Empirical Literature Article Review of Leadership Ethics Essay Example for Free

Empirical Literature Article Review of Leadership Ethics Essay The opportunity to evaluate original research serves as one of the many foundations to both scholarly writing and research (Grand Canyon University, 2013). Therefore, to enhance this process I will critique empirical research articles for the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness in understanding leadership ethics. So, using the literature presented within in the works of â€Å"Predictors of Ethical Code Use and Ethical Tolerance in the Public Sector† by Neal Ashkanasy, Sarah Falkus, and Victor Callan along with â€Å"Advancing Ethics in Public Organizations: The Impact of an Ethics Program on Employees’ Perceptions and Behaviors in a Regional Council† by Itai Beeri, Rachel Dayan, Eran Vigoda-Gadot, and Simcha Werner, and finally, â€Å" An Empirical Study of Leader Ethical Values, Transformational and Transactional Leadership, and Follower Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility† by Kevin Groves and Michael LaRocca comparisons will be made on the relevance and need for research purposes. In comparison, the authors of each study utilize ethical behaviors for the purpose of comparing relationships, perceptions, and beliefs associated with measures of ethical practice. Furthermore, reasonable justification for conducting the research presented in each study is outlined as evidence from the posed research questions and is validated within the results of each piece of literature reviewed. Posed Research Questions Relating the Authors in the Comparison Similarly, the literature within each study focused on ethical practice and how it used to enhance behavior of individuals within organizations. However, assertions within the scope of the posed research questions present relevant generalizations for each study. For example, Ashkanasy, Falkus, and Callan (2000) focused on variables that formulated predictive roles of organizational, individual, group, and contextual levels for utilizing formal codes of conduct. These variables were developed to serve as predictors of ethical tolerance as a result of formal code use. Whereas, organizational commitment (OC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and quality of work life (QWL) are the basis in which Beeri, Dayan, Vigoda-Gadot, and Werner (2013) perceive positive relationships are built as ethical resources are generated. Hence, these three areas promote awareness of ethical leadership and decision making in addition to the ethics code. Further, Groves and LaRocca (2011) incorporate the notion of corporate social responsibility by modeling both transformational and transactional leadership styles. Here, the idea is leaders with deontological values of ethics will be perceived as modeling transformational leadership, while leaders with teleological values of ethics are perceived as modeling transactional leadership (Groves et al. , 2011). Although each study assessed various ethical practices, each displays similarities in presenting study results as a means of validating posed questions of research. Sample Populations The results recorded from evaluations used in the sample populations’ highlighted evidence relevant to that of measures needed to verify theory associated with ethical practice. Hence, each study presented the results through a form of statistical analysis in which various test groups within the field of research were used. Moreover, similar methods were incorporated to assess the results of the respondents within all three studies. Ashkanasy, Falkus, and Callan’s Approach This evaluation involved mailed questionnaires to public sector employees in one State of Australia. The principal method of conducting this study was based on hierarchical regression, and addressed several factors such as: demographic measures, personal ethical values and attitudes, context and group-level variables, and organizational practices (pg. 245, 2000). Given the basis of evidence Ashkanasy, Falkus, and Callan (2000) used this method of analysis to assert that ethical decisions are more likely to be influenced by employees, versus the effect of group and individual variables. Beeri, Dayan, Vigoda-Gadot, and Werner’s Approach In lieu of the goal to test the relationships between ethics and performance within governments locally, Beeri et al. , (2013) used questionnaires to evaluate the long term effects of an ethics program on employees’ perceptions, and the behavior in one council of an Israeli region. This as a result, stems from awareness of ethical codes, and inclusion of employees in the ethical decision making process. Groves and LaRocca’s Approach Groves and LaRocca (2011) utilized voluntary community-based leadership programs that targeted educational values on ethics. The leaders of these community based programs were emailed a link with instructions for participation with an online questionnaire. The assumption here was that training on both transformational and transactional leadership, in addition to ethical decision making and CSR would now be implemented. Results Analysis All in all, the results displayed by the analysis of each study correspond to the overall effort of the posed research. For example, supported results aligned with study hypotheses, but signified that certain mechanisms underlie the criterion for each of the tested variables on different levels according to Ashkanasy, Falkus, and Callan (2000). Whereas, Beeri et al. , (2013) report a greater awareness in ethical codes and decision making along with increased organizational commitment is achieved as a result of positive ethical leadership. And finally, Groves and LaRocca (2011) correlated their findings with the original prediction that transformational leadership alone was aligned with the beliefs of followers in view of the corporate social responsibility of stakeholders. Conclusion Study Limitations of Articles To fully appreciate the level of understanding needed to evaluate literature of empirical research, a description of the methodology, research questions and an analysis of results must be presented to determine the validity of the overall analysis. And as such, each study discussed within the contents of this paper has been successful in delivering on all areas to support research efforts. However, there were areas that pose limitations to future research efforts for all three studies. For example, the use of questionnaires may not represent a true assessment of the respondent’s beliefs (Ashkanasy et al. , 2000). Also, issues surrounding anonymity can urface when responding to questions concerning ethical climate (Beeri et al. , 2013). And further, influences set by both common source and common method can stimulate bias in lieu of follower values of CSR (Groves LaRocca, 2011). For future development of the practice The results yield an overall influence within organizations that build on variables to increase ethical standards. However, there are yet underlying issues for democratic organizations that stress the importance of ethics, integrity, and fairness (Beeri et al. , 2013). And recommendations for further study are necessary to promote the continuous effort of influencing follower perceptions toward ethical commitments.

