Developing Hybrid Vehicles at General Motors Research Proposal

Developing Hybrid Vehicles at General Motors - Research Proposal Example The new product paradigm is based on combining technologies so that vehicles use a less expensive and more environmentally friendly way to operate. These new technologies include burning fuels such as alcohol or hydrogen or combine the use of electricity and gasoline. In some new models, the vehicle will start off using its gasoline engine and, when the driver has reached cruising speed, the batteries power the car while the primary engine idles. This greatly reduces the use of gasoline and lessens the amount of pollution from the car. The objectives of this research will be to gauge the demand for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles by conducting surveys of consumers and collecting data on the impact of providing such products to the market. Specifically, the research will focus on those individuals who are likely to purchase a vehicle in the next 12 months and are either concerned about the price of fuel or about the environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption; the research will seek to quantify the percentage of American consumers who are likely to respond positively to a new hybrid vehicle from GM and determine what features would be most attractive to them. Study Type. The research proposed in this study will be structured along the lines of standard exploratory methods, combining both primary and secondary research scopes.The overall aim of the research is to come to a general understanding of consumer demand for a proposed new vehicle that operates on alternative fuels and/or provides the consumer with superior performance in terms of fuel consumption. This inquiry will be combined with an investigation into the feasibility and cost of designing and producing such a product. The initial focus of the research will be primary; it will focus directly on consumer demand for the special features of the product. Further, there will be a secondary research component that will seek to use current independent research into the costs and benefits associated with providing this type of product to the American consumer.Target Population and Sample Size. The target population for this study will be American consumers who fall into three categorie s. First, the individuals surveyed must be likely to purchase a new vehicle within the next 12 months. This will inform the research with the opinions of actual prospective consumers and prevent the introduction of inaccurate information from those who are not within the target market. Second, the target population members will have to have more than just the intention to purchase a new vehicle. They must have a strong opinion on one of two other areas; either they are very concerned about the price of gasoline because of the increased expenses they incur OR they are concerned about the environment and the impact of fossil fuel consumption on the future of the planet. Any person who is likely to purchase a new vehicle within the next year AND is concerned about gas prices or the environment will be considered a valid member of the target population.

Media and the phenomenon of child killers Essay

Media and the phenomenon of child killers - Essay Example The gruesome sight of the body of four-year-old Horace Millen at the beach at Dorchester Bay initially led those who had seen it to believe that it was the work of a grown man or an adult. Little did they know that such savagery was the handiwork of a boy barely out of childhood. He was sent to a reform school prior to the incident for beating up younger children and using an astounding degree of unnecessary physical force.When people began speculating about the kind of background this child might have that led him to commit such unspeakable acts of atrocity, one thing that came up was his penchant for dime novels.Sordid tales of killing and violence leapt from the pages of these dime novels, and many believe that these tales emboldened him to commit the crimes himself.From the first example of Jesse Pomeroy, recent history has had its share of child killers and child criminals. There is the Heath High School shooting where Michael Carneal, just fourteen years old, opened fire at a g roup of students praying and killed three female students while wounding five others. Two years later, in 1999, the Columbine massacre took place wherein two teenagers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, killed twelve students and a teacher, and wounded twenty four others, before turning the guns on themselves and committing suicide.Just this year, on April 16, 2007, in Blacksburg, Virginia, a Korean-American by the name of Cho Seung -Hui went on a killing spree that was to become the deadliest shooting rampage in America. After the smoke had cleared, the death count was 32 bodies. Much speculation has taken place as to what might have caused children to behave in this manner. Of course, several factors came into play: mental illness, family background, a history of child abuse, teen-age social stratifications (particularly in the case of Columbine and Virginia Tech) and a host of other factors that contribute to maladjustment. However, ever since the case of Jesse Pomeroy, an accusing finger has been particularly directed towards the media. It has been said that the surfeit of violent images depicted in it that could have triggered psychological responses in the child-perpetrators. Indeed, there is no dearth of cases and examples to prove that there is a causation between media violence and violent behavior. In an article entitled "The Impact of Mass Media Violence on US Homicides", Phillips (1983, p. 560) presented "what may be the first systematic evidence suggesting that some homicides are indeed triggered by a type of mass media violence." Just a year before, he came out with another paper, with the following findings: Violent, fictional television stories trigger imitative deaths and near fatal accidents in the United States. In 19877, suicides, motor vehicle deaths and non-fatal accidents all rose immediately following soap opera suicide stories. The U.S. female suicides increased proportionally more than male suicides. Single-vehicle crashes increased more than multiple vehicle suicides.1 Several years after Phillips came out with his seminal studies, new researchers came out with evidence to support his conclusions. Cornstock2 found "a very solid relationship between viewing anti-social portrayals or violent episodes and behaving anti-socially." Even more compelling, Huesman and Erron3 published a 20-year follow up of 400 children and discovered that heavy exposure to television violence at eight years old was associated with violent crime and spouse or child abuse at age 30 and this is true for all socio-economic levels and for all levels of intelligence. More careful than her predecessors but presenting evidence equally noteworthy, Sheenan4 found that the question of the young being more vulnerable to the effect of media is a complex and difficult one to interpret precisely. The

