PM Research

Research Paper

This final research paper must demonstrate the understanding of new learning in the field of project management and how it relates to the Project Management Maturity Model.  This is an assignment with a length of 10- to 15- pages (not including title and reference pages) that should integrate the reading, multi-media and class discussion boards.  It is mandatory to have research from the classroom text, as well as at least 4 sources from the internet or online library to support your views.  A minimum of 2 of these sources must be from the Online Library.

Consider the validity of your resources carefully before using them in academic papers.  It is recommended to use examples from your professional experience where possible, or build from your learning in the discussion boards.  Use at least one project you have been a team member or a project manager as an example to discuss each of the following topics:

• The definition of the Project Management Maturity Model and how organizations can increase their overall productivity using the model. 

• The importance of organizational strategy and how project management needs to link to objectives to achieve results. 

• Project communication methods including who the stakeholders are and why they are important to the project manager.

• The use of project quality, including earned value analysis, and examples of successful and troubled projects.

• A conclusion to describe how the probability of success can be found with an organization that is able to reach maturity in terms of project management.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

• Must be ten to fifteen double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.

• Must include a title page with the following:

◦ Title of paper

◦ Student’s name

◦ Course name and number

◦ Instructor’s name

◦ Date submitted

• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

• Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of two from the Online Library.

• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Writing Center.

• Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.

**MUST USE HEADERS AND SUB HEADERS, IF NECESSARY**

Discussion 2: Statistical Significance and Variables

Research studies often compare variables, conditions, times, and/or groups of participants to evaluate relationships between variables or differences between groups or times. For example, if researchers are interested in knowing whether an intervention produces change in the desired direction, they will want to know whether the change is due to chance (statistical significance) or possibly due to the intervention. In this case, researchers could use a pre and post measurement of the same participants on the condition being treated, or they could compare a group of individuals who receive the intervention to a group that does not receive the intervention. Researchers could also compare two groups of individuals who receive different interventions. The rigor of the research design helps control for other factors that might account for the changes (e.g., time, conditions, group differences in other factors, etc.). To prepare for this Discussion, consider the concept of statistical significance.

By Day 5

Post your explanation of how the difference between statistical significance and the true importance (clinical significance) of the relationship between variables or the degree of difference between groups affect your practice decision making. Be sure to include an explanation of what statistical significance means. Include an example from a quantitative study that found statistically significant differences. Discuss whether the results of the study would—or should—influence your practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer.

Required Readings

Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L.  (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY:  Pearson.
Chapter 13, “Analyzing Data” (pp. 295–297, “The Data in Perspective”)

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Social Work Research: Measuring Group Success

Bauer, S., Lambert, M. J., & Nielsen, S. L. (2004). Clinical significance methods: A comparison of statistical techniques. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82, 60–70.
Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Gibson, F. H. (2003). Indigent client perceptions of barriers to marriage and family therapy (Dissertation, University of Louisiana at Monroe). 

Engaging Students with Listening, Speaking, and Writing

 

Engaging students in listening and speaking activities can include debates, discussions, presentations, and persuasive writing. All of these components are crucial to expanding students’ growth in communication skills.

Part 1: Listening, Speaking and Writing Activities

Use the “Listening, Speaking, and Writing Activities” template and “Class Profile” to complete this assignment.

Using the same grade level you selected for your previous lesson plans or from your field experiences, select a state standard that focuses on listening, writing, and speaking skills to develop three listening, speaking, and writing activities.

Below are examples of possible activities:

  • Persuasive writing, speech writing, debates, class discussions, presentations on topics of student interest, persuasive advertisement, or advertisement campaign

Your learning activities should be appropriate for students detailed within the “Class Profile” and include the following:

  • Strategies that encourage students to apply personal opinions toward the interpretation of texts
  • Various forms of communication (verbal, nonverbal, media, etc.) techniques to foster elementary students’ active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction
  • Accommodations related to assessment and testing conditions to meet diverse needs of students

Part 2: Rationale

In 250-500 words, rationalize your instructional choices explaining why the activities chosen are appropriate for all ”Class Profile” students and clearly focuses on creativity and student engagement. In addition, explain the elements of effective speaking. Additionally, discuss how verbal and nonverbal communication affects the persuasive aspect of having students advertise and/or present an idea.

