Feature Identification Enhancement of Service Company Identifying a Feature Enhancement and Making the Suggestion to the Company of the Service.
Feature Identification Enhancement of Service Company
This assignment has you identifying a feature enhancement and making the suggestion to the company of the service. You are to select an online application/service that you like to use and then make a suggestion to them an improvement that you would like to see. This is a great skill to develop and use on a regular basis.
Feature Identification Enhancement of Service Company Reference
None
Learning Objectives:
This assignment provides you experience in participating in enhancing an IS and supports the objectives of this course and particularly Ch 12 of the
textbook.
Task:
Determine which online application/service you want to make a recommendation to
Go to the site and locate how to submit a suggestion
Re”search” if necessary how to do this for this app/service
Look at the bottom of the site, under contract, under support
Conduct a search on the site using, “submit a request,” or something similar
Submit Suggestion
Describe the current situation and why you are suggesting the improvement
Describe clearly your suggestion
Feature Identification Enhancement of Service Company Submit Suggestion
Capture your submission for inclusion with this assignment
Copy the text before submitting
Copy their response after you submit
Create a professional document
Assignment Response Document
Complete this assignment on your own. Create a document that answers:
Identify the application/service that you made the recommendation to
List the URL
Describe why you decided on this application and this suggestion
What was missing from this app/service that made you think of this suggestion
Describe your suggestion
How does your suggestion solve above
Describe your experience in submitting this suggestion
Provide documentation of what you submitted and company response as attachments to this assignment
Write a conclusion that discusses the value of having the ability to suggest features to a company on their products
Personal Statement for University of Southern California This PS is for the University of Southern California.
Personal Statement for University of Southern California
1.Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. Should be 600 words.
2.Describe your academic interests and how you plan to pursue them at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice of the major selections. (250
word limit) my first major is business and second choice is economics.
they are two separate ps. please make them separated. totally are 3 pages.
please use my upload files as reference.
Case for Readmission after Exclusion to Tertiary Study As you seek readmission after exclusion you must provide full details of your case for readmission to tertiary study.
Case for Readmission after Exclusion to Tertiary Study
Factors such as changed circumstances, academic or vocational performance, maturity, and motivation may be considered in assessing your case for readmission to tertiary study.
Please read the files I will attach to get an idea of my current situation and how my life has changed.
NOTE: only use the document as a basic, please heavily concentrate on the changes circumstances, maturity and vocations performance. Remember: academic exclusion is not the end of the world. It could be start of something different.
Economic Country Survey about Chile I. Brief description of a startup a luxury resort in Patagonia, Chile. a brief description of the structure of the report and statement of assigned
responsibilities.
Economic Country Survey about Chile
II. Country socioeconomic profile (size, population, demography, income per capita, etc.)
III. Short-term economic performance and prospects.
a. key macroeconomic indicators
b. business cycle positioning
IV. Macroeconomic Policies.
a. Financial indicators, Monetary policy, Financial institutions, and markets
b. Fiscal indicators, Fiscal policy, Public finances
V. External Sector.
a. Trade and Balance of Payments indicators
b. Exchange rate performance, competitiveness
VI. Institutional framework
a. Progress and institutions
b. Law and enforcement
c. Labor market
d. Competition policy
e. Tax policy
f. Trade Policy
g. Political stability
VII. Assessment of Strengths and weaknesses and country overall evaluation (grade the country 1 to 10).
VIII. Annex: Sources and references.
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications Order Instructions: Consumer Research and Ethical Implications focus on some aspect of reference groups and/or social class consumer behavior influence and ethical points with the purpose of integrating the individual research to provide a comprehensive understanding of the “killing of dolphins in Taiji Japan.”
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications
Details regarding submission requirements are on the following page.
2.1 Briefly assess the unsustainable consumption issue identified in Stage 1 – “overconsumption/ killing of dolphins in Taiji Japan” more information about stage one could be found in the powerpoint attached.
o What are the main consumer behavior influences involved? Why investigate this specific
one? How can understanding this influence help businesses address the problem?
2.2 Provide a detailed theoretical critique of one Consumer Behaviour influence
o What theories are used to explain the issue? How does theory assist in understanding and
solving the problem?
2.3 Discuss and compare two relevant traditions of ethical thinking
o What consumer insights are gained from applying these different ethical perspectives?
How can these views support better decision making to improve sustainable consumption?
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications Sample Answer
CONSUMER RESEARCH AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt
The Taiji drive hunt is the slaughtering of dolphins that take place in Taiji, Japan. The hunt takes place each year with the Japanese embracing it as part of their culture. Dolphins’ hunting in Japan involves driving the dolphins into coves where they are either killed and the meat sold in stores and supermarkets in Japan and other global countries or chosen alive to be sold to zoos, marine parks, and aquaria for purposes of entertainment to people especially the tourists worldwide. Unfortunately, some of the dolphins die of shock before they are driven away. Notably, the annual quotas for the Dolphins drive hunts run into several thousand and involve the taking away of the cetaceans of numerous kinds including striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, short-finned whales, and the false slayer whales.
Decisively, certain facts surround the hunting of the dolphins in Taiji, Japan. First, the hunting of the dolphins does not merely end with slaughtering the dolphins. There is a lot of money involved in the global trade in conscious dolphins that are used for purposes of entertainment. The operation of capturing the dolphins is quite expensive with the participants who take part in the business making up to $ 32,000 for every live dolphin caught with the trained dolphins trading for much more money (Butterworth, Brakes, Vail and Reiss 2013, p.200) However, the dolphins that are caught and separated from the families, as well as those that are born in custody, live and exist horribly in living conditions and environments similar to those in prisons. As a result, it is presently not legal to import wild-caught dolphins to the United States. Intuitively, most people do not know how the dolphins, as well as other small whales, are captured and used for purposes of entertainment or how the dolphins are butchered and their meat sold in stores in Japan and other countries.
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications and The Cove Documentary
In an effort to educate and provide more insight into the practice of dolphin hunt to the public, a documentary known as the Cove was filmed under the direction of Louie Psihoyos.
The Cove can be described as a 2009 documentary movie guided by Louie Psihoyos that investigates and questions the practices of hunting dolphins in Japan. Notably, the movie was recognized and bestowed the Academy honor for the top documentary piece in 2010. Besides, the movie demands action to stop the massive killings of the dolphins and modify the fishing practices in Japan. Also, the movie aims at creating awareness and educating the public about the threats and increasing risks of mercury poisoning as a result of consuming dolphin meat. Further, to epitomize the seriousness of the issue, the movie is articulated from the point of an opinion of an ocean conservationist (Newman 2015, p. 90). Moreover, the film emphasizes that the dolphins butchered in Japan are very many compared to the whales slain in the Antarctic. According to the movie, about 23, 000 dolphins as well as the porpoises are butchered in Japan each year by the whaling sector of the country.
