Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Forensic science and technology Essay Example For Students
Forensic science and technology Essay Rape, murder, theft, and other crimes almost always leave a devastating mark on the victim. More often than not, it would be impossible to identify the perpetrator a crime without forensic science and the technology it uses. Forensic science allows investigators to unmask the secrets of the crime scene. Evidence gathered at the crime scene helps to identify the guilty party, murder weapon, and even the identity of the victim (Harkawy, 1991: 276). The new technologies enables the forensic experts to have better and faster access to accumulated information, to be more accurate in the identification of victims or delinquents, and minimizes the possibility of wrongful accusations. New technology has improved the methods and techniques that forensic scientists and law enforcement investigators use, in order to provide a safer environment for other people. Information technology is one of the most important aspects in forensic science. It is very important for the forensic experts to receive the undisturbed evidence, such as fingerprints left at the crime scene, as quickly as possible, for more accurate readings. Thus using space technology, such as satellite communication, enables the forensic experts to gather and digitize evidence at the crime scene, enter it into an on-site computer, and beam the data to a crime lab for swift analysis (Paula, 1998: 12). Therefore, due to the use of this technology, forensic experts in laboratories can examine the evidence in short time, and the possibility of damage or unlawful manipulation of the evidence before the trial is minimal (Paula, 1998: 12). More often than not, criminals wear gloves at the time of the crime, thus to obtain a fingerprint can be a difficult task. However, they may leave footprints behind, which are often left in unusual places, such as a window ledge, in a flower bed or on a piece of furniture (May, 1993: 18). Computerized databases allow unskilled police officers to search the national database of footwear for important information, such as shoe manufactures, or evidence that links the footprint to marks from other crimes scenes. This footwear database enables the investigating officers to gather evidence against the accused much faster and it is also saves precious time ( May, 1993:18). One of the oldest forms of identification is the use of fingerprints and with the use of todays technology, many corporations can use this type of technology to help prevent various frauds. For example, in the mid 1990s Metro Torontos Human Services Committee (MTHSC) proposed the use of a finger- scanning system in order to prevent welfare fraud. People applying for welfare would have to place their index finger on a scanner. If their prints did not match those of someone already receiving benefits, they would be eligible for a debit card, which would allow them to withdraw monthly payments from any bank machine. This type of technology is not in use just yet, but it is available and would minimize welfare fraud (Sternbergh, 1996: 64). Computers are also highly used in forensic science. For instance, computer forensic, also referred to as forensic computer analysis or computer examination can be used in finding the evidence for white collar crimes. Many computer forensic experts can recover data from Computer Processing Units (CPUs) and software, which may have been manipulated with by someone, who wished to destroy the evidence. After the data is retrieved and interpreted by the computer forensic expert, the evidence can be used in a court of law (Computer, 1999). On the contrary, computers can also benefit those people, who want to enrich themselves through fraud. White collar crimes are, more often than not, very hard to detect because the globalization of the economy and information technology such as electronic money transfers have eased the path for the fraudster (Forensic, 1996: 12). Therefore, forensic accountants expertise has been used by many corporations, in order to detect individuals, who may be engaged in white collar crime. Forensic accounting is a discipline that deals with the relation and application of financial facts to legal problems (Forensic, 1996: 11). Due to their investigative and financial experience, forensic accountants are often needed in the investigation of fraud such as credit card fraud, false financial statements, false invoices, manipulation of cheques, .
