Importance of Peer Review Essay Example for Free

Importance of Peer Review Essay A student in a graduate program must conduct research during the course of study. The purpose of this assignment is to discuss how one can determine which references are credible and which are not. Importance of Peer Review As a scholar-practitioner it is of utmost importance to know that information is obtained from a source which is peer reviewed. When a journal or article has been designated as peer reviewed this means that the information has been submitted to several of the authors peers for content review. The reviewers must agree that the information has been gathered through the use of proper research methods, and that it is accurate and original. Knowing that Articles Retrieved are from Peer-Reviewed Journals The articles I downloaded for this week’s application are peer reviewed. The Walden University library has a search feature which allows one to find only peer reviewed articles quickly and easily. This is the procedure I followed when obtaining my articles. If an article is obtained from a source other than the Walden library, verification of peer review can be done through Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory. Importance of Peer Reviewed Articles My area of interest is nursing education. It is important that the information I share with students has been peer reviewed. I want to make sure it is accurate and credible. Summary In summary, it is essential for students in a graduate program to always make sure resources utilized for research are peer reviewed. The information obtained for assignments must be reliable and accurate. References Cornell University. (April 5, 2011). Cornell University Library. Retrieved from http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/skill20.html Walden University. (2011). Walden University Library. Retrieved from http://library.waldenu.edu/689.htm

The Singing School: An American Tradition :: essays research papers

The Singing School: An American Tradition   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Singing School was an institution that was uniquely American. it was established to serve a dual purpose: the desire to create music and the need for sociability. Generations were taught to read and sing music by itinerant singing masters, who developed characteristic methods and materials of instruction, and distinctive performance practices. Through this institution, many people were given the opportunity to participate in music, either as a singer, a teacher, or as a composer. The Singing School foreshadowed the development of church choirs and musical societies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Early settlers in this country brought with them their native English music, both sacred and secular. They made use of various Psalters compiled in Europe. It was not until 1640, however, that the Puritan ministers in America made their own translation of the psalms. The Bay Psalm Book was the first book printed in British North America and was widely used. The most distinguishing feature of this book was its rhymed and metered English poetry. This allowed a few tunes, having the same rhythms as the poetry, to be used as melodies for many psalms. In addition, the text employed the vernacular, and consequently promoted memorization. The ninth edition of the Bay Psalm Book, published in 1698, was the first edition published with tunes. This edition had printed the letters F-S-L-M, representing the solmization syllables fa, sol, la, and mi, under the notes. This indicates that there was a familiarity with and an interest in music instruction as applied to psalmody.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was not until the early 18th century, however, that as a direct result of agitation by ministers for a reformation in congregational singing, arguments were advanced promoting regular singing and the eventual establishment of singing schools.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The singing school grew out of the employment by the churches in New England of regular singing. Records indicate that the first singing school was probably established in Boston, the most advanced town in New England, around 1720.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The singing school gradually spread throughout New England during the next twenty-five years. Throughout the eighteenth century, the scope and span of the singing schools continued to grow. The advent of the 19th century saw singing schools established from Maine to Pennsylvania.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first singing schools were church-oriented, due to the face that the original purpose of the schools was to improve congregational singing. After selecting a date (usually two to four weeks during the winter or between planting and harvesting of crops), a teacher was secured (in most cases, the local school master or an itinerant singing teacher), and location was established (either in the local school house or some other public building).