Consequently, the documentary provides a synopsis of the process involved in the capturing of the Dolphins and other small whales. First, the islets, the rock spurs as well as the shallows in Taiji form a natural conduit exactly into the entry point of the cove. Moreover, there are numerous small boats used in fishing in Taiji that is fortified with metal rods on the edges. Every morning at leading light, the boats are directed into the ocean by the hunters and begin patrolling in dolphin migratory paths searching for pods of small whales or dolphins (Butterworth, Brakes, Vail and Reiss 2013, p.200). Also, the hunters look for the seabirds since the birds often trail the Dolphins expecting natural food from the fish chased by the Dolphins. As soon as a pod is found by the hunting boat, the operator signals the other operatives navigating other boats. Further, as soon as there are about five boats on site, the hunters will crowd the dolphins using the boats while banging on an extension on the top of the vessel which creates a sound that the dolphins and other small whales whirl away from. Next, the more bung boats drive the pod inside the bay and eventually into the cave’s entrance. When the Dolphins get past the entry of the cove, the other dolphin hunters shut off the entrance using nets.
Finally, once the Dolphins are in the cove, they are caught and slaughtered using knives and spears adjacent to the tiny boats used in fishing. Notably, the movie contends that the practice of hunting dolphins in Japan is unpleasant and unnecessary. However, since the movie was released, it has drawn hullabaloo over secret filming, neutrality and how it portrays the Japanese people (Butterworth, Brakes, Vail and Reiss 2013, p.200). However, regardless of the controversy brought by the documentary, the movie has played a very critical role in raising awareness about the inhumane acts of hunting dolphins.
Health Risks in Consumer Research and Ethical Implications
Intuitively, the hunting of the dolphins and the subsequent selling of the dolphin’s meat to the public should stop since it poses some severe health risks. Mercury severely stains small whales and dolphins. Mercury is the next most deadly poison after plutonium. It attacks the nervous and the brain system triggering terrible injury to hearing, eyesight as well as motor skills. Also, mercury interferes with the thought process and memory causing dementia and attacks fetuses in expectant women leading to terrible damage to the brain. In severe cases, mercury causes death. As such, No human should consume meat from small whales and dolphins. Further, the hunting of the dolphins adversely affects the marine biodiversity because of the bigger number of the small whales and dolphins that are killed during the hunt.
Moreover, there are other notable impacts of dolphins hunt in Japan. Dolphins hunt affects the numbers of the dolphins since about 23,000 dolphins are slaughtered each year. Also, about seventy percent of the population in the ocean is compromised due to the practice of hunting dolphins. Further, due to high levels of consumption of dolphin’s meat, the human population is at risk of developing serious health problems because of consuming meat that has a high content of mercury and other weighty metals (Newman 2015, p.90). To reduce the hunting of the dolphins, several strategies have been adopted. First, quotas have been instituted to edge the number of dolphins hunted. Secondly, through awareness about the dangers of eating dolphin’s meat, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of persons consuming dolphin’s meat.
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications and Consumer Behavior Influences
Consumer behavior influences can be described as the factors that impact the consumption patterns of a customer. In Japan, certain principal customer forces affect the overconsumption of Dolphins in Taiji. First, cultural factors are one of the influences in the killing of Dolphins in Japan. Cultural factors encompass a set of ideologies and values of a certain community or group of persons which controls the manner in which an individual behaves (Schibrowsky, Peltier and 2007, p.730). As such, what a person learns from the parents as well as the relatives as a youngster becomes his way of life. Notably, the killing of dolphins in Japan is significantly influenced by cultural factors since the Japanese take dolphins to hunt as a way of their life and a practice that should be performed by generations after generation. Besides, numerous attempts to end the practice of hunting of dolphins are met with hostility by the Japanese who claim and believe that hunting of the small whales as well as the dolphins is part of who they are. For example, during an interview with CNN, Yoshihide Suga, a cabinet secretary in Japan defended the slaughtering of the Dolphins by saying that the fishing of the dolphins was one of the conventional ways of fishing in Japan (Newman 2015, p. 90). Secondly, motivation also influences consumer behavior since it awakens and guides the customer in the direction of particular goals. Moreover, the consumers are also highly influenced by perception which involves sensing the circumstances as well as the environment around them and making a decision accordingly. Besides, the judging capacity and ability differ among individuals who contribute to varying perceptions about the world and eventually, different resolution making capabilities. That is why some people decide not to take part in the hunt because they perceive the practice as wrong while others take part in the hunt because they see nothing wrong with it. Further, the overconsumption of Dolphins in Taiji is highly influenced by economic factors since the hunters earn a lot of money from selling either the dolphins’ meat or the live dolphins that are used for purposes of entertainment globally. As such, the high earnings from the practice motivate individuals to participate more in the slaughtering of the dolphins.
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications and The relevance of understanding consumer influence
Understanding consumer influence is vital in helping the business address the problem of untenable consumption. First, understanding of the customer impacts enable the marketers to comprehend how customers think, feel and how they are influenced by reference groups, the environment, social class in the society and status (Leonidou and Leonidou 2011, p.80). Moreover, the consumption pattern of a consumer is affected by personal factors such as motivation and perception, social influences and particular cultural impacts. Majority of these influences cannot be reasonably controllable and as such, are beyond the control of the business, but their consideration and critical analysis are essential in the conduct of business. As such, careful analysis of the influences can help the business address the problem since the forces significantly determine the behavior of the consumer. Moreover, an understanding of the behavior of the customer can be applied in developing intelligent solutions to untenable consumption choices and practices. Ethics may be described as the standards of actions that guide the behavior of people in various circumstances the human beings may find themselves in. Besides, ethics is not the act of conforming to the law since the law can stray from what can be regarded as ethical. Also, ethics does not encompass following the norms that are culturally accepted in society (Newton, Turk and Ewing 2013, p.1430). Besides, while some cultures are ethical, others are not. For example, the killing of the dolphins in Japan is not moral at all. Therefore, in the solution to the many problems in the society such as unsustainable consumption behavior, it is essential that people embrace ethical thinking. Moral decisions and judgments are not based on the standards which may be arbitrary, subjective, or inconsistent with certain factors such as religion, law, own emotions or cultural traditions. The aim is to make ethical judgments on standards that are objective and which are universally valid. Consequently, the principal purpose of the ethical analysis is determining whether the action under consideration is in agreement with the welfare of those affected by the act (Newton, Turk and Ewing 2013, p.1430). Moreover, various traditions of ethical thinking describe an ethical action as the deed that offers the greater good or one that has the minimum harm to those that are affected such as the customers, environment and the community (Leonidou and Leonidou 2011, p.80). Other traditions postulate that ethical action is one that respects and safeguards the rights of the affected. Stimulating viable production and consumption is essential to edge adverse externalities to the environment as well as provide markets for goods that are friendly to the environment as well as the health and wellbeing of the people. Therefore, ethical thinking perspectives aid in the achievement of sustainable consumption since businesses will offer goods that are friendly to the environment and which satisfies the needs of the consumer
Consumer Research and Ethical Implications References
Newton, J., J. Newton, F., Turk, T. and T. Ewing, M., 2013. Ethical evaluation of audience segmentation in social marketing. European Journal of Marketing, 47(9), pp.1421-1438.