trace evidence

Prior to beginning this discussion, review the required readings for this week and find/review two additional credible sources from the Ashford University Library (or another resource for finding credible sources) that relate to the methods used in the analysis of the chosen type of trace evidence. Trace evidence includes many different types of materials. In simplest terms, trace evidence is the term used to describe materials that can be transferred from a person to another person or to an inanimate object during a crime. Trace materials can include human hair, animal hair, textile fibers, fabric, rope, feathers, soil, glass, and building materials. As you read through the required materials for this week, you should become familiar with the methods used in the analysis of these trace materials. For this discussion, choose a specific type of trace evidence, outline the history of the use of such evidence, and describe the process for analysis of such evidence.

Include the following elements in your initial post:

  • The specific type of trace evidence you have chosen
  • An outline of the history of the use of such evidence in the investigation of crime and the prosecution of criminal cases
  • A description of the process for analysis of such evidence

Glaucoma

This week’s discussion will focus on glaucoma.  The purpose of this discussion is for students to identify the pharmacological management of glaucoma and associated nursing interventions to ensure safe administration of these medications.  When choosing nursing interventions, I would encourage you to consider strategies that promote safe medication administration in clients with visual impairments.  The course outcomes covered this week include:

  1. Apply the concepts of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics to the use of specific medication classifications in specific health conditions, and in consideration of medication side/adverse effects, nursing implications, and medication teaching.
  2. Apply principles of health promotion, as well as illness and injury prevention, to promote safety and effectiveness of commonly used pharmacologic therapy across the lifespan, taking into consideration sociocultural, genetic/genomic, developmental, and gender implications.
  3. Utilize the nursing process in understanding the effects of drug therapy on health outcomes across the lifespan within the framework of a diverse population of individuals, families, and communities. 

QUESTION TO ANSWER:

Pharmacological management of glaucoma focuses on the reduction of intraocular pressure by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor, decreasing the production, or both. What drug classes are used to reduce intraocular pressure? Describe three nursing interventions to consider with these drug classes. 

Class Gradebook

1. In this exercise, you will do a simple spreadsheet for a highly simplified version of a class gradebook. Read this all through to the end once before you try it.

2. Start Microsoft Excel.

3. Save the spreadsheet as a file called Class Gradebook.

4. Select cells A1 through G8.

5. Select the font to Ariel and the size to 11.

6. Type Class Gradebook into cell A1. (Never mind if it “extends” into cell A2).

7. Select cells A1 through G1 – make sure they are highlighted. Merge and Center the title over that range.

8. Bold Class Gradebook and set its’ font to size 18.

9. Now add some column headers – in cells A3 through G3, enter   Student   Test1   Test2   Homework1  Homework2  Total   Average   (Note that some don’t quite fit, that’s fine for now.)

10. Select cells A3 through G3. Find the Cells area in the ribbon at top, then find the Format area inside it. Click on Format, a menu pops down, click on Column Width and set it to 16.

11. Note how those columns just got wider.

12. Center each row 3 column header in its column and change the font of all the column headers to Courier New.

13. Change the font of the row 3 column headers you just added to Courier New.

14. Now you will add some grade data. In cells A4 through E4, enter  Bill   95  87  40   45 

15. Do NOT change the font or alignment, it will be different from the column headers and that’s what we want.

16. In cell F4, add up cells B4 through E4 with the AutoSum function. Look in the Editing area of the ribbon.

17. Click In cell G4 and type  =Average(B4:E4)   then press enter. This uses the Average function to get the average.

18. Now, make up data for 3 more students, and place it in rows 5, 6 and 7.
    * Max test grade is 100
    * Max homework grade is 50
    * First name only for the student
    * Pick a variety of grades!

19. Add functions (or copy them) to get the Total and Average values for each row you added.

20. Add the text  Class Average  in cell F8.

21. Set cell F8 font to Courier New.

22. Use the average function in cell G8 to get the average of the 4 numbers above it.

23. Select cells G4 through G8, and set the numbers in there to all have 2 decimal points.

24. Select cells A3 through G7.

25. Select Insert on the main menu, find the charts area, and find and click on the Insert Column or Bar Chart icon. Then select the first one on the left, at the top in the 2-D Column area. It’s called a Clustered Column.

