Sport Psychology Case Study

Sport Psychology Case StudyDOING SPORT PSYCHOLOGY1INTRODUCTION playing optimally on all level is daunting, but when your next paycheque depends on your per springance, it adds a whole new dimension to the stress and challenges faced. By adopting more(prenominal) trenchant ways and tools to deal with these obstacles, these athletes are able to overcome these challenges and perform at their take up. naval division A Initial contact with athleteAt the beginning of January I walked into the Dojo, ready to start a new year of training, and saw a new face, sweating it out in the cage. Roeloff the Wolf Scheepers, Professional EFC Fighter, had joined our Dojo. Roeloff is 28 years old and has been training in various forms of Martial Arts since he was in primary school. Roeloff relocated to Mossel Bay in December 2013 from Rustenburg, where he trained with Teammendes for close to four years. After school he joined the South Afri brush aside Air Force and served in Iraq with the United S tates Marine bay window from 2005 to 2006. A few years ago he lost his job and had to take on professional fights in send to try feign a living.Our Dojo has a lot of students and more different classes running simultaneously, and with him training for EFC 30, and me training and instructing it was quite a while before I had a chance to fall up a conversation with him. I had heard via the grapevine that he had suffered a bad loss last year due to injury, so I used this to strike up a conversation with him one night while he was taking a break. We became fast friends, and often discuss the ups and downs and challenges of bit professionally.Roeloff had a real hectic training schedule so he was at the Dojo at least 6 days a week, morning and night. I instruct on a Monday and Wednesday, and train Mondays to Thursdays, so I was able to chat to him at least 4 days a week. Our interactions and conversations were rattling casual, normally before, during and after training. As we train ed under the same teacher and in the same Dojo I had plenty of opportunities to observe him training. I was also privileged exuberant to go to Cape Town to watch him fight at EFC 30 in June.I found Roeloff very open and eager to chat to me more or less his training and challenges. He is always looking for ways to learn more and improve on his existing techniques and training and was eager to hear if I had any advice for him.One of the biggest challenges faced by professional MMA fighters is the mental aspect of the training. The physical side of fight preparation is brutal, and if you are not mentally strong, the training can easily stand the better of you. When training for a fight, slashting weight, incessant sparring, rolling, weight training and cross-fit training can really earn a chip on you mentally and physically. Roeloff verifys that if you are not mentally prepared and strong enough you will not make it.One of his biggest challenges was the weight cut. Professional fighters get paid per fight, R5000 for a loss and R10000 for a win. If at the weigh in, a fighter does not make weight, his antagonist has the choice of whether to fight him or not. If the opponent chooses to continue with the fight, the fighter that did not make weight has to pay his opponent 75% of his fight purse, win or lose. Because of this, some fighters go to extreme measures to cut their weight, and thither is such a fine balance between healthy methods that enhance energy and operation, and unhealthy methods that can totally sabotage the fighter. It is also very tough being on such a strict diet while your friends can eat as they please. It takes a huge amount of willpower and discipline to stick to the eating plan, and sometimes Roeloff lacks this self-control when he is not being monitored closely. He also has the tendency to get despondent when he feels he is not performing up to standard. He sets high standards for himself, and he trains and fights for his Dojohis in structor and fellow students.and he does not want to disappoint us. So he puts a lot of pressure on himself.I really enjoyed this stage of the process. Getting to eff Roeloff and observing him was very interesting, and I switch made an some other unspoilt friend as a result of it. It was very informative and a great learning curve, and allowed me to look at fighting from a different perspective.SECTION B Literature reviewI did a search through various literature on enhancing performance by scope goals in order to give Roeloff some advice. Most of the studies that defy been done over the years regarding goal background knowledge and performance have been in the industrial context. It is only in the last 20 years or so that studies have been done on the relationship between goal setting and performance in sports and these studies have shown a unconditional correlation between goal setting and performance in sports. finale setting is important otherwise the athlete will not kno w what he is working towards. This can be demotivating in itself. Goal setting theory is based on what Aristotle called final causality (Locke, E.A., 1996). According to Locke (1996) there are internal and external aspects to goals. Internally they are ideas, while externally they refer to the object or condition sought, therefore the idea guides the action to constitute the object.In a study conducted with 5 rugby players, Hanton et al (2006) found that goal setting was effective in improving the rugby players performance. Smith Ward (2006) found that after Football players had set goals they performed better than they did during their baseline testing.In a study conducted by Weinberg, Bruya, Longino and Jackson (1988) they found that the crowd of athletes that were given specific goals performed better than the group that was told to do their best. Specific goals facilitate behaviour change more effectively than general non-specific, do your best goals do. By setting specific e xplicit goals, the athlete knows exactly what is expected of them and what they want to succeed. This is what I believe Roeloff needs in order to deal more effectively with the challenge of trying to cut weight.Goals should also be difficult but not unrealistic. Often for a professional fighter, the amount of weight they have to lose may seem to be unrealistic. Due to this impossible amount of weight to be cut, the fighter might even start believing it is impossible even before he starts his eating program, causing him to lose motivation before he even starts. This is counterproductive for any athlete trying to achieve a particular goal. It is argued by Locke (1990) that if goals are to difficult and result in failure, the athlete will lose motivation which in turn will be given to a decrease in performance, therefore goals need to be attainable and not too difficult.SECTION C InterventionAfter I had gotten to know Roeloff a bit better, I spoke to him about my assignment and stu dies, and that I would like to observe him and could maybe offer some advice for him to try out. He was very eager for any feedback that could help him in any way. He also feels that I would maybe see things from a different perspective than him or our instructor that could be helpful. As we both spent a lot of time at the Dojo I got plenty of opportunity to observe him while training. We often socialise