Qualitative Research in Geography: An Overview

Qualitative Research in Geography: An Overview Geography seems to be one of those disciplines that shifts its interest from one perspective to another without necessarily changing its central research questions. Qualitative methods have long been used within the discipline of human geography. However, it was not until recently that they have become sufficiently established that some consider them to have gone too far (Marshall, 2001), as the last decade has undoubtedly seen an expansion in qualitative work in both terms of the types of work and the topics addressed. This essay will address the fact that we have moved from a period when papers were prefaced with legitimisations of qualitative work to a time when we are seeing debates within qualitative methods over establishing orthodox approaches and standards. This will be done thorough a reflection on current re-evaluations of the most common methods – mainly interviewing and ethnography –and where they are developing. Qualitative approaches have long had a strong association with cultural, social and radical geographies, in part as a reaction to quantified social geography. For example, in terms of the geographies of gender, feminist critiques of masculinist approaches were picked up and an argument about empathy amplified the concern with qualitative methods. This also could be reversed, labelling qualitative work with a feminist `softness as opposed to hard science. This debate though, has matured, from quick over-assumptions that qualitative work was generally `soft, to considering its weaknesses and strengths in a more balanced fashion (Raju et al., 2000). Qualitative research has also had to wrestle with the argument that simply listening to, giving voice to and representing the silenced is not enough. There is now a maturity about qualitative methods in geography, but also that there comes with this a certain conventionality of approaches. In delving deeper into this discussion it is important to consider the continued debates about the framing of qualitative, and especially ethnographic, work, after the so-called ‘crisis of representation’ and work in the performative vein, as qualitative research is often torn between a constructivist approach and a longing to convey a ‘real’ sense of the field. Geography has followed anthropology through these debates on ethnography and representation, responding to the question ‘how is unruly experience transformed into an authoritive written account?’ (Besio and Butz, 2004: 433). There has been a backlash against what are described as ‘excesses’ of reflexivity in some responses to this question. For instance, Bourdieu (2003) called for a renewed ‘objectivity’ via structural reflexivity in a participant observation. He argues for a personal understanding of reflexivity, to address the academic and social structures that drive research agendas, which for geography in non-western settings would show how ‘academic research practices †¦ have relied extensively on remnant colonial discourses and structures of domination for access to research subjects, efficacy of data collection and legitmation’ (Bourdieu, 2003: 288). Katz points out that ‘in the field and in their private readings, ethnographers share a culture of evaluation which is masked by the fractious, even righteously indignant commentary that characterises rhetoric about ethnographic writing’ (2002: 64). Katz argues that ‘as ethnographers, we must do more than claim: we need to show’ (2002: 68). However, Besio and Butz (2004) offer an alternate reflexivity, taking Marie Louse Pratt’s definition of autoethnography. Where rather than being about reflecting on one’s own practice it refers to the subject or dominated people’s self-representation to colonisers’ terms while remaining faithful to their own self-understandings. This tradition is not just framing local knowledges; Gold (2002) looks to a globalised religious movement that is using its self-representations and indeed academic work in its self-constitution. This makes the important point of not separating ethnography from writing – not privileging oral research over written material but rather seeing productions of various representations as moments for situated reading and interpretations by all actors. If we thus move to models of representation as intervention rather than corresponding to prior reality, we might look for new ways of producing and judging truth. Besio and Butz (2004) provide their own critique of transcultural representation. They point out that this is not an automatic process but something that has to be worked at and may only be achieved in specific circumstances. The apocalyptic tones of this debate seem particular to anthropology with its habitual [re-] definition of fieldwork as residential participant observation – as opposed to