Rivers and Tides Essay Example for Free

Rivers and Tides Essay I love golf. I love playing the game. Most people, especially those belonging to the younger age bracket may snigger and say golf is very slow paced. Thus, it is a game for adults, since it requires little energy compared to other sports or games like basketball or football. To those people, I ask you to reconsider. Golf, a very old game, has endured time and has proven to be very good to a person’s health. While it does not require from its players perfect cardiovascular shape, it does demand that a player possess stamina, flexibility, and coordination, among others. It requires one to stay outdoors for long periods of time and tread the contours of a golf course for as long as the golf ball does not enter the hole or the cup. For me, however, my love affair with golf is not based on health reasons alone. I am addicted to the positive feeling of being challenged to do better every time. I take note that no two golf courses are the same; and I look forward to grabbing the opportunity to conquer each new golf course that I play on. This feeling of exhilaration, excitement and determination drives me to be a better player and a healthier person, for I know that in reality, my competitors are not those friends whom I intend to defeat every time. Rather, my real competitor is myself, for every time I play my only desire is to do better and outdo myself.

Eli Lillys Perspectives Of Utilitarianism

Eli Lillys Perspectives Of Utilitarianism Ever since the mid-1970s, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issued stricter rules on informed consent, high compensation has been necessary to attract research subjects for pharmaceutical tests. This generally means that the lowest income people in the U.S. are the ones who participate, since few people with comfortable financial circumstances volunteer to be guinea pigs for the drug companies. Before approving the sale of newly discovered drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that the drug is put through 3 phrases of tests after being tested on animals. In phase 1, the drug is taken by healthy human individuals to determine whether it has any side effects. In phase 2, the drug is given to small group of sick patients to determine the dosage levels. In phase 3, the drug is given to large number of sick patients by doctors and hospitals to determine its efficacy. Seriously, participation in drug and medical studies is a dangerous mission. No one knows the long term side effects of the drugs that volunteers take. Although the drug is tested by the animals, it still has a certain percentage of risk to the test subject. The Wall Street journal published an article that reported Eli Lilly, maker of Prozac, uses homeless people to test drugs for FDA approval. The Eli Lilly program, which pays $85 per day, is reportedly to recruit the people through soup kitchens, prisons, and shelters. This journal has aroused a thrill of discussion and comments from the society. Some critics comment on the Eli Lilly Companys decision is unethical by recruiting those homeless alcoholics which may harm their life. However, there are some people who support the decision made by Eli Lilly Company. In fact, the decision is hardly to be described either ethical or unethical. Thus, we must analyze the outcome whether it is positive or negative. In the theory of utilitar ianism, torturing a person who knows the position of a bomb which will kill a number of people is a good act. It is because this act could prevent the pain or death of the innocent people who are exploded by the bomb. Do you think Eli Lillys practice is the right action from the perspective of utilitarianism? 1.0 Answer: In the perspective of utilitarianism, Eli Lilly Company practices a right action. Based on the theory of utilitarianism, it is hedonistic which focuses on the pursuit of pleasure. An action is good if it brings about the most amount of pleasure or happiness for the most people and the least amount of pain. 1.1 A chance of cure the disease From the passage, we know that Eli Lilly Company discovered a new drug for sale. The intention of the company is positive which used for curing the specific disease. If the new drug is applicable, it can save a lot of peoples life in the world. When Eli Lilly began using homeless alcoholics for Phase I testing, they met the requirements set forth both by Congress and by the FDA. These subjects came forward, regardless of their personal motivation, to perform a service that would benefit the greater good. This act exemplifies utilitarianism. 