Dissemination of Data Essay Example for Free

Dissemination of Data Essay Freemantle and Watt (1994) suggest dissemination is the mechanisms and strategies by which specific groups become aware of, obtain, and make use of information. This definition introduces the notion of targeting specific groups with information that may be relevant, but also highlights the necessity of such groups being able to make use of the information once received. A goal of the researcher according to Pellecchia (1999) should be â€Å"to disseminate the findings, thereby adding new knowledge to the field†. Researchers have an array of presentational styles and formats to choose from that best fit their research purposes (Sandelowski, 1998) but the key point is to choose the most appropriate method for displaying particular research findings (Saldana, 2003). In paying attention for the above research, the most popular way to reach desired target audiences is to give a paper or show a poster in lobby influential individuals through conferences, seminars or meetings, write press articles for publications that are read by policy-makers, send a targeted mailings containing relevant findings and recommendations in the form of a newsletter, letter or leaflet and by using visual and multimedia formats such as DVD’s can enhance the impact of research findings however, the costs associated with multimedia production can be higher than other methods of dissemination. Freemantle N, Watt I (1994) Dissemination: implementing the findings of research Health Libraries Review; 11: 2, 133-137. Pellecchia LG (1999) Dissemination of research findings: Conference presentations and journal publications. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation; 14: 3, 67-79. Sandelowski, Margarete (1998). Writing a good read: Strategies for re-presenting qualitative data. Research in Nursing and Health, 21(4), 375-382 Saldana, Johnny (2003). Dramatizing data: A primer. Qualitative Inquiry, 9(2), 218-236. Research Design -1500 Methodology refers to the philosophical framework, the fundamental assumptions and characteristics of a human science perspective van Manen (1997). It is the theory behind the method, including the study of the method one should follow and why. To answer the research question, this study was guided by the philosophy of hermeneutic phenomenology that sought to address the experiences of women regarding reconstructive surgery. According to Rossman and Rallis (1998), phenomenology pursues to develop an understanding of lived experience. The first-hand report or description of one’s experience of the phenomenon is central to the understanding of the phenomenon. The focus of a phenomenological study according to Patton (1990) lies in the descriptions of what people experience and how it is that they experience. The goal of phenomenological research is to describe and identify precisely the essence of a person’s lived experience in relation to what is being studied and not to develop a model or describe a grand theory (Oiler, 1982). Phenomenology, as a research method, is a rigorous, systematic investigation of phenomena which approach is descriptive, retrospective, in-depth analysis of a conscious lived experience, which is everyday experiences that are real and true to the individual. Every time a participant’s view is expressed, the researcher may see the interpretation as an answer to the question that is being asked (van Manen, 1997). Thus, the conversation has a hermeneutic orientation â€Å"to sense-making and interpreting of the optic that drives the conversation†(van Manen, 1997, p.98). The adoption of hermeneutic phenomenology was based on several factors. Since the objective of the study was to determine how satisfied women are with the reconstructed breast after surgery. Hermeneutic principles facilitated the interpretation and meaning of these women’s experiences and took into account the influences of social factors. It acknowledges that understanding is influenced by both internal and external factors, and is guided by language which leads to the creation of new meanings or understanding through dialogue (Vis, 2005). Hermeneutic phenomenology involves the process of interpretation and the interaction between the researcher and the participants, requiring the researcher to be reflective, insightful, sensitive to language and open to new experiences (van Manen, 1997). It afforded the opportunity to explore and gain better appreciation of the researcher‟s cultural heritage, which enriched the depth of interpretation and understanding of the phenomenon. Sample The study was conducted at the Spire Cardiff Hospital, which caters specialist cancer care within Wales. Nurses and psychosocial professionals identified the potential participants who met the eligibility criteria and provided the researcher with their telephone numbers. The researcher approached identified participants during clinic visits or contacted them by telephone to introduce herself and provide a detailed explanation of the study. Ten participants will be recruited since there is a limited number of women that have undergone breast reconstruction within the specified year. A number of eight to ten sample size was appropriate for a phenomenological study (Morse, 2000; Starks Trinidad Brown, 2007) and achieved the goal of obtaining a varied, rich and deep understanding, or essence, of their lived experience (Creswell, 1998). The specific criteria for selecting the participants include women who received any type of breast reconstructive surgery due to breast cancer, who are older than 18 