the more plural practices of qualitative methods in geography. These reflexive studies raise questions about how the usual methods fit these new topics. Meth (2003) suggests that reflective, discursive diaries first offer a ‘discontinuous writing’, allowing people to change their minds and priorities, meaning that they are not dominated by what happened in the morning before an interview. Moreover, they offer different and possibly easier routes for respondents to express themselves, especially their emotions, and reflect upon their own world-views. Alternately, Harper (2002) provides a history of the ‘photo-elicitation’ interview where pictures push people’s normal frames of reference to form the basis for deep discussions of values. The use of pictures in presenting material raises the issue of how visual and verbal relate to each other, whether they could speak to different ways of knowing rather than just being treated as different kinds of evidence (Rose, 2003). As Basio and Butz (2004: 444) note, the ‘visual in ethnographic has generally not been used intrinsically for interpreting and representing ethnographic data and culture’ but either as just more data or subordinated to a textualising metaphor. Whatmore (2003: 89) notes ‘the spoken and written word constitute the primary form of ‘data’’, whereas the world speaks in many voices through many different types of things that ‘refuse to be reinvented as univocal witnesses’. This comes back to the heart of a new kind of programmatic writing which is ‘suggestive of nothing less than a drive towards a new methodological avant garde that will radically refigure what it is to do research’ (Latham, 2 003: 2000). It is normally at this point, as we engage artistic approaches, that policy-orientated researchers voice concerns about a turn away from commitments to engaging ordinary people and offering them a voice. This seems to me to be a false opposition of committed, ‘real world’ versus ‘inaccessible’, theoretical research. It might be a good idea to end this report by returning our attention to the rich yet ambiguous and messy world of doing qualitative research. As Thrift notes: ‘Through fieldwork is often portrayed as a classical colonial encounter in which the fieldworker lords it over her/his respondents, the fact of the matter is that it usually does not feel much like that at all. More often it is a curious mixture of humiliations and intimidations mixed with moments of insight and even enjoyment’ Thrift, 2003: 106), where knowledge is coproduced ‘by building fragile and temporary commonplaces’ (2003: 108, see also Tillman-Healy, 2003). This seems to be a good summary of the qualitative work currently being done in human geography. It remains inspired by ethical and political concerns, and practitioners are deeply concerned by the moral and political implications of their work. Some of the old taken-for-granteds about fieldwork have been replaced, but it is instructive to wonder what questions have not been asked. While researchers have struggled to populate their work with real subjects rather than research objects, there have never been fewer attempts to talk about materialities in practice if not in topic. However, it does not seem that this entails a rejection of work that has been, is being and will be done, nor a turn from engaged and practical work; but that it does raise issues about the investment in specific notions of what ‘research’ is, what evidence is and how the two relate to each other. References Basio, K. Butz, D. (2004) Autoethnography: a limited endorsement. Professional Geographer, 56, 432 – 438. Bourdieu, P. (2003) Participant observation. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, NS9, 281 – 294. Gold, L. (2002) Positionality, worldview and geographical research: a personal account of a research journey. Ethics, Place and Environment, 5, 223 – 237. Harper, D. (2002) Talking about pictures: a case for photo-elicitation. Visual Studies, 17, 13 – 26. Katz, J. (2001) From how to why: on luminous description and casual reference in ethnography (part 2). Ethnography, 3, 63 – 90. Latham, A. (2003) Research, performance, and doing human geography: some reflections on the diary-photograph, diary-interview method. Environment and Planning A, 35, 1993 – 2018. Marshall, G. (2001) Addressing a problem of capacity. Social Sciences, 47, 1 2. Meth, P. (2003) Entries and omissions: using solicited diaries in geographical research. Area, 35, 195 – 205. Raju, S., Atkins, P., Townsend, J. Kumar, N. (2000) Atlas of women and men in India, London, International Books. Rose, G. (2003) On the need to ask how, exactly, is geography visual? Antipode, 35, 212 – 221. Thrift, N. (2003) Practising ethics, in Whatmore, S. Using social theory, London, Sage, 105 – 121. Tillman-Healy, L. (2003) Friendship as method. Qualitative Inquiry, 9, 729 – 749.

