...Language Critique Assignment “Examsmanship and the Liberal Arts” Education is not simply learning things; it is learning to learn things. In his classic essay “Examsmanship and the Liberal Arts” William G. Perry Jr. of Harvard University in 1963, using a mix of anecdote and analysis, humor and seriousness, considers the different kinds of answers students tend to give on exams and how they reflect on different kinds and ways of thinking. Perry Jr. categorizes, questions, and attacks the academic arrogance that surrounds the age-old learning style of curriculum based instruction that is used throughout school systems. He uses key terms such as bull and cow. Besides, he uses emotive language that makes the essay rich of knowledge. He discusses the problem of the theory of knowledge in terms of grading "bull" and what he names "cow." The incident that impelled him to write is interesting. Briefly, one Mr. Metzger (a pseudonym for a Harvard student, class of '47) rocketed to celebrity/notoriety after impulsively and for no apparent reason taking an exam under the name Smith in a social science course for which he was not registered and which he had never attended. Cheerfully, I gather, he wrote an essay discussing a book he had never read. The scandal resulted when, because a real Smith was absent, Metzger's essay was graded and returned-with an A - . It is relevant to the resultant controversy that a conscientious friend of Metzger who had taken the course received a C+...
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...Research: Observations, Surveys, and Interviews by Dana Lynn Driscoll This essay is a chapter in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 2, a peer-reviewed open textbook series for the writing classroom. Download the full volume and individual chapters from: • Writing Spaces: http://writingspaces.org/essays • Parlor Press: http://parlorpress.com/writingspaces • WAC Clearinghouse: http://wac.colostate.edu/books/ Print versions of the volume are available for purchase directly from Parlor Press and through other booksellers. This essay is available under a Creative Commons License subject to the Writing Spaces' Terms of Use. More information, such as the specific license being used, is available at the bottom of the first page of the chapter. © 2011 by the respective author(s). For reprint rights and other permissions, contact the original author(s). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Writing spaces : readings on writing. Volume 1 / edited by Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60235-184-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-60235-185-1 (adobe ebook) 1. College readers. 2. English language--Rhetoric. I. Lowe, Charles, 1965- II. Zemliansky, Pavel. PE1417.W735 2010 808’.0427--dc22 2010019487 Introduction to Primary Research: Observations, Surveys, and Interviews Dana Lynn Driscoll Primary Research: Definitions and Overview How research is defined varies widely from field to field, and as you...
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...Natural sciences study the physical and natural world and the events that occur in nature using scientific methods, and writing in this field is often used to assess your knowledge. The fields within this area of science include, but are not limited to, the following areas: Astronomy, Atmospheric Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography The most common writing assignments in the natural sciences are case studies, field reports, lab reports and literature reviews. This field is frequently referred to as “hard science” because of the quantitative methods applied and the heavy use of objective data. A great deal of what defines modern civilization are advances in technology and knowledge gained by investigations in the natural sciences. Statistics and mathematics provide the framework for this field, where quantifiable data and accuracy are essential components. The main goal of the natural science essay is to utilize problem-solving techniques that report results through analysis and observation. Expectations for writing in the natural sciences Whatever your topic when writing in the natural sciences, make sure you understand the assignment before you start. There are characteristics to take into consideration when writing an essay in this field, which include the amount of technical language you use, how much background information is adequate and the type of evidence needed. The composition of this type of written piece requires...
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...I think the essay "How do people get news ideas" absolutely relate to our course and LINKS. Working as a team is to bring people in many skills together in order to solve problems, to gather information and even to get new ideas. I found some quote that relate to this, as followed: If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an "idea" and I have an "idea" and we exchange these "ideas", then each of us will have two ideas.---George Bernard Shaw According to Isaac Asimov' essay, The optimum number of the group would probably not be very high. I should guess that no more than five would be wanted. A larger group might have a larger total supply of information, but there would be the tension of waiting to speak, which can be very frustrating. It is absolutely true. Although having a large number of people within team may provide a lot of information, it will frustrate to members. Then within the team should collect only appropriate people such as different skills. However, teams have proved that they can make many great solutions and provide several new ideas, but sometime those Ideas may be similar because they do, work, think in the same or similar environment. According to the essay, sometimes teams need to have a conference at different places such as coffee stores and someone' home to have new environment and it easier to get new ideas. To improve individual skills are also important...
