Business Research for Outsourcing and Insourcing- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theBusiness Research for Outsourcing and Insourcing. Answer: Reflection report Evaluate the effectiveness and your usefulness of the learning experience This research has gained my understanding regarding advantages and disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. This learning is valuable for me to understand that outsourcing is a process by which business function of organization can be transferred to the outsider as compared to completing it on their own business function. This research is effective for me to develop the understanding of the concept of outsourcing. In this way, it is analyzed that outsourcing is a technique which is used to make the use of core competencies of the corporation. It also aids to allocate the resource effectively (Schniederjans, et. al., 2015).I have also observed that outsourcing of the business function delivers the added value to the business performance. Explain how this learning process will be useful to you I will apply my knowledge and insight to make further research in the future. I have gained my knowledge that outsourcing is mainly used in HR, IT, after sales service and customer service field. I have also observed that outsourcing is beneficial to cost-savings, flexibility, and performance of the companies. This learning process is useful for me to improve my research skills as well as effective for me to become a good business development manager. I have also built my knowledge regarding disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. In this way, I have pointed that the rapid expansion of globalization has changed the method of business management. It is analyzed that there is a certain factor which encourages outsourcing of business function like infrastructure, set of skills, globalization, availability of cheap labor, and support from the government (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). Describe objectively what happened in the learning process I did different activities such as I have participated to find the advantages of using outsourcing the business function. In this way, I have pointed that there are different benefits of outsourcing like fostering innovation, speed enhancement, capital savings, risk management, revenue growth, quality improvement and cost reduction. I read about the disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. These are a loss of management control, poor communication, lower productivity, loss of secrecy and privacy of information, lack of competitive advantages, and financial losses (Rushton, et. al., 2014). This research is beneficial for me to enhance my personal and professional career. Evaluate what you learn The business research was helpful for gaining learning in research. From this research, I have learned that companies should develop clear communication by using different channels. Further, I have pointed that role clarity is also maintained between parties. This research is also helping to understand the literature review. In this way, it can be evaluated that outsourcing of business function is mostly exercised in the financial sector (Willcocks, and Cullen, 2013).From this research, I have learned that outsourcing of business function is used to make the development of a cost-saving program for the corporation. Explain your learning process I did different activities in assignment 1 and assignment 2. These activities are the development of research question and hypothesis, and research design and methodology. I have learned that both primary and secondary question has developed to meet the research objectives. Along with this, it can be analyzed that hypothesis is used to assess the relationship between two variables named independent and dependent variable (Caruth, et. al., 2013). I have used research design which aids to develop the strategies for the research in an appropriate manner. It will aid to me for assessing the expected result of the research program. I have gained understanding regarding qualitative research. In this way, it can be evaluated that observation method is used to select the participant for accomplishing the research objectives. Along with this, I have increased my knowledge about in-depth interview approach. In this way, it can be evaluated that interview with top executives of the company is effective to assess the outsourcing of business function (Hill, et. al., 2014).Moreover, I have built my knowledge about the questionnaire. In this way, it can be stated that open-ended questionnaire structure is used to assess the reliable and valid outcome. As a result, I am competent to use the questionnaire in further research. I have increased my learning experience regarding ethical consideration. In this way, it is analyzed that ethical policies are used to conduct a good strategy as I can use ethical consideration to make further research (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014). Explain Plan how this learning you will apply This learning may be applied in future. Since, it has developed my understanding regarding quantitative research. Further, I have pointed that sampling technique is exercised to perform the descriptive statistical approach. It is analyzed that research design aids to create the strategies for a research study and to conduct the research in the appropriate direction (Sivakumar, et. al., 2015). This learning experience is beneficial for me to obtain a targeted result for a research study. Through this research, I have also gained my learning about a statistical approach which