Friday, May 1, 2020
What Makes America free essay sample
Since America has been created, tons of people have been travelling here and starting new lives striving for the success they deserve. Different aspects can add up to the identity of America. America has been widely shaped by citizenââ¬â¢s uniqueness, their ethnicity, and chances they have to become successful. Though there is a lot that molds American Identity, America has been shaped due to different lifestyles, which is illustrated through peopleââ¬â¢s individuality, religions and race, and opportunities. Everyone has a different lifestyle, which in the big picture creates American Identity. Individuality creates everyoneââ¬â¢s uniqueness and shows what people can bring to society. In ââ¬Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity,â⬠author Michael Jay Friedman explains the difference between the ââ¬Å"Melting Pot or Salad Bowlâ⬠metaphor. Friedman states, ââ¬Å"They strain at first to overcome their differences, but by filmââ¬â¢s end all have bonded ââ¬â as Americansâ⬠(Friedman). This quote clearly explains the strain that Americans have overcome to create a bigger whole, which has become America. We will write a custom essay sample on What Makes America? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page No matter how many differences each and every American has, they can all come together to create something much greater than anything else, a free country with a lot to offer. In another part of ââ¬Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity,â⬠Friedman defines how there is no picture perfect American. Friedman expresses, ââ¬Å"There simply is no one picture of a ââ¬Ëtypicalââ¬â¢ American. From the powdered-wigged Founding Fathers to the multiracial golf champion Tiger Woods, Americans share a common identity grounded in the freedom ââ¬â consistent always with respecting the freedom of others ââ¬â to live as they chooseâ⬠(Friedman). In the text, Friedman explains how everyone is different, but in his or her differences Americans can respect the freedom of others, letting people be as unique as they please. In this nation, people have the freedom to do whatever they like, but itââ¬â¢s up to society to respect their wishes and always welcome them with open arms. Individuality will always remain in the United States because of the freedom that America has provided to their citizens and continue to add to American Identity. Along with individuality comes religions and race. All the immigrants and differences in people, which include their ethnicity and their religious views, have molded America. Langston Hughes expresses how his race was not always free in America, but since then things have changed to add to Americaââ¬â¢s Identity and story behind the United States as a country. In ââ¬Å"I, Too, Sing America,â⬠Hughes illustrates, ââ¬Å"I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong. By Hughes saying this, it shows how going through hard times with segregation and discrimination gives America character and proves to citizens that everything is not perfect, nor is everyone proving that American Identity has been shaped by positive and negative attributions. With religion, Americaââ¬â¢s wide variety of spiritual faiths has expanded across the country. Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur explains what an American is in his piece, ââ¬Å"What is an American? â⬠Crevecoeur states, ââ¬Å"Here religion demands but little of him; a small voluntary salary to the minister and gratitude to God; can he refuse these? Essentially, this quote is saying how America does not demand of a certain religion, but giving thanks to your own God and minister is still important to show how thankful you are. Religion in America has always made an impact on citizens from the beginning. For example, in America, religion has helped mold and shape peopleââ¬â¢s lives incredibly. It helps people get together and share their faith, hopes, and dreams. Having so many different religions in the United States gives the freedom of sharing peopleââ¬â¢s beliefs and helping society understand the different benefits of each religion, making us so unique and independent. Race and religion contributes to America in many ways, remembering different struggles and strengths in each and every American themselves. Lastly, opportunities in America have been key to immigrants that are coming to America for new goals and hopes. Looking back on history, immigrants came from all different parts of the world trying to find a new life with new opportunities for jobs and freedom. In Langston Hughesââ¬â¢ poem ââ¬Å"Let America be America Again,â⬠Hughes tells of the land heââ¬â¢s always dreamed of. He states, ââ¬Å"O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic reath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breatheâ⬠(14-18). Hughes is saying how America is the land he dreamed of, and the land he dreams of has opportunities that are real and life that is free. Knowing that Hughes is African American helps society understand more how he struggled, and now that African Americans are accepted as anyone else in the United States, our land is full of opportunities and equality is in the air we breathe. Everyone coming to America now can look