Branding Essay Free Essays

BRANDING ESSAY Subject: The brand as an aspirational and cultural agent 14/03/2013 According to Philip J. Kotler â€Å"a brand is a name, term, sign symbol or design, or a combination of them to identify the goods or services of one seller or a group of sellers and to identify them from the competitors†. This definition expresses the brand as the sum of the representations that we have, however, the brand is also a cultural agent. We will write a custom essay sample on Branding Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now To remain permanently in the mind of the consumer brands must build a recognizable brand and offer their cultural role models to their customers. Thus it is necessary to include this cultural aspect to the marketing strategy of the brand. After explaining how this cultural and aspirational aspect is characterized in the minds of consumers and brands, it will be interesting to know its origins and consequences, finally understand why and how a brand builds a culture and a strong identity. The success of a brand depends not only on the functional value it offers to consumers, its reputation and good health depends heavily on the emotional value it adds through its products. And the brands gain momentum in today’s culture, they seek to become mirrors of our personalities and that is why it is indispensable to build a distinctive brand image. The brand positioning is to place an image in the mind of the consumer. The success of the brand in the consumer’s opinion is fundamentally dependent on its desire to appropriate the brand and express it as a part of his personality. This cultural dimension of the brand had been discussed by Jean-Noel Kapferer (French expert of brands) in his book â€Å"Les marques, capital de l’entreprise† in 1990. He expresses the cultural facet of the brand as a key element of brand identity. In the same vein he argues that brands around the products and services sold, build aspirational universe in order to stand out and sell their products. This universe consists of all intangible assets acting as symbols, references, lifestyles, emotions etc. †¦ feature of the brand. This set forms a specific imaginary that illustrates the values and the brand positioning to form a unique cultural heritage (Jean-Noel Kapferer et Vincent Bastien, Luxe Oblige, 2008) This heritage must be expressed and transmitted to the consumer to feel the desire to join and share. Even if this has a great value in brand equity, it is not enough to form a brand culture. The cornerstone of its creation is a major concept; which is distinct to the brand and based on an innovative aspect (e. g. Nike and culture transcendence). In this case there is a set of communication shared by a class of consumers relaying the brand culture. This research of brand culture is becoming more and more important, especially because consumers search meaning in their consumption and they need to be involved in this consumer society that is constantly evolving. Similarly, the development of the media and especially the internet makes it fertile ground for the development of this cultural facet. We are part of a brands cultural bath influencing us in all our acts of consumption. The brand is a center of social identification of the individual, our consumption reflects our identity. Especially for brands that operate as social signs (car brands, clothing, food, telephone, etc. †¦ ). And brands have become cultural facts, when we consume we do not consume only the product but also the brand. Every act of consumption is symbolic and cultural; there is no longer a pure commercial consumption. The brand becomes a symbol, a materiel embodiment of the myth. So as customers drink, drive or wear the product, they experience a bit of the myth. † (Douglas B. How Brands Become Holt in Icons, The Principles of Cultural Branding, 2004). He explains this behavior like this: â€Å"Customers use iconic brands as symbolic salves. They grab hold of the myth as they use the product as a means to lessen their identity burdens†. It means that the brand through its culture must convey specific models to achieve the desires and soothe the anxieties of consumers. The purpose of brands is to create moments of recognition that put images, sounds, feelings, on the deep desires of customers. Holt adds that a strong brand identity and a clearly identifiable culture have a positive effect on the brand and business: â€Å"When a brand delivers a powerful myth that customers find useful in cementing their identities, this identity value casts a halo on other aspects of the brand. Great myths enhance the brand’s quality reputation, distinctive benefits, and status value. † This halo effect shows brands cannot underestimate their cultural influence. The essential idea in this concept of culture is that it is an integral part of the brand, but she is not defined consistently. It is universal and timeless at the same time it must keep its customers at every change of generation. The success of a brand lies in its ability to adapt to a given society, to know how to react when tensions and desires of consumers mutate. Or that Accordance must match the brand identity. Success comes once the brand has articulated the brand identity with market expectations through the establishment of a strong brand culture. For example Nike in its infancy based its marketing strategy on its philosophy of self-transcendence, a value in accordance with an aspiration of American society in the post-prosperity when the logic of the American dream seemed to have lost its splendor. The socio-economic changes constantly and attitudes of societies are transformed. Thus it is essential that brand can find what, in its identity, can meet the expectations of customers in the generational change. The consumer’s desire is not focused on a specific good or service, this desire is by cluster (Gilles Deleuze, French philosopher, Anti-Oedipus, 1977). This means that when the customer is considering purchasing, the choice is not just the object itself but to all cultural, symbolic or historic associations attached to them. For example when I want this dress that is behind the showcase, I do not just want this dress, but the shoes that go with the silhouette, the style, the man, the romantic dinner and almost the lifestyle that goes with this dress. And brands need to rethink their communication model to know the consumer interest in all that associations of the product. They can no longer base their identity on customer insights; it must do so on a strong culture. The brand identity is not an element to be overlooked in a marketing strategy because the cultural and aspirational aspect it reveals is becoming increasingly important in the consumer’s decision. Brands must know how to create interest and special recognition in his mind through communicating their values and their major concept. The customers’ expectations continually evolving, that is why it is important for brands to adapt through the establishment of a strong and sustainable brand culture. I hope you understand that as an Erasmus student I used for my research French theories to support my arguments. Well I apologize for any mistakes in English that I could commit. ) Bibliography * Jean-Noel Kapferer, Les marques, capital de l’entreprise (1990) * Jean-Noel Kapferer et Vincent Bastien, Luxe Oblige, Paris, Eyrolles (2008) * Douglas B. Holt, How Brands Become Icons, The Principles Of Cultural Branding, Harvard Business School Press (2004) * Gilles Deleuze et Felix Guattari, Anti- OEdipe, Editions de Minuit, 1977. How to cite Branding Essay, Essays

Asthmatic Bronchitis

