The issues of the High-Frequency proximity Radio Frequency Identification systems have become rather important in recent years due to the wide spreading of technology and tags in various spheres of human life. Accordingly, the major focus of this work is the consideration of the High Frequency (HF) proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems in the presence of electromagnetic (EM) interference. The phenomena examined in the paper include eavesdropping and the means to either facilitate or eliminate it through the coded and non-code tags. The paper also contains a review of the relevant literature and the account of the methods by which the data are collected, analyzed, and presented for consideration.
Research context
The research under consideration has the study of the High Frequency (HF) proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems in the presence of electromagnetic (EM) interference. Accordingly, the context for the current research is the ys situation when numerous items of licensed and registered, as well as private and non-licensed, the equipment can be observed in the countrys HF space thus interfering with the work of each other and making the cases of eavesdropping rather numerous. The presence of such an issue leads to certain problems that, for example, the medical or governmental equipment can have in their operation and work results. To support the research, a review of the relevant literature on the topic of HF RFID should be carried out.
Literature review
Scholars have taken their time to examine different aspects of the topic of this research. Thus, Finke and Kelter (2004) and Casciato and Sarabandi (2004) concentrate on the consideration of the transaction range that HF proximity RFID can have under different circumstances. Stating that the usual range is about 15cm, the authors claim that the remotely powered tags and readers transmit signals for a longer distance. Further on, Guerrieri and Novotny (2007) and Kumar et al., (2006) consider the different ways of HF measurement and its influence upon the possibility of eavesdropping in RFID systems. Important data can be found in the European Patent EP1033669, which considers the use of patents in devel the non-standard tags to suppress the negative effects on RFID systems. Harrington (1961) proposes the theory of the simple loop fields, while Hancke (2007) considers the carrier variations necessary to introduce to reduce the eavesdropping cases.
Research methods
The research methods used in this work include the combination of the quantitative and qualitative methods with the study of the relevant previous research on the topic of HF proximity RFID systems. The quantitative method is used to deal with figures implemented to show the results of equations and other mathematical operations involved. The analysis of the figures through the quantitative procedures allows also the implementation of the qualitative method to see the underlying messages in the figures. Finally, the combination of these methods with the study of the relevant research works by other authors allows this research paper to offer avenues for further research (see the respective section).
Data collection and presentation
The data collection procedures also started with the literature review but were continued by the direct research carried out with the help of a 1m loop with the capacity of 50& and the tag with 16kB of memory. Using these tools, the researchers tried to eavesdrop on signals of a commercial-off-the-shelf reader (COTS). As for the data presentation, the technical data, equations, and terminology is supported by visual aids, including schemes, pictures, and tables demonstrating the HF waves and HF proximity RFID systems work.
Avenues for further work
Considering the avenues for the further research work on this topic, the issues of the assurance of anti-eavesdropping protection should be considered. This research has managed to find out that the properly shielded RFID readers can be such protective means but further research is necessary to prove this point in practice. Also, the data security and the possibility of using the non-coded RFID readers in critical conditions should also be further researched.
ISO/IEC 18092 Information technology telecommunications and information exchange between systems Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1) and ISO/IEC 21481 Information technology Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol -2 (NFCIP-2). Finke, T., Kelter, H., Radio Frequency Identification -Abhormoglichkeiten der Kommunikation zwischen Lesegerat und Transponder am Beispiel eines ISO14443-Systems, Bonn 2004.
Guerrieri, J and Novotny, D, NIST Internal Report 818-7-71, HF RFID Eavesdropping and Jamming Tests, 2006 , 2007.
European Patent EP1033669
Harrington, R.F., Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Fields , McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961, pg. 93.
Hancke, G., Modulating a noisy carrier signal for eavesdroppingresistant HF RFID , e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Volume 124, Number 11, 2007, pp 404-8.
Casciato, M.D.; Sarabandi, K.High-frequency radio wave diffraction from singly curved, convex surfaces a heuristic approach , Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation, IEE Proceedings Volume 151, Issue 1, 2004 Page(s): 43 53.
Kumar, A., R. Uma, and V. K. Tripathi, Nonlinear reflection of a high-frequency radio wave by the ionospheric grating created by another wave, Radio Sci., 41, RS4014, 2006.
Does the use of technical information in the classroom improve students performance?
Study Objective
To compare the performance of students taught using information technology against those who use conventional methods of teaching.