forward to the hopes and dreams they will accomplish. In ââ¬Å"American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicityâ⬠Friedman explains how people in poverty can still have success in the United States. Friedman says, ââ¬Å"Poor shoeshine boys or other street urchins would rise, by dint of their ambition, talent, and fortitude, to wealth and fame. â⬠Fundamentally, this quote is explaining how anyone can gain success in America as long as they have ambition and strive for their wealth. This shows how immigrants could actually make a living here and change their lives around for the better. Literally, boys who were at the lowest low could raise themselves and gain wealth and fame. A ââ¬Å"rag to riches story,â⬠says Friedman. Since America was announced a free country, immigrants have been coming to the United States in hopes for new opportunities and a start to a new life with a successful ending. Since the creation of America, many things have added up to create the character that America has accumulated over the past two hundred years. Though Americaââ¬â¢s Identity can be from a lot of things, due to American Lifestyles, America is shaped from individuality, race and religion, and opportunities. Looking through different chapters of American history, you can find these three things as a common interest in Americaââ¬â¢s past.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Three advantages of regulatory oversight for Gardasil to the health care provider
Acts as a good source of financial returns to health care providers The idea of Gardasil reveals importance of information and data sharing amongst regulatory authorities. There is higher percentage of individuals going for the vaccine; mothers encourage their daughters to go for the vaccine in order to escape the possibility of developing cervical cancer in future. This yields good returns to health care providers since they generate a lot of money out of such ignorance. Therefore, oversight of regulatory on Gardasil vaccine seems to be concerned more on marketing and influence than on the scientific effectiveness of the vaccine (Erickson, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Three advantages of regulatory oversight for Gardasil to the health care provider specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It gives the health care providers the benefits of prescribing drug coverage to many individuals Gardasil vaccine has been marketed for a long time as one of the vaccines having the capability of preventing cervical cancer. However, an oversight was discovered in assessing its efficacy. The vaccine is considered as one of the primary treatment against cervical cancer instead of being one of the intervening vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases. Gardasil vaccine can only sustain not more than four years clinical trial, this makes it unsuitable for use in the prevention of cervical cancer which develops within longer periods of time (Erickson, 2011). Concerning the above, health care providers gain the benefits of prescribing drug coverage and emergency care services. This is since Gardasil vaccine serves only a small percentage on the purposes of preventive care. Patients are eligible to visit any participating doctor or medical specialist for further direction on the use of Gardasil vaccine. This means that payments are made to individual care givers for the purposes of consultation. I f they choose to deal with outside health care providers, they still benefit but at higher share cost (Erickson, 2011). The health care providers have the advantage of administering the vaccine to women including young children who are not yet sexually active There is also the concept of risk-benefit balance which cannot change regarding Gardasil vaccine; this is attributed to insufficient information given about the drug. Vaccines are usually administered not to sick but healthy persons for prevention purposes. This makes it clear that the levels of uncertainity from the drug are expected to be minimal, hence presenting low level of risks to individuals. This is one of the ways through which health care providers benefit since they understand that though the vaccine might not be of greater benefit, its side effects on individuals can be tolerated (Milenkovic, 2004). Gardasil vaccine is administered against sexually transmitted diseases to even young children, an idea that is genera lly considered unwise. This age group of less than twelve years is most likely targeted for the purposes of the spreading phobia on the dangers of the disease, and at the same time maximizing on vaccine sales. All these activities surrounding the vaccine are not in any way scientifically valid. Administering the vaccine on young children has not been approved compared to other age groups; this is because cervical cancer is only prevalent amongst sexually active adults.