The Basics of an Experiment

The Basics of an Experiment Science is concerned with experiments and experimentation, but do you know what exactly an experiment is? Heres a look at what an experiment is... and isnt! Key Takeaways: Experiments An experiment is a procedure designed to test a hypothesis as part of the scientific method.The two key variables in any experiment are the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is controlled or changed to test its effects on the dependent variable.Three key types of experiments are controlled experiments, field experiments, and natural experiments. What Is an Experiment?  The Short Answer In its simplest form, an experiment is simply the test of a hypothesis. Experiment Basics The experiment is the foundation of the scientific method, which is a systematic means of exploring the world around you. Although some experiments take place in laboratories, you could perform an experiment anywhere, at any time. Take a look at the steps of the scientific method: Make observations.Formulate a hypothesis.Design and conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.Evaluate the results of the experiment.Accept or reject the hypothesis.If necessary, make and test a new hypothesis. Types of Experiments Natural Experiments: A natural experiment also is called a quasi-experiment. A natural experiment involves making a prediction or forming a hypothesis and then gathering data by observing a system. The variables are not controlled in a natural experiment.Controlled Experiments: Lab experiments are controlled experiments, although you can perform a controlled experiment outside of a lab setting! In a controlled experiment, you compare an experimental group with a control group. Ideally, these two groups are identical except for one variable, the independent variable.Field Experiments: A field experiment may be either a natural experiment or a controlled experiment. It takes place in a real-world setting, rather than under lab conditions. For example, an experiment involving an animal in its natural habitat would be a field experiment. Variables in an Experiment Simply put, a variable is anything you can change or control in an experiment. Common examples of variables include temperature, duration of the experiment, composition of a material, amount of light, etc. There are three kinds of variables in an experiment: controlled variables, independent variables and dependent variables. Controlled variables, sometimes called constant variables are variables that are kept constant or unchanging. For example, if you are doing an experiment measuring the fizz released from different types of soda, you might control the size of the container so that all brands of soda would be in 12-oz cans. If you are performing an experiment on the effect of spraying plants with different chemicals, you would try to maintain the same pressure and maybe the same volume when spraying your plants. The independent variable is the one factor that you are changing. It is one factor because usually in an experiment you try to change one thing at a time. This makes measurements and interpretation of the data much easier. If you are trying to determine whether heating water allows you to dissolve more sugar in the water then your independent variable is the temperature of the water. This is the variable you are purposely controlling. The dependent variable is the variable you observe, to see whether it is affected by your independent variable. In the example where you are heating water to see if this affects the amount of sugar you can dissolve, the mass or volume of sugar (whichever you choose to measure) would be your dependent variable. Examples of Things That Are Not Experiments Making a model volcano.Making a poster.Trying something, just to see what happens. On the other hand, making observations or trying something, after making a prediction about what you expect will happen, is a type of experiment. Sources Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579.Beveridge, William I. B., The Art of Scientific Investigation. Heinemann, Melbourne, Australia, 1950.di Francia, G. Toraldo (1981). The Investigation of the Physical World. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29925-X.Hinkelmann, Klaus and Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (Second ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.Shadish, William R.; Cook, Thomas D.; Campbell, Donald T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference (Nachdr. ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-61556-9.