Physiological Theories

People’s motivations vary from person to person.   It is the way a person thinks and acts, their personality that makes them unique.   There are many theories concerning the type of energy that initiates behavior, what causes people to think and act in certain ways. Different psychological theories have been developed concerning why people act the way they do.   A biological theory, states that peoples motivations are primarily based off of their biological makeup (Britannica Encyclopedia, 2008).For example, if someone was depressed, or upset, it would most likely be blamed on a chemical imbalance in the brain, and could be corrected with medication.   Another theory developed concerning people's motivations is called psychosocial theories. Psychosocial theories refer to one's psychological development, and there interaction in a social environment. Basically psychosocial theories determine that people’s personalities are based primarily off of their interaction s with others (Britannica Encyclopedia, 2008).The development of interactionism was first linked to the work of the German theorist Max Weber.   Interactionism, like psychosocialism, is primarily based on a person’s social interaction with others. Interactionism is linked to the concept of the American dream, pertaining to the individual having the power to change society, and indeed history from below, rather than being manipulated from above. Interactionism basically, is the study of how individuals act within society.Motivation can easily be defined as that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.   Ella's motivation can be accounted for by a biological theory of motivation, meaning that Ellis motivation is primarily directed by biological factors. Ella is primarily influenced by her biological makeup, which would include any balances or imbalances in dopamine, serotonin, or other chemicals released in the brain that affect mood and behavior. I find it interestin g to note that in some cases, defense attorneys are asking judges to omit criminals, suggesting that their clients have a genetic predisposition for violent or impulsive behavior (Weiss, 2008).I would speculate that Ellas’s source of motivation would be chemicals, or medications, probably relying heavily on prescriptions to accommodate her various psychological needs. In my own opinion, Ella’s source of motivation would be prescription drugs, caffeine, or other commodities that she thinks will help her focus more intently on her goals. Ella’s motivation would differ from that of Marcelo’s or Masoko’s. Ella's motivation is primarily driven by biological factors, as Marcelo’s and Masoko’s are driven by social interactions with others. The effort that Ella would put forth when trying to obtain a promotion would be that of changing biological factors of herself to better accustom herself to the necessities of her occupation.I feel that, i nstead of changing biological factors about themselves, Marcelo’s and Masoko’s approach would be that of social interaction. I think that due to Marcelo and Masoko’s differences in belief concerning motivational behavior, Ella will rely on exterior means to motivate herself for her promotion, Marcel and Masoko are primarily focused on getting to know others in their field, networking with individuals in order to obtain the information necessary for the promotion. I think that it is unrealistic to have a biological approach concerning motivation, in many instances; mood altering drugs taken on a daily basis can often do more harm than good to the individual.   Although I do agree that in some instances, chemical imbalances can take place that need to be corrected, I do not believe that it is always the correct solution.Marcelo’s source of motivation would be primarily driven by social interaction with others.   Due to his acceptance of a psychosocial t heory for motivation, Marcelo will be more likely to source his information off of that obtained from others in his occupation. Marcelo’s approach would differ from Ella’s approach primarily do to the social factors involved. Ella will rely primarily on biological aspects to accomplish her goal and obtain the promotion desired, while Marcelo will primarily use the eight developmental stages developed by Eric Erickson when trying to accomplish his goals.Eric Erickson articulated eight stages that take place from infancy to adulthood, centering on the first and most important stage, which is the individual questioning the trustworthiness of his reality, or environment.   I think that would be a first step for Marcelo when making friends, will be to develop a relationship of trust with them. A difference in Marcelo’s approach to accomplishing his goals, and that of Masoko’s approach, is that Masoko will tend to be more self reliant, as Marcelo will be more socially reliant.Masoko’s source of motivation will be focused primarily from within rather than without. Although Masoko’s interactionist approach will rely on information gained from social gatherings, he will also rely on strength within himself.   