years of age, can speak and write English, and had no history of major mental illness, and those who have received breast reconstructive surgery from last year (2011) up to this year (2012). Purposive sampling will be used in this study. Verbal consent was obtained from those willing to participate in the study. Thereafter, an interview was scheduled at a mutually suitable time at the hospital or the participant’s home at which time written consent was obtained following review of the consent form. The consent form was written in English and describes the study and its objectives, outlines the potential risks and benefits to participants, as well as the safeguards to maintain confidentiality of data. The consent form also advises participants they may withdraw from the study at any time without compromising their clinical care. Data Collection Data collection consisted of patient demographic profiles and audio-taped face-to-face interviews which were subsequently transcribed. A semi-structured interview guide was constructed to facilitate data collection; the questions were partially derived from existing psychosocial literature on the concept of self-identity (Mathieson Stam, 1995) and modified for the purpose of this study. These questions were constructed to seek meaning and significance of a phenomenon (van Manen, 1997). The interviews were digitally audio-taped and transcribed. Each interview lasted about 1 – 1  ½ hour. In hermeneutic phenomenology, an interview serves as a vehicle to explore, gather and develop a conversation with the participants to gain an understanding of the meaning of the lived survivorship experience (van Manen, 1997). According to van Manen (1997), the art of the researcher in a hermeneutic interview is to keep open the question of the meaning of the phenomenon and as well to keep the researcher and the participant oriented to the idea of being questioned. As Gadamer (1975) states, â€Å"The art of questioning is that of being able to go on asking questions, i.e. the art of thinking† (as cited in van Manen, p.330). In keeping with the hermeneutic inquiry, the interview began with a broad question which asked each participant to describe what it was like around the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Thereafter, the researcher sat back and listened, allowing the participants to tell their story and the process to evolve. Following the hermeneutic circle of questioning, the researcher went back and forth, deconstructing and reconstructing meanings, while paying particular attention to not only what was said, but also and more importantly, to what was not said to uncover the true essence of the experience (McConnell-Henry et al., 2009a). Additionally, the researcher introduced ideas and concepts expressed from one interview to the next to validate common or varied themes. Attention was directed to whole or overall meanings, and at the same time, the whole or overall meanings were examined by its parts (van Manen, 1997). Field notes and memos were recorded immediately following each interview, with notations on the location of the interview, the participant’s home environment, as well as participant’s body language, facial expressions and emotional responses, such as tone of voice and affective changes observed during the interview. The researcher’s impressions and feelings during the interview and preliminary thoughts on emerging themes and theoretical assumptions were recorded in a reflexive journal. Nvivo 2.0 qualitative software was used for coding of the data. Descriptive statistics (mean, median, SD) were calculated for all demographic variables. Data analysis was conducted based an inductive iterative approach. In qualitative research, a transcript is necessary to achieve the research goal of capturing participants‟ reconstruction of their lived experience in their own words (Sandelowski, 1994) and to complement the level of analysis involved (Drisko, 1997). Sandelowski (1994) believes that a transcript becomes the researcher‟s raw data by preserving the interview event and which could be utilized for member checking and expert peer review. If the focus of an analysis is to provide an in-depth description of the knowledge, attitudes, values, beliefs or experiences of an individual, or a group of individuals, then a lengthier and more extensive text is required for the transcript. The interest of researchers goes beyond identifying patterns and salient themes; they also seek to demonstrate variations in the way a phenomenon is framed, articulated and experienced, as well as the relationships within and between particular elements of such a phenomenon (MacLean, Meyer, Estable, 2004). As the aim of this hermeneutic phenomenological research was to gain a deeper understanding of women’s feeling after breast reconstruction, every effort was made to capture not only spoken words but also the emotional content of the interviews. Transcripts were transcribed verbatim and included mispronunciations, grammatical errors, vernacular expressions, intonations, slang, and emotional sounds; these were denoted in the transcripts as [crying softly], [laughing softly] or [sounds like nervous laughter] (MacLean et al., 2004). Attention to the expression of idioms is particularly important in phenomenology as they are born out of lived experience (van Manen, 1997). To improve understanding of the content and affect of the interviews, transcripts included contextual information such as silences or pauses in conversation and background noises, as well as inaudible segments, which were documented in the