Jacob Marley Essay

A Christmas Carol’ is a Victorian tale that is loved by millions worldwide. It was written by Charles Dickens in 1843 and combines the harsh reality of poverty in Victorian times with the joy of Christmas and ghosts. The reason why we celebrate at Christmas is due to Charles Dickens himself, with food, parties and the festive spirit. The story also has a moral to it. It focuses around one man Ebenezer Scrooge and his greed for money, his hate for Christmas and a journey through past, present and future. Throughout the novel Charles Dickens uses a number of techniques to get across the message of poverty and differences in class and he aims to stimulate the reader’s social conscience and draw attention to the plight of the poor in Victorian London. One of the main techniques that Dickens uses is to set the story around Christmas. Christmas is a time of happiness and celebration and Dickens emphasizes the merriness of this festive time by describing it as a ‘joyous occasion’. Dickens goes into great detail when describing the feast that is had at Christmas using phrases like its ‘tenderness and flavor’ and ‘there never was such a goose’. But the main reason for the story to be set at Christmas is that Scrooge is the exact opposite of a festive person. He refers to Christmas as ‘a time for paying bills without money’ and whenever and wherever it’s mentioned the famous mutter of ‘Bah Humbug’ is stubbornly given as a reply. In the story Charles Dickens’ nephew plays a major part in trying to persuade his uncle Scrooge that Christmas time is a ‘kind, forgivable, charitable, and pleasant time’. The word ‘charitable’ though, has no meaning whatsoever to Scrooge as when he is approached by two charity collectors and asked whether he would donate some money, his immediate reply was to say ‘are there no prisons, are there no workhouses? ‘ and that judgment shows his utter lack of Christmas spirit, but I bet he wish he never said that as that line comes back to ‘haunt him’. ‘Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as a flint , from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire ; secret and self contained, and solitary as an oyster’. Another of Dickens techniques used is his detailed character exaggeration of Scrooge. The way in which Scrooge is described and the words used are so ‘Dickens like’, as sentence after sentence of in depth words and phrases are used. In his school days, he was very serious and was more interested in his education than Christmas. Later in his life he had a fianci e and he used to enjoy the festivities. Money then took over his life and he has rejected everyone ever since and because of this, even though he is financially richer, his life is much poorer. Scrooge’s house isn’t his; it is the late Marley’s. He just hasn’t changed the name. As described in the book; ‘he keeps the house quite neat’. He checks each room, and from his description he keeps the house in pristine condition. In a sense his house reflects his personality. The way Dickens conveys the message, the house is quite dull. Scrooge is an accountant and manages his own business. Accountancy can sometimes be seen as quite dull and boring; again the occupation could reflect the person within. He treats his employees in a mean way. He gives them small wages and when it is bitterly cold, he won’t let them have coal for the fire. The firm is a cold dark place at any time of the year. The whole business is cold and described using words of that nature. Scrooge really believes that his business is very successful and he is undoubtedly wealthy because of its success. Surely though he has neglected the social side of life and must not be very rich emotionally. One way to describe this portrayal is by use of the weather to reflect the character’s mood. At the beginning, cold words are used to Describe Scrooge, such as ‘froze’ and ‘foul weather’, giving the impression to the reader of his coldness as a character. At the end of the novella, in contrast, he is described with warm words, for example, ‘golden sunlight’ and ‘smoked’. This gives the impression to the reader that Scrooge has under gone and complete transformation from being a cold, stubborn character into a warm, caring, compassionate person. Everything he now does is in direct opposition to his actions at the beginning of the story. Another technique Dickens uses is his account of the ghosts and the metaphors he uses when describing them. The first supernatural being to visit Scrooge is the ghost of Jacob Marley – Scrooge’s deceased working partner. The appearance of this spirit is directly similar to what Marley wore in his first life when he was a slave to money – exactly like Scrooge. These same working clothes show how he is still chained down by the burden of money and that his afterlife has been made rather painful by being a slave to work. Marley’s ghost is warning Scrooge that if he doesn’t change his character, he will too be burdened in his afterlife. The spirit also foretells the appearance of three more ghosts. The chains ‘clasped about his middle’ and all the different items that are wrought to the chain all symbolize money and greed of the spirit. The cash-boxes and the keys all represent the hiding away of money and keeping the wealth to themselves and not sharing the abundance of money. The imagery of heavy objects such as the ‘padlocks’ and ‘steel purses’ show how laden the ghost is with the weight of the money. The ‘ledgers’ and ‘deeds’ show the detailed accounts of money and proper ownership and this is a symbol that everything has to be accounted for, no money can pass by the scrutiny of the accountant which is so true to Scrooge’s life. Apart from being immensely weighted down by his possessions of greed which held back his life, Marley was transparent. This was so obvious that Scrooge could see the two buttons on the back of his coat. This transparency conveys the sense that this person was never a normal human; he was a chilling figure who lacked some human qualities that most usual persons have. This is a ghost which freezes the presence around him with his ‘death cold eyes’ and his ‘chilling influence’, he is cold, like his life. He has no real substance and the only apparent clear images Scrooge can see of this spirit are the symbols of hoarding, selfishness and greed.

