Benefits of Ontology in Social Science

Benefits of Ontology in Social Science What is ontology? Why is it important for the social scientist to know about it? Speaking out of modest personal experience as a political science graduate, the issue of ontology as well as epistemology (and the consequent choices social sciences scientists make) has been always in an arena of confusion for most social sciences graduates. Students, all over the world, feel alienated and often misguided regarding the nature of these terms and thus are often relatively late in determining their stands in this crucially important and inescapable subject. Furthermore, a simple investigation of typical course offerings of social sciences degrees around the globe exposes a general lack of methodology courses at the undergraduate level. This issue adds to the general confusion of students on the issue. Often, not until students move to postgraduate level when they are adequately trained in methodology of research and consecutively become able to develop understanding of ontology and epistemology. Furlong and Marsh (2002) explain the issue brilliantly when they say: â₠¬Å"At First these issues (ontological and epistemological positions) seem difficult but our major point is that they are not issues that can be avoided. They are like a skin not a sweater: they cannot be put on and taken off whenever the researcher sees fit.† (Furlong and Mars, 2002, p.17). In this essay, we try to provide a general overview of ontology and shed light on its importance. What is ontology? If one is to define Ontology in Social sciences, it is important to step back to the philosophical origin. In philosophy, ontology is widely defined as a major branch of metaphysics, the study of the nature of reality. Encyclopaedia Britannica (2009) defines Ontology as the â€Å"philosophical study of being† and what generally prescribes to reality. Aristotle first called ontology â€Å"first philosophy†, and later the Latin term â€Å"ontologia† appeared after being invented by the German philosopher Lorhardus. Furlong, and Marsh (2002) explain ontology a â€Å"theory for being†, in other terms the main question of whether exists a reality that is autonomous from our understanding. To elaborate this idea in social sciences context, they give the example of gender identity and John Grays book â€Å" Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus†. The book argues that men and woman are fundemantaly different from each other and asserts that if it would be better if both would recognize this difference. That argument subscribes to a foundationalist (essentialist) ontological stand. On the other hand Furlond and Marsh (2002) assert that feminists would fiercly attack such a view as they link differences between men and women are â€Å"socially constructed†. This stand asserts an anti-foundationalist (constructivist) ontological position. Foundationalism and anti-foundationalism represent the two main ontological positions taken by scientists, and to understand ontology one should explain those main ontological positions. Importance Epistemological consequences The debate of who comes first, and the importance of Ontology in social research: Needless to say, a social researchers ontology can be understood as their view of social world. This have a consequence on choosing the ways the researcher will do his research, the methods, used, and theories put forth. Nevertheless by saying this we avoid hinting that ontology precedes or follows epistemology, an issue of debate among social scientists. According to Bares and Jekins (2007) learning of ontology (and epistemology) helps â€Å"differentiate and choose between competing theories and analytical traditions† Additionally they assert that many introductory texts to Ontology and Epistemology seems to sponsor a directional relationship that asserts that ontology precedes epistemology in social research. In their opinion this hinders the learning process as discretely favours certain theoretical choices. They further assert that ontology (and epistemology) are important in ontology. (2009). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Retrieved December 11, 2009, from Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/429409/ontology A Skin not a Sweater: Ontology and Epistemology in Political Science Furlong, Paul and Marsh, David (2002) A Skin not a Sweater: Ontology and Epistemology in Political Science. In: Theory and Methods in Political Science. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 17-41. ISBN 0-333-94856-4

The Cussing Trend :: essays research papers

Cussing Trend Present generation is rolling over cussing trend. Wherever you see from daily lexicon, whether on television, stored in kids? iPod?s or packed into soccer carpool, you will find them brimming with borderline expletives. In today?s generation there?s not list, but an entire volume touch the boundary or goes up to infinity. None is unabashed about cussing trend. Well, we?re light years away from 1950?s and 1960?s. During 50?s and 60?s it was so hard to write or describe borderline expletives. Back in 1953 the writers for ?I love Lucy? couldn?t describe Lucille ball?s pregnancy by using the word ?pregnancy?. Even though it was not allowed by TV censors or in book or in Newspaper. If I compare my personal experience with 50?s and 60?s, it will cross the boundary. Well, this is about my 12 years old cousin, he was playing Xbox all the time instead of studying. So in order to push him back to study my uncle took his Xbox and hide at the good place that he could not find it. And my cousin couldn?t find it, so he started cussing on everyone that who took his Xbox. Well, when I went to his house and I ask him that what happen? And he was like that basted hide it and I was like who? He said his dad. I got shocked when he said basted to his dad. I was thinking in my mind like why this new generation is cussing and using borderline expletives. After all I ask him that where did u hear that word? And he answered that he heard on TV. With that experience I could figure out that this