1.2 Providing an employment opportunity The test subject is homeless alcoholics who abide by the Congressional requirements of providing informed consent and making a truly voluntary and un-coerced decision. The target subject from soup kitchen, shelters, jails, and homeless alcoholics who selected by the company is a right decision. It is because these people who are leading a vagrant and poverty life. Moreover, they may not have their family members. Thus, this selection could eliminate their worries on their family members. Besides, Eli Lily Company can employ them as their temporary worker to earn some pocket money. Homeless alcoholics are usually poor and lazy which could not afford to own a house themselves. Thus, with a new employment, they could earn money and spend it whatever they wish. This act exemplifies utilitarianism in providing employment opportunities for those unemployed and homeless people. 1.3 Improvement standard of living Eli Lily Company provides a set of benefits to the participants who take part in the drug testing. They can earn $85 per day while receiving a warm bed, food and medical care. Besides, the tests runs for months, participants can make money up to $4500 which is abundant in the point of their views. Thus, they can enjoy a better living compared to a vagrant life. 1.4 Exclude the people who have their family From the decision of Eli Lilly made, the target subject is homeless alcoholics. The reason is the company knows a healthy person will not take an untested substance that is not intended to cure them of anything. Besides, it may have side effects which could lead to unimaginable consequences. Therefore, the company decided to choose those people who do not have a family to have a drug testing. In this case, it can minimize the risk and responsibility that a person has to bear. Besides, the participant will have less worries and burden in taking in a drug test. This act has proved the utilitarianism by minimize the pain in the society. 1.5 Reducing a countrys crime rate Homeless alcoholics are the person who usually unemployed and do not own a house. They might not have enough money to purchase the alcohol beverages and will think out many negative approaches in order to get it. As a result, crime cases like break-in, rob, snatch handbags, and stealing often exist within a country. In Eli Lily Company decision, it utilizes the homeless alcoholics as test subject is mutual beneficial. Homeless alcoholics can the benefit as they sign an informed-consent form to participate in drug testing. The participants can earn $85 per day while receiving a warm bed, food and medical care. Meanwhile, the company could achieve its objective in launching the drug testing in phase 1. As a result, this act exemplifies utilitarianism in term of reducing the probabilities of potential crime rate within a country. Question 2 The concept of a right plays a critical part in many of the moral arguments and moral claims invoked in business discussion. How do you apply the concept of a right in this case study? 2.0 Answer: 2.1 The concept of Right The Concept of Rights is defending an alternative to both of the traditional views and the justified-constraint theory of rights. On this view of concept, a person has a right if a feature of that person is a sound justification for others to have a particular sort of normative constraint. The justified-constraint theory is avoiding the problems which have bedeviled the interest, benefit theories and the choice of will theories. It also will solve the puzzle of the relational nature of rights. On the justified-constraint view, an obligation correlative to a right is the right-holder when it is a feature of the right-holder that justifies the obligation. The analysis also shows that, as far as the concept of rights is concerned, any sort of individual or group can have rights. The limits on what sorts of things have rights are substantive, not conceptual. After that, the justified-constraint solves the problem of the rights of past and future generations. It is a theory which applies, without modification, to past, present and future beings. In this study case, the peoples had signed the informed consent and make a truly voluntary and uncoercived decision agreement with the company. They should know about the test may have some effects to their body but they still sign. According to the justified-constraint theory, those peoples had the responsibility