Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Executive summary This paper looks into the general concept behind the LCC analysis, its importance and purpose of such an undertaking in any organization setting.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Life Cycle Cost Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The analysis is based on the case study of a chain store company, which specializes in the sale of household goods such as furniture, electronics, kitchen appliances and furnishing items. The chain store has more than 2000 products that are distributed in different outlet stores throughout UK (Chandler 2004). The analysis entails the introduction of a new inventory system for the company with the intention of streamlining record keeping in the organisation. The rationality of the system lays on its ability to monitor all entries, hence ensuring that the company’s data is up to date at all times. This makes it easy for the company to compile reports , and further serves to boost accountability. The focus of the analysis is on the alternative support options that are likely to improve on the sustainability of the system. For this study, three options were identified which included corporate management, insurance and manufacture’s support. To come up with the most efficient method in terms of cost, the three options were analyzed. During analysis, the author identified the pros and cons of each identified option. The life cycle cost for the options spanning a period of 8 years was also taken into consideration. Based on the results of the analysis, manufacturer support was identified as the most appropriate approach because of the costs and effectiveness of the support instrument.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Introduction According to Langford (2007), the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis is a tool used to evaluate the overall cost of a system or a specific product over its entire lifespan. This method allows one to identify with the elements entailed in the lifespan of the system and thus helps in the calculation of the costing of each incorporated element. The main purpose of employing the LCC analysis is to identify the most cost effective approach that caters for all the required resources over the entire lifespan of the system. This therefore provides an essential systematic approach for identifying the required elements and quantifying them thus accessing the available alternative options before employing the most qualified option in terms of cost effectiveness (TAM, 2004). Ghoshal and Greeff (2004) assert that it is essential for all companies to employ the LCC analysis on any new systems that they need to incorporate in the organization. Such an action would allow the company to identify any substantial costs that the business is likely to incur in future. As such, Ghoshal an d Greeff (2004) recommend the LCC analysis should be implemented right from the design phase of any new project that a company intends to undertake. By using such an analysis, the company would be in a good position to comprehend the extent of costs related to research and development, production, operation and support and product disposal as illustrated in figure 1.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Life Cycle Cost Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Figure 1: Typical life cycle cost Typical life cycle cost (Mtain, 2009) With reference to LCC analysis, this research work looks into the acquisition of a computerized inventory system for a chain store. The main purpose of this inventory system revolves around managing the acquisition of merchandise and the sale of the same. This system will therefore concentrate on managing procurement records for the different outlet stores of the chain store. The study partially intends to verify claims by JTC (1999) that alternative support options can be utilized to improve on the sustainability of the system. Background information According to MÃ ¼ller (2003), an inventory is as a representation of a company’s raw materials, work in progress or finished goods that are ready to be dispatched into the market. An inventory can be simple or complex depending on the companies mandate and the amount of goods received or activities that take place in the company’s premises per day.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This therefore indicates that the bigger the company in terms of production, the more complex the inventory system. The amount of money invested in the system determines the nature of the inventory. An inventory system is important for organizations that face the quagmire of poor cash flow, poor management of information, poor communication between different departments or units within the organization, and poor management of lead times (Toomey, 2000). Highly efficient inventory systems help organizations to meet their objectives especially in regard to meeting customer satisfaction, and realising a return on invested capital. The case study in this case is a chain store, which has 260 outlet stores within the UK market. The mandate of the company is to supply household furniture and related appliances. Among the items stocked in the different stores include household electronics, kitchenware and in house furnishes. The chain store range of products is more than 2000. With this high number of products and outlet stores, inventory management is quite a daunting task. Over the years, the chain store has heavily relied on a computerized system of inventory. Notably however, different stores uphold different inventory keeping method, hence meaning that the outlets are not synchronised. As such, compiling this information into one system located at the headquarters has brought about many discrepancies and conflicts since different outlets have employed different systems. Further, it takes a lot of time before the company can come up with an annual report on sales due to the high number of sales units arising from the different stores