M., Corcoran, E.D. and Meer, R.V.D., 2014. ‘Lean’, new technologies and employment in public health services: employees’ experiences in the National Health Service. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(21), pp.2941–2956. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Lingg, M., Wyss, K. and Durán-Arenas, L., 2016. Effects of procurement practices on quality of medical device or service received: a qualitative study comparing countries. BMC Health Services Research, 16(1). Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Mann, R., Beresford, B., Parker, G., Rabiee, P., Weatherly, H., Faria, R., Kanaan, M., Laver-Fawcett, A., Pilkington, G. and Aspinal, F., 2016. Models of reablement evaluation (MoRE): a study protocol of a quasi-experimental mixed methods evaluation of reablement services in England. BMC Health Services Research, 16(1), pp.2–9. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Pflueger, D., 2015. Accounting for quality: on the relationship between accounting and quality improvement in healthcare. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1).pp1-10. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
Scheiber GJ., Poullier J-P., and Greenwald, L., 2001, Health care system in twenty-four countries. Health Affairs. 10:22-38
Turner-Stokes, L., Sutch, S. and Dredge, R., 2011. Healthcare tariffs for specialist inpatient neurorehabilitation services: rationale and development of a UK casemix and costing methodology. Clinical Rehabilitation, 26(3), pp.264–279. Retrieved, 2016 from Ebscohot.com
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Why would quantitative research be relevant in this scenario? Give reasons for your answer
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You work as a support worker in an aged care facility and you are part of a multidisciplinary team, which includes nurses, support workers and diversional therapists. In addition, there is a geriatrician that visits the centre once a fortnight as well as other allied health professionals that visit when needed, including a social worker and an occupational therapist. The organisation prides itself on using only EBP.
There is a weekly team meeting in which the team discusses the service users’ needs, any issues that they may be experiencing and any action that needs to be taken.
Mary is 78 years old. She was living at home, but after having several falls was assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as eligible for residential care. She has been at the facility for a few months. Her case is discussed at the meeting because the team is concerned that she may be experiencing symptoms of depression – she is not sleeping, her mood is low and she is not eating. It was agreed by several team members that counselling (especially cognitive therapies) can be helpful for older people experiencing depression.
The team agrees that it would be good to find the evidence to support this suggestion before any further action is taken.
QUESTIONS: (pleaseanswer all of the following)
Why would quantitative research be relevant in this scenario? Give reasons for your answer.
Using the PICO format, (PICO stands for Population (Participants), Intervention (or Exposure for observational studies), Comparator and Outcomes.
Describe the steps that need to be taken before you begin searching for the evidence.
Where would you look in order to find the evidence?
How would you recognise and appraise the evidence when you see it?
What steps need to be taken before applying the evidence?
How would you evaluate the application of evidence?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Why would quantitative research be relevant in this scenario? Give reasons for your answer.
Evidence based practices the integration of best clinical practice as evidenced by research in order to deliver quality and cost effective care. Quantitative research is relevant in this scenario because it aids the researcher to test objective hypothesis and theories by examining the relationship between variables (Age, depression and cognitive therapies). In addition, quantitative research aims at establishing significant relationships between the study variables. This method of research addresses the project problem by describing it, and is mainly based on objective observations and measurement. The study is concerned mainly with causation and correlation (Burns and Grove, 2013).
There are four main design of quantitative research namely correctional, descriptive, quasi-experimental and experimental. The most appropriate in this case study is experimental research because it is systematic and objective. This method is considered as a gold standard in researching best practice evidence. In this type of research design, the investigator uses two treatments (control and intervention) and randomly assigns the participants in either of the two groups. The study outcome is reached by comparing the differences in statistical findings, which aids in evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed evidence practice in addressing the research problem. One advantage of this study design is that study findings can be generalized (Polit and Hungler, 2013).
Using the PICO format, (PICO stands for Population (Participants), Intervention (or Exposure for observational studies), Comparator and Outcomes. Describe the steps that need to be taken before you begin searching for the evidence.
The first step is identifying a research problem. This is the first step of evidence practice and should be done appropriately. To start with, the researcher should select parameters set by evidence based practice. The problem identified should be manageable. Once the topic is identified, it is important to state it as a question using the PICOT format. This helps one identify the main study concepts/keywords that should guide the research (Polit and Hungler, 2013).
In this case study, the PICO statement is as follows; In geriatric population (P), cognitive therapies (I) or standard care (C), is effective in treating depression (O), over a period of one year.
Using the key words identified, then a preliminary research should be conducted to check is there is adequate literature of the problem out there that meets the study needs and to also set the research context. Preliminary search for the information should be done in periodical databases, internet and lecture books. In some cases, one may want to adjust the focus of the study topic according to the information available (Wolters et al., 2014).
Where would you look in order to find the evidence?