outside the Dojo, so I got to know him on a personal level. I often found that just by watching and listening, I gleaned a lot of information about how he thinks and feels, and what challenges he faces.One of his biggest issues is rigidly sticking to the eating plan set up by his nutritionist for his require weight cut. Cutting weight is a long hard process that can go on for months. It is easy to lose sight of the reason for the diet, so I suggested to Roeloff that maybe he should focus on his goals and goal setting. According to Locke and Latham (2002), a goal is an neutral or aim of action defined as attaining a specific standard of proficiency on a task, usually within a specified time limit. McClements (1982) has made a trait between different types of goals, namely subjective, general objective and specific goals. Evidence suggests that certain types of goals are more useful in changing behaviour than other types of goals. Studies have also shown that explicit goals are more effective than general do your best goals.Roeloffs subjective goal is to do his best, his general objective goal win his fight and his specific goal was to make a specific weight by a specific date and to win with a knock out. Roeloffs fight preparation started in earnest about 6-8 months before his scheduled fight. This is a long time to stay focused on your main goal. I suggested to Roeloff that maybe he can set himself smaller, specific, explicit goals that will lead to his main goals. Some sports psychologists (Bell, 1983 Carron, 1984 Gould, 1983 Harris Harris, 1984 OBlock Evans, 1984) emphasise that setting more immediate short-range goals is important. In their meta-analysis Kyllo Landers (1995) showed the superiority of combining short- and long-term goals. Recent research has also revealed that both short- and long-range goals are needed to maintain motivation and performance (Weinberg, Butt Knight, 2001)By setting short-range goals, Roeloff will be able to see immediate improvement and this should enhance his motivation. By setting smaller weight cutting milestones, he will be able to see what he has done so far, and that he has achieved his short-range goal, and motivate him to make the next milestone or goal, and not lose sight of his main goal, making weight at the EFC weight in.My interactions with Roeloff have always been in the form of casual conversations. On one particular Wednesday Roeloff and I had just finished instructing the juniors and were discussing the class when we got on the topic of his upcoming fight. I mentioned that I had been thinking about his biggest obstacle and suggested to him that he set himself smaller goals, which in turn will help him achieve his main goal. Roeloff was very responsive to my suggestions and was eager to try it out. I found it was easy to approach Roeloff with my observations and ideas and he is always open to someone elses ideas and views.SECTION D FeedbackA few months after giving Roeloff my suggestions he came to me one night and said that he had done a petty research of his own about my suggestions. He decided to give it a childs play and see what happens. After all, he had nothing to lose. He set himself smaller goals that would ultimately tie in and lead to his long term goal, and while retentivity his eye on the main goal, focused mostly on his short-range goals. He found that it worked well for him.He found it easier to stay more focused, and managed to change course more temptation in the process, and sticking to his eating plan more strictly. By doing this, hi s weight loss was better, and he felt more motivated, and gained a little more self-confidence in his ability to achieve his goals. By being able to stick to his short-range goals, he felt far more positive about achieving his long-range goal.Roeloff said that this is something he will be implementing on a regular basis. It helps him define his goals better and have a clearer picture of what he needs to do in order to achieve what he sets out to do.SECTION E Overall reflectionI have really enjoyed this confuse and the subject as a whole. I feel that I am very blessed in the fact that I train at tiger Kai. My head instructor is friends with many professional fighters as well as some of the top trainers in the country, and this has given me the opportunity to get to know so many fine athletes. And I was very blessed to have Roeloff relocate to Tiger Kai and allow me to use him for my project.It was a great experience getting to work with a professional fighter on such a close level, and being given access behind the scenes of an event like EFC and the inner plant of a fighters fight camp. It has been an amazing learning experience and has deepened my interest in Sports Psychology.I have had no illusions about the mental and physical aspects of being a fighter (as I have done martial arts myself for 13 years now), but I now I have a deeper taste of some of the aspects that are not quite so visible to others around the fighter, and how these can also affect a fighters performance.CONCLUSIONThere are many factors, both mental and physical, that affect the performance of athletes. An athlete faces many challenges, both physically and mentally, which need to be overcome in order to achieve their goal, which is to be the best at their chosen sport.Sometimes, these challenges may seem insurmountable to some athletes, but with the right type of assistance, these challenges and obstacles can be overcome.REFERENCESLocke, E.A. Latham, G.P. (1990). A theory of Goal Set ting and Task Performance. Englewood Cliffs, N.J Prentice-HallHanton, S., Melleliu, S.D. OBrien, M. (2006). The effects of goal setting on rugby performance Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis, 39, 257-261.Smith, S.L. Ward, P. (2006). Behavioural interventions to improve performance in collegiate football. Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis. 39, 385-391.Weinberg, R.S. (2003). Goal setting in Sport and Exercise Results, Methodological issues and further directions for Research.Weinberg, R., Bruya, L., Longine. J. Jackson, A. (1988). Effect of Goal proaximity and specificity on endurance performance of primary-grade children. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10, 81-91Williams, J.M. (Ed.). (2009). Applied Sport Psychology Personal growth to peak performance (6th ed.). New York McGraw Hill.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Triangulation Research