Butterworth, A., Brakes, P., Vail, C.S. and Reiss, D., 2013. A veterinary and behavioral analysis of dolphin killing methods currently used in the “drive hunt” in Taiji, Japan. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16(2), pp.184-204.
Leonidou, C.N., and Leonidou, L.C., 2011. Research into environmental marketing/management: a bibliographic analysis. European Journal of Marketing, 45(1/2), pp.68-103.
Schibrowsky, J.A., Peltier, J.W. and Nill, A., 2007. The state of internet marketing research: A review of the literature and future research directions. European Journal of Marketing, 41(7/8), pp.722-733.
Newman, L., 2015. The Effects of the Cove and Bold Native on Audience Attitudes Towards Animals. Animal Studies Journal, 4(1), pp.77-98.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing Order Instructions: You need to do background research on your topic/ startup to start the project.
You must write 1000 to 1500 words excluding references and appendix.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing
Format:
use Times New Roman font,
size 12,
1.5 spacing /
use normal margins/
attach an RMIT cover page with all group members names and student id/
attach a copy of the rubric.
Keep a copy of your submission.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing Sample Answer
Online Marketing and Traditional marketing
Abstract
Unlike traditional agency platforms, online agencies offer potential customers a plethora of information on anything they want to understand about the product they intend to purchase. However, there is insufficient literature to guide marketing agents on the behavioral characteristics of online users relative to those attracted to traditional agencies. This behavioral difference, if well established, can be the key determinant of the design and marketing strategies that can be used by online agents and traditional agencies. According to Andrews and Currim (2004), knowing the difference in preference and marketing variables such as price and promotion on choices are critical components in a firm’s adaptation to internet commerce. This research paper examined unique consumer characteristics that influence their decisions to use online agencies or use traditional platforms. The findings revealed that even if there are no clearly defined differences between the behavioral characteristic of online and traditional consumers, online agencies have well been received due to their compelling features such as low cost, high speed, accessibility, reach and interactivity.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing Introduction
As internet advanced, online commercial activities also developed and presented a broad range of uses by both small and big business. The advancement in the digital world has resulted in rapid changes in the business world, as more firms are finding numerous of benefits from online agencies. Most of the venues previously reserved for traditional mediums are being replaced with digital means. Whereas traditional agency is linear and the consumers are passively involved in the communication process, online users are actively involved in encoding and decoding of messages. Online agencies make use of new technology to assist clients to reach customers through new channels. The primary targets are internet users, whether from traditional websites or in mobile applications. Digital agencies monitor and analyses users behavior though various functionalities such as analytics and use this information to improve their sales and conversions. They further create and modify online advertisement campaigns that target specific regions and demographic groups. These ads usually pop up in websites and across various platforms that offer content relevant to the messages of the client. Bezjian, Calder, and Iacobucci (1999) note that with traditional agencies, consumers have no control over the flow of information they receive, ads are presented one after the other in a linear flow.
In any interactive format, the audience has more control over traversal order and the subset of information being transmitted. For this reason, it has always been hypothesized that any other interactive information traversal is superior to the linear flow type. There are two primary elements to be considered to help settle on the idea that online agency, which is largely traversal, is superior to traditional means. The first is the psychographic personality characteristic of the audience, which relates to how the consumers visualize the information. This is a complex comprehension factor that renders interactive messages poorly suited for visual users. The other factor is the nature of the message itself. Given that visual communication is more appealing than verbal ones, it is more likely that such information would be best delivered using traditional means.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing and Consumer characteristics
Consumer Preferences
Arguably, consumers have more alternatives for purchasing online products when compared to traditional formats. They can quickly screen for alternatives from a wide range of goods and services so that they can focus only on those options that meet their preferences. Online agents are in a better position to collect information about their consumer characteristics and preferences and therefore present products that go beyond customer expectations. Interactive home shopping allows instantaneous screening and sufficient presentation of information before making the purchase decision (Andrews, 2004). For loyal customers, marketers have devised ways to ensure convenient online shopping and easy accessibility of goods and services which result in customer satisfaction and greater brand. Online agencies have the chance to shift consumer’s attention from price to non-price elements like brand name, leading to increased usage of brand name for screening purposes. Additionally, consumers with high-income levels may be less price sensitive, but their choices for a particular product will be influenced by non-prices attributes like timeliness.
As the market for goods and service is increasingly becoming crowded with both national and local dealers, remaining competitive and at par with current issues is the key to securing a strong market base. A website is an important tools that allow leveraging personal relationships with established clients. A regular site with engaging content is essential to showing potential customers what the firm has to offer. Unlike traditional marketing agencies,, a website is easy to update and allows timely delivery of new information to customers.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing and Consumer price sensitivity
For consumers to make purchase decisions, they need to change their behavior. However, changing consumer’s behavior is a complicated process that requires incentives like convenience. For example, a consumer who chooses to buy online instead of using traditional agencies will have to perceive the benefit of convenience without which they would not buy. It is also argued that majority of internet users are well-educated people with good income, suggesting higher opportunity cost for the time spent going to the traditional stores and supermarkets. This implies that they will use online platforms as it will be more convenient and time saving without being sensitive to the price. According to Bellman, Lohse, and Johnson (1999), online buyers have a lifestyle wired to heavy use of the internet for entertainment, email and reading news, they are time sensitive and always looking for faster and convenient ways of making purchases.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing and Marketing reach
Online agencies have a higher market reach as the platform comes with operational efficiency of small and medium enterprises. Dholakia and Kshetri believe that the internet creates a democratized platform where the market has been established in a way that even small firms have an opportunity to promote and brand their products (2004). It can be stressed that through the internet, there are numerous opportunities for small businesses to engage in national and international activities which could have been impossible with the traditional agency means. This is because traditional platforms require huge resources to start and maintain. Conceivably, the main advantage of online agency is based on the fact that internet levels competition between well-established large firms and the smaller ones, given that size, human resources and resources are not the key factors for successful market penetration. A small company that has mastered the art of internet retail can significantly influence potential customers and achieve increased sales.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing and Traditional Agency
Despite the rise of the web, a lot of firms continue to use ta raditional agency. This is partly because these means have a wide market reach, are regular and appeal to firms seeking to pass information to a specific local audience. Traditional agencies handle everything ranging from branding to media placement. The ad placement is done via a medium such as publications, billboards and radio.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing Conclusions
The benefits of using online agencies outweigh those of using traditional marketing means. However, these two platforms are not competitors but rather compliments that companies can use to deliver their services. While online agencies offer appropriate solutions, is less costly, convenient and has a higher reach, it remains inferior when it comes to local audience penetration. Internet users are mainly the youth and educated people who have access to the internet. However, many people have no internet connections and still rely on newspapers, radio, television, and face to face communication to make a purchase decision. The findings from this paper suggest that a strategic marketing solution should embrace the two means; a digital platform to reach the educated, good earning customers’ sensitive to timely and convenient services, and traditional agency to take care of price-sensitive audience who has no internet access. This is particularly the case because consumers use more than communication medium to get awareness about goods and services. Organizations must make use of the latest technology since the internet is ever changing.