Effect of Voltage on the Rate of Electroplating a Metal

Effect of Voltage on the Rate of Electroplating a Metal Akinlabi Boluwarinde Oluwatosin BACKGROUND Electroplating is the process of plating one metal onto another by hydrolysis, most commonly for decorative purposes or to prevent corrosion of a metal. There are also specific types of electroplating such as copper plating, silver plating, and chromium plating. Electroplating allows manufacturers to use inexpensive metals such as steel or zinc for the majority of the product and then apply different metals on the outside to account for appearance, protection, and other properties desired for the product. The surface can be a metal or even plastic.[1] RESEARCH QUESTION How does varying the voltage of the circuit affect the rate of electroplating a metal with copper? HYPOTHESIS The voltage of the cell also known as the E.M.F (electromotive force) is known to be the force that drives the current thhrough the circuit. It is expected that by increasing the Voltage the circuit will lead to an increase in the rate of electroplating the metal as more current will flow easily throughout the circuit. VARIABLES Independent Variable The voltage of the circuit Dependent Variable The mass of pure copper electroplated onto the metal Controlled Variable The amount of time allowed for reaction The concentration of the electrolyte solution The metal rod used CONTROL OF VARIABLES The amount of time allowed for reaction to occur will be measured with the use of a stopwatch. The voltage of the circuit will be increased by a fix aed amount of 1.5V to keep the experiment and easily measure a changein rate. The same metal rod will be used throughout the experiment for all trials and of the different voltage. The mass of the metal rod to be used is 7g APPARATUS Cells Low resistance wire Copper solid Electrolyte (copper sulphate solution) Electric Balance Stopwatch Metal rod Voltmeter Beaker METHOD I Setup the circuit as shown in the diagram below. I measured the initial mass of the metal and recorded it.Starting with one cell of 1.5V. I closed the circuit and allowed the reaction to occur for 10 minutes. I removed the electroplated metal and measured its mass and recorded it in the table. I Repeated the experiment increasing the number of cell each time and recorded the mass of the of the electroplated metal each time. SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS There is the risk of electrocution if care is not taken. To avoid this the use of well protected wires is necessary and great care must be taken when carrying out the experiment. DATA COLLECTION Raw Data Voltage /v Mass of metal rod after electrolysis /g  ± 0.1g Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 1.5 7.8 7.9 7.9 3.0 8.9 8.7 8.8 4.5 10.0 9.9 9.9 6.0 11.1 11.2 10.9 Qualitative Observations: The pure copper solid used became faded after it was used in the electrolysis reaction. There was still some residue of copper left on the metal rod after rinsing it. The voltage recorded by the voltmeter was not constant but varried in range that was close to the desired value The mass of the metal rod used is 7g Processed Data Voltage /v Mean Average mass of metal rod after electrolysis /g  ± 0.1g Mass of copper added to rod /g  ± 0.1g 1.5 7.9 0.9 3.0 8.8 1.8 4.5 9.9 2.9 6.0 11.1 4.1 The data has been processed. The mean of the three trials for each voltage has been calculated and represented on the table above as Mean Average mass of metal. Also the mass of copper that was electroplated onto the metal rod was calculated using the equation: Graph 1 Graph 2 CONCLUSION As expected when there was an increase in the voltage flowing in the circuit the mass of copper that was electroplated onto the metal rod increased too. This is because as the voltage increases a larger number of electrons flow from the cell or battery into the anode which