Advantages and Disadvantages of Triangulation interrogationTriangulation qualitative AnalysisTriangulation is a great deal utilize in qualitative modeology to increase the hardihood of purposes, but it is non a panacea. Using British using ups in the practice of law and general sector, discuss the significance of the experimental condition triangulation, how it give notice be employ in qualitative look into and its moldations and potential. elevateThis paper foc purposes on the use of triangulation indoors qualitative query exploitation examples from British public sector and more specifically, jurisprudence query. Qualitative inquiry liftes brook been increasingly used at bottom public sector research. Different types of triangulation ar explained and the relevance of each type is identified. The purpose of using triangulation within qualitative research which is to increase validity, is critically discussed. Different types of validity ar explained, as well as the significance of the apprehension of validity to research. Quantitative and qualitative research cuddlees are critically compared. The use of qualitative approaches within public sector research is defended, and the positivist perspective is challenged by arguing that the use of triangulation can strengthen the validity of qualitative research methodology. Using three examples of public sector research, around advantages and potential demarcations of using triangulation within this area are identified. Several examples of police research studies that take up select the use of triangulation as part of a qualitative approach are critically discussed with reference to different types of triangulation and their tellingship to different types of validity. A synthesis of the issues that emerge from the selected police research studies in relation to triangulation is implyd. The paper concludes that while there are potential limitations associated with the use of triang ulation within qualitative research, the cited examples of public sector and police research demonstrate that there are similarly several potential advantages and that triangulation can contribute to the validity of qualitative research in these domains. It is important to acknowledge that the application or the omission of different types of triangulation within a research study can correspond to its strengths and atonicnesses, and there is an implication for the investigator to be knowledgeable and skilled in the use of triangulation in order to optimise its application within qualitative research. In other words, the limitations of triangulation might rival to the way that it is implemented rather than to the strategy itself.IntroductionThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the use of triangulation within qualitative methodology as a means of increasing the validity of findings, with reference to research examples from the police and other public sector areas.Tr iangulation, Validity and Qualitative lookIn simple terms, triangulation refers to the interrogation of a situation from different perspectives, using different methods (Laws et al 2003). Triangulation is often referred to as the use of mixed methods within research, however Denzin and capital of Nebraska (2000) developed this concept further to include four different types information triangulation, which refers to the use of a variety of sources of entropy within a study investigator triangulation which involves several researchers supposition triangulation, which uses multiple perspectives to interpret a single set of entropy and methodological triangulation which involves the use of multiple methods to study a single problem. Data triangulation is commonly used within qualitative research as it facilitates pinch of the complexity of a poorly understood phenomenon, an example universe the combination of holding in- depth discussions with actors and law-abiding their b ehaviour within a natural setting (Polit and Beck 2004). Investigator triangulation can abet to keep down the potential problem of personal bias (Sim and Wright 2000). The advantage of using methodological triangulation is that it helps to resolve the limitations that single methods postulate in studying the complexity of accessible reality (Kendall 2005).Frequently triangulation involves the use of both(prenominal) quantitative and qualitative methods, the precept creation that the strengths of each are optimised (Flick 2006). This paper however, will focus on the use of triangulation exclusively within qualitative methodology. The purpose of using triangulation within qualitative research is to add rigour, depth, breadth, complexity and richness to the research process (Denzin and Lincoln 2003a).The use of triangulation within qualitative research is therefore, said to increase validity (Giles 2002). The term validity is often referred to as the ability of a research instru ment to measure what it is intended to do (De Vaus 2002). There are however, different types of validity midland validity, which asks whether researchers are actually measuring what they think they are external validity which relates to the generalisability of the findings of a study to other settings interpretive validity which is concerned with the accurate catch and portrayal of entropy theoretical validity which relates to the take into accountness of theory that emerges from the information and evaluative validity which refers to the quality of the research process, in relation to the actions of the researcher. Overall, within qualitative research validity relates to the trus cardinalrthiness of the data, its analysis and its interpretation (Waltz et al 2005). Hol low-downay and Wheeler (2002) however, suggest that triangulation does not always confer validity that this is dependent on the record of the individual research project and that only researchers who are experie nced should use triangulation within qualitative research.Qualitative research approaches seek to understand the meaning of phenomena (Patton 2002a). They grow to represent the true complexities of humane behaviour, gaining access to thoughts and feelings that cannot be accessed by using other methods Flanagan 2005). Quantitative research on the other hand, has been criticised for its reductionist approach towards the human experience it has the ability to puzzle results which are statistically significant yet humanly insignificant. Qualitative research methods include interviews, observations and document analysis. The qualitative researcher tends to immerse more with the research participants and aims to comprehend any associated criticism of the potential for subjectivity by the application of rigorous and systematic methods of data collection and analysis.Qualitative research approaches have increasingly been used in public sector research within the UK, for example within the health care domain, where they have helped to enhance understanding of health, health behaviours and health dishs (Green and Thorogood 2004). There are also several examples cited within the literature, of qualitative methodology be used in police service research. (for example Cassell and Symon 2004 Dick 2000 Dick and Jankowicz 2001 Dorn and Brown 2003 Noaks and Wincup 2004 Office for Public Management 2006).Triangulation in Public Sector ResearchQualitative research methodology is often locked within the public sector because of the mickle factor public sector organisations such as the police, health and social services and local councils employ large numbers of personnel (Grant and Vidler 2000), added to which these are helping organisations that provide a human service. Qualitative research is described as a naturalistic, interpretative approach that is concerned with understanding the meanings which people attach to phenomena within their social worlds (Ritchie and Lew is 2003). As stated previously, it is very much concerned with human behaviour, experiences, values and beliefs. It does however thread criticism from positivists in terms of not being valued as a scientific approach (Haslam and McGarty 2003). Positivism adopts the position that the purpose of science is to limit research activity to what can be directly observed and measured