Quantitative Methods and Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Quantitative Methods and Analysis - Essay Example Information can be gathered from huge number of people in a very less time, Questionnaires are also considered as feasible, encompass low financial resources and collects immense amount of knowledge in a lesser time. It is suitable for variety of topics relating to variety of fields for variety of jobs. Questionnaires are also considered as cost-effective as to gather and pool the information has nowadays become much easier due to readily available computer software (DÃ ¶rnyei & Taguchi, 2010). The primary reason of unreliability of questionnaires is that many respondents do not have research sense and are unmotivated as they feel that it would not benefit them from in any way therefore they do not prefer to provide the correct answers which lead to the unreliability and misleading information. The researcher has no opportunity to correct the mistake of the respondents. Respondents often forget or hide the true information intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes respondents even don’t know the exact response towards the questions. If the overall impression of a person towards the topic is positive he will less likely provide answers in a negative manner (DÃ ¶rnyei & Taguchi, 2010). The study of Olivero & Lunt (2004) used interview technique as part of data collection tool to compare the privacy and willingness in terms of e-commerce exchanges. Long qualitative interviews were held for participants using repeated e-mail exchanges. Interview data were combined with insights from the literatures on self-disclosure, sociology, and consumer research in a grounded theory analysis. In a grounded analysis of theory, based on self-disclosure, consumer research and sociology, the interview data was gathered in light of previous studies. Initially an introductory e-mail was sent to participants elaborating the purpose of research and the interview process. Before conducting the

Managing employee performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing employee performance - Essay Example The paper critically analyses three strategies including policy framework, monitoring and coordinating attendance, and reward system in order to curtail absenteeism. Contrary to common belief, compromising working conditions, low job satisfaction, and ill-treatment are identified to be the main reasons of absenteeism. If left unaddressed, absenteeism leads to loss of money, productivity, stress amongst co-workers and organization as a whole. The paper analyses the way a detailed, updated, and consistent policy framework prevent absenteeism before it develops. However, written policy is the first step which must be preceded with proper communication and consistent policy implementation. Policy framework is further enhanced by monitoring and coordinating attendance. Attendance tracking is identified to be more effective when linked with payroll and HRIS. Keeping and maintaining records is sufficient to keep the employees alert and absenteeism under controlled. Third strategy of reward and incentive is proactive in nature. Offering attractive reward for regular employees and incentive for potential employees who can be regular attendee seems a practical solution. However, some experts are apprehensive of its negative consequences, such as, unproductive attendance. The research and analysis of these strategies and reasons of absenteeism leads to a balanced approach. The paper suggests adopting the combination of different strategies designed in accordance to the specific needs of an organization’s absenteeism problem. 2. Causes of Absenteeism Generally perceived reasons for absenteeism include: sickness, workloads, low compensation, and family issues. However, research shows a different side of the picture. While studying employee opinion about absenteeism issue, several anonymous studies identified that neither low pay, high workloads, less compensation, and poor benefits, nor actual sickness are the causes of absenteeism. In fact, absenteeism is identified to be a symptom of bad working conditions, low job satisfaction, and ill-treatment of supervisors. An effective method to determine the reasons of employees’ absence is to inquire the supervisor for the reasons of absenteeism and the ways to curtail it. Suggestions for possible solutions will be provided by only those supervisors who have actually put some efforts in dealing with the issue (cited in Levine, 1999). It is critical to understand that reasons for absenteeism vary in different organizations. In order to implement any strategy to curtail absenteeism, employers’ must identify the underlying reasons which are leading to absenteeism in their organization. 3. Consequences of Absenteeism Absenteeism at workplace is a troublesome and costly issue, the most perturbing is the fact that approximately 50 percent of absenteeism stems from unacceptable reasons (Gwaltney, 1994, p.24).Major consequences of absenteeism are lost productivity, unreasonable overtime pay, and paid sick leave (Tyler, 1997, p.57).In addition, absenteeism at workplace leads to: lower productivity, compromising work quality, loss of team work, and increased payroll cost in the form of overtime (Miller et al. cited in   Lockhart,2001,p.8). Absenteeism frequently cause last-minute struggle for supervisor to look for replacements (Markowich et