to complete the test. Although the test might have some negative effects, the people must know the test clearly before they had to sign any agreement for the company. The Categorical Imperative is a rule for testing rules of a conduct. It will exclude as immoral any rule of conduct that implies that one person may do something but another, in the similar situation, he will not do the same thing. In other words, it is demands consistency. Contractual right is a part of the concept of right. Contractual rights are deriving from the practice of promise-keeping. They apply to particular individuals to whom contractual promises have been made. Contractual rights arise from specific acts of contract making. They normally come into being when the contract is made, and they reflect the contractual duty that another party has acquired at the same time. Once when they are sign the agreement and get the benefits from the company, they had the contractual duty and provide the service for the company. The test may affect the rest of their life but they still had to do it. So, all the peoples had to understand their reason of choice. Is it a valuable and worthy for them to make this kind of choice. After they make the agreement, they cant break it and must have to complete it. Question 3 What is in your opinion the application of deontological approach to justify Eli Lillys action? 3.0 Answer: The approach used by Eli Lillys action not appropriate. This is because, Eli Lillys company has been trying to keep the product to be really tested before it is sold to the public. The company is using the drunken and mostly suffering from health issues. As the requirement required by the FDA, the U.S Food and Drug Administration law, the product has to be tested by healthy consumers and approved itself by the FDA rules. Therefore the procedure and application of testing by the Eli Lillys action is not fair to all consumers later. The tested drug can be giving a false data as positive. The research for the product to be testified as useable for all consumer later after the product is commercialized will not be accurate. Therefore, it is not applicable. The Eli Lily Company should hire healthy subjects as a tester towards the product. Eli Lily Company maybe cheating and doing the crime, which providing the false data to FDA to seek approval. Eli Lily should run a proper and correct test so that, the FDA will further approve the product in order to be sold later. Other than that, the Eli Lily has been forcing the testers to try the drug, because one of the homeless alcoholic do not even know what type of product he has tested. Therefore already, signing the letter of informed-consent. Informed consent is a type of agreement between two parties which agrees toward the action one tries to take toward another. This is unethical, as it is perceive as the testers are force to do so. However, the Eli Lilys is also encouraging the homeless alcoholic drinker to continue drinking and be homeless. This is because of the rewards given to them is hefty and huge to the homeless. After all the testing rewards is given only for one month. Eli Lily Company should seek true volunteers rather than choosing the drunken homeless. This is because the true volunteers can give a more accurate data, if they are potential product users. Even though Eli Lily is providing good rewards to the homeless, but not drunken homeless are the potential product user later, when the product is commercialized. Eli Lily Company should not try to cheat the government rules and law, by seeking approval using this way. The accurate data from potential users of the product should be submitted instead of the homeless drunken. However to testify the product as use able, should not only be conduct using human testing. Eli Lily should use the technology and bio-technological experts to testify the product. Question 4 In your judgment, is the policy of using homeless alcoholics for test subjects morally appropriate? 4.0 Answer: No. It is morally inappropriate. 