26. You will see a chart pop up. Click and drag it so it’s just below the table. Roughly center it.

27. Change the chart title to Class Gradebook .

28. Save your file.

29. Your project will be graded according to the following rubric:

Requirements
Max Points Possible
Table formatting correct
20
Table data correct
10
Table functions correct
20
Chart present and formatted correctly
10
Total
60

30. Review your work and make any corrections needed to get the highest score possible. Use the following image as a guide. Some items have been blocked out deliberately.

Cystic fibrosis

  

A mother brings her 6-month-old daughter to the HCP for evaluation of possible colic. The mother says the baby has had many episodes of crying after eating and, despite having a good appetite, is not gaining weight. The mother says the baby’s belly “gets all swollen sometimes.” The mother says the baby tastes “salty” when the mother kisses the baby. Further work up reveals a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The mother relates that her 23-month-old son has had multiple episodes of “chest congestion” and was hospitalized once for pneumonia. The mother wants to know what cystic fibrosis is and she also wants to know if she should have any more children.

For this Discussion, you examine a case study and explain the disease that is suggested. You examine the symptoms reported and explain the cells that are involved and potential alterations and impacts. 

Post an explanation of the disease highlighted in the scenario you were provided. Include the following in your explanation:

  • The role genetics plays in the disease.
  • Why the patient is presenting with the specific symptoms described.
  • The physiologic response to the stimulus presented in the scenario and why you think this response occurred.
  • The cells that are involved in this process.
  • How another characteristic (e.g., gender, genetics) would change your response.

science discussion 7

 

What are the reasons that motivate humans to explore space? Curiosity, scientific exploration, military status, and economics have all contributed to the exploration of celestial objects in outer space. The study of objects in space is called astronomy. For millennia, mankind has looked to the night sky and observed stars that make-up constellations, indicate the seasons of the year, and help to navigate the ocean. Although in the past, these observations were made using the naked eye, the use of telescopes have made it easier to use the light emitted from stars to view space, and now space flights can take us to the moon and back. The exploration of outer space has a long history but mankind made incredible discoveries and advances in the 20th Century. Now the world looks to the future with new technologies and the promise of private space exploration.

In your posts this unit answer the following questions:

  1. How do telescopes collect and analyze data from stars?
  2. What can astronomers see in space using a telescope?
  3. What are two targets of space exploration? How has the study of these astronomical objects and human space exploration impacted or improved life on earth?
  4. Can we live in space? On the moon or on Mars? Why or why not?
  5. Countries across the globe launch satellites and other technology into outer space. Discuss the potential impact of space trash and how Earth can be impacted.
  6. What is the future of space exploration? Explain why you would or would not contribute to space tourism by buying a ticket for a trip to space or the moon?

Be sure to review the Discussion Board Course Rubrics.

For help with citations, refer to the APA Quick Reference Guide.

Use this reference when referring to your text:

Trefil, J., & Hazen, R.M. (2016). The sciences: An integrated approach. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Future career path : Marketing and Advertising

  

Length: 5-page minimum, double-spaced, not including cover, graphics, or Works Cited.

Report Requirements:

Introduction: Provide a formal introduction that provides a context for the discussion that provokes reader interest. For example, you could describe real-life applications or scenarios relevant to the profession or provide some personal background into your interest in the profession. Make sure you include a thesis that announces the main idea of the report.

Body: 

Research and organize the profession according to the 4 categories listed here. Use these as topic headings to organize paragraphs. Be sure to bold or underline topics for clarity and emphasis in the actual report: 

Definition of Career Responsibilities

Educational Costs and Requirements 

Opportunities for Employment and Advancement 

Personal Satisfaction and Potential Earnings

Every paragraph should contain substantial research and a combination of primary and secondary sources. All borrowed ideas must include proper source identifications with citations when needed, along with corresponding entries in the Works Cited page.

Conclusion:

Present an honest summary of findings, reporting disadvantages and advantages of all issues of the profession. Present your overall attitude about the profession, including concerns or surprising information. With the information that you gathered, you should be even more decisive about your future career plans. Be sure to state what you hope to accomplish regarding the profession.

