Inventory System: Executive Summary Essay

Abstract There is increase in popularity and use of the Internet for research purposes by schools and students. Popular among the web-based information resource is the Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that uses wiki software for the creation and editing of contents on its site. The use of Wikipedia for research has increased over the years. It is the world’s acclaimed 6th most visited website (â€Å"Most Popular Websites on the Internet†, 2012) . This status is not without its own challenges. The main one being that of credibility. An online encyclopedia that allows anyone to edit its entries to some, limits its validity. This paper attempts to look at some of the reasons its credibility is in question. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. It uses a collaborative software known as wiki to facilitate the creation, development, and editing of entries by contributors who do so without pay. It is available in 285 languages with about 100,000 regularly active contributors. Once connected to the web users can write and edit articles on the site. Wikipedia has gained much popularity particularly because of its rich information and full accessibility of data. However, owing to its open-source management style that allows anybody to change contents, there has been a growing concern about Wikipedia’s credibility as a source of information for academic work. Wikipedia was founded as an offshoot of Nupedia, a now-abandoned project to produce a free encyclopedia. Nupedia had an elaborate system of peer review and required highly qualified contributors but the writing of articles was slow. During 2000, Jimmy Wales, founder of Nupedia, and Larry Sanger whom Wales had employed to work on the project, discussed ways of supplementing Nupedia with a more open, complementary project. Multiple sources suggested that a wiki might allow members of the public to contribute material, and Nupedia’s first wiki went online on January 10, 2001. There was considerable resistance by Nupedia’s editors and reviewers to the idea of associating Nupedia with a website in the wiki format, so Sanger coined the name Wikipedia, which is a portmanteau of wiki (a type of collaborative website, from the Hawaiian word wiki, meaning â€Å"quick†) and encyclopedia. Wikipedia was launched on its own domain, wikipedia.com, on January 15. In May 2001, a wave of non-English Wikipedia was launched. (Wikipedia, 2012). Supporters of Wikipedia believe contents are verified for accuracy, and monitored for consistency and currency. Nevertheless, at the rate contents are created and edited – about three million in 2008 and presently 21 million – accuracy cannot match the speed! Voss (2011) stated â€Å"Edit history and user contributions are auxiliary clues (to the quality of the site) but very time-consuming to review† (p.10). Even the founder of Wikipedia have expressed concern over the existence of such inconsistency and inaccuracy of contents. † Various experts (including founder Jimmy Wales and Jonathan Zittrain, Oxford University) have expressed concern over possible (intentional or unintentional) bias† (â€Å"Wikipedia†, 2012). Others contend that because Wikipedia is a huge information resource, which allows open inspection and arguments in which changes are debated, it is a useful source for scholastic work (Smooth & Crovitz, 2011). Many others argue that the errors found on Wikipedia are not uncommon to errors found in other encyclopedias. For example, In December 2005, the scientific journal Nature published the results of a study comparing the accuracy of Wikipedia and the printed Encyclopedia Britannica. The researchers found that the number of â€Å"factual errors, omissions or misleading statements† in each references work was not so different – Wikipedia contained 162, and Britannica had 123. This was not generally accepted as the makers of Britannica have since called on Nature to retract the study, which it claims is completely without merit† (Woods & Thoeny, 2007, pp. 90-92). A major issue with Wikipedia is that of source authenticity. Since people are free to create contents from sources at their disposal, some articles may contain unverified and inconsistent information. Sources are not properly cited. Most materials do not meet the criteria of a good source among which are currency of information, impartiality, and evaluating credentials of authors.. This explains why contents are continually edited. Ray and Graeff (2008), historical scholarship is also characterized by possessive individualism. Good professional practice requires that ideas and words are attributed to specific historians. A historic work without owners and with multiple authors like Wikipedia, is thus almost unimaginable in our professional culture. Using Wikipedia saves time owing to its versatility and large information base, some have argued. This is because contributors are more interested in flooding the site with information than painstakingly digging deep to ensure quality of contents. Topics in Wikipedia are sometimes treated superficially with the aim of transferring a general and simple understanding across to users. When such an article is cited in a professional research work, it automatically renders the work incomplete, inaccurate, and misleading. Readers do not need to be scholars to read between the lines on Wikipedia. Content is not exactly expert knowledge, it is common knowledge. For example, an article on nuclear reactor will not be anything different from what most people know about nuclear reactors and what the authors think common people can understand (Keen, 2008). One of the five pillars, which guide Wikipedia’s operations is that Wikipedia is free content that anyone can edit, use, modify or distribute. The idea of inviting readers to serve as authors or editors poses a problem. Not all users are thorough in providing accurate information, and they are others who deliberately mutilate particular articles or post misleading statements. Sometimes, information is posted or edited by people who have little or inadequate knowledge of the subject, and as the adage goes, little knowledge is dangerous. Wikipedia has no way in evaluating the credentials of content authors as it is free for all. Even though these content are edited, one can never be sure how many errors have been corrected. According to Voss (2004), as more people read about an article, the more errors are emended some might say. However, one can hardly be sure how many qualified people have read an article and how many errors remain. Edit wars sometimes occur in Wikipedia. Edit wars occur when two contributors (or group of contributors) repeatedly edit each other’s work based on a particular bias. Using such a content makes the research work the ‘casualty’ of such ‘wars’. In early 2004, Wikipedia set up an Arbitration Committee to settle such disputes (Woods & Thoeny, 2007). Conclusion Wikipedia describes itself as, â€Å"the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.† As discussed earlier, the site runs on â€Å"democratic† principles allowing anyone to contribute, create, edit, and distribute contents freely. Free and open access has outlined above, have serious consequences as it exposes texts to vandalism and inconsistency. Wikipedia’s contents are edited based on individuals perceived opinion or knowledge, unlike other online resources like the Oxford English Dictionary for example, which was developed by a carefully selected team of experienced professionals. By compromising traditional concept of authorship, Wikipedia affects associated issues of authority, originality, and value. When a source’s authority and accuracy is in question then the credibility is not guaranteed. Frankly, a site like Wikipedia that allows anyone to add, change, or remove information cannot be credible. References Spatt, B. (2011). Writing from sources (8th ed.). Bedford St. Martin Publishing. Ray, A. and Graeff, E. (2008). Reviewing the Author-Function in the Age of Wikipedia Woods, D. and Thoeny, P. (2007). Wikis for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ, Wiley Publishing, Inc. Smoot W.S. and Crovitz D. (2009). Wikipedia: Friend, Not Foe,† in English Journal 98.3 Keen, A. (2008). The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet is Killing Our Culture. Bantam Dell Publishing Group Voss J. (2004). Measuring Wikipedia http:/www.wikipedia.org http:/www.mostpopularwebsites.net