The 30 Best Psychology Masters Programs and How to Pick

The 30 Best Psychology Master's Programs and How to Pick SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Regardless of whether youmajored in psychology as an undergrad or are just now realizing you havean invested interestin thefield, a psychology master’s program could be a great fit for you, especially if you're not sure about pursuing a doctorate. In this guide, we look at what kinds of psychology master’s programsare out thereand what the point of these programs is in terms of how they help you build a career. Moreover, we'll present you with a list of the best psychology master's programs forvariouskinds of psychology. What’s the Point of a Master’s in Psychology? What is the overall purpose of entering a psychology master’s program and earning an advanced degree in psychology? For one, many people choose to get a master’s degree in psychology to learn more about a specific subfield or type of psychology.Whereas a bachelor’s degree program in psych mostly provides you with a broad overview of the field, a master’sdegree programlets youconcentrate on the particular area of psychology that interests you most. The area you’re interested in will likely vary depending on what kind of job you’re hoping to getafter you earn your degree (and also whether you want tocontinueon to get a doctorate). Here are some examples of the types of psychology you could study in a graduate program: Clinical psychology Industrial-organizational psychology Child and adolescent development Counseling psychology Educational psychology Experimental psychology Developmental psychology Cognitive psychology Social psychology Health psychology Behavioral psychology General psychology Secondly, a master’s degree in psychology can be useful because many jobs in the field require or strongly prefer people with a master'sdegree.Inshort, a master's degree has the potential to advance your career. Most counseling and therapy jobs, for example, requirea master’s degree in psychology, therapy, counseling, social work, or a related field. Therefore, by getting a master’s degree, you’re not only deepening your knowledge of a particular area of psych but also expanding your job prospects. The chart below shows a variety of psychology-related jobs for master’s degree holders and what kinds of salaries and job growth rates you can expect for them. All jobs listed require at least a bachelor’s degree (typically in psychology), with somerequiring a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. For each job, we give you its 2018 median annual salary and employment growth rate for 2016-2016. Jobs are listed in order of highest salary to lowest. All data is from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS). According to the BLS, the current average employment growth rate is 7%, so any job with a percentage higher than this means that it’s growingfaster than average. Job Title Minimum Degree Required Median Salary (2018) Job Outlook (2016-2026) Social and Community Service Managers Bachelor’s or master’s degree $65,320 18% Market Research Analysts Bachelor’s or master’s degree $63,120 23% Human Resources Specialists Bachelor’s degree $60,880 7% Training and Development Specialists Bachelor’s degree $60,870 11% School and Career Counselors Master’s degree $56,310 13% Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Bachelor’s degree $53,020 6% Marriage and Family Therapists Master’s degree $50,090 23% Social Workers Master’s degree (for clinical social work) $49,470 16% Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Varies, but usually a master’s degree $44,630 23% Rehabilitation Counselors Master’s degree $35,630 13% In general, an advanced degree will increase your earning potential. Even for jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree could help you stand apart from other applicants and give you a better chance of nabbing a higher salary for that position. But what if you want to become an actual psychologist? Can You Become a Psychologist With Just a Master’s Degree? You might have noticed that the chart above doesn’t include the job "psychologist" in it. This isn’t a mistake- the reality is that in order to become a practicing psychologist, you will need toearn either a PhD in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).In other words, a master’s degree, though impressive, simply won’t cut it if your dream is to work full-time as a licensed psychologist. I should clarify here that a psychologist differs from a therapist.Psychologists hold a doctorate and often work with psychiatrists to diagnose and treat disorders; they can also conduct research or offer therapy. By contrast, therapists can hold either a master's degree or doctorate and solely offer therapy services to support and guide patients. The word "therapist" is a broader term that encompasses not only psychologists who offer therapy services, but also counselors, life coaches, and social workers. According to the BLS, the majority of research, clinical, and counseling psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree. That said, a master’s degree could be sufficient for jobs as a school psychologist or an industrial-organizational psychologist. In addition to a PhD or PsyD, you’ll usually need to have a psychologist license. This applies to most jobs that include the title "psychologist." (Note that although therapists must be licensed as well, their license requirements differ from those required to become a psychologist.) To get licensed as a psychologist, you’ll typically need to have done the following: Earned aPhD in Psychology or a PsyD Passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Completed an internship Accumulated one to two years of supervised professional experience Exact licensure requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your own state’s policies and procedures to see what you must do to become a licensed psychologist. Though not typically required by states, certain jobs might require psychologists to obtain board certification in a particular area of psychology, too. Here are some examples of jobs you could get with a doctorate in psychology (ordered from highest median salary to lowest): Job Title Median Salary (2018) Job Outlook (2016-2026) Psychologists, All Other $100,770 14% (all psychologists) Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $97,260 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists $76,990 Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary $76,710 15% (all postsecondary teachers) Best Psychology Master’s Programs: Notes on Rankings Before we take a look at our list of the best psychology master’s programs, it’s important that we are aware of the current state of these types of programs. Because a doctorate is required to become a psychologist- the overarchinggoal of many people studying psychology- there aren’t many terminal psychology master’s programs in the US. Indeed, most psychologists earn a master’s in psychology on the way to their doctorate (students normally get an MA/MS in Psychology along the way to the PhD or PsyD after a couple of years of study). This means that it can be somewhat difficult to find psychology master’s degree programs that are not part of doctoral programs. Therefore, we've looked mostly at master’s degree programs in fields related to psychology, such as social work, counseling, and therapy. These degrees range from a Master of Social Work (MSW), toan MA, to other specialized types of professional master’s degrees. For each category of master’s degree, we’ll be introducing to you our topfour to five choices (unranked),which we have determined based primarily on the following criteria: Prestige of both the program and overall school Ranking of the program by online lists and websites, such as US News Array of concentrations, classes, and online options offered Whether the program has an internship and/or practicum component Quality and reputation of faculty Now then, it’s time to look at our picks for the best psychology master’s programs! The Best Psychology Master’s Programs, by Category Since there aren’t that many terminal psychology master’s programs (programs that don’t require or expect you to continue on to get a doctoral degree), this list will mostly consist of programs that offer master’s degrees in fields strongly tied to psychology. Here are the seven categories we'll be looking at (feel free to click the link to jump straight to that category): Social Work Marriage and Family Therapy Mental Health Counseling School Counseling/Educational Psychology Rehabilitation Counseling Clinical Psychology Industrial-Organizational Psychology Social Work The field of social work is largely connected to psychology, especially counseling and therapy, in that it’s all about improving the lives of people and people within certain communities. Typically, social work master’s degree programs lead to a Master of Social Work (MSW). University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, MI Ranked #1 by US News and many other top social work programs lists, U-M’s MSW program offers many areas of specialization, including aging in families and society, children and youth in families, and community and social systems. Many students attend U-M’s MSW program to jump-start their careers as school social workers, juvenile justice workers, case managers, community organizers, or geriatric specialists. The school offers 550 fieldwork locations so students can gain real-life experience and training. U-M also has made available several scholarships, such as the Geriatric Scholarship Program and the Child Welfare Scholarship. Washington University in St. Louis- St. Louis, MO Another top-ranked social work program based at the Brown School, WUSTL’s MSWoffers the opportunity to performgroundbreaking research with renowned faculty to create sustainable impact. Nine concentrations are available, including mental health; American Indian and Alaska Native; children, youth, and families; health; and violence and injury prevention. WUSTL has connections with more than 500 organizations around the world for students to complete their practicum. University of Chicago- Chicago, IL If you'd prefera more flexible approach to social work, UChicago’s social work master’s degree program might be a good fit for you. Equivalent to an MSW, the MA in Social Service Administration provides students with a broaderfoundation that combines research, theory, practical experience, and policy development. Two concentrations are available: Clinical and Social Administration. In addition, students can take