transcripts as [cannot hear] or [inaudible] (MacLean et al., 2004; McLellan, MacQueen, Neidig, 2003). Interviews conducted in English were transcribed verbatim by an English-speaking transcriber, The researcher clarified and verified the English transcripts against each interview and made changes as required. For accuracy and quality control purposes, spot-checks were conducted on all transcripts and translated transcripts (McLellan et al., 2003). Preparation for data analysis begins by orienting oneself to the phenomenon (van Manen, 1997). To accomplish this, the researcher emerged herself in the data by listening to each tape purposefully and reflectively, paying attention to each participant‟s human existence. While listening, the researcher mentally re-lived the interview process; Multi-layered readings allowed a wholistic feeling of the „big picture‟ and ensured no aspects of the phenomenon were omitted. The researcher individually coded all the transcripts. During the readings, significant phrases, sentences and statements were highlighted and coded, with particular attention paid to recurrent images, repeated words, metaphors or analogies, and contradictions and transitions in the narratives (Ryan Bernard, 2003); emerging themes were categorized according to the four structures of the lifeworld. Interpretation and meanings were proposed for each statement employing words as close as possible to those voiced by the participants. Common themes were integrated into the four existential structures that describe the phenomenon , thereby generating a clear structured cognitive framework of the emergent themes; a distinction was made between incidental themes versus essential themes(van Manen, 1997). Constant comparison of the text was undertaken to identify negative cases and compare thematic patterns and commonalities that characterized the phenomenon being studied, and to explain individual variations within each interview as well as all interviews as a whole (Thorne, Kirkham, OFlynne-Magee, 2004). Phenomenological investigation entails the art of sensitivity to the subtle undertones of language; this requires the researcher to be a true listener to attune to the deep tonalities of language that normally fall out of the range of accustomed hearing (van Manen, 1997). Data Analysis 5.3.1 Thematic Analysis This study employed thematic analysis to describe and interpret the internal meaning structures of lived experience or lifeworld. In qualitative research, thematic analysis is the most common approach for data interrogation (Creswell, 1998). According to Luborsky (1993), the significant benefit of utilizing thematic analysis is its direct representation of an individual‟s point of view and descriptions of experiences, beliefs and perceptions. In phenomenology, themes, or existential themes, are viewed as the structures of experience and often described and interpreted within the structures of the four existentials of lifeworld lived space (spatiality), lived time (temporality), lived body (corporeality), and lived relation (relationality) as the means to ground human experience (van Manen, 1997). In other words, recognizing how and where the data was to be categorized thematically not only helped to integrate the themes into a structured meaning, but also provided a clear structured cognitive framework for the researcher and the reader to understand the textual data (Vis, 2005). Unlike quantitative research which seeks causal determination, prediction and statistical generalization of findings, the aim of a naturalist, constructive and interpretative inquiry is to solicit rich illumination, understanding and extrapolation from the data generated (Hoepfl, 1997; Polkinghorne, 1989). The issues of validity and reliability are just as important in qualitative studies as in quantitative research to establish truth-value; in qualitative investigations, however, validity and reliability are achieved through the concepts of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability (Guba Lincoln, 1985). For hermeneutical research, the multiple stages of interpretation that allow patterns to emerge, the discussion of how interpretations arise from the data, and the interpretive process itself are critical ways to ensure rigor (Koch, 1995).Rigor was further enhanced by having two English transcripts randomly selected and reviewed by the thesis supervisor (CW) and a committee member (DH). They each read the transcripts to verify coding accuracy, reviewed the extracted statements as well as the formulated meanings and themes, and provided additional interpretation of the coded data as necessary. In this study, trustworthiness was addressed through reflexivity, prolonged engagement, interdisciplinary triangulation, negative case analysis, peer debriefing/support and audit trail (Padgett, 1998). Prior to detailed discussion of the techniques employed to establish trustworthiness, I pause to acknowledge the current debate and tension regarding the appropriateness of applying quantitative terminology to establish rigor in qualitative research (Golafshani, 2003) . While prolonged engagement, triangulation and negative case analysis are acceptable techniques to establish rigor in qualitative research (Guba Lincoln, 1985), there is, however, an acknowledged need for qualitative researchers to define the meanings of these techniques within the paradigm (Babour, 1998). Therefore, interpretation of the techniques applied in this hermeneutic phenomenological research is explained. Ethical Considerations Ethics approval was sought and obtained from the Research Ethics Board to conduct the thesis research at Spire Cardiff Hospital. Administrative ethics approval was also sought and obtained from the Office of Research Ethics in Wales for thesis research. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were contacted by the researcher to introduce the study, provide written details of the investigation and obtain their consent to participate in the study. The consent form in English described the study and its objectives, the potential risks and benefits to participants, and the safeguards to maintain confidentiality of data. The consent form also advised participants that they could withdraw from the study at any time without compromising their clinical care. The risk to the participants in this study was limited to possible psychological or emotional discomfort when sharing their experiences; in such cases, the interview would be suspended and participants offered the option of continuing or terminating the interview, as well as a referral to the Spire Cardiff Hospital Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Program for professional support. Benefits of the study are its contribution to both the development of culturally sensitive psychosocial/supportive care interventions and the knowledge-building process regarding the women’s experiences after breast reconstruction. To protect the confidentiality of participants, an identifying number was assigned to digitally recorded interviews. All patient identifying information was deleted before they were forwarded to a secured e-mail account for transcription. To ensure security, digital audio recordings were stored in the researcher’s locked office and transcribed data password protected. Participants were assured that their decision to participate, or not would in no way affect their follow up or future treatment and care at the hospital. Participants were referred to another breast site social worker for psychosocial care as appropriate. van Manen, M. (1997). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy (2nd ed.). London, Ontario: The Althousen Press. Oiler, C. (1982). Phenomenological approach in nursing research. Nursing Research, 5, 49-63. Vis, J.-A. L. (2005). Exploring the lived experience following trauma: A hermeneutic phenomenology study. Unpublished Dissertation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Morse, J. (2000). Determining sample size. Qualitative Health Research, 10(1), 3-5. Starks, H., Trinidad Brown, S. (2007). Choose your method: A comparison of phenomenology, discourse analysis, and grounded theory. Qualitative Health Research, 17(10), 1327-1380. Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Mathieson, C., Stam, H. J. (1995). Renegotiating identity: Cancer narratives. Sociology of Health Illness, 17(3), 283-306. McConnell-Henry, T., Chapman, Y., Francis, K. (2009a). Husserl and Heidegger: Exploring the disparity. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15, 7-15. Sandelowski, M. (1994). Notes on Transcription. Research in Nursing Health, 17, 311-314. MacLean, L., Meyer, M., Estable, A. (2004). Improving Accuracy of Transcriptsin Qualitative Research. Qualitative Health Research, 14(1), 113-123. Drisko, J. W. (1997). Strengthening qualitative studies and reports: Standards to promote academic integrity. Journal of Social Work Education, 33(1), 185-197. McLellan, E., MacQueen, K., Neidig, J. L. (2003). Beyond the Qualitative Interview: Data Preparation and Transcription. Field Methods, 15(1), 63-84. Ryan, G. W., Bernard, H. R. (2003). Techniques to identify themes. Field Methods, 15(1), 85-109. Thorne, S., Kirkham, S. R., OFlynne-Magee, K. (2004). The analytic challenge in interpretive description. Retrieved November 12, 2008, from Http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/3_1/pdf/thorneetal/pdf Luborsky, M. R. (1993). The identification and analysis of themes and patterns. In J. Gubrium A. Sankar (Eds.), Qualitative Methods in Aging Research (pp. 189-210). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Hoepfl, M. (1997). Choosing qualitative research: A primer fpr technology edcuation researchers. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/jte-v9n1/JTEv9n1.pdf#page=49 Polkinghorne, D. E. (1989). Phenomenological research methods. In R. S. Valle S. Halling (Eds.), Existential Phenomenological perspectives in psychology (pp. 41-60). NY: New York: Plenum Press. Guba, E., Lincoln, Y. S. (1985). Naturalisitc Inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Koch, T. (1995). Interpretative approaches in nursing research: The influence of Husserl and Heidegger. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 21, 827-836. Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 8(4), 597-607. Padgett, D. (1998). Qualitative methods in social work research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Babour, R. S. (1998). Mixing qualitative methods: Quality assurance or qualitative quagmire? Qualitative Health Research, 8(3), 352-361. Levine, E. G., Eckhardt, J., Targ, E. (2005). Change in post-traumatic stress symptoms following psychosocial treatment for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 14, 618-635. Smith, M. Y., Redd, W. H., Peyser, C., Vogl, D. (1999). Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer: A review. Psycho-Oncology, 8, 521-537. Kornblith, A. B., Herndon, J. E., Weiss, R. B., Zhang, C., Zuckerman, E. L., Rosenberg, S., et al. (2003). Long-term adjustment of survivors of early-stage breast carcinoma, 20 years after adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer, 98(4), 679-689.