Variables
Independent
Information Technology
Traditional methods of teaching
Dependent
Academic performance
Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
The use of information technology in educating students does not improve academic performance more than the use of traditional methods does.
Alternative Hypothesis
The use of information technology in educating students improves academic performance more than the use of traditional methods.
Study Design
This study will employ an experimental research design to establish the effects of information technology on the academic performance of students in different study levels. The researcher will identify one nursery school, one primary school, one high school, and one university to enroll participants in the study. The participants will be assigned to two groups, namely, the experimental and control. The researchers will administer the treatment (information technology method), while the control group will be taught using traditional methods rather than information technology methods (Muijs, 2011).
Randomly selected teachers will be trained to use information technology for a month before the beginning of the term or semester. During the term or semester, the groups will be taught separately using information technology and traditional learning methods respectively. Then, after the end of term or semester, the participants will be given some exams depending on the class and level.
Study Sample
The researchers will enroll between 600-1000 students to form different levels of study including nursery, primary, secondary, and university. The researcher will obtain a permit to undertake the study from the office of ethics on the research board in the county of study.
The inclusion criteria involve schools that have not adopted information technology in their teaching. The classes should not be the first or last grade or class in the respective level of education. The research will disregard whether the chosen school is public or private. Participants must derive from one class or grade in the same faculty of study.
Data Collection
The results of the participant will be evaluated after the period of the study will be over to identify the difference in performance between the groups in specific schools. Besides, the performance of the student after the end of the research will be compared with the performance in the previous term or semester.
Data Analysis
The researcher will use the results of the test administered at the end of the study to determine the effects of information technology on the academic performance of the two groups. The researcher will find the mean of the performances of the participants in the two groups and perform a t-test to establish the statistical significance of the results in the individual level of study (Cohen, Manion, and Keith, 2007). Similarly, the researchers will find the average of the performances of individual participants in the previous term, before the study, and perform a t-test to establish the statistical significance of the difference in the performance, and establish the impact of information technology on the education system (Bryman and Cramer, 2005).
Moreover, the results across all the study groups will be evaluated to establish the difference in the impact of adopting information technology in different levels of study and the relationship to the characteristics of the students.
Research timeline
Teachers selected for research and assigned to experimental groups will be trained on instructing using different forms of information technology including video conferences, and groups. This training will begin on July 1 and end on July 31. Students will be grouped into two a week before the start of the semester or term, that is, from August 23 to August 30. On September 3, the research study will begin with the classes administered simultaneously for the two groups.
This exercise will take continue for the entire term or semester. The participants will be given an exam by the end of the semester, same time as the other students in the school, set by especially for research purposes. The exams for both groups in respective schools will be the same. The examination will start on November 14 and end on the 28th of the same month. Finally, the analysis of the study will take two weeks starting from December 6 and ending on the 20th same month.
Budget
Description
Amount in $
Transport and upkeep of teachers
9,750
Computers
105,350
Internet installation
10,780
Exams
3,450
Total
129,330
Reference List
Bryman, A., & Cramer, D. (2005). Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS 12 and 13: A Guide for Social Scientist. East Sussex: Psychology Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Keith, M. (2007). Research Methods in Education (6th Edition ed.). Oxon: Routledge.
Muijs, D. (2011). Doing Quantitaive Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage Publication Ltd.
The issue of the safety of aviation is of critical importance because aircraft crashes, runway excursions, and other types of air accidents always remain a potential risk to the lives of both passengers and aircraft staff. However, there is one more aspect to this problem. Air transport is perhaps one of the most feared types of transport among the population. Thus, to persuade clients to use an aircraft, it is crucial to keep the risks as low as possible; otherwise, many people might decide not to use air transport at all. Air transport is much safer than most types of surface transport (Wiegmann & Shappell 2003); nevertheless, lowering the risk of air accidents always remains an important problem.
A significant proportion of accidents in the air industry is related not too technical issues but to human factors. Chang, Yang, and Hsiao (2016) identified a range of human factors that may impede a pilots performance and ability to manage an aircraft that lands or takes off; these touch upon a wide array of individual peculiarities and social relationships of a pilot; van Dijk, van de Merwe, and Zon (2011) studied the impact of eye movement on situation awareness; it was found out that different regimes of sleep may significantly affect the physical state of pilots, increasing the chance to err (Aviation human factors 2015); and Davey (2004) researched the impact of educational atmosphere on the future qualities of pilots which may affect their performance.
