Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Impace of AASB on Australian Firms-Free-Samples for Students

Questions: 1.You are to report on the Processes used to make changes to Australian Accounting Standards. 2.Write a report as if you were responding to the Call for Comment. Answers: Introduction An accounting standard is a basis of accounting that applies to various transactions and events of accounting. All the organisations are expected to prepare their financial statements on the basis of these standards. If there is any change in the methods, then proper disclosure must be given by the company. The framing body that frames these standards has to apply a lot of rational thinking before framing them. The standards must be easy to understand, price and clear. It is important that the members of the board of AASB, that is part of the framing comity, takes into consideration all the people who depend on these standards and policies to show the true state of business affairs. While in the process of formulation of the accounting standards the Australian stakeholder can also suggest the board regarding some technical issue that they face and the board can comment on the same. After the issue is identified, a project proposal will be designed which will cover all the important p oints relating to the project. The overall benefits, the total cost consideration and what affect it will have on the organisations. (Abbott Kantor, 2017). 1.One of the most important functions of the AASB is the preparation and presentation of the accounting standards. This standard setting process is a technical process and a lot has to be considered before the formation of particular standard. The process starts with identification of technical issue that may be there in the accounting process. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) or the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) identifies it. Since January 1, 2005, the Australian government has adopted IFRS, therefore all the issues that were part of the IASB or the IFRIC committee were also a part of the AASB. The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) also identified the issues. The main work of the AASB is to monitor the work of the (IPSASB), and take its decision based on the same. It undertakes works on particular topics and then comment on the same(Chariri, 2017). The Australian stakeholder can also suggest the board regarding some technical issue that they face and the board can comment on the same. After the issue is identified, a project proposal will be designed which will cover all the important points relating to the project. The overall benefits, the total cost considerati on and what affect it will have on the organisations. After considering all the factors, it will be decided whether to carry forward the project. If the project is considered it will be added to the agenda, once the agenda is considered the AASB will look into the specific details of the matter based on the reports submitted by the members of the board. Relevant materials may be taken from the other standard setting board like the IASB, the IPSASB and the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board, or from other organisations. After the research is completed, proper consultation is taken from the stakeholders. All the necessary public documents related to the project like the exposure draft that is a draft on the proposed standard, invitation to comment, draft interpretations and discussion papers are made available to the public and the stakeholders to give their comment on the same. The AASB may choose to issue international document in Australia in line with the standards that they are considering for framework. The other ways to getting proper opinion for the proposed standards is by Roundtable discussions, Project Advisory Panels, Interpretation Advisory Panels etc(Abbott Kantor, 2017). After considering all the opinions, the board may decide to issue the pronouncement either in the form of document, or an announcement. When it comes to standards for the profitable organisations, they must be in line with the international standards that are issued by the international bodies like the IFRS. It is to make sure that the standards that are issued by the AASB must be in line with the IFRS. In case of AASB, it follows a neutrality policy, where transaction whether it belong to a public company or private company, it must follow the same basis of accounting. It does not matter whether it is a profit oriented industry or a non-profit industry. After the formation of the draft, it is submitted to the international organisations after taking into considerations all the inputs and feedbacks that it received from various sources. After finalisation, the board looks after the proper implementation of the proposed standards and makes sure that all the companies on which it is ap plicable follows the same to the best of their ability, with proper disclosure(Guragai, Hunt, Neri, Taylor, 2017). While making changes to the existing standards, the board considers any kind of technical issues that the companies or the stakeholders are facing. After doing proper research into the matter and taking knowledge about the same in conformity with the other international standards, the board will follow the e same method of preparation and presentation of the draft, and then implement the same and monitor the results. This is the standards procedure for formation of the standards and for making any changes to the exsisting standards. The main point is that all the standards that the AASB develops are in line with the international standards that are framed by the international organisations. All the changes that the board proposes in the relevant