High Employee Turnover Among Travel Agencies in Malaysia Essay

1.0 Introduction The tourism industry in Malaysia has grown immensely due to its potential and unique competitive edge. The sector has increased its importance within the Malaysian economy, since the 1990’s according to Bashir, M. and Ahmad, N., et al. (2008). It carries on to be a leading foreign exchange achiever, continually acting as a crucial contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, business and employment opportunity, investments, and empowering the balance of payments account. Within the last decade, the tourism industry has made rapid progression and this progression is reflected in the increase of tourist arrivals and receipts. Tourist arrivals have increased significantly by almost 59% from 10.22 million in 2000 to 25.03 million in 2012 (Corporate.tourism.gov.my, n.d.). Tourism receipts in Malaysia contributed 56% of the total services receipts average between 2008 and 2012, generating a surplus in the country’s balance of payments accounts (Cor porate.tourism.gov.my, n.d.). The tourism sector has become the second-largest contributor towards economic growth of currency exchange (Table 1). Table 1. Tourist Arrivals & Receipts to Malaysia Source: (Tourism Malaysia, 2013) In a recent study, Mazumder et al. (2011) concluded that tourism not only impacts service sectors but contributes substantially to all sectors of the Malaysian economy. The economic after-effect of tourism exists extensively within the expansion of the globalization process; this in turn increases the industry’s development worldwide. Furthermore, it not only generates a ripple effect but boosts the intersectoral links within the economy, through these links; international tourism consumption will impact nearly all sectors of the economy. Therefore, looking at how important this industry is for the economy, this report aims to find methods to retain employees in various sectors of the travel sector with the main focus towards travel agencies. 1.1 Issue The main issue being assessed in this report is focused on high staff turnover. However the main component of this research is strongly related to â€Å"turnover intent†, rather than turnover itself. 1.2 Study Aim In today’s competitive world, the travel industry has proved to become one of the most unique tools used for economic progression. Along with that, it has also helped improve social incorporation and multinational interpretation and understanding of diverse cultures. This allows travel agencies to expand target markets. Moreover, also in this unstable business environment, travel agencies that wish to succeed need to be accepting of change. They need to be able to not only meet but also surpass the threats and opportunities presented to them by their competitors. Numerous researches have been carried out to study the relation between turnover intent and job satisfaction. However, little interest is given to travel agencies, although they make up an important part of the tourism industry. When turnover intent occurs among service occupations such as those of the travel industry, there is not only a negative impact on the management and firms but also on the servic e and products quality, hence this may show a negative result in customer satisfaction. This research discusses how travel agencies need to focus on employee management and retention. The main issue being assessed is focused on high staff turnover intent among employees in travel agencies. 1.3 Research Objectives 1) The factors that influence turnover intent among newcomers in travel agencies. 2) To provide recommendation that could prevent or at least reduce this issue. 1.4 Purpose of study According to Kennedy and Berger (1994), turnover rate is generally at its highest among those employees who are newcomers in the company, and occurs within the duration of the first four weeks on the job. Therefore, the first objective is to identify factors that influence turnover intent among newcomers in travel agencies. However, every problem also normally has a solution or at least if there is no specific solution, there are various methods that can be applied to ‘control’ the problem. Hence, understanding the methods that can either solve or control turnover intent is the second objective of this research. 2.0 Literature Review Employee turnover is deliberated as an obstacle to attaining high levels of productivity and efficacy in business jobs or operations (Deery & Shaw, 1997), especially in the travel industry, where the relationship among employees and customers is crucial. A high employee turnover rate is a major factor that reflects a decrease in customer satisfaction; this in turn impacts a loss in repeat customers and reputation of being a good business. Prior researches state that the more work experience an individual has, the less likely they are to leave (Boles et al., 1995). It was also said that hiring individuals who have experience within the travel industry could reduce turnover intent among travel agencies. 2.1 Defining job turnover intent Turnover can be defined as the decision to withdraw from current jobs by taking part in a series of psychological steps (Mobley, 1977): ââ€" ¡ Evaluation of job ââ€" ¡ Experienced job dissatisfaction ââ€" ¡ Thinking of quitting ââ€" ¡ Evaluation of expected utility search and cost of quitting ââ€" ¡ Interaction to search for alternatives ââ€" ¡ Search for alternatives ââ€" ¡ Evaluation of alternatives ââ€" ¡ Comparison of alternatives vs. present job ââ€" ¡ Intention to quit/stay ââ€" ¡ Quit/Stay 2.2 Factors influencing job turnover intent There are a number of factors that have been associated with turnover intent in studies that have been conducted in the past. However, most researches have mainly focused on personal differences, age, education, knowledge, income, gender, and job level to name a few determinants that have been identified to influence job satisfaction (Fournet et al., 1996). Researchers believe that age, tenure, job level, and income are associated with job satisfaction (Herzberg et al., 1957). Mei-Chih et al. (2007) showed there is a relationship between job satisfaction and age. According to De Vaney and Chen (2003) age has an effect on job satisfaction. Results from several studies indicate that there is a relationship between sex and job satisfaction (Bilgic, 1998; Lumpkin & Tudor, 1990; Goh & Koh, 1991 and Oshagbemi, 2000). Some studies conducted by Lumkin & Tudor (1990) and Stedham & Yamamura (2003) showed that female managers are given less pay and ar e hence, surely less satisfied with their compensation, promotions, and overall work satisfaction. Studies established that job occupancy has been determined as a factor related to job satisfaction (Herzberg et al, 1957; Lee & Wilbur, 1985; Schuh, 1967). Sokoya (2000) instituted that there is a major difference between job occupancy and job satisfaction. Raymond and Elizabeth (1985) demonstrated that job occupancy has impact on job satisfaction. Cotton & Tuttle (1986) focused their theory on the supplements of turnover and then into their factors: (1) external correlates; (2) structural or work-related factors; (3) personal characteristics of employees. In a different, more recent study conducted by Griffith et al. (2000), gave a more comprehensive explanation about antecedents of turnover. These antecedents were classified into four groups, these include: 1) Demographic predictors 2) Job satisfaction, organization factors, work environment factors 3) Job content, external environment factors 4) Other behavioral predictors 3.0 Methodology The research conducted for this study is qualitative, using the probability method for selection of candidates. The primary method was interviews conducted focusing on focusing on the factors that influence ‘turnover intent’ among employees. Whereas, the interviews helped grasp knowledge as to why employers/managers think ‘turnover intent’ occurs and what sort of precautionary measures can be implemented to control or better reduce turnover intent. Then secondary information was gathered on previous studies regarding the same issue i.e. turnover intent among employees in travel agencies. This information was found through books, journals, and reliable websites. 3.1 Interviews Technique The survey was conducted amongst employees of five different travel agencies. The employees were selected at random to avoid any biasness. The interviews on the other hand, were conducted amongst people at the top of the food-chain in the tourism and travel industry in Malaysia. Interviewees were selected at random to gain perspective from various individuals regarding the same issue. 3.3 SIZE OF SAMPLE As mentioned previously, the survey was conducted among employees from five different travel agencies in Malaysia. Within each of these travel agencies, 7 employees from any department were selected to fill out the survey at random. The total number of survey samples analysed were 30, although the total number of survey forms distributed personally were 35. The reason was that every respondent may not fill in the form completely and correctly and therefore, out of 35 survey’s 30 properly filled out surveys were carefully examined to ensure validity of results. The survey was also made available online on surveymonkey.com to gather results in a convenient and fast method. This information gave insight for the thoughts of employees from different regions and states in Malaysia. The interviews were conducted with five individuals who are managers or CEO’s at the five travel agencies from where the employees were surveyed. 3.4 SAMPLING PROCEDURE There are different methods of distributing the surveys; by post, e-mail, or personally. For this particular research the surveys were distributed personally and also conducted online to receive results from travel agencies that are out of reach. Also a higher number of responses increased the accuracy of results. 4.0 Findings and Discussion 5.0 Recommendations So many questions arise as to what factors cause turnover intentions among employees in travel agencies, one of the questions is: Could the problem possibly root from the tourism education and training itself? Since, the operations of travel agencies are not very precise and adequate (i.e. there is no exact procedure to be followed in jobs of those working in travel agencies), it may be possible that students who graduate with a diploma/degree in tourism related studies are not well-prepared to deal with globalization and the effects it has on the tourism industry. Therefore, training and development has an important impact on the development of skilled professionals prepared for the business operations taking part in travel agencies on a daily basis.