that aspects such as feelings, attitudes and beliefs cannot be directly observed and measured and are not therefore, legitimate areas for scientific probe (Trochim 2006). As previously stated, the implications of this are that there are huge areas within the human experience that would not warrant investigation within the quantitative paradigm. The purpose of triangulation within qualitative research is to challenge the criticism that this is not a scientific approach, by combining multiple observers, theories, methods and data sources in order to overcome the intrinsic bias that arises from single- methods, single observer and single- theory studies (Patton 2002b). There now follows an overview of three public sector research studies that have employed triangulation in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.McAdam et al (2002) used data triangulation of qualitative methodology to investigate how the principles of total quality management (TQM) are being sustained in the UK public sector by contributing to improved performance levels. The research methodologies include focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Using triangulation served to strengthen their finding which was that quality frameworks play a key role in improving organisational performance over time.A study by Atwal and Caldwell (2006) aimed to explore nurses perceptions of multidisciplinary teamwork in needlelike health-care. In order to do so, they adopted methodological triangulation by conducting interviews and direct observations of interactions betwixt nurses and health-care professionals in mul tidisciplinary teams. The findings of this study identified three barriers that hindered teamwork differing perceptions of teamwork different levels of skills acquisitions to function as a team member and the dominance of medical power that regularized interaction in teams. The combination of interview with observation in qualitative research is fair increasingly popular (Ekstrom 2004).A study by Bryans (2004) aimed to articulate the health visiting expertise involved in recognizing and responding to client need during home visits. The researcher adopted what she describes as an innovative, multi-method approach used to articulate this expertise which involved a 20-minute simulated visit to an actress-client, a post- simulation focused interview and accompanying observation of actual home visits with 15 study participants. The researcher identified the strength of this approach as providing a blend of control and naturalism and considers that this approach could usefully be appli ed within multidisciplinary contexts. The researcher also acknowledged the limitations of the approach as arising from the variability of naturally-occurring, observational data which meant that simulation and observational data were not directly comparable in terms of content in a study of this type. Comparability of observational and simulation data, and the reliability of the observational data, were also diminished by the use of different methods of data-gathering.These studies collectively demonstrate that the use of triangulation within qualitative research can strengthen its findings a potential limitation is that it may not be easy to make dependable comparisons between two sets of data due to differences in the ways that the data was collected.Triangulation in police force ResearchA review of the literature reveals that qualitative research approaches have been employed within police research involving the use of triangulation for some time.An interesting example of the us e of triangulation within police research are studies that highlight discrepancies between information given about experiences of crime to the police by comparing this data obtained by other means, for example by using interviews conducted by external researchers (Bechhofer and Paterson 2000a). In other words, a more accurate picture can be gained by the use of triangulation. The same authors refer also to the use of qualitative research and multiple methodologies in order to obtain information about peoples perceptions about crime for example relating to their fear of crime. This information might otherwise be inaccessible. It is possible that the use of triangulation within police research could be effective in dealing with information of a sensitive nature.Lee (2000a) makes reference to a study conducted by Norris et al in 1992 that demonstrated how the use of different methodologies can highlight the difference between perceptions held about, and the reality of, a situation. In this instance observations were made of the demeanour of police officers and citizens in situations where citizens were stopped by the police. During an encounter, blacks and whites were equally potential to present a calm and civil demeanour towards the police. There were also few differences in police demeanour and action towards the two groups. These findings did not assist competing claims (i.e. derived from other sources of information) that the police are overtly hostile to blacks, or that blacks display disrespectful attitudes towards the police.Devine and heath (1999) provide a critique of an ethnographic study conducted by Hobbs in 1988, of petty criminals and local CID detectives working in the East End of London. The ethnographic research consisted of both overt and covert participant observation of both the criminals and the police in a variety of different settings. The researcher was able therefore to gain a variety of sources of data which contributed to what is de scribed by Devine and Heath as the richness of his ethnography (p.8). However they also consider that the study would have benefited from investigator triangulation in order to overcome the problem of bias. They felt that this would have led to a more accurate picture of malpractice within the Metropolitan CID. An identified limitation of participant observation is that the researcher can become aslope in favour of the group or indeed against them (Moore 2001). A study of this kind is also un probably to have external validity as being an ethnographic study it is very much informed by the uniqueness of its social and cultural context.The last two studies demonstrate the value of observation as a research method particularly as a component of triangulation. The advantages of observation are as follows the researcher can observe interaction within a group as well as gain information from people individually via interviews, as the dynamics of a group might influence the nature of comm unication between its members the researcher might gain a more objective view of a situation than a research participant who is likely to be immersed in their social world and may not as a result, identify aspects which are of interest to the researcher. Observation also enables the researcher to observe actions, which can be more meaningful in some ways than vocal communication (Weinberg 2001).The value of investigator triangulation is highlighted in a game study cited by Lee (2000b). This also looked at police- citizen interaction using multiple observers from different backgrounds. Data triangulation was also employed as the observers were asked to collect data in two forms, one on a checklist the other as a narrative account. The two sources of data were then compared. The