standards are given out in the media news with all the necessary details. Details about the same can be ascertained on the of ficial site of the company(Drew Grant, 2017). While developing these standards it is important that the board must consider the local domestic issues that the companies in Australia faces because of any technical issues. It is important that the same must be considered while formation of the standards. The boards ask for feedbacks from various stakeholders and corporate on the proposed draft that is related to any standard in various ways. It releases exposure draft on which the public can give their feedback; it also arranges panel discussions, in house discussions, to get the opinion of the people who might be affected by the decision of the standard(Maynard, 2017). After taking all the feedback that is necessary the board incorporates the same, that is feel is relevant in the proposes draft and then finalises the same. The companies have the option to make proposals to the board in cases where they might find any technical issues and ask the board to provide a solution on the same. While formation of the standard the board co nsiders all these recommendations that are given by the companies in its board report. The domestic body prepares the standard that is in line the international financial reporting standards but are not copied. They are amended to suit the needs of the local companies so that the essence of accounting is maintained. The only changes are there that is present is in the execution of the method, the method always remains the same. Like in the case of AASB 136, the board has issued specific rules for non-profit and profit organisations to suit the needs of the local companies(Bond, Govendir, Wells, 2016). Thus, there are many ways by which the Australian board can consider the demands and the needs of the local bodies to suit their compliances with the accounting standards. The demands of the domestic companies must be taken into consideration. These standards are based on the international standards but are amended as per the domestic companies. This is the main basis of formation of the domestic standards on basis of the international counterparts and how they affect the domestic companies is in the hands of the forming bodies that are responsible for setting up these standards as per the needs of the company(Birt, Muthusamy, Bir, 2017). 2.Introduction The ED 116 is issued for the recognition of the property plant and equipment of the company. It gives basis to the relevance of fir value in accounting and measurement. As per the AASB consideration, if the companies adopt this method for valuation of their plant property and equipment, they will have more benefits and the overall cost will reduce. After considering all the points that the board laid down in the matter of adoption of these policies, it can be stated that adoption of fair value analysis is better because it is more financially viable then recognition based on historical data. The rules have been set out for the profit and the non-profit organisation. It is said that the in case of revaluation of any class of asset, the net revaluation shall be recognised under the heading of revaluation surplus. It has also been laid down that if the companies are acquiring any asset at cost the company shall recognise less than the fair value, then the extra amount as surplus. The ma in point to be considered is that the company should recognise all the fixed assets at the fair value so that the accounting transactions and records are more viable. As a critic, if a comment is to be given on the proposed draft of the board, it can be said that the change is very effective and will help in improving transparency in the business, if fair value approach is followed. Previously while recognising fixed assets and calculating depreciation, historical costs were considered which often led to under or over valuation of the assets of the company. Moreover the propend exposure is in line with the international standards that have been framed in this regard this lends a uniformity to the overall transaction and the business of the company much more viable when it comes to international terms. The disclosure policies under this standard are also very simple, with importance given to recognition of the cost-carrying model along with the fair value recognition. However, the sa me does not apply to the non-profit companies. The board can made specific changes in the proposed standard for non-profit and profit generating organisations of the country(Minnis Sutherland, 2017). Analysis If we see closely the main points that have been stated by the board for the adoption and modification of the new standard is that previously the revenue-based models that were used by the companies for calculation of the net depreciation is not correct. This is because when the revenue-based model is used, the depreciation calculated does not show reduction in the economic benefit of the asset, because many other points are also taken into consideration. Hence, it does not provide a very clear picture. It is thus considered that fair value approach must be followed for recognition of the assets and the calculation of depreciation. It is a very good step that the board has proposed specific changes, that are applicable to the profit and the non-profit generation companies, based on their functioning(Drew Grant, 2017). With changes in the method of calculation and recognition of the asset, the large number of companies over the world will also be affected. The industries like minning and petroleum and mostly that are based on manufacturing, will be affected. As previously there were many different methods to calculate the total csost of manufacture