Consumer Perception towards Organic Food Products in India Essay

Consumers worldwide are becoming health conscious and are concerned about nutrition (Hart, 2000) and the quality of food consumed. Consumers are also increasingly concerned with food safety issues taking into consideration, the recent salmonella case in Germany and elsewhere. Gil, Gracia and Sanchez (2000) have investigated that consumers are getting health conscious and are paying more attention to quality of food consumed. Therefore, food must deliver an added value that are sought after by consumers besides basic hedonistic and functional needs such as nutrition, taste, health, favorable price-quality ratio, etc., in the selection of food. This added value may be perceived in the form of ecological, social and individual bene? t. A study on consumer perception towards organic food products may add insight into the nascent but emerging organic food industry in India. The review of related literature in the area of organic food products and consumer perception studied has provided many insights for the study. It has also provided direction in designing the present study. A number of researchers have identi? ed various factors that in? uence consumer perception of organic food products mainly in developed countries. Some studies have also been undertaken in Asian countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Very few researchers have attempted to focus in detail the various factors that in? uence consumer perception towards organic food. Having reviewed several studies and having identi? ed the gap, the investigator felt an imperative need to undertake the present investigation. Keywords: Demographic Factors, Organic Food Products and Psychographic Factors In? uencing Consumer Perception Organic Food in India The organic food market in India is at a nascent stage. Country speci? c research undertaken by A. C. Neilsen in 2006 has indicated that Indians are among the top ten buyers of food with health supplements but lack access to organic food products. Due to high logistic cost & low volume operation, organic food products are costly. However, India is an emerging player in the export market with billions of export potential. Also the domestic market is characterized by limited retail presence, low certi? ed branded produce and a small range of organic product offerings with respect to varieties though marginal growth is becoming evident. Some of the exclusive retail outlets selling organic food products in and around Bangalore are Hypermart, Spar, Spencer’s, ADITYA Birla group’s More outlet etc. Branded organic food products like ProNature, Navadarshanam, ITC’s Aashirvaad Organic Spices, etc. , are also available at most super-markets. Arogya, Jaivika Krishik Society, Econet, Janodaya, Era Organics, Khnadige, Foodworld Gourmet, Koshy’s Departmentals, organ, Green Channel, Namdhari’s Fresh, Green Fundas, Savayava Siri, Health Fo od, Srinidhi Nysargika Thota, Iha Naturals, Tibetian Organic, Iskon, Plant Rich, Jaiva and 2 4 Letter Mantra. 304 Business Management and Information Systems Literature Review Organic food is a topic of great interest in the USA (Greene, 2000), Europe (Food and agriculture Organization, 1999) and the market is fast growing in other parts of the globe (Yusse? and Willer, 2002). Crutch? eld and Roberts (2000) expressed that the last one decade has witnessed growing public concern towards issues such as health, nutrition and safety. Introduction of genetically modi? ed organisms, spread of Escherichia coli infections, etc. , have lead to the association of risk with the consumption of conventionally grown produce amongst consumers (Williams and Hammitt, 2001). Makatouni (2002) studied that organic food is closely associated with not just health, but also with social, economic and ecological sustainability. Organic food products is amongst the fastest growing areas of the food market in Europe, Northern America, Australia and Japan with sales exceeding $114. 5 billion in 1999 (Ebrahimi, 2007) with plent y of international growth potential according to agricultural & food industry experts. Organic food market in the South East Asian region constitutes average consumption of 20% per annum, while the organic industry is valued at US $25 million (Ramli, 2005;Organic Monitor, 2006). Research Gap Based on the above literature review, the following research gaps could be identi? ed and have been suggested as follows: 1. Fear over food scandals and certain technological advances such as genetic manipulation and food irradiation has heightened consumer concern on safety issues giving rise to a growing demand for quality guarantees and additional information about production methods. Despite concern towards safety of food consumed, consumers do not completely trust organic food products on this parameter and hence it is imperative to  conduct a study to identify the present scenario. 2. Country speci? c research undertaken by A. C. Neilsen has indicated that, ‘Indians amongst the top ten buyers of food with â€Å"health supplements† globally but lack access to organic food products. ’ Statement of the Problem The market for organic food products in India has emerged because of the following two reasons. †¢ To tap the lucrative export markets for organic products in the developed countries. †¢ Organic processed food products represent higher ‘added value’. †¢ Producers and Consumers general concern for environment and ideologies Incidentally, in India, most of the organic produce is grown to be exported to the $25-30 billion global market. The rest is sold at predetermined retail outlets. So, if the trend for organic p roducts is growing among producers then, its bene? ts must naturally reach the local population of a countr y. This will also ensure that the food products are nutrient rich as processing required would be minimal from the point of origin & consumption. Objectives of the Study The objective of the study is on consumer perception towards organic food products in Bangalore are as follows: a. To study the organic food market in Karnataka b. To study the relationship between demographics of customer and factors of perception of consumers towards organic food products Consumer Perception Towards Organic Food Products in India 305 c. To identify the in? uence of factors of perception on the overall satisfaction of customers towards organic food products . Hypothesis of the Study The following hypothesis was used to test the effect of perceptual factors on the overall satisfaction of consumers towards organic food p roducts. †¢? Hypothesis? 1:? There is no significant in? uence of factors on the overall satisfaction of customers towards organic food products †¢? Hypothesis? 2:? There is no signi? cant difference between demography of customers & factors of percep tion. †¢ Hypothesis 3: There is no signi? cant correlation among factors of p erception Sample Size For the present study, questionnaires were distributed to around 300 respondents, from whom 246 correctly completed questionnaires have been obtained, yielding a response rate of 81. 9 percent. Table 1. Distribution of the Sample According to Gender, Age, Educational Quali? cation, Average Spending Per Month and Frequency of Consumption. The Table 1 describes male constitution as 59% and females as 41%, the distribution of sample with reference to age wherein maximum respondents were below 30, according to education, maximum 306 Business Management and Information Systems respondents are graduates and 25% of the respondents are post graduates. fourthly, average spending is more than 1000 per month. Lastly, Maximum numbers of respondents consume organic food products on a weekly basis followed by a minimum number of respondents consuming organic food products once a month. The least amount of consumption falls in the category of once a month consumption pattern. General Findings Following are the ? ndings related to this study on consumer perception towards organic food products in Bangalore. 1. Consumers of organic food products evaluate product quality with the price theyp a y . 2. Demographic variables namely gender has a positive impact on consumer perception towards organic food products while difference in educational quali? cations do not have a signi? ca nt impact. 3. There is signi? cant impact of psychographic factors on overall satisfaction of consumers towards organic food products. 4. Consumers consider organic food products as safe for consumption. 5. The respondents have also felt that organic food products are healthy to consume 6. Consumers generally prefer to consume grain based organic food products followed closely by organic grains and organic fruits. Implications of the Study It is important to study factors that have an influence on consumer perception towards organic food products. This study helps consumers and producers/marketers of organic food products to understand the importance of various factors on overall satisfaction towards organic food products. An understanding of consumer perception leads to the creation of better marketing strategies. Here the marketers can focus on appropriate pricing and promotional methods particularly to increase the visibility of organic products to make a positive impact on their perception so as to increase potential sales in the domestic market. Consumers are both quality conscious and price sensitive. Marketers and producers should collectively work towards bringing quality produce in the market to gain market acceptance. At the same time, both marketers and producers should work in consensus with the pricing factor which is perceived to be one of the most important factors in? uencing consumer perception as well as their overall satisfaction towards organic food products. This will help marketers to formulate a strong communication plan in order to influence consumer perception towards organic food products. This study has identi? ed availability of information and promotional activities undertaken by marketers to be one of the important factors influencing consumer perception towards organic food products in Bangalore. Marketers can look into ways of increasing consumer knowledge on organic food products and help them differentiate the bene? ts of consumption of organic versus nonorganic food products. Conclusion The results of the study show that there is a signi? cant relationship between various psychographic factors on the overall satisfaction of consumers towards organic food products. This implies that both producers and marketers need to concentrate on speci? c factors so as to improve the market potential for organic food products and thereby contributing to the general well being of the society and the larger good to en viro nm ent. Consumer Perception Towards Organic Food Products in India 307 References [1] Allen, W. M. (2000). The attribute mediation of product-meaning approach to the In? uence of human values on consumer choices, Advances in Psychology R esearch, l, pp. 31–76. [2] Arzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, 50, pp. 179–211. [3]Baker, S., Thompson, K. and Engelken, J. (2004). Mapping the values driving organic food choice: Germany vs. the U. K. and the U. K. vs. Germany. European Journal of Marketing, 38(8), pp. 995–1012. [4] Brown, E. , Dury, S. and Holdsworth, M. (2009). Motivations of consumers that use local, organic fruit & vegetable box schemes in Central England and Southern France. Appetite, 53, pp. 183–188. [5] Cerjak, M. , Mesic, Z. , Kopic, M. , Kovacic, D. and Markovina, J. (2010). What motivates consumers to buy organic food: Comparison of Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Slovenia. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 16, pp.

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Scientific Management - Essay Example In the fields of sociology and politics, scientific management can be viewed as the division of labour shoved to its rational limit, with the resulting oppression of the workplace and devaluation of the labourer (Taksa 1992). Although the usefulness of scientific management in the 21st century has been largely criticised, some of its premises survive today in several major companies, such as McDonalds, Ford, and Toyota. This paper discusses the extent of the application of scientific management in the 21st century and how its limitations are turned into something productive. First, a presentation of an overview of Taylor’s scientific management is imperative. Frederick Taylor argued that actions rooted in traditional practice and established methods should be replaced by accurate processes formulated after thorough analysis of a person at work. Its use is dependent on a strengthened degree of managerial control over the labour practices and work routines of employees (Freeman 1996). According to Drucker (2007), Taylor’s scientific management, also referred to as ‘Taylorism’, is a deviation on the issue of efficiency. Basically, it means that Taylor’s scientific management is concerned with waste reduction, productivity or efficiency enhancement, and application of scientific methods in choosing what is really important. ... asise the application of economic theories of utility maximisation and efficiency and scientific study to make sure that industry and government functioned to their best ability—which was the larger cultural version of the influence of scientific management on managers in particular. Indeed, Scientific Management is all but a systematic philosophy of worker and work. Altogether it may well be the most powerful as well as the most lasting contribution that America has made to Western thought since the Federalist Papers (Maciariello & Linkletter 2011, 384). The words of Maciariello and Linkletter (2011,384) reflect the significant efforts of scientific management scholars’ contribution to the development of management theory leading to its adaptation in the 21st century. The scientific management scholars created the managerial expertise of job design or planning through specialisation and division of labour, and developed the original methods of mass production. They als o raised the value of selection and training of employees. They pioneered the use of incentive and compensation packages to enhance work efficiency. They opened up the application of systematic and rational techniques to work out managerial issues (Mullins 2010). Ultimately, they placed emphasis to management as a legitimate area of scientific research. Nevertheless, there are several limitations to be taken into consideration. Primarily, as argued by Nankervis and colleagues (2005), the organised techniques of scientific management have been discovered to have their uses mostly in secure work settings and have less relevance in multifaceted and risk-inclined organisations. Also, they gave a great deal of importance on the alleged economic and rational essence of humans, exaggerating humans’ need