Poor Patient Care due to Nursing Shortage Leading to Professional, Research Paper

Poor Patient Care due to Nursing Shortage Leading to Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that in the healthcare setting, nurses are the important players in nourishing and rehabilitating an unhealthy, injured, diseased individual back to a normal and healthy individual, thereby enabling him/her to live a happy and successful life. The roles and duties of a nurse have also evolved with the changing face of nursing. Rather than becoming few, they have become many, with nurses increasingly taking up certain duties that were previously left to society. The development of nursing has also seen nurses evolve from general practitioners to highly specialized professionals, with areas of practice ranging from geriatric nursing to pediatric nursing. This has resulted in better patient care and higher patient survival rates. With the rapid development of human society and increasing health needs, this specialization across the nursing profession is bound to increase even more. However, there is another side to the above scenario. That is, due to the number of factors, there is sizable nursing shortage throughout the world including in the UK, and that is leading to poor patient care. Due to this shortage of nurses in healthcare settings, patients are put in a high risk condition, as they are not being given expected as well as adequate care leading to professional, ethical and legal issues Identification of the legal, professional and ethical issues A nurse will only â€Å"provide a structure of caring that can ultimately create an environment where†¦ a patient can begin a transition from victim to survivor† (Johnston 2006). Thus, if the shortage of nurses accentuates, the ‘structure’ will collapse, leading to a lot of trouble and risks. Shortage of nurses is being witnessed in many UK hospitals in the past few years, thereby placing NHS in a peril state. A shortage is happening because many hospitals have placed a freeze on the recruitment of new nurses and also axing currently functioning nurses as well. â€Å"Many hospitals have been axing nursing posts or imposing recruitment freezes since 2005 and 2006, having racked up huge debts. Official figures show 5,964 nursing posts have been axed in the past two years. † (Borland 2013). Shortage of nursing staff has a major detrimental impact on the quality of service of the hospital which directly impacts its reputation as well as on the hospital’s overall capacity to service (Buerhaus et al. 2007). More than the hospital’s image, the valuable lives of people are at stake. People come to a healthcare setting in an already compromised state, with both their physical as well as mental health in a will be in a weakened state. That is, as people visit hospitals, when their physical body is malfunctioning, diseased and injured, their physical strength and also their mental morale will be at an all-time low. Fig 1: (Borland 2013). Considering their state, it is of crucial importance for the healthcare profe ssionals particularly nurses, as said above, to provide them with apt care and ‘nurse’ back to health. (Gosling and Mintzberg 2003). However, when there is the shortage of nurses, all the patients may not be given apt and equal care, also may not be given quick care or care in times of need, and even deficient care. When this happens, many worst-case scenarios arise. â€Å"Recent documents, including the infamous Francis Report, have exposed a catalog of failings in the NHS, where patients have been neglected, poorly observed and physically abused. Findings detailed how patients were left unwashed; unable to eat and drink due to lack of help, and overall poorly managed in their final hours of need.† (The City Times).  