Online Marketing and Traditional Marketing References
Andrews, R, and Currie, I., 2004. Behavioral differences of customers attracted to shopping online versus traditional supermarkets: implications for enterprise design and marketing strategy. International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising, 1(1), pp.38-61.
Bellman, S., Lohse, and Johnson, E.. (1999) ‘Predictors of online buying behavior,’ Communications of the ACM, Vol. 42, No. 12, December, pp.32–38.
Bezjian-Avery, A., Calder, B., and Iacobucci, D., 1998. New media interactive advertising vs. traditional advertising. Journal of advertising research, 38, pp.23-32.
Dholakia, R.R., and Kshetri, N., 2004. Factors impacting the adoption of the Internet among SMEs. Small Business Economics, 23(4), pp.311-322.
Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:
Provide a description of a course that you plan to develop for this class, including at least three (3) goals of the course.
Describe the target learners, discussing at least three (3) unique needs and/or challenges the online learners to face.
Develop six (6) learning outcomes for the course.
Propose the primary learning theory or theories you plan to apply to ensure students achieve the outcomes, providing a rationale for the theory or theories.
Propose three (3) ways you plan to motivate students in the online environment, providing a rationale for each way.
Provide at least three (3) academic references (published within the last five [5] years) to support your proposal.
The 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.
Development of Quantitative Skills for College Students Sample Answer
DEVELOPMENT OF QUANTITATIVE SKILLS COURSE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Course Description
The importance of learning quantitative skills for university students is underpinned by the need to equip graduates with skills that will enable them to perform effectively in professional environments that are increasingly driven by computerized technologies and research data. Students undertaking higher education in science disciplines require a strong background in mathematics. Many students entering university usually need a refresher course in some of the foundational topics that have been learned in their past years of schooling. This course aims at teaching the foundation topics in quantitative research methods that are commonly covered in many undergraduate courses that employ scientific research. The course aims at providing basic training in statistical research methods in topics that provide a basic understanding of the concepts and principles applied in quantitative research methodologies as well as enable learners to acquire skills for practical research in social sciences, education, business, and humanities fields. Students will be expected to develop competencies in quantitative and statistical techniques through hands-on practice working on research design, data collection, and data management as well as the analysis and interpretation of field data.
In this course, students will get a basic understanding of basic concepts in mathematics as well as core quantitative skills that are required for learners in operating with research data and computer-based statistical methods. Students will develop an understanding of mathematical computation applied in research, which will … *** confidence in applying basic statistical methods for scientific research. Students will learn important topics for statistical analysis including basic statistical formula and concepts for testing research hypotheses. The skills acquired will enable students to apply basic statistical tests in analyzing research data, which will allow students to build a strong foundation necessary to proceed to more advanced concepts taught at the university in their respective professional disciplines. This course is intended to enable students … *** courses that will get them to the prerequisite beginner level necessary for learning more advanced units in mathematics taught in the university. The topics covered in this course will include basic statistical concepts including quantitative research design, data collection and tabulation, data management using statistical software, mathematical concepts for comparing statistical significance and for hypothesis testing, and interpretation of statistical descriptors of findings. Students will also learn statistical methods for simple and multiple regression, scale reliability, contingency analysis, and critical appraisal of research findings (Rock, Coventry, Morgan, and Loi, 2016).
Target Learners for Development of Quantitative Skills for College Students
This course will target students that require an introductory understanding in the use of statistics for conducting empirical research relating to their respective professional disciplines. The target learners for this course are students entering university in their first year of college, and second-year students undertaking courses in social sciences, education, business studies and humanities that will utilize statistical research methods to examine various phenomena encountered in these professions. Emphasis will be placed on enabling students to achieve a basic understanding of the statistical procedures used in practical research. The students targeted in this course should be able to think critically about the most suitable procedures for collecting and analyzing research data and to appreciate the educational use of statistical calculations using computer software packages (Tishkovskaya and Lancaster, 2012).
Learning Outcomes on Development of Quantitative Skills for College Students
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the various quantitative methods and concepts for conducting research in the practical application of more advanced concepts taught in their respective courses. Students completing this course are expected to be able to systematically appraise and review statistical and methodological issues faced in conducting quantitative research studies. Students will be expected to apply basic quantitative research techniques for data management, analysis, and review. Students will be expected to understand the use of different computer software programs such as SPSS and Microsoft Excel to manage and analyze research data. Students completing the course will be expected to demonstrate skills in critical thinking and problem solving that is steeped in research methods and rigor in the statistical analysis of information based on empirical evidence collected using a scientific approach to the development of academic knowledge and theory (Baglin, 2013). Students will further be expected to be able to present numerical and statistical research findings in a report format that is commonly used for presenting information in professional research studies.
Primary Learning Theories Applied in Teaching the Course
The primary learning theory proposed for teaching this course is the cognitive psychology theory that proposes that individuals learn best when they practice what they learn and apply the concepts learned in practical situations. According to the theory, knowledge tends to be directly related to the context in which it is taught and learned, and that learning is most effective when students can receive real-time feedback on errors through direct application of learned knowledge in solving problems. The theory recognizes that learning becomes less effective as the mental load for students increases. Teachers must, therefore, strive to integrate the new knowledge being taught with the existing knowledge in an incremental improvement of skills being taught (Slootmaeckers, Adriaensen, and Kerremans, 2012).