use of multiple observers should help to overcome the potential problem of personal bias that was said to arise from the Hobbs study.A study by Knock (2002) drew on the findings of a anticipate survey of al l police forces in England and Wales and interviews with key personnel in 16 police forces to gain information about the use of Sex offender Orders (SOOs) which came into force in 1998 the aim of these being to provide an additional measure of protection to the public from sex offenders by prohibiting an offender from certain behaviours that had previously been precursors to offending. It was nominate that the pattern of SOO applications is not uniformly distributed across the country. The researcher commented that the low uptake of SOOs by some forces needs to be carefully interpreted. The use of triangulation allowed for the underlying reasons for low uptake to be identified. These included a general lack of understanding about the SOO process and concerns about inadequate resources for monitoring the Order this information being gained via the interviews. Furthermore, some forces identified that other strategies for managing sex offenders without resorting to an Order were consi dered to be adequate others had negotiated voluntary agreements with offenders in order to modify their behaviour. The relevance of this study in relation to triangulation is that the first level of presenting information could be misleading the use of more than one methodology facilitated a deeper level of understanding about the variation in applying the SOOs. As with all qualitative research methods, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of telephone interviews. It may be possible for the researcher to enter responses directly onto a computer which could increase time efficiency and accuracy of recording. Respondents might find it easier to respond to questions of a sensitive nature when they are not face- to- face with the interviewer. The disadvantages include a lower response rate than for face- to- face interviews, which reduces further when longer telephone interviews are required (Pocock 2000). It is also not possible to observe non- verbal aspects of communication. The use of triangulation therefore, helps to overcome the disadvantages of a single research method. The identified weaknesses of the telephone interview are all aspects which could be compensated for by the additional use of face-to- face interviews. Conversely, the strengths of the telephone interview should help to overcome the limitations of the face- to- face interview.Pain et al (2002) carried out research commissioned by the Home Office to produce a police force Research Series paper which examined dispossessed and trail- excluded puppylike peoples experience of crime and disorder the rationale being that they had previously been poorly represented in consultation. The need to adopt a qualitative approach for this study was emphasised by the researchers, in order that the young peoples attitudes, experiences and understanding of crime could be explored in depth. The participants were invited to develop a range of visual materials, and observations and in formal discussion were also used by the researchers. Findings included that there are negative outcomes of the vicious circle created by being labelled as either homeless or as troublemakers at school that most of the crimes committed by the homeless young people are petty and victimless, such as begging that the homeless feel most at risk in spaces where control can be exerted over them, such as within the home or in dealings with the police and as a result they actually feel safer on the streets that crime and homelessness are two factors which are correlated that school- excluded young people are more likely to be involved in crime, most of which is petty but some of which is serious that school- excluded young people often feel victimised and have been bullied, some have been the victims of abuse within the home and others have been exposed to crime previously as non- offenders.The researchers highlight the benefits of participatory research approaches as enabling the young peop le to be involved in the process of research and strategy development, at the same time allowing their interests to be promoted. In other words, they are being empowered. The researchers also acknowledge the limitations of participatory research methods, which are not specified within this research report but which have been identified elsewhere as being time intensive as having been criticised as involving reduced scientific rigour and that the researchers control over the project could be compromised (Arble and Moberg 2006). The researchers comment that the limitations of participatory methods could seismic disturbance upon the effectiveness of their use as a basis for action. Triangulation involving informal discussion and observation in addition to the participatory methods therefore is a strategy which was used in this instance to overcome the potential limitations of the latter, thus increasing the validity of the research process and the interpretation and application of the data. This is a very interesting study which has revealed some powerful insights into the issues affecting an otherwise disenfranchised group, drawing upon their unique perspectives. Some of the findings are surprising and challenge widely held assumptions and negative perceptions held about homeless young people that are reflected in the lack of resources, support and appropriate accommodation available for this group (Dean 2006). The impact of such a study could be therefore, to contribute towards improved service delivery for homeless and school- excluded young people. It could be argued that triangulation is a powerful strategy that adds credibility to a study of this kind, which in twisting could have an impact on improving the lives of otherwise disempowered and misunderstood groups of young people.In summary, there are several examples within the literature of qualitative approaches adopted within police research which employ triangulation. A synthesis of the issues relatin g to the use of triangulation in this specific area of work is as follows triangulation can help to address sensitive issues within police research that might not be effectively dealt with using a single method triangulation can highlight discrepancies between data obtained as a result of using different sources and methods, which could also be interpreted as a limitation of triangulation, in that it could lead to data from different sources not being directly comparable it enables the subjective perceptions of participants (and therefore those who may be affected by the outcomes of research studies) to be taken into consideration, in addition to the more objective observations of researchers, this allows for participants to be empowered and to potentially have some influence over the development of strategy which results from the research process triangulation potentially allows for the use of multiple researchers, multiple settings, multiple sources and multiple methods to be used within police research the use of multiple methods enables the strengths to overcome the limitations of each method triangulation facilitates different levels of research investigation to be carried out, for example