Military's last barrier to Equality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Military's last barrier to Equality - Essay Example I agree with author that in the current environment of gender equality, there is urgent need to rescind the restrictions on women in combat positions. Indeed, women must have the freedom to choose the area of military services where they want to serve, even if they are dominated by men. McSally has justifiably pointed out that if women can be employed in combat positions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have the right to those positions in their home ground also. Women have amply shown that they are capable of competing with their counterparts in the battle areas also. In Iraq and Afghanistan, they have won medals for bravery and served in various combat areas like frontline battle where they have killed enemies and have also sacrificed their lives for a better world; at checkpoints they have searched women and children for weapons and last but not the least is that have successfully carried their responsibility of acting as agent in counterinsurgency plans. These are all important area s of combat positions that have been successfully breached by women soldiers. Hence, they have earned the rights to serve in these areas in their country also. Interestingly, the decision to restrict entry for women in various areas of military services like infantry, artillery, tank, special services and other specialty areas is not due to any law passed by Congress. It is in fact, the decisions of Department of Defense that have not been updated to keep with changing times. Author asserts that Mike Mullen, Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff, has realized that contemporary environment is highly vulnerable to explosive situations like terrorist acts of violence and ‘everyone is in a combat zone’. Thus combat related military policies need to be reviewed. National security advisor to President Obama has also stated that ‘women are already serving in combat [in Iraq and Afghanistan] and current policy should be updated to reflect realities on the ground’. These are important indicators to change and would encourage inclusion of women in combat positions in American military. Recently President Obama had passed the strictures to allow homosexuals within the military services. This was the most radical but much needed initiative that hugely supports the concept of equal opportunity for all. The court of law had intervened in the area of defense to ensure that constitutional rights of citizens is not flouted in the garb of social sanctity to various modes of sexuality. Sexual equality has indeed come of age and it is fervently believed that department of defense would now pave way for women in areas that were hitherto restricted for them. The ban of women in various positions and areas of military were broadly based on flimsy excuses. It was believed that ‘their position could disrupt cohesion, may create sexual tension, there will be insurmountable privacy issues; they don’t (as a class) have what it takes†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ etc. T hese are feeble reasons to promote gender differentiation. They lower the esteem of not only American military but also that of American constitution that thrives on freedom of individuals to choose and their right to equal opportunities in all areas of work. President Obama has often emphasized that justice, fairness and equal rights for all must become a ground reality. It is hoped that the same would also be implemented within the various areas of military services and allow women access

Unscrupulous Master of the House Essay Example for Free

Unscrupulous Master of the House Essay â€Å"Master of the House† is one of the few songs in the musicale Les Miserables that has a happy air, although I would say there is nothing happy or good-natured in the lyrics of the song. The song is sung primarily by M. Thenardier and a chorus group, with Mme. Thenardier, also known as the Thenardiess as Hugo calls her, joining her husband near the end of the song. â€Å"Master of the House† is one of the songs sung at the inn scene of the musicale in Act I. It typifies the demeanor of an unscrupulous inn-keeper who is bent on squeezing as much as he can from his clientele by posing such marketing pitch so base that even his wife deplores him. Like all other businessmen, it is understandable that Thenardier would try to entice a prospective client with lines that would highlight the best in him and his establishment. He tries to be charming, amiable, and always ready to be of service to his clients for a fee, after all, â€Å"everything has got a little price. † But his price tends to be a bit exorbitant, bordering on plain thievery. Although nothing is said in the song as to what he charges his clients for the services he offers, the list of â€Å"extras† that he charges, however, would easily outweigh the main service charge as the list could easily ran into miles for â€Å"when it comes to fixing prices, there are a lot of tricks he knows. † More than that, he practically overcharges for the wine and food that he serves his guests: watered-down wine, minced-meat posed as beef, and sausage made from horse kidney and cat liver. What he serves as porridge or clear soup to his guests, I would not even try to make a guess for sure enough it would appall us who have been born at a time when consumer protection laws are tighter than the belts on our waists. But then again, Les Miserables is set in the early 19th century, when such laws are not yet thought of as necessary. The thinking was that if one can get away with deceit, good for him as he gets a â€Å"good† bargain for his products and services; as for the poor client on discovering the deceit, better luck next time if he can’t force a refund. Thenardier was such a despicable tradesman engaging in deceitful activities in his inn that even the Thenardiess could not hold him in any esteem. Such expletives coming from the Thenardiess could only show her great contempt in being married to such a man, â€Å"hypocrite, toady and inebriate. † In a toast where glasses are asked to the raised in honor of the master, she would rather raise the glass â€Å"up the master’s arse,† or ass in American English. â€Å"Master of the House† is a very good song. It is good in terms of instrumentation, lyrics, and when interpreted properly, it can even be viewed as hilarious. But on close reading of the lyrics and the mirth presented in its interpretation we are presented with a reality that nowadays we, as consumers, are protected from this kind of a tradesman. We are lucky, that when we discover deceit committed on us, there are agencies that can help us get our money back or at least get the value of the product that we agreed to pay for. We do not have to resort to brawny resolutions of dubious transactions involving money. But to make consumer protection laws a lot more fierce and efficient, consumers should do their part: not to engage in illegal trade, intellectual property rights piracy, tax evasion and to report to proper authorities suspicious trade activities. There can never be enough an amount of legislation to protect consumer rights as long as consumers would not learn to defend and fight for his rights. After all, it would not cost us anything to be vigilant on small matters like these. I believe, personally, that it would cost us more when we are duped by the ready handshake, open palm and saucy tale of the next Thenardier that comes along our way. It may be 21st century, but Thenardier is still out there.