However, it is reasonable to expect that there are gaps in the literature related to this topic. Furthermore, the progress of technology and developments in education might allow for compensating for human factors that were incapable of being addressed before, and avoid possible errors; such factors and errors might need to be studied in more detail to be dealt with properly. This corroborates the need for further studies of human factors which would identify the most relevant factors, permitting for finding ways and providing recommendations aimed at preventing the related risks.
Aims
By the end of the project, it is aimed to contribute to the research about the human factors affecting the performance of pilots by studying these factors and considering the newest technological developments permitting for compensating for their adverse effects.
Objectives
To review the existing studies about the effect of human errors on the pilot performance.
To identify the currently utilized courses and training that pilots gain to improve their skills.
To explore the new programs and methods of training which have the potential of enhancing the pilot performance and increasing the levels of aircraft safety.
To analyze the most prevalent reasons for the recent accidents in the aviation industry, and the role of human errors in these incidents.
To consider the developments in the aviation industry that might allow for better pilots performance.
To collect and examine data related to the impact of human factors on pilots performance by employing a survey for pilots.
To suggest several ways to avoid human errors and provide a better pilot performance to increase in-flight safety.
Outcomes
By the end of the project, it is expected to reach the established objectives of the study, which might allow for finding ways to increase the levels of safety of individuals who travel or work on aircraft. As a result of the project, it is desirable to provide a review of the current studies about the issue of human errors, and identify the impact of these mistakes on the performance of pilots; to describe the peculiarities of pilot training programs and consider the effect of the curricula and training on the skills and abilities of pilots, as well as to take into consideration the new developments in this field; to make an overview of new curricula and methods of training which might help pilots avoid mistakes or lower the influence of human factors on the aircraft safety, and to come up with several ways that might be useful in lowering the rates of human errors in the aircraft industry.
Research Approach/Methodology
The part of the study that involves processing the already existing knowledge will employ a deductive approach. More specifically, a review of research literature will help achieve most of the established objectives of the study. The limitations are those of a secondary study; the collected data might be heterogeneous and incomplete, its quality will not be controlled closely, etc.
On the other hand, collecting and examining the data about the impact of human factors on pilots performance will employ an inductive approach. Inferential procedures may be utilized to conclude such a study. The limitations include limited capabilities of data collection, possibly small size, and the approximation of the results.
Risk Analysis and Contingency Planning
The review of the literature does not suggest that any risks might become a significant source of trouble while conducting this study. On the other hand, the collection of data from pilots is related to several difficulties such as the need to find a large enough sample. However, it seems that these and similar issues will not become significant sources of risk.
Resources
To carry out the described study, it will be needed to collect the data related to the influence of human factors on flight safety. The data will be obtained primarily from research studies the results of which were published in peer-reviewed academic journals. A vast array of such articles may be accessed by utilizing the university library. In particular, several scientific databases (such as ProQuest or EBSCOhost) might be employed to find the desired data. In addition, because it will be required to collect information about recent accidents in the aircraft industry, it might be possible that a need in reviewing online news related to the topic arises.
Of course, it will also be necessary to collect primary data from pilots of aircraft by using a survey.
Code of Ethics
The possible ethical considerations of the study which is offered in this paper are related to the fact that the data which will be collected from the pilots might be related to their features. However, during the study, it will be attempted to collect only that data that has an impact on the performance of a pilot. It is clear that before conducting the survey, the researcher will have to obtain informed consent from those who will be the respondents of the study. It will also be necessary to ensure that the privacy of the participants is kept.
Reading/References
Aviation human factors related industry news 2015, Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 67-69.
Chang, YH, Yang, HH, & Hsiao, YJ 2016, Human risk factors associated with pilots in runway excursions, Accident Analysis and Prevention, vol. 94, pp. 227-237.
Davey, CL 2004, The impact of human factors on ab initio pilot training, Gender, Work and Organization, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 627-647.
Van Dijk, H, van de Merwe, K, & Zon, R 2011, A coherent impression of the pilots situation awareness: studying relevant human factors tools, International Journal of Aviation Psychology, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 343-356.
Wiegmann, DA, & Shappell, SA 2003, A human error approach to aviation accident analysis: the human factors analysis and classification system, Ashgate Publishing Company, Burlington, VT.