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...various literary techniques to make the prose more memorable and powerful. * Often organized chronologically or has a story like element * Often used to heighten or deepen a problem, or show human significance * Often has an implicit theme rather than a thesis. * Often violates rules of closed-form prose by using literary techniques Closed-form Prose Closed-form prose can be defined as writing with a hierarchical structure of points and details in support of an explicit thesis. It is characterized by unified and coherent paragraphs, topic sentences, transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and forecasting of the whole before presentation of the parts. * Thesis explicitly stated in introduction * All parts of essay linked clearly to thesis * Body paragraphs develop thesis * Body paragraphs have topic sentences * Structure forecasted Autobiographical Narrative Autobiographical narrative writing can help us explore, deepen, and complicate our perceptions of the world. This narrative is any significant even or moment in your life. * Focus on rhetorical aim “writing to express or share.” * Autobiographical narrative something significant in your life Literacy Narrative This narrative is centered on the writer’s experience with language, reading, writing, school, teachers, or education. * Literacy narrative centered on the writers experience with language, reading, writing, school, teachers, or education. 3 Plots 1. Old...
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...appearance (apparel, equipment, and gear), verbal behavior and interaction (whether they were speaking to each other, time length of interactions. This particular technique of observation is effective for documenting group data and focusing on patterns of group behavior Adler and Adler (1994:384). Passive participation yielded clues about attitudes and rules of participation, the structure and functions of the facilities, including the periphery services they rendered. For example, most of the fitness center provided complementary services such as courses or lessons on proper dieting, resting, how to use new equipment, and appropriate ways to play sports for optimum benefits. After gathering general information, I started making more specific...
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...Father Christmas An explanation of why one should not be persuaded by the Quine-Putnam indispensability thesis that mathematical objects exist. This essay will argue that the Quine-Putnam indispensability thesis is not particularly persuasive. It will be shown that there are good reasons to reject the idea that mathematics is indispensable to science and that, instead of accepting the existence of objects that are indispensable to scientific theories, one ought to reject the truth of the theory itself until all the indispensable objects are confirmed to exist by observation. The Quine-Putnam indispensability thesis challenges the idea that mathematical objects do not exist and are merely fictional entities. It is simple in form and is presented in the following way by Mark Colyvan[1]: Premise 1: If one must unavoidably cite certain objects in a scientific explanation then one must accept the existence of those objects. Premise 2: One must unavoidably cite mathematical objects in scientific explanations Conclusion: One must accept the existence of mathematical objects. The second premise of the Quine-Putnam indispensability thesis seems fairly intuitive at first glance, if one thinks of the majority of scientific explanations or problems that have been solved one will find some form of mathematics. Hartry Field approaches the indispensability thesis by questioning this common view that one has to cite mathematical objects in scientific explanations[2]. He does this...
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...This essay will examine the differences between psychology and common sense. It will also discuss the obstacles and drawbacks that primary experience and common sense beliefs can have on the epistemological advancement of any experimental science. The paper will start with a brief history of psychology and then discuss the different perspectives and approaches within the field. Giving examples throughout and briefly touching on the pioneers in the development of psychology, this essay will argue that the use of systematic and objective methods of observation and experimentation in psychology make it much more than just 'common sense'. The bathroom floor is somewhat colder than the bedroom carpet. Most people would agree with this statement and pass it off as just 'common sense'. But what if a thermometer showed that the bathroom floor was actually the same temperature as the bedroom carpet, and the real reason that the tiled floor in the bathroom 'felt' colder than the bedroom carpet was because the carpet is a better thermal insulator than the ceramic tile? Therefore feet lose heat to the floor more slowly on the carpet than on the tile floor, and consequently the cold receptors in the feet's skin are not stimulated to the same extent (Refinetti, 1992). This example, although not specifically a psychological one, shows that the element of primary experience and common sense beliefs in most humans can prove to be an obstacle in the development of any experimental science. The...