that need to be incorporated into the headquarters database. Based on the aforementioned reasons, it is imperative that a centralized inventory system is put in place in order to stream line all the inventories entered in each outlet store. Thus, the main objective of setting up an efficient computerized inventory system lies in the ab ility of the system to be predictable. This will actualize the ideal situation of any given company by building capacity on proper planning based on the inventory records (MÃ ¼ller, 2003). Further, the system will improve the chain store ability to study the trends of how the goods are selling at specific outlets and thus making it easy to predict market trends without necessarily succumbing to fluctuations in demand for the products. This will also help the chain store to manage all its inventories from a central place and thus reducing on the cost of inventory systems as opposed to establishing different systems for the different stores (Toomey, 2000). The systems will encompass a high-tech version of the inventory. This type of inventory system allows the headquarter to monitor the inflow and outflow of goods at all the outlet stores like an online stock exchange market through a centralized system. The rationality of the system works on an instant entry basis meaning that every entry entered in the inventory system from any outlet store reflects immediately on the main system located at the headquarters. All that is required is some support computers in the outlets and scanners that are used to read the codes of the items being stocked into or out of the stores. The support computers will then be networked with a main server at the headquarters. This will ensure that all information scanned in the different stores is sent directly to the server, with the store retaining a copy of the data of the items. This way, the chain store will have inventory data for all the outlet stores at any given time. Figure 2: System operation System operation (Toomey, 2000) The implementation of an inventory system is anticipated to incur costs for concept and definition, design and development, manufacturing and installation, operations and maintenance and finally disposal costs. All this costs are calculated based on all outlets included and on the anticipated lifespan of this system, which is set at 8 years. Figure 3: Inventory system lifecycle analysis for 8 years Inventory system lifecycle analysis for 8 years (MÃ ¼ller, 2003) Sustainability of the system According to Bell and Morse (2008), sustainability of a system refers to the ability of a given system to maintain its production capacity at a level that is equal or greater than the average output associated with the system. With reference to this inventory system, sustainability refers to the capacity of the system to streamline the inventory of the chain store. Bell and Morse (2008) illustrate that it is important to define the space and time over which sustainability of the project can be met. In this case, space is defined as the overall perimeter that includes the area covering all the outlet stores affiliated to the chain store. Time on the other hand refers to the lifespan that the system is expected to serve the company efficiently. In this case, the time estimation is approximately eight years. Figure 4: System sustainability within 8 years with constant space System sustainability within 8 years with constant space (MÃ ¼ller, 2003) The main purpose of this research is to conduct an LCC analysis on the support services that can be utilized in ensuring the sustainability of the project. Among the identified support services include insurance, manufacturer support and the use of corporate management. These support systems are essential for the continuous monitoring on the system performance. Ideally, close monitoring will enable the company to remedy any situations that may compromise the optimal performance of the system. Corporate management Bhatia (2000) asserts that cooperate management involves the organization and functioning of a given management team to meet the goals and objectives of the organization. It involves proper planning, designing, outsourcing implementation and evaluation of projects in progress. This in house initiative can work to towards enhancing the sustainability of the system. The advantage of this approach includes its capacity to promote proper planning and designing of the system. This can be achieved by employing specialists in the designing, implementation and evaluation phases of the project. The amount of time and innovation employed in the realization of the system project will dictate the extent of opportunities and threats depicted by the whole system. Thus, the management should ideally to maximize on improving efficiency and sustainability by dealing with any anticipated difficulties before the onset of the project. The success of cooperate management in ensuring system sustainability is determined by the attitudes and dedication of the respective decision and policy makers in the organization (Bhatia, 2000). Therefore, the success or failure of the project is highly dependent on the type of leadership in the organization and the effectiveness of communication strategies within the organization. Ins urance Services According to Outreville (1998), insurance refers to the protection/cover from a threat that would otherwise jeopardize the functioning of the system. There are many risks associated with such a system. They include the risk of loss of data, system malfunction, lack of coordination from the outlet systems with the headquarter system, among others. For purposes of protecting the overall mandate of the chain store, it is important to insure the system against obvious or unforeseen risks. The main disadvantage of this approach is entailed in the fact that the organisation will have to guard itself from major losses in case the system malfunctions. While as the insurance cover guarantees compensation should such an occurrence materialise, it is