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Gardasil vaccine is meant to prevent cervical cancer in women, however the current statistics also reveal that the disease is already uncommon in women, at the same time vaccines more effective than Gardasil are already present within the market. However, Gardasil presents health care providers with alternative means that is cheaper (Ayoub, 2003). The oversight by regulato ry agencies makes majority of the adult women to fall candidates of Gardasil vaccination, this is since women are encouraged to go for vaccination before HPV infection is established. This oversight has however led to breaking of moral rules safeguarding the field on healthcare, since health care providers consider the vaccine good idea even before undergoing efficacy tests (Ayoub, 2003). References Ayoub, D. (2003). What is wrong with the HPV vaccine mandate in Illinois? Illinois: Springfield Erickson, N. (2011). Gardasil vaccination: Evaluating the risks versus benefits. Retrieved from https://sanevax.org/ Milenkovic, M. (2004). Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Statistical Brief.Ã Web. This research paper on Three advantages of regulatory oversight for Gardasil to the health care provider was written and submitted by user Victor Bean to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Compile a scientific report assessing the validity of the Bioharness heart rate monitoring system against a criterion measure. The WritePass Journal
Compile a scientific report assessing the validity of the Bioharness heart rate monitoring system against a criterion measure. Introduction Compile a scientific report assessing the validity of the Bioharness heart rate monitoring system against a criterion measure. ) Heart rate recovery is an indirect marker of autonomic function and could be included in a future study measuring post-activity heart rate. This would reflect the bodyââ¬â¢s capacity to respond to exercise, (Borresen and Lambert, 2007) providing a follow-up from the current study which merely measures real-time heart rate and allow for an integrated observation of the effects of exercise on the individual. A heart rate performance curve, which is non-linearly related to work load, can be used too if it can be shown to be fairly uniform upon validation of the heart rate turn point. This occurs at maximal lactate steady state, but has yet to be substantiated with data from large-scale studies.à (Hofmann and Pokan, 2010) A controlled velocity experiment for each individual could also have been conducted to better calibrate the Conconi graph, thereby allowing for the observation of a heart rate deflection point. In conclusion, this study has been shown to be inadequate in proving the reliability of the Bioharness as an effective heart rate monitoring device. More robust testing is needed before the Bioharness is recommended as an on-site testing equipment for sporting professionals. References BORRESEN, J. LAMBERT, M. I. 2007. Changes in heart rate recovery in response to acute changes in training load. Eur J Appl Physiol, 101, 503-11. BRAGE, S., BRAGE, N., FRANKS, P. W., EKELUND, U. WAREHAM, N. J. 2005. Reliability and validity of the combined heart rate and movement sensor Actiheart. Eur J Clin Nutr, 59, 561-70. BURKE, M. J. WHELAN, M. V. 1987. The accuracy and reliability of commercial heart rate monitors. Br J Sports Med, 21, 29-32. CAREY, D. 2008. A comparison of different heart rate deflection methods to predict the anaerobic threshold. european journal of sports science, 8, 315-323. DICKSTEIN, K., BARVIK, S., AARSLAND, T., SNAPINN, S. KARLSSON, J. 1990. A comparison of methodologies in detection of the anaerobic threshold. Circulation, 81, II38-46. GROSLAMBERT, A., GRAPPE, F., BERTUCCI, W., PERREY, S., GIRARD, A. J. ROUILLON, J. D. 2004. A perceptive individual time trial performed by triathletes to estimate the anaerobic threshold. A preliminary study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 44, 147-56. HOFMANN, P. POKAN, R. 2010. Value of the application of the heart rate performance curve in sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 5, 437-47. RAO, R. P., DANDURAN, M. J., LOOMBA, R. S., DIXON, J. E. HOFFMAN, G. M. 2012. Near-infrared spectroscopic monitoring during cardiopulmonary exercise testing detects anaerobic threshold. Pediatr Cardiol, 33, 791-6. TECHNOLOGIES, Z. 2011. Application notes and white papers [Online]. Available: zephyr-technology.com/resources/whitepapers [Accessed 2 June 2012. WELK, G. 2002. Physical Activity Assessment for Health-Related Research, USA, Human Kinetics Publishers. WELTMAN, A. 1995. The blood lactate response to exercise, Champaign, Illingworth, R. WOLFE, B. L., LEMURA, L. M. COLE, P. J. 2004. Quantitative analysis of single- vs. multiple-set programs in resistance training. J Strength Cond Res, 18, 35-47.