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Guanxi And Performance The Moderating Role Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Entrepreneurial Orientation
Guanxi And Performance: The Moderating Role Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Entrepreneurial Orientation
Abstract
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Dedication
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Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654966” CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc375654966 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654967” Introduction to the Problem PAGEREF _Toc375654967 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654968” Background of the Study PAGEREF _Toc375654968 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654969” Statement of the Problem PAGEREF _Toc375654969 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654970” Purpose of the Study PAGEREF _Toc375654970 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654971” Rationale PAGEREF _Toc375654971 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654972” Research Aim and Objectives PAGEREF _Toc375654972 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654973” Hypotheses PAGEREF _Toc375654973 h 6
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654974” Research Questions PAGEREF _Toc375654974 h 7
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654975” Definition of Terms PAGEREF _Toc375654975 h 7
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654976” Significance of the Study PAGEREF _Toc375654976 h 9
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654977” Assumptions and Limitations PAGEREF _Toc375654977 h 10
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654978” Nature of the Study PAGEREF _Toc375654978 h 10
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654979” Conceptual Framework PAGEREF _Toc375654979 h 10
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654980” Organization of the Remainder of the Study PAGEREF _Toc375654980 h 12
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654981” CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW PAGEREF _Toc375654981 h 13
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654982” Corporate Social Responsibility PAGEREF _Toc375654982 h 13
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654983” Centrality PAGEREF _Toc375654983 h 20
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654984” Entrepreneurial Orientation PAGEREF _Toc375654984 h 22
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654985” Social Capital PAGEREF _Toc375654985 h 23
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654986” Culture and Business Environment PAGEREF _Toc375654986 h 41
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654987” CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY PAGEREF _Toc375654987 h 62
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654988” Research Design PAGEREF _Toc375654988 h 62
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654989” Research Paradigm PAGEREF _Toc375654989 h 63
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654990” Sampling PAGEREF _Toc375654990 h 63
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654991” Variables PAGEREF _Toc375654991 h 64
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654992” Setting PAGEREF _Toc375654992 h 64
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654993” Types of Data and Focus PAGEREF _Toc375654993 h 64
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654994” Delimitations and Assumptions PAGEREF _Toc375654994 h 65
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654995” Validity and Reliability PAGEREF _Toc375654995 h 65
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654996” Ethical Considerations PAGEREF _Toc375654996 h 66
HYPERLINK l “_Toc375654997” Reference PAGEREF _Toc375654997 h 66
List of Tables and Figures
TOC h z c “Figure” HYPERLINK l “_Toc299972655″Figure 1: Conceptual Framework PAGEREF _Toc299972655 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc299972656″Figure 2: Hierarchy for Corporate Social Responsibility PAGEREF _Toc299972656 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc299972657″Figure 3: Three-Domain model of CSR PAGEREF _Toc299972657 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc299972658″Figure 4: The Impact of Centrality PAGEREF _Toc299972658 h 2
TOC h z c “Table”
HYPERLINK l “_Toc299974821″Table 1: Divergence between Chinese and Western Cultures PAGEREF _Toc299974821 h 2
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTIONIntroduction to the ProblemGuanxi is one of the well researched areas of the study when it comes to business in Chinese context. There are various views regarding Guanxi and its significance in the modern business environment of China. Some authors and academicians view it as an effective and strong assistance available to the corporate executives in the business environment whereas others perceive it to be backing corruption and bribes in the business environment. There are some authors who have classified Guanxi on various aspects.
Background of the StudySocial relations are part of any civilized society in the present scenario. The role and influence of social relations in the life of individuals may vary from one society to the other. However, its significance can not be ignored at personal and professional life when it comes to the life of a Chinese individual. One of the exhaustively studied social relationship type existing in the Chinese society from the Confucius’ time is Guanxi. According to Luo (2001) Guanxi has a significant role in the entry to the China’s business and describes the term as “concept of drawing on connections or networks in order to secure favors in personal and business relations.” Guanxi plays a ubiquitous role in the daily life of China.
Sato (2003) describes Guanxi to be at the core of a community in China that has been adopted in the market place representing layers of networks among people. This is an advance form of social relationship that governs the life of people in China. The role and characteristics of these differs from community to community and group to group. In order to understand a market place, it is important to understand the nexus of social network within the society and economy.
Chinese have been able to develop social relationship as a calculated science of social relations. The construction of the Guanxi may start as early as student life of a person and is a common preoccupation for various levels of professionals that includes entrepreneurs, government officials, managers and others (Luo, 2001). Social order is deeply rooted in the history of the culture of China. This represents business links that can mutually benefit each other. In the last few decades, economic reforms have widened the scope of Guanxi. It has more commercial quality and expanded geographical area. Contrary to the thoughts of famous philosophers like Weber and Marx that money is impersonal, Guanxi is a decades’ long practice based on interpersonal relationship for the mutual benefit of the parties involved that can be quantified in terms of money (Wilson, 2004).
According to Chan (2002) “Guanxi provides a balance to the cumbersome Chinese bureaucracy by giving individuals a way to circumvent rule through the activation of personal relations.” Pryce-Jones (1997) says that guanxi simplifies the processes. Over a cup of tea, deals are done without requirements of documentations. However the same aspect has been viewed as an obstacle for open competition among the similar business groups or individuals. The role of guanxi as per Deng & Kennedy (2010) is more important when it comes to relationship of government and business in China. Even government agrees that the connections influence the shape of the government policies.
On the other hand, network centrality is a term that signifies power and control and performance of individuals in a particular social network (Marx, 2004). There have been various studies that explored the network centrality and its implications on the performances of individuals within a social network. McDowell & Voelker (2008) regarded centrality to be very important as it impacts the information exchange within the social network.
Entrepreneurial orientation and performance within Chinese context can be associated with network centrality and Guanxi. However, it is evident that there have been negligible studies conducted in the past to explore and examine the relationship and its implications.
Statement of the ProblemGuanxi in business environment is a normal practice in China that can have relationship with entrepreneurial orientation and corporate social responsibility and overall implication in the performance relationships.
Purpose of the StudyThe purpose of the study is to understand and evaluate the performance of guanxi based relationship with the capacity of entrepreneurial orientation and corporate social responsibility.