Rodney Brooks invented Baxter in 2012. These are robots that perform small repetitive jobs such as packing and sorting items (Baxter with intera, 2014 ). They are cheap enough for companies and individuals who cannot afford enormous and more sophisticated robots. They captured my attention because they are not huge and ugly as ordinary robots. This technology will impact the performance of companies by reducing the time spent on repetitive duties such as packing. In case my employers buy this robot, I will not be affected personally, but the performance of the entire company will improve. This invention has the potential for improvement. Its inventors can make a bigger and more efficient robot that can work on more involving jobs.
Advantages
Hastens the handling of tasks in companies
It does not require special skills, except when installing the robot.
The issues of the High-Frequency proximity Radio Frequency Identification systems have become rather important in recent years due to the wide spreading of technology and tags in various spheres of human life. Accordingly, the major focus of this work is the consideration of the High Frequency (HF) proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems in the presence of electromagnetic (EM) interference. The phenomena examined in the paper include eavesdropping and the means to either facilitate or eliminate it through the coded and non-code tags. The paper also contains a review of the relevant literature and the account of the methods by which the data are collected, analyzed, and presented for consideration.
Research context
The research under consideration has the study of the High Frequency (HF) proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems in the presence of electromagnetic (EM) interference. Accordingly, the context for the current research is the ys situation when numerous items of licensed and registered, as well as private and non-licensed, the equipment can be observed in the countrys HF space thus interfering with the work of each other and making the cases of eavesdropping rather numerous. The presence of such an issue leads to certain problems that, for example, the medical or governmental equipment can have in their operation and work results. To support the research, a review of the relevant literature on the topic of HF RFID should be carried out.
Literature review
Scholars have taken their time to examine different aspects of the topic of this research. Thus, Finke and Kelter (2004) and Casciato and Sarabandi (2004) concentrate on the consideration of the transaction range that HF proximity RFID can have under different circumstances. Stating that the usual range is about 15cm, the authors claim that the remotely powered tags and readers transmit signals for a longer distance. Further on, Guerrieri and Novotny (2007) and Kumar et al., (2006) consider the different ways of HF measurement and its influence upon the possibility of eavesdropping in RFID systems. Important data can be found in the European Patent EP1033669, which considers the use of patents in devel the non-standard tags to suppress the negative effects on RFID systems. Harrington (1961) proposes the theory of the simple loop fields, while Hancke (2007) considers the carrier variations necessary to introduce to reduce the eavesdropping cases.
Research methods
The research methods used in this work include the combination of the quantitative and qualitative methods with the study of the relevant previous research on the topic of HF proximity RFID systems. The quantitative method is used to deal with figures implemented to show the results of equations and other mathematical operations involved. The analysis of the figures through the quantitative procedures allows also the implementation of the qualitative method to see the underlying messages in the figures. Finally, the combination of these methods with the study of the relevant research works by other authors allows this research paper to offer avenues for further research (see the respective section).
Data collection and presentation
The data collection procedures also started with the literature review but were continued by the direct research carried out with the help of a 1m loop with the capacity of 50& and the tag with 16kB of memory. Using these tools, the researchers tried to eavesdrop on signals of a commercial-off-the-shelf reader (COTS). As for the data presentation, the technical data, equations, and terminology is supported by visual aids, including schemes, pictures, and tables demonstrating the HF waves and HF proximity RFID systems work.
Avenues for further work
Considering the avenues for the further research work on this topic, the issues of the assurance of anti-eavesdropping protection should be considered. This research has managed to find out that the properly shielded RFID readers can be such protective means but further research is necessary to prove this point in practice. Also, the data security and the possibility of using the non-coded RFID readers in critical conditions should also be further researched.
ISO/IEC 18092 Information technology telecommunications and information exchange between systems Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1) and ISO/IEC 21481 Information technology Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol -2 (NFCIP-2). Finke, T., Kelter, H., Radio Frequency Identification -Abhormoglichkeiten der Kommunikation zwischen Lesegerat und Transponder am Beispiel eines ISO14443-Systems, Bonn 2004.
Guerrieri, J and Novotny, D, NIST Internal Report 818-7-71, HF RFID Eavesdropping and Jamming Tests, 2006 , 2007.
European Patent EP1033669
Harrington, R.F., Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Fields , McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961, pg. 93.
Hancke, G., Modulating a noisy carrier signal for eavesdroppingresistant HF RFID , e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Volume 124, Number 11, 2007, pp 404-8.