Next following pages is an essay example from another student:

Ryan Zillmer 

English 101

19 June 2007

Research paper 

Career Assessment Research Report

Everything you see in this world that was created by humans was designed, from the paper cup that holds your coffee, to the space shuttle that rendezvous with the International Space Station. And everything that is designed goes through a process: Conception, Realization, and Production. Conception is the idea, the initial thought that starts off the process. Realization is when the basic concept is put onto paper, and problem solving skills come into play to make sure the idea is feasible. Production is the final outcome. Drafters are important in all categories. Although it may be an engineer who comes up with the idea, and a machinist who creates the physical entity, it is the drafter who takes the ideas from the engineer and puts it on paper for the machinist to understand. Without drafters, there would be no set standard, no plans to go off of, and no frame of reference when one does not have the physical entity in hand. I believe a career in Drafting will be suitable for me because I can commit to the responsibilities that the career entails, can afford the cost of education required to become a drafter, know the market for such a career is healthy and the opportunity for advancement strong, and the potential profit and general happiness in such employment make the pursuit of the career attractive.

Definition of Career Responsibilities

Both specific and general knowledge are required to become a drafter. The most common drafting program is AutoCAD, which has two-dimensional and three-dimensional capabilities. Depending on the level of drafting that is required, one might simply need to know how to make lines and add text, all the way to creating three-dimensional objects and dimension them. AutoCAD is not the only program that companies use; however, it is simply the building block from which other programs are based. Therefore, one must be able to comprehend and use other programs in a timely matter, requiring a certain amount of intuitiveness in the user, as well as a healthy amount of common sense. For example, look at the designation of the “hotkeys” (a key on the computer keyboard -usually a letter- that performs a function in the program.) In AutoCAD, the key “L” is pressed when one wishes to draw a line, so logically, when using another program to perform the same function, you would press the same key. In some programs, to perform AutoCAD’s “L” function, you would have to think of synonyms like “D” for draw

Spatial thinking is also a requirement for being a drafter. The very essence of drafting is shapes. One must be able to visualize all of an object’s attributes even when one cannot see them. Spatial thinking especially comes into play when you are working in three dimensions. It is easy to see how an object is oriented when it is drawn, even in wireframe, but once that wireframe object is rotated, it is difficult to tell which direction the object is facing. If one does not possess a high degree of spatial orientation, one can get hopelessly lost and make a multitude of mistakes that are time-consuming to rectify.

Educational Costs and Requirements

To become a drafter, a post-high school education is required. At bare minimum, a certificate is required, and preferably the prospective drafter has an associate’s degree.

Here at Renton Technical College, the drafting program is labeled Engineering and Design Technology, a one year class that covers both mechanical and architectural drafting in a fair amount of detail and lightly touches on civil drafting. Completion of the class earns the student a certificate. If the student takes four additional classes (English, math, psychology, and speech), the student can earn an associate’s degree (“Computer-Aided”129). Drafting classes are also available at non-technical colleges. According to WOIS, the main difference between technical college programs and that of a regular community college’s are the “programs at technical schools generally have less course work in theory and liberal arts. Also, the courses may not transfer to four-year colleges” (“Drafters”). The cost for Renton Tech’s Engineering and Design program is $3,490.20 and $725.00 in supplies (which consists of books and a toolkit) (“Computer-Aided”129). If one wishes to complete the requirements for the AAS degree, the costs of the English, psychology, and speech classes are $259 with the exception of Math, which is $300.20 (“Computer-Aided” 129). In addition, for each additional class, one should be prepared to spend additional money on books, which can cost anywhere from $40 to over $100 each.

Opportunities for Employment and Advancement

There are ample opportunities for employment and advancement. According to WOIS, in 2004 “there were 4,638 drafters employed in Washington and [i] t is projected that by 2009 there will be 5,811” (“Drafters”). In the fourth quarter of the Engineering and Design class, one has the option of doing an internship. The one that I will be applying for is with Boeing. After successfully completing the Boeing internship, drafters are likely to get a job with them. Paul Burckhard, a Tech A level drafter at Boeing, describes his division as consisting of four tiers: Tech A, Tech B, Tech C, and Tech D. When asked about how much time is required to move up, he said that he was getting promoted “soon” and had been working at Boeing for “a little over a year.” However, according to Cynthia Johnson, a manager at the Maintenance Engineering Tech. Service Department at Boeing, depending on what department a drafter is in, and how skilled one is, a drafter can be promoted as soon as two months on the job, or as late as two years. Johnson also tells us that if drafters are good enough, they can become “specialists in their fields,” meaning that they will be doing engineering level work (while earning engineering level pay) without the engineering title.