causes the formation of copper ions to occur faster and so more ions are attracted to the metal rod (cathode) in the given time. The relationship between mass of copper electroplated and voltage can be seen on both graph 1 and graph 2 above. In graph 1 there is an increase in mass as voltage increases but the graph obtained is a slight curve rather than a straight line which indicates random errors, this could likely be due to the voltage fluctuating in circuit. Graph 2 shows a line of best fit for the graph and it is a straight line graph as expected, the error bars are plotted as well. The line passes through all the error bar ranges but does not touch any of the points on the graph and it does not pass through the origin (0,0), this may be due to systematic errors such as errors in the electric balance when measuring the mass of the metal rod before and after electroplating. The linear correlation is 0.998, which suggest very strong correlation between the two variables. EVALUATION The graph of values obtained was not exactly the same as what was expeted. A straight line graph starting from the origin was the expected graph but the graph ontained after a lin of bestt fit was plotted started from the y-intercept -0.25. This was due to errors in the experiment. Random errors such as the fluctuation of the voltage flowing through the circuit as a result of the chemicl reactions going on in the cell led to some of these errors. The voltmeter showed values that ranged from below to above the value of the voltage required indicating that this variable was not kept constant. The deviations were very little and not too far from the required voltage but were still enough to cause errors. It is also possible that because the same solution was used for all trials not all the copper ions had been electroplated onto the metal rod, this could have altered the concentration of the electrolyte (copper sulphate) leading to more errors as the concentration of the electrolyte als o has an effect on the rate of electroplating. Systematic errors were also present throughout the experiment, errors in measuring the mass of the of the metal rod before and after electroplating and also in measuring the mass of the anhydrous copper sulfate solution. This may have been due to poor caliberation before the experiment was carried out. The copper used may also have not been pure as it is possible that there were impurities in the copper solid used. Finally not all of the copper was rinsed off the metal rod before it was used for the next trial which could have altered the total mass when the mass of the metal after electro plating was measured. Errors in measuring the volume of water to be added to the beaker could also have been present. Systematic errors in the stopwatch used such as the delay in starting when the timer was started. The experiment also depended on human reaction time which is known to less accurate than machines, this will have led to more errors. It is impossible to keep the voltage of the cells constant but the range of values can be reduced by using new cells. The eleectric balance cshould be well caliberated before carring out the experiment and a balance with a higher degree of accuracy and sensitivity (measures to more decimal places) could be used. Before each trial a new electrolyte solution could be used to avoid any changes in concentration during the experiment. The experiment could have been automated using a switch that opened after ten minutes from when it was closed to eliminate the error as a result of dependence on human response time. The experiment could also have been repeated more times to reduce errors and increase accuracy. Also a lager rane of voltages could have been tested to gain more data for better more accurate analysis. [1]  http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Electrolytic_Cells/Electroplating

