Understanding Experimental Groups

Understanding Experimental Groups Scientific experiments often include two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Heres a closer look at the experimental group and how to distinguish it from the experimental group. Key Takeaways: Experimental Group The experimental group is the set of subjects exposed to a change in the independent variable. While its technically possible to have a single subject for an experimental group, the statistical validity of the experiment will be vastly improved by increasing the sample size.In contrast, the control group is identical in every way to the experimental group, except the independent variable is held constant. Its best to have a large sample size for the control group, too.Its possible for an experiment to contain more than one experimental group. However, in the cleanest experiments, only one variable is changed. Experimental Group Definition An experimental group in a scientific experiment is the group on which the experimental procedure is performed. The independent variable is changed for the group and the response or change in the dependent variable is recorded. In contrast, the group that does not receive the treatment or in which the independent variable is held constant is called the control group. The purpose of having experimental and control groups is to have sufficient data to be reasonably sure the relationship between the independent and dependent variable is not due to chance. If you perform an experiment on only one subject (with and without treatment) or on one experimental subject and one control subject you have limited confidence in the outcome. The larger the sample size, the more probable the results represent a real correlation. Example of an Experimental Group You may be asked to identify the experimental group in an experiment as well as the control group. Heres an example of an experiment and how to tell these two key groups apart. Lets say you want to see whether a nutritional supplement helps people lose weight. You want to design an experiment to test the effect. A poor experiment would be to take a supplement and see whether or not you lose weight. Why is it bad? You only have one data point! If you lose weight, it could be due to some other factor. A better experiment (though still pretty bad) would be to take the supplement, see if you lose weight, stop taking the supplement and see if the weight loss stops, then take it again and see if weight loss resumes. In this experiment you are the control group when you are not taking the supplement and the experimental group when you are taking it. Its a terrible experiment for a number of reasons. One problem is that the same subject is being used as both the control group and the experimental group. You dont know, when you stop taking treatment, that is doesnt have a lasting effect. A solution is to design an experiment with truly separate control and experimental groups. If you have a group of people who take the supplement and a group of people who do not, the ones exposed to the treatment (taking the supplement) are the experimental group. The ones not-taking it are the control group. How to Tell Control and Experimental Group Apart In an ideal situation, every factor that affects a member of both the control group and experimental group is exactly the same except for one the independent variable. In a basic experiment, this could be whether something is present or not. Present experimental; absent control. Sometimes, its more complicated and the control is normal and the experimental group is not normal. For example, if you want to see whether or not darkness has an effect on plant growth. Your control group might be plants grown under ordinary day/night conditions. You could have a couple of experimental groups. One set of plants might be exposed to perpetual daylight, while another might be exposed to perpetual darkness. Here, any group where the variable is changed from normal is an experimental group. Both the all-light and all-dark groups are types of experimental groups. Sources Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579. Hinkelmann, Klaus and Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (Second ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.