RationaleGuanxi makes the opportunities more reachable to the people who maintain it; at the same time for those who lack in guanxi have lesser opportunities irrespective of their caliber and potential. Guanxi is one of the major factors measuring the reliability of an individual who can be trusted over the others.
Research Aim and ObjectivesResearch aim of this study is to explore the role of Guanxi within the business environment of China with respect to the past and present; and understand its impact of corporate social responsibility and entrepreneurial orientation of Chinese business culture.
With respect to this aim, following are the research objectives for this study:
To explore how network centrality moderates guanxi-performance relationship.
To understand the key conditions affecting Guanxi- performance relationships with relation to entrepreneurial orientation.
To provide meaningful practical implications of how firms can utilize Guanxi to improve their performance for corporate social responsibility objectives.
To understand and evaluate Guanxi with respect to the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation in China.
HypothesesThe research hypotheses of this study are as follows:
Hypotheses 1
Ho1: Network centrality has positive association with performance relationship with relation to entrepreneurial orientation.
Ha1: Network centrality has positive association with performance relationship with relation to entrepreneurial orientation on Guanxi-performance relationship.
Hypotheses 2
Ho2: The organizations with strong Guanxi help in sustaining in different business environment as compared to the companies with strong Guanxi along with high focus on corporate social responsibility.
Ha2:
The organizations with strong Guanxi along with high focus on corporate social responsibility sustain in any business environment as compared to the firms with strong Guanxi only.
Hypotheses 3
Ho3: The organizations with higher Guanxi have low level of entrepreneurial orientation and corporate social responsibilities in highly competitive and turbulent business environment
Ha3: The organizations with higher Guanxi have high level of entrepreneurial orientation and corporate social responsibilities in highly stable, favorable and simple business environment.
Research QuestionsThe domain of this study is to assess the relationship between guanxi and performance. As many people usually talked of the advantages of using guanxi in doing business, it is highly important to get a thorough understanding of the disadvantages of it and the problems caused by this Chinese social capital. Hence, the research questions are as follows:
What relationship exists between network centrality and Guanxi-performance?
What is the capacity of Guanxi to influence a firm achieving the objectives of Corporate Social Responsibilities?
How entrepreneurial orientation, corporate social responsibility and Guanxi are linked together in the context of Chinese culture?
How centrality in Guanxi influences corporate social responsibility and entrepreneurial orientation?
In which manner, the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation are getting affected by Guanxi in Chinese business environment?
Definition of TermsGuanxi
Literately translated as “relations” or “connections”, a common practice in doing business in China. It is also a typical social capital in China. It has been a central concept in Chinese society and describes a personal connection between two parties in which one is able to prevail upon another to perform a favor or service. Guanxi is also social capital because it involves exchange of social obligations and determines one’s face in society (Park and Luo, 2001).
Guanxixue: This is the practice of building guanxi relationships and is morally neutral aspect of everyday life of an inidvidual in China but it entails high level of moral principles with petty calculations. This process signifies the coexistence of tension and harmony and ethics and tactics as well as human sentiments (Verhezen, 2004).
Renquing: Friendship and long lasting personal relationships are part of this that encourages people to help each other.
Social capital
The goodwill available to individuals or groups. Its source lies in the structure and content of the actor’s social relations. Its effects flow from the information, influence, and solidarity it makes available to the actor (Adler and kwon, 2002).
Entrepreneurial Orientation
This term refers to “the processes, practices, and decision making activities that lead to new entry……….it involves the intentions and actions of key payers functioning in a dynamic generative process aimed at new-venture creation.” (Boehm, 2008, p.67)
Centrality
“The position of an actor in the network, meaning the extent to which the focal actor occupies a strategic position in the network by virtue of being involved in many significant ties (Wasserman and Faust, 1994 as cited by Marx, 2004, p. 87)
Corporate Social Responsibility: This includes all set of obligations of an organization in all its activities beyond the legal obligations of an organization which can be economic, social or ethical that has positive and sustainable impact on the society.
Significance of the StudyAs so many people including scholars, researchers and businessmen around the world regard Guanxi, a Chinese social capital, as a popular and imperative method in successfully doing business in China, they fail or neglect to distinguish the downsides in this gray zone in guanxi utilization. Furthermore, the new Chinese leaders are changing their images and are advocating doing business in a normal way instead of guanxi in an attempt to crush down corruption. It is very important to find out guanxi’s hidden risk and disadvantages. Some recent studies pointed out some disadvantages of guanxi, but just related guanxi to bribery and corruption. They failed to dig deeply into other negative impacts of Guanxi.
In China’s present business environment, guanxi may still help, to some extend, toward doing business in China for both Chinese and foreigners. But quite a number of foreign companies are especially confused with Guanxi. They do not clearly understand this double-edged sword and may easily go astray into the guanxi mine. Some recent developments of lawsuit in China involved Guanxi utilization including some world-famous companies run by either Chinese or foreign executives.
This research is to study and assess the problems in the process of building and using guanxi in China and the costs and risks involved that might moderate the guanxi-performance link. The findings of the study will help companies and businessmen understand the disadvantages and risks of guanxi utilization, prevent them from falling into the trap, alert the companies to avert the risks of negative effects on the firm performance of both Chinese and foreign companies.
Assumptions and LimitationsThis is assumed that the participants in the study will be providing their honest responses as the anonymity and confidentiality is maintained. There have been various studies in order to understand the positive or negative implications of the guanxi in the business environment of China. In the recent past, government has been encouraging to adopt formal way of doing business than relying on the guanxi.
Nature of the StudyThis study is based on quantitative research process. Primary data is collected on the basis of structured questionnaire designed and developed for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire consists of specific segment for collecting responses on demographic and research related queries. The data once collected will be analyzed using SPSS software. The research findings will be presented with the help of appropriate tables and diagrams.
Conceptual FrameworkThe conceptual framework is based on the fact that the information, influence and solidarity shape the social relations, which takes form of guanxi. Guanxi is related with the power, availability of information and costs linked with developing, maintaining and leveraging on the benefits of Guanxi. There have been different studies that indicate that maintaining and developing guanxi requires investment of personal time and resources. Corporate social responsibility is recognized for having potential for long term sustainability for companies. At the same time, entrepreneurial orientation can leverage on the benefits of a good guanxi relations.
Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Conceptual FrameworkOrganization of the Remainder of the StudyThe paper is divided into five main chapters namely Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Findings and Analysis and Discussion, Implications and Recommendations respectively. The first chapter covers general overview of the entire study and provides basic information to the reader. The second chapter, Literature Review provides the background study of the paper. This section also elaborates on the topics researcher intended to study and helped in developing the initial research questions. This is followed by Methodology section in which researcher describes the research design, approach and intervention and various aspects of systematic review of this research. The Findings and Analysis section is presentation of the eligible studies of the systematic review. The last chapter is concluding chapter in which the research questions and hypotheses are justified.
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEWLiterature review section is a comprehensive research and evaluation of conceptual concepts present in the existing literature. This section is divided into corporate social responsibility, centrality or positional embeddedness, social capital, entrepreneurial orientation and culture and business environment.
Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate Social Responsibility has been one of the highly debated and studied terms in the last two decades. The term gained attraction and interests of researchers and scholars for various reasons. Some find it strategic for organizations (Crowther and Rayman-Bacchus) while others questioned the legitimacy of corporate social responsibility (Jia & Tomasic, 2009).
Definition
Corporate social responsibility has been defined by various authors in various ways. The definition and meanings given by authors and academicians may differ in terms of wording but at the root level, corporate social responsibility aims for the welfare of some or majority of the stakeholder.
Kolk (2010) describes CSR as “voluntary activities beyond the law but rather, more broadly, as managing a firm in such a way that it can be “economically profitable, law abiding, ethical and socially supportive”. The first approach hinges upon delineating legal obligations, with CSR beginning where the law ends.”(p.9)
Werther & Chandler (2010) define CSR as “A view of the corporation and its role in society that assumes a responsibility among firms to pursue goals in addition to profit maximization and a responsibility among firms’ stakeholders to hold the firm accountable for its actions.” (p.5)
Zheng and Fewsmith (2008) define CSR as the way “companies manage their core business to add social, environmental and economic values in order to produce a positive sustainable impact for both the society and the business”. (p.108)
Jia and Tomasic (2009) identified four layers of responsibilities in the CSR. The first of these four responsibilities is economic responsibility that involves the production of goods and services needed or desired in the society and selling those in the reasonable prices. The second responsibility is the legal responsibilities. Corporations should obey the law of the land. The third responsibility is ethical responsibility. Ethical responsibility has been explained as “[Ethical responsibilities] embody the full scope of norms, standards, and expectations that reflect a belief of what consumers, employees, shareholders, and the community regard as fair, just and in keeping with the respect for or protection of stakeholders’ moral rights.” (p. 129). Ethical responsibilities are gamut of factors falling under the category of community obligation for an organization.
Organizational Strategy and CSR
Werther & Chandler (2010) claim that roots of CSR can be seen in the ancient cultures like Ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Sumerian writings as well as the modern history. They gave account of various studies and views on CSR. CSR activities are more than the legal obligations of organizations on their society. By CSR mean, the businesses and organizations meet their obligations that include the economic, legal, and ethical expectations which are not binding for the organizations.
Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 2: Hierarchy for Corporate Social Responsibility(Source: Archie B. Carroll, The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders, Business Horizons, July-August, 1991, p.42 as cited by Werther & Chandler, 2010; p.6)
Quazi and O’Brien (2005) provided two-dimensional model of corporate social responsibility with horizontal axis with narrow and wide responsibility and vertical axis with the perceptions of the consequences. Both the axis represented two extreme parameters of the mentioned factors (as cited by Crowther and Rayman-Bacchus, 2005, eds).
Werther & Chandler (2010) further explain that it is important for the firms to identify all the stakeholders of its operating environment and prioritize different issues of strategic importance. Organizations develop the internal strategic planning on the basis of the corporate social responsibility framework and their stakeholder that can help in long term sustainability for the organization.
According to Ouyang (2011) CSR can be explained as a way of conducting business for the companies that is ethical and takes account of impact on economic, social, environmental and human rights issues.
Schwartz (2011) explained that CSR has economic, legal and ethical components linked with it and excluded philanthropic component with the support of arguments by Strong and Meyer. The corporate philanthropy is regarded limited to the economic motives of the organization. All the CSR activities of an organization are based on their economic motives and responsibilities that is sustainability that is regardless of any philanthropic obligation of a corporation.
Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 3: Three-Domain model of CSR(Source: Schwartz, 2011, p.94)
CSR provides social legitimacy to the organizations which is important for their business operations and long term viability. Werther & Chandler (2010) argued that CSR provided means to anticipate and reflect social concerns that helped businesses to minimize resistance for its operations and financial concerns and allows organizations to interpret the societal values and stakeholders’ expectations in the changing business environment. The economic aspects of the CSR is that companies with their activities when reflect their concerns for different stakeholders groups, they maximize their societal legitimacy and sustainability in medium to long run. Corporate social responsibility is reflected in every activity and functions of an organization from branding and image to the day to day operations.
Ouyang (2011) explored various studies conducted in order to study and explore CSR in different contexts. Organizations need to work in an ethical way and take care of social, economical, environmental and ethical issues. This is regarded obligations of the organizations to operate in a manner that they least harm the environment and ecology and contribute to the local community in a positive manner and promote the well being of the employees. The business organizations should treat all the employees fairly and provide them safe work environment and opportunity of growth and development.
Zheng and Fewsmith (2008) listed types of behavior of organizations that can be regarded as responsible corporate behavior in a society i.e. committed and promoted CSR by the board; organizations following local laws and tax rules; taking the opinions of stakeholders into account; high standards for labor and environment safety and protection; proper monitoring and reporting of the performance of firms on economic, social and environmental performances and providing training and increasing awareness of the CSR among the employees of the organization (p.109).
CSR is one of the areas that received huge attention from various groups of professionals such as business professionals, politician and administrators, scholars and other social groups. Obuyang (2011) explored various theories on the notions of CSR such as the social contract theory, the instrumental theory and the stakeholder theory. Each of the theory provided its own explanation for CSR. The Social Contract theory requires businesses to behave like a member of family in the social structure whose interest should be more than the commercial interest and must behave in responsible manner. The instrumental theory considers CSR obligations to be part of social programs that can provide competitive advantage and good image to the organization. The stakeholder theory assumes that business organizations are aware of all the needs and rights of the stakeholders and uses it to develop socially responsible behavior through managers.