Factors for adolescent depression

Factors for adolescent depression Introduction Adolescent depression is not just a bad mood and sometimes depression. Depression is a serious problem affecting every aspect of life at the age of adolescence. Can be if left untreated, depression in adolescence lead to problems at home, school, drugs, self-loathing, the tragedy of irreversible even violence such as murder or suicide. Fortunately, depression can be treated at the age of adolescence, and concerned parent, teacher, or friend, and there are many things you can do to help. You can learn and symptoms of depression, and expressed concern at the spot the warning signs. Can talk about support and provide the problem go a long way to get back in the teen on the right track. Depression is more than the blues or the blahs, and its more of normal operations and downs of everyday life. When this mood down, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a few weeks, you may be a case of depression. Depression is a serious health problem affecting the total number of persons. In addition to feelings, you can change the behavior, and physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activity, and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures. Fortunately, there is a treatment for adolescent depression, as there is for the treatment of depression in adults. Most teenagers can be helped with psychotherapy, antidepressants, or a combination of both Understanding Depression in adolescence There are a lot of misconceptions about depression in adolescence and that there are teenagers in the year. Yes, the teen years are difficult, but most of the friendships of adolescents with anxiety for a good balance, and success in school or outside activities, and develop a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting outside the expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the essence of personality in adolescence, causing an overwhelming feeling of despair, sadness or anger. If the occurrence of depression in adolescence actually increase, or are we just become more aware of, and the truth is that the Depression strikes teen in many cases, more than most people think. In spite of the depression and treatment too, and experts say that only 20% of depressed adolescents never receive help. Unlike adults, who have the ability to request assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. Even if you have a teenager in your life, it is important to know what depression in adolescence, such as what to do if you place the warning signs. Signs and symptoms of depression Adolescents are confronted with a range of pressures and changes in puberty to questions about who they are and where to fit the natural transition from child to adult can also be that the conflict of the parents, children begin to assert their independence. With all this drama is not always easy to distinguish between moodiness in adolescence and depression is normal. Make things more complicated and adolescents with depression do not necessarily appear sad, do not always withdraw from others. For some depressed teens, symptoms of aggression, irritability and anger more pronounced. The difference between depression in adolescence and adult Could be that depression in adolescents look very different from depression in adults. The following symptoms of depression is more common among adolescents than adults to their colleagues: irritable mood or angry and as noted above, irritability instead of sadness and often the mood of adolescent depression. May be depressed teenager angry, hostile, easily frustrated, or are subject to bouts of anger. Aches and pains unexplained adolescent depression often complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomach pains. If a comprehensive examination on the body does not reveal a medical reason, and this may indicate that the pain of depression. extreme sensitivity to criticism depressed teens suffer feelings of usefulness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism and rejection and failure. This is a particular problem for the performance of more than one. withdraw from some, but not everyone although adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, usually adolescents to maintain at least a few friends. However, adolescents with depression may socialize less than before, and Im pulling from their parents, or start with a different audience. Could be that depression in adolescents can be difficult to detect because of moodiness, irritability, and antisocial behavior, negative and often go withdrawal along with the growth. In younger children, depression can present himself as a morbid preoccupation with death and dying. The child may present with intense fear of separation from a parent or parents and lose interest in participating in the games with other children. You progress through the learning process, one comes to the understanding of depression in a way that allows you to learn how to get depressed children and adolescents, like adults, and how depression can be treated in a similar way. And children and adolescents learn specific skills, and ways of thinking that can a) help lift depression and (b) help to prevent relapse. These skills are taught in some schools already with impressive results. Learn more about this topic as you proceed. Causes Not the causes of depression are well known. Probably a combination of factors of genetic, biological and environmental work. Genetic factors Because depression runs in families, and has a strong genetic component, compelling evidence suggests that depression is a biological phenomenon. The information from family, twin, adoption, and these genetic studies. Studies have found that relatives of patients who suffer from depression and 2-6 times more likely to develop the problem of individuals without a family history. Biological agents Evidence to support the theory that depression has a biological basis. Are closely linked and build on the biological causes of depression to anomalies in the delivery of certain key neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain). These neurotransmitters regulate mood and behavior associated with them. Scientists hope that the identification of mutations of genes that code for the organization of these neurotransmitters, and may eventually be able to predict which patients are more likely to respond to specific antidepressants. The effects of depression in adolescence The negative effects of depression than adolescent melancholy mood. Many of the rebels and the unhealthy behaviors and attitudes of adolescents are in fact signs of depression. See table below for some of the ways in which adolescents work or law in an attempt to deal with emotional pain: Problems at school Can cause depression, low energy and difficulty concentrating. At school, and this can lead to poor attendance, a decrease of the vote, or disappointment in the school the student is really good. Escape Many depressed teens escape from home or talk to flee. These attempts are usually a cry for help. Drug Abuse Adolescents may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to self-medication depression. Unfortunately, drug abuse does not make things worse. Low self-esteem Depression can lead and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame and failure and the lack of merit. Eating Disorders Anorexia and bulimia, binge eating and U U are the signs of depression often unrecognized. Internet Addiction Teens can go online to escape their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and make them more depressed. Reckless behavior Depressed adolescents may engage in high risk or dangerous, such as reckless driving, outside the control of drinking and unsafe sex. Violence Some teens with depression (usually the children who are victims of bullying), and become violent. As is the case with the Columbine school massacre, Self hatred and desire for death can lead to violence and homicidal rage. Suicide Adolescents who suffer a severe recession in many cases, think, speak, or do not attract attention suicide attempts. Should always suicidal thoughts or behaviors to be taken seriously. Support at the age of adolescence through the treatment of depression As adolescent depression in your life during the treatment, the most important thing you can do is let him or her know that I was there to listen and offer support. Now more than ever, and adolescents need to learn to express appreciation, or they accepted, and cared for. Can understand. Can live with depression in adolescence is a difficult and draining. Sometimes, you may experience fatigue, rejection, despair and aggravation, or any other number of negative emotions. During this time in the search, it is important to remember that the child is not difficult on purpose. Teenager suffers, so your best to be patient and understanding. Encourage physical activity. Encourage the teenager to stay active. Exercise can go a long way towards alleviating the symptoms of depression, and therefore the search for ways to integrate them in the days of your teenager. Can be something as simple as walking the dog or riding a bike useful Encourage social activities. Isolation and depression is getting worse, and even encourage your boyfriend to see friends and praise the efforts socially. Special Offer to bring teenager with friends or social activities to indicate that may be of interest, such as sports, after-school club, or category of art. Stay involved in the transaction. Make sure your teenager is following all the instructions to go for treatment and therapy. It is very important that your child take any medication as directed. Track changes in your childs condition and call your doctor if symptoms of depression seems to be getting worse. Learn more about depression. Just as you do if your child suffers from a disease, and said he knew very little about, read about depression so you can have an expert. More you know, and you will be better equipped to help your depression in adolescence. Encourage your teenager to learn more about depression as well. Can be read for their help depressed teens aware that you are not alone and give them a better understanding of what theyre going through. Conclusion Could be that depression in adolescents can be difficult to detect because of moodiness, irritability, and antisocial behavior, negative and often go withdrawal along with the growth. In younger children, depression can present himself as a morbid preoccupation with death and dying. The child may present with intense fear of separation from a parent or parents and lose interest in participating in the games with other children. You progress through the learning process, one comes to the understanding of depression in a way that allows you to learn how to get depressed children and adolescents, like adults, and how depression can be treated in a similar way. And children and adolescents learn specific skills, and ways of thinking that can a) help lift depression and (b) help to prevent relapse. These skills are taught in some schools already with impressive results.