An Analysis of the Components of a Business Plan

An Analysis of the Components of a Business Plan The purpose of this paper is to analyze the different components of a business plan. Each part will be described in a brief overview, with more focus being put on specific sections. The Small Business Association has outlined each of the documents that make up the proposal on its website. This guideline provides accessibility and reference for businesses to create a roadmap of their own. One important document for any company to include in their business plan is an executive summary. This component informs readers of what your business does, where it is planning to go, and what will make the company successful. The contents of this abbreviated description varies depending on the stage of a business. A well-established company would include its mission statement; explaining what the business does and stands for. The executive summary would also contain financial information such as current investors, and increased growth/profits each year. A new business on the other hand, would describe the decisions and background leading to the startup of the new company as well as the owners’ experience. This information is intended to show potential investors why the company would succeed in its target market. Another key aspect of a business plan is the company description which reviews the different aspects of a business. This is where a company will explain what market their services or products will satisfy a need. Typically following the company description is a market analysis which describes the industry and target market for your business. This is where a company will describe their strengths, weaknesses, and other components of the competitive landscape within their target market. After this, a business will explain its organization and management structure which is an overview of the company’s internal hierarchy. This includes a detailed description of the owner and management team, with resumes for reference to experience. An extremely important part of a business plan is a company’s service or product line which explains their product or service and how it will benefit consumers. This section provides specific examples of how the business’s product or service will fulfill customers’ needs and why it supersedes any competitor’s products or services. Two important details to include in the service or product line is how long its life cycle is as well as any copyright or patents that have been obtained or are still pending approval. Along with copyright and patent information, it is imperative a company lists any legal agreements to be acknowledged by the public. Following the service or product line, a company should state their marketing and sales strategies implemented to make their business successful. This information includes detailed explanations of marketing, growth, distribution plans in addition to strategic sales force and sales activities. Most companies seek financing from a variety of investors and therefor, must specify in their funding request, what this money will be used towards. Information listed in this section includes current and future funding requirements, intended use of the money to remain transparent with potential investors. One of the last pieces to include in a business plan is the financial projections, this is a company’s opportunity to demonstrate its current fiscal data and forecasted projections for coming years. Important points to reference are financial details from previous years such as statements, income and expense sheets, as well as collateral to use for loans. Companies must ensure the projections match funding requests to prevent prospective creditors from finding inconsistencies. Using graphs to represent positive economic growth, most businesses are able to successfully showcase their initiative to potential investors. The final piece to include in a business plan is the appendix, which contains all reference documents, such as product pictures, credit history, licenses and permits, legal contracts, and reference letters. To conclude, a business plan has multiple components that serve as an overview of a company’s proposal to attract customers and investors alike. Each section contains vital information to a business’s marketing and organizational analysis and strategies, funding requests, product or service features, and an overall company description. This plan provides detailed information regarding a company’s business model and future projections. The different information listed lends transparency between a business and the public.

Smoking Ban Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Smoking Ban - Case Study Example If these laws are in acted, the majority of the society or the 80% of the adults who do not smoke will benefit as their exposure to cigarette smoke and its harmful effects will be reduced. 2. A state should have the moral as well as the legal right to decide about the areas where smokers can smoke. This is because the state has a duty of care towards its citizens. According to the ethical theory of care an individual should make decisions while taking into consideration the people they are supposed to care about (Iep.utm.edu, 2014). The state and its representative have taken oath to make rules and regulations in order to protect its citizens and thus they have a duty of care to protect the citizens. Based on these principles, the state should implement such laws in order to protect its citizens from the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. 3. One alternative to a total smoking ban as discussed in the case is the allocation of a separate area to the smokers so they can smoke without disturbing or risking the health of others. Organizations such as restaurants and bars can develop a separate area for those smokers who want to smoke and for those who do not smoke. Secondly, a total ban on smoking in enclosed areas and allowance of smoking in open areas can even be a useful option. 4. There are various steps that the law has dictated that can be taken by an organization to demotivate employees from smoking within the premises of the organization. These steps include the exhibition of signs on the entrance of the organization that state that on premises smoking is not allowed. Secondly, signs should even be placed on the door of the areas where smoking is permitted. These guidelines have been clearly stipulated in the laws of the California Indoor Clean Air Act that was enacted during the period of 1976 (Smoking.uslegal.com, 2014). 5. Cigarette smoking should not be banned completely or cigarette smoking should not be considered as an illegal act.