John Lennon and Paul McCartneys Eleanor Rigby :: Poetry Poetic Poet Poem Essays

John Lennon and Paul McCartney's Eleanor Rigby Loneliness is a reoccurring theme in all types of literature. â€Å"Eleanor Rigby,'; by John Lennon and Paul McCartney is a fine example of the theme of loneliness in poetry. The two characters in "Eleanor Rigby" are compared by their loneliness through the extensive use of symbols.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The poem begins with the refrain, "Ah, look at all the lonely people." The same refrain is used to end the poem, making a complete circle. This creates, for the reader, a sense of loneliness about the poem as a whole. In the second stanza, Eleanor is introduced as a woman who cannot face the world as her self. She wears the â€Å"face that she keeps in a jar by the door.'; Literally this can be interpreted as makeup, but symbolically she is hiding her self.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The third stanza is a second and different refrain. This refrain occurs every other stanza. It acts as a divider between the stanzas dealing with a specific character. In the fourth stanza, Father McKenzie is introduced to the reader. He is conveyed as a materialistic man whose life has no meaning. Line fourteen literally tells the reader that no one will hear his sermon. The Father has no point to his life if he reaches no one through his sermons. Father McKenzie is â€Å"darning his socks in the night when there’s nobody there,'; which implies he is ashamed. He tries to hide not only the fact that he cannot afford new socks, but he is also hiding his self just as Eleanor did.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The seventh stanza brings the two characters together. They are both brought together for Eleanor’s funeral because Father McKenzie is reading her eulogy, but they are brought together in a different way that is more important to the theme. The stanza ends as Father McKenzie comes to a realization that his life is pointless, and Eleanor dies without a husband.

A Summary of the Book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser Essay

Customers, food critic and competitors are all praises over McDonald’s French fries for its unique and distinctive taste.  Ã‚   However, its taste has nothing to do with neither the potatoes that they use nor their cooking equipment.   The source of its distinctive taste has largely to do with cooking oil which is a mixture of 7 percent cottonseed oil and 93 percent beef tallow, which also explains why it has more saturated fat per ounce than a McDonald’s hamburger. They switched to using pure vegetable in 1990 when they started getting criticisms about the high amount of cholesterol in their fries.   This move gave them a whole new challenge on how to maintain the distinctive beefy taste in their fries, which sets them apart from the rest, without using the fat saturated beef tallow.   The problem was solved by adding flavor to their fires.   A closer examination of their ingredients will show you â€Å"natural flavor,† which is hardly natural as â€Å"natural flavor† and artificial flavor† are both man-made.   It explains why McDonald’s fries, as well as American food in general, tastes so good. The flavor industry is very secretive when it comes to their clients.   They deem it of utmost importance to protect the reputation of these popular brands and understandably so since they would like to give the consumers the impression that the flavors and delectability of their food comes from their kitchens and not from elsewhere. International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) is the largest flavor company in the world, also manufactures the scents of some of the most successful and finest perfumes in the United States.   Food’s aroma is responsible for 90 percent of its flavor.   In fact, the â€Å"flavor† manufactured in these companies are primarily the smell of gases being released by the chemicals we put in our mouths. Researches done by scientists reveal that disposition or preference to certain food or taste is usually formed at the early stages of a person’s life.   Aroma or taste, and memory are strongly linked to each other which explain why a particular smell or taste could trigger a person’s memory back to childhood, often referred to as â€Å"comfort foods.†Ã‚   This phenomenon is what fast food chains, including McDonald’s, are banking on in their marketing and promotions.   Memory of Happy Meals can translate to frequent adult visits to McDonald’s. Meanwhile, the author discussed the American ranchers’ dire predicament in the present market.   McDonald’s is America’s largest beef purchaser.   In the late 1960’s McDonald’s buy their beef supply from 175 local suppliers, but in their desire to achieve uniformity as its business expanded, they limited their suppliers down to only five.   Many ranchers argue that large corporations have gained control of the market, employing dirty tactics to keep down the price of cattle. Chicken McNuggets was formed through an idea of McDonald’s chairman, Fred Turner, in 1979.   He wanted a supplier to create a â€Å"chicken finger-food without bones, about the size of your thumb.