and record the same, so companies who were not in this field found it difficult to analyse.These standards are proposed keeping in view establishing uniformity between the various accounting policies and assumptions of the countries around the world. The manufacturing sector is the biggest sector that uses these plants and equipments for manufacture of products. Changes in the method of depreciation and to recognise them at their fair value will affect the overall financials of the company. Now since recognition will be at fair value, it will help in improving the overall profitability of the company, as it will help in improving the overall transparency . Correct value of depreciation without considering the various other factors just on the basis of the economic value of the asset, will help in improving the overall profitability of the company, as les depreciation will mean more profit but the companies will have to pay more taxes, this is a drawback for the company. However, for the government it will be beneficial to adopt such methods. Conclusion The need of a "one size fits all" approach in relation to the various other international standards framing body is more or less important and in the long run much more viable. If the independent board forms their won standard that is different from the international bodies, it will not lead to uniformity between the accounting standards within different countries. If the basis is the same, with some modification as per the requirements, it will help in inter firm and intra firm comparison between the countries and help the companies to judge the effectiveness and their standing in the international world. In case the need arises that, the domestic companies are facing many issues because of the international standards or the technicalities are too much, then the domestic board can make changes but that should be in line with the international standards. There are many advantages of uniformity, as it will help in maintaining the same accounting language all over. In the end, when the domestic companies will start expanding their business it will be helpful. The preparation and presentations of the books of accounts become much easier. It will help them to be in par with their foreign counterparts in different parts of the world. It also helps in making international comparisons, and the foreign investors find it easy to invest in such companies that prepare their books in line with the international standards.Thus the major recommendatiosn will be that all the domestic bodies should thus take proper advice from all the stakeholders and prepare their standards keeping in mind the need of the hour and in order to provide the best solution to any proposed problem. They might modify when the need arises but the base should be the same. It must not deviate from the essence of accounting that is proposed by these international standards(Abbott Kantor, 2017). After the entire analysis, we can say that formation of accounting standards should be such that it helps in reflecting the true state of affair of the company and reflects the overall financial viability of the company. It is a long process that the board undertakes to form the standards that must comply with the international rules and be in favour of the domestic companies. However, adoption of the IFRS is very important because in the end it will help in improving the standard of comparison between the various international companies. Companies will have a basis that will help them in analysing their work in relation to their international counterparts. Overall, the adoption of the international standards for formation of domestic standards is a very good approach and will be very helpful in the end. It will help in establishing a single accounting language all over the world(Malone, Tarca, Wee, 2016). References Abbott, M., Kantor, A. (2017). Fair Value Measurement and Mandated Accounting Changes: The Case of the Victorian Rail Track Corporation. Australian accounting Review . Birt, J., Muthusamy, K., Bir, P. (2017). "XBRL and the qualitative characteristics of useful financial information". Accounting Research Journal , 30 (1), 107-126. Bond, D., Govendir, B., Wells, P. (2016). An evaluation of asset impairments by Australian firms and whether they were impacted by AASB 136. Accounting and Finance , 56 (1), 259-288. Chariri, A. (2017). FINANCIAL REPORTING PRACTICE AS A RITUAL: UNDERSTANDING ACCOUNTING WITHIN INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK. Journal of Economics, Business and Accountancy , 14 (1). Drew, J., Grant, B. (2017). Introduction to Australian Local Government Economics and Finance. Australia: Local Government in Australia. Guragai, B., Hunt, N., Neri, M., Taylor, E. (2017). Accounting Information Systems and Ethics Research: Review, Synthesis, and the Future. Journal of Information Systems: Summer 2017 , 31 (2), 65-81. Malone, L., Tarca, A., Wee, M. (2016). IFRS non-GAAP earnings disclosures and fair value measurement. Accounting and Finance/ , 56 (1), 59-97. Maynard, J. (2017). Financial accounting reporting and analysis (second ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Minnis, M., Sutherland, A. (2017). Financial Statements as Monitoring Mechanism: Evidence from small Commercial loans. Journal Of Accounting Research , 55 (1), 197-233. Smith, M. (2017). Research Methods in Accounting (FOURTH ed.). London: SAGE PUBLICATIONS

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Sonnet 72 Shakespeare Essay Research Paper William free essay sample

