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Scientific research is conducted throughout a student’s academic career. However, as a student matures the depth and complexity of their research project increase. As a student approaches high school and college they will need to learn how to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. Each forms of research produces quality information, but through slightly different avenues.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research focuses on data that can be measured. It examines a cause and effect relationship. In this type of research the hypothesis is a prediction of what is going to happen when the student manipulates the independent variable. Their results are going to be based on the measurable differences produced in the results.

Usually quantitative research is a better option for science students working on a science fair project. This is because the students are working with concrete processes and scenarios that can be easily manipulated and that produce data that is easy to measure and analyze. Quantitative research projects can be used to study the hard sciences of chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is used to study behaviors and the soft sciences of psychology and sociology. Qualitative research can be just as valuable as quantitative research, however, it is often given less attention and authority because of its subjective nature. When setting up a qualitative research project students will need to identify a population that has a specific characteristic or commonality. They then need to determine what they want to learn about that characteristic or commonality.

Generally qualitative research projects are interested in determining how an event or characteristic impacts a population. In order to learn how it impacts the population the population is surveyed. They can be surveyed using face-to-face interviews, by conducting interviews over the phone, by mailing the test subjects a questionnaire to complete or by having them complete an online survey or questionnaire.

Often times qualitative research deals with human responses to a situation. It is because humans are used as the test subject that it is necessary to take extra steps when setting up the experiment methodology. Students may need to get special permission to conduct research on humans and they will also need to take steps to ensure that the test subjects’ identities are kept confidential and that the test subjects are educated about the research project that they will be participating in.

Which Research Method Is Right for You?

Both qualitative and quantitative research projects are viable options for students in elementary, middle and high school. However, the option that the student selects needs to reflect the purpose of the experiment. Students that are working on science fair projects will generally want to stick to quantitative research projects. However, if the student is interested in psychology or sociology, then a qualitative research project will probably be a better fit. It is a good idea to talked to your teacher to see which type of research project is appropriate for an assignment just to make sure your project will qualify for a good grade in your science class.

As businesses large and small seek to establish their claim on what today is a truly global market place, ISO certification has risen to the forefront like never before. In fact, becoming certified with the ISO can mean a big jump in a business’ prospects, simply due to the recognition factor.

What is the ISO?

ISO is the shorthand term for the International Standards Organization. This body was developed in Switzerland in 1945, right after World War II. The purpose of the body is to create international standards for industrial and commercial products within a business. Although it is officially a non-governmental organization, the power and money that the organization wields is enough to make governments in all developed countries take an interest in what they have to say, often turning ISO recommendations into law.

ISO certification

Receiving certification by the ISO means that a business has agreed to uphold certain standards and practices in its day-to-day operations. These standards are of particular importance when it comes to industries and commercial interests that may have a significant environmental impact through the discharge of waste of by-products.

In order to achieve ISO certification, a business must be able to demonstrate compliance with ISO standards in these areas; and not just those that are enshrined by law in the country where the business is based.

ISO certification will demonstrate both to other businesses and an ever more aware customer base that a company does indeed uphold certain strict standards when it comes to operations. The ISO community is so broad that simply through joining, a business stands to greatly increase productivity on an international scale. It is more visible, both to other like-minded corporations and to individual concerned consumers.

ISO certification does require a certain amount of paper work to be filled out on a regular basis in order to remain current, but in many cases a business will find that this helps the entire business process. A “forced organization”, as it were, is still a guaranteed way to keep processes and procedures flowing. To sum up, ISO certification means an acceptance of standardized practices that will improve the visibility and operations of any company that deals in the areas the ISO covers. It also acts as a seal of approval, signifying a company’s commitment to the health of the people in the country where it is located and the environment in general.

In the earlier days, cellular phones were of brick size and they were usually attached to immobile surfaces such as cars etc. However, developments in technology, have led to the introduction of many pocket sized mobile phones. The mobile phone depends upon the use of radiations for its function. Since the whole world has been lured by this necessity, there is always a concern about the harmful effects of the radiations.

The harmful effects of the cell phone radiations were exposed in the year 1993. A case was reported in Florida, wherein a law suit was filed by a man, who claimed that his wife had been affected by brain tumour, because of the use of cell phone. It was only after such a case, that numerous researches have been conducted to find out if the cell phones really emit radiations that are harmful.

While some of the studies indicate that the microwaves emitted by the cell phones doubled the cancer cells in mice, the Cellular Telecommunications Association has spent so much on the research of the harmful radiations emitted by the cell phones. It still remains a controversy and it is still not proved whether cell phone radiations are harmful or not. The cell phones have been supposed to give out what is known as the Electromagnetic Radiations. As the phones are powered by electricity, they are believed to give out their electrical and magnetic fields. These radiations are emitted by other electronic goods such as microwave oven, electric clocks, computers and other such appliances. Such radiations come under the category of non ionizing radiations.

Non ionizing radiations are those which do not have the energy to cause ionization, which is they do not have the sufficient energy, to break apart molecules and atoms and turn them into ions. Ionizing radiations however, have high energy and they break apart molecules and atoms and turn them into ions. Examples of such harmful radiations are Gamma radiations and X-rays. When human cells are exposed to such harmful radiations, the DNA within the cells gets damaged, or their sequence gets changed resulting in mutations and birth defects. According to some research, the relation between the radiations and the effects of them on the users can be summarized as follows:

· The users of cell phone do not run a high risk of getting cancer than non users.

· Frequent users of cell phones do not have the risk of getting cancer or non malignant tumours, than those who use the phones rarely.

· It is a myth that brain tumours and cancers tend to develop on the side of the head, at which the phone has been used.

One of the observable harmful effects of mobile phones however has been the thermal effects. The microwave radiations cause dielectric heating. Here any dielectric material such as a living tissue gets heated up by rotation of polar molecules of the electromagnetic radiations. Therefore for the person who uses a cell phone, the heating will occur at the surface of the head.

As the subject by itself is controversial, the cell phones can be utilized judiciously and purposefully, as prevention is always better than cure.

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