advantage of a handful of study abroad opportunities in India, China, and Hong Kong. Columbia University- New York, NY Home to the first social work school in the US, Columbia has ahighly ranked MSW program. This rigorous program combines theory and practice to help students become leading professionals in the field of social work. Four method concentrations are available across seven fields of practice, which are as follows: Aging/Gerontology Contemporary Social Issues Family, Youth, and Children’s Services Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities International Social Welfare and Services to Immigrants and Refugees School-Based and School-Linked Services World of Work Columbia’s MSW is also available entirely online (for specific fields of practice)- perfect for those who aren’t based in New York or who'd prefer the flexibility of an online program. University of California, Berkeley- Berkeley, CA Established in 1944, UC Berkeley’s Master of Social Welfare (MSW) program is known for producing top-quality social work professionals who are able to work in multiple practice areas and assume a variety of leadership roles. There are three specializations students canchoose from: Strengthening Children, Youth, and Families Strengthening Organizations and Communities Advancing Health and Wellbeing across the Adult Lifespan Although UC Berkeley doesn’t offer an online version of its MSW program, students have the option of earning their MSW degree concurrently with either a Master of Public Health or a Master of Public Policy. Marriage and Family Therapy These next master’s programs specialize in marriage and family therapy, and offer degrees and practical experiences so you canbecome a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state where you earn your degree. Note that although many of these programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), MFT programs are not required to have this accreditation. Northwestern University- Evanston, IL The MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Northwestern is a joint initiative between The Graduate School and the Family Institute at Northwestern- whichboasts an impressive 40-year history of researching and teaching marriage and family therapy. This COAMFTE-accredited program uses a 21st-century approach called Integrative Systemic Therapy. Students study topics such as intimate relations, treatment models, and methods of systems therapy; doan intensive clinical internship; and conduct at least 500 hours of therapy. Brigham Young University- Provo, UT Students can earn an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy in BYU's COAMFTE-accredited program, which aims to prepare students to pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. Theaim of the program is to help students develop theoretical, research, and clinical competence, as well as the ability to understand cultural diversity. Students have the option to pursue either a research track (mainly for those intending to go on to doctoral study) or a clinical track. The program is quite competitive, with a mere 20% acceptance rate. University of San Diego- San Diego, CA USDoffers a highly regarded MA in Marital and Family Therapy program that is accredited by both COAMFTE and the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California. This two-year program hasa unique "biopsychosocial, systems approach" that focuses on how relationships influence our day-to-day lives. Class topics include human diversity, couples and sex therapy, ethical and legal issues in family therapy, and family violence. Students enroll in apracticum for three semesters wherein they accumulate 500 hours of direct supervised contact with clientsby working for a community agency. Pepperdine University- Malibu, CA At Pepperdine, a top-50 research university, students can get anMA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. This program, which offers more than 130 clinical practicum sites, prepares students to become a licensed marriage and family therapist ora licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of California. Classes teach students abouthuman sexuality and intimacy, mental health systems, multicultural counseling, andpreparing for the practicum. Mental Health Counseling The following master’s programs in psychology focus on providing counseling services topeople with psychiatric disabilities and/or problems with substance abuse and addiction (as opposed to rehabilitation counseling or career counseling, for example). Many mental health counseling master’s programs are accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and/or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). New York University- New York, NY NYU, a consistently top-ranked private university, offers an MPCAC-accredited MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program. In this program, students must complete a 600-hour internship and a 100-hour practicum over a 12-week period. This program is available both on-campus and online,the latter of which letsyou choose from among three start dates (January, June, or September). The online version also gives students the chance to visit NYU for three to four days of networking and hands-on training. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- Chapel Hill, NC UNC’s Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling master’s program is a unique, highly regarded program that combines two types of counseling and is also accredited by CACREP. This program specifically aims to prepare students to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Carolina. Last year, 100% of students completed the program, and 100% passed the CRC exam on their first attempt. Students can choose to concentrate ondevelopmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or both. Columbia University- New York, NY At the famed Columbia Teachers College, students can earn anMEd in Mental Health Counseling. Strengths of the program include its focus on cultural diversity and social justice, its commitment to experiential training, and its emphasis on providing students with adequate opportunities to conduct research. Many graduates of the program go on to work in educational and health settings such as schools, colleges, hospitals, and clinics. University of Wisconsin–Madison- Madison, WI UW Madison's highly rankedMS in Counseling programis available through the Department of Counseling Psychology. Mandatory core courses include Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology, Social and Cultural Foundations,Counseling Theories, andCrisis and Trauma Counseling.Students must complete a year-long practicum and also have the option to do a master’s thesis. School Counseling/Educational Psychology These next counseling psychology master's programs are all about helping students in school settings. School counselors assist students with personal, social, and career development; they also offer guidance to students with academic problems. Most school counselors work in schools (primary and secondary), though some instead work at community centers or youth centers. Like the mental health counseling programs above, many school counseling programs have been accredited by CACREP. Vanderbilt University- Nashville, TN Ranked #3 by US News in educational psychology programs, Vanderbilt offers a fantastic school counseling master's program: theMEd in Human Development Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling (the other emphasis available is Clinical Mental Health Counseling). Some of the program’s biggest benefits are its small classesand the option tocomplete the school counseling track entirely online. Both tracks are accredited by CACREP. What's more, 100% of school counseling students secured employment within six months of graduation in 2017. University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX One of the nation’smost renowned public universities, UT offers top-ranked MEd in Counselor Education and MA in School Psychology programs (the latter of which is geared toward those who ultimately plan to get a doctorate). Two tracks are available for the MEd program: School Counseling (counseling students in K-12), and Higher Education Counseling Student Affairs (which focuses on roles within colleges and universities). This program option emphasizes the importance of diversity training and lets students supplement their studies so they can eventually become an LPC. Meanwhile, the highlycompetitive MA program prepares you to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in Texas. University of Maryland- College Park, MD UMD’s MEd in School Counseling is a high-quality psychology master’s program that is currently ranked #6 by US News on its list of the best educational psychology schools. Here, students learn how to work with diverse student populations, with special emphasis on the importance of social justice and inclusivity. Students must also complete a 100-hour practicum in addition to two 300-hour internships in urban public school systems. Courses cover research methods, school counseling, and special education, among other topics. Ohio State University- Columbus, OH Ranked #1 for school counseling programs and #11 for educational psych programs, OSU offers tworeputable psychology master’s programs: an MA in Educational Psychology and an MA in Counselor Education. In the former, students can studyalongside doctoral students and take advantage of the program’s partnership with the Learning Technologies program to learn more about the intersection between psychology and technology. The latter, which is CACREP-accredited,trains students to become professional counselors and to work at places such as public schools, community agencies, and health-care facilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Rehabilitation counseling is atype of counselingin whichyou work withpeople who have physical, emotional, mental, and/or developmental disabilities to help them achieveand maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle and career. Many of the following master’s programs in rehabilitation counseling are accredited by CACREP. Michigan State University- East Lansing, MI MSU'sMA in Rehabilitation Counseling program is currently ranked #1 by US News. In this CACREP-accredited program, students study disability management, ethical practices, and the social and psychological side of disabilities. Additionally, students must complete a practicum and internship. Evening classes are available to accommodate a range of schedules. Upon completion of this program, graduates may sit for the national CRC