Once the study problem is identified and written in PICOT format, the next step is to locate materials. This is important as it helps the investigator to learn known and what is unknown about the study topic, identify literature gaps, develop significance of the study and situate the project within the available research literature. There are a number of places to locate materials including books and electronic databases such as school online library, CINAHL, Cochrane, NCBI, Proquest, JSTOR, Web of science and EBSCOhost data bases. Data bases with peer reviewed journals are the best places to look for evidence as they contain current evidence based practice.
How would you recognize and appraise the evidence when you see it?
The next step is to critically appraise research evidence of the material located from the databases. Rapid appraisal is done to ensure that only relevant, reliable, valid and applicable literature applicable to the study is collected. The studies selected are the “keeper studies.” One barrier to effective implementation of evidence based practice is due to laborious critiquing process. However, using the rapid critical appraisal uses three major questions to evaluate the relevance of the study (Nieswiadomy, 2012).
The first question reflects the validity of the study findings. This question helps identify of the research method used is rigorous enough to render the results that are as accurate as possible. It explores questions if the study used randomization when assigning subjects to intervention or control group and if the study used reliable and valid instruments to measure and analyzes the study outcomes (Polit and Hungler, 2013).
The second question evaluates the relevance and effectiveness of the study findings. This assesses if the intervention was effective, its impact on the study outcomes and likelihood of generating similar results if the study is replicated. It involves assessing if the research approach fits the study purpose and evaluates the reliability of the study findings. The next question explores on the applicability to the study materials on investigators research and if the intervention benefits outweigh the study feasibility, cost-effectiveness, patient values, risks and preferences (Wong, 2014).
What steps need to be taken before applying the evidence?
The first three steps that have been aforementioned are important is indicating if evidence based practice is effective or not. This includes identifying the nature of the problem, developing PICOT statement, locating literature, critical appraisal of the literature and literature synthesis. Research evidence only is not adequate enough to justify for its integration into practice. The implementation of evidence based practice should be guided by the clinical expertise based on patient’s clinical assessments, preferences and values. There is no magic formula on how to weight these core elements, and mostly implementation process is usually guided by healthcare facility institution values and patient variables (Polit and Hungler, 2013).
For instance, if the strong body of evidence indicates that depression in geriatric population is reduced if they receive sessions of cognitive therapies before discharge, then the hospital is likely to hire a therapist to offer the proposed therapy. However, some constraints such as financial constraints or resistance to change can hinder successful implementation of the evidence based practice (Nieswiadomy, 2012).
Before implementing the evidence based practice, it is important to design an implementation plan as well as the evaluation plan, and develop translational strategies that will facilitate the adoption of evidence practice as a new practice. Some of these strategies would include use of opinions from leaders and project. After the implementation of the Evidence based practice, the team members should gather baseline data of the implementation process and the outcomes indicators. Key action in this step is sharing identifying of flaws in the new practice and in identifying effective recommendations for the new practice. To sustain the change, it is important to monitor the change continuously (Polit and Hungler, 2013).
Considering the merits of evidence based practice, it is obvious that evidence based practice should be the norm. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There several barriers that impede effective implementation of evidence based practice. This includes negative attitudes from the staff, organization’s culture and lack of support by the administration. Most of organizations lack systems in place to facilitate implementation. The use of EBP champions, educational materials, refresher trainings, policies, effective communication and leadership support (Wong, 2014).
How would you evaluate the application of evidence?
After the evidence based practice is implemented, it is important to evaluate the changes of the evidence based intervention so that the negative effects can be removed and the positive effects supported. Studies indicate that just because the intervention was successful in pilot study it will yield the same exact effects in the clinical settings. It is important to monitor the effects of the proposed evidence change on quality and clinical outcomes so as to spot and eliminate flaws in the implementation process (Hoffmann, Bennett, and Del Mar, 2013).
In this case study, the outcome evaluation can be psychosocial such as improved quality of life, reduced depression, anxiety and patient perception of care; physiologic such as functional impairment. Evaluation of the process can be done through audit, self reflection of peer assessment. Depending on the type of outcome, it is possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention at local, regional and national (Nieswiadomy, 2012).
References
Burns, N. and Grove, S.K. (2013). The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis and Generation of Evidence. Maryland Heights, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier.
Hoffmann, T., Bennett, S. and Del Mar, C. (2013). Evidence‑Based Practice across the Health Professions. Chatswood, Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Nieswiadomy, R.M. (2012). Foundations of Nursing Research. Boston: Pearson.
Polit, D.F. and Hungler, B.P. (2013). Essentials of Nursing Research: Methods, Appraisal, and Utilization (8th Edition ed.). Philadelphia:
Wong, G. (2014). Research Questions. In V. Wright‑St Clair, D. Reid, S. Shaw and J. Ramsbotham (Eds.), Evidence‑based Health Practice. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press
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