Learning Environment for Development of Quantitative Skills for College Students
The course will be taught online in a learning environment that provides students with opportunities for practical application of concepts learned. The course instructor will seek to establish a balance between a ‘teacher-centered’ and ‘student-centered’ approach to learning with emphasis providing a learning pedagogy that will engage students in integrating theoretical knowledge to practical situations (Baglin, 2013). Besides the various lecture and reading materials provided for the course, the instructor will make available chapters from statistic textbooks selected for enabling students to acquire the theoretical concepts being taught in the course. The lecture notes and readings will be supported by tests where students will solve questions relating to theoretical and practical aspects of research. Students will be required to apply theoretical concepts to practical research situations. The students will be required to apply their learned knowledge to search for background theoretical information and field data for use in solving the problems. The learners are assisted by the instructor in searching for available field data for research and to choose amongst appropriate and relevant statistical procedures for undertaking research. The students will also be required to justify and support the particular strategies used in tackling practical research problems, and to present their research findings in a report format that is acceptable for professional standards (Slootmaeckers, Adriaensen, and Kerremans, 2012). Students will also be provided with opportunities for using their acquired knowledge in quantitative research to undertake practical sessions in problem-solving for statistical research using computer software programs, which will require the active participation of students in computer-aided research workshops.
Development of Quantitative Skills for College Students References
Baglin, J. (2013). “Evaluating learning theory-based methods for improving the learning outcomes of introductory statistics courses”, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, RMIT University. Retrieved from https://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:160411
Rock, Adam J., Coventry, William L., Morgan, Methuen I. and Loi, Natasha M. (2016). “Teaching Research Methods and Statistics in eLearning Environments: Pedagogy, Practical Examples, and Possible Futures”, Frontiers in Psychology, 7(1), 339. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4785677/
Slootmaeckers, K., Adriaensen, J. and Kerremans, B. (2012). “Learning Trajectory of Quantitative Methods – Students’ Experience with Curriculum-based Method for Overcoming Statistics Anxiety”, Conference Paper Presented at CETL-MSOR Conference, Sheffield. Retrieved from https://soc.kuleuven.be/web/files/9/48/CETL-MSOR-Slootmaeckers.pdf
Tishkovskaya, Svetlana and Lancaster, Gillian A. (2012). “Statistical education in the 21st century – a review of challenges, teaching innovations and strategies for reform”, Journal of Statistics Education, 20(2). Retrieved from http://ww2.amstat.org/publications/jse/v20n2/tishkovskaya.pdf
Mixed Methods of Research Design Order Instructions: Mixed methods research provides a new way for some researchers to tackle a complicated research problem.
Mixed Methods of Research Design
The key purpose is to investigate the problem by using the advantages of both quantitative and qualitative methods to enrich the approach. However, at the same time, it requires knowledge of both methods of data collection and analysis and a good reason for the choices made. For this week’s Key Concept Exercise, you will consider whether a mixed method would fit (or not) your research topic-problem and the anticipated barriers to data integration.
To prepare for this Key Concept Exercise:
•Read the Required Learning Resources.
•Return to your chosen research topic-problem identified in Week 1 (as subsequently amended) and consider whether a mixed methods approach would be appropriate and why
•In approximately 550 words, explain why mixed methods might fit (or not) your research project.
•In formulating your Key Concept Exercise, consider the following questions:
o What are the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen method?
o Critically analyse the reasons why you would proceed (or not) with the adoption of mixed methods
o What are the barriers to data integration which you would expect at this stage of the research?
o What are the potential limitations and problems associated with adopting a mixed methods approach for a relatively short research project – for example, a dissertation of 9 months’ duration?
My Research topic:
Aim: To identify and explore the human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar and to develop recommendations on how these human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement.
Research Questions:
RQ 1: Which human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 2: How do these human resource strategies influence employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
RQ 3: How can these human resource strategies be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar?
End Product:Objective: To develop recommendations on how human resource strategies can be changed in order to improve employee engagement within organisations in Qatar.
Mixed Methods of Research Design Sample Answer
Mixed Methods of Research Design
Mixed methods in the background of the research design have been defined as the methodology that entails theoretical assumptions which instruct the direction of gathering and analyzing data and the mixture of quantitative and qualitative information in a single research or series of research, (Creswell, 2014). Using both the quantitative and qualitative methods offers a unique comprehension of the research question (To identify and explore the human resource strategies that influence employee engagement within organizations in Qatar and to develop recommendations on how these human resource policies can be changed to improve employee engagement)
Reasons for the adoption of the mixed methods
There exist various reasons as to why the mixed methods have been regarded to be of the greatest significance. Some of the reasons are; expansion, initiation, development, complementarily, and triangulation.
Initiation
Bazeley and Kemp (2012) suggest that the results from one of the two methods may come up with a new set of issues which requires being further explained. It means that it initiates another study with various sources of data.
Expansion
The research of the survey tends to develop one research by using results or finding from the other, (Fetters, Curry, and Creswell, 2013). That is the researcher may use qualitative findings to comprehensively conclude on the study done by use of quantitative methods and vice versa.
Complementarily
The researcher does complement the conclusions from a given source by using various sources of data, (Bazeley, and Kemp, 2012)
Triangulations
Using multiple sources of data to search for the validation of every finding of either qualitative or quantitative methodologies, (Fielding, 2012)
Barrier of the mixed methods
Various restrictions are expected when integrating the two approaches. Some of the obstacles are discussed as follows;
The publication issues
It is suggested that the problem of writing might block integration. That is the propensity of some of the secondary sources to stress on either the qualitative or quantitative study might slow down integration since they have the tendency to require either of the qualitative or quantitative proof to be highlighted, (Venkatesh, Brown, and Bala, 2013)
Strength and weakness
Mixed methods of research designs have both weaknesses and strengths, (Creswell, 2013). Both will be discussed in general as follows
Strengths
It offers a broader perspective. That is, when using a single methodology, the researcher can only be able to establish the cause and effect of a particular problem. However, when integrating the two together, it becomes possible to look into the study broadly.
More data brings the expansion of the study in a manner that a single methodology cannot. By using the mixed methods, the researcher is assured of overall findings.
Weaknesses
Researchers are different and when it comes to choosing the methodologies; they become bias. That is they tend to give more weight on a given method over the other method, (Sarantakos, 2012)
2.There exist the problem of exploration and analysis.
Potential limitation
The potential barrier of a mixed method of research design is ethical challenges. Since the study only takes at least nine months and the researchers are required to use both approaches, he or she may not pay key attention to the ethical issues that relate to the study, (Ritchie, Lewis, Nicholls, and Ormston, 2013). For example, the researcher can omit the issue of confidentiality. He or she may disclose a source from the qualitative study without his/her knowledge or at times may not consider that issue of requesting permission before commencing on an interview or taking pictures. It becomes an ethical problem to the researcher.
Mixed Methods of Research Design Bibliography
Bazeley, P. and Kemp, L., 2012. Mosaics, triangles, and DNA metaphors for integrated analysis in mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(1), pp.55-72.
Creswell, J.W., 2013. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Creswell, J.W., 2014. A concise introduction to mixed methods research. Sage Publications.
Fetters, M.D., Curry, L.A. and Creswell, J.W., 2013. Achieving integration in mixed methods designs—principles and practices. Health services research, 48(6pt2), pp.2134-2156.