4.1 Discrimination This is a form of discrimination toward the potential costumers and homeless alcoholics. This is because the company is making the homeless alcoholic more addicted to the drinking habits when they have the huge reward. The company do not care if the product is going to cause any side effect such as paralysis, organ damage, and other chronicle damage to the potential costumers. The company is taking advantage of the homeless alcoholic weaknesses to test their product by rewarding them. The homeless people are already suffering from their personal problems. But with the reward given, will make it worst. After that, all the reward only last for a month during the testing period. The company could care less about the rest of the potential consumer later, for have not doing the proper testing on the product. For example, company should use the bio or chemical-technology expertise to testify the product. The company is not concern about the side effects of the drugs intent to be sale, but trying to make a business in the environment. 4.2 Against the law and regulation of FDA As stated that the newly discovered drug, it will only be approved for sale by the FDA when the test is on healthy humans only. Therefore, Eli Lilys is doing an unlawful business. The business may result many of public consumers to be suffering from the drug side effect. This is because the company is relying on the drunken homeless alcoholics feedback on their product as a positive feedback in order to get approval from the FDA. The company may be submitting a fraud legal document to the government to be given approval. Therefore many users later, may suffer from the side effect of drugs. The health condition of the homeless drinker maybe different, data cannot be adequate for a positive feedback for use ability for all consumers. The homeless drunk is not appropriate feedback representing to all potential consumers. The product tested by tester should have clue and information about what the product intend to be sold. Therefore, using true volunteer is required. 4.3 Attempt to deceive the participants In general, drunken people are usually posses an unsound mind. It is because they are poisoned by the alcohol and their thinking might be ambiguous. As a result, they may make a wrong decision in participating in the drug testing. In addition, homeless alcoholics may short of money and desperate to gain money as much as possible. They may not think twice before an act. Therefore, truly and uncoercived decision in signing an informed consent is not existed. Besides, the company only pay for the participant $85 a day which is believed as the lowest among its peers. However, because of desperate money in the homeless alcoholics mind have no choice to agree and accept the offer given by the company. 4.4 Absence of a compensation plan Eli Lilly Company did provide the participants in term of money, warm bed, food, and medical care. However, all these things are provided in short term view. The company did not provide them in long term purposes and treat the participants as guinea pigs. Eli Lilly Company did not mention and provided the appropriate compensation plan to the participant in case of death or any side effects. Indeed, they just fulfil the desire of homeless alcoholics and achieve their objective in accomplishing the phase 1 test. The company does not bother a participants safety and danger issues by issuing an appropriate compensation to the injured participant. 4.5 Insufficient of explanation In Eli Lilly Company decision, it did mention the new drug may have dangerous side effect during the testing. Besides, the company also met the requirements set forth both by Congress and by the FDA to launch a drug testing. The FDA requires that participants in such medical test must give their informed consent and make a truly voluntary and uncoercived decision. Unfortunately, the informed consent seems to be failed among the participants. When asking one of the homeless alcoholics, he said he is recruited but he has no idea what kind of drug to be tested on him even though he had signed an informed-consent form. Thus, it has proved that the company did not deliver the adequate information to the intended participant. Conclusion Ethics of an organization is important. This is because the ethics will result towards how the company will be successful. The case of Eli Lilys Company, is a complex situation. The company is at both of moral and ethical clash with law and personal company benefits. Even though the company insist to provide the shelter and financial help to the homeless, but it is still a very selfish act from the company. The FDA, U.S Food and Drugs Administration should consider furthermore of the Eli Lilys company and brand of product. This is because the drug that Eli Lilys produce may not be suitable for the real potential consumers because the tester are not true volunteers to critic and giving positive feedback for the company to develop and testify the product before sale.