The Need for Capital Punishment in America Essay - 1151 Words

It is the firm belief and position here that committing such a crime as murder is punishable by death. Americans should take a position for anyone on death row, to be executed sooner rather than later. The moral reality in an argument for capital punishment is that they know the difference between the death penalty and what happens when it is actually put into place from the court of law. In the United States there are more people sitting in prison on death row than actually being executed at time of sentence. When the death penalty is not carried out, then families of the murdered victim recognize the value of the victim’s life is insignificant and the person that has committed the crime has the greater life of being able to continue†¦show more content†¦Anyone that would question that the death penalty and ask for capital punishment to not be carried out, are essentially allowing the murderers to walk the streets and continue to commit these heinous crimes. The death penalty brings closure to the crime they have committed and should allow them realize that they will be put to death. Assume that there was no such verdict as the death penalty. Anyone could go around committing murder with no remorse or punishment. In today’s society many commit the crimes and stay on death row for years. There should not be just cause to keep anyone on death row if they have committed murder, they must be put to death at the time they are sentenced. In theory, should anyone that goes out and purposely murders someone be able to live and be free among us? According to Claire Andre and Manual Velasquez, â€Å"Capital punishment is often defended on the grounds that society has a moral obligation to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens. Murderers threaten this safety and welfare. By putting murderers to death society can ensure that convicted killers do not kill again.† (www.scu.edu/ethics/pblications). If all evidence is available and the jury and judge have found them guilty for murder, then in any state in America they should put to death. The majority of people that commit murders do know better however, they commit the murder anyway. Capital punishmentShow MoreRelated America Needs Capital Punishment Essay2044 Words   |  9 Pagesgroups and try to defend my position. I shall also try to criticize the case against the death penalty with individual arguments. Finally, I will demonstrate that no alternative to capital punishment can be reached and try to convince you for its fairness. Despite ethical and moral concerns, the issue of capital punishment must not be dismissed without serious consideration and scrutiny.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Is our judiciary system working the way it is suppose to? Many people and countries are convinced that theRead More America Needs Capital Punishment Essay2127 Words   |  9 Pages The case of William Horton offers a fitting introduction to the subject of Americas need for capital punishment. Horton was a violent habitual criminal, sentenced in 1988 to a Massachusetts prison to life with no possibility of parole for savagely slaying an innocent teenage boy. After only ten years in prison he was transferred to a minimum-security facility. There he became eligible for daily work release, as well as unescorted weekend furloughs from prison. Following the example ofRead MoreCapital Punishment Is Not Effective865 Words   |  4 Pagesthere is an estimated 2% to 5% of all prisoners in America are innocent. Capital punishment is legal authorization to kill someone as a punishment for crimes such as treason, terrorism, espionage, federal murder, and large-scale drug trafficking. In the 1960s, the American Convention on Human rights was created providing a right for life, but the death penalty is included as an exception. While the percent for capital punishment is high in America the majority of Americans would rather have the sentencingRead MorePersuasive Essay On Capital Punishment1414 Words   |  6 PagesCapital punishment is a heated topic in today’s America. Capital punishment is the repercussion of a capital crime; most capital crimes committed in America are murders. The crime of murder can be punishable by the death penalty. A great way to stop future killing from happening is capital punishment but it is only currently allowed in 32 of the 50 states. Murder in America is at such a high rate that there needs to be something done to help stop the climbing rate. In Edward Koch’s essay â€Å"Death andRead MoreThe Death Penalty is An Effective Weapon Against Crime Essay1309 Words   |  6 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For years now the Americans have debated over the issue of capital punishment.  Ã‚   Many people believe that it no longer serves out its intended purpose of deterring crime.   Others believe that the death penalty is an inhumane act of violence and that it should be banished from the justice system all together.   The thought of playing God also is another aspect of the situation.   Despite these allegations however, the facts still remain.   The death penalty deters crime, stops repeat offendersRead MorePros And Cons Of The Death Penalty1348 Words   |  6 Pagesmethods of punishment on lawbreakers and criminals. These include jail time, community service, paroles, fines, and the most shocking, the death penalty. The death penalty, also referred to as capital punishment, was first introduced in the form of hanging hundreds of years ago when America was first established. Now, the most common way of execution proves to be death by lethal injection. For hundreds of years, people have argued over whether or not the general idea of capital punishment stands morallyRead MoreThe Canadian Justice System And Capital Punishment1713 Words   |  7 Pagesjustice system in its vie ws on capital punishment. Two men, Arthur Lucas, and Ronald Turpin was to be executed in Canada for committing crimes. Both had been accused of committing murder, Lucas for killing an officer while fleeing a robbery and Turpin for murdering an undercover narcotics officer. Both were hanged back to back at midnight and buried side by side with no marking on their graves. Lucas and Turpin were the last to be executed under capital punishment and since then Canada has stoppedRead MoreEssay on A Call for Change: Abolishing the Death Penalty1728 Words   |  7 Pagessociety, an idea from the past has become crooked and is no longer needed. A fashion of punishment might have benefited society in past generations, but the human race is always advancing and improving; therefore, a change must occur to keep enhancing humanity. One change must be capital punishment. The United States’ government must stop trying to preclude murder by committing murder and the ultimate punishment should be prison for life with no chance of parole. In 2010, 558 citizens in the stateRead MoreCapital Punishment Should Be Eliminated1342 Words   |  6 PagesCapital Punishment should be eliminated in America The European influence on America gave way to the similarities between our cultures, including the death penalty. The first recorded execution in America was that of Captain Kendall in Virginia in 1608. Kendall was executed for being a spy, but at that the time capital punishment was used even for minor crimes. Fast forward 150 years to the Abolitionist Movement and we see Cesare Beccaria post an essay in 1767 declaring the state has no right toRead MoreThe Death Penalty Should Be Legal1457 Words   |  6 Pagesthe entire family was executed with them as a warning to the people of their tribe or city to not commit the same crime. In today’s time, since most people have found the term â€Å"death penalty† offensive, we have moved to calling it â€Å"capital punishment†. This punishment today is primarily used for offenders who have committed a first degree murder. Other reasons for this sentence vary from state to state. In Florida, the death penalty may be used for an offender(s) who has committed aggravated sexual