...It is not difficult to find examples of Scientific Management in the 21st Century; the car and computer manufacturing plants, the work environments we go to everyday, the hospitals we are treated in and even some of the restaurants we might eat in, - almost all of them function more efficiently due to the application of Scientific Management. In fact, these methods of working seem so commonplace and so logical to a citizen of the modern world that it is almost impossible to accept that they were revolutionary only 100 years ago. Although Scientific Management does play an important role in the 21st century, it is necessary to note that this method of management contains weaknesses that limit its influence in current work environments, and consequently not all of its tenants are applicable to modern organizations. Scientific Management is perhaps best seen as an evolutionary stage in management ever developing history. This essay will attempt to highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of Scientific Management in context of the 21st century through examination of its application in several modern organizations. Scientific Management was developed in the first quarter of the 20th Century; its father is commonly accepted to be F.W. Taylor, although some variations of the theory have been developed by Gantt and Gilbreth. Taylor recognized labor productivity was largely inefficient due to a workforce that functioned by “rules of thumb,” and a mentality that equated increased...
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...The Scientific Method Ashley Burrell SCI/230 07/28/2013 Dawn Gleason The Scientific Method This paper seeks to explain what the scientific method is and exactly how it is used or can be used on an everyday basis. The scientific method is a method often used to help a person or a group logically or rationally draw a conclusions about an in particular subject or topic. The scientific method is not just used by scientists, but is also used by many others such as historians, criminal investigators, doctors, engineers, and anyone else who is trying to intelligently solve some sort of problem. One thing to understand about the scientific method is that it can’t be used to answer every question or solve every problem a person may be having, but it can be used as a way to solve many problems such as how to get a car started or how to stop the roof from leaking when it rains. The objective of this paper is to define what the scientific method is and to explain what steps are used to problem solving. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language the scientific method is defined as “The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis...
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...The concept of scientific management was introduced in the USA, in the late nineteenth century by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1912/1970a, cited in Locke, 1982). After laws had been passed to protect the rights of the employees, such as limiting the length of working day and prohibition of use of child labour, the employers started to think, how productivity of the workers could be increased (Fincham & Rhodes, 2005). Taylor made numerous suggestions, and in his time, they were useful and successful, since the productivity of work had improved. Scientific management was accepted and applied in many organisations of Taylor’s time in the USA (Witzel, 2005). However, what was applicable a hundred years ago can be irrelevant nowadays, in the twenty-first century. The student immediately jumps to a presumption that scientific management may not be applicable nowadays, comparing the two contexts – the context in which it emerged and the context of the study. Locke (1982) argues that principles of scientific management are still important in modern world, but his claims clash with key motivation theories in modern organisational behaviour, as well as with the statements made by such authors as West (2004), and Keuning, and Opheij (1994). Some of Taylor’s ideas will be examined below one by one and put on one shelf for comparison and checked for compatibility with ideas of other theorists and scholars. The student shows evidence of being familiar with ...
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...The Scientific Method Justin Lancaster SC300-24 The Scientific Method Throughout our lives, we face numerous challenges, obstacles and difficult decisions that require the use of higher-level thinking. When we process the different possibilities and scenarios in our mind, subconsciously we are using the scientific method to problem solve. This basic concept is developed from an early stage in our lives and while it is practiced often in the widespread experiments of science, it is a valuable tool that can be used to assist in even the smallest tasks we encounter on a daily basis. Applying the scientific method is as simple as first analyzing a real life problem that can occur on any given day. A good example of this would be coming home after a day of work only to find that the porch light is out when you knew you turned it on before you left to work. While most may err on the side of caution, their own scientific method starts to formulate in their head to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The problem at hand, and the question that should be asked, would be figuring out how the porch light went off. This first step of the scientific method helps narrow down the goal to a single statement and helps put things into perspective. Without problems and questions, we would have no need for a scientific method! After determining the problem of the porch light, research on everything involving it would need to be done, which would most likely take place in a few...