Kashmir Issue: Confrontations between India and Pakistani since Partiti

In the late 1940s, when the two competing nationalist for India and Pakistani failed to reach accommodation, Britain decided to partition its Indian empire (Wirsing 22). The role of dividing the empire was on the hands of a British representative (Viceroy Lord Mountbatten). He facilitated creation of a Muslim subcontinent, Pakistani. The state of Pakistani was formed with two flanks (eastern and western) separated by 1500 miles of the new states of India (Wirsing 22). The main aim was to establish a region to be occupied by Muslims in the British India. The origins of Indo-Pakistani conflict over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir are complex, rooted in the process of British colonial withdrawal from the sub-continent (Wirsing 22). Kashmir posed a distinct problem (Wirsing 22), and from the time it was established there have been serial conflicts. Indo-Pakistan war of 1947; this war took place with a formal declaration neither made by Pakistani nor India. The Indian army and rebels, supported by elements of the Pakistani army, fought a series of pitched battles with each side incurring sufficient losses (Ganguly and Devin 163). Indian army succeeded in acquiring some parts of Kashmir during the first days of the war, but this was soon shut down by insufficient equipment supplies and of army training. As soon as the rebels identified Indian army's weakness, they took advantage of the situation. This forced the Indian army into a tactical retreat, but this did not last long before the Indians launched a counter-offensive (Ganguly and Devin 163). To react to this, Pakistan army became directly involved in the war. Kashmir situation was more complex because it had a Muslim majority (about 80 percent), a border w... ...pments in the Indian politics depict an intense hatred between the Muslims and Hindus. Policy makers in both countries need to come up with long-term solutions to prevent further losses of lives. Policies which bridge the gap between differences in political, social and religious beliefs need to be implemented. Works Cited Fernandes, Clinton. Hot Spot: Asia and Oceania. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008. Print. Ganguly, Sumit, and Devin T. Hagerty. Fearful Symmetry: India-Pakistan Crises in the Shadow of Nuclear Weapons. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press, 2006. Print. Lyon, Peter. Conflict between India and Pakistan: an Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Print. Wirsing, Robert. India, Pakistan, and the Kashmir Dispute: on Regional Conflict and its Resolution. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994. Print.

Cat v. Dog Essay -- Papers Pets Household Pet Essays

Cat v. Dog Many households occupy pets. Deciding on a pet can be a difficult decision. The majority of the time people tend to choose either a dog or a cat for their pet. There are many similarities as well as differences between a dog and a cat. However, the differences outnumber the similarities and usually serve as the deciding factor between the two. With either a dog or a cat, there will be a new addition to the family. Much responsibility comes along with this new member. Both depend on their owner entirely for food, shelter, and affection. The dog and the cat require a great deal of time. Both a dog and a cat expect daily attention. Owner loyalty is an advantage to having a dog or cat. The dog and the cat will become good companions with their owner. Both become attached to their owners and vice versa. A dog or cat owner should be prepared for the loss of his or her pet. Both a dog and a cat can become an inconvenience to clean up after. Shedding hair on particular breeds is a hassle with both. Much like a child, they are known to get into things and create unwanted messes. The owner must watch where he or she allows his or her dog or cat to roam. Both the dog and the cat can be inside or outside pets. A future cat or dog owner should take in account the size of his or her home and make sure that it can accommodate his or her new pet. Expenses are another issue with a cat or dog. Veterinarian care is at least required annually. Other health issues may be unavoidable and should be expected. Depending on the size of the cat or dog and the brand an owner chooses, food can be another cost. Whether or not an owner wishes... ...og seem to relish in the simple pleasures of life that humans overlook. A dog wants to play endlessly. A dog will retrieve a stick all day. A dog is never content with the amount of time that itsowner gives them. A cat seldom wants to play and is satisfied with a minute of batting at a dangling fake mouse. A dog is also a great exercise partner, as long as its owner is willing to follow behind a dashing dog. Once the differences and similarities become apparent to a future dog or cat owner, the decision is easy. One should choose a pet that is compatible with his or her lifestyle. A dog and a cat are both great additions to any family. Taking a life into one's hands is a important commitment and should not be taken lightly. After the decision between a cat and dog is made, it is easy to fall in love with the new pet.