is beneficial to comprehend the quantitative data. Consequently, it will enable me to use statistical data analysis in further research in the field of business development. I have also developed an understanding regarding research limitation. In this way, it is evaluated that lack of data collection, effective communication and timing can create complexity to get reliable and valid information (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014). From this research, I have developed my knowledge about the time schedule. In this way, it can be evaluated that time schedule is beneficial to perform the activities in a specified time period. Consequently, this will be used by me to make effective research strategy in an organization. Along with this, this strategy could be beneficial to enhance my personal as well as professional career. References Caruth, D. L., Haden, S. S. P., and Caruth, G. D. (2013) Critical factors in human resource outsourcing,Journal of Management Research,13(3), P. 1. Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., and Schilling, M. A. (2014) Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. USA: Cengage Learning. Runar Edvardsson, I., and Durst, S. (2014) Outsourcing of knowledge processes: a literature review,Journal of Knowledge Management,18(4), pp. 795-811. Rushton, A., Croucher, P., and Baker, P. (2014)The handbook of logistics and distribution management: Understanding the supply chain. USA: Kogan Page Publishers. Schniederjans, M. J., Schniederjans, A. M., and Schniederjans, D. G. (2015)Outsourcing and insourcing in an international context. UK: Routledge. Sekaran, U., and Bougie, R. (2016)Research methods for business: A skill building approach. USA: John Wiley and Sons. Sivakumar, R., Kannan, D., and Murugesan, P. (2015) Green vendor evaluation and selection using AHP and Taguchi loss functions in production outsourcing in mining industry,Resources Policy,46, pp. 64-75. Willcocks, L., and Cullen, S. (2013)Intelligent IT outsourcing. UK: Routledge.

Manhunt Poetry and Relationship Essay Example For Students

Manhunt: Poetry and Relationship Essay Compare the ways in which damaged relationships are presented In The Manhunt and In Paris with You Simon Remarriage and James Fenton both present a damaged relationship In The Manhunt and In Paris with You by using many poetic devises such as alliteration, metaphors and repetition. Remarriage presents a damaged relationship in the Manhunt between a soldier, Eddie, and his wife, Laura, and how they have been affected by war. Fenton presents a damaged relationship between a couple using a monologue. Both titles have a perception of being something else but he emotions expressed in each poem reveal the opposite. The title, The Manhunt, manipulates you into thinking that the poem will be about death and criminal behavior but the context of the poem Is about the relationship between a man and his wife. Although the title is the opposite of the text, it still has some similarities. The title is also about searching. This links in with the text because it is about a wife searching for the husband she used to have and trying to get into the mindset of her husband so that she can understand him. The title In Paris with You, is perceived to e a romantic poem because it uses the word Paris which is associated with love and romance but In actuality the poem is about a partner dissatisfied about their relationship. Both poems employ metaphors to present damage In the relationships. In The Manhunt, Remarriage writes you can feel the hurt of a grazed heart. This stanza is used to represent the experience and impact the war had on Eddie that the hurt from the war grazed his heart. The grazed heart may be the heart of Laura to show that what happened to Eddie has had an effect on her as well and that she can feel his sadness and love through his heart. In In Paris with You. Fenton writes, Im a hostage. This metaphor uses the word hostage to show that the writer feels entrapment and solitude In their relationship. Both poems use dramatic monologues to present a damaged relationship. This is because it enhances the readers feelings about the poem and makes it more intimate because it is coming from the own persons point of view. In the Manhunt the line skirting along, only then could I pictured the scan makes you feel more emotion and closer than saying only then could she picture the scan this Is because we know that she Is the one that has experienced the situation. In In Pans with You the line Dont talk to me of love, Ive had an earful shows us how using monologues present a damaged relationship by the use of imperative. This would not have been shown if this was not a monologue. It shows the speaker is trying to gain control. Both poems use rhyming words and enjambment to make the poem flow evenly to show the damaged relationships. Remarriage uses rhyme to represent the gradual healing process of Eddies wife, Laura every nerve in his body had tightened and closed. Then, only then, did I come close. He uses the word closed to show that there was no way of repairing the relationship but then he goes on to say only then, did I come close which tells us that there is still hope for repairing the relationship. On the other hand, Fenton uses internal rhyming to present a relationship going down the hill Vive had an earful And I get tearful this shows the more she hears from her partner, the more it makes them feel awful. The lack of punctuation in both of the poems helps It to flow evenly a range of poetic techniques and devices to present a damaged relationship in The Manhunt and In Paris with You .