underlying reasons for the findings emerging from the use of one method can be identified by the use of an alternative approach, thereby contributing to the depth, breadth, complexity and richness of the research process (Denzin and Lincoln 2003b) and triangulation could add to the credibility of a research study which in run could impact upon changes being made to improve service provision.ConclusionRobson (2002) agrees with the statement within the question i.e. that triangulation is not a panacea. It can be problematic, for example when two data sources are inconsistent or conflicting. Further investigation might lead to an even more complex set of understandings. Kirby (2000) agrees that while triangulation is used to overcome the problems associated with using one research method, it does not eliminate these problems, but disguises them by compensating for the weaknesses of one method with the strengths of another. Triangulation is not a unified overall methodology it is a way of using completing methods. Coleman and Briggs (2002) argue that while triangulation contributes to validity, it is not a panacea and that its value can be overestimated. Bechhofer and Paterson (2000b) suggest that there are weak and substantive forms of triangulation. They describe a weak form as making multiple observations of a situation using the same method and a strong form as making several observations using different methods.Despite these identified limitations of triangulation, examples cited within this paper from public sector and specifically, police research suggest that there are several potential ways in which it can contribute to the validity of the qualitative research process. The advantage of using qualitative methods within public sector and po lice research has been identified here as enabling the human experience to be valued and investigated. Potential limitations of qualitative research methods can be overcome by the use of triangulation as the strengths of each individual method can compensate for the weaknesses of others. Finally it is important to acknowledge that the appropriate skills of the researcher can contribute towards the quality of a mixed- methods study and that it might be necessary to involve two or more researchers who have complementary research skills in order to optimise the benefits of using triangulation within qualitative research (Tashakkori and Teddlie 2003).ReferencesArble B and Moberg D. Participatory Research in Development of Public health Interventions. Population Health Institute. 2006. p. 3.Atwal A and Caldwell K. Nurses perceptions of multidisciplinary team work in acute health-care. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 12(6) 2006 pp.359-365Bechhofer F and Paterson L. Principles o f Research Design in the complaisant Sciences. Routledge. 2000. p. 58.Bryans A. Examining health visiting expertise combining simulation, interview and observation. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 47(6) 2004 pp.623-630,Cassell C and Symon G. Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research. Sage Publications. 2004. p. 316.Coleman and Briggs. Research Methods in Educational Leadership and Management. Sage publications. 2002. p. 70.Dean H. amicable Policy. Polity Press. 2006. p. 99Denzin N and Lincoln Y. Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage Publications. 2000. p. 391.Denzin N and Lincoln Y Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials. Sage Publications. 2003. p. 8.De Vaus D. Surveys in Social Research. Routledge. 2002. p. 53.Devine F and Heath S. Sociological Research methods in Context. Macmillan. 1999. p. 8.Dick, P. The social construction of meaning of acute stressors a qualitative study of the personal accounts of police officers using a stress counselling s ervice, Work Stress, 14 (3) 2000. pp.226-244.Dick P. and Jankowicz D social constructionist account of police culture and its influence on the representation and progression of female officers A repertory grid analysis in a UK police force. Policing An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 24 (2) 2001. pp. 181-199.Dorn L and Brown B, Making sense of invulnerability at work a qualitative study of police drivers. Safety Science, 41(10) 2003 pp.837-859.Ekstrom K. Elusive Consumption. Berg Publishers. 2004. p. 57.Flanagan C. Research Methods for AQA A Psychology. Nelson Thornes. 2005. p. 46.Flick U An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage Publications. 2006. p. 33Giles D Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Routledge. 2002. pp. 220-1Grant S and Vidler C. Economics in Context. Harcourt Heinemann. 2000. p. 64.Green and Thorogood. Qualitative Methods for Health Research. Sage Publications. 2004. p. 4.Haslam S and McGarty C. Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology. Sage Publications. 2003. p. 389.Holloway I and Wheeler S. Qualitative Research in Nursing. Blackwell publishing. 2002. p. 2.Kendall D. Sociology In Our Times. Thomson Wadsworth. 2007. p. 67.Kirby M. Sociology in Perspective. Harcourt Heinemann. 2000. p. 9.Knock K. The Police Perspective on Sex offender Orders A preliminary view of policy and practice. Policing and reducing Crime Unit Police Research Unit. 2002.Laws S , Harper C and Marcus R. Research for Development A Practical Guide. Sage Publications. 2003. p. 280.Lee R. Unobtrusive Methods in Social research. Open University Press. 2000. p. 37, 48McAdam R, Reid R and Saulters R Sustaining quality in the UK public sector Quality measurement frameworks. International Journal of Quality reliability Management. 19(5). 2002. pp. 581 595Moore S. Sociology AliveNelson Thornes. 2001. p. 34Noaks L and Wincup E. Criminological Research Understanding Qualitative Methods. Sage Publications. 2004. p. 101.Office for Public Mana gement. Metropolitan Police Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service. Safer London Panel. Communication Matters. OPM. 2006.Pain R, Francis P, Fuller I, OBrien K and Williams S. Hard- to- Reach Young People and Community Safety a model for participatory research and consultation. Police research Series paper 152. Home Office 2002.Patton M. Qualitative Research Evaluation Methods. Sage Publications. 2002. pp. 1, 555.Pocock R. Market Research in Health and Social Care. Routledge. 2000. p. 100.Polit D and Beck C. Nursing Research Principles and Methods. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 2004. p. 36.Ritchie J and Lewis J. Qualitative Research Practice a guide for social science students and researchers. Sage Publications. 2003. p. 3.Robson C. Real World Research A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. Blackwell publishing. 2002. p.483.Sim J and Wright C Research in Health Care Concepts, Designs and Methods. Nelson Thornes 2000. p. 137.Tashakkori A and Teddlie C. Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social behavioral Research. Sage Publications. 2003. p. 553.Trochim W. Positivism Post-Positivism. Research methods Knowledge Base. Web Centre for Social research Methods. 2006. http//www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/positvsm.php. Accessed 10th March 2007.Waltz C, Strickland O and Lenz E. Measurement In Nursing And Health Research. Springer Publishing. 2005. p. 217.Weinberg D. Qualitative Research Methods. Blackwell Publishing. 2001. p. 135.