Casciato, M.D.; Sarabandi, K.High-frequency radio wave diffraction from singly curved, convex surfaces a heuristic approach , Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation, IEE Proceedings Volume 151, Issue 1, 2004 Page(s): 43 53.
Kumar, A., R. Uma, and V. K. Tripathi, Nonlinear reflection of a high-frequency radio wave by the ionospheric grating created by another wave, Radio Sci., 41, RS4014, 2006.
In the modern world, electric and hybrid cars have become a common phenomenon. Numerous people buy such vehicles because they try to reduce the amount of carbon emission, which is useful for the environment. Current technology aims at increasing the energy capacity of these cars to allow drivers to overcome longer distances without charging, and Regenerative Braking Systems (RBS) are a suitable option here.
It is so because this model makes it possible for a hybrid or electric car to obtain a portion of energy while braking. In general, when a vehicle applies brakes, it produces kinetic energy that can be turned into fuel for such cars with the help of a specific structure. This technology is requested now because it contributes to the longer working cycles of the vehicles. However, the RBS is not an ideal technology, and it implies some concerns. Thus, the main objectives of this research are to present a schematic of this model, explains how it works, comment on its advantages and disadvantages as well as predict its future.
Schematic
In general, the RBS is a relatively simple circuit that implies two modes. On the one hand, it is necessary to comment on a drive mode. Since the system under consideration refers to pure electric and hybrid cars, it is not a surprise that a battery is a central part of this system. This device stores energy and a motor consumes it to affect the transmission and make the wheels turn. This process is the main aspect that makes such vehicles move.
On the other hand, a regeneration mode implies an appropriate component that refers to a motor controller that predetermines how a car will apply brakes. It is so because this device has the potential to generate some energy by making the motor work differently. Once this happens, the electric current appears, and the motor controller transforms it back to the battery. Consequently, one can say that the RBS is a closed circuit, where the dual nature of the motor contributes to the fact that it both uses and generates energy. Figure 1 below by CarBike Tech (2019) demonstrates the energy flow and the correlation between the system components.
One should mention that the system above describes the performance of pure electric cars. When it comes to hybrid vehicles, however, it is not necessary to forget that such cars have both electric motors and mechanical transmission. Thus, Gupta, Khan, and Khan (2019) stipulate that these systems manage to work together with the help of power-split devices that make it possible to choose an appropriate source of energy to power a vehicle. Thus, such cars have two various sources of power, but it does not offer any issues for regenerative braking. When an RBS is applied, it sends obtained energy back to the batteries, rather than to the engine.
Working Principles
Even though the RBS seems to be a complicated technology, it works with the help of principles that are easy to understand. According to Gupta, Khan, and Khan (2019, p. 1600), a regenerative brake is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into another useful form of energy electric current. This transformation is possible because a motor acts as a generator.
Usually, a motor turns the wheels in an appropriate direction to make a vehicle move, which results in the creation of kinetic energy. When conventional braking systems are applied, they affect the wheels to make a car stop, and the kinetic energy disappears as heat.
When it comes to electric and hybrid cars, however, there is a possibility to reuse this resource and avoid heat emission. Here, when a driver brakes, it initiates a reverse rotation of the motor, which reduces the speed without friction. One should mention that there is friction neither between the wheels and the brakes nor between the wheels and the ground. In this case, the kinetic energy does not vanish but affects the motor to generate an electric current. After that, the produced power flows to a battery where it is stored for future use (Karthik, 2019, para. 6).
Effective work of the RBS is possible mainly because of motor controllers. It is so because these devices analyze the speed of wheel rotation, decide when braking begins and stops as well as control the inflow of electricity in vehicle batteries. Here, it is necessary to mention that batteries have limited capacity, which means that generating power can be harmful to a vehicle under certain conditions. If such a situation occurs, and a driver presses the brake pedal to stop, the motor controller chooses to use a conventional braking system instead of an RBS to reduce the vehicle speed.
RBS Advantages and Disadvantages
As has been mentioned above, the RBS has both positive and negative features. It is a normal phenomenon because it is impossible to invent technology that would not have any drawbacks. Thus, mentioning these features is necessary to identify the merits and flaws of this system, which will demonstrate whether it is beneficial to use the RBS in the modern world. In addition to that, the adverse elements can show what improvements the given technology requires.