Companies decide and determine their corporate social responsibility strategies based on their area of operations and priority of the areas in which they would like to work (Zu & Song, 2006). For instance, for a company into pharmaceutical business can find it easier to educate people regarding the health problems for which it manufactures medicine. At the same time, a company into energy services can fulfill its corporate social responsibility by educating people regarding the energy products and services and energy conservation.
There are various strategies companies adopt for corporate social responsibility.
The role of CSR has increased in the recent past in various ways. All the stakeholders of the company facilitate the business operations in different ways and develop relationship in long run. The customers purchase products and offerings of a business house display certain level of trust on that. Suppliers, buyers, channel members and other business partners show their level of trust and reliability to work with the organization. Investors invest in order to get regular returns. Similarly, a society or community where the business is operational expects transparency and environmental friendly business practices that would contribute to the social and economic development of the region. The significance of CSR has increased due to various reasons. The societal expectations have been changing due to growing concerns over the environmental imbalances and ecological sustainability. Globalization and technological development has facilitated flow of goods, people and information from one part of the world to another. The information technology has also put a pressure on the international organization as any negative news or publicity receives global attention quickly.
Jia and Tomasic (2009) argue over the way CSR has been evolved over the year and stress that role of CSR being the essence of being ethical and committed to the society has been replaced by being a tool to retain competition and manage risks in safest manner.
CSR and China
According to the report of United Nations on the China’s forest products markets, China has been paying attention to the CSR issues in China in the recent past. It is assumed that the CSR activities in China cover different social and economic areas. According to the US-China Business Council (USCBC) several leading MNCs have developed and implemented well planned and effective CSR programs that have clear and measurable goals. Most of the CSR programs in China focus on “community outreach, environmental health and safety (EHS), environmental protection and Education.” (USCBC, 2006).
Belal (2008) argues that CSR reporting for corporate social and environmental responsibility has gained its significance in China due to the deteriorating environmental conditions and increasing overseas listing of the Chinese companies. Zheng and Fewsmith (2008) give account of official estimates of the deaths in industrial accident during the year 2004-2005 which was more than 263, 500. The death in coal mining sector alone was 6000 in the year 2005.
Xu and Yang (2009) explained that the conceptual dimensions of CSR in China have roots in their traditional culture that is very different from the CSR dimensions of the Western world. There are differences in the views and approaches to the CSR issues between China and western world.
According to Zu & Song (2008) there was a work-unit system named danwei provided social protection and safety to the employees. This is the traditional form of social responsibility practiced in the Chinese companies. However this system collapsed since the economic reform. These were particularly practiced by the State owned enterprises.
Zheng and Fewsmith (2008) question the effectiveness of CSR in China with respect to four important factors namely firms, the government, workers and society.
Zu & Song further argue that the multi-dimensional concept of ‘socialist market system’ resulted in incongruity within the business environment of China. However it is expected that the strategy towards CSR that can be justified in order to meet the goals of social and political levels along with the business gains.
Jia and Tomasic (2009) states “CSR in China is still an emerging concept and it will take some time for it to gain wider acceptance. Nevertheless, the government’s requirement that companies report on their SCR practices will no doubt help to promote greater awareness of this idea. ……..Large resource companies in China are already taking a lead in following global standards and adopting good CSR practices.” (p. 134)
CentralityMarx (2004) describes centrality as “the position of an actor in the network, meaning the extent to which the focal actor occupies a strategic position in the network by virtue of being involved in many significant ties (Wasserman and Faust, 1994 as cited by Marx, 2004, p. 87).
Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 4: The Impact of Centrality(Source: Marx, 2004, p. 87)
Centrality is linked with the performance of strategic initiatives, power and control, superior r
Gruners Discussion Of Humor, Aggressiveness And Subjects Responses To Rating Humor (1)
Gruner’s Discussion Of Humor, Aggressiveness And Subjects’ Responses To Rating Humor
Gruner’s position on humor and its application in the various spheres of life is built on a critical analysis of facts and events that surround its use in the respective contexts. In trying to understand the usage of humor under the various scenarios stipulated in different scenarios, it is perhaps worth to explain what humor is. According to Gruner (11), adopting the explanation of humor from Sigmund Freud could represent humor as a form of wit. The author adopts descriptions such as tendency wit which is usually directed at a party as well as harmless wit targeted at no particular party or thing. In both scenarios, laughter is evoked which qualifies the wit to be humor. Humor is therefore a funny feeling arousing comment which is made to generate laughter rather than disillusionment which follows in many cases. In certain cases, humor does not achieve its purpose in a generalized manner. Offensive effects of humor are felt in some sections of the audience. Humor made is not equally effective since some cases of humor are exceptionally aggressive in making laughter while others are gentle and subtle. Since humor faces different audiences, it is prone to judgment and rating where the offended lot rates it lowest. In this discourse, various aspects of humor are discussed in an attempt to understand its application in the society.
Gruner (22) explains that theory applies in the study of humor just as any empirical study would. One of the most appropriate theories that the author uses is superiority theory which links humor to aggression. By attaching the aggression tag to the art of humor, Gruner introduces juxtaposition regarding the impact of humor to various groups. While one group bears the blunt of the humor, the other seems to enjoy in laughter. If aggression can be found in a laughter causing context, it follows that some form of rating for the humorous devise takes place effectively diving the audience into two groups, one happy one and a disillusioned one. On the same weight, humor elicits feelings of rating among the audience where some sections feel sexually infuriated due to sexual content in the humor. Indecency is usually a common area where sexual attachment dubs the humorous comment sexually offensive.
Humor on commercial advertisement equally faces a controversial ground with all manner of reactions. While some commercials auger well with a little infiltration of humor, a well designed commercial with little diversion from offensive attachments achieves its intention better than one without. Gruner (30) reckons that there are some channels that present clearly well audience targeted commercials to effectively cover the specific market without many issues (Attardo, 5). Devoting an entire channel for instance would increase chances of a commercial reaching it targeted market. Inclusion of humor that takes into consideration the interest of the particular group of audience watching the specific channel reduces chances of offensive results.