exam. University of Wisconsin–Madison- Madison, WI Tied for the #1 spot with MSUfor best rehabilitation counseling graduate programs, UW Madison offers a top-ranked MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program through the school’s Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education. In thisprogram, which has been accredited by CACREP,students learn how to improve the quality of life for people with psychiatric and physical disabilities, alcohol/substance abuse problems, and learning disabilities. Notably, UW Stout (another branch of the University of Wisconsin system) offers an online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program that was ranked #4in the countryby US News. This part-time online master’s program lasts three years and is geared toward those with at least two years of related work experience. George Washington University- Washington, DC GW'sMA in Rehabilitation Counseling programisavailable both on-campus and online and is currently ranked #3 by US News on its list of best rehabilitation counseling programs. This CACREP-accredited program consists ofintensive courseworkas well as aninternship and practicum. One of the program’s unique traits is the breadth of counseling theories and practices it covers, from multicultural counseling to the medical aspects of disabilities. Furthermore, GW has a special mentorship program wherein current master's students are paired with graduates. University of Alabama- Tuscaloosa, AL UAoffers a renowned, CACREP-accreditedMA in Rehabilitation Counseling. In this whollyonline program,students get to watch live class lectures and take classes in career development, ethics, research methods, life-span development, and psychopathology. Additionally, both aninternship and practicum are required. Several scholarships are availablethrough UA's College of Continuing Studies. University of Massachusetts Boston- Boston, MA Through UMassOnline, the renowned distance-learning platformcreated by the UMass schools, including UMass Boston, students can earn an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, which is ranked #15 by US News. This CACREP-accredited, 60-credit program begins in the summertime and uses the cohort model wherein all students take the same program of study.Although all the classes are delivered online, students are required to be on-campus for two weeks in July to complete two mandatory clinical coursesduring their first summer of study. Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology focuses on the science behind mental illness and disability. Although clinical psychology master’s programs are usually far harder to find than doctoral programs, there are some terminal ones available. Be aware that these master’s programs do not lead to licensure as a psychologist (though they could prepare you for licensure as a therapist or counselor), as you’ll generally need a doctorate to become a practicing clinical psychologist. Note: For a list of the best clinical psychology doctoral programs, check out this one by US News. Northwestern University- Evanston, IL Northwestern is known for its doctoral clinical psychology program, for which it’s currently ranked #16 by US News, but it also offers a famed terminal master’s program in clinical psychology. This program is designed mainly for those who aren’t decided about getting a doctorate in clinical psychology and who want to learn more about clinical psychology through an academic lens. As such, the program does not lead to licensurefor clinical practice as a psychologist. Classwork is mostly the same as that completed by the PhD students. Master’s students must also participate in a Research Lab Experience for at least 10 hours a week and finish a capstone project under the guidance of a research mentor. Columbia University- New York, NY Ivy League member Columbia offers an esteemedMA in Psychology in Education program, which is geared mostly toward students interested in clinical psychology and mental health occupations. Although the program doesn't prepare students to become a professionally licensed psychologist, it does serve those who wish to work in the field of mental health and psychology more broadly. Students in the program are mentored by clinical psychology PhD students and can choose from among nine concentrations: Research Methods Child and Family Spirituality and Mind/Body Practices Community Psychology and Integrated Health Services Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Global Mental Health and Trauma Sexuality, Women, and Gender Clinical Psychology and Technology Forensic Psychology University of Maryland- College Park, MD Ranked #31 by US News for its doctoral clinical psychology program, UMD also offers aMaster of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science. This program primarilytargets those who are interested in clinical psychology but aren’t sure where tobeginor don’t know whether a doctorate is the right path. The MPS emphasizes the study of empirical scientific research in clinical psychology. Classes, which can be taken in the evenings, include Basic Foundations of Clinical Interventions,Research Methods in Clinical Psychology, and Child Psychopathology. Boston University- Boston, MA Tied for the #31 spot on US News with UMD for its doctoral program in clinical psychology, BUhas an MA in Psychology program wherein you can specialize in clinical psychology specifically. This master's program is rigorous, lasting only one year, and offers courses on a multitude of topics, such as behavioral medicine, social oppression, child therapy, and social anxiety. Students have the opportunity to work directly with a faculty member on a Directed Study project as well. Industrial-Organizational Psychology Industrial-organizational psychology- also known as I/O psychology- is an applied discipline in the field of psychology that involves using psychological principles to improve workplace settings, encourage efficiency, and foster teamwork. While most I/O programs are doctoral ones, there's still a number of master's programs available around the country, mostly at state and tech schools. Note: For a list of the best I/O psychologydoctoral programs, check out the rankings by US News. New York University- New York, NY At NYU, students can enroll in the terminal MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program to learn about critical topics, such as work motivation, personnel selection, training in organizations, etc. Based in NYU’s eminent Department of Psychology, the I/O psych master’s program offers small class sizes and provides students witha foundation in research, practice, and theory so they can pursue jobs in client interaction and solution development for corporate environments. Students can choose from among six specializations: Management consulting Leading and managing change Executive coaching Conflict and negotiation Quality of work life Diversity and culture Middle Tennessee State University- Murfreesboro, TN Although MTSU isn’t as well known as some of the other collegeson this list, it’s home to the #1 I/O psych master’s program, as ranked in 2018 by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). This makes MTSUan excellent choice for I/O psychology students. This program emphasizes thereal-world application of skills and knowledge through a required internship. Students must also complete several applied projects with local businesses. Many graduates have gone on to work for large companies and corporations, including Walmart, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Target. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis- Indianapolis, IN IUPUI’s MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program is well liked among students and a solid choice for I/O studies, especially if you’re more interested in the organizational aspect. Cohorts are small- around three students each year- ensuring that all master's students get tons of individualized attention and guidance. Students learn about the core content areas of I/O psychology and are required to write a thesis and conduct research with theassistance of faculty members. The program also offers theoption to take part in a summer internship. Several scholarshipsare available to MS students at IUPUI. Florida Institute of Technology- Melbourne, FL The MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Florida Tech is ranked #3 by SIOP and is famed for the strength of its faculty and mentoring. The program utilizes a team-based research approach in small-sized classes, allowing students to conduct critical research with faculty members and their peers. MS students also have the option to participate in a 300-hour practicum in order to gain real-world experience. Moreover, the program offers aconcentration in international I/O psychology for students who hope to work in international business settings. Recap: The Best Psychology Master’s Programs When it comes to psychology master’s programs, at a first glance, it might not seem that there are that many programs available to those not seeking a doctorate. But the truth is that there are a ton of quality, prestigious psychology master’s programs out there- you just have to know what type of psychology youwantto study and what kind of career you’re hoping to get out of your degree. Althoughyou can’t become a licensed, practicing psychologist with just a master’s degree, you can enter related fields and work as a licensed counselor, therapist, or social worker. To recap, here are the best psychology master’s programs for each category above: Social Work University of Michigan WUSTL UChicago Columbia UC Berkeley Marriage and Family Therapy Northwestern BYU University of San Diego Pepperdine Mental Health Counseling NYU UNC Chapel Hill Columbia UW Madison School Counseling/Educational Psychology Vanderbilt UT Austin UMD Ohio State Rehabilitation Counseling MSU UW Madison GWU University of Alabama UMass Boston Clinical Psychology Northwestern Columbia UMD Boston U Industrial-Organizational Psychology NYU Middle Tennessee State IUPUI Florida Tech We hope this list will be useful as you search for the best psychology master's program for you! What’s Next? Are you planning to take the AP Psych exam?Get tips and review what you need to knowwith our ultimate AP Psych study guide. For study materials, check out our picks for thebest AP Psych prep books and get access to free official and unofficial practice tests. Not sureifa master's degree is the right move for you?Then take a look at our in-depth guide on what grad school is and how to determine whether you should go.