worth noting that the company will have to pay monthly premiums to the insurer. As such, the setback of this support service is the expense incurred in the event of insuring the system. This is attributed to the fact that most insu rance companies charge a lot of money to insure such systems. Further, in the event that the system functions properly without any malfunction, it is not possible to get a refund of the already paid out money to the insurance company (Albertini Barrieu, 2009). Manufacturer’s Support Manufacturer’s support can be realized through after sales services that can either be provided by the manufacturing company on a free arrangement, or at a subsidized price. Such services are intended to maintain the system and support its running. The support services can be in form of spare parts, repairs, servicing, or system buffers among others (Hill Jones, 2008a). Most manufactures offer such services as an incentive to entice their clients while others view this as a business opportunity to further the mandate of the manufacturing company. The advantages of this support strategy involve the subsidized fee for spare parts and any needed repairs. This is attributed to the fact that m ost manufacturers tend to retail spare parts and their services to loyal consumers at a lower price as compared to the market price. Further, manufacturers are better placed to deal with emerging issues of their own innovations thus improving on the internal validity of their services and thus the improved sustainability of the system (Hill Jones, 2008b). The limitation of this approach is that working with one specific manufacturer can compromise the efficiency of the system. This would especially be the case when the manufacturer service provider is not fully conversant with the functioning of the system. The fact that some manufactures retail their spare parts and support systems at a very high price, presents yet another disadvantage. According to Hill and Jones (2008b), high prices discredit the rationale of out sourcing the purchase of spare parts or repair services. Accessibility to manufactures support may be limited by distance difference especially when the manufacture is not able to access all the chain store outlets. Conclusion From the LCC model developed for the analysis of the life cycle costs of the different processes and activities involved in the acquisition, implementation and management of the new system, it was clear that there were different costs to be taken into consideration for the whole system to be effective and worthwhile (JTC, 1999). Since the system would spare the company losses previously incurred due to miscalculations and lack of proper records, it would serve as a major milestone to the company’s performance. As such, the system is highly recommendable since the disadvantages associated with its implementation do not surpass the benefits the company would earn from it. Notably however, the investment alone cannot help solve the problems of the company. Hence, there is a need for the company to invest more into the maintenance, management and operation of the system in order increase the life cycle of the system. The analysis has shown that the manufacturer support, method of maintenance, and support are all appropriate since the system is relatively cheap and involves fewer risks (Chandler, 2004). Recommendation The company should implement the system and use the manufacturers of the system to provide the required maintenance and support services. This way, the system costing will be free from unplanned costs and cushioned against frequent economic changes. As TAM (2004) observes, systems that are cushioned from unnecessary running costs and needless market forces stand a higher chance of providing their implementers with optimal benefits spanning their (systems) entire life cycles. References Albertini, L., and Barrieu, P. (2009) The handbook of insurance-linked securities. Sussex, John Wiley and Sons. Bell, S., and Morse, S. (2008) Sustainability indicators: measuring the immeasurable? 2nd edition. London, Earthscan. Bhatia, R. (ed) (2000) Encyclopedia of corporate management, New Delhi, Anm ol. Chandler, F. (2004) Life- Cycle Cost Model for Evaluating the Sustainability of Bridge Decks. Web. Ghoshal, R., and Greeff, G. (2004) Practical E-manufacturing and supply chain management, Oxford, Elsevier. Hill, C., and Jones, G. (2008) Strategic management: an integrated approach, 9th edition. Ohio, Cengage. Hill, C., and Jones, G. (2008a) Strategic management theory: An integrated approach. Boston Houghton Mifflin. JTC (1999) Life cycle costing: an application guide. Web. Langford, W. (2007) Logistics: principles and applications. New York, McGraw-Hill. Mtain, A. (2009), Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Web. MÃ ¼ller, M. (2003) Essentials of inventory management. New York, Amacom. Outreville, F. (1998) Theory and practice of insurance. Massachusetts, Kluwer Academic Publishers. TAM (2004) Life Cycle Costing Guideline. Web. Toomey, J. (2000) Inventory management: principles, concepts and techniques. 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Actions vs. Words Essay Example