Question: Write an essay on The causes of asthmatic bronchitis. Answer: Every time a person breathes in, the air enters through the nose and mouth. The air then flows down ones throat into a series of passages of air called the bronchial tubes. These tubes are supposed to be open so as to allow for the air to reach the lungs where the oxygen gets passed into the blood plasma to be transported into ones body tissues. If inflamed, the airways get complications with the air being blocked as the passage becomes impossible (Anon, 1975, 16). With the passage being blocked and less air getting in, there is a shortage of air in the lungs and as such, breathing difficulty becomes imminent. The individual becomes and feels short of breath. This may lead to an obvious case of wheezing and or coughing in an attempt draw in more oxygen via the tightened passageways. Bronchitis and asthma are known to be two inflammatory airway disorders. Acute bronchitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the airway lining that normally recovers itself after going through its course. The causal agents for this condition are either viruses or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, being the longest regarding its shelf-life is triggered by one being exposed to environmental agents of irritation like tobacco, dust, smoke and chemicals among other irritants (Springer, 2016, 33). Asthma, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disorder that causes the tightening of muscles surrounding the airways as well as their swelling which in most cases, causes the airways to narrow (Springer, 2016, 30). The causes of asthmatic bronchitis There are many triggers known to trigger the release of inflammatory elements. The common trigger of asthmatic bronchitis includes tobacco smoke, allergens like pollens, dust, mold, food additives, chemicals, some groups of medications like aspirin and beta-blockers, weather changes and viral or bacterial infections. The symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis include shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in chest, coughing and mucus production in excess. It should be noted that asthmatic bronchitis is not contagious (Springer, 2016, 30). DRG refers to a system of patient classification based primarily on their related diagnosis and co-morbidities, complications and procedures that form the basis for calculating the public hospital funding in Australia. In full, AR-DRGs is Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups, which in this brief, Asthma and Bronchitis is given attention. The DRG consists of 670 patient classes and which are allocated classes that are used to determine their weighted inlier equivalent separation (WIES) value for a given patient admission which ultimately, is assigned a dollar value (Hosford-Dunn, et al., 2008, 12). Essentially, a DRG program is put in place to help determine the kind of DRG is suitably assigned for a given patient based on the coded ICD analysis, additional diagnoses as well as other procedural codes (Hosford-Dunn, et al., 2008, 12). DRG standards in Australia The National Case-mix and Classification Centre formed part of the Australian Health Services Research Institute and was formed in March 2010 after efforts by the University of Wollongong in its move to develop international Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems among other major health concerns (Mackay, B., 1995, 9).The Australian Health facilities have thus adopted a DRG coding system at which point 23 major categories of diagnoses are based. For any patient admission, a DRG Grouper analysis is carried out which then allocated individual patient based on age, sex, their clinical edits and consequently, assign them an MDC, performs a pre-MDC processing on them, assigns adjacent DRG and then compile and comorbid the level and determines the level of the complexity of the PCCL assignment. After determining the above, it then becomes clear for the DRG Grouper to assign a patient a DRG (Mackay, B., 1995, 9). The common notable DRG codes for admissions without catastrophic co-morbidities with this respect in UTS Hospital is E69B. By definition, Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. Among susceptible individuals, the inflammatory processes cause some recurrent episodes of collagen deposition, breathlessness, cough, chest tightness and wheezing. These episodes are normally accompanied by variable obstructions of air which are sometimes reversible by treatment or just a spontaneous process (Moore, G., 1890, 11).It should be noted that asthma inflammations are characterized by hyper-reactivity of the bronchial. The inflammation, therefore, becomes the result of the vasodilation as well as the increase of the vaso-permeability and endothelial adhesiveness to the leukocyitic cells from circulation to the body tissues and fluid (Moore, G., 1890, 11). Close to 22 million Australians have asthma, and it is among the common chronic diseases among children whose numbers are capped at 6 million. The weight of the disease affects not only the patients but also the families and society as a whole regarding schooling and other costs that are directly related to production (Anon, 2009, 10). An improved scientific concept of understanding the asthma conditions has seen remarkable interventions that have posed significant improvements on how to handle cases of asthma. There are no exact causes of asthma, and it is believed to be as a result of the combination of several factors even though the two main factors are thought to include environmental and genetic factors (Anon, 1973, 143-144). This report includes a multi-scenario forecast for asthma therapeutics in Australia. The current asthma treatment guidelines and choices, a detailed pipeline analyses, a clinical trial result, the main drivers and barriers, the promising pipeline molecules and the strategic as well as co-development deals among the key players in therapeutic asthma markets. Treatment of asthma can be classified as either long term meditation or a quick relief meditation that are aimed at relieving the exacerbations as well as the acute symptoms. The long term control meditations are known to include Inhaled Corticosteroids, immunomodulators, cromolyn sodium, nedocromil, methylxanthines and leukotriene modifiers (Tulchinsky et al. 23). Additionally, the long acting beta-adrenoceptor Agonists also abbreviated as LABAs can be made use of when combined with inhaled corticosteroids. This should however not be used a monotherapy for the severe or mild asthma. To date, only one biologic omalizumab is recognized and approved as an add-on treatment of therapy for allergic asthma in Australia. Nonetheless, there is an unfulfilled need that is yet to be met, and that is the treatment of acute eosinophilic asthma (Tuberculosis, 1969, 21). Scope of the report The contemporary asthma market in Australia contains novel products that include Xolair, which is a recombinant humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, seretide/ Adoair, an ICS-LABA among others. Having over 274 molecules, some late stage investigational f=drug candidates are under evaluation with improved dosing administration and regime routes being compared to the contemporary market products (Einf, 1970, 24-26). The analyses of the clinical trials carried out since the year 2006 has brought about the identification of failure rates when it comes to asthma molecules. These were capped at the highest rate being in Phase III representing a percentage of 46, an overall attrition rate of the development of asthma being capped at 78 percent (Lorig, K. 2012, 17). In the forecast period of between 2017 and 2021, the asthma therapeutics in the Australian continent is expected to rise in value at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 percent that ranges from $3.5 billion to close to $5.6 bi llion (Maddock, A.,1855, 18). The rising prevalence and the uptake of newer biologists are projected to have a significant market growth in the course of the forecast period despite the affordability issues. The importance of this report This report will help the UTS hospital governing council in- Understanding the clinical context of bronchitis and asthma through the considerations of symptoms, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and the treatment options. Identifying the strategies of therapy, products and the companies that dominate the current products landscape and the recognition gaps as well as the areas of the unmet needs. Identifying the key pipeline trends in the molecule type, novelty, administration route, and the mechanism of action for the same Considering the market opportunities as well as the potential risks through examining the trends in asthma and bronchitis clinical trials, duration, and failure rates through a stage-wise development, molecule types and the mechanism of action of the trial. Recognizing the late stage molecules that demonstrate strong therapeutic potentials in asthma through the examination of clinical trial data as well as the multi-scenario products that forecast the projections. Discovering the trends in the licensing and development deals that concern the asthma products as well as identifying the key strategic consolidations that shape the commercial landscape. Notably, there are comparatively a trivial number of patients having chronic medical