Joan Wallach Scott, Gender and the Politics of History Essay

Joan Wallach Scott, Gender and the Politics of History - Essay Example Scott’s literature clearly reflects the change brought by feminist history and post-structuralist theory in the way we perceive history (Amazon.com n.d. a).Through her masterpiece, Gender and the Politics of History, Scott has put forward lucidly her own broad, complex and easily understandable definition (Amazon.com n.d. a).She argues convincingly revealing the fact of gender’s significance in the analysis of history (Amazon.com n.d. a).In her book, Scott has pointed out that historians are always into reassessing the grounds, definitions and even the archival sources of history (Amazon.com n.d. a). The challenging theoretical offers have been exemplified with her work on the history of French workers (Amazon.com n.d. a).The literature encompasses an insightful learning of the history of American women historians (Amazon.com n.d. a).Through her masterpiece Scott has offered various remarkable theoretical observations for both feminists and other historians (Amazon.com n.d. a).It is a purely political literature and is expected to produce both disagreement and motivation (Amazon.com n.d. a). Gender and the Politics of History contributes a keenly awaited perception to debates in historiography and the philosophy of history (Gender and the Politics of History 1990). It appears less of a report and more of a book about a historian’s introspection of what the field of writing history results to, what its object is, and what exactly she feels being a professional historian (Gender and the Politics of History 1990). â€Å"History,† in the words of Scott, â€Å"is as much the object of analytic attention as it is a method of analysis.† (Gender and the Politics of History 1990: 3). The essays can also be read as intellectual autobiography, a personal report in which Scott brings into light various attractions and threats along with the issues of post-structuralist theory (Gender and the Politics of History 1990). Gender and

The effect of Oil prices on the performance of stock markets of the Assignment

The effect of Oil prices on the performance of stock markets of the GCC countries - Assignment Example However, the concentration of the studies is in developed economies their analysis focuses on the impact oil price shocks have on stock returns. To determine the link, there should be an assessment of the changes in the prices of crude oil and the effects of such changes on the equity returns especially in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The assessment is both at country-level and industry-level. Studies show that the stock market in most of the GCC countries shows a significant response to oil price shocks. As per the industries, the shocks have a significant impact on returns of several industries (Mohanty, Nandha, Turkistani, and Alaitani, 2011). A conclusive study of the impact oil prices have on stock prices in GCC countries is, therefore, necessary. There GCC is composed of Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The Countries mainly import manufactured goods from other developed and developing nations. Any fluctuations in oil prices could therefore indirectly cause effects to GCC markets as they affect the prices of the products they import. A rise in prices of oil may lead to changes in interest rates and all types of investment. The effects of oil price shocks on the returns of stock depend more on how the negative and positive effects outweigh each other (Ravichandran and Alkhathlan, 2010). The GCC stock markets have limitations such as smaller number of listed firms, low sector wise diversification, and large institutional holdings. A key point to note is that GCC countries depend on oil to different extents and the efforts towards diversification, and economic liberalization differs in the different countries (Arouri, Lahiani, and Bellalah, 2010). That is despite them having several charac teristics in common. Among the six members of the GCC, there is a positive relation between changes in oil prices and stock market returns in three countries. The countries are Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab

Does Ethnicity and Language to the Degree of Parent Involvement in Schools Essay Example for Free

Does Ethnicity and Language to the Degree of Parent Involvement in Schools Essay Many recent studies have indicated that parent involvement can make significant differences to outcomes at schools. Why some parents become involved more than others in their childrens education has been the subject of past studies, and ethnic minority status (especially Black and Hispanic) have been associated in the past with poor involvement compared to whites. But other studies have shown completely opposite conclusions i. e. parental involvement is higher in ethnic groups than whites. The critique: This questionnaire study of teachers and parents was a multi-dimensional investigation into the role of ethnicity in parental involvement in schooling found that Black parents perceive that they take a more active role in their childrens schooling than any other ethnic group. By contrast the teachers perceptions on the issue were drastically opposite – teachers reported much lower levels of alliance with Black parents than White or Hispanic parents. The fact that fewer than 4% of teachers in this study were blacks probably has been a significant factor in this regard. One of the main weaknesses of this study is a lack of verifiability – it was entirely based on questionnaires, without any involvement of students themselves. Secondly the fact that the population consisted entirely of low-performers may have introduced a source of bias in the study. There were also inadequate measures of ruling out the effect of other confounding factors e. g. education level, incomes of households which made it difficult to compare ethnicity properly. Finally, some ethnic groups returned more questionnaire than others, making it difficult to conduct a like for like study. Conclusion : More studies are needed, carried out in a more rigorous method, before the true effect of ethnicity on parental involvement with schools can be established.

Stream of Consciousness in Faulkner’s Absolam, Absolam! :: Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! Essays

Stream of Consciousness in Faulkner’s Absolam, Absolam! While I was reading Absolam, Absolam! I was reminded once again of Faulkner’s particular writing style of stream of consciousness. The book itself is laid out very confusing having multiple narrators depicting incidents of the past, a recurrent theme of Faulkner’s identifying man’s connection to his past. The first narrator of Absolam, Absolam is Rosa, the sister in law of Thomas Sutpen. She describes Sutpen with so much hatred that he almost takes form of a monster, which is incapable of feelings. Interestingly, Rosa is telling her story to Quentin Compson, the second narrator from The Sound and the Fury, who later as we know commits suicide. At the end of the first chapter, I was left with many pieces of what seem to be the tragic story of Thomas Sutpen, a man who mysteriously shows up in Jefferson, Mississippi buys one hundred acres of land and turns it into a plantation. We also know that he becomes married to Ellen who is twenty-four years older than her you nger sister Rosa. The final image of Sutpen given by Rosa is that some black man kills him on his plantation. Rosa also asks Quentin to come with her to the old Sutpen mansion, because she thinks someone is hiding out there. Continuing with his stream of consciousness technique, Faulkner has Mr. Compson tell the next few chapters through his memories of Thomas Sutpen. Sutpen was in the Cival War with General Compson, and as the stories have been passed down to Mr. Compson, he is passing the story now to Quentin. In Mr. Copsons version, I learned of Sutpens marriage disaster, his immediate family,his illegitimate child with a slave, and a previous marriage to a woman who was 1/8 black, who bears Sutpen a son, which is his dream, but also his downfall. He also explains, how Charles Bon, Sutpen’s abandoned 1/8 negro child comes home with Henry Sutpen from college. Later he is killed by Henry, which is not fully explained yet. I think, that there may be a connection between Sutpen’s hatred of non-whites, and the effects they have on his son, Henry.