Sexual humor incorporates sexual themes in the platform across which the humor is being communicated. Being a field with a huge following, such humor usually reaches its intended audience as an important ingredient (Gruner 127). The author points at the entertaining nature of the sexual theme inside the sexual humor. Sexual humor is however likely to cause problems with moralists who find the themes rather inappropriate in a moral society. Entertainment platforms continue to exploit the strength possessed by sexual humor than most other forms of humor to play their roles. Apparently, the complementation of sexual humor by aggression drives the intended message faster home than through many other combinations. Use of sex humor in adult materials is usually equally deemed successful in capturing the attention of the audience. The use of humor as a game perhaps enables the humor artists to skillfully introduce topics of any nature to a communication platform and increase it intended use. Most entertainment channels use humor well but commercials are economically turning things around in the world of advertising.
Difference in aggressiveness of responses made by the audience and parties to a humorous comment seems to a fact. Involvement of humor in rather criminal offenses seems to lower the perception that the parties to a crime have on that particular crime (Gruner 11). This differential rating perception usually results from the concept of a perceived differential feeling from the audience that is divided into various perception groups. Neutral parties neither find the humorous too humorous nor do they find it offensive. While others find some humor sexually offensive, still others find it subtly involved and rather inconsequential. In gender sensitive cases, some find humorous instances as either favorable or neutral while a section also finds it aggressive. Humor is like a game.
Works Cited
Gruner, Charles R. The game of humor: a comprehensive theory of why we laugh. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2000. Print
Attardo, Salvatore. Linguistics theories of humor. Berlin, Germany: Walter De Gruyter, 1994. Print
Attardo, Salvatore. Humorous texts: a semantic and pragmatic analysis. Berlin, Germany: Walter De Gruyter, 1994. Print
Chapman, Antony J. & Foot, Hugh C. Humor and Laughter: theory, research and applications. New York, NY: Wiley and Sons, 1976. Print
Multiple Sclerosis Final part of the Proposal
Multiple Sclerosis Final part of the Proposal
Name of Student
Name of Institution
Multiple Sclerosis Final part of the Proposal
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that disrupts information-flow between the body and brain, and also within the brain (Freedman, 2006). It is a disabling, unpredictable disease that targets the central nervous system. Its cause is yet unknown and is assumed to be exposure to environmental factors, also unknown to people who may react. The total number of victims are unknown, but are estimated to be over two million world over. The unknown number of victims is because the symptoms may be completely invisible and because responsible bodies have not been required to register new cases.
The contraction of this disease is based on several risk factors the first of which is the age. Studies on research data have shown that the age groups of between fifteen and sixty have the highest likelihood of getting the disease (Iezzoni, 2010). The other risk factors are gender, family history, certain infections, race, climate, lifestyle and certain autoimmune diseases. Lifestyle, smoking for instance, makes an individual to be more inclined to register the second series of attack on the central nervous system (CNS). These attacks are thought to be done by the immune system of the body that has lost some of its purpose of protecting the body (Lotze and Thompson, 2004). Whilst both men and women are victims of this terrible disease and most of the cases have been registered in women (Kalb, 2008). Women, therefore, have been deduced to be more inclined to contract the illness than their male counterparts (Farrel, 1998). Through study on race and family history, it has been concluded that white people especially from Northern Europe or of this decency are more vulnerable to infection by the MS. They have reported more cases unlike their Asian, African and Native Americans counterparts (Barcelo, 1996). People who have type 1 diabetes, a thyroid disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, and other viral infections that have been linked to the MS are also more likely to develop it (Bowling, 2014). The infections make patients susceptible to the symptomatic development of the Multiple Sclerosis. Climate is thought to affect the contraction rates as individuals from the more temperate regions have been affected a lot less than individuals from the colder parts of the globe.
The objectives/ aims and purposes of this study are highlighted in the following sentences. First, the research study aims to identify the target group/ the groups that have fallen more victims to MS. The second objective is to identify the typical symptoms of MS and the root causes of these symptoms (Craighead & Charles, 2001). Thirdly, the study analyzes the fatality and effects of MS, the effectiveness of the diagnosis and available treatment.
Research Hypotheses
A hypothesis is a statement of investigation for a researcher. Usually, the development of the theory is based on the assembly of facts organized in an intricate pattern such that a relationship arises therefrom. The resultant theory has more meaning and is more concrete because it has its backing on substantial facts. From that point, relationships that do not acknowledge individual facts in the theory are examined. When doing this, the researcher normally has little knowledge of the correctness of the relationships he attributes to the facts. These formulated relationships are what makeup a hypothesis. A verified hypothesis is sufficient ground to interpret a particular theory in the future. Essentially, the hypothesis is a predictor of something unknown. Such prediction can be tested to ascertain whether it is valid. During such testing, the prediction may turn out to be in line with common sense. In the same measure, the prediction could turn out to be correct or incorrect. Overall, the testing is empirical. This means that the outcome is not necessarily important so long as it is an answer to the prediction. Inclusive, a hypothesis serves the function of relating different phenomena in some way to permit an empirical analysis of the same. This function calls for a research design that eventually proves or disproves the hypothesis based on the data gathered during the research.
Hypothesis 1
Among people with multiple sclerosis, there is no difference in recurrent fall frequency with and without physical therapy.
Hypothesis 2
Among people with multiple sclerosis, there is a difference in recurrent fall frequency with and without physical therapy.
The research is also guided by the following thesis and antithesis.
Thesis: Physical therapy helps prevent recurrent falls in people with multiple sclerosis.
Antithesis: Physical therapy does not help prevent recurrent falls in people with multiple sclerosis.
The nature of this disease is not clear yet to scientists in this field. This research proposal examines some of the facts behind the MS and restates clarity.
The Background of Multiple Sclerosis
The first case of multiple sclerosis was registered in Rotterdam in the late 1300s on a woman who has been canonized as St. Lidwina (Kesselring, 1996). Through to the 1800s, no one understood this disease. For a long period, individual cases of MS have been stated in great detail. Jean-Martin Charcot, the father of modern neurology, introduced the first cohesive perspective of MS in 1869. The diagnosis of MS is not easy, but has been made simpler to technicians by introduction of technically advanced resources (Lotze & Thomson, 2004). Previously, there were no neurologists with the skill to carry out this diagnosis. At the moment, the FDA approved treatments for MS are six (Ehrman, 2009). There are also seventy new therapies at different stages of the trial that will be tested at Stanford. There is a Multiple Sclerosis center at Stanford that has a team of highly qualified neurologists offering a special diagnostics and treatment. The treatment offers comprehensive individualized care combined with great research opportunities. It also has access to clinical trials and state-of-the-art technology that include the electrodiagnostics and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It has services like immunology infusion, information on current treatment and research, and follow-up services (Ehrman, 2009).