conditions, and this accounts for the larger percentage of the inpatient costs. There is some considerable evidence asserting that case management can help in improving the quality of life health wise as well as reducing the number of time a patient can get readmitted. To establish whether or not a statistical algorithm can be employed in identifying patients risks of readmission and whoever will derive benefits from the case management (Understanding bronchitis and asthma, 1965, 296). METHODS The UTS database for the hospital patients who had at any time secured an emergency admission for the chronic medical disorders like the congestive heart failure, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia among others. The multivariate logistic regression was employed in developing an algorithm for the prediction of readmission within a given period of time. The performance of this algorithm was piloted against recoded readmissions with such considerations done on sensitivity, likelihood ratios and specificity (Russell, H., 1934, 231-231). Results There were several factors that were identified to serve as sure predictors of readmission, that is, age, economic disadvantages, co-morbidities and previous cases of admissions among other factors. The power of discrimination model proved to be modest as was determined by the area under receiver operating characteristics known as the ROC curve denoted as c and caped at c= 0.65. At a score threshold that is capped at 50 and which is considered a risk zone, the algorithm was identified to be 44.7 percent of the patients who were admitted with a condition of admission being in the 12 months of 37.5 percent of the patients flagged incorrectly (Shayevitz, M., Shayevitz, 1991, 31). The statistical algorithm based on the UTS hospital data accomplished just some moderate identification of patients at risk of getting readmitted. Data The data for the patients in the public sector came from the UTS hospital, meaning that the inter alia, the demographic traits of patients, the principal diagnosis, the other treated conditions, and other procedures performed to the effect. The UTSHAPDC is kind of similar to the routine databases of the inpatient in some states and territories within the Australian continent and is also more likely to differ substantially from the states in the United Kingdom (Simpson, A. 1857, 57). The inclusion criterion In the survey, a list of 28 conditions was made use of. These included congestive heart failure, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia among others. Below is the reference table used in defining cases for the predictive algorithm. Patients were picked for inclusion in this study if they had any form of an emergency inpatient admission for the reference condition. The admissions represented a percentage of the inpatients identified to be using the AR-DRG codes as well as the emergency admissions of inpatients as defined in the treating physicians opinion. In case the patient had more multiple emergency admissions, the first admission is taken as the trigger for the admission for purposes of consistency with the precious studies. Sensitivity analyses carried out indicated that patients with multiple admissions made no difference concerning the results whether the first or the last admission was selected for purposes of triggering the admission (Watts, R. 1999, 249-252). Outcome measure Patients were classified as either readmitted if within the first 12 months after discharge for purposes of initiating admission, they had witnessed at least an acute admission. The predictor variables The demographic characteristics of the area of focus were obtained from the trigger entry and entailed such factors as sex, age, Indigenous statuses, socioeconomic status and marital status among other traits. The Indigenous status was collected from the UTSHAPDC and categorized as non-indigenous versus native. The use of SEIFA mainly characterized the socio-economic status, particularly noted as the social and economic indexes for the areas, the index of the disadvantages and advantages based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is by all means a composite measure describing an area advantage or disadvantage based on the range of social as well as economic factors based on the census data (Weissflog, D. 2000, 333). Co-morbidities The presence of the co-morbidities recognized from the perspective of both primary and secondary diagnoses for the trigger of admission as well as the acute admissions before the trigger makes up the event. Having the decision to carry out an evaluation of the comorbidities throughout the admissions including the admission for trigger was meant to give an account of the potential lapses as used in the coding of the various diagnoses. The comorbid conditions in the question were synonymous to the reported study in the United Kingdom (Weissflog, D. 2000, 333). The comorbidity conditions as evaluated in the development of risk algorithm Statistical algorithm Predictive algorithm The predictive algorithm as developed through the use of logistic regression. This regression was applied to the SAS version of 9.1. The predictor measures were given a further analysis within the natural groups and aimed at minimizing the co-linearity and the prevention of a vast number of the conceptually equal measures from doing anything close to saturating the archetype. For instance, the social demographic variables entered into the regression model as a group identifying the best subset for purposes of the proposed selection methods (Maddock, A., 1855, 24). CONCLUSION For the purpose of consistency, the previous admissions as enumerated preceded the trigger admissions for the number of years. These included such things as any forms of admission or the kind of emergency admission. The measures so displayed indicated the natural skewness of the hospital use of data which was seen to be resolved through the measure of the ordinal variable being categorized as 0, 1, and 2 and so on. Works Cited Anon, 1998. Clinical management of HIV and AIDS at district level, New Delhi: World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia. Anon, 1975. Health and safety a survey of provisions in labor agreements in the federal service, October, 1975, Washington, D.C.: The Office. Asthma. SpringerReference. https://doi.org/10.1007/springerreference_44133 Bronchitis, Chronic. SpringerReference. https://doi.org/10.1007/springerreference_110130 Hosford-Dunn, H., Roeser, R.J. Valente, M., 2008. Audiology: practice management, New York: Thieme. Mackay, B., 1995. Kaupapa Maori and responsiveness: management responsiveness to Maori health issues in the reformed health service of the 1990's: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Policy, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University, Aotearoa, Moore, G., 1890. Bronchitis and asthma: their spray and pneumatic treatment, London: James Epps. Anon, 2009. Personalized Data Service For Master Data Management. Proceedings of the International Conference on e-Business. Anon, 1973. Foundations for Health Service Management. Public Health, 87(4), pp.143144. Tulchinsky, T.H. Varavikova, E., The new public health, Tuberculosis, Climate, Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis. (1969). https://doi.org/10.1159/isbn.978-3-318-00064-1 Lorig, K. (2012). Living a healthy life with chronic conditions: self-management of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, depression, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other physical and mental health conditions. Boulder, CO: Bull Pub. Co. Maddock, A. B. (1855). Pulmonary consumption, bronchitis, asthma, chronic cough and various diseases of the lungs, air-passages, throat, and larynx successfully treated by medicated inhalations; illustrated with cases. Philadelphia: Vanhorn. Understanding bronchitis and asthma. (1965). Public Health, 79(5), 296. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0033-3506(65)80050-6 Russell, H. S. (1934). Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis. Bmj, 2(3839), 231231. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.3839.231 Shayevitz, M. B., Shayevitz, B. R. (1991). Living well with chronic asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Yonkers, NY: Consumer Reports Books. Simpson, A. (1857). Compressed air as a therapeutic agent: in the treatment of consumption, asthma, chronic bronchitis and other diseases. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox. Watts, R. W. (1999). Asthma Management In Rural Australia. Aust J Rural Health Australian Journal of Rural Health, 7(4), 249252. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1584.1999.00235.x Weissflog, D. (2000). Prs17: Epidemiology and Costs Of Bronchial Asthma And Chronic Bronchitis In Germany. Value in Health, 3(5), 333. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1098-