Potential Earnings, Benefits, and Personal Satisfaction 

From the perspective of somebody whose highest wage ever earned was ten dollars an hour doing warehouse work, the money to be earned as a drafter is very appealing. According to Boeing’s Cynthia Johnson, the wages for an intern are $27,000 a year. Once you are hired, your wages are bumped up to $40,000 a year, and additional earnings are available, depending on previous accomplishments (certificates). This income is in keeping with the state average. WOIS reports that “[i]n King and Snohomish counties, half of all mechanical drafters earn between $20.20 and $32.15 per hour, and half of architectural and civil drafters average between $19.79 and $27.75 per hour. Half of all electrical and electronics drafters earn between $19.45 and $26.77 per hour” (“Drafters”). 

In addition, Boeing offers attractive benefits. Josh Dietz, another Tech A level drafter at Boeing, explained to me that a person entering the company with an associate’s degree will be awarded fifty shares of stock, while a bachelor’s degree will get fifty more shares, and a master’s will earn 200 shares total. Another excellent benefit from working at Boeing, and perhaps the main reason I wish to work there, is that Boeing will pay for your education while you are employed there (Johnson). I see that as an excellent opportunity to get a free education, and be paid for my accomplishments. 

Also, I am a fairly laid-back person, and I would appreciate the environment at Boeing. Dress codes are essentially nonexistent there, so long as you look presentable. Another incentive is that you can listen to music while you work. This is a big plus for me, as I listen to music all day, everyday, and not being able to do so would be a big loss for me. 

From early childhood up through my early adulthood, my idea for “what I wanted to be when I grow up” has changed a multitude of times. Now I am confident in what I want to do after actually researching the subject. In fact, I find no downside and feel that all details of drafting are suitable to me. Drafting to me is an ideal job because it pays well, and I would enjoy doing it. These are the two deciding factors: I have to be happy at my job, and I want to live a comfortable lifestyle. Drafting provides both

  

 *Works Cited

Burckhard, Paul E. Interview. 5 Mar. 2017.

“Computer-Aided Drafting.” Renton Technical College Catalog 2016-2017, 2017, rtc.edu/sites/default/files/RTC-College-Catalog-2016-2017-web.pdf. Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.

Dietz, Josh. Interview. 9 Mar. 2017.

“Drafters.” WOIS, 2017, www-wois-org.ezproxy.rtc.edu/use/drafters/#C. Accessed 10 Mar. 2017.

Johnson, Cynthia. Interview. 7 Mar. 2017.

*** Please use this example above to write the paper about Marketing and Advertising. 

Use Scholarly resources (within 5 years) and in text citation  

Engl short assignment 3 Cohen

 

This essay assignment focuses on a particular writing skill: summary. Summary involves taking a lot of information and condensing it and maybe even commenting on it a bit as well, all in your own words. For this assignment, you’ll practice these skills by summarizing three of Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s “7 theses.” You can choose any three of the seven theses that you want–whatever theses resonate with you, or that you find compelling to write about. 

For each thesis that you summarize, you should write one paragraph, meaning that you will write a total of three paragraphs. Begin each paragraph by stating the thesis that you will be summarizing. Quote it directly from Cohen’s writing. Then, use the paragraph to put the thesis into your own words. Don’t just use the words in the thesis itself, use Cohen’s explanation of the thesis as a resource for your summary as well. With an essay like Cohen’s, it’s difficult to account for everything–you don’t have to–you just need to do your best to make sense of the writing; try to make it more clear and more direct than he does. Putting his writing into your own words also means that you’re making a claim about what Cohen is trying to say. You’re using your words to interpret his and there are a lot of possible meaningful interpretations. Don’t worry that there is only one “right” way to summarize Cohen. The odds are that I will learn something about Cohen from you that I did not yet consider. Enjoy this exercise as an opportunity to work on your own writing. 

Nuts and bolts: 500 words, three total paragraphs, MLA style, In each paragraph, quote each thesis directly directly at the beginning, before you summarize it.