Early Signs and Symptoms of MS
It has symptoms that include optic neuritis (vision problem). In this case, an individual’s central vision is disrupted because of the inflammation of the optic nerve. The degenerative effect is slow, so this makes the vision problem not be noticed immediately. The other symptom is numbness and tingling on the fingers, arms, legs and face. It occurs when the MS affects the brain and spinal column prompting them to send mixed signals. Involuntary spasms of muscles and chronic pain are also common occurrences (Schapiro, 2014). The condition also comes with knee jerking movements that are involuntary and extremely painful. The third symptom is unexplained weakness and fatigue that affects 80% of victims at the early stages of the infection (Weiner, 2005). MS is also characterized by problems in balance coupled with dizziness. In addition, affecting an up to 80% population of total victims, problems with the bladder, bowels and sexual dysfunctions are characterizing MS. The problems occur because most of these activities are controlled by the central nervous system that is attacked by the MS. Problems with language, memory loss, shortened attention span and reduced levels of concentration mark another symptom. The cognitive malfunction affects at least half the total victims. Major depression and the pseudo bulbar affect are also common among people with the MS (Sadock, Sadock & Sadock, 2008). Other symptoms may include seizures, memory loss, uncontrollable shaking, breathing problems, slurred speech and problems in swallowing.
There is mixed information on the group that is targeted by the Multiple Sclerosis. Whilst previously scientists, still held on to the ground that it affects no particular group or race of the human, contradictory information and research have proven otherwise. Scientists have now observed that the Multiple Sclerosis is more common among people from Northern Europe, or of this line of decency (Malley, 2005). They hold that it has become more common among the Latino or people with Latino backgrounds. Their research holds that people of African decency, Asians or Native Americans have the lowest risk. The findings of this research have a created a presumption that vitamin D plays a factor in the level of risk. People around the equator, who are exposed to more sunlight hence more vitamin D, have low levels of risk of contraction.
Timely and early diagnosis of MS can be achieved through tools like the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). It is a new painless imaging tool that is non-invasive. The OCT is used for viewing the internal retinal structures to assess the optic nerve for optic-neuritis. The criteria for diagnosis for MS are as follows. First find evidence of damage in at least two areas of the CNS. Secondly, find evidence that the damage at two different point and time. The third is, rule out all other possible diagnoses (Olek, 2005). The tools for making a diagnosis are medical history and neurologic exam and blood tests (Orient and Sapira, 2010). There are no set up procedurals for testing for the MS in the blood (Malley, 2005). What the tests do though, is to cancel out possibilities of other infections that bear the same symptomatic appearances (Flemming, 2002).
The MS is not easy to diagnose because the early warning signs are always not directly associated with it as they are also caused by other conditions (Lotze & Thomson, 2004). Symptoms like poor vision and memory loss are often handled for what they are because MS tend to appear with different symptoms in victims. The MS is not easy to diagnose because it has no single tests. It also takes time because diagnosis can only be confirmed after evidence of at least two episodes of activities of the disease on the central nervous system (Schapiro, 2014). Despite all the challenges, however, a series of technical advances have been made that make the whole process possible, though it still is gradual.
There are no death cases directly linked to the Multiple Sclerosis. The medication has also been considered very safe with mild side effects (Murray, 2005). Though conditions like severe pulmonary complications, severe sepsis and aspiration pneumonia may lead to death. Aspiration Pneumonia is a result of deposition of food and liquid particles in the respiratory tract as a result of difficulty in swallowing. Poor nutrition decreased sensation; immobility/ inactivity and bladder incontinence may cause sepsis, especially if left untreated. The MS also limits an individual’s ability to exercise, weakens the muscles and make them vulnerable to other infections. It is the contraction of such diseases like cancer, heart complications and stroke that may lead to an individual’s demise. Cases of victims committing suicide to avoid the problems they are going through have also been reported. Multiple Sclerosis is, therefore, not directly fatal, but both the physical and mental conditions that come with it are what may be fatal.
The MS has no permanent cure, and the only available treatments are control measures (Weiner, 2005). A number of disease-modifying drugs have been proven to sluggish the process of MS in some people. These drugs suppress or alter the activities of the body’s immune system and are based on the theory that the immune system attacks the myelin surrounding nerves. The drugs serve to reduce the development of new brain lesions and the frequency and severity of attacks like the convulsions (Frontera, 2008). Early diagnosis is imperative as it creates time to find the drug that a patient can use comfortably. It also helps in curbing the developments of the disease, by slowing its growth and advances from early stages.
The objectives that have been set to examine the research proposal serve to explain diagnosis and treatments for MS. They also examine vulnerability of some individuals and the environmental factors that propagate this disease.
The Conceptual Framework of the Proposal
Multiple Sclerosis;
Factors for Infection;Symptoms;
environmental, diet, gender, genetic weakening of muscles, breathing problems, cognitive problems, balance problems, dizziness and fatigue
Diagnosis;Other Infections;
MRI, Cerebrospinal Fluid(CSF), Respiratory Pneumonia, Heart attacks
Evoked Potentials(EP)Sepsis
Treatment/ Control;
Drugs; oral and injections (intravenous, subcutaneous, intrathecal)Therapy
This conceptual framework explains the relationship among the variables of the proposal (Gerish, 2010). The independent variable is the factors for infection. It leads to infection and symptoms. The symptoms lead to diagnosis, other infections and treatment. Diagnosis, affected by symptoms, also leads to treatment and control.
Research Methodology
Introduction
This proposal identifies the target group of the proposal and the reasons for their high likelihood of infection. Research conducted on information throughout the years from the first case in 1300 to date has pointed to geographical locations among other factors. The other factors include lifestyle, genetically factors and climatic factors. The research points out that people from a place of high infection rate who move out before puberty reduce the levels of risks. Now whilst diet and lifestyle may be the same among different populations, factors like climate and family trees make others more susceptible to infections. Most cases of MS are not diagnosed early because of the less obvious symptoms. The proposal examines the symptoms and their relation to each other. It scrutinizes the irregular symptomatic infections because so far, no two known patients have suffered from symptoms at the same rate, stage and style. The symptoms are always bare, but there are no measures that can help medics diagnose MS (Martin & Bridgmon, 2012). The only option is to wait for the second attack by the Ms on the central nervous system, and this takes time. The time taken/ lost leads to further development of the Multiple Sclerosis yet the earlier its arrested, the better and more stable an individual’s condition remains.