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...The scientific method originating from ancient Greek times in a primitive manner from today is applied in psychology in ways such as deduction and induction. It is aimed at setting rules allowing researchers to avoid mistakes and incorrect collection of data which an observation may produce when trying to develop a theory. The scientific method in psychology is based upon the idea that by gathering empirical evidence we can test if an idea about the world is true for example, we know that the sun rises and sets because of the rotation of the earth upon its axes. The method originated from the ancient Greek period, in the form of Empiricism. Empiricists believed that observation and experience was the best way to treat people. This basis has resulted in deduction through which inferences can be drawn where the conclusion must be true if the hypothesis is true. For example, if the statement is that all swans are white and one is seen to be white we may reach that conclusion. The use of induction, where general truth is based upon some observations, is more truthful. However, in acknowledgement of Hume’s belief that there will be exceptions not yet encountered, this cannot be universally. An example is after all swans were concluded to be white, a Dutch explorer found...
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...Scientific literacy NASA has remained the world number one source of knowledge and information regarding various characteristic of the earth and the space. From scientific literacy NASA has been in the frontline to ensure knowledge has been impacted to various platforms all over the world concerning the inner and outer space. NASA has enabled acquisition of scientific knowledge on various issues concerning the earth and the inner space by impacting the knowledge on various learning platforms by humans’ .Scientific literacy has been impacted to by the Nasa through various documentaries, Posts on the websites, articles and books. The scientific literacy evolution has therefore played a major role in ensuring that humans can effectively be transformed and made to understand and try to conquer space in their zeal for the protective role among many other roles it plays for NASA. Communication about NASA NASA has over the time communicated with various parties primarily through the satellite. NASA sent the first satellite on the earth’s orbit which was a major boost in enhancing communication globally. NASA as an integral part of the world communication primarily bases its communication on the basis of messages travelling via space in a similar manner as radio waves. NASA communicates its information primarily through the satellite which has a wider coverage. This is because NASA communicates information far and wide from both the inner and the outer space. Through the various activities...
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...Frederick Winslow Taylor & Scientific Management The Advent of Scientific Management: Boon or Bane While the “Scientific Management” principles were widely acclaimed globally, it underwent severe criticism failing to take into account the differences of traits among people. Critiques argued that generalization of this theory to every workers is not right since very individual is different and can have different ways of being efficient. Taylor’s principles helped in achieving the maximum output and suggested improved working conditions for workers. Though it aimed at the benefits of the employers and employees, the fact remains that it also has negative impacts on the workers class and the society which I have analyzed subsequently through some of my Experiences: * Dehumanized Workers, Lack of Autonomy and Monotony of Work: Introduction of Execute Only concept has led to workers being dehumanized as they were not allowed to voice their opinions while performing an activity. This leads to dissatisfaction among the workers which affects the sustenance of maximum speed state. Monotonous work added fuel to the fire aggravating the level of dissatisfaction among workers. In the famous “Hawthorne Experiment” it was revealed that one of the main factors in productivity improvement is the autonomy allowed at workplace i.e. Involvement and Authority to take decisions in the performed activities. In the famous bestseller “Maverick”, Ricardo Semler – Owner of SEMCO shows that...
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...The Scientific Method Paper The Scientific Method is a process that I have always struggled with. It is a process that assists you in organizing your information. It also is useful in the fact that you are able to keep all of your steps in order. The steps that are in the Scientific Method are Observation and Questioning, Hypothesis, Testing, Results, Explanation, and New Question. The Observation and Questioning step is very important. In this step we look at what we want to do an experiment on. In the Hypothesis step, you guesstimate what the outcome of the experiment will be. I feel that the Testing step is self-explanatory. In this step you perform your experiment and test the hypothesis you came up with in the previous step. After you perform your experiment, you have the Results step. This is where you have your outcome. If your outcome supports your hypothesis, then you are able to go onto the next step of the process. But there are times that your outcome will be different than your hypothesis, if this is the case you go back to the beginning of the process. If this happens, you have to do all of the steps all over again. Next we have the Explanation step. You need to figure out an explanation that addresses the question that you are experimenting. The final step is the New Question step. Here you come up with the conclusion to your experiment. Quite often your conclusion could lead to a whole new set of questions, in which would lead to new experiments...
