During week one I have learned much about recording basic financial transactions. The four basic financial statements include income, retained earnings, balance, and statement of cash flows. These are important because they provide a way for the organization to judge their financial performance. Income statements provide a description of how profitable the business is. Retained earnings reports what income was reinvested in the organization and was not distributed to the stockholders. Balance statements relay the assets and liabilities of the organization. Statement of cash flows shows the gross receipts and gross payments. A debit is an asset or increase in cash and a credit is a decrease in cash. Debits normally increase assets and decrease liabilities and credits normally decrease assets and increase liabilities. Debits and credits are used to record business transactions by the type of account that is used. Expenses and assets are listed on the left side and liabilities and revenue is listed on the right side of the T. Each time a transactions occurs they are listed in the journal and it will show which accounts are involved in the transactions and if they are debits or credits…
Day: April 27, 2018
DQ1
What is accrual accounting? Why do generally accepted accounting principles require accrual accounting? What is the difference between accrual and cash accounting? When might an accountant use cash basis accounting without violating generally accepted accounting principles?
Accrual accounting is the reporting of revenues and expenses in the period of time that they occur, even if payment was not received or paid. Generally accepted accounting principles state that all revenues and expenses need to be reported during the time period that they occur. The cash-basis of accounting is the recording of revenue and expenses when payment is received and paid-out. This form of accounting violates the generally accepted accounting principles because it goes against the revenue recognition and the expense recognition principles. The cash
DQ2
What is the revenue recognition principle? What is the expense recognition principle? Why are they important to financial reporting?
In order for organizations to provide reliable, relevant, and transparent financial information to owners, managers, investors, lenders, and the IRS they must use accrual based financial accounting systems. The revenue recognition principle necessitate that organizations recognize their revenue during the accounting time period that it is earned, not necessarily received…
Week 5 DQ1
What is the control environment? How does the control environment affect a company’s internal controls? What are the negative and positive elements of a control environment? What are two examples of strong and weak internal controls in organizations where you have worked or have first-hand knowledge?
The control environment is the basis of the entire control system that the organization is establishing. The control environment is the value that is placed on integrity and the knowledge that unethical activity will not be tolerated. It is management’s responsibility to express behavior and attitude that enforces this ethical behavior. The control environment affects the internal control by setting a basis of control activities that safeguard assets, enhance accounting reliability, increase efficiency of operations, and compliance with laws and regulations. The negative elements of a control environment are that strict adherence must be applied continuously. Sometimes employees become overworked and underpaid and this is cause for concern because their level of carelessness goes up. Other times people might become slack in their duties over time. Some of the positive elements of a control environment are that responsibility does not lie on one person but many. Each part of a process requires several people to handle it therefore offering little opportunity to do wrong. Other positives are the process of that accountability is established and understood by each individual. An example of a weak internal control I witnessed was in a friend’s tanning bed business. The friend worked during the day and outlined how she expected her teenage employee’s to behave through policies and procedures. To my friends face the employees were the picture of a model employee but when she left in the evenings to go home and let them finish out the night the trouble would begin. The employees were letting all their friends tan for free, selling them tanning products and pocketing the cash. My friend finally put up a camera and goodness was she shocked at what was happening after she left for the evening. A strong control system that I have knowledge of is the system where I presently work…
Write a 1,400- to 1,700-word paper in which you identify each issue and make recommendations to JC, the casino president, on how to improve overall retention. What the scenario does not provide, you can create. Be sure to include the following in your assessment:
• Evaluate at least two work motivation theories and how they can be applied in order to improve employee recruitment and retention at JC’s Casino.
• Examine possible occupational stressors that are negatively influencing recruitment and retention. What improvements would you suggest to alleviate these stressors?
• Examine the role of job satisfaction and its influence on retention at the casino. Provide recommendations for improving job satisfaction of the employees and how that can play a part in successfully improving retention.
• Discuss counterproductive employee behavior occurring at the casino. What suggestions would you make to reduce the counterproductive behavior and increase productive employee behavior?
Include at least three references. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
University of Phoenix Material
Week One Quiz
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct option for each question.
- Chromosomes consist of large, double-stranded molecules of:
- deoxyribonucleic acid.
- ribonucleic acid.