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Our tax dollars at work - a Border Patrol Agent at Burger King! Perhaps it’s a bit radical, perhaps a bit naà ¯ve, but I believe that the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol are institutions which are no longer practical, useful, or necessary in this country. First of all, what are they really accomplishing? The Border Patrol is specifically designed to keep "illegal" or "undocumented aliens" from coming into the US. Is it working? Hardly. Oh sure, they catch a few Mexicans running the desert now and then, but the numbers that are apprehended don’t come close to the numbers of those that make it through. And what about immigrants from other countries? Are our resources able to track those that fly in or arrive by boat? According to the Arizona Republic article "Dying to Work," "The INS strategy of blockading popular border routes with high-tech gizmos and nearly 10,000 agents has yet to measurably cut the flow of illegal immigrants." In fact, it is estimated that there could be as many as 8 million illegal immigrants in the US today. Would it be so bad to just let them in? Over 1100 Mexican nationals have died since 1997 just trying to get to El Norte. Is keeping them out really worth all the expense of the Anti-Immigration agencies and the death toll involved? I would like to examine some of the issues believed to be a problem in this situation†¦ Immigrants are taking American jobs. While in the case of educated immigrants taking skilled jobs this may be true, the numbers in this situation are very small. In fact, one problem that faces many immigrants coming to this country for work is that skills or certifications that they may have had in their home country won’t transfer to professional jobs here, or the language barrier prevents them from performing professional jobs. A good example of this is with Seini from Tonga. In her home country she was a nurse, but in the US could only be a nurse’s aide. Her husband Simi went from being a teacher in Tonga to a warehouse worker. Of more concern to Americans seems to be the throngs of unskilled laborers coming from "Third World" countries. These immigrants come to the US primarily to seek employment, true, but in general the jobs they take are those that are low paying and undesirable to Americans. In speaking with the owner of Hoe-Down Landscaping Services, I was told that in 8 years of business he had not had a single white American apply for a job.

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Being born into a Indian family, where the cuisine is exquisite makes staying healthy and fit almost impossible. Almost everything we eat is fried and full of oil and butter. Instead of eating small meals with snacks in between we eat three big meals. Although most of the food is cooked at home it is still full of fat. Indians are known for their amazing food and the reason it tastes so heavenly is because of all the oil and butter in it. Who can resist the temptation of such delicious food? Did you know that obesity is part of the top 10 factors of death? Being obese can cause serious problems and can be dangerous for normal life. Obesity is a common problem nowadays, which occurred because of various factors such as, development of human civilization, transport, media and communication devices. The increase in technology makes people lazier, rarely moving and spending their free time sitting in front of the computer. People are giving up quality for speed, is it worth it? Obesity i s a major issue I deal with almost everyday, I have several family members who are obese. My family members who are obese don’t care that they are obese and they just continue living the wrong type of lifestyle. They argue that obesity is a disease when many just say it’s a lifestyle. Being obese isn’t easy, yet half the people in America chose nothing to do about it. If people do not do anything to get rid of obesity then the cycle will continue to go on and I need to figure out how to get obese people to live a healthier lifestyle and influence these people to break the cycle. This semester I will be researching on whether obesity is a disease or a lifestyle. I also want to research why the sudden rise in obesity, and what can be done to reduce it. ... ...healthy and not exercise. Eating vegetables and working out is not easy but it is something that needs to be done to maintain a healthy life. Growing up I was surrounded by obese people and tried to eat as healthy as I can so that I would not become obese. While my family would be eating dessert I would eat vegetables. Instead of watching T.V with the rest of my family, I would go outside and play. I guess you can say I was born to be health conscious and want the rest of the world to be healthy also. Researching on obesity is going to be very interesting and seeing the differences in people’s opinions on whether it is a disease or a lifestyle is going to be another interesting aspect. Writing about this topic will help me help those who need some kind of motivation to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Obesity is a huge issue that needs special attention.