†Ã‚   The alarming growth rate of poultry in the United States at that time was a threat to the fast food chain whose only products are burgers. After six months of intensive research, Keystone lab developed a new technology for manufacturing McNuggets, made of reconstituted chicken, composed of white meat, held together by stabilizers, breaded, fried, frozen, then reheated.   Its initial test-marketing proved to be so successful that McDonald’s hired another company, Tyson Foods, to guarantee adequate supply.   The success of McNuggets changed the nations system for raising and processing poultry. Greeley, Colorado is a town where cattle is the main business, and where workers and machines turn large steer to vacuum packed packages.   However, the industrialization of cattle raising have turned one of the nation’s best-paying manufacturing jobs, into one of the lowest paying, the biggest workforce of which are poor immigrants. The working conditions in these meat packing plants were horrible to say the least, endangering the lives of its workers as well as those of its consumers.   Presently, meat-packing plants and agricultural fields hire poor immigrant workers who are willing to receive lower pay than U.S. citizens.   Even in the present time when technology and new systems are available, it hardly improved the working conditions of these workers.   They work every day amidst the indescribable stench and dirt, health exposure, injuries, and even death.  Ã‚   The different work in meat-packing plants and slaughterhouses are unarguably one of the most dangerous jobs in the planet. Schlosser brought up the presence of E. coli in meat as one of the hazards in the meat packing industry.   E. coli bacteria aid human beings in digesting food, synthesizing vitamins and protects from dangerous organisms.   On the other hand, E. coli 0157:H7 is a mutated version that is harmful and can release a powerful toxin called â€Å"Shiga toxin.†Ã‚   It attacks the lining of the intestines that may result to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and low-grade fever. It becomes deadly when â€Å"Shiga toxin† enters the bloodstream and can lead to kidney failure, anemia, internal bleeding, and destruction of vital organs.   Children or elderly with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer.   Antibiotics do not help and in some cases, even triggers the release of Shiga toxins, after which little or nothing can be done to those infected.   Unlike Salmonella virus which requires large doses to cause infection, E. coli 0157:H7 requires very little.   It only takes a tiny, uncooked particle of a hamburger to contain enough pathogen to kill a person.   This can be transmitted from person-to-person. The influence of America has widely spread for most of the twentieth century, as the popularity of movies, CDs, music videos, television shows, clothing and fashion grow steadily, so does the Americanization of the world.   Fast food is one of the most popular American influences which people around the globe actually patronize.   Today, the United States has the highest obesity rate of any industrialized nations.   It soared dramatically in proportion to the consumption and popularity of fast food.   The Americans’ way of eating and living has changed so drastically in the past decades, when people eat more and move less. The popularity and growth of the fast food industry is mainly through their abundance of high-fat, inexpensive meals that are easily available.   They have also increased their portion sizes as a way of attracting customers.   The popular fast food chains realized that it was easier to increase the size of their portions than to promote healthier eating habits, as it was very difficult to battle eating habits formed early on in life through their own marketing strategies.   Even countries such as Japan, whose diet has always been believed to be the healthiest in the world, succumbed to the fast food influence.   As a result, obesity which used to be a rarity in this country has become more common. In 1994, a libel trial begun between McDonald’s and two Greenpeace activists, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, where Steel and Morris was being sued by the fast food chain for libel.   They were alleged to have spread leaflets and information that were damaging and untrue.   Many years later, the court ruled that the information was indeed libelous as Steel and Morris were not able to prove â€Å"all† of their allegations against McDonalds.   This trial dragged on for years, until present time, and has put McDonald’s in a much worse situation than the two activists, due to bad publicity. Opinion At first glance, Fast Food Nation may seem to be a book that is bent on brandishing the fast food industry to be the bad guys.   However, this book actually contains a well-researched and factual representation of American lifestyle and eating habits, as well as its remarkable influence in the world.   Eric Schlosser wrote a compelling picture of the origins of the present American society and the rest of the world’s â€Å"Americanized† way of life. McDonald’s have been successful in infiltrating the lives of American consumers and establishing its stronghold in many people’s eating habits.   In its aim to provide convenience and â€Å"fast† food to people, McDonald’s and the rest of the fast food industry cleverly found a way to give the consumers exactly that, fast food.   