Sonnet 72 Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper William Shakespeare Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a summer s twenty-four hours? a Thou art more lovely and more temperate: B Rough air currents do agitate the darling buds of May, a And summer s rental hath all excessively short a day of the month: B Sometime excessively hot the oculus of heaven radiances degree Celsiuss And frequently is his gilded skin color dimmed, vitamin D And every carnival from just sometimes declines, c By opportunity, or nature s altering class, untrimmed ; d But thy ageless summer shall non melt, e Nor lose ownership of that just 1000 ow st ; degree Fahrenheit Nor shall decease crow 1000 wander st in his shadiness, vitamin E When in ageless lines to clip thou grow st: degree Fahrenheit So long as adult male can take a breath, or eyes can see, g So long lives this and this gives life to thee g 3 Sentences: 1st sentence: line 1 2nd sentence: lines 2 # 8211 ; 8 3rd sentence: lines 9 # 8211 ; 14 This is a Shakespearian sonnet with no features of a Petrarchan sonnet. Glossary Temperate centrist Darling really beloved Rent the term during which ownership is guaranteed Date the clip during which something stopping points Complexion coloring material, seeable facet, visual aspect To worsen to decrease, lessening, deteriorate Untrimmed non carefully or neatly arranged or attired Fair beauty, equity, good expressions Eternal space in past and future continuance, without get downing or stop To boast to declare or asseverate vauntingly SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A SUMMER S DAY Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare is one of the sonnets that describe the outstanding beauty of an unspecified lover and clip as a relentless violator with no clemency for anyone or anything. The lone manner to withstand clip is to go immortal in poetry. The character is the I in line 1 and he ( Shakespeare himself? ) is turn toing a individual ( a him or a her ) whom he adores. The description of the beauty of the unknown lover is the cardinal idae throughout the sonnet and the component of clip makes its first visual aspect in line 4 where it says And summer s rental hath all excessively short a day of the month. This signifies the limited clip during which the positive qualities of summer are at their best. The beauty is described in the form of an reply to the inquiry posed in the first line: Shall I compare thee to a summer s twenty-four hours? This inquiry is merely intended to present the topic, which is the beauty of the lover. It is non relevant if the poet does or does non compare him or her to a summer s twenty-four hours. Of more importance is the consequence of this comparing. What so is the consequence of the comparing? Already in line 2 it becomes clear that the object of esteem is preferred to the summer s twenty-four hours. The undermentioned lines ( lines 3 to 8 ) nowadays a figure of negative qualities of summer. These can be reduced to two BASICs thoughts which are joined in line 4: And summer s rental hath excessively abruptly a digital audiotape vitamin E. The first thought presented is the thought that the beauty of summer is non stable. Sometimes there are Rough air currents ( line 3 ) , the Sun may be excessively hot ( line 5 ) or non bright plenty ( line 6 ) . The lover is described as more temperate in line 2 and hence less prone to change between extremes. The 2nd basic thought is the thought that clip ends everything. The impression of clip is already present in line 1 in which the summer s twenty-four hours is mentioned, the twenty-four hours being one of the steps of clip. Then in line 7 it says that every beauty at one clip or another is affected either by opportunity or by the alteration of season ( nature s altering class line 8 ) , in this instance the terminal of summer. The object of the character s worship does non endure from this finitude. His ageless summer s twenty-four hours shall non melt, or, as described in line 10, his beauty will stay his forever and the personification of decease in line 11 shall non be able to do him follow him into the kingdom of the dead. This unsusceptibility from devouring clip is accomplished by immortalisation in lines of poetry. These lines will even do stronger and more beautiful as clip returns, as line 12 points out. The usage of the word eternal in this line every bit good as in line 9 ( ageless summer ) contrasts aggressively with the thought of finitude attached to a summer s twenty-four hours ( line 1 ) and every carnival ( line 7 ) . The immortalisation is continued in the concluding lines: life will be preserved by the readers of these poetries in old ages and old ages to come. The sentence structure and signifier in general work together. Most lines constitute a grammatical integrity, there is no enjambement. The first words of the lines frequently indicate the beginning of a new grammatical unit. The word and, for illustration, is used as the gap word in three lines. A Shakespearian sonnet consists of three quatrains and a pair. This besides applies to sonnet 18. The first quatrain introduces the topic. The 2nd quatrain presents a generalization of the thought that no beauty lasts everlastingly. The 3rd quatrain, competently introduced by but ( a clear bend ) , states that the beauty of the individual this verse form is addressed to is something that can non be touched by clip. The concluding pair, in really consistent iambic pentameter, encapsulates the thought of ageless life through versification. The metre is iambic pentameter and the beat is reasonably regular throughout the sonnet. However, in a figure of lines there are spondaic pess, used to underscore menaces to the beauty and the thought of infinity. Clear illustrations of this are the Rough air currents in line 3 and the decease that will non boast in line 11. In the latter illustration the menace of decease is reinforced by the vowel rhyme between the words decease and crow. Line 9 is an interesting line as respects the beat. For the last two pess reinforce the bend, introduced by the But. A regular beat would hold a emphasis on shall, followed by an unstressed non. However, the opposite is true. This clearly adds to the contrasting quality of this line: after two regular iambic pentameters the emphasis on the non following the introductory But leaves no uncertainty about the bend the reader witnesses in this line. A genuinely beautiful illustration of a Shakespearian bend.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