Discussion 12 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion 12 - Assignment Example It will provide a convenient framework for evaluating nursing interventions. An example of an instance where informatics can help in the development and structure of knowledge is in electronic medical recording. Electronic medical records avails a comprehensive medical history of a patient from which healthcare providers can view and use the information documented by healthcare providers who have attended to the patient in the past. In tackling the PICO question, there will be a need to ensure privacy and confidentiality of information that participants will provide. Disclosing or letting the information leak to unintended persons can end up in undesirable outcomes due to its inappropriate use. In addition, it will be imperative to uphold patient safety because nursing has a mandate not to cause harm to patients. The research endeavor will seek to contribute uniquely to the practice of nursing (Simpson, 2006). I once encountered a patient who had been involved in a gruesome road accident. After a few days of hospitalization and continued examination, we realized that the accident had paralyzed the patient. After sharing the information with the patient’s family, the family pled with us not to tell the patient the prognosis because they believed it would affect him. The ethical dilemma was deciding whether to grant the family’s plea or to honor the patient’s right to know the outcomes of our examination. Although we managed to convince the family that we would help the patient to handle the truth and start physiotherapy to rehabilitate his mobility, the dilemma was difficult to resolve. Systematization of interdisciplinary communication is one of the significance of technology use to nursing knowledge development and structure. Ethical consideration is crucial in the delivery of nursing care. Killeen, M. & King, I. (2007). Viewpoint: Use of King’s Conceptual System, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Classification Systems for Global

Managing Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry Coursework

Managing Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry - Coursework Example 1. A short analysis is done on the history of innovations that has been driving the pharmaceutical industry as it has been in existence in the last two to three years and not beyond that period since our consideration is on contemporary issues. 2. Following this, the paper analysis the nature of innovation that the companies have been embarking on. The impact of the innovation on the growth of the company and the kind of stress that is laid on it by the industry. The major factors that have been driving innovation in the industry in addition to the market forces. Major technological breakthroughs and the question of survival; how do they affect the work of the research establishments in the companies 3. A similar analysis is done on the challenges that are faced by companies when they steer their ship through the innovation regime. This would feature the major challenges and the issues that cloud their thoughts and their performances. Innovation is driven by a need in the market or a gap in the consumption process. This continues to be a very important top management responsibility and normally finds itself paid great attention in modern times. Companies that do not subscribe to innovation are relegated to history sooner than later. However, innovation is not without its own associated problems. Every innovation goes hand in hand with troubles of varied nature. In Pharmaceutical industry, the drugs and the cures are the ones sought after by men all through. Innovations bring in wide changes, new drugs and cures that usher in better life expectancy and life style to people. Some of them however, bring in different kinds of problems too. Dateline: May 24, 2006. Hong Kong. The South China Morning Post reported that a number of journalists were attacked by hospital and drug producing cartels for exposing the inadequacy or side-effect in a breast-enlargement treatment until finally the connected hospital was shutdown (Bruce Einhorn 24 May 2006). December 8, 2003. The European conference on the Pharma and Biotech unilaterally accepted that Europe is falling back in its pharma and biotech industry to the US and to the swiftly growing Asia (Sean Silverthorne 8 Dec 2003). The reason, they cited, was the lack of large companies and proper support in their growth and innovation. The Pharmaceutical industry and the biotech world have both been suffering major changes in their direction. This has happened because of the more wide spread education today and the knowledge among the patients or the consumers of the industry. The markets are educated and are knowledgeable about the chemicals that go into every drug and the effect of them though they may not be all that comfortable ordering such drugs all by themselves. Therefore, if there is any discomfort or after effects of using a drug, the companies are hauled up like never before. The