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...several different types of observation. Firstly, we can distinguish between non-participant observation and participant observation. Non-participant observation involves the researcher simply observing the group or event without taking part in it. Participant observation involves the researcher actually taking part in the event or everyday life of the group while observing it. Secondly, we can distinguish between overt observation and covert observation. Overt observations refer to the researcher being open about their intentions in the field and ensuring all members of the social group are aware of what is happening. Covert observations involve the researcher not informing members of the group the reason for their presence; keeping their true intentions secret. In this essay I am going to focus mainly on overt observation. Firstly, I am going to focus on the practical advantages of overt observation. Overt participant observation may give access to groups who could not be studied covertly because the researcher does not have the same characteristics as the group. Overt participant observation makes it possible to gain access to groups where the researcher does not have the usual qualifications for entry such as being the right age, gender or ethnicity. The fact the researcher is involved with the group they are studying in an open way means it is relatively easy to generate and record data, especially in comparison with covert participant observation where the fact of being...
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...A Comparison of Methods in Business Research By Song Gao This essay compares the research method of case study with five other methods in business research. The five methods are focus group, in-depth interview, observation, questionnaires and field experiment. This essay provides the definition, advantages, disadvantages/limitations for each of the six methods. Moreover, five published articles related to case study method and two published articles related to each of the other five methods were found to further discuss their application in research. Case Study Definition It is an understatement that there is confusion among students, teachers and researchers about the definition of case study research. In this essay, I use the definition as follows: A case study is a study in which (a) one case (single case study) or a small number of cases (comparative case study) in their real life context are selected, and (b) scores obtained from these cases are analysed in a qualitative manner.(Dul & Hak, 2008). Advantages The case study method involves detailed, holistic investigation and can utilise a range of different measurement techniques (the case study researcher is not limited to any one methodological tool). Data can be collected over a period of time, and it is contextual. The histories and stories that can be told about the company are also something that can be assessed and documented.(The university of Melbourne, 2010) Limitations The case study involves analysis...
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...2014/2015 ------------------------------------------------- MA in Human Resources & Consulting Assessed Work Declaration Form This form should be attached to the front of all work submitted for assessment. Name: | Chao Sun | Library card number: | 31434921 | Coursework Title: | Paper 1 Paper 2 Research Essay Consulting Project Dissertation Proposal Dissertation | Tutor: | Dr Valerie Stead | * All submissions for coursework assessment should be your own work. * Any copying from the work of others will be heavily penalized. * Allowing other students to copy your work will also be penalized. I hereby confirm that I have read and understood the University’s regulations relating to plagiarism (as summarized in the MA in Human Resources and Consulting Participant Handbook) and that the work to which this declaration is attached is my own. Signature of Student: | | Qualitative Research Methods Review Taking “The Supportive expatriate spouse” as a case Introduction This Review is aimed at analyzing the qualitative research methods used in “The supportive expatriate spouse” by Jakob Lauring and Jan Selmer (2010).The specific research elements will be discussed in perspectives of suitability, benefits, limitations and ethical issues in context of the authors’ research. Research Methods The research question of the above article is to investigate the...