Sample Essay About My Name: College Essay to Get a Job at Disney World

Sample Essay About My Name: College Essay to Get a Job at Disney WorldThe Sample Essay About My Name is one of the most famous and best selling internet sites in the world. It is called the domain name of a very successful teenager from the United States. He and his sister have been using it as their primary email address.Many college students have reported that their colleges take their college application essays very seriously. They look at every sentence as if it will determine if they get in or not. This shows the inconsistency in hiring college teachers as well as hiring interviewers.The proper sample essay will go a long way in preventing a college candidate from being turned down for a position based on a poor academic performance. The more legitimate an applicant, the more chance there is that the admissions officer will feel the student is worthy of the job. This allows students to focus on their application and not be so concerned with the person doing the hiring.For instan ce, if you are applying for the post of tour guide at Disney World, you should write an essay about your love of Walt Disney's cartoon shows. Now this may not be your best work, but it is much better than the one you wrote a few years ago. If you are looking for a tour guide position, this could mean the difference between getting the job and being passed over because your writing was not up to snuff. It is easier to change the story if you don't feel the essay is adequate.To get a sample essay written for your position at Disney World, contact a management person there and ask for permission to do the hiring process. If they say no, then a manager at the front desk would be able to help you. Then the employee would follow up with an email saying they found your sample essay very impressive. They will want you to send them the essay along with some letters of recommendation.When sending them the sample essay, make sure it is in paper form and formatted correctly. Include the name of the Disney world and the address and phone number. Also include the address where you are looking for the job.If you look at the sample essay of a Disney employee, you will see the goal is to make sure your admissions staff or college admissions officer feel you are worthy of a job at Disney World. Your essay will show them you deserve to get the job.

Factors to Be Considered by Researchers When Defining Data Collection Essay Example

Factors to Be Considered by Researchers When Defining Data Collection Essay Data are materials or information gathered during the process of making inquiry about problems. â€Å"Data of whatever form do not just appear or lie around waiting to be causally picked up by some passing researcher but have to be given form and shape in other to quantify as data; made relevant in a word to a research problem† (Ackryod and Hughes, 1992). In other words, data are systematically collected groups of information that represent either qualitative or quantitative results. From the point of view of social research, the world only exist as data and data can exist only through the interpretations placed on materials gathered from the world†(Williams and May,1996). This essay question will be looking at factors that should be considered to define data of a study. Looking at two empirical researches based on injecting drug users Study 1 looked at a community based cross-sectional survey among out of treatment male opiate injecting drug users (IDU) between ages 15 to 45.Data on nonfatal overdose were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 299 IDU from two district of Bac Ninh in North Vietnam in 2003. Study 2 examines the range of HCV services that treatment programs provide to their HCV positive clients using data collected from 233 drug free and methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPS) throughout the united state. Although findings indicated that MMTPS offer more HCV services to more of their HCV positive clients than drug free programs, but drug free programs provided more individualized services.Researchers are people that make inquiry into things that are obscure to human and tend to find possible solutions to this problem. They must put some factors into consideration to determine the type of data to be collected such as: aims and objectives of the research, research design, sampling strategies, methods research strategy, data collection technique, reliability, validity and ethics of the research. â€Å"The resear ch process usually begins with the theoretical perception or formulation of the research topic† (Sarantakos, 2005).According to Gilbert (2001) theoretical perspective are not just important as elements of good research practice, but also enormous value in inspiring and stimulating us to ask new question. This is also supported by Ackroyd and Hughes (1992) saying theory is a veritable feast of notions, viewpoints, perspectives, abstractions and ideas which plays different roles in sociological enquiry. Theory gives explanation on something that one would find difficult to understand. â€Å"Theories ought to be firmly based on data if they are to be useful in understanding social world† (Gilbert, 2001).Theory could be generated deductively or inductively. Gilbert (2001) said that inductive theory has to do with moving from a known knowledge to unknown, quantitative research makes use of this while deductive theory begins with a theory and use it to explain