Fielding, N.G., 2012. Triangulation and mixed methods designs data integration with new research technologies. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), pp.124-136.
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C.M. and Ormston, R. eds., 2013. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage.
Sarantakos, S., 2012. Social research. Palgrave Macmillan.
Venkatesh, V., Brown, S.A. and Bala, H., 2013. Bridging the qualitative-quantitative divide: Guidelines for conducting mixed methods research in information systems. MIS quarterly, 37(1), pp.21-54.
Facility Case Management Program Order Instructions: The Session Long Project for this course is to evaluate and critique a health care facility you are familiar with and compare it to the general principles and standards for quality assurance presented in this course.
Facility Case Management Program
In the earlier modules, you identified a health care facility for the subject of the SLP and presented a description of the facility and its quality assurance program. You also critiqued the facility’s Continuous Quality Improvement program and the Utilization Management Program.
In this module, you will discuss and critique the subject facility’s Case Management program.
Facility Case Management Program SLP Assignment Expectations
For this module you are to complete the following tasks in a 4- to 5-page paper:
•Describe and discuss the facility’s Case Management program.
•Compare and critique the subject facility’s Case Management program to that of a model facility and whether the facility adheres to the recognized standard for case management, including disease state management.
•Determine if the facility’s quality assurance program results in the patients being helped to maximize their health care benefits.
•Identify areas for improvement in the facility’s Case Management program, if any, and any recommendations you think should be implemented to improve the quality of patient care.
Background
Facility Case Management Program Case Management
Collins, D., Jarrah, Z., Gilmartin, C., & Saya, U. (2014). The costs of integrated community case management (iCCM) programs: A multi-country analysis. Journal of Global Health.
Curtis, J. L., Millman, E. J., Struening, E. L., & D’Ercole, A. (2014). Does outreach case management improve patients’ quality of life?. Psychiatric services.
Hendricks, V., Schmidt, S., Vogt, A., Gysan, D., Latz, V., Schwang, I., Riedel, R. (2014). Case Management Program for Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Effectiveness in Terms of Mortality, Hospital Admissions, and Costs. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 111(15), 264–270. http://doi.org.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/10.3238/arztebl.2014.0264
Moreo, K., Moreo, N., Urbano, F. L., Weeks, M., & Greene, L. (2014). Are We Prepared for Affordable Care Act Provisions of Care Coordination? Case Managers’ Self-Assessments and Views on Physicians’ Roles. Professional Case Management. 19(1), 18-26.
Mullahy, C. M. (2014). The Case Manager’s Handbook, (5thed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iUPyAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA12&dq=concurrent+utilization+review+programs+in+nursing+homes&ots=iorEmkFyuh&sig=4YnmC-9Hh6jCoi0rK2dH58NhoIM#v=onepage&q&f=false
Phillips, R. L., Han, M., Petterson, S. M., Makaroff, L. A., & Liaw, W. R. (2014). Cost, Utilization, and Quality of Care: An Evaluation of Illinois’ Medicaid Primary Care Case Management Program. Annals of Family Medicine, 12(5), 408–417. http://doi.org.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/10.1370/afm.1690
Talisman, N., Kaltman, S., Davis, K., Sidel, S., Akil, M., & Alter, C. (2015). Case Management: A New Approach. Psychiatric Annals, 45(3), 134.
Young, M., Sharkey, A., Aboubaker, S., Kasungami, D., Swedberg, E., & Ross, K. (2014). The way forward for integrated community case management programmes: A summary of lessons learned to date and future priorities. Journal of Global Health, 4(2), 020303. http://doi.org.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/10.7189/jogh.04.020303
Modular Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to satisfy the following outcomes:
• Case Discuss and explain the importance of case management within the context of quality assurance programs.
• SLP Compare case management within the context of quality assurance programs to a model program.
• Discussion Debate the utility of Social Health Maintenance Organizations (SHMOs).
Facility Case Management Program Module Overview
Introduction
Case management, which is sometimes referred to as care management, is frequently used for patients that have complex problems and require numerous services over an extended period of time. Case management programs are sometimes called Rare and Expensive Case Management programs by some healthcare organizations.
Regardless of the type of case management program, they all have a similar purpose to coordinate the care and treatment for patients with serious and life-threatening conditions over an extended period of time. An example of an illness which requires both medical and social services are Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), spinal cord injury, and paraplegics.
Case managers are usually not involved with the patient and their treating physician where primary care needs are limited. However, when a patient requires long-term care, specially trained case managers may be able to more efficiently coordinate and monitor the delivery of health care services. In this role, the case manager can have a positive impact on the quality of services provided to the patient.
Case managers always consult with primary and secondary care providers to determine what care is required and they arrange for patients to receive the agreed-upon care in the most appropriate and cost-effective setting.
Actually, case managers are often thought of as gatekeepers because of their role in controlling utilization of health care services. In the role of a gatekeeper, the case manager coordinates hospital admissions, surgical consultation, specialist consultation, diagnostic testing, and social services. They also make secondary care referrals and are usually involves a primary care delivery consultations.
Case management has evolved over the years as a specialty position in many health care organizations. For instance, case managers can specialize in home health care, rehabilitation, long-term care, mental health, hospitalization inpatient surgery, outpatient surgery, and even surgical evaluation.
Other areas of case management where specialized skills are required are in the area of Disease State Management, transplant facilities, and high-risk pregnancies.
Case management has become an important element for providing quality care and certainly should be part of every quality assurance program.
Facility Case Management Program Sample Answer
Facility’s case management program
Case Management is a vital component of the Durham VA healthcare facility. Case management refers to the specialized and skilled component of patient care program that involves coordination of care to improve the quality of care at an affordable cost in patients diagnosed with chronic and complex healthcare condition. The main aim of this case management program is to implement and to facilitate integrated services that will enhance collaborated care and to reduce the cost of care (Durham.va, 2015).
Case management process begins as soon as the patient is assigned to a case manager. The case manager discusses with the patient on various aspects of their lives in order to identify patient goals and barriers to achieving these goals. The case manager develops a plan and is active throughout the case management process. Thereafter, the case manager coordinates the interdisciplinary teams involved including physicians, physiotherapist, mental health and other involved healthcare providers. Throughout the case management process, the case manager is expected to monitor and to evaluate patient’s outcome, and to adjust the plan as needed to assist the patient to achieve goals to optimize their level of wellbeing and independence (VHA Handbook, 2013).
Compare and critique facility case management program to that of the model case management program
According to the module, the case management program is mainly applied in patients with complex healthcare complications that need numerous healthcare services. The case managers in the module are only slightly involved with treating physician if the primary care demands are limited, but they are widely involved in patients who need long term care in order to coordinate and to monitor effective delivery of healthcare services. In this case, the case manager has a positive impact on the quality of services delivered (Hendricks et al., 2014).