Alchemy Essays (3507 words) - Paranormal, Hermeticism, Alchemy

Alchemy ALCHEMY: The science by aid of which the chemical philosophers of medieval times attempted to transmute the baser metals into gold or silver. There is considerable divergence of opinion as to the etymology of the word, but it would seem to be derived from the Arabic al=the, and kimya=chemistry, which in turn derives from the late Greek chemica=chemistry, from chumeia=a mingling, or cheein, `to pour out` or `mix', Aryan root ghu, to pour, whence the word `gush'. Mr. A. Wallis Budge in his "Egyptian Magic", however, states that it is possible that it may be derived from the Egyptian word khemeia, that is to say 'the preparation of the black ore', or `powder', which was regarded as the active principle in the transmutation of metals. To this name the Arabs affixed the article `al', thus giving al-khemeia, or alchemy. HISTORY OF ALCHEMY: From an early period the Egyptians possessed the reputation of being skillful workers in metals and, according to Greek writers, they were conversant with their transmutation, employing quicksilver in the process of separating gold and silver from the native matrix. The resulting oxide was supposed to possess marvelous powers, and it was thought that there resided within in the individualities of the various metals, that in it their various substances were incorporated. This black powder was mystically identified with the underworld form of the god Osiris, and consequently was credited with magical properties. Thus there grew up in Egypt the belief that magical powers existed in fluxes and alloys. Probably such a belief existed throughout Europe in connection with the bronze-working castes of its several races. Its was probably in the Byzantium of the fourth century, however, that alchemical science received embryonic form. There is little doubt that Egyptian tradition, filtering through Alexandrian Hellenic sources was the foundation upon which the infant science was built, and this is borne out by the circumstance that the art was attributed to Hermes Trismegistus and supposed to be contained in its entirety in his works. The Arabs, after their conquest of Egypt in the seventh century, carried on the researches of the Alexandrian school, and through their instrumentality the art was brought to Morocco and thus in the eighth century to Spain, where it flourished exceedingly. Indeed, Spain from the ninth to the eleventh century became the repository of alchemic science, and the colleges of Seville, Cordova and Granada were the centers from which this science radiated throughout Europe. The first practical alchemist may be said to have been the Arbian Geber, who flourished 720-750. From his "Summa Perfectionis", we may be justified in assuming that alchemical science was already matured in his day, and that he drew his inspirations from a still older unbroken line of adepts. He was followed by Avicenna, Mesna and Rhasis, and in France by Alain of Lisle, Arnold de Villanova and Jean de Meung the troubadour; in England by Roger Bacon and in Spain itself by Raymond Lully. Later, in French alchemy the most illustrious names are those of Flamel (b. ca. 1330), and Bernard Trevisan (b. ca. 1460) after which the center of of interest changes to Germany and in some measure to England, in which countries Paracelsus, Khunrath (ca. 1550), Maier (ca. 1568), Norton, Dalton, Charnock, and Fludd kept the alchemical flame burning brightly. It is surprising how little alteration we find throughout the period between the seventh and the seventeenth centuries, the heyday of alchemy, in the theory and practice of the art. The same sentiments and processes are found expressed in the later alchemical authorities as in the earliest, and a wonderful unanimity as regards the basic canons of the great art is evinced by the hermetic students of the time. On the introduction of chemistry as a practical art, alchemical science fell into desuetude and disrepute, owing chiefly to the number of charlatans practicing it, and by the beginning of the eighteenth century, as a school, it may be said to have become defunct. Here and there, however, a solitary student of the art lingered, and in the department of this article "Modern Alchemy" will demonstrate that the science has to a grate extent revived during modern times, although it has never been quite extinct. THE QUESTS OF ALCHEMY: The grand objects of alchemy were (1) the discovery of a process by which the baser metals might be transmuted into gold or silver; (2) the discovery of an elixir by which life might be prolonged indefinitely; and there may be added (3), the manufacture of and artificial process of human life. (for the

Essay on The Person Whom I Admire Most Essay Example

Essay on The Person Whom I Admire Most Essay Example Essay on The Person Whom I Admire Most Paper Essay on The Person Whom I Admire Most Paper Whom I Admire Most Personal essay Virtually everyone has a person whom they admire. A majority of people seem to admire someone because of fame or fortune. I, on the other hand, do not place my admiration on material possessions or people who idolize them. My admiration is reserved for someone far more priceless than anything this world may offer. Therefore, my mother, is the person whom I admire most because she was supportive, she was tenacious, and she was a provider. First, I adore my mother because she was supportive. I participated in a lot of extracurricular activities as a kid, and my mother was always there to encourage me. For example, at age five I began to play soccer on Saturday mornings for an organized team and even though my mother’s only time away from work was Saturday mornings she came to every game. Also, during my high school years I wanted to go on a church trip to Mexico, however the trip was expensive and I was unable to collect enough money to go. Nevertheless, my mother paid the remaining balance by working extra shifts. Lastly, when I wanted to volunteer to join The United States Air Force three months prior to my high school graduation she drove me to the military enlistment processing station and watched proudly as I signed my contracts. In addition, my mother deserves my admiration because she was a provider. During my adolescent years, I began to understand how much she sacrificed to provide for me. I remember her having to sale items that were of significant personal value in order to pay our monthly bills. Additionally, my mother worked two jobs to ensure I had the essentials needed to enjoy my high school years. Also, my mother made whatever sacrifice was necessary to ensure our survival. For example, during the summer before my junior year of high school my mother was laid off from work and we lost our rental house; nevertheless, she sent me to live with my aunt for a year as she was more concerned with me having a stable living environment than her on personal well being. Most importantly, I cherish my mother because she was tenacious. My mother could have been misunderstood as being hardheaded; however, she stood strong for what she believed in and was unyielding to outside influences. My mother taught me to never give up on my dreams and to endure through the hard times. Consequently, I have accomplished many wonderful things, but none are more gratifying than the fact that I take care of my mother whom suffers from dementia. Her spirit has not grown weak and she continues to stand strong. For example, when I go to visit her she is constantly telling me that she will beat that dreaded disease and go home one day. However, I know the truth is that dementia will slowly take more and more of her away from me, but this will prove my mother’s tenacity once again through me. Because my mother was supportive, tenacious, and a provider she is the person whom I admire most. We may face many challenges in life, but to see how my mother stood solid and defeated most of those challenges is an inspiration. I have endured many hardships throughout life, but I my mother taught me two priceless lessons. First, nothing in life worth having will be easy. Second, no matter the circumstances never give up on your dreams.

