Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Assignment Example The measurement technique used was appropriate for the study, since the study took a sample of 204 students, which is a reasonable sample that is capable of giving valid results. The results of the reliability and/or validity measurements do not produce any caution in the possible replication of the study, but instead indicates a well undertaken study, where the results prove that the application of problem-based strategy is the most suitable for obtaining high learning achievements for primary school students. Case study 2 This case study applied quantitative measurement techniques, by sampling a total of 192 students from the sixth grade, to assess the effect of behavioral interactions and achievements of cooperative learning for group members who were trained to collaborate and facilitate each other's learning and those groups that were not trained, but merely instructed to help each other. The results of the study indicated that the members of the groups that were trained were co nsistently helpful to each other, compared to the groups that were not trained. ... The measurement technique applied was appropriate for the study, since random sampling was applied, which eliminated any chances of bias. Additionally, the samples picked were constituted of a suitable ratio of the high-ability, medium-ability and low-ability students. The results of the reliability and/or validity measurements do not produce any caution in the possible replication of the study. Case study 3 This case study applied quantitative measurement techniques, by sampling a total of 48 students to assess the influence of mastery and performance goals on the nature of children's collaborative participation while playing a problem-solving computer game with a peer. The results of the study indicated that those children who were assigned the mastery goals were involved in a very elaborate problem solving discussion, compared to the children who were assigned performance goals, who were observed to engage in a more help-seeking interaction, with a low level of meta-cognitive cont rol. The results further indicated that the instructions that were goal-focused are better placed to influence the nature and quality of children's paired interactions. Additionally, the study results showed that giving goal mastery instructions served to promote a highly collaborative interaction for the students. The measurement technique applied was appropriate for the study, since the sample of 48 students was further subdivided into two groups, comprising of the dispositional group, and the context-dependent group. Additionally, the children used as samples were organized based on the same gender, year group, and goal orientation, to ensure

Protection or Free Trade for International Trade Essay

Protection or Free Trade for International Trade - Essay Example While both protectionism and free trade have their own advantages and disadvantages, the cost by far outweighs the benefits of protectionism. The arguments made in favor of protection are that the foreign producers have a â€Å"comparative advantage†, that protection helps the local infant industries flourish, that without protection importers would recklessly â€Å"dump† goods in the market, that protection protects the local producers, and finally, that protection prevents an imbalance of trade. However, each of these â€Å"perceived benefits† of protectionism comes at long-term costs which are far greater than the short-term benefits as explained below. The â€Å"comparative advantage† argument assumes that exporters from other countries have a strong competitive advantage that makes local producers less competitive thereby driving local companies out of business. For example, the labor cost in a developing country compared to that in a developed countr y puts some of the labor intensive local industries at a relative disadvantage. However, by moving to free-trade, countries are able to specialize in some other field where they have a comparative advantage. With such a specialization, the countries are able to take advantage of efficiencies generated from economies of scale and increased output. Also, free international trade increases the size of a firm’s market, resulting in lower average costs and increased productivity, ultimately leading to increased production. In the last few year, while China and India have taken up more work on the labor intensive industries, businesses in the developed countries have been able to actually take advantage of the lower cost and focus on their comparative advantage and invest more on research and development, and other high value added jobs. Besides, the comparative advantages do not last forever. Sooner or later, the advantage fades away. For example, according to Lyndesy Romick of gl obal envision, in China labor accounted for only about 2 percent of a manufacturing company’s total costs in 2000 but 2010 it was closer to 12 percent. That protectionism helps grow the infant industries is a misplaced fallacy. Government subsidizing of a new industry may channel too many resources into that industry, and can render the industry permanently inefficient and vulnerable to competition. Besides, most infant industries are at a competition from domestic competitors and not necessarily only importers. In the last few decades, the "infant" plastics, television, and computer industries have made out very well without any protection. Next, we consider the argument of dumping. Dumping may be defined as the overflow of cheap priced goods in order to under-cut the competition and gain market share. Now, if an importer starts dumping goods in a market, it would actually be good for the customers, and for the government in terms of revenue it makes no change. The only bad effect of dumping is for local producers. Logically, no firm can enjoy â€Å"dumping† as a sustainable strategy – selling below cost in the long-term would drive them to bankruptcy. Also, according to Rothbard, â€Å"†¦historical investigation has not turned up a single case where predatory pricing, when tried, was successful, and there are actually very few cases where it has even been tried.† The next pro-protectionism claim that it protects local producers is also at a huge cost. By protecting the local producers, there is no