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Explanatory Synethisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Explanatory Synethisis - Essay Example Therefore, class inequality does not only affect provision of basic needs, but is a stigma that stratifies the society and binds individuals to static cocoons, which determines their quality of life. People in the lower income class in the society face daunting task trying to catch up with the rest in the social mobility dynamics and are sometime forced to lag behind their peers in higher classes. Locke suggests that a child born in a lower social class has a disadvantage not only in meeting their basic needs, but also in finding better schools and enough learning time to accelerate their learning process compared to their peers in higher social classes. The Economist (2005) in the article, Middle of the Class stresses that American education at the secondary school level is influenced by local property taxes, which suggests those living in high class area have more taxes to equip their schools with more resources than in middle and low class areas. To make it worse as the article ex plains, the increasing of college fees at state colleges that used to help children from poor families made the situation worse for people like Locke. Education is the key to a better future and the roles and responsibilities in a society are pegged on the level and standard of education in schools. Consequently, children from wealthier families will grab the top cream jobs due to the high standard of education received, leaving the poor children with lower rank jobs based on the low standard of education received. This makes it difficult for those in the lower social ranks to achieve the required social mobility in catching up with their peers in careers later in live, which increases social stratification levels. To bridge this gap, Yglasius (2012) proposes a system that ensures more funding in early education to equalize the rich and the poor. The motivation in this system is to help the disadvantaged poor students in attending the best schools, which would catapult them to bette r job opportunities similar to their wealthier peers. Social inequalities in the American society can be partly bridged by providing the less endowed with social security programs such as Medicaid, which facilitates all to have access to healthy living despite their classes. Yglasius recognizes the role that social security programs such as Medicaid have played in the society, though he laments that these programs have suffered from the effects of the recession and their effectiveness has significantly declined (Yglasius, 2012). In other words, Matt proposes programs that encourage pooling of resources to ensure both the higher and lower class citizens have similar quality of services, though there has to be proper management of such programs to realize this dream. In ââ¬Å"Middle of the Class,â⬠the article recommends improvement of policies that may lessen social inequality such as funding education for poor children, though the article recommends that Americans have to real ize there is a growing problem of social inequality in the country. This suggests it is only through pooling of resources that everyone would be carried along and not through the excesses of American capitalism that increases inequality in the society by increasing
Monday, February 3, 2020
Proposal Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Proposal - Dissertation Example It will also be necessary to present a description of the nature of Saudi Arabia, centring on whether it is a secular state or a fundamentalist state, and whether or not the people enjoy the freedom of speech and press, as this reveals whether a country is broad-minded in offering basic rights to its people. It is important to recognise the issues arising from the shaping of news content in the print media, particularly newspapers, of the Saudi Kingdom. Thus, the research will end by suggesting a profound solution to the identified problems. Justification News provides us with information on every aspect of life, and can relate to individuals or entire nations of people. Thus, the freedom of press and speech has always been a controversial and debatable issue, particularly in a country like Saudi Arabia, which is an important and influential Islamic state governed by a dictatorship regime. News coverage in an Islamic state goes through various filters, especially if related to terror ism, extremism or other controversial topics. This compels the states to take extra measures in relation to how they want to portray their image in the media, both locally and, in particular, internationally. Thus, the media in Saudi Arabia does not enjoy the freedom of press, like any other country in the Middle East, mainly due to government pressure. The news presented to the audience in these countries goes through a substantial amount of processing, screening and editing before being delivered. Eventually, the common people sometimes only acquire a limited amount of information based on the actual reality. Despite the obstacles, journalists and reporters in Saudi Arabia strive to provide the bitter truth to the people. Their job is tough due to various factors and issues, notably the strict regulations and the scrutiny of print media that influences the publishing and shaping of news in Saudi Arabia. In response to these regulations, most newspapers in Saudi Arabia are looking to increase their transparency and credibility with the help of international groups including CASTOR (Circulation Audit Steering Organisation). This is a joint venture of the GCC Advertisersââ¬â¢ Business Group, the IAA (International Advertising Association) and the Media Agenciesââ¬â¢ Council, formed in the UAE in 2005 with the goal of promoting the adoption of circulation auditing so to increase transparency and credibility in the print media industry. Given all this information, it is clear that the research question offers a great deal of scope. Literature Review The Saudi Arabian media system is underpinned by its particular history, just like that of any other country. The modern state of Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 after the capture of Mecca and four Arabian states by Ibn Saud, who went on to unite the entire region under the rule of the Saud family with the support of the Saudi tribes, merchants and the religious leaders while declaring himself King. However , the longevity and stability of the Kingdom is a result of its oil income, which has enabled the monarchy to deliver benefits to all sectors. Constitution Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with no written secular constitution. The Kingdom has rejected the imposition of such a