- autosomal genes.
- recombination genes.
- Which of the following is NOT one of the many ways that genes can affect behavior?
- Genes may affect neurotransmitter levels or receptors.
- Genes can act indirectly by making it more likely you will be raised in a particular environment.
- Genes themselves cause behavior without any influence of the environment.
- Genes produce proteins that may make it more likely for a person to become addicted.
- Nerves from the central nervous system convey information to the muscles and glands by way of the:
- autonomic nervous system.
- somatic nervous system.
- sympathetic nervous system.
- parasympathetic nervous system.
- When researchers try to estimate the heritability of a human behavior, what are the main kinds of individuals they consider?
- Twins and adopted children
- People from non-western cultures
- Newborns and infants
- Uneducated people living in educated societies
- The sweat glands, adrenal glands, and muscles that constrict blood vessels have input from only the ____ nervous system.
- sympathetic
- parasympathetic
- central
- dorsal root
- The temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex is the primary target for which kind of sensory information?
- somatosensory, including touch
- the simplest aspects of vision
- gustatory
- auditory
- Suppose a virus damaged only the dorsal roots of the spinal cord, but not the ventral roots. What would happen to the sensory and motor abilities of the affected area?
- Loss of sensation, but preserved motor control
- Loss of both sensation and motor control
- Loss of motor control, but preserved sensation
- Unaffected sensation and motor control
- Units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another are:
- enzymes.
- mutations.
- nucleic acids.
- genes.
- Color vision deficiency is more common in males than in females because it is controlled by a:
- sex-limited gene.
- Y-linked gene.
- dominant X-linked gene.
- recessive X-linked gene.
- The central nervous system is composed of:
- the brain and spinal cord.
- all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
- the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
- the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.
- Almost all humans have 23 pairs of which of the following?
- RNA
- Chromosomes
- Genes
- Corduroys
- In one family, all three children are homozygous for a recessive gene. What can be concluded about the parents?
- Each parent is also homozygous for the recessive gene.
- Each parent is heterozygous.
- One parent is homozygous for the dominant gene; the other is homozygous for the recessive gene.
- Each parent is either homozygous for the recessive gene or heterozygous.
- If the spinal cord is cut at a given segment, the brain loses sensation at:
- that segment only.
- that segment and all segments above it.
- that segment and all segments below it.
- all other segments.
- Changes in single genes are called:
- alterations.
- mutations.
- mendelians.
- enzymes.
- Cortical blindness may result from the destruction of:
- any part of the cortex.
- the occipital cortex.
- the parietal cortex.
- the central sulcus.
- Damage to the ____ often causes people to lose their social inhibitions and to ignore the rules of polite conduct.
- corpus callosum
- cerebellum
- prefrontal cortex
- striate cortex
- If a trait has high heritability:
- hereditary differences account for none of the observed variations in that characteristic within that population.
- the environment cannot influence that trait.
- it is still possible for the environment to influence that trait.
- the trait is not influenced by heredity.
- If a person has difficulty determining which of two rhythms is faster, it is likely that she suffered damage to the:
- cerebellum.
- forebrain.
- tectum.
- medulla.
- Recessive genes manifest their effects only when the individual is ____ for them.
- sex limited
- homo sapien
- homozygous
- heterozygous
- An impairment of eating, drinking, temperature regulation, or sexual behavior suggests possible damage to which brain structure?
- Midbrain
- Hippocampus
- Hypothalamus
- Cerebellum
True or False
Choose whether each statement is True or False.
- Researchers have found specific genes linked to certain specific behaviors.
- True b. False
- The parasympathetic nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response.
- True b. False
- A strand of DNA serves as a template (model) for the synthesis of RNA molecules.
- True b. False
- A tract in the spinal cord would most likely be found in the white matter.
- True b. False
- The limbic system is important for motivation and emotional behaviors.
- True b. False
Short Answer
Answer the following questions in 50 to 100 words each.
- What are the four lobes of the brain? What is each lobe responsible for?
- What makes a behavior hereditary? What factors influence the heritability of behaviors?
PSY 870: Module 3 Problem Set
GAF, Consumer Satisfaction, and Type of Clinical Agency (Public or Private)
A researcher wants to know if mental health clients of private versus public service agencies differ on Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores and on Satisfaction with Services (Satisfaction). She has collected data for 34 clients from a private agency and for 47 clients of a public agency.