Actions vs. Words Essay Example Actions vs. Words Essay Actions vs. Words Essay Abstract There are various types of communication, the most common form of communication is verbal. Verbal communication is used on a daily basis, but there is non-verbal communication that could contradict the words being stated or written. In this paper, I will examine such contradictions in verbal and non-verbal communication in my office. I will also examine various types of listening skills important for deciphering non-verbal communication. Non-verbal Communication – Actions vs. Words Verbal communication is very important in the business world, but it is often the non-verbal language that accompanies the verbal communication that determines what is taken from the conversation. A person may verbally confirm that they are fine with a situation, but their non-verbal communication (body language) may convey otherwise. Concept To Promotion is typically a very smooth running organization, there are very conflicts among the team members. There is also limited opportunity for discipline. I was recently included in a meeting in which two team members were being reprimanded for a conflict that had been handled poorly. These two individuals have dominant personalities, which means that they both want to be in charge of the assigned task, which led to conflict among the team. The meeting included the company president, the human resource director, the individuals involved and myself. I was asked to the meeting as I am the warehouse supervisor and one of the individuals involved was a warehouse employee. These employees each thought that the work should be performed according to their own schedules without regard to the requirements of the company. The specific task assigned was a direct mailing for a large electronic corporation. According to USPS and UPS standards shipments will not be accepted for next day delivery after 5 P. M. on normal business days excluding holidays. The individual in charge of the project was to process the file, print labels and postage for the mailing. The warehouse employee was to pull the mailings and apply the labels to them in time for them to ship. The file was not being processed in a timely fashion and causing the warehouse employee to rush and still not be able to meet the deadlines. During the meeting each person was addressed individually in regards to their behavioral choices and interaction within the team. Both individuals indicated verbally that they understood the situation and how the disagreement should have been handled. I did however observe one individual rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, which indicated to me that she felt that the meeting was a waste of her time because the other individual was clearly at fault for the situation. This particular individual did not take criticism well and was offended by the conversation in the meeting. I am sorry to say that this particular individual did not take what was said to heart and was fired due to repeat issues. I believe that if this individual were pulled into a private conversation with her manager or the president regarding her non-verbal communication during the meeting and been assured that this was a serious situation. Her manager should have confirmed that this type of behavior would not be tolerated and if continued it could lead to termination. This individual would have greatly benefitted from direct communication in which the seriousness of the situation was laid out in clear terms, which could leave no room for interpretation. Listening skills are also important when interacting in a business environment. A manager must be able to not only listen to verbal communication, but non-verbal communication as well. This would help to ensure that situations such as the one outlined above be avoided. If the individual’s manager had picked up one her body language during the meeting the situation could have been dealt with more effectively. Managers should be taught how to listen to non-verbal communication such as body language, facial expression and attire in order to effectively manage subordinates. It is very important that managers pay close attention to a subordinate’s non-verbal communication in any situation, but especially in a discipline setting. By addressing non-verbal communication as well as the issue at the same time a manager can be assured that the individual understands how serious the situation is and how to handle future situations to ensure that there will be no further discipline required. Communication when dealing with subordinates should include mainly words with denotative meanings. This will help the manager be certain that the individual understands what is expected and these expectations will be met.

Strategic Mangment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

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Software Tools for Qualitative Research Assignment

Software Tools for Qualitative Research - Assignment Example The latest version is the NVivo 10 designed to interact with social media platforms (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013). NVivo is able to preserve styles in their original documents forms including documents in non-English language. NVivo has containers called nodes, which can be assigned demographic data or attributes of features (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013). According to Bazeley & Jackson (2013), the nodes can further be rearranged in hierarchies, or be merged with similar nodes to form a single node for general representation. The occurrence of multiple sources which share common characteristics can also be grouped together to form various distinct classifications (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013). Schà ¶nfelder (2011) wrote that demographic information such as gender and age can be easily imported from external sources in form of text file or spreadsheet formats. NVivo10 further integrates automatic connection to face book, twitter, and LinkedIn datasets for the purposes of patterning data (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013). Bazeley & Jackson (2013) further added that, the package also has querying tool, which can be used to interrogate qualitative data to test theories or generate new information. With NVivo10, one can run dynamic modelling system to represent a project in real time or capture the project at a specified point in time using the static model (Flick, 2009). MAXQDA was developed from winMAX software tool, which had been designed in late 80s (Schà ¶nfelder, 2011). With MAXQDA, one is able to create and import texts in rich text format (Schà ¶nfelder, 2011). Referring to Flick (2009), MAXQDA software tool is able to extract text document from the internet by just dragging the documents from the websites and dropping them on the programs interface. Most objects and documents can also be imported in the form of embedded objects of the file