Software to support assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Software to support assessment - Essay Example I would also have the ability to look at the students’ quiz and test scores, as well as time spent in answering individual questions and how much time was spent in finishing the test. Results from the assessment would aid me in the identification of the areas that students did not comprehend satisfactorily. Following the analysis of the results, it is easy to reconstruct the methods of teaching that would allow me, as an educator, to teach lessons in a way that the students can comprehend (Russell 1). Formative assessment is embedded, typically, within the process of instruction. A simple way of defining formative assessment is that it is used during instructions. It can be utilized to determine the topics or needs that require addressing with a student. It can be used to identify gaps in what has been learnt and the reason they are struggling (Hickey 1). It includes homework, tests, and interaction with the students. For instance, discussions can include allowing children to put down questions and answers before learning topics. One very valuable component of this assessment process is descriptive feedback where, using technology, the teacher can point out the areas the student did well in, as well as offering suggestions for specific improvement. Summative assessment, on the other hand, is given to students following specific instruction points to measure how they understand a subject. Various examples include final and midterm exams, interim or districts tests, standardized state exams, and high stakes exams (Hickey 1). They can be utilized for checking subject mastery after a few months or weeks. Technology can be used send questions to parents to conduct summative assessment using provided questions. Use of technology to assess student learning has various advantages. First, it can improve authenticity, as well as alignment with outcomes of learning. TEA can take many forms and the flexibility of design allows for the assessment of a wide array of c ompetencies and skills. It also provides the educator with opportunities to replicate tasks expected of students in a workplace in an environment that is risk free (Penuel & Yarnall 1). Secondly, it also helps in the clarification of marking criteria. Virtual learning environments allow the educator to present criteria for assessment in the module, which ensures the criteria, is accessible and transparent. Thirdly, it spreads, for students and staff, the assessment load. TEA eases resource re-use and repurposing while enabling automatic marking that reduces the workload. Finally, it improves engagement with students, as well as the promotion of deeper learning. Technology used in assessment-enhancement enables diverse methods to be used in improving grades, allow frequent formative assessment, and support active learning (Penuel & Yarnall 1). However, TEA use has a number of disadvantages. One major issue in the implementation has to do with cost in terms of effort, time, and money that should be weighed against pedagogic benefits (Penuel & Yarnall 1). There are also issues with accessibility as most staff and students’ digital literacy is not on a level playing field, making some uncomfortable in using TEA. Special students’

Windows Xp :: Information Technology Operating Systems

Windows XP In 2001, Microsoft introduced Windows XP (codenamed "Whistler"). The merging of the Windows NT/2000 and Windows 95/98/Me lines was achieved with Windows XP. Windows XP uses the Windows NT 5.1 kernel, marking the entrance of the Windows NT core to the consumer market, to replace the aging 16/32-bit branch. Windows XP is the longest version of Windows ever released between upgrades, from 2001 all the way to 2007 when Windows Vista was released to consumers. The Windows XP line of operating systems were surpassed by Windows Vista on January 30, 2007. Windows XP is available in a number of versions: †¢ "Windows XP Home Edition", for home desktops and laptops (notebooks) †¢ "Windows XP Home Edition N", as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player, as mandated by a European Union ruling †¢ "Windows XP Professional", for business and power users †¢ "Windows XP Professional N", as above, but without a default installation of Windows Media Player, as mandated by a European Union ruling †¢ Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE), released in November 2002 for desktops and notebooks with an emphasis on home entertainment o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003 o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 o Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, released on October 12, 2004. †¢ "Windows XP Tablet PC Edition", for tablet PCs (PCs with touch screens) o Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 †¢ Windows XP Embedded, for embedded systems †¢ "Windows XP Starter Edition", for new computer users in developing countries †¢ Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, released on April 25, 2005 for home and workstation systems utilizing 64-bit processors based on the x86-64 instruction set (AMD calls this AMD64, Intel calls it Intel 64) †¢ Windows XP 64-bit Edition, is a version for Intel's Itanium line of processors; maintains 32-bit compatibility solely through a software emulator. It is roughly analogous to Windows XP Professional in features. It was discontinued in September 2005 when the last vendor of Itanium workstations stopped shipping Itanium systems marketed as "Workstations". o Windows XP 64-bit Edition 2003, based on the Windows NT 5.2 codebase. Windows XP has many features not found in previous versions of Windows. Windows XP provides new and/or improved drivers and user interfaces for devices compared to Windows Me and 98. On old versions of Windows, when users upgrade a device driver, there is a chance the new driver is less efficient or functional than the original. Reinstalling the old driver can be a major hassle and to avoid this quandary, Windows XP keeps a copy of an old driver when a new version is installed.