The MS itself has proven to be controllable, but the diseases/ opportunistic infections that may set in as its result have adverse effects. Through therapy and administering of drugs, the adverse effect of the immune system on the central nervous system is reduced. This leaves the patient in a more stable state. But the problems it causes like weakened muscles lets in other infections like heart diseases. Patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis leave in fear of these other infections than their primary health state.
The Study Design
There are two designs for research. They include the qualitative and quantitative (Martin and Bridgmon, 2012). This research proposal adopts a qualitative design. It examines whether physical therapy helps avoid recurrent falls among people with Multiple Sclerosis. Information about the subject was collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations (Ott & Longnecker, 2008). This is a narrative research that has focused on a particular individual. Data in this research have been gathered through the collection and study of his testimonials.
Intervention
Multiple Sclerosis lacks a cure, but measures to control it have been implemented. The methods for its control are known as interventions (Fraser, Clemmons & Bennett, 2002). Drugs that target to reduce the activities of the immune system, which is believed to be the primary cause of the disease, have been invented. When the immune system’s activities that target the central nervous system have been reduced, the speed with which the MS advances are curbed Givens, Reeds & Touwaide, 2006). The other mode of intervention is through the Behavioral Intervention. This has been effective in improving depression, motor function as well as fatigue. It has the potential to modify the disease by ameliorating the symptoms.
The method of intervention recommended by this study is therapy. There are two kinds of therapy that have been employed in the intervention against Multiple Sclerosis (Colburn, 2011). The first is Physical Therapy (PT). The Physical Therapy can be used to intervene on the following symptoms; fatigue, walking difficulties, weaknesses, poor balance/ fall risk (Bryant, 2011). It can also be used to intervene on stiffness, spasms and spasticity (Roy, 2008). It can also intervene on pain, tremor/ ataxia, sensory changes that include proprioception and decreased functional independence. The second is Occupational Therapy (OT). The Occupational Therapy can be used to intervene on fatigue, weakness, balance/ fall risk, stiffness, spasms, spasticity and cognitive changes. It can also intervene on reduced manual dexterity, pain, tremor and sensory changes that include proprioception (Soderback, 2009).
The reason for the choice of therapy is that unlike drugs and medication, it just does not try to stop the development of the disease. It makes an attempt at reversing some of the conditions (Jelinek, 2010). It recreates psyche where hope had been lost, serves to strengthen weakened muscles and encourages the victim to take on the conditions head on. Occupational Therapy does not let the victim mentally fall into a state of regression; instead it instills in him the confidence to fight back and hold on.
Study Sample
The study is conducted at The Walden University Department of Online Students Registered with Disability. The choice for Walden University is factored by the love for the students whose mobility has been impaired. It, therefore, has a wide base from which proper and detailed information on Multiple Sclerosis, the biggest cause for mobility impairment can be collected. Information should be collected from large frames of samples (Neal-Boglan, 2011)
Sampling Strategy
There are four sampling strategies overly (Babbie, 2013). They include simple random, systematic, stratified random and cluster sampling strategies. The strategy chosen for this study is the systematic in which the produced samples are treated as random. It addresses the following issues. The first issue is to get sincere respondents who can help avoid response bias. Response bias results when a respondent deliberately conceals information from the researcher for various reasons. The second strategy is to help avoid non-response especially when respondents fail to answer phone calls, turn up for meetings or fill questionnaires. The third strategy is to get detailed full-cycle information. Therefore, the respondents should be experienced and well versed with social and scientific factors on Multiple Sclerosis.
Sampling frames
A sampling frame is the list of all the intended respondents for the study. It is a list of other device that a researcher uses to define his population of interest. The randomness of choice of sampling depends on the level of accuracy of the information required by the study. The element is introduced by picking a random number from and with which the selection should be started and based (Ott, & Longnecker, 2008). Its samples form a block sample frame. There are two kinds of sampling frames which are list and non-list. Rarely can a researcher get direct contact to the population of his interests. The researcher must, therefore, rely upon a sampling frame to create a representation of all the elements of the population of interest.
In this study, one in every ten students will be chosen to form a list sample frame. The sampling strategy and the sampling frames give a total of three group samples/ lists for the study.
Allocation of Treatment Arms
The three groups are then subjected to the three different methods of intervention. Each is allocated a different method from the previous. The purpose of different allocation is to verify/ compare the efficiency of each of the three intervention techniques to Multiple Sclerosis. The first group marked as I, is subjected to medical intervention. The second group, marked as II, is subjected to the behavioral intervention. The third group is subjected to intervention by use of therapy; this group is christened group III.
The study variables
There are three variables for a research study. These are the dependent, independent and the confounding variables. The validity and reliability of a research study are increased when the variables are controlled by ensuring that the causal effects are eliminated. It is also known as isolation of the independent variable. The process of isolating the independent variable involves changing the other variables into consonants (Martin & Bridgmon, 2012). Eradication of the research variables involves employing scientific measurements to negate or nullify them.
The research study on Multiple Sclerosis will have two variables that will govern the style of research after the conversion of the variables of research into constants. They include the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable of the study is physical therapy whilst the dependent variable is the falls in people with multiple sclerosis. This study does not bear a confounding variable.
Methods of Data Collection
There are several method of data collection. These include the use of documents, observations, survey, and experimental analysis and among other fields like the nominal group technique (Creswel, 2014). Use of documents identifies trends in leisure research and practice. The participants carry diaries and journals. The method is detailed into historical, literature review, Meta and content analysis and mining of secondary data. Observations are detailed into interpretive, ethnographic, case study and observations of the participants. It evolves around the behavior and interaction of people in open and public places. The observation is meant to be systematic (Lodico, Spaulding & Voegtle, 2010). Survey involves use of questionnaires, interviews and standardized scales/ instruments. It aims at identifying the relationships between motivation and satisfaction.
The other are experimental that involves the use of true and quasi-designs and the multi-methods approach that is a combination of all the methods shown above. The experimental method aims at obtaining information under controlled conditions.