Presumtion of Innocent Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Presumtion of Innocent - Case Study Example Fair interpretation gives fair justice. Further, the rules, which are for guidance of human conduct, must be differentiated from rules of strict regulation. These rules of morality, which guide rather providing for strict regulation, must be recognised and allowed to stand. In the proper administration and enforcement of law, the distinction between criminal and civil matters should be clearly put in place, and in proper enforcement, there should be a clear court system where criminal and civil courts are in place. Whichever way, the rules of law must be clear and the enforcement agencies effective. A system of enforcement of the law lies before the Police and courts of law. These courts of law have been given discretion to award sentence or acquit. In their enforcement of the law, these officers should apply the law universally without fear or favour. The Police role of the Police in enforcement of law is maintaining public order and peace. Whenever the police have reason to doubt the commissioning of a crime, they must move in and prevent such a crime from happening. They must also investigate and prosecute the wrongdoers. The cause of action should be ascertained and the wrongdoers brought to justice. Conclusively, in enforcement of the law both agencies the courts of law and police must coordinate so that they can be able to enforce the law. Each organ should play its duty as prescribed in the law. Both the police and courts have the duty of enforcing the law so as to avoid a state of anarchy. Rules Which are Subject to Interpretation Interpretation is the act or result of interpreting, explanation, meaning translation, exposition etc (Webster's New World Dictionary. (i) Primary Rule (Literal rule) Under this rule the words of an enactment are to be given their ordinary and natural meaning and if such meaning is clear and unambiguous, effect should be given to a provision of a statute whatever may be the consequences. (ii) The Rule laid down in Heydon's case has attained the status of 'Mischief Rule'. The rule enables consideration of four matters in constructing an act: (i) What was the law before the making of the Act (ii) What was the mischief or defect for which the law did not provide (iii) What is the remedy that the Act has provided (iv) What is the reason of the remedy. The rule directs that the courts must adopt that construction which shall suppress the mischief and advance the remedy. Gardier v. SevenOaks (1950) The question in this case was if the cave was included in the word premises under English Statute. The court, Held it included and the statute therefore had application of X's case. (iii) Golden Rule Under this rule, a statute is interpreted in such a way as to remove any inconsistency, absurdity that might arise from a literal interpretation of the words used. Re Sigsworth (1935) The question here was whether x could be apparent heir as per the literal interpret

A Data Collection Methods Psychology Essay

A Data Collection Methods Psychology Essay 3.0 Introduction In chapter three, all the data previously collected will be analysed to test against the hypotheses. The result generated will show the relationship between the 4 independent variables and stress. Research design, data collection methods, sample design, research instrument, construct measurement, data processing and data analysis of the study are also discussed in this chapter. 3.1 Research Design In this research, the researchers analyse the unit of undergraduates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. They are analyzed using cross-sectional studies based on the relationship between stress and undergraduates stress factors. Survey is conducted to collect data because this research covers a large numbers of target respondents in different geographical areas (Sekaran, 2003). Besides that, research design can be altered during data collection stage of the survey (Groves, 1989). Moreover, survey is cost efficient and quick (Zikmund, 2003). Self-administered questionnaires will be distributed to the undergraduates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and collected immediately upon completion. 3.2 Data Collection Methods Primary and secondary data firm the basis of this research which provides helpful and appropriate information in this study. Primary data is gathered from the respondents through questionnaires. On the other hand, researchers collected information from online information databases as the sources of secondary data. 3.2.1 Primary Data Malhotra (2007) defined primary data as the information collected for the first time specifically for a research project. These data collected originates from first-hand experience called as primary data (Zikmund, 2003). Questionnaire is one of the standardized and familiar methods of most of the researchers where data are obtained without bias. As mentioned in Zikmund (2003), questionnaire is the main tool to gather opinions, perception, direct expression and descriptions from respondents and make the data more comparable and amenable for analysis. Hence, self-administered questionnaire is researchers choice to collect primary data in order to increase the dependability and simplicity of data in this research. According to Ministry of Higher Education (2010), most universities and colleges are located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (Appendix A). Hence, primary data was collected from respondents through 250 sets of questionnaires which were distributed randomly by hand in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. According to Ministry of Higher Education (2010), most of the undergraduates are located in selected target universities. The targeted universities included public universities such as Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and private universities such as Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Unisel Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR). Around 10 minutes are spent by each target respondent to complete the questionnaires which are immediately collected under the supervision of researchers. 