an observation, qualitative research makes use of this. Study 2 hypothesized that because MMTPs serve a greater portion of IDUs than drug free programs, it is expected that it will offer more comprehensive services for their HCV positive clients. The two articles made use of an inductive theory because they both used quantitative methodAims and objectives of the research is also another factor that determines data collection. â€Å"The aims and methods of research is to put links between the empirical world and theoretical perception† (Ackryod and Hughes, 1992). For example, the aims and objectives of the study 1 were to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer network intervention in reducing HIV and STD transmission and to assess the prevalence and characteristics associated with non-fatal drug overdose among IDUs between 18-45 years in North Vietnam.Here, the researcher is interested in knowing the features and the total number of people using non-fatal drug overdose within a specific age gr oup injecting drugs into their body in Tu son and and Bac Ninh township, North Vietnam. Data collected here will only be within a particular age group from only the two districts. The aims and objectives of study 2 are to evaluate the effectiveness for addressing drug users’ HCV needs using expert in hepatitis and drug addiction and to know the types of services provided by HCV service delivery to the HCV positive injecting and non-injecting drug users in USA.Based on the objective, data collected must be from all HCV service delivery in all the states. Research design is the criteria used when evaluating social research. â€Å"The function of research design is to ensure that evidence obtained enabled us to answer the initial questions as unambiguously as possible† (De Vaus, 2005). It has been suggested that every research needs a design or structure before data collection or analysis begins. Good research design should make it possible for generalization and possible valid inferences from the data.Study 1 and study 2 used a cross-sectional design . According to Burton (2000) cross-sectional design uses data collected from at least two groups at one point in time and compare the extent to which they differ. For example, in study 1 survey among out of treatment male opiate IDU age 18-45 with population of 299, data on non-factual overdose were collected from two Bac Ninh district which are Bac Ninh township and Tu Son in North Vietnam in 2009. While in study 2 survey among drug treatment program was collected throughout the USA from 2001 to 2003.Bryman (2004) suggested that in order to examine association between two variables, it is necessary to have a systematic and standardized method for gauging variation. In study 1, in other for the interviewer to ensure a standardized definition of overdose, a description of common signs and symptoms of overdose due to opioid use was read out. Cross-sectional design does not ensure validity of data because data were only collected at a point which might not be a true representative of the study sample.A much preferred design that would have been preferable will be the use of longitudinal design because most especially for study 2, it will ensure reliability of the data collected by asking the organisation same question over again. The major disadvantage of this study is that it does not give access to generalization of the population creating a kind of bias since******** research is based on the views of organisations concerning the use of treatment programs. According to Babbie(2007) Longitudinal study permit the observation of the study sample over a period of time especially for an in-depth interview.Longitudinal can be more difficult for quantitative studies such as large survey in study 2, nevertheless, they are the best way to study changes over time â€Å"A sampling method is a technique of collecting information about some members of the population† (De Vaus, 2002). Th ey way participant are selected could affect data collection in a way that selecting wrong participant could lead to wrong gathering of information so it is important to define the target group from the population. â€Å"The two sampling approaches are probability and non-probability sampling†(Burton,2000).Study 1 used a non-probability sample example include snowball sampling while study 2 used probability approach example is random sampling. The difference between probability and non-probability sample is that: â€Å" Probability sample is one in which each person in the population has an equal, or at least a known chance of being selected while in a non-probability sample, some people have a greater but unknown chance than others of selection†(De Vaus, 1996 pg:60). â€Å"Snow ball sampling refers to the process of accumulation as each located subject suggests other subject† (Babbie, 2007).In this type of sample, researcher gathers data on the few members of t he target population that can be located. In study 1, the IDU were recruited by 20 trained current and former drug using peer outreach workers through a snow ball-sampling approach in Bac Ninh. â€Å"Statistical theory states that the most reliable way of obtaining a representative sample is to use random sampling whereby each case, whether that be an individual, household, or organisation has an equal probability of being selected†(Burton,2000 pg:309).Here, a researcher has equal chances of selecting members of the study population. In study 2, project staff made telephone calls