Dona Perfecta Essay

Dona Perfecta, written by B. Perez Galdos, is a novel that explores the conflict between the new progressive movement and the old religious school of thought. This conflict takes place in the small Spanish village of Orbajosa. Narrow-minded Catholic zealots dominate Orbajosa. The most prominent of the zealots is Dona Perfecta. Dona is traditional catholic and strives to fight any opposition to her fixed beliefs. Pepe Rey, her nephew, presents the biggest challenge to Dona because he is an engineer who relies on scientific fact rather than religious faith. Dona feels as though Pepe is challenging her and the towns’ livelihood. This belief leads Dona to not only turn the town against Pepe, but also to have him killed. Dona’s Catholic belief system is only a facade to her evil nature. The town of Orbajosa is presented to be a small yet inviting town. Pepe is welcomed to the town warmly and happily. Dona is the first to greet Pepe when the narrator states, â€Å"the sincere expression of her affection, was receiving him at the gate itself in her loving arms† (23). Dona appears to be a very loving and hospitable character. She also surprises Pepe with her lengthy preparations to his room when the narrator states, â€Å"Pepe recognized in all the details of the room the diligent and loving hand of the woman† (24). Dona has proven that she is capable of being kind and loving towards those who pose no threat to her lifestyle. However, it is only when Pepe denounces religion that Dona feels threatened and begins to revel her evil nature. When Pepe and the town canon, Don Inocencio, meet, the men clash with their ideals. Both are intelligent and therefore, are stubborn. Pepe reveals to Don Inocencio that science is more valid than religion when he states, â€Å"Mysticism in religion, routine in science, mannerism in art, are failing, as the Pagan gods fell† (36). Pepe expresses his opinions about science and religion without any hesitation. Don Incencio and the towns’ people of Orbajosa feel that Pepe is resolutely against their beliefs. Increasing animosity is the result of Pepe’s progressive mind-set. Dona feels as though Pepe is a liability to the town’s way of life and the only way to get rid of the problem is to exterminate it completely. Dona is desperate to get rid of Pepe. She knows that Pepe poses the possibly to contaminate the towns ideals with his progressive philosophy. Dona decides that the town must turn against Pepe. Dona accuses Pepe of being disrespectful in the church when she states, â€Å"between thinking things and showing them in that irreverent manner, there is a distance which a man of good sense and good breeding should never cross† (56). Dona feels the need to make baseless accusations about Pepe in order to sway the public opinion against Pepe. Pepe himself recognizes the absurdity of Dona’s accusation when he states, â€Å"I have shown no contempt for any one, nor do I entertain the ideas which you attribute to me† (57). Pepe is troubled by the idea that his own aunt would accuse him of such trivial acts. Pepe knows that his progressive ideals are threatening to the town and are creating distrust between him and Orbajosa. Dona knows that the only way to truly get rid of Pepe is to kill him. Dona is consumed with the idea that the town of Orbajosa is transitioning from a traditional mindset to a progressive mindset. In reaction, Dona orders the killing of Pepe. She then lies about the killing saying that Pepe committed suicide when she states, â€Å"Pepe Rey at about twelve o’clock last night entered the garden of the house and shot himself in the right temple† (218). Dona manufactured this lie in order to cover up her evil action. Dona resorted to extreme and evil measures in order to preserve her way of thought. Her name Dona Perfecta is ironic in the sense that Dona is far from perfect because she is evil. The injustice that Dona commits revels not only the true hypocritical nature of Dona but also the hypocritical nature of Orbajosa as a whole. Dona Perfecta uses the conflict between Pepe and Dona to show the strong opposition the progressive movement faces. While Pepe was welcomed at first, he was soon ostracized and persecuted for his thoughts. The towns’ people of Orbajosa felt Pepe might threaten their way of life. Extreme measures were taken by Dona to put Pepe to rest. Perhaps Galdos intends the reader to see that while people may appear to be good, in reality, they are not what they seem.

Controversy on Native American Mascots Essay

Bigotry and mockery are two concepts that the United States has fought with since its creation, and it seemed that it was disappearing, but it hasn’t. Many schools, of all levels, are using a Native American mascot to represent their sporting teams and this has brought much controversy over the truth behind these mascots. This idea is the mocking a heritage for money and amusement of others. It does not, in any way, represent the truth behind Native American modern life. Lastly, if a mascot was used to represent another race, it would be deemed insulting and would immediately be removed. Using Native Americans as mascots is a cruel form of mockery and racism, and must be put to an end. A mascot is used to make money and to attract and amuse crowds. For many sports teams, mascots are animals such as bears or tigers. By using a Native American as a mascot, you are labeling them as lesser than the spectators of the sport. A Native American is a person, not an animal that one can use and sell for their own benefits. A student should not feel that their own school is mocking their family and their heritage for entertainment purposes. One student of a North Carolina high school had even said, â€Å"How long would you want to stay in a place where you’re being mocked and laughed at? † By mocking this heritage, they are not only offending people, but losing money in the process of trying to make it because many students prefer to not go to a school where they feel they are being made fun of. The use of a Native American as a mascot is offensive and must immediately be put to a stop. The idea of a Native American used to entertain people or represent sports teams is not at all what a real person of this heritage is. When the term â€Å"Indian† is used, many think of someone wearing face paint and a feathered headdress, the exact icon for the Cleveland Indians baseball team. However, the modern Native American is never dressed in anything like this. This mascot provides a false image to the rest of the world about a real culture. A representative had said that Florida State University’s mascot is â€Å"eye-catching but not historically accurate†. These images send out a negative reputation for Native Americans, and even make them seem like war-loving savages. The modern life Native Americans near the university are running a casino, not wreaking havoc on other tribes. This mascot sends a false and negative reputation about the true Indian culture that must be stopped. Racism has, over the years, become a rather sensitive topic in the United States. After years upon years of slavery, many are quick to assume that any comment towards an African American is based upon racism. However, no one jumps to conclusions when hundreds of schools using a heritage to amuse people and make money. According to N. C. A. A. resident Myles Brand, â€Å"At times, Indians are reduced to caricature. † If any school had dared to use an African American as their sports team mascot, it would bring massive controversy. To prove this, a group of students at the University of Northern Colorado nicknamed their team the â€Å"Fightin’ Whites†. This was quickly deemed extremely inappropriate, just as the use of any race in a nickname should. If one is against racism, they must be against it in all types, regardless of if it’s about African Americans or Native Americans, and the use of a mascot in this way is incredibly racist. As Brand had said, â€Å"If we don’t stick to our values, we lose our integrity. † The use of a Native American mascot is incredibly disrespectful to the true culture of these people. It does not show the real culture, it uses something sacred to make money, and it even promotes racism. By the school’s use of this mascot, we are allowing the bigotry and racism to spread throughout the world. This concept must be put to a stop immediately and must start with our region removing the high school’s mascot.