Article Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Article Report - Essay Example The sequential, evolutionary aspect of experiences over time attaches the notion of a "moving perspective" on careers. Thus, not only does it transcend organizational dynamics in the new economic, technological and social realms, but goes beyond systemic boundaries. As it is, therefore, a person’s career is a key life constituency evolving around work and time. Apart from the provision of income, work offers a sense of purpose, challenge and self-fulfillment. It is a source of interactive life challenges via social networking that often powers on creativity with a sense of identity as an end result. Quite simply, career is a life journey with either the choice of a beaten path or another to navigate (Baruch, 2004). Andolsen’s article entitled â€Å"Six Steps to Your Successful Career Path† is an informative career guide that engenders navigation principles of self-assessment, decision making and life planning towards a successful career path for RIM professionals . Notably, the multifaceted approach of the modern career training is pushing the employer to the periphery out of the mainstream control of employee-skills (Baruch, 2003). The circumstantial phenomenon leaves â€Å"expertise† as the most treasured and sought-after strategic resource by the employer (Bartlett & Ghoshal, 2002; Andolsen, 2008). With a background of â€Å"a dusty filing system†, the scarcity of the prized resource has informed a structured career path for RIM practitioners aimed at attaining relevance in an era of a digitized managerial control. In a bid to start off RIM practitioners towards the foregoing painstaking journey, Andolsen provides a useful six-step career planning framework fully fitted with self-evaluative mechanisms for a dynamic career prospects (Andolsen, 2008). Six Steps to a Successful Career Path Self-Assessment Career is essentially a vehicle for the realization of the self. More accurately, it is a vehicle through which the individu al begins a constructive conception of the self in the sense of the world (Adamson, 1997). It is no wonder, therefore, that the interrogation of the self begins Andolsen’s six-step career planning framework for the actualization of a successful career in the field of Records and Information Management (RIM) (Andolsen, 2008). Accordingly, understanding oneself entails a thorough dissection of the inner strengths and weaknesses, which includes but is not limited to personality and attitudes, skills and achievements, knowledge and learning style, values, interests and entrepreneurism. Essentially, this crucial step lays bare the physical, emotional, intellectual, motivational characteristics that define the individual and personality. Occupational Research The above mentioned traits have a direct relationship with an individual’s work competencies. It is, therefore, imperative for personal, career interests and skills profile to have a matching relationship with positions available in the job market (Andolsen, 2008). Notably, such positions surface and disappear with the trending economic and technological shifts. Thus, to prevent false starts, career seekers should remain realistic in their career pursuits by updating their jobs skills through a fast, hands-on approach to valuable information. From simple web search to job shadowing, aggressiveness may prove a valuable resource in investigating options available in line with the personal traits. Decision

Illegal Immigration to Australia Essay Example for Free

Illegal Immigration to Australia Essay MORE than 11 illegal immigrants are arrested in Victoria every week and the numbers are expected to continue to rise. In the past financial year 612 people were arrested up from 429 the year before. Few of the illegal workers were likely to be asylum seekers who arrived by boat, with 517 arrested after overstaying their visa. A further 95 were on the run following their visa being cancelled. The figure was revealed last month as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship prepared to deport 13 illegal farm workers located in northwestern Victoria. Nine men and four women, all Malaysian nationals, had been employed on farms as pruners. They were caught in a 48-hour operation chasing illegal workers in the Mallee. The detainees were transferred to Melbournes Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre and nine to the Adelaide Immigration Transit Accommodation facility, pending their removal from Australia. All had overstayed their visas and were living here unlawfully, according to the department. Two other foreign nationals were given warnings, including a Malaysian national who was in Australia on a student visa but had not been studying. The employer faces fines of $13,200 and two years imprisonment per illegal worker. In Australia there are an estimated 19,540 people who have overstayed their visa an increase of 4430 from the 2009-10 financial year. In response to the growing numbers of people overstaying their visas, last month the Federal Government announced a crackdown. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen promoted the dob-in line and encouraged anyone with information about illegal workers, visa over stayers or visa fraud to call 1800 009 623 Accessing the law Migrants coming to Australia face various difficulties when accessing the law. Such dilemmas are brought about by various factors including the inability to communicate due to language restrictions and lower standards of income levels limiting access to appropriate facilities. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge of the Australian legal system and their own rights further restricts their ability to access a fair and just outcome. Due to these multiple factors an evident divide is apparent between the ability of inherent Australians and migrants in accessing the Australian legal system A major reason migrants are unable to access the law is because of the distinctive language barrier. Statistics as recorded in 2006 indicate that  74% of migrants cannot speak English well or cannot speak English at all (abs.gov.au). This has had a major impact on their ability to access the law. As they are illiterate in the English language they are unable to interoperate any possible help. This places them at a disadvantage as it is fundamental to know English when coming across the law. As shown in the case more than 11 illegal immigrants are arrested each week, meaning that most are unable to speak English, each of these illegal immigrants need legal representation to appear in court, as the majority of these immigrants cannot speak English they will need an interpreter. This makes it more difficult on the immigrant as they are not communicating directly with the judge, thus their opinion may be ‘lost in translation’. Due to their inability to communicate, their knowledge of the Australian legal system is further restricted as simple tasks such as reading, writing and communicating in English cannot occur. Due to such issues migrants may be unaware of information and assistance programs available to them, and so they are incapable of accessing the legal syst em in such a way where their needs and wants are met. This is made evident through recent statistics that indicate 49% of migrants have come to Australia with post school qualifications, leaving the other 51% without a proper education. (abs.gov.au) However, this statistic can be ambiguous as illegal immigrants are not accounted for. Every legal system around the world is different, most migrants who come to Australia are unaware of their rights and do not understand what the law is asking of them. As shown in the case, 517 immigrants were arrested, this further justifies their lack of knowledge as they may have been un aware of when they were scheduled to depart from Australia. Migrants who flee to Australia come with little money or no money at all. This creates a barrier when trying to access the law as money is what places the migrant at an advantage. As most these migrants did not receive a proper education their level of skills may be limited and so obtaining work is another challenge. The income levels of migrants are likely to have only just been sufficient for their daily needs, whereas those who have achieved higher levels of education are exposed to a wider range of job opportunities allowing them to obtain better access to legal representation. Exemplified  in the case 612 people were arrested, due to their low socio economic status legal aid is provided during court. Legal aid can be ineffective in some aspects as some are not as experienced and can be placed at a disadvantage when up against those who can afford barristers and QC’s. Communication can also be a barrier due to the lack of understanding and the immigrant unable to speak E nglish. Accessing the law Every person in this world has rights, rights to access the law in a fair, just an equal way. However, there are various groups in Australia who face difficulties in accessing the law, in particular migrants. There are many outstanding factors which contribute to this problem; language barriers, discrimination, low income and lack of recognition of cultural differences, each play a major role in how migrants are faced with difficulties when trying to access the law. The purpose of this report is to show awareness and educate the people on how the Australian legal system can help migrants facing issues regarding accessing the law. Effectiveness of the legal system Over time, the legal system has become aware of the unsettled issues in society regarding various groups who are put at a disadvantage in retrieving equal access to the law. One major issue which most groups face (in particular migrants) is regarding the language barrier. As many of these groups are from ethnic backgrounds, the ability to interoperate legal documents and understand their rights as a migrant is very difficult. As the government has taken this into consideration, the adult migrant English program was created. Migrants are able to have equal access in learning the English language by either sitting a class, taking tutoring lessons, doing the class online or by a distance learning program. However the end result of this program was not effective as in 1993, the funds to this program were cut, and the classes were limited. This affects many of the migrants as their only way of learning English in Australia has been terminated, therefore they are faced at a disadvantage when accessing the law. In 1992, a report called multiculturalism and the law was released it stated there was a need for interoperates, this relates to the migrants who are unable to speak English. With the representation of the interpreter the migrant will be able to express themselves and then in return not only will migrants  understand what the legal system is asking of them, they will also be able to acknowledge their rights and responsibilities. Statistics show that 20.1% of NWS residents speak another language than English at home.