Expectations For Boys and Girls

Expectations for boys and girls are extremely high in today’s society. A lot of people feel pressure in today’s society and so much so that some people feel the need to take their own lives. Some people are able to rise above societies expectations, but that is incredibly hard to do and not everybody is strong enough to overcome that. The pressures of society follow everyone everywhere and different people must handle it in different ways. Expectations for girls are a lot higher and a lot more pressured than expectations for boys.Girls are expected to be pretty and nice and clean, but that is not always the case with every girl. They are expected to cook and clean as stated in Barbie Doll. â€Å"The girlchild was born as usual and presented dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons. † This really shows that girls are pressured into this kind of life from an early age. After she hits puberty, expectations start to change, especially with her peers. â€Å"Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said: you have a great big nose and fat legs.† Within her own peer group she is being mocked and put down until she can’t take it anymore. â€Å"In the casket displayed on satin she lay. † Only then did the people in her life comment on how she was pretty, but it was too late for her. In the other poem, Good Girl, girls are expected to hold up the world. â€Å"Hold up the universe, good girl. † She also gets compared to Atlas, the Greek God who holds the world on his shoulders. â€Å"Sever yourself, poor false Atlas. † Unfortunately, this is true because some women have to cook and clean the house for her family.â€Å"You are the universe about its pole. God’s not fair. † Some women even have to work for their families also and it is true that some women hold the world on their shoulders. Expectations for boys however are much different. In the poem, Dylan, a mother talks about how her y oung son doesn’t have a worry in the world and is so happy. â€Å"On Monday he was Spiderman. All it took was red P. J’s, gluey palms and two spools of thread. † She then goes on to talk about how she wishes she could bottle up that happiness, â€Å"It seems if I could stash just one of these get-ups and the way your heart soars.† The mother than says, â€Å"Little boy, you could don it the morning some girl wrecks you. † She wants to give him his happiness when he is sad so he can immediately be happy again. This speaks to the expectations of boys in society because they are expected to never be sad but in truth, there will always be times when one is sad. In the other poem, Rites of Passage, the little boys at the party feel the need to compare themselves to one another to see who the alpha male is.â€Å"One says to the other How old are you? Six. I’m seven. So? † Boys are expected to be rough and tough and must appear that way espe cially to other boys. â€Å"I could beat you up, a seven says to a six. † Boys are not allowed to show their sensitive side and if they do then they will be ridiculed. Later in the poem the host of the party, speaks to the group as a whole, â€Å"We could easily kill a two-year-old. † And all was well between the boys again, because they all found a common interest.