Research Tools and their Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Tools and their Effectiveness - Essay Example The research took more than 26 weeks to complete. With the sensitivity of the matter, training them for only 8 weeks doesn’t make a lot of sense in that they will not have experienced the necessary knowledge which they can use with ease to determine whether to report as casualty or not. Further, the issue of monitoring the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy is not much encouraged because, if you monitor them, they will tend to be accurate and may not sway away from normality due to your presence. For a research to have the required scientific vigor homogeneity of data is required and this can only be obtained if some certain restrictions are imposed on the participants (Agnes, A 2007). This may include: Age, gender, occupation, health status, earning and many others depending entirely on the objective of the study. For example, for one to take part in this study, the researcher ensured that, he/she had at least some experience in radiography which he himself knew and another which had brought him to that health facility to assist in the provision of the service. However, they were not required to have any formal training in radiography. In any scientific research which involves human participants, freedom to take part in it is a priority as you cannot force one to get involved without his/her consent (Mailu, S. 2004). Participants have to be given the opportunity to say what they want based on the restrictions above. In this study, all the participants are not provided with the necessary information and a verbal consent is not sought from each of them. Mainly a consent form is signed by him/her stating that, all that is involved in the study will be followed to the later voluntarily (Charles, A 2000). The protection of human participant’s information is key for any research to be successful (Bailey, 2005).

Create a new animal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Create a new animal - Assignment Example The fins have strong muscles that can break the jaw of man and other strong animals like a dog and this means it can scare away several water mammals. The most outstanding feature in this animal is its strong jaws with three pairs of chisel shaped incisors and a row of corrugated molars and premolars. It can tear the strongest and thickest flesh in any animal as it is more of a carnivore. Its mode of attacking its prey which is big fish and other water mammals is very ferocious and gruesome as it ruthlessly tears them and maim within two contacts. This means that it has to kill the prey within the first furious three bites and eats it away slowly. The funny thing about this animal is that it cannot eat carcass that has been there for more than six hours .The water bear is a unique creature with high level of intelligence that can sense impending danger two kilometers away and prepare for a reaction. It is the only water animal that hisses like a snake and can stay underwater for more than thirty minutes yet it breathes using lungs. It is an experience watching this wonder of the

Effects Of Breakwater In The Civil Engineering Field Construction Essay

Effects Of Breakwater In The Civil Engineering Field Construction Essay Problems of erosion, reduction in shorelines, disappearance of beaches, and environmental impacts have led to the recession of many economies around the world. To resolve, engineers have devised man made structures like breakwaters and piers to address a variety of coastal problems such as shelter, fishing, docking and coast line recession. While these problems are resolved, new ones emerge when breakwaters and jetties are constructed in the areas. Clearly, breakwater engineering and related civil engineering fields are still at their rudimentary level, despite the fact that these structures have been in use since age old. In the following study, the researcher carries out investigation into the hydrodynamics of breakwaters, and their engineering aspects, with the view to gain insight into their importance to civil engineering fields. The researcher aims to explore, evaluate and analyse the impact of breakwaters on engineering professions, and ways that their knowledge limits or opens up new channels for engineering innovation. The results are compiled, and the researcher concludes that breakwater engineering has great scope in contributing to civil engineering knowledge, provided that its design and applications are researched further. Chapter 1 Introduction Background and Rationale A coast is a geological system that is subject to constant movement and change. Shorelines, beaches, and coastal areas in effect affect human lives, and vice versa. The diverse and complex nature of the coastal system is the result of processes involving waves, tides, currents and winds that affect the geological state of the coast in an attempt to keep a balance between land and water. However, these are not the only factors that influence and shape coastlines. Human activities for economic and social purposes contribute towards its modifications. Natural processes, coupled with human intervention, contribute towards erosion, sedimentation, and accretion (Hsu, Lin, and Tseng 2007). In fact, according to French (1997), human activities bring about changes that influence the environment adversely by creating new habitat and decreasing environment stability. Though not all changes affect the environment adversely, nevertheless the natural processes are affected by the unnatural conditions. Coasts and estuaries are not indifferent towards human intervention where a range of variations in their structure and environment can alter the geological, oceanological and marine system therein. Added to this status is the fact that coasts have become the ideal place for human population, industrialisation, commercialisation transportation etc. Human has, in effect, taken over to develop coastal areas to act as shelters, ports, docks, and for numerous other activities. The pressure for benefitting human lives has inevitably changed the environment drastically towards degradation. To compensate, a host of management strategies have been undertaken to operate, manage and sustain coastal areas, to control the activities and maintain a balance between nature and mankind (dAngremond and van Roode 2004). One of these management control methods is building of breakwaters and jetties. Jetties and offshore breakwaters are man made structures designed to protect coastal areas from the natural and unnatural recession of the shoreline. Breakwaters are usually built parallel to the shore or at an angle to direct serious wave action from its destructive impact on the shoreline. Jetties, on the other hand, are built with the purpose to prevent erosion of the inlet or harbour area. Offshore breakwaters provide shelter as they are built based on wave refraction and diffraction (Putnam and Arthur, 1948). Similarly, groins are structures built to face seawards and at an angle to slope at the same angle as the normal beach. Groins are built at an elevation above datum to act as the stabilising structure and to increase the width of the beach by arresting the shore drift in part or as a whole (Paige 1950). Apart from these, coastal areas are subjected to geological problems such as natural processes including coastal erosion, deposition, sedimentation, tsunami, tidal waves etc. These require human intervention to protect and conserve human and natural habitat. For these purposes, an engineering field called coastal engineering has been introduced in the academic arena for enhancing the knowledge and skills of professionals to develop coastal areas with minimal damage to the natural and man made environment. Coastal engineering involves developing and protecting existing coastal protection work with the view to predict future natural coastal processes. Comprehending the nature and value of coastal processes, enables engineers to devise plans and strategies to protect these processes better. Moreover, knowledge of the coastal condition helps professionals in the field to construct, facilitate and execute better breakwater construction. Breakwater construction is a field that is directly related with coastal engineering. However, it also has close relations with other engineering fields like geology, construction, environment and computer engineering. It is within this context, that the researcher shall be investigating the importance of breakwater engineering and the ways it affects the engineering field. Aims and Objectives The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how