(abs.gov.au) Therefore, there are capable people of performing this job. Although it is virtually impossible to enforce and control discrimination, there are acts which help assist in discontinuing the use of discrimination to people , especially the indigenous Australians. A recent program called ‘close the gap’ was created to basically close the gap between the Australians and the indigenous Australians meaning both are the same and both share the same rights and responsibilities. Studies show that indigenous earn around $460 a week whereas the average non indigenous earns around $740 a week (http://www.abs.gov.au) Mean Equivalised Gross Household Income, As shown in the above graph non indigenous earn more than an average indigenous person. As part of the close the gap program, the government has implemented housing commission (2011), where a person with a low income (indigenous) are able to live in a house and only pay a small amount of money to maintain the house and the rest is funded by the government. This is very effective as it gives those indigenous who are struggling a place to live and therefore, they do not have to seek refuge in a shelter or temporary housing. Shelters may have limited space and therefore there may not be enough room at all times. In 1995, the racial discrimination act was re written along with the introduction of the racial hatred act 1995. This act forbids any form of offensive behaviour based on racial hatred. This act states it Is illegal to offend anyone in public about their race, colour, ethnic or national origin. This is a very effective act as it forbids any type of discrimination; this will put a stop to many disputes about groups especially the indigenous Australians and migrants who believe to be discriminated against. Conclusion In conclusion, all groups in society will face a barrier or obstacle in accessing the law, mainly regarding the main factors of language barrier, lack of recognition and low income. Although these groups are disadvantaged the government has implemented many acts which assist these differences, some are effective and some are ineffective compared to others. Overall, it  is important to promote an environment where all groups in society are equal and able to achieve equal access to the law no matter who the group is. Bibliography White, Alex, A.w. Illegal Immigrant Arrests Are on the Rise across Victoria. NewsComAu. Herald Sun, 7 Sept. 2012. Web. 8 Mar. 2013. Law and Justice Foundation. EdDesk, 9 Aug. 2010. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.

Private Limited Companies Advantages and Disadvantages

Private Limited Companies Advantages and Disadvantages Financial Accounting Is the information to make decisions related to the organizations, it begins with the principles, concepts, and applications of financial accounting. Financial Accounting follows a set of rules and legislation known as accounting concepts, accounting policies, and procedures like the entity and prepayments. Financial Accounting explains for us what are the financial statements, tells us what are the rules of legislation while they are getting prepared, shows us how the financial accounts are prepared, helps us to understand how the various fields of business work together. It also keeps tracks of companys financial business like the cash flow and cash inflow. It provides stakeholders with official information like for Example: balance sheet account, profit and loss account, trading account. Sole Trader: It is owned by only one person, that has no exact legislation and has one or more employees, their main aim is to make profit. Sole Trader Advantages: They can make decisions easily and quickly Owner can control anything. Less legal formalities. It is simple to set up Sole Trader Disadvantages: Lack of capital. They have to work and think hard because For Example: If the owner is sick, they will not be able to work. Unlimited liability. Partnership: is between 2 to 20 partners or shareholders that works together and easy to setup, the owners share with each other the profits or losses of their business, and their main aim is to make profit. Advantages of a Partnership: It is easy to setup by the deed of partnership More capital is available. There are few paper to work on Disadvantages of a Partnership: Lack of goals to be achieved Unlimited liability Profits have to be divided between the partners Private Limited Company: Is known as ( LTD), it must have one or more director, they do not need a trading diploma, and it offers limited liability to its shareholders but it places certain limits on its ownership. Advantages of Private Limited Company: Limited liability. More serious than the status of a sole trader. Disadvantages of Private Limited Company: The corporation tax has to be paid. Cannot sell shares to public. Public Limited Company: Is known as PLC , its a company whose shares may be purchased by the public and whose share capital is not less than a statutory minimum, and must have minimum 2 directors. Advantages of a Public Limited Company: greater borrowing power the shareholders have limited liability shareholders can sell their shares freely to public Disadvantages of A Public Limited Company: The personal touch may be lost