Interaction theories have grown in the latter half of the 20th century, having its roots here in America.   Max Weber, a German theorist, promoted that nothing in society is determined, and that people can break free of being labeled (Encarta Encyclopedia, 2008). When comparing Masoko’s approach to that of Ella’s, Ella will be more apt to rely on medications, and other chemical therapies, as Masoko will rely on social interaction with others, and will- power from within. Another difference in Masokos approach to sourcing his motivation will be his own self-reliance, rather than just relying on social interaction with others, like Marcelo.Although Ella, Macelo, and Masoko’s approach to obtaining t he motivation needed for the upcoming promotion are all valid and interesting theories, I think the right answer is uniting a bit of each theory. I don't think that motivation should be sourced from any one theory, but rather a series of theories used at appropriate moments in time. I think that if they would have used principles of each theory in order to source there motivation, they would be far more successful. When building an individual who has a realistic combination of motivating theories, Sam, I would say that biological factors that should be included would be; developing a diet in which a daily multi vitamin is taken and a healthy diet is enforced.Sam should also utilize the sociological principles of the psychosocial theory of motivation. Sam should gain a lot of his insight from interacting with others. Lastly, Sam should take the self reliant aspects of the interactionist theory of motivation. Sam, being confident in his own abilities, healthy, and socially interactive , will be able to effectively communicate his ideas to his peers, and make a positive impression on his employer in order to obtain the desired promotion. I think that the motivational theories will interact with each other in a positive way. I think that the important thing is balance, having too much of anything is never a good thing. The positive aspects of each theory should be integrated, health and fitness from the biological aspect, social interaction from the psychosocial aspect, and lastly, self reliance from the interactions aspect.ReferencesWeiss, R (2008) DNA Tests Offer Deeper Examination of Accused the Washington Post; retrieved on April 21, 2008 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR2008041902225.html?sub=new

Discipline Essay

Machiavelli has a theory that â€Å"ends justify the means† which means a person may do whatever they need to do as long as their outcome has some meaning. In sports some believe that taking steroids is the right thing to do. Then there is also the group that believes that taking steroids is morally wrong. From an ethical/moral standpoint, players who use steroids are cheating and living a lie, garnering success and prospering from illegal substances. Users who buy into Machiavelli’s theory go against society’s standards of rewarding hard work and discipline. When you take steroids you do not use hard work and discipline to reach your physical status. Taking steroids is a harm that reaches far beyond one’s body, but into one’s soul. It is morally wrong to cheat for a living. Those who oppose the illegality and immorality of performance-enhancing drugs maintain that professional athletes should have the right to use steroids because steroids are no different from any other technology or substance that enables athletes to compete at high levels. Although advances in technology in sports have been made that only allows the sports to become more competitive. One’s body is not a piece of equipment that can be used, abused, and replaced. Using enhancers such as, anabolic steroids, allows beings to become almost super human an act of immorality. In Steve Yuhas’ essay, â€Å"The Steroid Scandal in Baseball has been Overblown,† he explains a profound understanding that steroids cannot increase the abilities of an athlete. Overall steroids do not help the abilities taught to professional athletes or athletes in general. Yuhas states that â€Å"Yes, they can become stronger and their biceps may grow to the size of a normal person’s thigh, but that doesn’t make them able to hit a small ball with a thin bat and it certainly doesn’t make a football player throw more accurately or kick the ball through the uprights with more precision† (Yuhas 2). Abilities are taught and learned. Steroids do not help the ability of the athlete. He is a believer of Machiavelli’s theory; he believes that an athlete does not have to work hard to achieve a mentally and physically stronger body when they can just pop a pill to do the work for them. Yuhas’ argues, â€Å"There seems to be a [†¦] scale of morality involved in steroids that is absent from any other substance. Popping a pill to render a child more productive in school or to make a fat