breakwaters and their construction affect various civil engineering fields. The objective is to: a. Identify the various civil engineering fields that breakwaters affect b. Evaluate how breakwaters impact civil engineering professionals; and c. Study how the knowledge of breakwater construction adds to the skill knowledge of engineers Scope and Limitations The research, in essence, is not a pure scientific empirical study, but rather an exploratory one. The researcher is aware that in exploring the dynamics of breakwater engineering, he/she will have to link civil engineering techniques and skills, which makes it a successful defence structures for both, humans and marine life. In this context, the study shall limit its discussion to the various fields breakwater construction entails, and shall not delve extensive into any particular field which concerns its engineering perspectives, such as marine life or construction engineering. However, it will touch upon these topics byway, to enumerate on its role and effects on the engineering field. Audience readers shall find the study insightful and enlightening as it would provide the numerous aspects that coastal engineering of breakwaters impact. However, academics and scholars shall find the content of the study limiting as it shall not be holistically technical. Fellow students shall find the dissertation a good stepping stone for furthering their research into areas of specialisation like geological engineering, construction engineering and so on. Ne vertheless, the dissertation shall aim to address the social and scientific aspects of breakwaters. Outline of Dissertation To accomplish the above objectives, the researcher shall endeavour to carry out the study in the following manner: Chapter 1 shall introduce the background and the rationale for the study. Chapter 2 shall provide the theoretical background based on an extensive literature review on the aspects of the study outlined above. Chapter 3 shall outline the methodologies considered and the rationale for the chosen research approach. Chapter 4 will be the analysis segment in which the researcher shall evaluate the data gathered, and discuss with the aim to acquire conclusive results. Chapter 5 shall be the conclusion to the research, offering insights gained from the research, summarising whether the researcher has accomplished the objectives or not, and perhaps some recommendations for future research. Chapter 2 Literature Review Introduction Breakwaters and similar coastal structures are human interventions, which are exposed to strong waves, currents and other marine processes. The construction of such structures needs to be enduring, as well as fitting, with the natural environment. The design and construction of breakwaters and interrelated structures indicate that knowledge of pure engineering alone is not practical. In fact, it requires consideration for various empirical and theoretical knowledge for its design. To the extent of this knowledge, the researcher is of the view that civil engineering relating to large scale hydraulic structures has developed considerably. According to dAngremond and van Roode (2004), coastal problems of erosion, tides and currents have existed since the beginning of civilisation. However, the management of these movements and problems have gained considerable attention today due to the commercialization and population of coastal areas around the world. For these reasons, problems such as sea level rise, tidal asymmetry, sedimentation budget etc. need to be tackled. These are carried out through careful coastal defence and management practices, and engineering skills, which shall be discussed in the following sections. Coastal Engineering Ocean waves are generated by wind and propagated from the ocean towards the shoreline. The orbital motions of wave kinematics influence the depths and heights of the ocean bed. Near shore ocean beds are greatly impacted by the velocities and the wave strengths. As a result, sediment beds often change in topography due to continuous impact of the fluid forces of waves. Sedimentation response or impact is negligible, but, in effect, compound the problem of sediment transportation to and away from the local beach. The scale, depth, and extent of the influence of the waves on the beach may and may not result in coastal degradation. For these reasons, detailed investigation on the continental shelves, fluid dynamics, near shore motion and variation of ocean topography are required in order to monitor and maintain the natural barrier to land. When the problems of natural erosion and sedimentation become too great to manage, measures like construction of barriers, submerged shoals, breakwat ers and artificial headlands are undertaken to sustain the environment (Birbena et al 2006). Construction of this nature is triggered by defence planning, storm handling and flood prevention. In fact, coastal defence system and management require formation of framework for projects to be planned, investigated and implemented to meet the needs of the environment and its people. These are the civil aspects of coastal engineering (French 1997). Not only this; structures like breakwaters also require continuous monitoring and protection work to predict future performance. This is carried out through coastal engineering processes such as modelling to estimate the changing environment and angle of repose of shorelines, site investigation to study the cycles of hydrographic and marine life status, as well as processing these to build a profile for the shorelines on which breakwaters are constructed. For example, in Iskander et als study (2007), the authors studied and developed a monitoring model for studying coastal structure along the El Agami area of Egypt. The study indicates that where breakwaters exist, shoreline fluctuates, marine life is impacted, as well as wave hydraulics. Coastal engineers need to record and study the gradual change that takes place due to the presence of breakwaters. Issues concerning wave distribution, shoreline sand composition, coastal calibration, marine survey, and effect on the harbours population are taken into account. Apart from these, breakwaters also affect the coastal structure such as villages, ports, or other such human activities (Iskander et al 2007). Furthermore, coastal engineers also need to ensure that the construction of breakwaters and estuaries does not adversely affect human activities as a result of design fault of these structures. For example, in Donnell et als article (2006), the authors indicate that the breakwaters on Tedious Creek estuary on the shoreline of Chesapeake Bay in Dorchester County, MD caused substantial damage to local vessels than the benefits it provided for its shelters. The setup of breakwaters is aimed at protecting the boat dock and public piers from storms, but, in reality, the projects design fault has resulted in under performance, both in functionality and structure to benefit the locals. It is in instances such as these that coastal engineers need to be ascertained of the need and importance for breakwater structures. Similarly, breakwaters can also result in beach morphology that effectively negates the protection objective when breakwaters are constructed with limited knowledge applied relating to practical engineering. Accurate study of the shore area through cross shore distribution, long shore sedimentation transport rates and performance of breakwaters in advance, as well as using model calibration and validation, hydrodynamic module, wave modules etc. could positively affect the performance of the structures. Therefo re, coastal engineers are responsible for studying the wave conditions, down drift side, expected erosion and current patterns behind submerged breakwater, to gauge incident waves. These mechanisms, according to Ranasinghe and Sato (2007), can relatively influence the function and utility of breakwaters function. Thus, coastal engineering is greatly influenced by the type and design of breakwaters structures. Construction engineering Breakwaters and such coastal structure construction combine design and functionality with the view to protect the coastal area. The design process is similar to structural design of buildings as it entails paying attention to functional requirements, limitations of the state of the structure, exposure, construction phases and occurrence of natural conditions. Breakwaters also require considerations for knowledge of construction materials including quarry stone, concrete blocks, caissons and similar types of materials to apply to its construction. Equipments for both floating and rolling breakwaters too