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...The Scientific Method Holly Regan HSM/270 May 25, 2014 Santosha Oliver The Scientific Method An experiment was done on the production of more tomato plants using the steps in the scientific method as follows: 1)Observation: That over the past couple years there had been a decline in tomato production compared to the initial first two years due to cooler temperatures and drier season. 2) Question: Why is there such an increased decline of tomato plants production the last two years compared to the first two years? 3) Hypothesis: 1) the plants need more warmth 2) plants need more water 3) plants need more nutrients and I chose hypothesis number three and proceeded with the experiment. 4) Prediction: The tomato plants will bear more tomatoes if the old soil is removed and replaced with new soil before planting, (in turn providing the plants with needed nutrients previously lacking). 5) Conclusion: The plants grew more tomatoes when the old soil was removed and replaced with new soil before planting and therefore my hypothesis was supported. 6) Results: The tomato plants now produce more tomatoes than the last two years. A real life problem where I had applied the scientific method and the steps used in solving the problem: 1) Observation: While doing a few loads of laundry I transferred a load of clothes from the washer to the dryer and noticed the dryer would not start. It worked just fine three days prior while doing the same activity. 2) Question: Why...
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...I used the scientific method to determine how to solve a car problem. I picked the car instead of the tomatoes because I am more familiar with cars and I do not like tomatoes. I was able to experiment before I was able to find out the correct problem. I am generally good with cars and know to check the basics problems that can occur with a car. In this activity the first thing that I thought about was the condition of the battery of the car. I was able to choose that and found out that the battery was not the issue. At that point I came to the conclusion that it could be an electrical issue. I usually start with the easiest fix first and then go on to the more complicated things that could be wrong. Then I decided to change the spark plugs to see if this could be the problem. Which I found out was not the problem with the car. After checking the spark plugs I decided to check the fuses and determined that was not the problem with the car as well. At this point I decided to sit back and use the scientific method by going though and experimenting with all of the concept and ending in a conclusion. I knew the first thing that I needed to do was to think about the problem that the car was having. I then worked my way through all of the options to come up with why the car was not starting in the first place. Eventually I was able to determine exactly was making the car not start and then I was able to take the results to come up with a solution to have the car fixed...
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...The scientific method is used to logically solve problems in many areas of life. The process involves making an observation, questioning that observation, deriving a hypothesis, producing a prediction, testing and collecting data and drawing a final conclusion. To follow the steps of the scientific method within an experiment one must first start with an observation. If a plant is placed near a window, it tends to lean towards the glass. A question that one might draw from this incident could be why does the plant grow towards the window? The hypothesis is reasoning behind this growth pattern such as the plant may respond to the light which they need to make their food. At this point a prediction can be assessed. If it is true the plants respond to the light, growing three plants under the light and three plants in the dark is sufficient for collecting data about soil nutrients, leaf color, number of leaves and blossoms, length of stem, and which direction the plant is leaning or growing. After conducting the data, the soil nutrients did not change significantly in any pots. Surprisingly the plants in the dark grew much more than the plants in the light, while the plants in the light produced a flower unlike the plants in the dark. The plants in the light grew straight up tall, and the plants in the dark trailed over the side of their pots. This experiment produced many relations between the plants and the light they need to grow however it does not fully explain which...