The Marxist Perspective on Crime Essays

The Marxist Perspective on Crime Essays The Marxist Perspective on Crime Paper The Marxist Perspective on Crime Paper In sociology, deviance refers to behaviours or actions which are considered abnormal and undesirable; in other words, they contravene cultural/social norms (for example swearing in public). At a certain point in time, a society may decide that some specific acts are so undesirable that they warrant punishment. When laws are passed against deviant acts, they become crimes (for example murder). In this essay, I will look at the Marxist perspective and how it has contributed to the study and understanding of crime and deviance. Whilst Functionalism is a perspective based on value consensus, Marxism holds at its core the theory of conflict and class struggle in society. According to Marx, there is a fundamental division between what he sees are the two classes of society: the capitalists (or bourgeoisie), who own the means of production (e. g. oney, property, raw materials capital) and the working-class, who do not own capital. From a Marxist point of view, the proletariat and the bourgeoisie hold conflicting positions for example, factory workers will inevitably wish for high wages, whilst factory owners will want to maximise their profits by paying workers as little as possible. Marxist criminology is based around the view that crime is a product of the fundamental class conflict in capitalist societies. Marxists argue that the structural-conflict model of capitalism systematically generates crime by holding at its centre severe social inequalities whilst encouraging people to strive for monetary success. The nature of the system is competitive, promoting personal gain rather than collective well-being; it often leads to the exploitation of millions for the profit of a few. Right across the social spectrum, people are persuaded of the importance of material possessions through adverts of the latest fashion item and through the medias portrayal of exclusive lifestyles. Echoing Mertons strain theory, Marxists argue that those with barriers to success, from the businessman to the factory worker, are pressured to break the law in order to achieve the material desires which capitalism encourages. Marxs theory of alienation can be applied to those crimes which have no apparent financial gain, explaining them as an expression of the frustration produced by demeaning and unsatisfying work. For those who are most affected by the systems unequal distribution of wealth, crime can be seen simply as a means for survival. According to Marxists, the state passes laws which protect the interests and reflect the ideology of the ruling class the many laws which protect private property, the essence of capitalism, reflect the expansion of business and trade. They argue that laws which appear to be in the interest of the subject class are in fact just concessions and are there to create a false consciousness, an illusion of equality; they are in place to maintain the power of the ruling class and to keep the subject class under control. From a Marxist point of view, there is a systematic bias in favour of those at the top, and this is evident when looking at how laws are enforced. White-collar crimes, such as corporate/financial frauds, are rarely discovered and even more rarely prosecuted, despite the fact that they can have devastating effects; on the other hand, more visible street crimes are severely punished by the agents of social control. Moreover, people have unequal access to a fair trial having the money to pay for a good lawyer can mean the difference between being found guilty or not guilty. In this light, Marxists play down the significance of official statistics, which predominantly record blue-collar crimes, claiming that they are a social construction and that they do not reflect the truth. Radical criminology, a strand of neo-Marxism, developed in the 1970s through the work of Ian Taylor, Paul Walton and Jock Young as an alternative perspective to traditional Marxist criminology. Like traditional Marxists, they see the economy as the most important part of society and they believe that the inequalities in wealth and power between individuals in capitalist societies are the root cause of crime. However, unlike Marxists, they reject theories suggesting that external forces can direct human behaviour (for example the strain to anomie). Taylor et al insist that crimes are often deliberate acts with political motives, and that deviants are not just the passive victims of capitalism, but that they are actively fighting and trying to alter capitalism. By looking at the states role in the process of criminalisation, radical criminology draws both on Marxism and Interactionism in an attempt to produce a fully social theory of deviance. However, it has been criticised for failing to provide any substantial theories of crime and for offering a utopian socialist model as an alternative to capitalism. New left realism developed in the early 1980s both to compensate for some of the weaknesses of previous Marxist and neo-Marxist theories and to respond to a rise in zero tolerance right-wing policies. Left realists differentiate themselves from Marxists and left idealists by emphasising the significance of working-class street crime and by studying its effect on its victims. John Lea and Jock Young point to evidence from the British Crime Survey that there has been a massive increase in street crime since the Second World War. Whilst agreeing that crime is closely linked to deprivation, they reject the view that poverty is directly responsible for crime, arguing that unemployment levels in the 1930s were high, yet the crime rate was low compared to the 1980s. Their explanation of crime is based around the concepts of relative deprivation, subculture and marginalisation. According to Lea and Young, deprivation leads to crime when experienced as relative deprivation. When one feels deprived compared to someone else, they may use illegal means to feel less disadvantaged. As well as explaining property and financial crime, relative deprivation can be used to explain violent crime: relative deprivation can create frustration and aggression. The concept of subculture is explained by Lea and Young as a collective response to a groups problem. If a group sufferers from relative deprivation, it may adopt a lifestyle which to cope with their problem, either illegally or legally. The concept of marginalisation refers to groups at the margins of society, those without socio-political representation and clearly defined objectives. Typically, unemployed youths of minority ethnic groups resort to crime as an expression of their resentment to a society which doesnt offer them anything. Essentially, left realism is criticised for failing to explain the causes of crime it relies extensively on victimisation statistics and only takes into account the views of victims on certain issues. Also, left realism fails to explain why some people who suffer from relative deprivation commit crime and others do not. However, it has highlighted the importance of understanding street crime and has influenced crime tackling policies. The traditional Marxist perspective on crime has been essential in illustrating the many flaws of capitalism and pointing out that crime is not exclusively a working class phenomenon. In many respects, however, it has a rather simplistic view on the relations of power in capitalist societies. Moreover, it is in large part race and gender blind, and it emphasises the significance of corporate crime at the expense of other crimes. Most importantly of all, perhaps, it wrongly assumes that a communist system would eliminate crime. Despite these criticisms, Marxism has produced a basis for the understanding of crime and has influenced numerous new approaches which further enrich the study of crime and deviance.