Biases and Judgment in the Hiring Process Essay

Recently, a new case manager for the radiology department in the hospital was hired. In order to maintain the good name of the hospital, our honored organization, and for it to stand for its very highly valued services and unequalled reputation, it is only inherent that we evaluate our practices. In this regard, yours truly is making a self-evaluation process as to the dignity and reasonability on the decision to hire Mr. Smith as a case manager over the rest of the eight final candidates. Deciding as to which one to choose among the many outstanding candidates was a difficult ordeal. Aside from this obvious task on selecting which, among the original seventeen (17) applicants, and narrowing them into eight (8) final candidates, is the best and the most suitable case-manager-to-be, there are other issues at hand that need to be addressed given my position. The two most dominant of these issues that yours truly needed to strongly consider are biases and egocentrism. Although Barton (2001) noted that â€Å"everyone has biases†, it is not an excuse not to minimize it or be aware of it and prevent it from happening. On the other hand, egocentrism happens when one â€Å"can only view the world from their perspective and finds it difficult to understand any other†. (Oakley 18) Biases and egocentrism are so inherent that they need to be warded off every time a major decision, such as hiring a key organization manager, is to be made. Combating one’s bias is not simple but as long as there is patience, it can at least be reduced to its minimum level. In the case of yours truly, the following major measures are applied in order to succeed in eliminating or at least minimizing bias: a. Identifying the issue at hand and getting informed as much as possible, b. Not adhering to stereotyping and discrimination (age, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ethnic origin, etcetera; and c. Applying the â€Å"scientific method† Once a person has enough knowledge about something, he or she is not easy to be deceived, especially by his or her own biases. Stereotyping and discrimination is so strong in this society, thus, yours truly always make a checklist in avoiding all these types of biases or causes of biases. The â€Å"Scientific Method† always works in reducing or eliminating bias. This means that yours truly always see to it to ccollect useful data by means of observing and experimenting, then formulate and test hypothesis. Even though this may sound so technical but it can be applied on almost every situation. As for egocentrism, almost the same procedures are applied in order to eliminate it during a decision-making process. Moreover, one simple rule applies here as well: the Golden Rule while stepping into someone’s shoes. For situations where yours truly believe that egocentrism may takeover, the idea comes to mind carrying the solution. This solution is in the form of inner examining voice asking, â€Å"If I am in his or her situation, how would I like to be treated? † Thus, it is a mixed golden rule and empathy. The answer to the question always reduces/eliminates egocentricity. Decisions by expedience are considered as foundations of this organization. Decisions based on reflections give this organization its emotion and meaning. Thus, yours truly also utilize both, around 80% of decisions are expedience-based and the rest are based upon reflection. It is always important though, during the entire decision-making process to â€Å"ensure that subjective decisions about omitting some subjects from the analysis do not cause bias† (Peat, 2001, p. 200) Decision-making is difficult and determination is important in succeeding. There are also factors deterring a person to perfect his/her decision-making abilities but once these factors are identified and admitted by the decision-maker, there are various ways to combat them.

Bible Interpretation: Steps Involved in Interpretation of New Testament Letters Essay

In the book â€Å"Journey into God’s Word: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible (pp. 100-102), Duvall and Hays teach the four steps of the Interpretative Journey for the New Testament letters. These steps, when utilized properly, helps us grasp the meaning in the scriptures Galatians 5:16-18, but also gives us an understanding of how we interpret things in the modern world as opposed to those in the biblical world. Step one of the Interpretative Journey for the New Testament letters asks the reader to â€Å"Grasp the text in their town.† By this the author wants the reader to understand the difference in culture and time, as well as understand that the message Paul was trying to teach when writing that letter to the Galatians. In chapter 5:16-18, Paul states very clearly and to the point, â€Å"Let the holy spirit guide your lives, then you wont be doing what your sinful nature craves.† This powerful verse allows the reader to understand how great the fight between the flesh and the Spirit are. These three verses allowed Paul to reassure that anyone who walks in the path of the Spirit will less likely give in to the urges of the Flesh. Those who do right to fulfil their obligation to the Spirit are slowly cleansing their own soul of their sinful desires. ‘Measure the width of the river to cross’ is step two of Interpretative Journey for New Testament letters. The biblical audience and modern day interpretations of the scriptures in Galatians form the proverbial river that we must measure in order to cross. The biblical audience found themselves in a fight between the flesh and the Spirit. We in modern times also have the same battle to overcome. The river however I think was much higher in biblical times because of the constant strain for acceptance and understanding that they lacked in first-century theology. I think finding a clearer path in the Spirit in earlier times was much easier to find and hold onto since the majority of life was home and church, unlike today which many do not believe in the Spirit. Step three asks us to â€Å"Cross the Principalizing Bridge.† To give ones entire devotion to the Spirit is a very hard, daunting task that can sometimes feel like the wrong path.The theological principle is to walk in the Spirit. To give in to ones sinful desires to the flesh seems like an easier route. However the second theological principle is to Not give into the evils of the flesh, but to believe in the Spirit and walk in his light. Both biblical day Jews and modern day Christians face this decision everyday. This makes the  theological principles timeless and apparent in the text. It follows the scripture and pertains to both audiences. The final step in the Interpretative Journey for New Testament letters is â€Å"Grasp the text in our town.† This step is used t o ask oneself how modern day Christians utilize apply the theological principles by giving two real-life stories that focus on them.