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Effect of Life Events on Effective Leadership
Effect of Life Events on Effective Leadership Meers study is qualitative in nature. The purpose of his study was to explore how the selected leaders made sense of their experiences by understanding the context of the experiences themselves. It was imperative to the efficacy of his study to understand the perspectives of the leaders as they related their life experiences and what impact they saw these events having on their leadership development. As life experiences are best related in story format, it best served this study for the researcher to utilize personal interviews with participants as the primary method of data collection. The stories that leaders told about their formative life experiences cannot be broken down into easily manipulated variables, but rather must be understood as whole events that carry complex meanings for each individual. As Meers began his study, a theory was not presented for proving or dis-proving, however, in the process of data collection a theory did emerge. This is consistent with the qualitati ve approach and specifically the grounded theory method. Strauss and Corbin (1998) define grounded theory as: theory that was derived from data, systematically gathered and analyzed through the research process (pg. 12). The theoretical framework of how effective leaders learn from significant life experiences developed within this study matches this definition. The situation studied within this project was the significant life experiences of effective leaders with the process being leadership and the phenomenon being how these leaders learned from their respective significant experiences. The exploration of leaders life experiences moved from the specifics of each individuals stories to generalizations that can be applied to the broader area of leadership development. Purpose Statement The purpose of this study was to discover the role that significant life events played in the development of effective leaders. The use of the term significant in describing life events could sound somewhat limiting; however the intent of this study was for participants to define for themselves what a significant life event entails. Utilizing a semi-structured interview process, leaders perceived as being effective were interviewed to explore the meaning they made out of certain life experiences. Through analysis of this information the author attempted to discover common emerging themes which impacted their development. Problem Statements 1) What is leadership? and 2) How do leaders develop? or, From where do leaders come? Alignment of Research Question, Purpose Statement, and Problem Statement The author of this paper believes that the research questions, the purpose statement, and the problem statement are well aligned. First, based on the research question(s), it was critical for the researcher to provide a clear definition of leadership. In doing so, he was able to establish a foundation for his study. Meers study looked at effective leaders. It was critical for Meers to identify what an effective leader is. He did this through his review of literature and the identification of leadership based on a longitudinal study that included theory from numerous pioneers in the field of leadership and organizational studies. Meers also needed to research the foundations of leadership development. Most specifically, it was critical for him to include prior research theories of how a person becomes a leader and how a person develops and refines leadership skill and traits. Meers purpose statement effectively describes the research questions using concise language. Literature Used to Identify Gaps and Tensions within the Literature Meers dissertation includes a comprehensive literature review of prior studies. He began his review by defining leadership, which he accomplished through his own acquired knowledge. After defining leadership, the question (mentioned previously) that then arises is: How are leaders developed? Where do they come from? To answer these questions, Meers looked to the earlier work of Thomas Carlysle called the Great Man theory (Wren, 1995). Meers then addressed the transformation of leadership theory during the mid part of the twentieth century. He relied on the studies conducted by Conger (1992) and Fulmer (1997) who both studied the relationship between leaders and managers and whose work provided Meers with a clear distinction between