Published accounts have to be prepared Difficult to control and manage Too many legal formalities Clubs: It is the business that is connected from two or more people that has the same goal that they want to achieve. Their main objective is to provide services to the community Charities: It is known as the charities that we know for foundation like Dubai cares. Their main objective is to help other peoples or countries that are unable to pay for their needs and wants. The Advantages of being a Charity The Charity task can provide advice and information to assist a charity administration. Charities are not liable to pay Corporation Tax which is charged on clubs, societies and voluntary organisations. The Disadvantages of Being a Charity Limited rules that are carried on by charities. Trustees are not generally allowed to benefit financially from the charity. Companies Act ( 1985 ) Is the act of the congress of the UK, which will help the companies to register and to set responsibilities of the companies, their secretaries and directors. The act was the instance of consolidation of many other pieces of company legislation, and was one constituent part of the rules governing companies, it was governed by its own articles of relationship. The act is applied only to companies that will form into a legal corporation under it, or under older companys acts. In the act limited liability partnerships, sole traders, and partnerships were not governed by it. Companies Act (1989) Is an act to amend the law relating to the accounts of company, to make new provisions, to amend the companies act 1985 with respect of powers to get information, to create new provision with respect to the registration of charges in the company and to modify the law related to companies, to rephrase the fair trading act 1973, to allow provision to be made. Partnership Act (1890) Its the relation which exists between persons holding on a business in common with the view of profit. No interest is to be charged on drawings. Profits and losses are shared equally among partners. The relation between members of any company like: It is not a partnership within the meaning of this act Registered as a company under the companies act 1862 Rules for Determining Existence of Partnership To determine whether a partnership does or does not exist, you should follow the rules: Joint property, Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, common property, or part ownership does not of itself create a partnership, whether the owners do or do not share any profits made by the use The sharing of gross does not create a partnership, whether the persons sharing returns have or have not a common right or interest in any property Accounting Concepts Business Entity Concepts: It is a separated business and completely different from the owner at that business. It also can be applied to limited business like the charities. The owners personal spending is not recorded in the books at the business. The owners personal transaction appear in the book is when the introductions capital or makes drawings. Materiality: It is a rule which applies to the materials that are not always included in accounting rule; its applied to sole traders, partnership, limited companies, clubs and charities. Going Concern Concepts: It is the statement that business will continue operating in the future except if there a strong evidence or if there a weak evidence, the value is not taken from their break-up value which is the amount that they can sell it in a slow way. In final accounts of a business one of them prepares on the basis that there is no intension to close down the business. Accruals (Matching) Concepts: It is the income that will be received in some trading, lost profit and loss accounts. They should be given out from time to time to be paid. It also allows some people to go against other accounts if the amounts were so small that will be misled, in another words its when we have use something in a period of time. E.g.: bill phone, gas bill, and water bill. Prudence Concepts: It states that the inventory and the profits should not be expected but also included in the profit and loss account. This concept is known as conservation, If we applied this concept ensures that the account present a practical pictures of the state of the business. This concept is applied for making provisions for reduction of debts and stock valuation. Consistency Concepts: It is a way that accounting method uses it to there business, and the business has to keep on using it from time to another. In some areas of accounting a choice of method is available, and when it will be chosen, then they should apply it consistently from years to years. Money Measurement Concepts: It shows the transactions that can be used in monetary terms and in using measuring unit for financial reports. The account at a business only records the information which can be expressed in monetary terms. The value of a good manager that contains loyal work force, high stall morale, will make great benefits to the business. Historical Cost Concepts: It is the account that asset the price and the balance sheet that is based to an original cost when the company require it. Duality (Double Entry) Concepts: It is only one account that is joined together. For every transaction there is aspect in accounting that is made on the basis. A giving and a receiving is known as Dual Concept of all transaction. This is