3.2.2 Secondary Data According to Sekaran (2003), secondary data is the information from previously published or compiled sources by researchers for certain purposes which are related to historical data to support our research study. Secondary data included scholarly books, articles in journals, textbooks, government and private sources and online information database. Furthermore, obtaining secondary data is easier, cost and time effective but such data may be obsolete and inaccurate to fulfil researchers requirements in of present investigation compared to primary data (Zikmund, 2003). From the beginning of research, secondary data is used to review the similar literature study from online information databases such as EBSCOhost, JSTOR and ProQuest and other databases provided by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)s website. In addition, Internet search engine such as Google Scholar is also used by researchers to develop other related material in this research. 3.3 Sampling Design 3.3.1 Target Population This research focuses on the study of stress factors among undergraduates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Therefore, the target population will be the undergraduates in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. 3.3.2 Sampling Frame and Sampling Location There is no sampling frame in this research and the questionnaires will be distributed at universities in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Since most of the universities (Ministry of Higher Education, 2010) are located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor respectively, the researchers have chosen these two areas to conduct their study. The location of Malaysian universities will be showed in Appendix A. 3.3.3 Sampling Elements The sampling elements are the undergraduates studying in universities in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. They will be randomly selected for questionnaires survey as suicide cases for undergraduates in Malaysia are getting serious (Kok et al., 2011). 3.3.4 Sampling Techniques Besides that, quota sampling will be targeted at public and private universities and at 64% (160 questionnaires) and 36% (90 questionnaires) respectively since the figures provided by the Ministry of Higher Education (2008) indicated that the numbers of undergraduates in public and private universities are 247,881 and 140,669 students respectively in 2007. 3.3.5 Sampling Size To determine the regression of sample size, Green (1991) indicated that N>50+8m were N is the sample size and m is the number of independent variables. Since, there are 4 independent variables in this study, therefore m is equal to 4. Hence, n=50+8(4)=82, which means that the sampling size required should be more than 82 target respondents. However, according to Denscome (2007), usually the research sampling should involve between 30 to 250 cases. Therefore, researchers will distribute 250 questionnaires to the target respondents for more accuracy in results. 3.4 Research Instrument Questionnaires method is an efficient technique for collecting data in which the respondents need to answer a set of questions presented by the researcher in order to obtain information (Zikmund, Babin Griffin, 2010). In addition, Sekaran (2003) defined that questionnaire is a pre-planned set of questions for respondents to answer which enables the researches to know exactly what is needed and how to evaluate the variables of interest. Normally, the self-administered questionnaires can be personally distributed to the target respondents by hand. Besides, in order to ensure that the questionnaires components and measurement scales are properly designed and are easily understood by respondents, a pilot test had to be conducted. 3.4.1 Questionnaires Design Self-administered questionnaires are chosen to conduct the study in this research. Researchers distribute questionnaires to respondents and collect them after the response. This method is used because the direct contact with respondents. The whole process is done fast, efficiently, ensuring richness of data and involving a large numbers of respondents (Rattray Jones, 2005). Questionnaires method is a better way to make comparison and judgment then interviewing respondents (Field, 2003). Besides, closed-ended questions are used to construct standardised questionnaires in order to reduce bias and assist researchers in coding the information and simplify the data compilation process. English is international language and widely used in Malaysia, hence it is used in designing the questionnaires. 3.4.2 Pilot Test According to Zikmund (2003), pilot test is a small assessment designed to investigate the logistics and obtain information prior to a larger study in order to improve the questionnaires quality and efficiency. The pilot test can disclose the deficiencies of the questionnaires before proceeding to large scale studies. Researchers have distributed 30 questionnaires to the target respondents from UTAR to test the reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaires in order to ensure whether it is comprehensive and able to implement the real survey. 