Directions:
Use the SPSS data file for Module 3 (located in Topic Materials) to answer the following questions:
1. What is the independent variable in this study? What are the dependent variables?
2. The first step for the researcher will be to clean and screen the data. Please do this for the researcher and report your findings. Be sure to check it for possible coding errors, as well as complete the screening of the data to see if the data meet assumptions for parametric tests. Did you find any errors that the researcher made when setting up the SPSS data file (check the variable view)? If so, what did you find? How did you correct it?
HINT:
Yes, one of the variables is incorrectly listed as scale.
3. Were there missing values on any of the variables? If so, what might you do for those for the independent variable? What about those for each of the dependent variables? Explain your reasoning.
HINTS:
· Yes, each variable has some missing data. Describe how many (and % of all) are missing on each variable.
· When considering what to do about the missing values on each variable, consider if you really can guess what agency a person came from. Next, for the continuous variables, consider (1) what % of values are missing (if more than 5% are missing, what might this mean?); (2) is there a pattern to the missing scores? Include information from the Output file of your SPSS Explore analyses to provide specific number and % of missing values on each of the dependent variables. Based on this, what recommendation would you make for what to do about the missing values?
4. Did you find any outliers on the dependent variables that were due to errors of coding? If so, what and why? How would you correct an error of coding?3
HINT:
One of the outliers on one continuous variable clearly is a coding error. Which one is that? What would be the best way to handle that outlier?
5. How might you deal with outliers that are not due to coding errors? Explain your reasoning.
HINT:
Use the information you have from your Output file from your Explore analyses to describe the outliers (e.g. how many outliers are there on each continuous variable; do they fall above and/or below the mean). What are ways to handle outliers on the continuous variables? Might there be some arguments against deleting outliers? What are these?
6. Check the descriptive statistics, histograms, stem-and-leaf plots, and the tests for normality that you obtained from your analyses (see box to check in “Plots” when using Explore to analyze descriptive statistics of your data). Considering the skewness and kurtosis values, as well as the Shapiro-Wilk’s results (preferred for small sample sizes), did the distribution of scores on either of the dependent variables violate the assumption of normality? How can you tell from the information you obtained from your analyses?
HINTS:
· First, you can look at your histograms and stem-and-leaf plots to see if you observe marked skewness or other indicators of differences between the distribution of scores from the normal distribution.
· Next, you can inspect the computed values for skewness and kurtosis for your variables from your analyses. Report these values in your answer for the continuous dependent variables? Which ones are greater than + 1.0? What does having a skewness or kurtosis value that is greater than + 1.0 tell you about normality? Then, discuss what having these kinds of values tell you about the normality of the distribution of scores on that variable.
· Next, look at the Shapiro-Wilks’ tests of normality that you ran. Results with p < .001 or less indicate a violation of the normality assumption using this type of evaluation.
7. If in #6, you identified any distributions that violate the assumption of normality, what are some options you might use to try to correct the distribution to get closer to normality? (You do not need to do these steps. Just describe them.)
8. Write a sample result section, discussing your data screening activity.
Unit 1 Discussion 2: Mainstream Media
1 1 unread reply. 1 1 reply.
Instructions
Popular media sources often report on research results, but they try to present the results in very general terms so that many people can understand. Sometimes, these popular media sources end up misrepresenting research results through their simplification or because they want to create a more sensational story. View the following video discussing a popular study that has even influenced the toy market for babies (Links to an external site.).
Dr. Glenn Wilson, visiting professor of psychology at Gresham College, explains the effect of classical music – specifically Mozart – on the brain.
Studies from the 1990s claimed Mozart improved test scores, but replicated studies since then have failed.
Background: Sometimes misconceptions about scientific research come about because of how popular media sources representing research results. An initial study with provocative results may be widely publicized, while the later failed attempts to replicate may not be. Some research may be presented incompletely, or certain aspects of the study underemphasized. When you are examining scientific research, it’s a good idea to employ the LEARN approach introduced in Chapter 1, section 1.4:
- Look for multiple influences: Are there factors not considered that could have influenced results?