Just like any other business, is it any wonder that the fast food industry has creatively and cleverly formulated it own strategies and marketing ploys to gain the fickle trust of consumers? Many might wonder, if McDonald’s, and the fast food industry in general, should be blamed for the terrible eating habits and obesity that besets many Americans and other nations across the world.   I believe that the consumers are partly to blame in this predicament; after all, what they put in their and their children’s, mouths is ultimately their decision.   However, I strongly believe that McDonalds, and the rest of the fast food industry, has a very crucial responsibility in putting forth correct and unveiled information about their food products. It is their business and moral responsibility to put the health of their consumers of utmost consideration and importance, over profits.   It is understandable for consumers to unwittingly get hooked to these great-tasting fast foods, and realize only later on that they have made a mistake.   Clearly, the fast food industry failed to do their jobs in providing correct and ample information, and in resisting the urge of capitalism and profit over the welfare of their consumers, in effect, jeopardizing their lives and exposing the health of your children to grave danger.

Television Has Too Many Advertisements - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 677 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/09/11 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? â€Å"Television has too many advertisements during programmes† Is TV being ruined by adverts which have no relevance to the programme? Well throughout my piece of writing i am going to give my personal views and the views of others on why i think there are too many commercials now-a-days on television. When you watch a programme generally you do not want it to be interrupted by irrelevant information? Have you ever had a glance at what is going to be on next and the show says thirty minutes, but why does it not say adverts included as you automatically think that the show will be lasting for thirty minutes. The one thing that really irritates me is that when you start to get into watching a program a spontaneous break occurs which means that there is going to be another boring commercial. In my opinion TV advertisements can often be repeated throughout a program which can make the show quite monotonous to watch at times and this can turn it into boring entertainment. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Television Has Too Many Advertisements" essay for you Create order It would be a totally different matter if the commercial was relating to what the show was actually about such as a music channel advertising upcoming music events. Do you think are a waste of time when you have to pay to watch television? Television commercials can waste up to ten minutes of viewing time yet television providers still insist that shows, last the time shown on the guide when they normally can last a minimum of ten minutes. If you have not already noticed they have already started placing commercials during sports matches which can agitating for example: during rugby, football and cricket. When an advert interrupts sports matches you can miss an important part of the match. If you have ever noticed some of the commercials are not very appropriate for younger viewers for example; young children can be easily influenced by what is on TV never mind the advertisements which can be worse than the actual programme. So should there be a restriction for the times of certain adverts? Such as adverts for adults should be shown after nine o’clock. Certain programs and movies have advertisements every fifteen to thirty minutes depending on the length of the programme. When a movie has certain age restrictions i think so should some adverts which are advising parents that the advert their child is about to see might be about an adult subject or product for example alcohol the drink â€Å"Black Russian. Can children be so easily influenced by a five minute advertisement? Some customers can be dis-satisfied by what is on TV let alone the advertisements which can be even worse than the actual programme, which you are trying to watch. Advertisements during children’s programmes ads can sometimes be about a subject which might only appeal to adult and will be only available to adults so why should television providers show children these during their cartoon shows? On the other hand some advertisements can be about the upcoming programme so this meaning adverts can be quite informative whilst others can be just quite cretonous to the person who wants to watch their programme which they actually pay for. I have recently asked some people if adverts where a good way of informing you about a certain topic and the majority of the people said â€Å"they could be shorter and not as frequent but more relevant to the programme. So i gave my opinion about advertisements and how they can be so irrelevant for example; if you are watching the Simpsons an advert starts about mortgages and how you can sell gold but baring in mind most of the viewers are under the age of 16 once again these topics are irrelevant to the viewers. So why do TV channels host these irritating adverts? If you asked the majority of under 11 year olds what a mortgage i would predict that most of them would struggle to give you an answer, yet according to TV hosts they think adverts should be about these matters.