APC Hypermethylation as a Prostate Cancer Indicator

APC Hypermethylation as a Prostate Cancer Indicator Evaluation of APC Hypermethylation From Serum Samples as an Indicator for Presence of Prostate Cancer and Higher Gleason Score Abstract Purpose In this prospective study it is aimed to identify role of hypermethlation analysis of APC gene from serum samples on detection of prostate cancer in patients with PSA level 2,5-10 ng/ml and its correlation with GS of the patients Materials and Methods Data from 142 patients underwent prostate biopsy with PSA level of 2,5-10 ng/ml was analyzed. Hypermethlation analysis of promoter region of APC gene from serum samples was done via methlation specific PCR. Patients were grouped as positive or negative depending on results of methylation analysis and compared for presence of prostate cancer and GS distrubution. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of methylation analysis were calculated. P value of 0.05 is used for statistical significance. Results There were 48 patients (33.8%) in methylation (+) group and 94 patients (66,2%) in methylation (-) group. Prostate cancer was detected in 43 of 142 (30,2%) patients after the first biopsy and 32 of these patients were in methylation (+) group. sensitivity and specificity of methylation analysis were 74,4% and 83,8%. PPV and NPV were 66.6% and 88.30 %. When GS distrubutions of the two groups analyzed patients in methylation (+) group were more likely to have higher GS compared to methylation (-) group(p=0,03). Conclusions Hypermethlation analysis APC gene from serum samples have shown promising results with its correlation with prostate cancer and higher GS. Further studies on prediciton of survival with long term follow up are needed to verify its value on prediction of survival Introduction Prostate Cancer (PCa) is one of the most important medical problems of the male population as it is the most common solid neoplasm in Europe having the highest incidence of 202,100 cases in 2004 (1). It is not only common but also a dangerous disease that it is the second most common cause of cancer death in men (2). These findings prove the importance of detection of PCa. However identifiying patients with clinically significant disease is an important issue, that is to treat patients that really need treatment while sparing ones that have silent disease. The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial concluded that 1,410 men would need to be screened and 48 additional cases of PCa would need to be treated to prevent one death from PCa (ERSPC-3). These findings point out that current diagnostic tools are inadequate for screening and detection of clinically significant PCa (3). Epigenetic studies evolved in the era of urooncology in the last decade and DNA methylation is widely studied for certain urological malignancies especialy for PCa (4). Hypermethylation of promoter regions of tumor supresor genes results in gene silencing. This epigenetic change in APC gene promoter regions has been shown in cancerous and precancerous prostate tissues,serum, and urine of PCa patients and sensitivity and specificity rates of 27-100% and 50-100% have been reported (5,6). However the current literature lacks studies that investigate corrolation of results of methylation analysis from serum samples and clinicopathologic properties (grade and stage of disease) of patients. This point should be verified to identify applicability of this method in clinical practice. In this prospective study it is aimed to identify role of hypermethlation analysis of promoter region of APC gene from serum samples on detection of prostate cancer in a population of patients with PSA level 2,5-10 ng/ml and its correlation with Gleason score (GS) of the patients. Patients and Methods. This study was approved by ethical committe of Turkish Ministry of Health. All patients signed informed consent. The patients admitted to urology outpatient clinics of Ankara University Schol of Medicine with PSA level of 2,5-10 ng/ml and who were decided to undergo prostate biopsy were involved in the study. Serum samples were obtained from all patients prior to biopsy and 12 cores transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy was performed by a single radiologist. Age, serum PSA level, prostate biopsy results were recorded and patients were followed regardless of the results of methylation analysis. Rebiopsy was suggested to patients with benign histology and persistant elevated PSA levels 6 months after the first biopsy. Patients with biopsy results of PCa were evaluted for staging and treated based on their stage. GS of the patients were evaluated in 3 groups GS:6 , GS: 7 and GS:8-10. The patients were grouped as positive (methylation +) and negative (methylation -) based on methylation analysis results and compared with results of prostate biopsy. The primary outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of methylation analysis. As a secondary outcome measure the results were also compared with the GS groups. Genetic analysis DNA extraction Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples using a PureLink â„ ¢ Genomic DNA Mini Kit (Invitrogen â„ ¢, catalog No. K1820-02) according to the manufacturer’s instructions and were stored at -20 °C until modification and MSPCR amplification. DNA integrity and quantity was assessed with agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry, respectively. For this purpose, 1% agarose gel was used and 260 nm and 280 nm optical density ratio values (OD260/OD280) were determined. Bisulfite Modification and Methylation-Specific PCR of APC and GSTPI promoters The genomic DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite treatment using the CpGenomeTM DNA Modification Kit (S7820, Chemicon, Temecula, CA). The DNA promoter methylation status of APC and GSTPI genes were investigated by MSPCR using the specific primers to methylated and unmethylated promoters. The methylated and unmethylated control DNA were also subjected to bisulfite DNA modification and PCR analysis, and serves as positive controls for methylated and unmethylated DNA respectively. H2O was used as negative control for the PCR reaction. The PCR reaction was started with denaturation at 95 °C for 13 min, followed by 40 cycles at 95 °C for 30 s, 56 °C for 30 s, 72 °C for 30 s; and 72 °C for 5 min. Statistical analysis Continuous variables were compared using the t –test. Categorical variables were compared by the chi-square test..Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were calculated. Results Prostate biopsy was performed in 142 patients. The mean age of the patients were 68,3  ± 8,2 and mean ages of the methylated and unmethylated groups were not significantly different (67,8 vs 68,6 , p=0,47). There were 48 patients (33.8%) in group 1 and 94 patients (66,2%) in group 2. Prostate cancer was detected in 43 of 142 (30,2%) patients after the first biopsy and 32 of these patients were in methylation (+) group and 11 of them were in methylation (-) group. Based on these results, sensitivity and specificity of methylation analysis were 74,4% (95% CI: 58.83 % 86.46 %) and 83,8% (95% CI: 75.08 % to 90.47 %). PPV and NPV were 66.6% (95% CI: 51.59 % to 79.59 %) and 88.30 % (95% CI: 80.02 % to 94.00 %). When GS distrubutions of the two groups analyzed patients in methylation (+) group were more likely to have higher GS compared to methylation (-) group (p=0,041) and results are summarized in table 1. Second biopsy was performed in 12 (6 patients in each group) patients totally. At these second biopsies, PCa was observed in 4 patients, and all of them were in methylation (+) group. Based on the total results of first and second biopsies, sensitivity and specificity , PPV and NPV were reevaluated. Sensitivity and specificity of methylation analysis were 76.6 % (95% CI: 61.97 % to 87.68 %) and 87.3 % (95% CI: 78.97 % to 93.29 %). PPV and NPV were 75.0 % (95% CI: 60.4 % to 86.3 %) and 88.30 % (95% CI: 80.02 % to 94.00 %). Discussion Epigenetic alterations, such as hypermethylation of prompter regions of tumor supressor genes are associated with many human tumor types and this type of alteration have also emerged as markers for cancer risk assessment, cancer diagnosis, and therapy monitoring in several different types of cancer (7-10). APC is a well-characterized tumor suppressor gene and it downregulates Wnt signaling by targeting the transcriptional coactivator beta-catenin for proteasomal degradation and this prevents its association with the nuclear transcription factor Tcell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (11). The activation of Wnt pathway leads to deregulation of cell proliferation and differentiation and is a common feature of many human cancers including prostate cancer (12-14). Detection of clinically significant PCa at an early stage is still a great challenge and current imaging modalities are often not able to detect a tumor and biopsies may miss the tumor focus. Role of gene promoter hypermethylation in prostate carcinogenesis, has been studied recently and promising results to improve PCa diagnosis has been established (5-7). In this study methylation analysis of promoter region of APC gene is performed prior to prostate biopsy in serum samples in order to evaluate the the role of this analysis on prostate cancer detection. Serum samples were obtained from all patients prior to biopsy and PCa was detected in siginificantly higher rates in patients with positive methylation analysis. In their study Yoon et al. showed that APC methylation levels were significantly higher in PCa patients than in benign prostate hyperplasia patients. Moreover, APC hypermethylation was not only associated with the increased incidence of PCa but was also positively correlated with increased GS (15). This has also been shown in other studies indicating APC hypermethylation as a reliable predictor of PCa and of its aggressive feature (12,13). Similarly, in our study, methylation positive patients were found to have higher GS and GS>7 was not observed in any patient with negative methylation analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of APC hypermethylation has been studied on prostate tissue samples and high sensitivity (89.3%) and specificity (98.1%) rates have been reported (15). In our study, sensitivity of 74,4% and specificity of 83,8% was found. These results are slightly lower compared to results of Yoon et al. and this may be due to source of DNA, that is higher rates might be reached when analysis is made through prostate tissue samples compared to serum samples. Additionally the results may be effected from the detection method, including the primer design, reagents, detectors, equipment, and protocols, all of which potentially influence the sensitivity and specificity. The important point of our study is making the analysis from serum samples to evaluate its role in clinical practice. The lack of such studies has been emphasized in previous trials conducted on tissue samples (15). Repat biopsies is an important issue in PCa diagnosis in the study of Trock et al. (16) APC methylation provided a very high NPV with a low percentage of false negatives, in a clinical cohort of men undergoing repeat biopsy.In our study, repeat biopsy was performed in 12 patients (6 patients in each group) and all of the 4 patients with PCa detected in second biopsy were in the methylation positive group. Our study involves low number of repeat biopsies therefore further studies with higher number of patients evaluating role of hypermethylation analysis from body fluids should be conducted on the topic of repeat biopsies. Conclusion Prediction of clinical significance of PCa is of clinicial importance and hypermethlation analysis of promoter region of APC gene from serum samples have shown promising results with its correlation with prostate cancer and higher GS. Further studies on prediciton of survival with long term follow up are needed to verify its value on prediction of survival. Conflict of interest: None of the authors have any conflict of interest Ethical standarts: The study was approwed by ethical committe of Turkish Ministry of Health. References 1. Boyle P, Ferlay J. Cancer incidence and mortality in Europe 2004. Ann Oncol 2005 Mar;16(3):481-8. 2. Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, et al. Cancer statistics, 2008. CA Cancer J Clin 2008 Mar-Apr;58(2):71-96. 3. Schrà ¶der FH, Hugosson J, Roobol MJ, et al.Screening and prostate-cancer mortality in a randomized European study. N Engl J Med 2009 Mar 26;360(13):1320-8. 4. Veeck J, Esteller M J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. Breast cancer epigenetics: from DNA methylation to microRNAs. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2010 Mar;15(1):5-17. 5. Kang GH, Lee S, Lee HJ, et al. Aberrant CpG island hypermethylation of multiple genes in prostate cancer and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. J Pathol 2004; 202: 233–40 6. Yegnasubramanian S, Kowalski J, Gonzalgo ML et al. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2004; 64: 1975–86 7. Moritz R, Ellinger J, Nuhn P, Haese A, Muller SC, Graefen M, Schlomm T, Bastian PJ. DNA hypermethylation as a predictor of PSA recurrence in patients with low- and intermediate-grade prostate cancer. Anticancer Res 2013 Dec;33(12):5249-54. 8. Kim WJ, Kim YJ. Epigenetic biomarkers in urothelial bladder cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2009;9:259-69. 9. Hoque MO. DNA methylation changes in prostate cancer: current developments and future clinical implementation. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2009;9:243-57. 10. Ushijima T. Detection and interpretation of altered methylation patterns in cancer cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2005;5:223-31. 11. Rai K, Sarkar S, Broadbent TJ, et al. DNA demethylase activity maintains intestinal cells in an undifferentiated state following loss of APC. Cell 2010;142: 930-42. 12. Jeronimo C, Henrique R, Hoque MO, et al. A quantitative promoter methylation profile of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2004;10:8472-8. 13. Bastian PJ, Ellinger J, Wellmann A, et al. Diagnostic and prognostic information in prostate cancer with the help of a small set of hypermethylated gene loci. Clin Cancer Res 2005;11:4097-106. 14. Gavert N, Ben-Zeev A. beta-Catenin signaling in biological control and cancer. J Cell Biochem 2007;102:820-8. 15. Hyung-Yoon Yoon, Young-Won Kim, Ho Won Kang, et al. Pyrosequencing Analysis of APC Methylation Level in Human Prostate Tissues: A Molecular Marker for Prostate Cancer. Korean J Urol. 2013 Mar;54(3):194-198. 16. Trock BJ, Brotzman MJ, Mangold LA, et al. Evaluation of GSTP1 and APC methylation as indicators for repeat biopsy in a high-risk cohort of men with negative initial prostate biopsies. BJU Int. 2012 Jul;110(1):56-62 Table 1. GS distrubutions of the two groups