- Examine alternatives: Are there other possible causes for the outcome of a study than the stated one?
- Analyze the evidence: Were there flaws in the experiment design or data collection?
- Reasoned skepticism: What bias might exist on the part of the researchers?
- Notice assumptions: Do you have any biases that may influence your attitude toward the research and conclusions?
Discussion Instructions: Find an example of psychological research reported in the mainstream media, or read one of the examples below. Write 2 to 3 paragraphs that include the following:
- Summarize what results or conclusions are presented in the article.
- Use the LEARN approach to identify any flaws you see in the research or conclusions. Remember that just because two factors are correlated does not mean that one caused the other.
- Discuss how sensationalizing these research results could be harmful. If an article misrepresents or overemphasizes the conclusions of the research, what are some of the long-term problems this might cause?
- Imagine and describe a scenario about how misinterpretation of the article you chose could be damaging to a person or a community.
- What information could have been included that would have presented the information more responsibly?
Example Articles
Scientists can read your mind (Links to an external site.)
Weight-loss surgery and teens’ mental health (Links to an external site.)
Tetris can fight cravings? (Links to an external site.)
Imagination leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder (Links to an external site.)
When responding to your classmates, consider pointing out any influences or flaws in the research they present that they may have missed.
For more information about discussion grading criteria, visit the Undergraduate Discussion Participation Policies and Rubric page located in ECPI Resources.
Instructions
To post to the discussion, click on the “Reply” button above all the posts below. You may copy/paste the text of your assignment into the text box. Alternatively, you can choose to type directly into the text box. When you choose this option, please double check to make sure you have spelled everything correctly. Once you have finished crafting your post, please press the “Post Reply” button. This will complete the submission process for your post.
To respond to someone else’s post, click on the “Reply” button immediately below the discussion post you wish to respond to.
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE YOU TUBE VIDEO LINK TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOVE.
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Lester Scholl’s administrative assistant calls you on Monday afternoon to set up a conference call between you and the chairman tomorrow morning to discuss the board’s reaction to your list and to discuss your next task. You call the number she gave you, and Lester joins the call shortly after.
“I’m pleased with your work,” he says. The board was impressed with your list of factors. Your ranking made sense because your explanations were well-written. I suspect they read everything you sent because it was concise and clear. Good job.”
“Thanks,” you say, and you feel relieved that your first assignment was well-received.
“Your list provided the basis for a good conversation about the manufacturing operations,” he says. “We want to know more about the economy of both countries to further inform our decision-making process.”
“That makes sense,” you say. “The United States and South Korea hold many distinct economic factors that may affect AutoEdge’s long-term financial performance.”
“Right,” he says. “Your research on the two economies will give the board enough information so we can advise the new, incoming CEO.”
“What should my research include?” you ask.
“In your research, you must take into consideration several macroeconomic factors,” he says. “We want to see information about the gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment, interest rates, and inflation for both the United States and South Korea. Make sure your research is current; that is, no more than 6 months old.”
“I’ll get started right away,” you say.
“Very good,” he says. “Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll put you in touch with some of the other members of the board if I can’t provide the answers you need.”
“Great,” you say. “Thank you.”
Assignment Objectives
Demonstrate how metrics such as valuation, economic profit, and related terms are measured and evaluated.
Explain the significance and implications of various economic theories pertaining to profit, consumer choice, demand and supply, forecasting and optimization.
Refer to the following scenario.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Scenario: AutoEdge
AutoEdge is a leading national automotive supply company located in Detroit, Michigan. Founded by Jonathan McAlister in 1976, the company specializes in engines and transmission parts and has been supplying products to the three largest U.S.-based automakers for over 30 years. AutoEdge’s name is known by customers and leaders in the automotive industry for quality, dependability, and reliable products. In fact, despite the extra cost that is added to the automobiles, consumers appreciate the AutoEdge brand name and often make purchases because of it.
In 2005, AutoEdge’s board of directors decided that the company needed to make some drastic changes because of the high cost of labor, rigid American regulations, and increased competition from other engine and transmission part suppliers. Their solution was to gradually close all manufacturing operations in Detroit and begin outsourcing to a well-known factory in South Korea. The board reasoned that this change would allow the company to compete with the growing industry, meet the automotive manufacturing demands, and increase company profits. Some board members were skeptical about the move, however, because AutoEdge had built a reputation for high-quality, detailed craftsmanship, and they feared that transitioning the manufacturing operations overseas would cause quality to diminish.