known as double entry. Principles of Relevance Concepts: It is a fact that is known to be gathered from one point of view and keep it. Reliability: It is a degree of person, measure, or object. It is important that profit is only recorded when it has actually been earned. Profits are not regarded as being earned when a customer places an order for goods. Profit is regarded as being earned at the time of goods or services pars to the customers. Comparability: It is the quality of the things that is used in business. Information in financial statements in a business can be more useful. it is compared with similar information about the same business for some other period of time or with other similar information about other business. Understand ability: Its how you understand the others and be able to talk and communicate to them. Information should not be omitted from the financial statements because it is believed it is too complex for users to understand financial statements must be capable of being understood by the users of those statements. Principles: They have two types in UK and US In US they have a lot of rules but when they prepare for their account they use the rule book and if it doesnt cover the rules, the rule book is approved to be used. In UK there is a general law applied to the accounting practice, but the only difference between US and UK that in UK they have an over riding requirements, the account has to be required it is called true and fair views Conventions: It is rules and procedures which are followed by all the organization it also guides the organization for the preparation of their accounts. Rules and Procedures Which Apply To Financial Statements: Financial statement shows only the business that can be given in a monetary terms. Depreciation: It is a company that has the free choice in choosing the company policies, procedures, and also it will affect on the reduction of the money amount that is used in your normal time in life. The organization has two methods to choose from: the straight line depreciation reducing balances Each method of them will result with a different amount of depreciation being charged against the profits. Bad Debts: The balance sheet reflects the amount of the money that the organizations owing it from sales, there is a lot of debtors that may not be able to pay the full amount. So The organizations need to allow a percentage of bad depts. The organization can choose what percentage they want and when to write the bad debts to make a provision, at the end it will affect the over all profit recorded. Provision for Doubtful Debts: It is a small amount that is set aside for something very expensive or something will happen later in the future (Debtors who may not pay their bills to the company) , they usual state the percentage of the great trade debtors. In future accounting, the profit periods would be twisted if the entity suffered a whole series of bad debts. So it seems cautious to allow for the chance that some debts may become bad. Accruals: It is an amount due for a service provided during a particular accounting period but still not paid for at the end of it. We should include them in our accounting before the year ends to show the true and fair views the organization need to ensure that this accounts is complying with accounting concepts. The addition will be included in the amount charged to the profit and loss account for the period as part of the cost of the service provided. Prepayments: It is an amount paid in cash during an accounting period for a provision that will be provided in a later period. Prepayments made will be deducted from the amount charged to the profit and loss account. Valuation of Stock: It should be valued at the lower cost and to be on the net value to observe with the conservative and caution concept. It has three main methods of valuing stock: FIFO LIFO AVCO Each will lead to different value and will affect the profit level. The Similarities and Differences of Sole Trader and Partnership Sole Traders: It is owned by only one person. One has to keep careful evidence if he is self-employed. If the business falters; his personal assets are likely to be liquidated. They dont need to divide there profit. Its easy to set up. Partnerships: Its owned by two or more people together. Profits are shared either equally or as per the terms given. If profits are to be shared, so are the liabilities too. Partners can profit from limited liability and collect tax advantages. Application of Accounting Conventions and Regulations We have in accounting a concept called true and fair view which help to ensure that accounting information is presented accurately and consistently. The most commonly encountered convention is the historical cost convention This requires transactions to be recorded at the price ruling at the time, and for assets to be valued at their original cost. Under the historical cost convention, therefore, no account is taken of changing prices in the economy. And there are other conventions in accounting we can summarize as follows: Monetary Measurement: Like workforce skill, morale, market leadership, brand recognition, quality of managementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦And the accountants should not account for items unless they can be quantified in monetary terms. An important convention.. The concept of materiality is an important issue for auditors of financial accounts.