Kodak Harvard Case

Case preparation memo GROUP NAME _____________________________ YOUR NAME_________Jordan Lewis_______ CASE __Kodak_________________ 1. What is/are the problem(s) in this case? Keep it to a single statement. At most, you may point out a couple of the key questions. The problem in the Kodak case is that Kodak is losing market value because they are reworking their product line, causing doubt in customer mindset. They have created the Funtime film to attempt to regain market value. 2. What are the key issues? This is just a simple list (condensed SWOT).You do not need to analyze in great detail. The key issues are that they are losing market value by remaking their best seller. By attempting to enter the economy brand-pricing tier, they have restructured and rebranded their other films, making their consumer doubt the quality of their original product. They have renamed their superpremium film to correlate with their premium brand, which is a strength, but could lose a few of their custo mers in the transition. By not heavily advertising their new line of Funtime film they run the risk of not reaching their consumer.From a business standpoint, it seems odd to devote so little marketing to a new product, it seems as though they don’t care/believe in the product to begin with. 3. What are the alternatives? Be creative! What are the strategic tradeoffs (pros / cons)? This should be a list of at least 5 alternatives. They do not all have to be wonderful ideas. This is a brainstorming step -Take a percentage of the advertising/marketing dollars designated to the most well known, most purchased film, Gold Plus, and use it to run one campaign for Funtime. -Find a way to package the Gold Plus and the Funtime together. Advertise and market to current consumers of Gold Plus, their most popular film. -Give a free sample to 100 current Kodak users, it’s not incredibly costly and may be able to generate word of mouth advertising. -Sell each roll of Funtime individu ally. Set the price point a little higher than the packaged pricing would be, and market them as a quick solution to those necessary moments when a photo is needed. 4. Present a quantitative analysis of key alternatives (if appropriate). This section may include break even, margin analysis, ROI, LCV, etc.State clearly if you do not find relevant numbers in the case. It is an interesting strategy to sell the Funtime film in â€Å"value packs. † By selling them in packs they are making a relatively similar amount of money, as they would by selling one roll of Gold Plus film. On average consumers spent between $2. 50 and $3. 50 on a roll of film so by bundling Funtime together and selling them for roughly the same price as one roll of Gold Plus, it seems like a higher margin could be made by selling the Funtime rolls individually. If they were to sell them individually they could sell them for 0. 0 less than their Gold Plus and still make a decent margin, while maintaining the l ower price point necessary for the consumer. The case states that Funtime is to be sold at a price 20% less than Gold Plus, which is sold for 20% less than Royal Gold. 5. In your own words, what is your recommendation? First, what reason(s) do you have to choose this alternative? Second, how will it be implemented? Use the marketing mix elements and research components as implementation guidelines. The previous sections can be duplicated within your group, but this part should be individual effort.The best strategy would be to concentrate on the new product line and promote it heavily with a competitive price. Product strategies: I think they need to reevaluate the way they are introducing Funtime into the market. It makes little to no sense to introduce an economy price based item into the market without advertising it. In analyzing their target only 10% were price shoppers, but their manager of general merchandise marketing stated that there is a significant rise in price-sensitiv e shoppers, so it would make sense to dedicate at least a portion of the marketing strategy to the new price point product.Go for market penetration! Pricing: The Funtime film is meant to fit the economy brand pricing tier. The other films in this tier range from $2. 69-$2. 91. The case does not directly state the price of one individual roll of Funtime film. It does however mention that it is only to be sold in packages of two or four. It would make most sense to sell two of the Funtime films for the price of one roll of their premium film. However, they do offer more exposures in the pack of four and could possibly sell it for a larger margin.Especially if they are trying to compete with the private label margin which is higher than Kodak’s margin. To implement this pricing strategy I would advertise a â€Å"2 for 1† or â€Å"more bang for your buck† strategy, emphasizing the quality or genre difference as well. Promotional ideas: As an alternative I would cho ose to offer some form of promotion for the Funtime film. I find it necessary to promote a new product, rather than introduce it twice a year in limited quantities. An economy-based shopper is looking for something easy, cheap, and on the go, so make it easily accessible to them.Promote it around graduation time, wedding season, and holidays so that people remember to pick up an extra roll of film. By releasing it with hardly any advertising and on a limited quantity run it doesn’t show much confidence in the product to begin with, so leave it out there and promote it when necessary. Distribution tactics: Distribute at point of sale, registers, next to picture frames, in the photo developing section of department and drug store. Maybe even convenience stores. It is an economy priced item, sell it where people will make it an add-on sale item.Distribute where current users of Kodak film shop so that they may become acquainted with it and understand its use. Research (goals, me thods, etc. ): Research how other companies marketed and sold their economy brand priced film. Find out which consumer would be interested in the film and target them. Use a survey to ask current consumers what price they would be willing to pay for a less premium film, and what they would expect out of it. Run a trial test in key areas and around peak seasonal times.