Flat Tax Essay -- Economics

Flat Tax1 Current Tax System The current income tax system is very complex. It is so complex; that the IRS publishes 480 tax forms then they publish another 280 forms that explains the 480 forms. â€Å"The IRS sends out eight billion pages of forms and instructions each year, which, if laid end to end, would circle the earth 28 times. Nearly 300,000 trees are cut down each year to produce the paper on which IRS forms and instructions are printed† (Armey, Shelby). The main reason the tax code is so complex is the proliferation of deductions, credits and other special preferences in the tax law. Taxpayers with similar incomes can pay vastly different amounts in taxes because of these loopholes. This uneven treatment of taxpayers is fundamentally unfair to those who do not know the loopholes and is at odds with the American value of equality under the law. â€Å"According to a study by an economist with the Congressional Research Service, the corporate income tax costs the economy more in lost producti on than it raises in revenue for the Treasury. Dale Jorgenson, the chairman of the Economics Department at Harvard University, found that each extra dollar the government raises through the current system costs the economy $1.39† (Armey, Shelby). A typical American family pays more in taxes then they spend on shelter, clothing, food and transportation combined. Taxes now represent a larger share of the U.S. economy than ever before. â€Å"The American people are beleaguered by the highest tax burden in American history† (Armey, Shelby). During the last few decades, the tax burden has risen dramatically on families with children. High taxes have implemented unparalleled growth in government. With the exception of Japan and the United States, the U.S. public sector now is larger than the entire economy of any country in the world. The Flat Tax Solution The Armey-Shelby flat tax (H.R. 1040) rejects the entire income tax code and replaces it with a flat-rate income tax that treats all Americans equally. The flat rate would not be in full effect until its third year, with a 20 percent rate for the first two years and a 17 percent rate for following years. According to the advocates, this plan would break down the tax code, promote economic opportunity, and reinstate fairness and integrity to the tax system. Individuals and businesses would pay the same... ...ay work if the flaws were worked out and the tax did treat everyone equal, but until then the current tax system seems to be a better choice. Bibliography: Works Cited Armey, Dick. â€Å"Flat Tax – Not Just a Distant Dream.† WWW.Flattax.gov. Http://Flattax.house.gov/armey/article/insight.asp Armey, Dick and Shelby, Richard. â€Å"A Comprehensive Plan to Shrink the Government and Grow the Economy.† The Freedom and Fairness Restoration Act. March 9, 1999. Http://flattax.house.gov/proposal/flat-sum.asp Beach, William W. and Mitchell, Daniel J. â€Å"How the Armey-Shelby Flat Tax Would Affect the Middle Class.† The Heritage Foundation. F.Y.I. No. 90. March 12, 1996. http://flattax.house.gov/others/heritage/fyi90.asp The Doctor Is In – Flat Tax. http://freedom.house.gov/survival/flattax.asp Dunn, Douglas. â€Å"Flat Tax Fiasco.† Word Wizards communications. 2001. http://www.wordwiz72.com/flattax.html Lubick, Donald. Treasury News From the office of public affairs. February 5, 1998. http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/pr2201.htm Schaefer, Rebecca S. â€Å" Straight Talk about the Flat Tax.† WWW.Flattax.gov. Http://Flattax.house.gov/others/cse/stratlk.asp Flat Tax Essay -- Economics Flat Tax1 Current Tax System The current income tax system is very complex. It is so complex; that the IRS publishes 480 tax forms then they publish another 280 forms that explains the 480 forms. â€Å"The IRS sends out eight billion pages of forms and instructions each year, which, if laid end to end, would circle the earth 28 times. Nearly 300,000 trees are cut down each year to produce the paper on which IRS forms and instructions are printed† (Armey, Shelby). The main reason the tax code is so complex is the proliferation of deductions, credits and other special preferences in the tax law. Taxpayers with similar incomes can pay vastly different amounts in taxes because of these loopholes. This uneven treatment of taxpayers is fundamentally unfair to those who do not know the loopholes and is at odds with the American value of equality under the law. â€Å"According to a study by an economist with the Congressional Research Service, the corporate income tax costs the economy more in lost producti on than it raises in revenue for the Treasury. Dale Jorgenson, the chairman of the Economics Department at Harvard University, found that each extra dollar the government raises through the current system costs the economy $1.39† (Armey, Shelby). A typical American family pays more in taxes then they spend on shelter, clothing, food and transportation combined. Taxes now represent a larger share of the U.S. economy than ever before. â€Å"The American people are beleaguered by the highest tax burden in American history† (Armey, Shelby). During the last few decades, the tax burden has risen dramatically on families with children. High taxes have implemented unparalleled growth in government. With the exception of Japan and the United States, the U.S. public sector now is larger than the entire economy of any country in the world. The Flat Tax Solution The Armey-Shelby flat tax (H.R. 1040) rejects the entire income tax code and replaces it with a flat-rate income tax that treats all Americans equally. The flat rate would not be in full effect until its third year, with a 20 percent rate for the first two years and a 17 percent rate for following years. According to the advocates, this plan would break down the tax code, promote economic opportunity, and reinstate fairness and integrity to the tax system. Individuals and businesses would pay the same... ...ay work if the flaws were worked out and the tax did treat everyone equal, but until then the current tax system seems to be a better choice. Bibliography: Works Cited Armey, Dick. â€Å"Flat Tax – Not Just a Distant Dream.† WWW.Flattax.gov. Http://Flattax.house.gov/armey/article/insight.asp Armey, Dick and Shelby, Richard. â€Å"A Comprehensive Plan to Shrink the Government and Grow the Economy.† The Freedom and Fairness Restoration Act. March 9, 1999. Http://flattax.house.gov/proposal/flat-sum.asp Beach, William W. and Mitchell, Daniel J. â€Å"How the Armey-Shelby Flat Tax Would Affect the Middle Class.† The Heritage Foundation. F.Y.I. No. 90. March 12, 1996. http://flattax.house.gov/others/heritage/fyi90.asp The Doctor Is In – Flat Tax. http://freedom.house.gov/survival/flattax.asp Dunn, Douglas. â€Å"Flat Tax Fiasco.† Word Wizards communications. 2001. http://www.wordwiz72.com/flattax.html Lubick, Donald. Treasury News From the office of public affairs. February 5, 1998. http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/pr2201.htm Schaefer, Rebecca S. â€Å" Straight Talk about the Flat Tax.† WWW.Flattax.gov. Http://Flattax.house.gov/others/cse/stratlk.asp

Does raising the light intensity increase the rate of photosynthesis? :: Biology

Does raising the light intensity increase the rate of photosynthesis? Aim: To see if raising the light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis. Prediction:I predict that raising the light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis. I think this because light is the most important thing needed for photosynthesis. I then think that the rate of photosynthesis will stay the same when it reaches a certain point. I think this because the plant may use up all of the carbon dioxide (Sodium hydro carbonate) and the plant can have as much light as it needs but if it does not have any carbon dioxide it will not be able to photosynthesise. The temperature also has to be right. If it is too hot the enzymes will be destroyed and the plant will not be able to photosynthesise. The temperature and the amount of carbon dioxide are called the limiting factors. I think a graph of the results would look like this: Apparatus list: * Piece of weed * Paperclip * Sodium hydro carbonate * Water * Test tube * Beaker * Lamp * Stopwatch * Scissors * Spatula * Meter Rule * Glass Rod * Measuring Cylinder Diagram: Method: 1. Collect the equipment on the equipment list. 2. Darken the room, so that the plant cannot use light for photosynthesising from other places. 3. Cut a piece of weed that is about 5 cm long. 4. Put a spatula measure of sodium hydro carbonate in a test tube with 40ml cold tap water and stir. This provides the plant with enough CO2 to photosynthesise. 5. Fill a 1000ml beaker with 700ml water and put the test tube into it. This will act as heat shield from the lamp, so that the temperature will not affect the experiment. 6. Put the weed in the test tube with the cut end facing upwards. 7. Put the lamp 10cm away form the beaker and switch on. 8. Leave the weed to adjust to the conditions for 1 minute. 9. Time one minute and count the bubbles coming out of the cut end of the leaf for 1 minute. 10. Record the results in a table. 11. Then do the whole experiment 3 times for accuracy, then find the average and record in your table. 12. Do the whole experiment 6 times for 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, and 60cm away from the lamp. Fair Test: To make this a fair test I will not let any of the variables change apart from the light intensity because this is part

Case Analysis_The University Art Museum Essay

Executive Summary This report was commissioned as a case analysis to examine why the last two directors of the University Art Museum were seemingly at odds with the university and failed in their mission to lead the museum into the future. Further it provides prospective on how to move the museum into the future through successful management. Case Analysis The University Art Museum was a generous gift donated by the son of the university’s first president, who was also a campus alumnus. The university took great pride in the museum and even highlighted the museum’s photo on campus brochures and catalogs for years. However, in recent years university was not exactly pleased with the direction the museum was headed under either of its most recent two directors. It became abundantly clear that the directors had a different vision for the museum than did the university faculty. There was so much tension amongst parties that the previous director had â€Å"sharply attacked the faculty as â€Å"elitist† and snobbish† and as believing that â€Å"art belongs to the rich,† (Daft, 2013). What we gather from the case for analysis is that university did not clearly outline the direction of the museum, provide a mission statement, or make any formal written policy about how to run the museum or move the museum into the future. We also gather that prior to 1998 the museum ran just fine without the university needing any formalities. This could partially equate to the fact that the original director and his successor were previous students of the university. As students of the university they may have already had a pretty good idea of how the university operated. Additionally, the original director was also the founder of the museum. Whatever the case may be it wasn’t until the university began hiring outside the university that there seemed to be a major disconnect. At this point it is clear that there are some design essentials that need to be incorporated before hiring another director. With that being said, organizations exist for a purpose and that purpose needs to be clearly defined. The university faculty should first decide the organization’s strategic intent which includes a clear and  specific mission, a vision, and the principles of the university. Additional aspects of strategic intent are competitive advantage and core competence. In knowing the competitive advantage of the museum and the core competence, the faculty will be better positioned to build a strategy. Once the mission and goals are established the university should be able to set clear operating goals. Additionally, the faculty members need to take a long look at what they consider the failures of the previous two directors and see how their attempts to move the university into the future can be adjusted to fit the needs of the university, the needs of the community and lastly, paint the university in a better light, one not viewed as â€Å"elitist† or â€Å"snobbish†. Simply returning the university to its previous state could prove to be detrimental. Lastly, the university needs to have some formal measure in place to assess effectiveness of the strategies set forth. Simply put, just because the faculty is happy with the direction the museum is headed, doesn’t make it a successful venture. Conclusion  In conclusion, it is clear why the previous two directors have failed to be successful in fulfilling the mission of the university. Quite simply, there was no mission defined, no goals, no formal policies or principles, and no vision. If any director is to be successful the university needs to take the appropriate measures in spearheading that success. First and foremost, a mission statement must be formulated. The organization needs to understand the competitive advantage and core competence of the museum and built a suitable strategy or strategies around these values. Lastly, there needs to be a formal measure in place to assess the effectiveness. Once the university has taken the necessary steps to lead the museum in the direction it wants for the future, they will be far more successful in finding the right director for the job. Most importantly, the director will do a much better job of meeting the goals of the university faculty. References Daft. R. L. (2013). Organization Theory & Design. Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning.