person thin is great; sucking the fat out of a woman’s behind or injecting a forehead with botox is simply cosmetic upkeep, but put something in your body that makes you more competitive in your livelihood and it is somehow morally corrupt† (Yuhas 2). Although Yuhas makes a substantial argument there is a thin line between what is morally wrong and what is right. Athletes use steroids to become stronger to earn more money and fame for themselves. Society looks upon steroid use as an immoral judgment. Steroid use for athletes is a selfish and greedy act. People may use botox to prevent â€Å"Father Time†, but that is not a reason for professional athletes, who are role models to so many, to use steroids. A human beings competitive livelihood is apparent to all. When someone wants to become the best they are willing to work hard for it and not cheat. When you use steroids you do not become the greatest athlete, but you do become the worst. Despite the recent problems with steroid use in professional sports, especially baseball, steroid restrictions have not been enforced hard enough on the athletes. Steroids used by one-person gives them an advantage over those who do not use performance enhancers. Due to steroid use, sports records held by elite athletes are being broken by false feats that are only achieved by using an enhancer, and enforcing steroid use in professional sports gives young athletes a better understanding of how dangerous enhancers actually are. Aside from personal harm to the user, steroid use is detrimental to fellow players as well as fans. Many things can be included as an immoral act but in today’s society steroid use is a main point on what is morally wrong. Baseball is an American pastime and ruining the game is a bad example to all Americans. Americans have a livelihood for competition, from clinching the World Series to who can belch the loudest. Our conscience urges competition to an extreme that makes the littlest of things very big. While performance-enhancing drugs enhance an athlete’s skill sets, they devalue and alter competition. When you go to a baseball game you only want to see a few things, which include that huge homerun by your favorite player and the win to your favorite team. Some would argue that using steroids will allow more homeruns to players and would make baseball games more entertaining. Well those few people may be right but then the game would not be competitive. If you go to a game and each team hits five to eight homeruns apiece the urge to see homeruns and watch the game would be ruined. Records are always broken, each decade a more outstanding athlete emerges and they begin at a record pace and break great athletic records. Records are something to glorify, Babe Ruth had the record homeruns in a season, then a few years later that was broken by another player, Roger Marris. As the game began to become more competitive in both aspects of pitching and hitting records were difficult to break. Hitters began to hit the long ball harder and further, the change in the athletes muscle mass was exponential but players and the MLB did not care. Baseball had many fans, as Mark McGwire had been his record-breaking homerun pace. His record was set by a lie as he attested to using steroids during that record breaking year and his lie caused much hurt to fans as it had embarrassed the franchise. Later Barry Bonds broke the record and broke the all time homeruns in a career passing Hank Aaron. Not long after that he was accused of using steroids and then again a franchise was embarrassed. The pressure on baseball players is indirect; it comes twice a month, on paydays. The big money goes to guys who hit thirty homers, not the ones who hit thirty doubles. It pays to be strong; it is almost like an animalistic behavior. Only the strongest survive. Are athletes the role models needed for American youth? Many young athletes have their favorite player in whichever sport they partake in. Seeing their idol admitting to using steroids could possibly corrupt their mind in believing that steroid use is the right thing to do to become a stronger and better athlete. Beyond any possible benefits of steroid use lies the dangerous issue of health. In many cases, athletes (especially young athletes) are so focused on success in a professional sport that they are ignoring the glaring consequences of steroid use. In actuality, the price of steroid use and abuse is high; much higher a price than any lucrative contract or marketing deal. â€Å"The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that heart attacks, strokes, and live cancer are the more serious life-threatening effects of steroid abuse. Side effects for male users include acne, hair-loss, development of breasts, shrinking testicles, and impotence. † (qtd. In Fletcher D4). Yet another way in which steroids harm the user is through increased susceptibility to injuries. One theory is that players are overwhelming their bodies with rapid muscle growth. Players