management and leadership. Fulmers research regarding early leadership training provided Meers with an overview of where the field has been, where it was at the time of his research and where he saw it headed (Fulmer, 1997). The studies conducted by Burns (1978), Greenleaf (1970) and Kegan (1982) provided Meers with further information regarding the transformation of leadership theory. In his seminal work, Leadership, Burns (1978) proposed the idea that there were really two forms of leadership: transactional and transforming (or transformational). Burns (1978) work then encouraged others to begin to think of leadership as different from management, with leadership being much more focused on relationships with followers and particularly on influencing others to achieve common goals. For the purposes his study, Meers did not conduct a thorough analysis of servant leadership and transformational leadership, but instead focused on the impact the articulation and popularization of these forms of leadership have had upon the field of leadership training and development. He looked to the research of Greenleaf for this information. Kegans theory of moral development impacted the world of leadership training and development, mainly by introducing his idea of development. Meers was thorough in his choice to include the work of these three theorists. Meers longitudinal report ends with the contemporary work of Peter Senge (1990) who focused closely on the organization as a learning organization. Meers makes a nice transition from his section on the development of the organization to the actual experiences of leaders and managers and how emphasis has been placed upon learning from work experiences, specifically upon using these experiences as preparation for advancement to higher levels of management or leadership. Again, Meers cited the works of Senge (1990) and Kegan (1982), and also focused on the work of Robert E. Quinn (1996) who explored the importance of personal change in leading organizational change. To further establish the foundation for his area of study, Meers looked to the work of Ronald Heifetz of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University who brought forth the importance of learning from personal experiences and specifically how the reflection on certain experiences has become a part of some executive leadership education programs. A particular method that Heifetz developed and one he uses extensively in his courses at Harvard is the Case-in-point methodology in which students in the classroom bring their experiences to class and in essence become their own case studies (Parks, 2005). Also included in Meers literature review is the qualitative study conducted by Shamir, Dayan-Horesh and Adler (2005) in which they explored the life-stories that leaders tell. The purpose of their study was to extrapolate common themes in the leaders stories that may provide further insight into leadership development. Shamir, et al (2005) made the case that a leaders own story and even how he/she tells it has a strong impact upon how influential they are with their followers. Meers referred to the work of Avolio (1994) whose work, although ground breaking in the area of leadership development impacted by life experiences, was somewhat limited. The purpose of Avolios study was to explore the correlation between certain life experiences and to identify transformational leadership behaviors. Avolio (1994) selected the life experiences he was going to analyze. Meers stated in his dissertation that while this is a legitimate approach to a quantitative study, it limited the choices of the leaders in regard to which experiences they could identify as having impacted their development (Meers, 2009, p. 31). Yet another limitation to the study that Meers reported was in the more narrow focus on identified transformational leaders and especially upon specific transformational behaviors. Avolios study found some correlation between certain experiences and certain transformational leaders but it did not provide a great deal of insight into the general impact of life e vents or experiences upon leadership development (Avolio, 1994). Much like the work conducted by Avolio, Meers looked to a study completed by Bennis and Thomas (2002). Bennis and Thomas identified what they call crucible experiences which they define as those experiences that generally consisted of high stakes and often were tragic in nature. There were also gaps in this study. As with Avolioà ¢s (1994) study, the field was limited as the leaders interviewed seemed more inclined to talk about experiences that they perceived as having an impact directly upon their leadership development. Meers felt that this approach may not have told the complete story regarding development as the participants most likely automatically limited themselves in the experiences they selected as having impacts. Also, Meers felt that the researchers conducting this study failed to identify the meaning of leadership. Due to these limitations, Meers believed that there was room for further research to be conducted with defined leaders and how they perceived they had been impacted by their own significant life events.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)