At Durham VA, case management process is quite similar as that described in the module. The case managers consult with the secondary and the primary care providers so as to determine patient care needed and the most cost-effective cost. Similar to the modules, the case managers also play the role of gatekeepers at VA healthcare facility. In the role of gatekeeping, the case managers coordinate hospital admissions, specialist consultation, surgical consultation as well as providing social services. If necessary, the case managers make care referrals (VHA Handbook, 2013).
VA health facility adheres to the standard protocol for case management such as disease state management. For instance, a case manager is expected to intervene using specific actions at varying degree of intensity based on patient health status and continuum of care based on the bio-psychosocial presentation of the patient. The elements of the case management process at VA healthcare facility begin with the identification of the patient to be case managed. This can be through referral or self-referral. The patient is asked to give consent to case management processes. The second element is that of a comprehensive assessment of the patient needs, which is completed by the case manager. Reassessment is done using utilization management criteria to ensure that the patient is given appropriate care and that the care provided is cost effective. During the assessment, the patient problem is identified, problem-solving is achieved and goals and outcomes are identified. This is followed by a resource assessment to identify available resources and alternative sources for resources that are not available (Hendricks et al., 2014).
The next phase of the case management process at VA is planning and implementation which is accomplished through collaboration, coordination and effective communication with the involved interdisciplinary team. The duration and intensity of case management process are determined by the patient’s health condition and care needs. For transitions and referrals is done in a timely manner so as to ensure that the patient reaches appropriate care in time. The case manager is responsible for coordinating transition as well as referrals (VHA Handbook, 2013).
To ensure that a patient receives care at the right time, place, and cost, the case manager is expected to continuously monitor and evaluate the case management process. This ensures that the patient receives services that are effective, timely, evidence base, cost-effective and of high quality. The evaluation process is done for continuous performance improvements and to ensure that the case management program is efficient, of high quality and sustainable (Curtis, Millman, Struening, & D’Ercole, 2014).
Quality assurance program maximizes health care benefits
The quality assurance program at VA healthcare facility aims at maximizing healthcare benefits. The program focuses and sets priorities to improve performance by focusing on high risk and areas prone to these risks, to assess the prevalence, severity of the problems in the areas so as to improve health outcomes, patient safety as well as the quality of care. Some of the areas quality-based program at VA focuses on includes high-risk procedures, medication errors, patient errors, equipment malfunctions and related problems, deviations from treatment protocols and patient safety outcomes (Collins, Jarrah, Gilmartin, & Saya, 2014).
The quality program activities include tracking errors and their adverse effects. The quality program also analyzes the cause in order to identify the collective as well as collective compliance health issues. These issues are considered as learning opportunities as they help the health care facility quality department is able to develop strategic preventive measures, which are continuously monitored to ensure new knowledge gaps are identified and the improvements are sustained. Some of the interventions and methods used to address compliance include system related interventions, routine equipment improvements, education and remedial pieces of training to VA staffs. At this healthcare facility, the quality assurance/ quality improvement system includes regular review of trip records in accordance to hospitals QA/QI protocols and standards (VHA Handbook, 2013).
The quality assurance has improved outcomes for the organization and the institution. In addition, the program has led to improvements on operations such as faster billing system, faster test results, patient flow, and efficient data recording and sharing with minimal patient and medical errors. The health-related outcome includes a reduction in hospital-acquired infections, lengthened hospital stays and mortality rates. The work environment has been improved to ensure increased patient satisfaction, improved staff morale and retention and the healthcare facility reputation in the community. Bottom line, the program has led to the decreased cost of care (Hendricks et al., 2014).
Areas of improvement in healthcare facility case management program
Evidently, the quality assurance program has led to numerous health benefits. However, the main challenges that I have noticed in this healthcare facility in regards to implementation of quality programs include resistance by staff, limited resources to maintain quality related investments and complacency with previous improvements (Mullahy, 2014).
Lessons learned from this program that will assist in establishing a culture of quality include involving the staff during problem identification processes and developing of problem-solving strategies. This is because it is the staff that actually experiences these challenges. Most importantly, the quality assurance program must balance quality with financial goals because investments in healthcare settings quality improvement could have long-term or short-term impacts (Hendricks et al., 2014).
Facility Case Management Program References
Durham.va (2015). Durham VA Medical Center: Retrieved from http://www.durham.va.gov/
VHA Handbook. (2013). Case management standards of practice. Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/optometry/docs/vha_handbook_1110-04_case_management_standards_of_practice.pdf
Collins, D., Jarrah, Z., Gilmartin, C., & Saya, U. (2014). The costs of integrated community case management (iCCM) programs: A multi– country analysis. Journal of Global Health.
Curtis, J. L., Millman, E. J., Struening, E. L., & D’Ercole, A. (2014). Does outreach case management improve patients’ quality of life?. Psychiatric services.
Hendricks, V., Schmidt, S., Vogt, A., Gysan, D., Latz, V., Schwang, I., Riedel, R. (2014). Case Management Program for Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Effectiveness in Terms of Mortality, Hospital Admissions, and Costs. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 111(15), 264–270. http://doi.org.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/10.3238/arztebl.2014.0264
Mullahy, C. M. (2014). The Case Manager’s Handbook, (5thed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved from:
Write a justification for capital purchase (800-1000 words) to your vice president as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Include a one-page executive summary for your proposal. The paper should include the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU 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.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center
Unsatisfactory 0.00%
Less than Satisfactory 65.00%
Satisfactory 75.00%
Good 85.00%
Excellent 100.00% 80.0 %Content
55.0 % Justification For Capital Purchase
Does not provide justification for capital purchase. No explanation as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Does not address the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment. Subject knowledge is not demonstrated.
Provides only minimal justification for capital purchase with little explanation as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Only a few of the following are addressed with minimal detail; the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment. Subject knowledge is unclear, inconsistent.
Provides basic justification for capital purchase with little explanation as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Several of the following are addresses with basic detail; the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment. Some subject knowledge is evident.
Provides thorough justification for capital purchase with thoughtful explanation as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Several of the following are addressed in detail; the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment. Subject knowledge is evident.
Provides thorough knowledge justification for capital purchase with elaborate explanation as to why the purchase would be a good investment for the hospital. Clearly addresses the operating costs you took into consideration, what facility considerations are involved regarding this new piece of equipment, and future benefits to the organization of this piece of equipment. Introduces appropriate examples.
25.0 % Integrates Information From Outside Resources Into the Body of Paper
Does not use appropriate references as required by the assignment, examples, or explanations.
Provides some supporting examples, but minimal explanations and no appropriate published references as required by the assignment.
Supports main points with examples and explanations, but fails to include published references, as required by the assignment, to support claims and ideas.