Instructional Materials Essay

Social Studies can be defined as a discipline in which we can learn about our world and man’s interaction with his immediate and remote environment. Since Social Studies deals with how men interact with its social and physical environments, how can this interaction of physical and social environment be learnt by the pupils? This can be learnt in the classroom where teaching and learning cannot be conducted by the teacher by merely feeling his pupils with facts and information. There is need to expose the pupils to varied activities. The environment of the child is rich in varied resources. The teacher should utilize these varied resources to promote or stimulate learning among his pupils. Pupils learn positively not by hearing alone but by seeing and doing. How can the teacher stimulate the pupils’ interest? This can be done by the use of instructional materials. Instructional materials are meant to stimulate pupils’ interest in the classroom for meaningful learning to take place. They also afford the pupils the opportunity to make use of more of their senses in the process of learning experiences which are not available in the classroom or school environment, are â€Å"brought† to the classroom for pupils’ attention through the use of instructional materials. For example, the use of the map of the world in teaching some topics in social studies enables the teacher to bring to class these learning experiences. â€Å"This is why instructional materials is said to be aids to learning rather than teaching†. 1.2. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The study was planned mainly to: a. Provide useful information which will contribute in some ways to the improvement of the teaching of social studies in Nigeria primary schools through the effective use of instructional materials. b. Generate data that will help school administrators in their policy formation as regards the use of instructional materials in schools. c. Make available valuable information that will be helpful to educational technologist in their design of appropriate instructional materials for schools. 1.3. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Nigeria is a potentially a great Nation. But for the Nation to fully attain the enviable position of greatness, her citizens must be dedicated honest, patriotic and hardworking. This is why the federal Government of Nigeria is at present embarking on the project of re-branding the country with the theme, great Nation, good people. Educators have rightly identified social studies as one subject that can help to make these lofty dreams of greatness a reality. Therefore, it cannot be overemphasized on the need to effectively teach this subject through the use of instructional materials. Here has the importance of this study. It will be expected that result of this study may be useful in the following ways: a. Enabling social studies teacher to realize more than ever before the importance of the use of instructional materials while teaching especially social studies. b. Providing more useful information for social studies teacher as regards the various instructional materials they can employ in teaching. c. Providing more useful information for prospective designs of instructional materials on the need to provide suitable instructional materials for use in schools. 1.4. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM It is the consensus among scholars in Nigerian that social studies is one subject that is crucial to the realization of the Nigeria dream of greatness. This is the reasons why social studies in one of the cone subjects at the primary school and junior school levels. However, it seems the teaching and learning of the subject is hampered by the problem of lack of in adequate use of instructional materials. Therefore, the problem of this research is to look at the problems surrounding the use of instructional materials in the teaching of social studies in primary schools. Specifically, this study has attempted to provide answers to the following research questions. 1.5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. Do primary school teachers use instructional materials while teaching social studies? 2. Are primary school social studies teachers aware of the benefits of using instructional materials in teaching? 3. Does the use of instructional materials in teaching have any impact on pupils’ performance in primary school social studies? 4. Could the non use of instructional materials in the teaching of social studies in primary schools be as a result of their being inadequate? 5. What contribution does the use of instructional materials have on the teaching and learning of social studies? 1.6. SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of this research has been limited to some selected primary schools in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. The project is to examine the impact of instructional materials in teaching of social studies in selected primary schools in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas. And also to know how learning can be stimulated in primary schools pupils. The limitation is due to financial and time constraint. 1.7. DEFINITION OF TERMS 1. SOCIAL STUDIES: Social Studies can be defined as a study that equips learners with tools such as attitude, values and skills necessary in solving personal and community related problems. Social Studies is also a study of a man and his environment. It is also the study of many interactions with his physical and social environment. It is a study of how man lives in the society, what he does, how his life is affected by things, people as well as social practices around him. 2. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: These are the resources used to facilitate teaching and learning. 3. TEACHING: This can be defined as the conscious and deliberate efforts by a matured or experienced person to impact knowledge, information, skill, attitude and beliefs to an immature or less experienced person. Is also a systematic way of impacting knowledge on to the people. 4. ENVIRONMENT: These are what we interact within our surroundings likes highlands, lakes, rivers and vegetations e.t.c. 5. LEARNING: Advanced knowledge gained by careful study. Is also a permanent changes in behavior due to past experiences. 6. FACILITATING: Make learning easy without any difficulty 7. ABSTRACT: These are what we cannot see in our surroundings 8. IMPACT: The important or the value one devices from doing something 9. STIMULATING: The art of reasoning quickly and thought and feeling CHAPTER TWO 2.1. LITERATURE REVIEW The art of teaching and learning involves the interaction of both the human and materials resources in a classroom setting. Since human beings are social animals and they cannot live in isolation, they have to socialize and interact among themselves and with environment. This brings us to the question† What is Social Studies†? Social Studies can be defined as study that equips learners with tools such as attitudes, values, skills necessary in solving personal and community related problems. Information and knowledge gathered from reading books, journals, research works may reveal the area which have not been adequately researched into to us. Furthermore, reviews of literature sometimes provoke the urge to carry out a research based on what we read in the books or journal. Teaching and learning materials can be defined as any device piece of equipment, graphic representation, sound reproduction or illustration that helps the pupils to learn. Generally, instructional materi als are used to reinforce and to enrich the mastery of the subject matter. The roles of instructional materials have been of great importance to teaching in primary schools. According to Awosolu et al (1997), quoting Alani et al (1995) he said that since most pupils in primary schools are still very young, their intellectual abilities may not allow abstract presentation in facts without having to complement the content with concrete materials. It is in this regard that instructional materials are perceived as â€Å"aids to learning rather than aid to teaching†. Lawton and Dufour and Dahunsi (1979) classify social studies instructional materials in the following: 1. PICTORIAL MATERIALS: These include globes, maps, posters, flip and well charts diagrams. 2. PRINTED MATERIALS: These include textbooks, reference books, supplementary books, work books, journals, newspapers and magazines. 3. BOARDS LIKE: Chalkboard, Flannel or felt boards 4. MECHANICAL AIDS: These are audio-visual equipment and materials. Having known the various instructional materials, they serve as information carriers which are designed specifically to fulfill objectives in a teaching learning situation. In fact, learning resources in social studies are multi various and limitless. Social studies by its nature and content deals with the realities of men living in his complex environment. Hence, anything has to do with man’s behavior and interaction as a social behavior qualifies as an instructional materials in social studies. It is therefore possible to employ as many instructional materials as possible when teaching any topic in social studies because they help to stimulate pupils’ interest and reduce the numbers of verbal responses. A lot has been written on the impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning of social studies. Agun (1988) asserts that many curriculum innovations like inquiry or problem solving method of instruction or learning how to learn may not be meaningfully and effectively implemented without the use of a wide variety of learning resource. Generally, instructional materials are used to reinforce and enrich the mastery of the subject matter. As a matter of fact, Durojaiye (1978) declared that there is a large number of failure due to the fact that teacher are not doing their work as conscientiously as they should. The critics feel that schools no longer offer true learning and creativity to their pupils. Supporting the vies of these critics. Popham (1971) feels that social studies teachers and curriculum designers in the schools do not make any significant impact on pupils due to the lack of the use of instructional materials. According to Adusual (1982), instructional materials size could affect teacher’s effectiveness because, the smaller the shape the greater the degree of contact, and more effective the teaching and learning interaction. Assuming that there were adequate number of teaching aids it can be give to each of the pupils, therefore, the teaching of social studies without making use of instructional materials is not helping his pupils to learn. 2.2. THE IMPORTANCE OF USING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS It is pertinent for teachers to become aware of the benefits that accrue from the utilization of instructional materials in order to intensity their efforts at achieving effective result in their teaching activities. Weaver and Bollinger (1949) identified the following advantages: 1. They attract and hold intention: A verbal explanation become more effective in attracting and creating interest when supplemented by a visual aid. 2. Instructional materials help retention of information and visual images. The major part of the things people heard are forgotten in a relatively short time and it becomes difficult to recall accurately what is heard. On the other hand, the things they see make a more lasting impression and they experience considerably less difficulty in calling the object or process with increased accuracy. 3. They help informing correct images: People often interpret information in term of their own background of experiences. Consequently, it is possible and quite probable for a group of learners to form entirely different ideas about the same things as a result of verbal description. The use of instructional materials helps to eliminate this inconsistency. 4. They assist in understanding proper relationships of components parts. 5. More of the benefits, teachers can reap when instructional materials are used in the teaching process: According to Ogunmilade (1984) the ability it provides in the share of expertise, helping knowledge to reach a lot of people. Simultaneously preservation of records and documents. Bringing before us what otherwise could have looked imaginary or far-fetched; enriching learning and allowing students to learn at their own rate. Furthermore, using of instructional materials makes teaching more effective and facilitates also to master the topic taught to the learner. Finally, using of instructional materials make learning easier and pleasurable at the same time concretize the learning process in the learners. 2.3. PROBLEMS FACING THE USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS In spite of the numerous benefits accruing from the use of instructional materials in teaching and learning situation its application in our schools has been discouraging because of the following process: 1. Lack of Direction: This is characterized by lip service, paid to use to educational technology in high quarter. Apart from the meager budgetary provisions often made by governments for instructional materials, when it comes to implementation, the funds are hardly released. 2. Resistance to change on the part of the teachers. 3. Lack of readiness of teaching staff to use audio-visual techniques and charge their methods and tools within the classroom. 