who use steroids to gain a competitive advantage over peers and opponents pressure others, including youth, to use performance-enhancing substances. If they too want to win and remain competitive, they must use steroids as well. In baseball, as with all professional sports, income, fame, and marketability depend on success and impressive feats of athleticism. The pressure and increased incentive to â€Å"bulk up† is evident. â€Å"The average size of a major-league player was a pretty standard 6-foot-1, 185 pounds for at least 30 years, until the early 1990s. Today, the average player is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and most teams have players who weigh in at 240 pounds or more. † (West 22). Bigger players hit more home runs and sign lucrative contracts and endorsement deals. Because of this, more players want to be bigger. As more and more players are tainted by steroids it begins to affect more and more of the youth that watches sports. Steroids have directly affected the biggest fans in baseball, America’s youth. Besides cheapening statistics and athletic accomplishments, the use of performance-enhancing drugs has tarnished the general image of baseball. Instead of a game that encourages healthy competition, it is one that resembles a pharmacological trade show, where the effects of steroids are put on display. Baseball is known as â€Å"America’s pastime†. It holds a special place in American society. The values of society are reflected in the values of its most popular and revered cultural pastimes. When the message is sent that it is acceptable to have a drug problem in sport, it is akin to saying that this staple of American culture is reflective of a drug problem in society. Some would argue that baseball is a reflection of a culture mired in drugs and a society that is lacking quality role models for its youth. One of the biggest blows to baseball’s image came in August 2005 when slugger Rafael Palmeiro, who has collected over 3,000 hits and has hit nearly 600 home runs during his career, tested positive for steroids. † (Fletcher D1). The former first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles was booed relentlessly and was told by the team after the season he would no longer be part of the team. Palmeiro is since retired; his hall-of-fame numbers are still in question. As we have seen, the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport, specifically baseball, is an immoral practice. As seen steroid use does in fact directly affects fans and the teammates that the player plays with. Drug testing baseball players cannot be foolproof. In fact, all the testing does is keep players from using optimal dosages and encourage them to find ways to mask the drugs. The only infallible test for steroid use is a player’s moral compass. As soon as players identify not using steroids as a moral obligation, for both personal reasons and beyond, the game of baseball and its once-great warriors will return to the apex of the sporting world.

Effective Media and Tobacco essays

Effective Media and Tobacco essays Advertising is everywhere we look today. According to recent estimates, most Americans see or hear nearly 2,000 advertisements a day, whether it is on television, radio, billboards, magazines, or newspapers. But what is advertising exactly? In short, advertising is a form of persuasion and misdirection from businesses or companies to convince buyers that their product is the best. One area of effective advertising is tobacco companies' advertising. Tobacco companies target teenagers most with their advertising. Many people can already see that but how much of an impact does it actually have on teenagers? Every day in the United States, another three-thousand children and teens become regular smokers, and one-thousand will eventually die from this use (Centers for Disease Control Prevention). The tobacco industry sells $1.26 billion in tobacco products each year to children under 18; that is over one billion packs of cigarettes (Journal of the American Medical Association). Most teens start smoking because their friends do, or they just think they will be cool. The two most advertised cigarette companies today are Camel and Marlboro. John P. Pierce, head of the University of California at San Diego's cancer prevention ad control programs, reports that teenagers were more likely than adults to identify Marlboros or Camels as the most advertised brand of cigarettes. This is because the Marlboro industry and Camel industry target teenagers with the "Marlboro Man" and cartoon characters such as "Joe Camel." Tobacco companies depict their products in such a way that influences a teenager's consumption choices. Marlboro chooses to depict their products by using a "cowboyish" role model known as the "Marlboro Man". The "Marlboro Man" is portrayed as a strong, rough resourceful male. He entices teenagers into believing that smoking Marlboro cigarettes will make them this type of rugged attra ...