The Meaning of Love Essay -- Papers

The Meaning of Love Love has many different meanings to different deal. For a child, love is what he or she feels for his mommy and daddy. To teenage boy, love is what he should feel for his girlfriend of the moment, only because she says she loves him. But as we get older and wiser, love becomes more and more confusing. Along with poets and philosophers, people have been trying to resolving that age-old question for centuries What is love?One definition of love in The Merriam-Webster dictionary is attraction based on sexual desire (439). Some people believe that love and sex be one in the same. If two people are in love, they should be having sex. And, on the flipside, if two people are having sex, they must be in love. However, this assumption is obviously not always true. Whether it is right or not to have sex without love is irrelevant the concomitant is it happens. Just because a person is sexually attracted to another person and has the desire to have sex with that person does not necessarily suggest that this person is in love. He or she could very well be...

The Use of Flashback in Kenneth Branaghs Henry V Essay -- Film, Movie

The Use of Flashback in Kenneth Branaghs Henry V In Kenneth Branaghs film variation of William Shakespeares Henry V flashback is used at key moments to newsmonger on the action and to explain points in Henrys past, and how that past effects his present judgment. Certain scenes and lines are borrowed from parts cardinal and two of Shakespeares Henry IV to do this. The result is an amalgam of scenes, lines, and calibers which brings about a telling expose of Henry V, and the man he was before becoming king of England. Flashback is used in this adaptation directly, to establish key points and players in Henrys life, as well as in a less direct manner, coming through in his current actions, to press out his sovereignty, what that means to him and why. The initial flashback scene displays a memory of Pistols concerning Sir John Falstaff (portrayed by actor Robbie Coltrane). The flashback occurs while Falstaff is on his deathbed, and his remaining friends lament his impending loss. Branagh gives Pistol a line of Falstaffs, describing Falstaff in his own words as A goodly, portly man, in faith, (1 Henry IV. II. iv. 421), apparently to establish Falstaff as the well loved character he seems to be in the Branagh film. Falstaff is shown as the jolly jester in this flashback, and not at all as the dangerous, mischief making deceiver he is in the texts, themselves. Branagh focuses on the pathos of Falstaff, to display his rejection as an unfortunate one. It is in this flashback that the audience sees the Machiavellian seeds being sewn in Prince Hals personality as he shows his willingness to banish valiant Jack Falstaff, however it is not shown where these seeds came from. Falstaff advises his young friend not to banish him f... ...am Shakespeares Henry V, Branagh uses flashback in more than one way to declaim the classic story of King Henry V. Both in actual, and implied flashback Branagh shows the true character of Henry, along with what makes him the king that he is and what gets him to this point in his life. The byproducts of the humanization of Falstaff, and the blot of Bardolph, coupled with the unique look at Henrys image of his father gives the audience a very different look at this life story, but one which is nonetheless accurate, and entertaining. Works CitedHenry V. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. The Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1989.Kliman, Bernice W. Branaghs Henry V Allusion and Illusion. Shakespeare on Film Newsletter. 14.1 (Dec. 1989) 1+.Shaw, William P. Textual Ambiguities and Cinematic Certainties in Henry V. Literature Film Quarterly. 22.2 (1994) 117-28.