Homecoming by Bruce Dawe Essay -- Poem Poetry Poet Bruce Dawe Home Com

Homecoming by Bruce Dawe The poem 'Homecoming' originates from Bruce Dawe. Its journey depicts the aspects of war and its devastations upon human individuals. Using mainly the Vietnam War as a demonstration for its destructions. Within this poem Bruce Dawe dramatizes the homecoming of Australian veterans' bodies from Vietnam. This is clearly an anti-war poem, reproducing the sentiments of those who opposed the time when this war occurred. The poem starts of in what seems to be a monotone. With many simple verbs such as 'picking... bringing.... rolling ... whining...' are used to depicts how days after days, it is all the same. The bodies of the soldiers, days after days are all monotonously follow the same routine and being treated in a somewhat a seemingly cold and offhanded way. These simple words are repetitive; they aim to enhance the effect of imprinting a strong image within the readers? visual imagination of the relentless pace. Forcing the readers into feeling this great injustice for these soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for their country, within the war. Yet their bodies are treated no less than animals, following a strict routine of piling up in trucks, convoys, tagging them, giving them names, and boarding them onto the jets so they can finally return to their beloved home. This is their homecoming. The tone of this particular poem is apparent here. Within the title itself ?Homecoming? is irony. W hen homecoming is spoken of, an image of happi...

The Process of an Earthquake

Have you ever wondered what has to happen to make the Earth quake? British engineer John Michell did. He was one of the first fathers of seismology and was also the first to correctly state what the cause of earthquakes was. In 1960, Michell noted that â€Å"earthquakes and the waves of energy that they make are caused by shifting masses of rock, miles below the surface† in a scientific memoir (USGS, 32). In order for you to completely understand the process of an earthquake you must first understand the process of how an earthquake is measured.An earthquake may not be able to be predicted at the moment but the intensity and magnitude of the earthquake can be measured and categorized. This is done using the Richter magnitude scale. The Richter magnitude scale was developed as a mathematical instrument to compare the size of earthquakes in 1935 by Charles Francis Richter. He was able to recognize that the seismic waves radiated by all earthquakes can provide good estimates of t heir magnitude (Richter). A seismograph is what is used to measure the amount of energy that an earthquake releases as well as the magnitude of the earthquake.It is a logarithmic scale, which means that the numbers on the scale measures factors of 10, so each whole number unit represents a tenfold increase in amplitude. The energy that is measure is about 32 times greater than the next smaller whole number. Using this scale, a magnitude 5 earthquake would result in ten times the level of ground shaking as magnitude 4 earthquakes. Think of it in relation to the energy that is released by explosives. A magnitude 1 seismic wave releases as much energy as blowing up 1 ounce of TNT, which is the equivalent of slamming a large rock onto a table.A magnitude 8 earthquake releases as much energy as detonating 1 million tons of TNT (Richter). An earthquake measuring more than 6. 0 can cause detrimental damage (see fig. 1). The biggest quake in the world since 1900 scored a 9. 5 on the Richter scale in May of 1960. More than 2,000 people were killed, 3,000 injured, 2,000,000 were left homeless, and there was over $500 million worth of damages to southern Chili (Pararas). Whenever there is an earthquake, the layers of the earth grind past one another causing the ground all around to rumble and shake, resulting in severe damage.The Earth is forged of four main layers: the inner core, the outer core, the mantle and the crust. The crust and the mantle are merely the skin to the earth’s surface. This skin is unlike our skin, though. It consists of many pieces that can slowly move past one another. These puzzle-like pieces are called tectonic plates. The edges of the tectonic plates are known as plate boundaries. Plate boundaries have many faults with very rough and jagged edges that can get stuck together. The majority of the world’s earthquakes occur on these faults.When the plates continue to try to move, the edges of the plate boundaries violently unstick, re sulting in the sudden release of energy in all directions. This energy becomes seismic waves, which act like ripples on a pond. The Earth shakes as these seismic waves move through it, and when the waves rip through the earth’s surface, the ground and anything on it shakes terribly (USGS, Science). This can be felt for miles away. The longest earthquake ever recorded originated from the center of the Indian Ocean in December of 2004.It was reported as a 9. 