to screen for eligibility a group of randomly selected drug treatment programs that were listed in the year 2000 inventory of substance abuse treatment database. Non-probability sampling is a useful method of sampling where the researcher is interested in respondent within the sample size as opposed to making wide generalization. Limited resources, inability to identify members of the population and the need to establish the existence of a problem all justify the use of non-probability sampling† (Burton, 2000 pg: 316) Babbie (2007, pg: 187) argued that non-probability sampling cannot guarantee that the sample observed is a true representative of the whole population and is supported by Henry (1990) that as a result of the subjective nature of the selection process, involved in non-probability sampling ,there is a risk that the result will not be valid due to bias in section process. Probability samples are often regarded as the preferable way of obtaining samples that is true representative of the population† (Burton, 2000 pg 309). The major strength of probability sample is that the selection allows the development of statistical theory to examine the attributes of sample estimators to reduce bias. Coomber (1997) argued that probability sampling becomes a problem if the information needed to construct a sampling frame is absent. If not done properly, probability sa mpling can generate different types of error.Bryman and Cramer (1993) suggested that response rates on sample survey are sometimes so low that there is no great difference between probability and non-probability sample. Research methods are ways of gathering materials in research. There are two ways of collecting and collating materials which are quantitative and qualitative method. Quantitative method is the use of statistical analyses, real figures to collect data from the environment without subjective interference of the researchers. â€Å"The aim of the research is to collect fact about society which can be statistically analysed† (Gilbert, 2001).Quantitative data makes observation more explicit and can make it easier to summarise aggregate and compare data. Both study used quantitative study but the disadvantage of this type of method is that it does not give rich meaning to a study due to the fact that it is making use of statistics unlike qualitative data which gives a richer and in-depth meaning to a social phenomenon . According to Strauss and Corbin (1990) qualitative methods broadly define means any kind of research that produces findings not arrived by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification.The aim of qualitative research is to offer a view of a situation and provide a written research reports that shows the research reports that shows the researchers ability to illustrate phenomena but its disadvantage is that it deals with just verbal description. Surveys are the most common and best method used for of data collection in social research, and it is useful in collecting original data for describing a population too large to be observed .According to Sarantakos (2005), surveys are methods of data collection in which information is gathered through oral or written questioning. For example, study 1used a semi-structured questionnaire survey which is a type of written questioning while study 2 used interviewing which i s a type of oral questioning. Survey research according to Babbie(2007) offers advantages in terms of economy, the amount of data that can be collected and the chance to sample a large population. In study 1, the survey was carried out in 2 district with the total population as 185825.The disadvantages of survey is that it is difficult to to gain a full sense of social processes in their natural processes. â€Å" In general, survey research is comparatively weak on validity and strong on reliability† (Babbie, 2007) Using a semi- structured questionnaire in study 1, the respondent must be put in mind. In study 1 for example bearing in mind the respondent,, the semi-structured questionnaire was translated into their native language which is Vietnamese for the respondent to be able to understand what it is all about. t could explore large number of people’s view. 399 participants in study 1 had face to face interviews and the questionnaires included questions on demograph ic characteristics, history of drug use, sexual behaviour to mention a few. The tendency of a questionnaire survey to ask rigid questions which force respondent answer into particular categories which they may not have thought of is one of the reasons why it is preferable to use interview as an alternative†(Valentine, 1997: 110) Study 2 used telephone interview.Interviewing is a type of research method that does not ask fixed answer questions. . â€Å"Quatitative interview may be used either as a primary strategy for data collection or in conjunction with observation, document analysis, or other techniques† (Bogdan and Biklen, 1982). The use of telephone interview in study 2 for initial screening process reduces cost of interviewing a large number of programs across the 50 states in United States. According to Sarantakos (2005), interview is employed when the interview are simple and brief, when quick and inexpensive result are sought.In this study, the interview was co nducted for 3 hours which might prove too strenuous, difficult and time consuming for the respondent. â€Å"Telephone interviews enable researcher to gather information rapidly and allow for some personal