3.5 Constructs Measurement 3.5.1 Scale Measurement In order to enrich the description in research, the most common way is to perform measurement which is a process of assigning numbers to the research objects (Brown, 2011). There are four types of measurement scale which includes nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale. Each of these scales has its own functions and helps to differentiate the variables. There are three types of measurement scales used in this research which are nominal, ordinal and interval. Nominal scale is categorizing by assigning number labelling to objects based on its nature, for example measurement on genders. Subsequently, ordinal scale is categorizing data by ranking or order, where datum are expressed orderly such as firstly and followed by. Interval scale is to show order of things, however the equal intervals between objects represents equal differences. Likert scale is a form of interval scale where it is the most suitable to describe opinion measurement (Brown, 2011). In this research, a five points Likert scale is used by dividing the interval scale into five points to distinguish the degree of agreement and disagreement in each statement. The pointer starts from number 1 to number 5 which represent strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree and strongly agree. Moreover, the questionnaires are divided into Section A, Section B and Section C. Section A consists of demographic profile of the target respondents, the questions of which are designed to collect their demographic information such as gender, age, race, and so on. Section B investigates the factors of stress of the undergraduates using the 5 point Likert scale. The scale is used to examine the agreement of the four independent variables that influence students perceptions about their selection of stress factors of stress that contributes to stress. In Section C, questions on current level of overall stress of undergraduates are being used to examine how significant the factors of stress will influence their stress by using the 5 point Likert scale. 3.6 Data Processing The raw data collected from survey questionnaire need to be analysed in order to provide useful information in resolving the research questions. All data collected are needed to undergo a series process before it can serve the purpose of being analyse. This data processing is a process that includes questionnaire checking, data editing, coding, transcribing and cleaning before the analysis made (Zikmund, 2003). 3.6.1 Questionnaire Checking Questionnaire checking is a process that identifies, corrects, and resolves any errors or problems which may occur in the questionnaires. The questionnaires are being checked and amended numerously to ensure error free, followed by an approval from the supervisor to ensure the questions asked are of highest quality, appropriate and comprehensible by respondents. 3.6.2 Data Editing Data editing is performed to ensure high accuracy of the data. Missing data is being discarded while extremely contrasting data is being removed to ensure consistency and to prevent any undesirable results outcome. 3.6.3 Data Coding Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program requires all data to be in code form, so the data are being coded before being keyed into. Therefore, prior to the questionnaire distribution, data coding are being done by assigning code to each option of answers in the questionnaire. In the research questionnaire, respondents are required to fill up their demographic profiles. Coding was being made on each question with the first answer on each question coded as 1 while the second answer is coded as 2 and so on. For example, in Section A the first question is on genders and the answer is either male or female. The code for male is 1 while female is 2. Subsequently, Section B requires respondents opinion regarding five different stress factors in their daily life. The five different stress factors also known as independent variables include financial issues, academic issues, social support issues and time management issues. As for Section C, the questionnaire focuses questions regarding stress level for the past four weeks of respondents life which are the dependent variables in the research. Both sections require respondents to respond to their level of agreement and disagreement by using the 5 Likert scale. The 5 levels of agreement are: strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. The code for strongly agree is 5, agree is coded as 4, neutral is coded as 3, disagree coded as 2 and lastly strongly disagree is coded as 1. 3.6.4 Data Transcribing After all questionnaires are retrieved, the answers to the questionnaires are converted into code data which are subsequently being keyed manually into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for further analysis. 3.6.5 Data Cleaning With the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), the checking process is enhanced ensuring consistent data. Any extreme data is easily identified and replaced with a more consistent data. Furthermore, missing data can to be detected thus ensuring no data is missed out during transcribing process. 3.7 Data Analysis The Computer program that is being used to analyze questionnaire data is Statistical Package for the Social Science program (SPSS) which includes descriptive analysis and inferential analysis. To ensure that target respondents have a clear understanding of the questionnaires, a pilot test will be conducted before distributing them to respondents. 3.7.1 Descriptive Analysis Descriptive analysis consist of measurement of mode, mean, frequency, range, standard deviation and variance. The researchers use it to analyses the demographic data in the questionnaires (Han, 2010).The research data will be summarized by calculating the average, frequency, range and standard deviation. Consequently, mode, mean, frequency, range, standard deviation and variance are calculated based on the interval scale of 4 independent variables and dependent variable. 3.7.2 Reliability Test A reliability test will be conducted to make sure the measures are free from error. Cronbachs Alpha reliability test model is selected to measure the reliability of the questionnaires and 0 to 1 is used to assess the reliability of data collected. According to Nunnally and Bernstein (1994)s study (as cited in Krishnan Ramasamy, 2011), an alpha of 0.7 is an acceptable reliability coefficient level and acts as the minimum requirement for validity. 