5 on the Richter scale after 3 months, and was measured at a whopping 800 miles, which is about the distance from Houston, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia (Longest). It created the biggest gash in the Earth’s seabed ever. That same earthquake also created horrible conditions such as the Tsunami at Sumatra which caused 61 deaths, and $75 million in damages in Hawaii. There are three different types of plate boundaries; impact zones, spreading zones, and slipping zones.Furthermore, there are two different kinds of impact zon es. One type is when oceanic crust hits continental crust causing a boundary deduction to happen. With the oceanic crust being denser than the continental crust, it withdraws beneath the continental crust. The oceanic crust then melts as it goes under the continental crusts due to the friction of the crusts rubbing against one another. The pressure of the heat causes the melted rock to rise up through faults in the continental crust. This is what causes a volcano to erupt.Another type of impact zone is where one crust is pushed upwards when two continental crusts collide. Mountain ranges are formed this way. The world’s greatest land mountain range, the Himalaya-Karakorum in Asia is the spawn of two continental crusts colliding (USGS, 11). When two plates are moving apart along mid-ocean ridges, a spreading zone occurs. This is when two tectonic plates are moving away from each other and is forming a new crust from the rising magma that is released from the Earth’s cor e.An oceanographer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Seattle lab, Edward T Baker says, â€Å"A spreading zone can be considered as a â€Å"linear volcano† with vent holes occurring at various points along its meandering crest†. (Raloff). Earth's mid-ocean ridge is one near-continuous zone of spreading seafloor. When one plate grinds past another plate it is known as a slipping zone. Slips along the faults in the crust allow stress from the grinding to be released. These fault slips are what cause earthquakes. Just when you might believe that an earthquake is over, you could be mistaken.Earthquakes are capable of having aftershocks that can last several years. The New Madrid fault quake of December 16, 1811 in the United States had reported ground shaking for 24 hours. Occasional severe shaking and disruptions lasted for weeks and aftershocks were felt up until 1817 (USGS, Historic). An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that happens in the same a rea of the original earthquake. As the crust around the displaced fault plane adjusts to the changes that occurred, aftershocks will follow, until the Earth has settled back in place.The final piece of the process of an earthquake is the aftermath. The aftermath is the devastation that an earthquake or any other type of disaster can leave in its wake. When the ground ruptures from the shaking caused by an earthquake, it can result in damage to bridges, dams, roads, railroad tracks, and the foundation of buildings. They can also cause landslides and avalanches as well. Another major cause of damage is when power lines are ripped down and gas lines rupture; this can most likely cause fires.Also, soil liquefaction is very common in earthquakes. It occurs when water-saturated granular material, like sand, momentarily loses its strength and turns from a solid to a liquid. In the 1964 Alaskan earthquake soil liquefaction was the cause of many buildings and bridges sinking to the ground, g radually collapsing upon one another (Dubner). Even undersea earthquakes can create tsunamis that have the possibility to cause extreme damage along the coast. 75 million Americans are in significant danger of being a victim to an earthquake.According to the United States Geological Survey, there have been over 2 million deaths attributed to earthquakes since 1900. The USGS pinpoints 20,000 earthquakes a year; that is about 50 earthquakes a day (USGS, Earthquakes). In conclusion, the movement of the earth’s crust has shaped the earth for hundreds of millions of years, moving the sharp and stony edges over, under, and past one another. Sometimes the movements and the release of energy caused by an earthquake are smooth and gradual; other times, the plates stay locked together.That is when the stockpiled energy that has been storing in between the plates grows strong enough to break apart. That is what makes the earthquake. The Richter scale can tell us the intensity and magnit ude of an earthquake but cannot predict one. Works Cited â€Å"The Longest EarthQuake Ever Recorded. † World Most RSS. N. p. , 6 Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. Pararas-Caryannis, George. â€Å"Index. html. † Index. html. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. â€Å"Richter Scale. † Science in the Early Twentieth Century: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2005. Credo Reference. 0 June 2008. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. Raloff, Janet. â€Å"Pearson – Science News. † Pearson – Science News. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. United States Geological Survey. Earthquake Facts. N. p. , 24 July 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. Line 32 United States Geological Survey. Earthquakes with 1,000 or More Deaths since 1900. N. p. , 30 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. United States Geological Survey. Historic Earthquakes. N. p. , 01 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. United States Geological Survey. The Science of Earthquakes. By Lisa Wald. N. p. , 24 July 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.