Developing paragraphs

Paragraphs are the consistent parts of any writings and any paper is impossible without them. They form every writing, make it clear and easier to read and understand. However, only well and properly structured and developed paragraphs are able to provide your essay with a positive grade. There are several things you must keep to while writing paragraphs in order to produce a successful and interesting piece of writing. So please read the following information attentively, and if you will keep these simple rules, no doubt you will be able to write good essays. First of all it is better to keep in mind that the structure of paragraphs gives the reader a map of your ideas and opinions and also show your reasoning. Thus you need to be very attentive while writing them. Paragraphs show the flow of ideas in your head that you try to put on the paper, and if you dont want the reader to think that everything in your head is a complete mess, then it is better to follow the tips below. First of all, every paper should have an introduction and conclusion paragraphs. The first paragraph of any writing is the introduction, and it should catch the attention of the reader. It should not necessarily be extensive, and actually it is even better if the introduction paragraph is short and easily understandable. Note that it is better not to overwhelm it with too much information, but the main purpose of the introduction paragraph is to catch the attention of the reader so that he or she will want to continue reading your paper. Concluding paragraph also should not be a big one and should summarize the information given in the whole text by highlighting main points and ideas given in the paper. It should repeat the main idea of the essay the reader had just read and give an outcome or purpose of all the information that was presented in the paper. Speaking about all paragraphs in general, try to avoid long ones, because they can be not-user-friendly to read. If you have a paragraph that is about one page long or more, you should better check if it can work as two separate paragraphs instead. But your paragraphs should not be short either. Two or three sentence paragraphs should be combined together with some other, as they might seem to be unprofessional and lack completeness. Try to keep the the golden mean so that your paragraphs will not be too long or too short, but just about the right size to include all necessary information and not overwhelm and bore the reader. Moreover, remember that each paragraph should be connected and coherent with others and should definitely be focused. To make the paragraphs connected with each other you can repeat key words throughout your whole paper or you can use linking words such as: also, for example, in addition to, on the contrary, on the other hand, in conclusion, accordingly, therefore, finally etc. Every paragraph should have a topic sentence where the central idea of the paragraph will be presented. It is recommended to put the topic sentences at the beginning of the paper, this way the reader will know what to expect from the further writing. However this is not the case with first and last (introduction and conclusion) paragraphs of the paper. While writing paragraphs please follow the logical order and sequence, for example going from cause to effect, from more to less important or using comparison and contrast pattern. So, in order to write a good paper your paragraphs should have right and proper size, have topic sentence at the beginning of each (excluding first and last ones though), they should be focused and easy to read. If you keep all the information from this article in mind, you will have better chance to achieve success in your writing and will grant your professor little more pleasant reading moments before going to sleep. Good luck.