Supports main points with references, explanations, and examples. Application and description is direct, competent, and appropriate of the criteria. Includes appropriate references as required by the assignment.
Supports main points with references as required by the assignment, examples, and full explanations of how they apply.
17.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
6.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear.
Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
6.0 % Paragraph Development and Transitions
Paragraphs and transitions consistently lack unity and coherence. No apparent connections between paragraphs are established. Transitions are inappropriate to purpose and scope. Organization is disjointed.
Some paragraphs and transitions may lack logical progression of ideas, unity, coherence, and/or cohesiveness. Some degree of organization is evident.
Paragraphs are generally competent, but ideas may show some inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships to each other.
A logical progression of ideas between paragraphs is apparent. Paragraphs exhibit a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Topic sentences and concluding remarks are appropriate to purpose.
There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless.
5.0 % Mechanics of Writing (Includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use.)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, and/or word choice are present.
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
3.0 %Format
1.0 % Paper Format (1- inch margins; 12-point-font; double-spaced; Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier)
GCU template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
GCU template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.
GCU template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
GCU template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
2.0 % Research Citations (In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment.)
No reference page is included. No citations are used.
Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used.
Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present.
Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and GCU style is usually correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.
100 % Total Weightage
SAMPLE ANSWER
Capital Purchase Justification
Executive summary
Reducing profit margins in health care makes it complex to choose a good investment for a hospital. While buying medical equipment is an investment majority of physicians may take into account, sales executives can make it sound enticing. Nonetheless, physicians should purchase medical equipment that is beneficial to the hospital. Mr. Vice President, I understand that the facility is attempting to improve its services by investing in a quality tool for the radiology unit. I would suggest that the hospital buys a General Electric Healthcare’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner. Moreover, I fully understand that making this investment calls for careful consideration of several factors including cost of the equipment and expected profit or benefit to the hospital. The hospital, particularly the radiology unit will greatly benefit from the purchase of MRI scanners. For example, the scanners will increase the physicians’ capacity to choose the effective treatment for each patient. This piece of equipment will also permit physicians to collect relevant information regarding a patient’s internal organs. Again, physicians would be able to complete many exams in a short period because of the homogenous magnet and Optima MR450w, which will be essential in saving time. Nonetheless, the price of the General Electric Healthcare installed with Optima MR450w 1.5T and Geometry Embracing Method (GEM) Suite, is roughly $49,181.00. Much as the hospital may choose to lease the MRI scanners, it not a suitable investment because of the huge cost in the long run. Basically, this piece of equipment is a good investment for the hospital as well as the patients.
Introduction
Buying medical equipment can be an intricate investment. Therefore, the hospital should ensure that factors like cost and benefits are taken into consideration. While these scanners require substantial investment, they have a great potential on the return on investment (ROI). This essay presents a justification as to why MRI offered by General Electric Healthcare is a good investment for the hospital. Mr. Vice President, MRI scanners are critical equipment for the hospital when it comes to quality improvement and a good investment for the institution.
Future Benefits to the Organization
MRI scanners are simple diagnostic practices, which enable physicians to see detailed images of internal organs of the patient without the use of x-rays (Ohsfeldt, Li, & Schneider, 2015). Additionally, this equipment is instrumental since it undoubtedly demonstrates the difference between healthy and abnormal tissues. Besides, it would help physicians to collect relevant data on the patient’s brain, spine and other internal organs. Preliminary treatment and identifying the illness and with no negative effects, therefore, the MRI scanners would increase physicians’ capacity to choose the effective treatment for each patient. The hospital will be able complete more examinations in less time. This is because of the homogenous magnet and the design of the Optima MR450w, which will enable physicians to save time during examinations and patients’ setup (Ohsfeldt, Li & Schneider, 2015). Mr. Vice President, the General Electric Healthcare‘s Optima and MR450w is a good investment for this hospital. It has more than two decades of proven record in providing further capabilities to patients as technology advances without necessarily replacing the magnet. MRI scanners expand considerably compared to radiology, since it validates the use of radiation therapy. Again, it enhances uptime with skilled and service forces across the world allowing the department of radiation to forecast and tackle service requirements with no unplanned interruption (Ohsfeldt, Li, & Schneider, 2015).
Facility Consideration
MRI scanners are not only future-based but also patient-centered as it presents extraordinary outcomes besides a wide-ranging assortment of products to meet the imaging requirements of this institution’s radiology unit. Subsequently, without compromising the quality or ability, General Electric Healthcare installed with Optima MR450w 1.5T as well as GEM Suite would be ideal for patients visiting the hospital (General Electric Company, 2014). Additionally, the Optima MR450w is appropriate for all patients irrespective of their size while decreasing audio sound for spine and brain examinations. This equipment also presents extraordinary reliability that controls the gradient to generate outstanding presentation in demanding uses including cardiac, fMRI, and transmission to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). On the other hand, GEM suite and Optima MR450w would allow the institution to adhere to the requirements of patients, quality signal, efficiency, lesser stations, faster examinations and fewer failures. Due to the wider diameter of the MRI scanners, acoustic applications, comfort and aesthetic elements of the GEM suite is important when it comes to addressing common causes of anxiety among patients and nonconformity during assessments (General Electric Company, 2014).
Operating Costs
Being able to understand the cost of this investment in terms of operational outlays remains vital. The cost of this piece of equipment is about USD 49,181, as such, if the institution would get financial support that span 60 months at an interest rate of 7%, then the hospital would be making a monthly payment of USD 862.54. The monthly charges would be inclusive of operational costs such as maintenance expenses, which will be completed within the specified time-frame. However, the radiology unit can lease MRI scanners. But this alternative is not a good investment for the hospital since it will be too costly in the long run. Moreover, there will be less or no return on investment (Wu et al., 2014). Mr. Vice president based on all benefits of General Electric Healthcare’s MRI that comes with GEM suite and the Optima MR450w 1.5T will be beneficial not only for the institution’s radiology unit but also patients.
Conclusion
Healthcare organisations can only guarantee the quality of care when physicians have access to the best equipment. This is why the installation of General Electric Healthcare with Optima MR450w 1.5T and GEM Suite is strategic in terms meeting enhanced quality care and also when it comes to ROI. Ultimately, it is critical to ensure that factors to do with facility consideration, operating costs and future benefits of the MRI equipment are determined before undertaking on such an expensive venture.
Ohsfeldt, R., Li, P., & Schneider, J. (2015). Patterns of Onsite Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment among Orthopedic Practices. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 31(5), 339-346. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0266462315000550
Wu, S., Sylwestrzak, G., Shah, C., & DeVries, A. (2014). Price transparency for MRIs increased use of less costly providers and triggered provider competition. Health Affairs, 33(8), 1391-8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1553396971?accountid=45049
We can write this or a similar paper for you! Simply fill the order form!