contact between the interviewer and respondent† (Kvale, 1996)*****.. I The advantage of this method is that it produces quick result, and allow more open communication since the respondent is not confronted with the interviewer. The disadvantages of this method is high refusal rate.In study 2, 614 programs were interviewed during screening, but just 233 programs participated in the study. ********Using sampling size in study 2 might not be a good way of recruiting program services from the whole of 53 countries in the state because it might not be a true representative of the programs********* The advantages of interview over questionnaire are that it answers the Why questions rather than just the how many, how often. For example, in study 2 the interviewers ask questions on the organisational characteristics of the program as well as demographic information about the clients in the programValidity and reliability of data collection is very important during research. Babbie (2007) defined validity as the extent to which an empirical measure adequately reflects the meaning of the concepts under consideration and reliability is a matter of whether a particular technique when applied repeatedly to the same object yield the same result at the same time. In study 2, in other to collect most reliable and valid data, interviewers generally conducted the telephone survey with several different staff each responding to their areas of expertise.In study 1,. Field were tested to ensure adaptability to local Vietnamese context. ELISA technique was used for HIV testing and univariate analysis was performed to test the associations of having overdosed in the past 12 months. Researchers must put into consideration the ethics and values of the participants. According to Sarantakos (2005), the researcher becomes aware of a lot of ethical consideration during the process of data collection. An important aspect of ethical consideration is â€Å"veracity, voluntary participation and confidentiality†.In study 1, participant were provided with written voluntary consent form which contains the detailed information on the purpose of the study and potential benefits and risk of participation which was read by a trained and experienced Vietnamese interviewers at the study site. In study 2, the interviewers described the purpose of the research to the participant through the telephone, gave a number of assurance concerning the voluntary nature the research and the confidentiality of responses.Some of the participant gave their consent and continued with the interview while some decline participation. It is important to take into consideration the limitation of the method used during data collection. In study 1, the use snowballing sampling is unlike ly that the sample will be representative of the population even though the interviewers claimed that recruitment of hidden population through peers has been successful in obtaining a broad sample. A better method would have been random selection.The second limitation of study I is that representativeness of the entire IDU population in the province can not be ascertained despite the fact that three fourths of the registered IDU were recruited from provincial level of government records of registered IDUs because there could be possibility of under-reporting and institutionalization of IDUs In study 2, the data reflected the provision of HCV services by drug treatment program from the person most knowledgeable about the medical services provided at the program, this will not give a rue data collection because the program managers may have over-reported the quality of services provided by the program. Clients assessing the programs should have been interviewed instead, these would ha ve supplied accurate information about the program and the data would have reflected the view of the clients In conclusion,

How I Brought Historical Legends Into My Modern-Day Novel

How I Brought Historical Legends Into My Modern-Day Novel How Blending the Past and Present Allowed Me to Ask: "What If?" Along with being an author, Finian Black is a doctor who served in the British Army. He lives in Winchester, which is chock-full of medieval reminders of the time and story inspiration. In this article, he talks about how playing with myths and legends - stories steeped in history but often in little solid facts - gave him the freedom to weave elements of the past into his modern-day novel.Every story, whether it's a parent making up a simple tale for a sleepy child or a  sprawling saga, can be boiled down to a simple question:  what if? So, whenever a new idea for a story starts to take shape, the first thing I do is look for the magical question that gets to the heart of it all, and everything flows from there. Speculating on the past allows authors to write about a different version of present-day. Writing allows me to ask, "what if?"I live in the beautiful cathedral city of Winchester near the south coast of England. It's a great place to wander around, and wonder about! The idea for my new historical fiction novel,  The Final Raven, came during a visit to the Great Hall in Winchester, where an ancient round table has hung on the wall for centuries. As I looked upon that table, one question sprang to mind: what if a child discovered they are the last living descendant of King Arthur? Simple as that, I was ready to get started.With the base idea established, I had to think about where the story might go. The "what if?" part is always the easy