need to be studied and related to the specificity of the breakwaters site, function and design. The development of breakwaters also requires functional and structural monitoring of performance, with enduring characteristics. According to Camfield and Holmes (1995), coastal structures like breakwaters and jetties are influenced by long periods of water level changes. They need to be built parallel to the entrances, in an attempt to stabilise entrances and safe navigation. Construction along the shore should be carried out with the direction of the channel in mind, to prevent migration of channel thalweg, rapid shoaling and erosion of the coastline (Morang 1992 qt. Camfield and Holmes 1995). This is because construction o f jetties and breakwaters often creates a new equilibrium for the tidal system. For this purpose, surveys of adjacent shorelines, natural bypass and the material that may ebb tidal activities need to be carried out for effective construction of the structures aligned with the regional dynamic and hydraulic processes. Construction engineering approach such as cross sectional relationship of inlet and tidal prism, as well as depths of the jetties and breakwaters, and water flows are studied before finding the ideal balance between performance, flow conditions, and natural marine activities. Knowledge of construction material, as mentioned earlier, is imperative for choosing and designing breakwaters to complement the need of the local landscape and environment. Since breakwaters are made up of rubble mounds or caissons or are concrete filled, knowledge of construction material adds to the skills required for developing structures for dispersing wave currents to minimise impact, as well as conserve energy from wave hydraulics where possible (Arena and Filianoti 2007). Not only this; new construction material knowledge also provides an edge over the design and planning of the breakwater armour unit. Reedijk et al (2008), for example, indicate that the development of Xbloc by Delta Marine Consultants in 2001 has innovated armour concepts in terms of designs, tests and prototypes. Xbloc are concrete blocks designed to armour shore protection and are being used in breakwater construction actively by engineers today. Muttray et al (2003), in their study of the suitability of Xbloc in breakwater construction, indicate that Xbloc are shaped to suit the harsh environmental conditions of waves, and such hydraulic activities. When placed interlocked with each other, Xblocs not only reduce concrete volumes, but also achieve the stability required for achieving breakwaters impact from wave loads and damage (Muttray et al 2003; Reedijk et al (2008). Added to this fact is the cost of layering breakwaters with Xbloc, which is significantly reduced as compared to other armour blocks. Furthermore, coastal protection design and construction require development and use of probabilistic design tools to gauge uncertainties, prediction of wave impact, as well as structure stability. One of the main concerns for construction engineers is that the structures can sustain its functionality for coastal protection, regardless of the wave conditions and transformations of water bodies. The basic premise is that wave transformation in foreshores and offshore areas cannot be relied upon through model designs. In fact, it requires construction engineers to have knowledge of coastal shores by using prediction models for wave transformation to study the effect of wave height, setup and distribution before designing the breakwater and jetty structures (Muttray et al 2001; Coduto 1999). Consideration for these aspects would help design structures to achieve its long term goals, as well as retain beach composition from long shore transport processes. Analytical engineering Breakwaters are constructed based on engineering approaches and processes that exploit the nature of wave parameters and hydraulics. According to Huizinga (2003), breakwater engineering often fails after 5 to 10 years as a result of poor design. Engineers fail to grasp the concept of breakwater designs and modelling, which uses propagation of water around of breakwater with the assumptions that water is the ideal fluid and incompressible. Waves are small in amplitude and can be analysed using the linear wave theory. Their flow is usually rotational, which can be analysed through Laplace equations. Breakwaters depth is constant and its dynamics are determined by diffraction, refraction or reflection (Huizinga 2003). Diffraction analysis takes into account of the water height, and the interaction of breakwater and waves. The wave energy is assumed to disperse as the waves come into contact with breakwater structures, which could be understood using linear diffraction theory. In this context, a rubble mound breakwater is a diametric form, with certain density and diameter designed to disperse wave motion. The velocity of the waves is retarded by its action, in contact with the breakwater. The change in direction of the wave affects the sediment supply, composition, wave properties, topography, and breakwater properties. Therefore, the variables in the breakwater interaction change in response to the caisson. The underlying assumption set forth is that the physical movement of breakwater is associated with the wave action, the permeability of the breakwater surface, seabed composition and response of the breakwater over a long period of time (Huizinga 2003; Twu and Chieu 2000). Alternatively, wave reflection and wave run up is the model for analysing breakwater through a cross section and slopes. In this method of engineering, wave reflection is determined by the 3 guage method. Wave conditions comprise of relative depth, height, steepness, and breaker index. Measurement of wave conditions is accomplished by analysing its reflection at the seaward direction when the wave surface comes into contact with the structure and foreshore. The water surface comes into contact with the breakwater as a toe and an anti knot. The wave run up and run down impact the breakwaters wave resistance. When engineers analyse the efficacy and effectiveness of breakwater, they study the angle of the incident wave, as well as its reflection coefficient, to determine the impact of regular wave action. The analysis is critical for gauging the significance of wave run up and run down on breakwater surfaces, and inevitably its longevity. This is achieved by using the higher order wave theory for assimilating waves and horizontal seabed asymmetry. Furthermore, wave reflection measurement is determined by its dynamics such as local wave height, wave pressure, wave energy dissipation and wave penetration into the structure (Muttray and Oumeraci 2002). How waves break or non break is dependent on the breakwater slope and the reflection set for critical wave incident impact (Clyne and Mullarkey 2008). These analytical approaches are various forms of analytical engineering, which are engaged to evaluate the strength, longevity, efficacy and effectiveness of the breakwater functionality. Alternatives in analytical engineering, therefore, help construction of the breakwaters more effective, as they establish the baseline for stabilisation potential, as well as extend the life cycle of the structure (Wiegel 1962). Environment engineering Breakwaters and jetties are engineering solutions to resolve the problem of erosion and sedimentation of shorelines. These are constructed with the view to sustain the shoreline, and in turn benefit the local human communities. Just as breakwaters and jetties affect the hydraulic system of the areas, they also produce long and short term impacts on marine life. Hydrodynamic conditions, sedimentation patterns, wave motion, physical and chemical factors tend to alter the composition and nature of the habitat. Not only this; the habitat tends to change in its characteristics and life cycle due to the change induced by the presence of breakwaters. No doubt, there is an imperative relationship between biological life form and breakwater structures. Even though breakwaters are developed with the objective to provide shelter to marine life, as well as harbour for human activities, the type of alleviation, shoaling and access to aquatic floral and faunal also gets impacted when breakwaters are constructed without careful monitoring of quality, composition and marine lifecycle. In fact, construction of breakwaters for creating inlets often results in f loral and faunal morphology of marine life due to the quality of sand, water chemical properties and the wave action. Water temperature, with variation through seasonal change, substantially affects the fish population, as