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...Report 1 Throughout the history of managamnet, we have had many theorists who have tried to improve managamnet strategies, thus imrove efficiency and effectivness. From the pinoeers of managamnet, like Robert Own and Charles Babbage, through the time of classical managamnet, to scientific managamnet and other contemporary theories, we have had many people with different ideas and strategies on how to imrove the managamnet of the company. This research will concentrate on the work of one of the scientific managamnet theorists, Douglas McGregor. Scientifc managamnt is a type of managamnet that emphasizes on workflows and specifically on labor productivity. Managers in this period have made a significant influence on managamnet as a whole, since this was the first time managament was considered a science. Frederic Taylor, who is considered to be the father of scientific managament, started developing scietific managament in 1880's. After his theories became famous, there were many more followers of scientific managamanet and many other theorists, like Douglas McGregor. Douglas McGreorg was born in 1906, received quality edcuation, peeking with the Ph.D. form Harward University in 1935. (The Economist) He is most famous for his book "The Human Side of Enterprise", thus his theoy of X and Y. McGregor theorizes that management should view the employees' motivation for work in two distinct ways, Theory X and Theory Y. Theory x is authoritative and it assumes that workers naturally...
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...Scientific Merit Sharon Morrow PSY7650 Introduction The study discussed in this paper is attempting to determine if there is a connection between age and gender and these individuals’ well-being and satisfaction as it relates to their job. This study included both men and women of various ages, various educational differences, and of various work or job positions within the corporate and industrial realms. This study is a quantitative study that investigates an avenue to develop a plausible explanation for the connection between age and gender and these individuals’ job well –being and satisfaction. In addition, the study looks for this connection to be a generalized concept that can relate to other individuals in other regions and places. We will look at how the study advances the knowledge base for this type of research, this study’s contribution to theories, the procedure of data collection and if this is appropriate for this type of study, the methodology used for this study, and assess the validity and reliability of the information and the research study. Ethics will be another concept that will be examined. Ethics is a very prominent aspect of research and this study involves human participants so these individuals’ rights are of utmost importance. Lastly, the overall scientific merit of the study will be examined and how the study meets the criteria of a good research study. Advancing the Knowledge Base The topic that is covered by this study...
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...Scientific Method The Scientific Method is a system devised to allow scientists to gain insight, or knowledge, on a wide range of questions about one’s behavior and other points of interest. The first step in this process is to identify a question that deserves an explanation or answer to. For example, a good indentifying question that one could use would be why did the chicken cross the road? This is a specific behavior that can be addressed and quantified. Once the individual has the question at hand, the formation of a theory is next. A theory is the best guess that one has as to why the action took place. In the example of the chicken crossing the road, a theory would be because there was food over there. Another theory would be just to get to the other side in general. Once you have the theory down, you need to create a hypothesis to test it. A hypothesis is a best guess stated in a way that you can measure the results of the claim. Referring back to the example of the chicken crossing the road, a hypothesis would be because it was hungry. A hypothesis must be restated as an Operational Definition (testable procedures that can be quantified) before testing can take place. The example of this would be: If food were visible on the other side, the chicken will cross the road to eat it. Now one must figure out which method of research will best help them out in their quest for the answer. There are several ways one can go about doing this. Archival research, naturalistic observation...
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...Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper This paper will focus on the scientific method and how it relates to human services research. The steps in the scientific method will be addressed, as well as why they are important and need to be included to support the scientific method. I will briefly discuss how the scientific research method was applied in the article that I found. Lastly, I will summarize how scientifically sound research supports the function of a human services manager. There are six steps in the scientific method. According to Creswell (2012), they are; identifying a research problem, reviewing the literature, specifying a purpose for research, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting the data, and reporting and evaluating research. Each of the steps in the scientific method need to be included to support the scientific method because without it information will be missing. The first step in the scientific method is to ask a question. You need to have a question so you can search for the answer. The second step is to review the literature. This means to locate, select, and summarize resources. The third step is to specify a purpose for the research. This means you identify the purpose statement, and narrow down the purpose statement to research questions, or hypotheses. The fourth step in the scientific method is to collecting data. This means gathering information, permission, and...
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