Free Essays on Market Research

CONTENTS PAGE CONTENTS PAGE NO. 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 2. INTRODUCTION 2 2.1 Background of Marlboro 3 2.2 Decision Problem 3 2.3 Research Problem 4 3. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 4 4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4.1 Target Population & Sample Size 4.2 Sampling Method 4.3 Data Collection Method 4.4 Survey Period 4.5 Pre  ¡V Testing 5. SURVEY FINDINGS 7 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7. APPENDIX (SURVEY FORM) 22 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Marlboro is a well known brand around the world. Marlboro is from Philip Morris & Co, Ltd. Marlboro stands 39% of the market share around the world. But over the past few years Marlboro sales volume has decreased over the years due to competitions. We have conducted a survey to find out why Marlboro sales volume has been decreasing over the past few years. The total no. of respondents is 60. We have used exploratory methods for the surveys. Our findings reflected that most of the respondents who have switch to other brands of cigarettes were due mainly to the high price of Marlboro. From our findings we can conclude that Marlboro has high quality tobacco. Also we found out that young female smokers might have the tendency to quit smoking in the near future because they find that the new cigarettes package design is too gross and irritating. This goes to show that the anti-smoking campaign in Singapore is quite effective on certain amount of smokers. Our conclusion and recommendations to Marlboro is that they can come up with a new type of cigarettes with lower quality and cheaper prices in order for them to regain their market shares. 2. BACKGROUND 2002 marked the 100-year anniversary for our Company. Philip Morris & Co., Ltd. incorporated as a small tobacco company in New York City in 1902. In 1960, Philip Morris remained the smallest among the six major tobacco companies in the U.S. Our focus on hiring the best people, producing the highest quality products, committing to continued impro... Free Essays on Market Research Free Essays on Market Research CONTENTS PAGE CONTENTS PAGE NO. 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 2. INTRODUCTION 2 2.1 Background of Marlboro 3 2.2 Decision Problem 3 2.3 Research Problem 4 3. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 4 4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 4.1 Target Population & Sample Size 4.2 Sampling Method 4.3 Data Collection Method 4.4 Survey Period 4.5 Pre  ¡V Testing 5. SURVEY FINDINGS 7 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7. APPENDIX (SURVEY FORM) 22 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Marlboro is a well known brand around the world. Marlboro is from Philip Morris & Co, Ltd. Marlboro stands 39% of the market share around the world. But over the past few years Marlboro sales volume has decreased over the years due to competitions. We have conducted a survey to find out why Marlboro sales volume has been decreasing over the past few years. The total no. of respondents is 60. We have used exploratory methods for the surveys. Our findings reflected that most of the respondents who have switch to other brands of cigarettes were due mainly to the high price of Marlboro. From our findings we can conclude that Marlboro has high quality tobacco. Also we found out that young female smokers might have the tendency to quit smoking in the near future because they find that the new cigarettes package design is too gross and irritating. This goes to show that the anti-smoking campaign in Singapore is quite effective on certain amount of smokers. Our conclusion and recommendations to Marlboro is that they can come up with a new type of cigarettes with lower quality and cheaper prices in order for them to regain their market shares. 2. BACKGROUND 2002 marked the 100-year anniversary for our Company. Philip Morris & Co., Ltd. incorporated as a small tobacco company in New York City in 1902. In 1960, Philip Morris remained the smallest among the six major tobacco companies in the U.S. Our focus on hiring the best people, producing the highest quality products, committing to continued impro...