Ways Shakespeare builds dramatic tension in Act 2 scene 2 of Henry V :: essays research papers

In what ways does Shakespeare build up dramatic tension in Act 2 scene 2 of ?Henry VAct 2 is broken into three major parts. Henry decides to play a punt which will set the trap for the traitors. The next part is when Henry explodes, expressing his anger. The last part is when Henry turns positive and changes the subject and looks towards France. merely in scene 1 we meet the common characters. These would have been the sort of people that Henry would of socialised with when he was younger. This is a huge contrast to which Henry is during scene 2.As he is really serious and cunning.Act 2 scene 2 starts with the entrance of the three Lords. Exeter, Bedford and Westmoreland. This immediately shows us that we are going to expect seriousness and significance indoors this scene. Bedford starts by saying ?Fore God his grace is bold to trust these traitors.? This is a reference to the Divine Right Of Kings. The idea that a kings right to eclipse comes from God and that he is answerable to God alone. But with this reference the audience would worry about Henry Iv?s Interruption. After Edward III died the direct passed on to Richard II. But he quickly became un popular. People accused him of being cursed. Richard II exiled Henry IV for 6 years but when he returned he over threw Richard and became King. He then had a son Named Henry V. But this interrupted the Divine Right of Kings. Everyone would think that he would have the same problem. But once Henry IV died, Henry Became King and showed great leader ship and courage. ?Henry V? was written to root on and to convey a marrow that would prevent civil war in Britain, as Elizabeth I was old and dying without an heir and so civil could break out and manipulate the realm with out control. The theatre would be a place of spreading political and opinionated ideas around the country . So Shakespeare has written a play to inspire and warn the audience about the consequences it could have. So as there wasn?t many newspa pers it was a good place to convey a moral or a story. Shakespeare uses several techniques. To keep the audience in suspense, Shakespeare uses machiavellianism. Machiavellianism is a word which describes a persons tendency to deceive or to manipulate.

Uña de Gato or Cat s Claw: Another Valuable Treasure from the Peruvian Rain Forest :: Botany

Ua de Gato or Cat s Claw Another Valuable Treasure from the Peruvian come down ForestCats Claw, also commonly called Ua de Gato, is a breakthrough herbal medicine that is reported to be beneficial to the treatment of cancer, digestion disorders, Crohns disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic wear down syndrome, bursitis, rheumatism, genital herpes and herpes zoster, allergies, ulcers, systemic candidiasis, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), along with numerous other bowl and intestinal disorders. It also is noted to have positive effect on immune system problems, including those infected with the HIV virus. This wonder drug seems to have surpassed the capabilities of other sought after natural medicinal products such as fortunate seal, astragalus, Siberian Ginseng, maitake, and shark cartilage. (Steinberg 1994) Cats Claw is a woody vine that grows over 100 feet in length that is indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and other tropical areas of to the south and Central America including Pe ru, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. (www.raintree.com/catclaw.htm). Cats Claw is from devil closely related species. Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis and both are used interchangeably by the locals. The difference between the two species is that U. tomentosa has smaller yellowish-white flowers and is found in elevations of 700 to 2500 meters while, U. guainensis has thorns that are more curved and reddish-orange flowers and is found at lower elevations. (Moss 1995 and www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm). According to legend, Cats Claw was discovered by a despaired Peruvian hunter who was having difficulty getting game for his family. Then one day, he observed a jaguar that was clawing at a vine and also drinking the wet that was seeping from it. Immediately after the jaguar finished drinking, he made a successful kill. The hunter decided to follow the lead of the jaguar and drank some(a) of the water from the vine. Im mediately, the hunter felt rejuvenated. The next day, the hunter woke up full of newfound strength. He finally made a successful hunting excursus and was able to bring home much needed food for his family. In the mid 1960s, an European teacher, Arturo Brell, and U.S. professor Eugene Whitworth, were the first to document the tribal uses of this set out. They also took plant samples and performed some screening for the active components (www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm). However, they did not market their discovery. Shortly afterwards, Cats claw was rediscovered by Claus Keplinger, an Austrian scientist of Innsbruck University. (Moss 1995)

Aids in American Youth :: Free AIDS Essays

Aids in American Youth There are more than 40 million people in the world with the unhealthiness known as AIDS(Bender 6). There are about 1 million people in America recorded to have the disease(Carasso). While anybody can stun AIDS the people who are at the highest risk are youth between under the age of 20 years old(Carasso). This epidemic which came about in the early 80s has become a deadly problem in our world today. When AIDS came about it is understood that it was only a human being disease in the 80s, which would cause for this disease to spread rapidly. With the gay community not being the most acknowledge group of people in this decade no one cared that it was happening to them. The disease could have been drastically reduced if people would have known this virus wasnt passed by, put forward nor was it a gay disease only. In fact the disease was initially known as GRID (Gay Related Immune Disorder). In the 80s closely no one used condoms, which made it easy for th e transmission, especially when people didnt know it was sexually translated. Aids has become a problem that all(prenominal) country is faced with, especially Africa with 1 out of 10 being complete with this virus. Some countries in Africa have nearly 50% of its population effected with this disease. The virus of AIDS could have been reduced drastically if people wanted to face the fact that it is sexually transmitted.The disease of AIDS can be passed from soulfulness to person several ways. The first, and the most common is through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is by far the greatest risk for subdueing the disease. The reason that sex is the most common is because of the friction caused by having sex. For the most part women are more likely to contract the disease, in fact they have a 3 out of 4 chance to catch the disease to a males, 1 out of 4. The other major way, and probably the second leading way to contract the Virus is through sharing a drug needle. Usi ng drugs such as Heroin which calls for an injection of a liquid substance directly into a vein of a person can cause a major transition of blood from one person to another (DeCarlo, Lurie AIDS123).