bit! What follows is countless hours of story mapping, character plotting, running up blind alleys and falling into bottomless pits as the story takes on a life of its own. I asked myself: Would it be set in the present day or recent past? Who is this child? What is their background? Why now, after so long, would it come to light that th ere is a living descendant? And, of course, how much of the existing Arthurian legend would I incorporate? However, being rooted in Arthurian legend, I knew that there were some road signs readers would expect in my novel: Merlin, a sword in a stone, the Lady of the Lake, and Morgan le Fay, to name just a few. But I didn’t want to just re-write what’s already been done so well before, so I purposely toned down the obvious Arthurian elements, bringing them subtly into present-day so as to not distract from the story I wanted to tell. Lastly, I knew I needed a very strong cover that would convey mythical history but also appeal to the YA demographic. The cover designer I hired through Reedsy, Edward Bettison, captured exactly that with the bold typography and visual of the Tower of London raven.Pulling from the PlantagenetsMany of the kings during the Plantagenet period used the myths of Arthur for their own propaganda, and their stories are more incredible than any fiction. Furthermore, the Plantagenet period was hugely important in shaping what modern Britain looks like - w hich made it a great source of inspiration both regarding the historical aspects of my book and my modern-day characters. My historical research about this time period was extensive, delving into the lives of the different kings and what drove them to act the way they did. Two of the books that helped my research immensely were Dan Jones’ The Plantagenets and Desmond Seward’s The Demon’s Brood. Both brought to life the period and its individuals in a way that was invaluable.The Plantagenet period saw great kings like Edward III, but also terrible ones like John - and it is the terrible ones that first come to mind when thinking about this period. The bloodletting, violence, and cruelty were beyond anything we see in Game of Thrones, and those who wanted to challenge the king had to be prepared to act abhorrently. Amongst the pool of eligible individuals, it was often the maddest that took the crown. All of these qualities provided ripe inspiration for my villai n and clarifying his motives: which is to be king, at any means necessary - an ancient grievance of his. He is someone with medieval values in the modern world, and this combination makes him a lot of fun to write. "Turning to the past inspired my modern-day villain with medieval values." Drawing from the legendary Tower of London RavensAs for the novel’s title,  The Final Raven? Well, I’ve been fascinated by these wonderful birds for a long time. They are intelligent, beautiful, and mysterious. From the outset I knew that I wanted to incorporate the famous legend of the Tower of London ravens in my story as I find it to be a very powerful tale. The legend says that if ever the ravens were to leave the Tower, Britain would fall. There are different views on just how old this legend is. It has been said it only goes back as far as World War Two, when Churchill used it as propaganda to build national resolve. Others suggest it is a Victorian story. I like to believe the version that tells of King Arthur slaying a Celtic warrior called Bran at the site of the Tower. In this version, Bran turns into a raven and it is his descendants who still live there today. Magical!This legend offered me another great chance to blend mythical pasts and presents by incor porating modern technology: in my version of the story, the ravens are implanted with microchips so that the villain can track their demise on his tablet - green, to amber, to red! I used the motif of the dying birds as a countdown through the book, culminating in a race to save the last bird†¦ but if you want to know more, you'll have to read the book!It was important to me to go back to the Tower while writing this novel - which was fine by me! I love it there. It’s a thousand years of history brought to life in front of your eyes (much like a well-written novel can be!), and of course, you can meet the ravens. The Ravenmaster is a real person, too - he’s active on Twitter. Check him out. A great way to put a modern twist on historical legends is to incorporate technology. I've written stories since I was very young. Words are magical things - they can amaze, inspire, scare, and excite us. I love books that make me want to read one more page, then another, and another. To be a writer, I passionately believe that you also have to be a reader. Use of language shapes us, teaches us, and helps us find our own voice. I once read that the first million words we write *are* just practice for the proper writing that follows - in other words, keep going. Never lose sight of how to improve, and never worry if a paragraph or page doesn't flow. It might not make the final edit but it all improves our skills as writers.This book is the first in a series of three, and will be continued in The Devil's Blood, due out April 2018.The Final Raven is available in  paperback and on  Amazon Kindle.Interested in learning more about conducting historical research? Sign up for our Reedsy Learning course:  How to Research a Historical Novel or Nonfiction BookPlease shar e your thoughts, experiences, or any questions for Finian Black in the comments below!