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... Fieldnotes: "The observations written by a researcher at a research site, during an interview, and throughout the data collection process" (FW, 501). I. REQUIREMENTS Much of the hard work of ethnography happens in the observations and fieldnotes. At times, you’ll feel as though it’s tedious to take fieldnotes; however, taking detailed notes gives you a set of data from which to look for patterns and ideas. In order to complete your field notes successfully, you will need to: General Requirements Spend at least one hour a week observing your community; While you’re observing, write substantial (3+ pages of observation weekly) field notes. Take time after you’ve observed to write meaningful, thoughtful questions and reflections on the “analysis” side of your double-entry field notes (explained in “Strategies” below). Date each entry, and number each page (This is vital! If you fail to date and number each page of your fieldnotes, you will be lost when it comes time to write up your research and prepare your Research Portfolio for the Celebration of Student Writing) Write legibly enough that someone else could read them. Keep them organized (in your Research Portfolio, among your artifacts and other fieldwork) Taking good fieldnotes requires that to divide the process into two phases: (1) notes you take while you are in the field (Observational/Descriptive fieldnotes) and (2) notes you take after you return from the field (Expanded/Reflective/Analytical...
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...FIELDNOTES: A GUIDE FOR RESEARCHERS Fieldnotes: "The observations written by a researcher at a research site, during an interview, and throughout the data collection process" (FW, 501). |I. REQUIREMENTS[1] | Much of the hard work of ethnography happens in the observations and fieldnotes. At times, you’ll feel as though it’s tedious to take fieldnotes; however, taking detailed notes gives you a set of data from which to look for patterns and ideas. In order to complete your field notes successfully, you will need to: General Requirements ? Spend at least one hour a week observing your community; ? While you’re observing, write substantial (3+ pages of observation weekly) field notes. ? Take time after you’ve observed to write meaningful, thoughtful questions and reflections on the “analysis” side of your double-entry field notes (explained in “Strategies” below). ? Date each entry, and number each page (This is vital! If you fail to date and number each page of your fieldnotes, you will be lost when it comes time to write up your research and prepare your Research Portfolio for the Celebration of Student Writing) ? Write legibly enough that someone else could read them. ? Keep them organized (in your Research Portfolio, among your artifacts and other fieldwork) Taking good fieldnotes requires that to...
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...Essay Questions The hierarchy of business decision makers categorizes organizations based on how they use business research to make decisions. List and explain the three levels in the hierarchy. The three levels in the hierarchy are the base tier, the middle tier, and the top tier. Organizations in the base tier are called intuitive decision makers because they use past experience and intuition to make decisions. The middle tier organizations are called standardized decision makers because they base some decisions on business research and others are past experience. The top tier is called the visionaries because they consider research to be the foundation of any good decision. This group may also develop specific proprietary methods of research. What is the difference between applied research and basic research? Applied research is research that has a practical problem-solving emphasis and is conducted to reveal answers to specific questions related to action, performance, or policy needs. Basic research is designed to solve problems of a theoretical nature with little direct impact on strategic or tactical decisions. Essay Questions What are the seven basic principles of the U.S. Safe Harbor Agreement? List each principles and explain what it means for companies seeking to adhere to the agreement. The seven basic principles are 1) notice, 2) choice, 3) access, 4) security, 5) onward transfer, 6) data integrity, and 7) enforcement. Companies must notify consumers about...
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...Examine the reasons why some sociologists choose to use experiments when conducting research. Study the reason why sociologist prefer to use experimental methods when carrying out a research There are many different types of experiments that can be conducted by sociologist, in order to help with the research that they are planning to carry out or just to help further prove their hypothesis. There are three main experimental methods that sociologists may choose to carry out their research/study. These three experimental methods are: Natural, field and Comparative. Each of these experiments has their own advantages and disadvantages. These positive and negative factors can analysed by practical, ethical and theoretical limitations and strengths that can be considered. This essay will be looking at each of these in detail. But, firstly what is an experiment? An experiment is a way of investigation a cause and effect relationship between independent variable and dependent variable. The first type of experiment that sociologist may choose to use in their research is, laboratory experiment. Laboratory experiments are conducted in a control setting, (this means that IV (The independent variable) and DV (dependent variable) can be controlled and manipulated by the researcher). Participant are given instruction to carry out certain tasks, in a normally manner. From this, the researchers are able to observe behaviour and be able to see cause and affect relationship between variables...
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