Wattie Frozen Foods Ltd

The firm†s competitive environment is in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Rim. They have head quarters in Auckland and four factories located in Gisborne, Hastings, Fielding, and Christchurch. The range is frozen and dehydrated vegetable products, main products being peas, beans and frenches fried potatoes. Growers are contracted to WFF and are provided with a significant amount of technical assistance, including the availability of quality seed stock, and a wide variety of agricultural management assistance. Once crops are deemed ready they are harvested quickly and transported immediately to the branch factory, where the crop reception department tests the quality of the incoming produce. At the factory the season processing is done around the clock. I.e.) potatoes are first washed, then sliced, deep-fried, frozen and packed. Peas are washed, graded, and then frozen for bulk storage. Beans are washed, graded dried, and packed. Problems with seasonality in the business are that you may run out of stock in a non-season where that product is not being produced. To get that product in a non-season could be quite expensive. The season for that product could produce a bad crop and you would have to wait until next season to get the next crop. Work Center Management is that the organization is divided up into a set of semiautonomous work centers. Each work center will have skilled supervisors and employees who will be able to make critical decisions to manufacture a quality product in a timely manner. There is daily reporting because the information will be more useful and ownership of the information is more likely. Daily reporting will occur because is will come from the bottom and travel it†s way up. The motivation for WCM consisted of 2 things: 1. The need to change the emphasis from reporting to managing  · Shortening the time between actions and the subsequent reporting results.  · Ensure focused accountability through clearly defined responsibilities for costs and the power to act. 2. The need for staff involvement and operational involvement It is necessary to change the organizational culture because WCM made managers fully responsible for their outputs and use of inputs and resources including labor, equipment, services and inventories. Thus management has to be empowered, responsible and fully empowered. The culture change was achieved by dividing each factory into units, which were largely self-contained and small enough to ensure focused management and accountability. Each of these units, were to be known as work centers. Each work center had one manager, the site manager (factory manager) would support the work center managers to coordinate work between the work centers and solve any conflicts. The physical numbers tie into the financial accounting system by cost is assigned to processes or products at the basis of the actual consumption of physical resources. The benefits of WCM are that it is integrated with other systems and programs, which provides better managerial reporting. It doesn†t just provide cost and financial performance measures, but also provides monthly summaries of wide physical measures to evaluate the work centers. The WCM has resulted in improved control and cost reductions in difficult to control areas. Other benefits of WCM include:  · Improved focus on quality production Potential problems in operating the WCM system are that eventually staff and management will get lazy on the daily reporting aspects. There may be staff turnover, as some managers will get promoted and training will have to be given to the next line of upcoming management. WCM will have to be continuously monitored to see the cost vs. benefit analysis. The types of operations that lend themselves to daily financial reporting are labor, electricity, materials, and machinery.

Aspirations After College - 709 Words

Since the moment I could move my hand I’d been drawing, dreaming and wanting to get my thoughts into the world. As I got older my talent branched off into other realms. I then realized that all I ever wanted to do was create, through any medium. Whether it be art, music fashion or film, I aspired to create. To ascend to a place where I can eternally fashion my whims and idylls is my final goal. My dreams for my future occupation are to (probably) finish college, find a studio, team of creative executives and eventually become a deity of sorts. To achieve these goals I have designated a certain path for myself called the: â€Å"do this or die plan†. Its implications are fairly personal and most will not be discussed in this essay, but it is†¦show more content†¦These are only illusions of grandeur I don’t care if they actually come true. The only thing I care for is are the murky swamp of the path ahead of me and the stately goal at theShow MoreRelatedS hort Term And Long Term Career Aspirations983 Words   |  4 Pagesmind when I think of my career aspirations. I know I want to do something that makes me happy and I want to make a difference in a person’s life. I realized that I want to be a role model for my younger siblings and cousins because they look up to me. I want to make them proud and show them that you can follow your dreams no matter what. I aspire to obtain my PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy. In this essay I will discuss my short-term and long-term career aspirations and what I want to learning thisRead MoreThe Pressure Of College Students914 Words   |  4 Pageslife.   College students are imposed with numerous pressures. In college there are multiple rises and falls for students; therefore, college students often struggle striving for success. 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