3.7.3 Normality Test Normality test is used for the purpose of checking the normality of the data set (Archila, 2010). When the sampling size is more than 100, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is used to test the normality of the sample data. The p-value will indicate whether the data is significantly different. When the p-value is more than 0.05 the data set could be assumed as normal (Islam, 2011). 3.7.4 Inferential Analysis Inferential analysis using Pearsons correlation and multiple is used to test whether the hypothesis is substantial. 3.7.4.1 Pearson Correlation Pearsons correlation measure the degree of interrelation between the dependent and independent variables (Mudelsee, 2003). Doss and Kamery (2006) mentioned that Pearsons correlation is used to test whether the relationship between variables exists. Hence, it is being used to determine whether the relationship between the financial issues, academic issues, social support issues, time management issues and stress faced by undergraduates exist. The relationship depends on Pearsons correlation outcome. The range of outcome is between -1 to 1. Positive outcome indicates a positive relationship between variables and vice versa. 0 outcome indicates no relationship between both variables (Doss et al., 2006). 3.7.4.2 Multiple Regressions Multiple regression analysis will be used for identifying which independent variable influences dependent variable the most (Hair, Babin, Money Samuel, 2003). Multiple regressions are able to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables (Orme Buehler, 2001). Hence, it is used to evaluate the relationship between financial issues, academic issues, social support issues, time management issues and stress faced by undergraduates. Since the researcher used interval data measurement scale on dependent and independent variables where both variables are parametric, the general equation for the multiple regressions is (Yount, 2006). Therefore, the multiple regressions equation in this research is developed as 3.8 Conclusion This chapter consists of research design, data collection methods, sampling design, research instrument, constructs measurement, data processing and data analysis which are used to collect data for analysis. In chapter four, the researchers will examine the pattern of and analysis of the result which are collected from relevant target respondents.

Relating The Odyssey to our Lives :: Homer

Getting somewhere is not just the destination, but even more so the journey. The goals are our destination and obstacle and temptations litter the voyage. Like Odysseus, achieving these goals is not a cinch. Obstacles must be faced or avoided, and temptations should be resisted. Our entire lives we all try to accomplish our own personal goals. Like Odysseus, we all have long-term and short-term goals to realize. In life, we all want something we long for and will work relentlessly until we reach that objective, like Odysseus’ ambition to reach his wife and son in Ithaca. Of course we all have minor, transitory goals such as building a house or finishing an essay. Some instances of Odysseus’ secondary goals are him escaping the Cyclopes and keeping his men from eating the lotuses. Personal goals, however, will manage to be interrupted in one way or another. On our journeys we all must resist, or give into, temptations that may hinder our ascent to our goal. All people give into temptation at least once in their lives. One time that Odysseus gave into temptation was when he listened to the Sirens’ songs. We don’t always collapse into temptation, like when Odysseus wanted so badly to kill the suitors but forced himself to wait for the right time. Another time Odysseus defied temptation was when he refused to reveal himself to the people but ceased expose himself until he felt it was the right time. Temptation is not the only thing to obstruct our expedition. We all face obstacles in our life like Odysseus did. A common obstacle in life is a person that you clash and don’t get along with. A good analogy for this in Odysseus’ quest was when he had to evade the Cyclops. Also, people don’t always evade the people and problems that get in their way, but face them. One case of this is when Odysseus had to confront Antinous. Relating The Odyssey to our Lives :: Homer Getting somewhere is not just the destination, but even more so the journey. The goals are our destination and obstacle and temptations litter the voyage. Like Odysseus, achieving these goals is not a cinch. Obstacles must be faced or avoided, and temptations should be resisted. Our entire lives we all try to accomplish our own personal goals. Like Odysseus, we all have long-term and short-term goals to realize. In life, we all want something we long for and will work relentlessly until we reach that objective, like Odysseus’ ambition to reach his wife and son in Ithaca. Of course we all have minor, transitory goals such as building a house or finishing an essay. Some instances of Odysseus’ secondary goals are him escaping the Cyclopes and keeping his men from eating the lotuses. Personal goals, however, will manage to be interrupted in one way or another. On our journeys we all must resist, or give into, temptations that may hinder our ascent to our goal. All people give into temptation at least once in their lives. One time that Odysseus gave into temptation was when he listened to the Sirens’ songs. We don’t always collapse into temptation, like when Odysseus wanted so badly to kill the suitors but forced himself to wait for the right time. Another time Odysseus defied temptation was when he refused to reveal himself to the people but ceased expose himself until he felt it was the right time. Temptation is not the only thing to obstruct our expedition. We all face obstacles in our life like Odysseus did. A common obstacle in life is a person that you clash and don’t get along with. A good analogy for this in Odysseus’ quest was when he had to evade the Cyclops. Also, people don’t always evade the people and problems that get in their way, but face them. One case of this is when Odysseus had to confront Antinous.