GMAT Essay - Sample toefl Essay

GMAT Essay - Sample toefl EssayA good sample toefl essay is important to test for GMAT as well as GMAT practice. It will also help you to learn from the mistakes that you made in writing your own sample essay. Remember to keep it short and concise. It is a sample essay and should not be more than 300 words.Sample can be obtained from any of the sites that are out there. You can also ask the tutors, counselors or professors of your colleges to provide you sample essays. Sometimes you may even get it from your professors. It is good if you are able to ask them before writing your own essay. It will help you to see if you are capable to write the sample.Sample toefl essay should have all the rules of the GMAT. It is necessary to check for all the questions in your sample and write down all the details about them. The guide to essay writing has information about sample tests that will help you answer all the questions. Then write down what you have learned in your sample so that you will be able to write another one in the future.If you have not seen the sample in writing yet, now is the time to do so. Study it so that you will be able to write it. If you have doubts about whether you are capable to write it, do some research. Talk to your tutor or someone that will help you write it. They can be a professor, advisor or a tutor. Also, don't forget to put in the list of questions that you would like to ask.It will help you if you are able to study it from the internet. Search for websites that provide sample GMAT. They offer essays in PDF format so that you can download them easily. You can print them out. Read through it and if you find any grammatical errors, correct them immediately. Write the sample to the guide.Finally, write your sample essay on paper so that you will be able to see it in writing. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider while writing the essay. You need to use descriptive words, simple sentences and a logical pattern. As long as y ou are following these rules, you will be able to write the sample so that you will be able to test for GMAT.Sample toefl essay is one of the important tools that you will need to get prepared for GMAT. It will also help you to learn from the mistakes that you made in writing your own sample essay. Remember to keep it short and concise. It is a sample essay and should not be more than 300 words. Prepare for GMAT now.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

August Wilsons Fences Essays - Fences, The Pittsburgh Cycle, Tragedy

August Wilsons Fences It is easy to make the case that August Wilson's play Fences is a tragedy and that Troy Maxson is its tragic protagonist. Few comedies end with a funeral, and there is no denying that Troy's character and life are the stuff of tragedy. But Wilson's vision is much larger than Troy's heroic side, his deeds and omissions. Troy, for all his strengths, is flawed humanity in need of grace and forgiveness. Such grace and forgiveness are the spirit of true comedy, and a case can be made for viewing Fences as a comedy or, perhaps, a metacomedy. The term is taken from Christopher Isherwood, who took it from Gerald Heard: I think the full horror of life must be depicted, but in the end there should be a comedy which is beyond both comedy and tragedy. The thing Gerald Heard calls 'metacomedy' [...] (421). Metacomedy, then, is a vision that transcends the immediately comic or tragic. It is not evasive and it has room for pain, for heartache, for alienation, even for death, because it affirms the values of mercy, forgiveness, and sacrifice, which adversity calls forth. For a religious person, metacomedy is what Christopher Fry called a narrow escape into faith and a belief in a universal cause for delight (17). Fry's metaphor for life is a book of alternating pages of tragedy and comedy. As we read (that is, live) the book, we are anxious about what the last page will be. The comic vision holds that on the last page all will be resolved in laughter (17). The essence, therefore, of metacomedy is hope, and Fences is a lesson in hope. First there is hope for a better future for African Americans and by extension, for all humankind. If we view Troy's earthly life as an autonomous whole, we are looking at an ultimately tragic book of life. But if we view Troy's life as a page in an ongoing saga, perhaps we can see it not only as a prelude to a happier time but as a success story of itself. George Meredith advises us that to love comedy we must know human beings well enough not to expect too much of them though you may still hope for good (325). What should a realist expect of Troy Maxson, who was abandoned by his mother at age eight, fled a brutal, lustful father at age fourteen, began to steal for a living, and served fifteen years on a murder charge? One can only hope for some measure of good, and Troy exceeds a realist's expectations. He holds a steady but disagreeable job as a garbage collector, supports a wife and son, stays sober six days a week, wins his own private civil-rights battle to become a driver, and remains faithful to Rose for eighteen years before he