Though a part of the research will be observational, most of the data collection is conducted through survey. Methods like the use of questionnaires and interviews are employed. The reason for the survey is to improve the level of communication with the respondents to get even their personal information. Survey improves precision and clarity of information as no research content is based upon assumptions (Lodico, Spaulding & Voegtle, 2010). Questionnaires are distributed to the respondents/ members of the sample frames/ groups. The best response is then picked from the questionnaires once they have been submitted by the respondents. The respondent who filled the questionnaire is visited for an interview. The process is tedious but very effective.
Data Management
Data management is the manner in which data collected from the study is handled to serve the purposes of the study and also serve as a base of reference for future studies (Andrew, Paul & Chad, 2011). When done effectively, data management helps in achieving clarity and cohesion of a research and study and intended future studies as well. There are set procedural and order/ steps and guidelines for Data Management. The first is data collection from the recipients, then Data maintenance, storage, validation/ correction and manipulation. The steps before precede data views, access, security and documentation. To achieve a high level of efficiency, this research study aims to follow the data management protocol.
Data management will be conducted is described in the paragraph herein. The recipients mail back their responses/ questionnaires. The questionnaires are then filed according to the samples/ groups that had earlier been set and marked as I, II and III respectively. The collected data is then validated and corrected to comply with the scientifically facts. Responses based on mythical theories without a scientific support are cancelled. The data is then extracted and changed into essays. The process of extraction is also known as Data Manipulation and Reporting.
The views and responses of the data must be clearly outlined in the essay. Relevant explanations are given where necessary to give clarity and make observational references. The data of these research findings should be made accessible to researchers and victims for future references. To make this easier, there should be hardcopies of the findings in the order of educational journals. A report on the data is also made as part of the documentation procedures.
Data Analysis
The aims of this research are to determine the number and incidences of MS patients with fall incidences while analyzing the effects that the condition has on the patients’ life, work and education
The paper also examines the effectiveness of the PT and OT in slowing down the advancements of the disability and reducing the frequency of falls. There are two methods of data analysis (Ott & Longnecker, 2008) The General Practice Research Database and Hospital Episode Statistics data is the preferred method of data analysis for this study. The other method is the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).Based on patient records and hospital intervention, the two methods will enable accurate compilation and analysis of data (Carlin & Louis, 2008).
a)General Practice Research Database (GPRD)
The calculations on the follow-up durations per patient are done annually to determine the fall incidences of patients per year and whether a diagnosis has occurred due to such falls (Carlin & Louis, 2008). The fall incidences will be estimated using passion regression models with logarithm (time at risk) as an offset variable. The gender analysis is done separately and year and age are used as the variables for the models (Phelps & Hassed, 2010).
b)Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)
The available HES data for the patient population will be analyzed. Estimates of fall incidences within the time duration will be made using the GPRD data. The fall incidence rates will then be calculated using extra diagnosis from HES. Age-specific rates of fall incidence will be estimated from inverse polynomials and fitted to ratio cases from GPRD and HES versus GPRD alone.
Dissemination of Research
Victims of Multiple Sclerosis are the main stakeholders in this research proposal. They are the focal point of the research. Because of their immediate contacts with the MS patients, the families and friends have the information on the effects of this disease. The information that is firsthand, especially on the falling incidences and they should be handled is vital to the research. For this reason, these family members will also be part of the processes of the research. Research institutions that include health facilities and professionals, schools and their staffs and members of the community also play a vital role as stakeholders in this research. The reason for this is that they are privy to information on research and challenges faced by the victims of MS.
There is a need and necessity to formulate Government policies galvanizing the education and employment of MS patients. The victims always get victimized and discriminated against because of their sluggish movements and mobility problems. For this reason, Government representatives will also take part in the research. The media will also take part as the issue of MS fall incidences is a serious issue that should attract public awareness. They not only come to create awareness on the fall cases and reasons for the fall, but also to de-campaign the discrimination against the MS patients. Lastly, the research will source for sponsors who will also become part of the project to evaluate its progress and look into matters of transparency and accountability.
Ethical Issues
Physicians assert that in cases of probable diagnosis, at the early stages before the second attack on the CNS, patients should not be informed of the contraction of the disease (Furney, 2008). They base this on the argument that a medic’s first role is not to create panic but to relieve patients of pain. Telling patients the truth, they argue, could trigger mental agony rather than give patients a piece of mind. Justification for this is that the early phases of MS do not exhibit serious falls. Moreover, it is hard to precisely predict future experiences. Most patients will not understand anything about such future experiences.
Respect for individuals calls for voluntary informed consent plus adequate patient information regarding the research aims, procedure, methods, potential risks and anticipated benefits. Patient autonomy is a very crucial principle – patients should be allowed freedom of expression, comment and adjustment as the research progresses. Moreover, when analyzing the benefits and risks of the research, they should be weighed critically based on the potential benefits of new interventions against the current ones. Lastly, justice should prevail when selecting the participants in the research. There should be no reasons other than ethical or scientific ones for including participants into the research.
The need to source for funding makes it necessary to seek IRB approval. The IB approval only comes when the validity of the research is clearly stated and emphasized. This research has its relevance steeped in the statements that follow. It articulates the woes and tribulations of the MS patients at school, work and even in their everyday life. Policy statements have been slow to capture the problems faced by the victims of MS. The key factor for this is that the research and reports made about this filed have not been sufficient. The research findings of this proposal, therefore, will serve to enhance policy development and create awareness concerning Multiple Sclerosis.
Secondly, assurances on the respondents/ participants ‘safety throughout the research have to be paramount. The research aims at participation of MS patients and other stakeholders at free will. During the research, measures to control and lessen any jeopardy/ risks of harm that might suffice during the research will be put in place. Moreover, there will be an efficient consent procedure whereby no participant feels compelled to take part in the research. In addition, withdrawal decisions will be honored. Lastly, before seeking IRB approval, the respondents’ perceptions on the research will be clarified.
References
Andrew, D P., Paul M. P, & Chad D. M. (2011). Research Methods and Design in Sport Management. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Babbie, E. R. (2013). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Barceló, D. (1996). Applications of LC-MS in environmental chemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Bowling, A. (2014). Optimal Health with Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide to Integrating Lifestyle, Alternative, and Conventional Medicine.