The role of Governments and Intergovernmental organizations in dealing Essay

The role of Governments and Intergovernmental organizations in dealing with the impact of globalization - Essay Example s and strategies adopted by governmental organizations shapes globalizations as much as globalization dictates the conditions and policy that must be established by governments (Globalization and Global Governance 9-21). The portrayal of globalization as the external force that constrains governments, leaving them with few choices apart from adapting, led the former US President Bill Clinton to remark: Government and intergovernmental organizations play a varying role to deal with the impact of globalization, depending on the dynamics of the matter at hand. Where globalization is understood in the context of being involved in the erosion of economic, political, social and cultural borders, the government’s role of accepting the process and defining policies that promote such a change can be seen as â€Å"making† globalization (The Global Transformation Reader 22-44). The steps taken by the national institutions include the harmonization of regulations that govern various aspects of the system setup, as well as the removal of barriers that prevented free flow of information, goods and services in the past. The European Union (EU) provides a classic example for understanding the role of governments in acceding to the demands of globalization, by the removal of physical borders and unification of economic might to deal in a more positive manner with the changing dynamics of the global business and development demands (Globalization and Global Governance 77-85). The Schengen treaty allowed the citizens of member states to move with ease across the expanse of the EU; the overall aim being to create a mobile and skilled workforce that would have benefits for all concerned members of the EU. For the impact of globalization to be dealt with a positive manner, it has been pertinent for governments and related institutions to undertake an open and flexible approach, especially in identifying the areas where comparative advantage can be reached. This is evident when seen

Assignment on Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment on Criminal Justice - Essay Example This paper focuses on the Drug Enforcement Administration (hereinafter, DEA) which works under the ambit of the Department of Justice and whose sole responsibility is the enforcement of drug control laws. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with drug control as the only mandate. Why was the DEA created in the first place? The DEA was created in 1973 when the realization came that effective drug control meant not only controlling the demand side, e.g.. criminalization of drug possession and rehabilitation of offenders, but also by controlling the supply. In an effort to streamline the bureaucracy, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control (BDAC) were abolished and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), which was working under the Department of Justice, had enforcement responsibility over drug laws. The Office for Drug Abuse and Law Enforcement (ODALE) and Office of National Narcotic Intelligence (ONNI) were then created to assist in the enforcement of drug laws both at the national and local levels. ... The FBN continued its mandate until a report by the Katzenbach Commission found that, among other things, the enforcement staff in drug control had to be increased and the bureaucracy streamlined. Drug enforcement then became under the Department of Justice and the DEA was created. Lyman (2011), in describing the overall philosophy of the DEA describes it as follows: â€Å"to eliminate drugs as close to their sources as possible and to disrupt the drug trafficking system by identifying, arresting and prosecuting traffickers.† (page 329). Intelligence work is a big part of the tasks of DEA agents, who regularly monitor and conduct surveillance operations on the transportation of drugs into American shores. There is intense pressure to kick the drug problem and resultant from this, â€Å"drug enforcement is commanding a growing share of local police, prosecution and correction resources.† (Kleiman and Smith, 1990: 69). A theory being propounded is that the concentration o f police force in drug enforcement is causing a rise in the spate of crime and that is a constant criticism that the law enforcement sector of the country has to faced. Whilst the DEA is doing its utmost to ensure that it performs its duties efficiently and with judicious use of resources, it also cannot be denied that the drug cartels and the crime syndicates are getting wiser and more able to get around the law. Hence, innovation is an important ingredient in enforcement of anti-drug laws. It must also be understood that policing supply of drugs and curbing demand cannot be seen as independent variables. They must work together. There is growing evidence to the effect that effective drug enforcement increases the price of drugs in the market and suppress use (Caulkins

A South Affican Investment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A South Affican Investment - Essay Example They argue that this profit would then be used to help move blacks into positions of management. Indeed, CalTex could show that they had moved 40% of their black work force into positions once only held by whites. They also showed that their operations had moved blacks into 22% of their lower management positions. They also were paying a higher than average wage to their black workers, resulting in improved living conditions. The argument against the utilitarian benefits of CalTex continuing to refine oil did not negate the political realities of South Africa. None of their black workers were able to unionize, vote or even travel into â€Å"white† areas without special permission. The negation of these basic human rights counteracted any good that CalTex was providing to the black community through job opportunities, improved wages or slight upward mobility. Building the plant would give tax revenue to the government and imply cooperation with the regime. I believe that it is more important for the corporation to not expand because without basic human rights, a better job doesn’t really make life much better. I believe that as a stockholder I should have voted for CalTex to suspend operations in South Africa. This first proposition was the best way to set a good example of moral corporate governance. I would know that I would surely lose money if the other stockholders voted with me, but I would feel better about the future profits of the company. CalTex is an international company and pulling out of South Africa would not have a long-term effect. The refinery could have been sold and the corporation could have withdrawn. As to the second proposition of not selling to the military, I believe that I would not have voted for this proposition. The simple fact is that South Africa had passed a law specifically against such actions. My feeling is that if a corporation is going to do business in a given country, they should obey the laws