A Critical Analysis of Duncan Joness Moon Essay

A Critical Analysis of Duncan Joness Moon - Essay Example The movie setup represents a futuristic aspect whereby human beings have managed to solve their fuel problems, and hence managed to substitute the earthly fuel reserves with newly discovered oil supplements on the moon. Therefore, Sam’s role was to make observations, and communicate with other members of the extraction team on earth. For, a common case, human beings perceive science fiction to be associated with scientific innovations and matters concerning the space and the moon in general. Human being's perception about science fiction involves the belief that the moon and other features found within the earths galaxy basically indicated untapped fields. As a result , most of the scriptwriters and movie directors tend to incorporate the aspects of complex machinery, with amazing features and abilities. This feature basically forms an illusion that some of the features that are relayed in the movies will be realized after a number of years. This feature makes up the entire co ntent of the science fiction movies. The features will be the basis of discussion in the following essay. The movie moon, clearly illustrated the various innovations that the modern day scientist has not been able to achieve. It is a clear reflection of the scientific milestones that human beings hope to achieve in the near future. According to the movie, the human being character exhibited , gives the impression that the post -modern human being is surely and educated on the various earthly complications, that affect life, on the surface of the earth. Secondly, the human being exhibited in the movie is also knowledgeable about the various environmental implications of mining, and the results of disruption of activities in the biosphere. According to Science Tech Story (2013), Science fiction movies are usually far from reality. The Creators of such movies, do not usually have the real data and reference material that can back up their illustrations. They base their work on mere spe culation, and also the relation to the present innovations, that have come up in comparison to the previously produced science fiction films. In comparison to Cinema, science fiction according to Bradshaw. P (2009), takes an animated view, most of the highlighted subjects are usually fabricated, or the authors merely make an assumption of futuristic occurrences. Generally, the information reflected upon is entirely false, or there is some little bit of truth in it. Scott. A.O ( 2009), noted that science fiction movies tend to adopt some of the already proven information. In addition, they make certain alterations to it, in order to enable people to relate to it, which might in a way influence how they respond to the movie. A cinema on the other hand is not different from science fiction, according to Velasco. R. J (2013), cinema is basically the British name for movie theatres. Science fiction is in itself a component of both cinema and television. Many schools may hold the opinion that one is the improvement of the other, but in real sense both are different from each other. Science fiction is a field that is endowed with numerous scientific modifications. To be able to come up with efficient technology, involving both cinema and television viewing, there must be an application of efficient technological advancements that back up this invention. This among other issues generally relates to both fields. Science fiction is a field related to advancement in technological creations. Some of the innovations made in the yester years that served as key indicators of the changes are displayed by the televisions. Science fiction relays the future as time with significant changes in motion. When the same

Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons - Essay Example This is not to suggest that hybrid vehicles do not provide certain benefits, they most certainly do, but that some of the benefits are not as complete as the media would have us believe. Indeed, in addition to certain overstatements regarding the benefits of hybrid vehicles, there are some disadvantages. A more sober analysis of hybrid vehicles demands a careful examination of the extant of the advantages and disadvantages rather than lofty statements unsupported by the evidence. To this end this essay will discuss the rationale for pursuing hybrid technologies, define more precisely what is meant by a hybrid vehicle, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages. As an initial matter, one cannot understate the significance of the motor vehicle to the American way of life. They are pervasive as they are used by individuals for leisure, by individuals for getting to work, and by businesses for commercial transportation. A review of the statistical data is staggering. In a recent report by the United States Department of Transportation it was stated that there are more than one hundred and thirty-six million automobiles, more than ninety-five million other types of two-axle four tire motor vehicles, and more than eight hundred busses, more than eight million trucks (Number of Aircraft, Railcars, Vehicles, and Vessels, 2005: n.p.). In short, there are there are, perhaps, more motor vehicles in the United States than human beings. Having this many vehicles, in turn has consequences. The pollution generated by these motor vehicles is similarly staggering. The 28th National Air Quality and Emission Trends Report, for instance, that motor vehicle mi les traveled continues to increase and that this factor is one of the most significant contributors to air pollution (2003: 1). This pollution poses severe risks to public health; indeed as again stated by the 28th National Air Quality and Emission Trends Report "Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on human health, including respiratory problems, hospitalization for heart or lung diseases, and even premature death. Children are at greater risk because they are generally more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. The elderly and people with heart or lung diseases are also more sensitive to some types of air pollution" (2003: n.p.) Even a cursory examination of the relevant statistical data demonstrates that motor vehicles are pervasive in American society and that they generate substantial expenses both in terms of financial expenditures and in terms of public health. Hybrid Cars: Definition and a Comparative Analysis It is within this context, attempting to minimize financial, environmental, and public health costs, that the hybrid car has generated so much excitement. Most generally, a hybrid car refers to a car that can use two or more separate sources of power. Although there are different types of hybrid motor vehicles, this essay is most concerned with a hybrid car that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as its two separate sources of power. This further reduces the analysis to power which is typically generated by oil versus power which is generated by an electric battery. This type of car has proven extraordinarily