4. Lack of insfrastructures and facilities that might make the use of instructional aid more meaningful such as lecture halls, audio-visual, libraries, studios, independent study spaces, audio-visual resource centre e.t.c. 5. Inadequate personnel or specialist to train users of instructional materials in schools. 6. Fear of failure in their use 7. Fear that new technology would replace teachers. 8. Inadequate instructional materials: Since the inception of social studies programme, teachers have consistently complained about the problems of quality and quantity of instructional materials. The problem is traceable to lack of good textbooks, cost of textbooks, commercialization of materials, non-functional libraries and resources centres, gap between publication and dissemination of instructional materials, lack of quality control of textual materials and so on. In most cases, teachers rely on outdated and stereotyped textbooks which hardly reflect the needs of pupils. 9. Lack of Fund: This is one of the big problems confronting teachers in general, and social studies teacher in particular. The problem here is lack of motivation and incessant agitation by teachers for improved condition of service. Thus, primary school teachers including social studies teachers have lost interest in teaching even though they are still called teachers. Those who have the slightest opportunity leave the classroom for greener pastures. The incessant replacement that follows such frequent resignations leads to lack of continuity in social studies classrooms. The pupils are usually the worse hit by this. Furthermore, funds are not available for the provision of instructional materials, thereby leaving teachers to either improvise or teach without any in majority of the cases. CHAPTER THREE 3.0.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter is concerned with the techniques used by the researcher in the collection of data for investigation. It covers explanation on the choice and description of instrument employed for the collection of data. Also included are the sampling techniques, method of administration of the questionnaire and the data analysis method. 3.1.RESEARCH INSTRUMENT The research instrument used for this study is the questionnaire. The choice of the questionnaire is because of its advantage of allowing respondents to answer questions without any outside influence such as facial appearance that may influence respondents as in the interview method. The questionnaire used is in two parts. The first part deals with the personal data of the respondents while the second part contains ten statements which attempt to find out the impact of the use of instructional materials have in teaching social studies. 3.2.SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE The sample of this study consists of 60 primary school teachers. The sample was chosen from five primary schools in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. The sampling technique used in selecting the sample for the study was the systematic random sampling. The sampling technique removes bias in the selection of the elements, and it is convenient and more accurate than the random sampling. 4.3. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 1. Most social studies teachers aware of the need for instructional materials in teaching of social studies. 2. Most primary schools have inadequate instructional materials in the teaching of social studies 3. Majority of the social studies teacher do not make use of instructional materials during their lesson 4. Most of the social studies teachers agree that the chalkboard is one of the instructional materials which aid effective teaching of social studies. 5. Most of the teachers take their pupils on field trips majority of social studies teachers use community resources like red objects and resources persons because they promote learning in social studies. Most social studies teachers do not have overhead projectors, audio-visual equipment which can promote learning in social studies. 6. Almost all the teachers of social studies said that inadequate equipment is one of the problems which they face. 7. Most social studies teachers agree that effective use of instructional materials contribute positively to learning process. 4.4. DISCUSSION From the research study most primary school teachers are aware of instructional materials for the teaching of social studies. This observation is consistent with the assertion of Nduanya (1986) that teachings are more effective when teachers locate and use appropriate resources. Furthermore, it is observed that most primary schools lack instructional materials be it concrete or abstract to teach social studies. This shows that most primary schools in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government either lack or have inadequate instructional materials for the teaching of social studies. From the research study, it can be observed that majority of social studies teachers do not make use of instructional materials during social studies lessons. This is as a result of inadequate instructional materials which is due to lack of fund to provide instructional materials. This findings agrees with Agun (1988) who asserts that many curriculum innovations like inquiring or problem solving method of instructional or learning how to learn may not be meaningful and effectively implemented without the use of a wide variety of learning research. In fact, it can be deduced from the research study that most social studies teachers make use of chalkboard as an instructional material which is most important aids to effective teaching. This implies that the chalkboard is one of the instructional materials that is the most available instructional materials in every school. There is no school which will have inadequate instructional materials and will not have a chalkboard. Indeed, the chalkboard as one of the instructional materials is commonly used by the teachers. This findings on the use of chalkboard agrees with Ajimoko (1973); Dahunsi (1979), Akanbi (1982) and Osofisan (1982) they said apart from the chalkboard, the textbook was the next most frequently used of the instructional materials. Consequently, from the findings it can be observed that majority of social studies teacher take their pupils out on field trips. Pupils are taking out on excursion to relate their experience with the theory they have been taught in the classroom. When pupils are taking out on field trips they learn more about their surroundings as the nature of social studies and learning becomes more permanent in them. From the findings it shows that majority of social studies teachers makes use of resources centres. This indicates that pupils need to be taken out of the classroom to appreciate the fact that learning does not end within the premises of the classroom. When pupils go out, they need to be trained to observe event and learn without the teacher being around them. This finding agrees with Preston and Herman (1981). These resource centres become social studies laboratory in which pupils becomes young social scientists. From the research study, it can be deducted that most social studies teachers do not make use of audio-visual materials because they don’t have them. This finding agrees with Akibote (1983) on the very limited uses of electronic materials in school within Ondo Local Government Area. This is as a result of the teacher’s inabilities to manipulate any of the equipment since they do not have teacher training. Another related problem may be due to lack of electricity because majority of the schools do not have electricity. Another finding of the study deduced that in teaching of social studies, inadequate equipment is one of the problems faced by social studies teachers. This implies that some social studies lessons are done in abstract. So, effective learning cannot be facilitated. This negative effect may be as a result of lack of funds to provide adequate instructional materials in schools and teachers are not ready to improve because of their salaries are very inadequate. The results also shown that most of the social studies teachers agrees that most of the social studies teachers agrees that the effective use of instructional materials combine positively to learning process. The effect is that when instructional materials are effectively used, they facilitate learning and stimulate pupil’s interest. They also make their lessons more interesting and relief the pupils from the burden of tiredness while learning. CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of instructional materials in the teaching of social studies in primary schools. In this chapter, the summary of the major findings will be highlighted. The discussion will also include suggestions for policy making and areas where future research on the topic may be directed. 5.1. SUMMARY One of the major findings of this research is that most social studies teachers agreed on the importance of teaching the subject with instructional materials. Another outcome of this project is that there are inadequate instructional materials for teaching social studies in primary schools. So many instances, teaching is done without instructional materials. It was also revealed from the research that the chalkboard that is always available in schools is one of the instructional materials which aids the effective teaching of social studies. This study also reveals that although most primary schools do not have audio-visual aids, social studies teachers compensate for this by making use of real objects, resource persons and by taking their pupils on field trips. Finally, from this research, it was revealed that the use of instructional materials in teaching social studies contribute positively to the learning of the subject 5.2. SUGGESTIONS Although this study has not claimed to be complete, some suggestions based on its findings could be made on how to improve the teaching of social studies in primary schools through the effective use of instructional materials. In the first place, because of the importance of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of social studies in primary schools, the various ministries of education and school boards in the country should ensure that adequate instructional materials are supplied to primary schools. Secondly, the government should ensure that there is regular supply of electricity and schools in the villages that lack electricity should be provided with generators. This will enable the schools to make use of audio-visual aids such as television, projector and VCD. Thirdly, regular workshops and seminars should be organized by the various school boards for primary school teachers on how to make simple instructional materials and on the use of the various instructional materials. Finally, inspectors of education should constantly visit schools to ensure that the instructional materials available are judiciously used by teachers for teaching. 5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES Like with most researches, this study cannot claim to have exhausted all that is to be said on the use of instructional materials in teaching social studies in primary schools. Instead, this survey should be regarded as a guide for further research. Therefore, as regards the future, this researcher suggests some specific projects. First of all, a further investigation should be carried out to find out how use of instructional materials or lack of this affects pupils’ academic performance in social studies. In addition, social studies teacher should consider the instructional materials when teaching social studies at the same time there is need for education technology practitioners to write texts more relevant to Nigeria situation and needs such texts should contain model and samples of instructional materials and the procedure for making them by individual teachers. Furthermore, there should be a study on the suitability or otherwise of the available instructional materials that are being used in teaching social studies in primary schools. DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, EPE CAMPUS, EPE. RESEARCH PROJECT 2013 QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ON THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IBEJU-LEKKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE REFERENCES Alani, R.A; Oduyemi, O.G and Agagu A.A. (1995): Teaching Aids; Reading in Subject Methodology; Ijebu-Ode, Olaf Association, Page 29-34. Awosolu, E.O. and Fasasi A.K.(1996): â€Å"Teacher’s use of Instructional materials in Primary Social Studies in Epe Metropolis† The Beagle, Journal of Primary Education,, Vol. 1 and 2, page 71-77. Awosolu, E.O. and Fasasi A.K. (1996) â€Å"Teacher’s use of Instructional Materials in Primary Social Studies in Epe Metropolis† quoting Agun 1988, Nduanya 1986, Imogie 1988, Alani et al 1995, Dufour and Dahunsi 1979, Ajimoko 1973, Preston and Herman 1981, Akibote 1983, Akanbi 1982, and Osofisan 1982 in the Beagle, Journal of Primary Education, Vol 1 and 2, page 71 – 77. Olowoye, B. (1996): Principle and Method of Teachings. Ibadan, Afolabi Press Limited Page 107 – 120 Osunkalu, A.S. (1973): Instructional Media quoting Adesina 1982, Durojaiye 1978 Welberg 1970, Nwaogu 1980 and Pophas 1971 in a Journal of Teachers Guide Vol. 2 page 21 – 26. View as multi-pages