Surprises of The God of Surprises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Surprises of The God of Surprises - Essay Example The book is built around some of the cardinal pillars of traditional Christian spirituality. The aim of Christian spirituality is to establish an intimate partnership with God the Father, which encompasses the entire creation. Hughes analyses the spiritual malaise of the contemporary life and seeks to show the way to set it aright, drawing heavily on the Word of God and the perennial sources of traditional Christian spirituality whose relevance is undying and a valid tool for the moral reawakening of the sordid world of ours. interiority. There is a cleavage in our thinking, between the spiritual and temporal. This prevents us from achieving an integrated spiritual life. The book invites us to make a journey to our own inner self and there encounter God, the God of surprises. This encounter will integrate us to ourselves and to the world around and in the process, we will see how the creation is permeated with the all-encompassing touch of a benign Father. Through out the book Hughes seems to warn the danger of creating a God in our own image. The point that he reiterates in his work is the mystery of God's ways with the world and men. Some times God gives us the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. However to balance this view of God, Hughes has delineated the Prodigal Father. The chief delight of this Father is to share his everything in banquets to which all are invited. The invitees are not the best specimens of humanity, rather the poor, the cripple, the blind and in fact all who are interested in sharing His generosity. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father's prodigality towards the son who defamed the status of family in wasteful debauchery shocks the reader. To our prudent and well-measured dealing to others based on their merit and our future benefit from them, the God of surprises is foolishly lavish in his blessings, which is gratuitously given to all. The foolish prodigality of the God of surprises who leaves the ninety-nine to look for the one that is missing baffles our logic trained in the Aristotelian idea of virtue which is the choice of the golden mean avoiding extremes. Similarly the system of paying all who worked in the same measure at the end of the day, irrespective of the time they joined for duty, puzzles us who are used to time punching cards and attendance registers. Â  As we progress through the pages of The God of Surprises, the picture of God that looms large before us is that of a God who is more close to all of us than we can ever imagine in our wildest dreams. It is also a book of spiritual pilgrimage to discover the treasure hidden with in us. The book helps us to discern the unexpected ways in which God shows Himself. We see the image of God delivered to us by the stars and storms. Just like the Spiritual Exercises, the book is not meant for gulping at one sitting. The book can transform the person to enable him to surrender his will to the will of God, if relished in small meditative tonic dozes. Personal Reflections on The God of Surprises Gerard Hughes' The God of Surprises is one of the books worth reading a second or third time. The work of Holy Spirit is to renew the God's people constantly and to make them fit to fulfil the purpose for which God has made them.

The Police and Higher Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Police and Higher Education - Essay Example To consider any job a profession a person must go through rigorous academic training. The only reason we entrust our lives to a doctor is because we know he or she has gone through at least a decade of tough training. (Bueermann, 2006) A doctor treats people who are sick. To determine how sick the patient is a doctor must know all the symptoms, the medical history and the possible allergic reactions. Any one who commits a crime has a disease. A police officer is a criminal's doctor. To find out how sick the criminal is the police should look at the effect of the crime, the criminal history and possible future reactions to the both the police and the criminals action. For a police officer to do his job he must have some academic training because he must diagnose the criminal. The Chief of Police of Redland California says, "We need to advance the educational levels of police officers. Today's challenges-greater ethnic and racial diversity in the service population, increased outside scrutiny of police practices, added responsibilities arising from homeland security-require officers to be able to think critically."(Bueermann, 2006) The Chief believes that society today is way more complex and to meet all the challenges an officer must be able to critically analyze a situation and take action accordingly. 'Street smarts' cannot be acquired by a college degree but the ability to critically think can. "Higher education does not guarantee that a candidate will become a great cop, but it does promote critical thinking. And requiring a college degree of incoming police officers is an effective way to foster organization-wide critical thinking."(Bueermann, 2006) The basic purpose of college besides producing a professional is to teach a person to think outside t he box and to critically analyze a situation. Education diversifies people's thoughts and transforms ideas into revolutions. A high school education strengthens the bud's roots so it can go to college, receive proper exposure to sunlight and have enough water to bloom into a rose. Education helps the human brain bloom into a perfect rose. It should be expected of police officers, the guardians of our society, to not only have strong roots but an open mind as well. Although college education is the formal way of getting an education it is not always the only way of getting one. A police department in Connecticut has taken a different route to police education. Instead of having a military like building their institute looks like a regular college. Instead of wearing uniforms the recruits wear normal clothes and the head is civilian. They have also changed what they teach; initially the training focus was on the physical aspects of policing. (Travis, 1995) Now the emphasis is on problem-solving, conflict resolution, diversity training, and acquiring organizational skills. Previously, only the minimum State requirements were taught. Now, recruits study such problems as sexual harassment, bias and hate crimes, HIV-AIDS, stress, and violence against women conversational Spanish and American Sign Language [and