falls. Moreover, August Wilson presents us with a multigenerational vision in which our sense of waste is more than balanced by an infusion of hope. Fences is about the always imperfect quest for true manhood. Troy's father was less of a true man than Troy, but he was a worker and a provider. Troy, even as a runaway, carried with him his father's virtues along with a considerable lessening of the father's harshness and promiscuity. To Troy's credit he can appreciate his father's legacy and forgive his evil side: But I'll say this for him [...] he felt a responsibility toward us. [...] he could have walked off and left us [...] made his own way (716). It is Troy's capacity for gratitude and forgiveness that his son Cory must internalize on the morning of Troy's funeral. After a seven-year absence, the young man has returned in his marine uniform, proudly wearing his corporal's stripes. There is an aura of maturity about him but also a lingering bitterness--he refuses to attend his father's funeral. Troy's mother, Rose, articulates the deep truth that Cory does not want to face. Rose. You just like him. You got him in you good. Cory. Don't tell me that, Mama. Rose. You Troy Maxson all over again. Cory. I don't want to be Troy Maxson. I want to be me. Rose. You can't be nobody

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Understanding Scaled Scores on Standardized Tests

Understanding Scaled Scores on Standardized Tests Scaled scores are a type of exam score. They are commonly used by testing companies that administer high stakes exams, such as admissions, certification and licensure exams. Scaled scores are also used for K-12 Common Core testing and other exams that assess student skills and evaluate learning progress. Raw Scores vs. Scaled Scores The first step to understanding scaled scores is to learn how they differ from raw scores. A raw score represents the number of exam questions you answer correctly. For example, if an exam has 100 questions, and you get 80 of them correct, your raw score is 80. Your percent-correct score, which is a type of raw score, is 80%, and your grade is a B-. A scaled score is a raw score that has been adjusted and converted to a standardized scale. If your raw score is 80 (because you got 80 out of 100 questions correct), that score is adjusted and converted into a scaled score. Raw scores can be converted linearly or nonlinearly. Scaled Score Example The ACT is an example of an exam that uses linear transformation to convert raw scores to scaled scores. The following conversation chart shows how raw scores from each section of the ACT are transformed into scaled scores.   Raw Score English Raw Score Math Raw Score Reading Raw Score Science Scaled Score 75 60 40 40 36 72-74 58-59 39 39 35 71 57 38 38 34 70 55-56 37 37 33 68-69 54 35-36 - 32 67 52-53 34 36 31 66 50-51 33 35 30 65 48-49 32 34 29 63-64 45-47 31 33 28 62 43-44 30 32 27 60-61 40-42 29 30-31 26 58-59 38-39 28 28-29 25 56-57 36-37 27 26-27 24 53-55 34-35 25-26 24-25 23 51-52 32-33 24 22-23 22 48-50 30-31 22-23 21 21 45-47 29 21 19-20 20 43-44 27-28 19-20 17-18 19 41-42 24-26 18 16 18 39-40 21-23 17 14-15 17 36-38 17-20 15-16 13 16 32-35 13-16 14 12 15 29-31 11-12 12-13 11 14 27-28 8-10 11 10 13 25-26 7 9-10 9 12 23-24 5-6 8 8 11 20-22 4 6-7 7 10 18-19 - - 5-6 9 15-17 3 5 - 8 12-14 - 4 4 7 10-11 2 3 3 6 8-9 - - 2 5 6-7 1 2 - 4 4-5 - - 1 3 2-3 - 1 - 2 0-1 0 0 0 1 Source: ACT.org The Equating Process The scaling process creates a base scale that serves as a reference for another process known as equating. The equating process is necessary to account for differences between multiple versions of the same test. Although test makers try to keep the difficulty level of a test the same from one version to the next, differences are inevitable. Equating allows the test maker to statistically adjust scores so that the average performance on version one of the test is equal to average performance on version two of the test, version three of the test and so on. After undergoing both scaling and equating, scaled scores should be interchangeable and easily comparable no matter which version of the test was taken.   Equating Example Lets look at an example to see how the equating process can impact scaled scores on standardized tests.  Imagine that say you and a friend are taking the SAT. You will both be taking the exam at the same test center, but you will be taking the test in January, and your friend will be taking the test in February. You have different testing dates, and there is no guarantee that you will both take the same version of the SAT. You may see one form of the test, while your friend sees another. Although both tests have similar content, the questions are not exactly the same. After taking the SAT, you and your friend get together and compare your results. You both got a raw score of 50 on the math section, but your scaled score is 710 and your friends scaled score is 700. Your pal wonders what happened since both of you got the same number of questions correct. But the explanation is pretty simple; you each took a different version of the test, and your version was more difficult than his. To get the same scaled score on the SAT, he would have needed to answer more questions correctly than you. Test makers that use an equating process use a different formula to create a unique scale for each version of the exam. This means that there is no one raw-to-scale-score conversion chart that can be used for every version of the exam. That is why, in our previous example, a raw score of 50 was converted into 710 on one day and 700 on another day. Keep this in mind as you are taking practice tests and using conversion charts to transform your raw score into a scaled score. Purpose of Scaled Scores Raw scores are definitely easier to calculate than scaled scores. But testing companies want to make sure that test scores can be fairly and accurately compared even if test takers take different versions, or forms, of the test on different dates. Scaled scores allow for accurate comparisons and ensure that people who took a more difficult test are not penalized, and people who took a less difficult test are not given an unfair advantage.