How to write health promotion documents - Emphasis

How to write health promotion documents How to write health promotion documents The health sciences have their own language. And those who dont understand it can simply feel like theyre not part of the club. If your remit is to communicate health promotion messages to the public, you need to walk a tightrope between scientific fact and digestible chunks of practical health information. Your message needs to be both authoritative and accessible. The trouble is that when you spend most of your time communicating with colleagues, its easy to forget that you have developed a vocabulary that is somewhat at odds with the general population. Studies have shown that the number of words people have in their vocabulary ranges from 600 to 5000 depending on level of education and profession. But there is a pool of common words that most people understand and are comfortable using. The secret is to think of your reader first and choose words they will connect with. Thats not to say that this is easy. Writing that persuades, educates and informs doesnt happen by accident. Critically appraising scientific findings is a very different skill from communicating these findings to laypeople. It involves a specific set of writing skills that have to be learnt. In the same way that a physics degree doesnt fully prepare someone for the NASA space programme, professional health qualifications do not prepare people to become effective writers of health promotion material. Health promotion is about persuading individuals, groups and communities to take action, so the messages must be crystal clear. The public dont want to read reports, leaflets or articles which skirt around issues. They want a definitive viewpoint. From the writers point of view, this can seem like a risky prospect, especially if there are complex policy changes and even legal implications to consider. Clear writing gives you no place to hide, as your goals and reasons for writing become transparent. But effective writing is a powerful tool that can improve peoples lives, so it is well worth mastering this skill. Dont get lost in translation Imagine your brief is to create a range of leaflets and bookmarks for a pharmacy chain to help the poorest sectors of society to give up smoking. What title has more impact? Smoking cessation advice or How to give up smoking? The second option is punchier and is far more likely to get your target audience to sit up and take notice. The phrase Smoking cessation advice just isnt something that most people say. And here lies the problem. These phrases find their way into public health promotion, because the writers have become completely immersed in healthcare language. The messages become lost in translation and lose their impact. Your work may be informed by medicine, psychology, epidemiology and public health science, but the needs of the reader must come first. Ask yourself: Who will read the document? How much experience do they have of the topic? How much do they know about it? What is their likely attitude towards it How involved in the topic are they? How interested are they in the topic? Once you have answered these questions, consider your purpose for writing the report, leaflet or other document. Think about what you really want to achieve with your message. Often we use buzz words, talking about things such as advocacy, social mobilisation and community participation. But it can help instead to think of the discrete actions you want your reader to take. Jargon is not always the bogeyman Writing in plain English doesnt mean you have to dumb down. You can still include technical information, as long as you focus on your audience. For instance, jargon such as body dysmorphic disorder will be commonly understood to mean bad body image for some laypeople. For others, it will be a meaningless medical phrase. In contrast, abbreviations such as NHS have moved into common usage. Unless you are writing specifically for an immigrant community or for people whose second language is English, its likely that they will know that it stands for National Health Service. Dont spell out every single abbreviation if its not necessary, but dont stuff your document full of terms that may perplex your readers. Remember that most people overestimate how much their audience knows and so use an inappropriate number of technical terms. Keep asking yourself whether your document is instantly readable. If not, keep revising it until the meaning is clear. Finally, your writing needs to be more than grammatically correct and scientifically sound. It needs to connect with your reader. So try to ignore well-meaning advice from your colleagues if they have little knowledge of your audience. Six steps to better writing Keep it short Keep your sentences short and simple and avoid flowery phrases. Aim for an average length of 15-20 words and stick to the rule of one sentence, one idea. Use active language Write the Government invested 15 million in this new health initiative last year, rather than last year an investment of 15 million was made by the Government in a new health initiative. The second version, which says who before what, is livelier and easier to read. Cut the clichs Cutting out redundant phrases, such as of paramount importance simplifies your messages and makes them easier to read and understand. So instead of writing It is of paramount importance to eat a healthy diet, write Make sure you eat a healthy diet. Use bullet points If youre dispensing advice, bullet points work well because they make the text stand out. Make sure that they are not too wordy and stick to one bullet for each piece of advice. Use verbs instead of nouns Verbs add movement to sentences and make them shorter and easier to understand. Use consider instead of give consideration to and provide rather than the provision of. Be specific and include people Putting people into writing makes it more powerful. Writing one in a hundred people is likely to produce a much bigger reaction from your readers than one per cent, even though they obviously mean the same thing. And when writing for the general public, one readers story can override even the most powerful numerical evidence. So dont be afraid to use case studies or stories about real people. People connect with other people. Perfect presentations These guidelines also work well with presentations. But when speaking, your sentences can be even shorter. This helps you to make your communication even punchier, to help your audience follow your line of thought. Remember that in writing, your readers can re-read sections if they choose, whereas in presentations, you pre-determine the sequence. Create an effective structure for your presentation by asking yourself the questions: what?, where?, when?, how?, why? and who? You can then lay out your core idea first, and expand on it in the rest of the speech. Analogies, such as the thought of giving up smoking is as bad as the prospect of root-canal surgery, are a useful tool for engaging your listeners. Alliteration also works well. For example, you can say, this is the most effective help for heartburn sufferers. The repetition of the h sound makes the words jump out. Your job is to take your listener from passive to passionate. Arranging your important messages in trios gives a sense of movement, progression and resolution. This is especially powerful when you are making closing comments or recommendations. Saying, Fad diets can be dangerous, unpleasant and ineffective for instance pushes the message home that you are recommending a healthy, balanced way of life. By then including a couplet in your recommendation, such as fruit and vegetables, you further emphasise that balance is at the heart of your health promotion message. Robert Ashton is the Chief Executive of Emphasis.

Business Culture of Spain Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Culture of Spain - Research Paper Example Policies can be defined as those objectives which have been declared by the government and seek to realize and reserve the national community interest. In a country like Spain therefore, there must be policies which guide the conduct of business practice. These policies may be appealing or unappealing before the business community. The commercial laws and regulations of Spain were modernized in 1986 immediately after its entry into the European Union. Its policy framework is fairly compared with other countries that are from within Europe. There has been the streamlining of bureaucratic procedures and elimination of the red tape. (Ibpus.com, 2012) There is the existence of quasi-independent bodies which regulate several sectors of the economy. In the real sense, they are not independent as they are still fighting and struggling to be. One of the processes which have been steady but slow is the switch from monopolies which are state-owned to full competition that is open. Spain is not formal as is the United States of America in the comment procedure for the projected rule-making changes. This is due to the fact that most laws and guidelines are published as drafts before they are effected. (Ibpus.com, 2012) For one to start a company in Spain, they will be supposed to work under certain simple procedures. To start, they are supposed to acquire a certificate of uniqueness of the proposed company name from the Office of Mercantile Register. The next step is to open a bank account for the company or business you intend to start and then deposit the principal you have in that bank. After that, you have to be given a certificate of deposit. All these are again followed by surrendering a public deed of incorporation before a public notary, it takes a day and charges approximately â‚ ¬500 depending on the share capital amount you have and the complex nature of the process. Submit the