well as other marine life forms. For example, the components of macrozoobenthos, algaes and polychaetous worms densities change (increase/decrease) according to the increasing or decreasing water depth. Thus, construction of breakwater tends to adversely affect the micro constituents of marine biology (Biological effects of breakwater construction 1985). At times, colonisation of fishes within the vicinity is affected due to the elevated turbiditys and suspended solids concentrates near the breakwater. Moreover, maintenance of the depth of entrance to the area, and exposure of the same, can alter the sustenance level of fish populations. By streamlining the natural sand bypass, the morphological performance can be improved to simulate waves, currents and sediment transport, which corresponds with the marine life processes (Broker et al 2007). The reliability of the effect of breakwater calibration process ensures that the constructed structure does not hinder marine life forms. For this purpose, marine engineering knowledge, combined with the breakwater development know how, can help local engineers to establish dynamic coastal structures to fit within the parameters of the natural environment. Risks and failures While it is clear that breakwaters have their own functionality and utility for which they are used to sustain beach line sustainability and continuity, they are also risky.The utility and functionality of breakwaters and jetties depend on the model, material and simulation upon which they have been based. Measurement for their horizontal and vertical fluid velocities, breakwater composition (porous or non porous), energy dissipation rate and modification intensity, all contribute towards its impenetrable nature. However, any variation and standard deviation in the design such as surface elevation, velocity variation, calibration, and structure permeability can result in its wear and breakage. According to Kobayashi et al (2007), breakwater permeability can affect its situation in the beach zone, effectiveness in eliminating serious wave impact and structural longevity. In fact, breakwater transformation as a result of wave load, pressure and velocity can lead to shattering. This is dependent on the design of the breakwater and its sensitivity and test against breaker ratio. Steepness of seaward slope, wave breaking motion, and wave parameters greatly influence the structure, to the extent of predicting its durability (Kobayashi et al 2007). In fact, Oumeraci et al (2006) are of the view that analysis of saturation due to liquefaction phenomena in sand gravity structure tends to increase the risk of structural failure. Vertical breakwaters, especially, are vulnerable to permanent deformation of the subsoil, which leads to irreversible strains at the peak stress level. As a result, breakwaters structures can give way to wave load induced by the fluctuation in pressure along the seabed and the pore pressure in the concrete itself. Failure of such monumental nature affects the stability, composition, and cyclic mobility. Failure is also the result of the nature of the breakwater structure, whether it is designed for offshore or onshore coastal defence. It is greatly influenced by the depth, and nature of the sand composition underneath the seabed upon which the breakwater is constructed. The relative density of the sand, pressure of the fluid, as well as storm yield, all contribute towards its endurance (Oumeraci et al. 2001). Apart from these physical risks and failures, breakwaters are also vulnerable in terms of their effect on marine life forms. Changing chemical composition due to displacement of fauna colonisation, as well a toxicity of the structures along the sediment banks, can result in breakwater biota fluctuations. While the human benefits of breakwaters last for 5 to 10 years, the long term effects of marine life cycle and fishery can alter the nature of the coast altogether if careful engineering approaches are not undertaken for the construction of breakwaters (Biological effects of breakwater construction 1985). Conclusion The above discussion has been carried out with the view to provide an overview of the relationship between breakwater construction and its impact on engineering fields. While engineering is a vast discipline, in this study the researcher has included engineering fields related to the construction of breakwaters and their maintenance. The discussion indicates that breakwater structures are not merely coastal construction monuments, but have multidimensional impact on the physical, biological and human life. For this purpose, engineering and designing of these structures need to be analysed, planned and implemented with care, for its impact. Chapter 3 Research Methodology The nature of research problem determines the choice of its methods. Before one chooses the research method, its objectives, audience and underlying assumptions should be justified. The methodologies are then weighed and evaluated to justify for its choice. The theoretical perspective of the study should provide the background reality, as well as the constituent for increasing readers knowledge. Within these dimensions epistemology is concerned with providing a philosophical grounding for deciding what kinds of knowledge are possible and how we can ensure that they are both adequate and legitimate (Crotty 1998). The epistemology, therefore, allows the researcher to decide the application and the underlying academic literature that is required for adding knowledge to the existing consciousness. Generally, there are two options objectivism and constructionism. The objectivistic approach entails the investigation of existing knowledge and spanning it to extend its consciousness. The aim is to discover the objective truth. On the other hand, the constructionist approach entails the research which requires interaction with the world, and finding the truth in the process. Underlying the constructionist approach is the premise that research endeavours need to explore views from multiple angles before deciding on the objective truth. This approach is grounded in the qualitative methodology (Crotty 1998 qt. Levy 2006). Alternatively, researchers in the applied field usually conduct research based on quantitative methods that entail action research and evaluations for studying particular aspects and issues. The premise for choosing action research is to endeavour to capture the reality with certain degree of control on the phenomena under research. Although, the nature of the coastal engineering field mandates that research activities be subject to quantitative empirical methods whereby researchers carry out extensive action research strategies and processes. However, in this case, the researcher has opted for the qualitative approach as it complements the nature and topic under discussion. Whereas the study of breakwater is pragmatic, the exploration of its connection and impact on the engineering field is qualitative in nature. Furthermore, to understand the implications of breakwaters and their effect on civil engineering profession, investigation into the subjective views of experts within the field is required, rather than engaging in empirical research to achieve its findings. Having said that, the researcher is also aware that qualitative research requires a paradigm for basing the enquiry. According to Gummesson (2000), a paradigm is a very general conception of the nature of scientific endeavours within which a given enquiry is undertaken (p.18). It is a world view which allows the researcher to base his/her research outcomes and understanding. Research paradigms can be divided into positivist, which is characterised by the world as the external dimension and must be researched through facts and fundamental laws, and by studying concepts through sampling. On the other hand, the phenomenological paradigm involves the social construction of the subject, and characterised by the understanding of the totality of the situation by investigating the issue through established phenomena. For the current study, the researcher shall adopt the phenomenological paradigm for analysing the effect of breakwaters on the engineering field. The rationale is based on the premise that even though through the course of discussion some technical and practical aspects shall be discussed, the analysis shall regard the ideology, decision logic and utility behind breakwaters and their link with civil engineering fields. While the researcher is aware that the phenomenological paradigm is not suited for engineering and scientific research, he/she also has the understanding that research of this qualitative nature