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Conflict Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Conflict Management - Essay Example Individual conflict can also occur because of his different positions and roles with the organization. The individual can also create conflict within himself if there are too many ambiguities contained in his position. Therefore there are a number of reasons for conflicts, which an individual experiences within the confinement of his job duties. All conflicts are basically inter-personnel conflicts because most of the conflicts involve conflict between a person in one organization or a group and another person in other organization or a group. Inter-personnel conflict can be presented in terms of different levels of obstruction. Inter-personnel conflict may lead to delay in decision-making or may arise either due to distortion in the structure form or because of the complexity of individual needs. Inter-personnel conflict has the tendency to resolve itself because of the conflicting parties are not able to continue in a tense situation for a very long time. Time is the healing factor for interpersonal conflicts. It is the time factor, which normally helps to resolve interpersonal conflicts. In inter-organizational conflicts, the external environment like social institutions, group dynamism, and culture of the group and government policies plays an important role. Cont1icts are not evil but the art of the natural order. Conflicts are because of the generational gap. Managers must try to live with the conflict. If the conflict is properly handled, it can be constructive in achieving the results. It can act as a stimulus; it may be a challenge and motivational force to

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

The New Leadership Challenge , Creating The Future of Nursing Essay

The New Leadership Challenge , Creating The Future of Nursing - Essay Example The managerial leadership of the firm promotes flexible approach to the changing dynamics of the organizational management. The myriad aspects of leaders and leadership facilitate and influence human behavior for greater achievement of mutually negotiated targets with greater enthusiasm. Indeed, the many challenges of good leadership takes into account the changing environmental factors and translate them into opportunities of growth. The paper would be looking at the various facets of leadership and how it impacts the role of nurse managers. Nature of leadership Organizational leadership assumes special meaning because it motivates and encourages others to strive towards common goals with renewed enthusiasm. It tends to empower people with knowledge and influence their behaviour, attitude and feelings towards important issues so that they are better prepared for changes and become more accommodating in their approach. The traits and styles of leaders within organizations therefore b ecome hugely crucial elements that inherently help exploit new situations and inculcate a sense of stability amongst the followers or workforce especially in adverse situations. The various leadership theories support the varying perspectives of leaders and how they impact the behaviour and attitude of others. The leadership traits and styles become integral part of leaders within organizations. Leadership traits. The four most important traits of effective leaders are: honesty; forward looking; inspiring; and competency (Kouzes and Posner, 2007). These are critical paradigms of that help the leaders to gain the trust of the followers who willingly follow them. Honesty is one of the most desirable traits of leaders that inspires committed following. They set high standard of ethics and moral integrity which inculcates trust and gives them a distinct credibility in the eyes of their followers but also gives credence to their ideological perspectives of issues. Leaders are also forwar d looking because their vision ensures that followers are well equipped to handle changes. With strong communication skills, they are able to communicate with their followers and inspire them towards visionary goals. They have the ability to’ read emotions in one’s self and in others, and to be able to use this information to guide decision-making’ (Ashkanasy et al., 2002: 317). Indeed, their capacity to look forward to the future is highly pertinent issue as it is able to anticipate and exploit new avenues of opportunities. In the current environment of globalization and changing format of society, they help provide intangible stability among the diverse workforce through cross cultural understanding and facilitate their integration with the system. With strong ideals, indomitable will and highly creative disposition, leaders are hugely inspiring. They challenge the status quo and explore new dimensions to overcome tough situations. Hence, followers tend to imi tate and imbibe qualities to move forward. An effective leader therefore empowers followers and motivates them to make decisions based on informed choices. The leaders are very competent individuals which is reflected in ‘leader’s track record and ability to get things done’ (Kouzes and Posner; 35). The leadership competency relies on experience that provides the leaders with necessary knowledge to act aptly under different situations. They understand the hidden