For the next 5 years, this strategy proved successful. The company showed signs of financial growth and company profit.
However, in 2010, the company was found guilty of supplying products that failed quality tests. As a result, millions of automobiles had to be recalled. The recall was highly publicized, and the issue of poor quality products impacted negatively on American automotive companies. AutoEdge’s $51 per-share stock has fallen to $4 per share, and brand acceptance has come under scrutiny among even its most loyal customers. Although some economists blame these negative effects on the products, others believe that it had to do with the termination of AutoEdge’s Chief Executive Officer, Fred McFadden.
Lester Scholl, Chairman of the Board of Directors, has called an emergency meeting to discuss AutoEdge’s short-term and long-term strategies. Among other things, they need to discuss the possibility of continuing production overseas or returning it to the United States. Lester and others on the board are well-known for being financially conservative and risk-averse. Because the American economy is experiencing high unemployment, low interest rates, low GDP, and low inflation, it might be sensible to make the change. To some extent, they believe that these macroeconomic factors can be used to their advantage. They realize the immediate challenges such as the brand damage, the growing competition, and the financial challenges the company is facing require immediate action. A new strategy must be formulated quickly to save the company from bankruptcy.
You have been hired by AutoEdge’s board of directors as a research analyst. Primarily, your job is to list and describe some of the legal, cultural, financial, and economic factors that AutoEdge needs to consider when deciding to either stay in South Korea or return to the United States. Because Fred McFadden was recently terminated, you will work directly with the board until a new CEO is nam
Strategic Behavior Oligopolies
An interesting example of strategic behavior comes from a 1997 article about Microsoft’s investment in Apple (New Straits Times, 1997). The article is included in the Required Readings list. Facing tough anti-trust scrutiny from government agencies, Microsoft provided financial support to Apple in order to ensure Apple’s survival and, therefore, to ensure that competitiveness in the industry remains. Moreover, the partnership with Apple provided an additional market for Microsoft’s products – the MS Office and the IE products were to be bundled with the MAC OS as one of the conditions for this financing. Discuss this case in the context of market structure and strategic behavior. What market structure do these firms operate in? Why did Microsoft need to preserve competitiveness in the industry? What was Microsoft afraid of in the event that Apple did not survive?
Guided Response:
In 300 words or more, please, provide your response to the above discussion question. Further, do you think Microsoft regrets taking action in light of Apple’s performance today?
Local Market Power
Bulls Eye department store specializes in the sales of discounted clothing, shoes, household items, etc. similar to the offerings at a regular Walmart or Target. Bulls Eye is the only department store in Show Low and the nearest other discount retailer is Target, located 49 miles away in Eagar. Bulls Eye, therefore, has some market power in its local area. Despite having some market power, Bulls Eye is currently suffering losses. An analyst at Bulls Eye is recommending to the manager to raise prices, so that profitability can be improved. The manager is unsure of this strategy as recent data points to increasing numbers of individuals shopping more and more. What are the pros and cons of raising the prices at Bulls Eye and would that strategy be profitable?
Guided Response:
Consider demand elasticity and market structure in your response. How is increasing of the price going to impact the company’s revenues given its demand elasticity? In 300 words or more, please, provide your response to the above discussion questions.
In addition to the project itself, you’ll first be tasked with creating a proposal for the topic you intend to research and write on. This will discuss your intentions for both major assignments—what you intend to look into for the first paper as well as how you intend to adapt it for the second one. It is not necessary for you to get into specific sources already, as you’ve yet to conduct thorough research, though it might be beneficial for you to do some searching on your own to learn about your topic. In your proposal, you might discuss what you already know about your topic, what you don’t know, what interests you about it, why it’s important, or the larger importance of your topic. Think of this as your initial idea formation phase in order to more fully develop where you intend to take your research. This isn’t meant to cast your topic in stone—your ideas might change as you conduct research and learn new things. That’s completely normal. However, any wholesale changes in topic after submitting this will need to be run past me first to make sure you’re not going too far afield. from 300 to 500 words.