Preparing for academic success at a graduate level Essay

Having academic success is what a person strives for as they first pursue a collegiate education especially at a graduate level. But there are instances when the journey is first pursued that many students may feel intimidated by responsibilities, preparedness, and the confinement of certain codes and rules set up by how an instructor may grade and the format a student writes in, like American Psychological Association (APA) style. Knowing that the main goal overall is to graduate and a main component of academic success is writing. Being prepared and responsible may be challenging but can produce a greater reward of success in the future, if managed correctly. Graduate Level Writing At a graduate level responsibility and preparedness are very important. With the main goal being on gaining a degree at graduation, academic writing, knowing personal strengths and weaknesses, finding out and knowing ways to improve on weaknesses, time, and stress are among some of the crucial areas at a graduate level to not only be responsible for but to also be prepared for. Seeing that the occasion of graduation comes with many responsibilities before-hand to reach that ending result, it makes sense that, â€Å"the more serious the occasion the more preparation is required and the more responsibility you have for the occasion, the more preparation is required† (Byrd, 2010). Graduate Level Different from Other Forms of Writing A good source of responsibility to prepare for is academic writing. At a graduate level writing is different because there is a quality and integrity standard and a larger reading audience. As a graduate student writing is a main proponent to academic responsibility, preparedness, and success and it is important to remain authentic in writing style. Authenticity, in writing allows the writer to express a topic creatively and with integrity. But this comes with the challenge of knowing personal strengths and weaknesses when writing. Strengths and Weaknesses of Graduate Level Writing Weaknesses can include poor time management, being ill-prepared, misunderstandings of material and format, stressors in life, and laziness. While strengths can be researching, the codes and rules of proper American Psychological Association (APA) format, citations, and references. Characteristics of Graduate Level Writing When writing at a graduate level the responsibility of integrity should be at the highest priority. By knowing when writing, what part of the subject is common knowledge and what is deemed a major offense called plagiarism. Plagiarism is described in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as the adoption of another’s ideas, works, or words without well deserved credit being given (2012). Using someone else’s words or ideas and not giving due credit is a major infraction that a lot of students resort to whether intentionally or ignorantly. Plagiarism is usually due to poor time management or simple laziness. The suggested format style is American Psychological Association style or better known as APA. Using the APA style includes New Times Roman font, 1 inch margins, double spacing, title page, running head, citations, and references to name a few (APA, 2010). Common knowledge is also often a part of graduate level writing and it is based on how many individuals would know a certain subject to be matter of fact (Purdue University Online, 2007). Being that the core to academic writing is to be authentic and to use integrity, applying APA format to writing is an efficient way to avoid plagiarism and gives freedom to write creativity and honestly and helps eliminate undue stressors. Balancing and Managing Time and Stress Time management is another great way to prepare and get rid of undue stressors that can lead to major offenses such as plagiarism. Procrastination is often a huge problem as a student. Procrastination is an area that shows poor time management and poor time management often leads to stress because things are not done in a timely manner (Scott, 2011). Great ways to manage time for projects or events that come up is to get organized and try to stay that way, building a routine, practicing or forming a good time managing habits, prioritizing by making a to-do list, and having a schedule or a personal planner (Scott, 2011). Having a balance in life is  also a great way to manage time and reduce stress. Balancing exercise and eating better into the daily planner are great choices to make because eating better and exercise aid in thinking clearer which can help you make better choices (Scott, 2011). Another part of balancing is knowing how and when to relax. Breathing exercises, working out, hobbies and interests, or just a quiet setting can promote wellness and relive stress leading to managing life with balance and fulfillment (Scott, 2011). In conclusion, areas of academic writing at a graduate level, time management, how to deal with stress and balancing life academically and personally can be challenging and intimidating at times. So many things can come to mind negatively when accomplishing goals, being responsible, and preparing for a future that cannot be seen yet. A wonderful quote letting an individual know who is holding back the steps to a better future is written by Marianne Williamson (1992) that states, â€Å"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others† (Pgs. 190-191). Being responsible, preparing and adjusting to the demands of a graduate student is inevitable and making the adjustments as a student and knowing what is expected is all part of the journey. References American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Byrd, J. R. (2010). Preparation is Easier Than Being Unprepared. Retrieved July 6, 2014 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Preparation-is-Easier-Than-Being-Unprepared&id=4494958 Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. (2012). Retrieved July 6, 2014 from