Disadvantages
To begin with, many people mention that the RBS is not worth considering because it cannot restore all energy that has disappeared or even close to it. According to Loveday (2019, para. 5), regenerative braking can only restore up to 30% of initial energy. That is why it is impossible to say that this system provides vehicles with essential fuel intake. Furthermore, there exists a belief that the brakes of this kind are not effective when high speed is involved, which endangers electric and hybrid car drivers and other road users (Zhang, 2018). As a result, such vehicles are also equipped with conventional friction brakes to meet safety requirements.
The next disadvantage relates to the construction of the given systems. As a rule, electric and hybrid cars have ordinary batteries as their source of energy. Even though they are popular now, it does not mean that these devices are free from defects. Partridge and Abouelamaimen (2019, p. 1) stipulate that high power charging can cause battery degradation, impacting performance and lifetime. The researchers emphasize that it is more reasonable to use supercapacitors because they can absorb much power and possess excellent cycling features (Partridge and Abouelamaimen, 2019).
In addition to that, one should recall that the presence of the RBS does not eliminate the necessity to equip cars with conventional braking systems. According to Loveday (2019, para. 7), friction brakes are mainly required to bring a vehicle to a full stop. The disadvantages above show that this technology can offer some problems, but its positive phenomena that will be presented further mitigate the adverse impact.
Advantages
Even though the RBS can only restore a small part of the energy used, fuel economy is the most significant benefit when it comes to using such braking systems. It is so because this invention can provide vehicle batteries with regular intake of power irrespective of its amount. It is so because even insignificant portions of energy increase the working cycles of vehicles. Consequently, drivers can charge their cars without the necessity to stop and find appropriate stations. This option results in cheaper and more convenient maintenance of the vehicles, which is attractive for multiple individuals.
In addition to that, the absence of friction that has been explained above denotes that the vehicle braking system and tires feature longer working lives. There is no doubt that this fact contributes to the more effective performance of such cars. Furthermore, since any friction is absent, electric and hybrid vehicles apply brakes without producing heat and dust that harm the environment.
The information above demonstrates that the RBS has essential benefits that explain why the given system is applied in the modern world. This system is suitable for electric and hybrid cars, but its drawbacks show that the RBS application implies a few concerns. At the same time, engineers try to overcome the adverse effects with the help of the advantages that are present in the fields of fuel efficiency, costs, performance, and environmental impact.
Alternative Use and the Future of Technology
Even though it has been mentioned a few times that the RBS is suitable for electric and hybrid cars, these vehicles are not the only area of application of this system. Gupta, Khan, and Khan (2019) explain that the RBS is also applied in railway transportation, where electricity generated during braking is sent back to the supply chain. The researchers stipulate that the railway industry witnesses a more effective use of this braking system because it can return up to 40% of initial energy (Gupta, Khan and Khan, 2019, p. 1606).
Consequently, one can say that it is possible to increase RBS efficiency. In addition to that, the given system is useful in so-called real-life conditions. It refers to the fact that individuals can use the RBS principles to generate electricity at home. In this case, a bicycle generator is a suitable example that demonstrates how people can benefit from the alternative use of regenerative braking.
The future of this technology depends on whether engineers will manage to minimize its disadvantages and strengthen its positive features. Here, the most significant attention should be drawn to increasing the energy return rate and using a useful source of power. While achieving higher energy restoring rates seems to be a hypothetical goal, there exist firm hopes that it is possible to improve the situation with specific power elements. As has been mentioned, traditional batteries are not effective because they tend to degrade because of high power charging.
At the same time, they can be profitably replaced by supercapacitors that are known as productive electrochemical devices. Partridge and Abouelamaimen (2019, p. 2) stipulate that the supercapacitors feature rapid charge/discharge cycle, long cycle life and very high power densities. That is why it could be logical to suppose that the use of these devices would increase the efficiency of regenerative braking. However, the difference is not essential because of lower charge rates at the end of the charging profile, which is explained by the structure of supercapacitors (Partridge and Abouelamaimen, 2019). As a result, these devices have the potential to make the RBS future better, but it requires more engineering effort.
Conclusion
Regenerative braking systems can be applied in a few spheres, but electric and hybrid cars stand for the most popular variant. When evaluating the performance and effectiveness of these systems, it is necessary to determine what consequences they are expected to generate at first. On the one hand, when some people consider regenerative braking an almost limitless source of energy for electric vehicles, the systems fail to cope with the task because they have limited capacity. On the other hand, regenerative braking becomes more efficient when it appears as an auxiliary power source that can increase the working cycles of specific vehicles. This information denotes that the effectiveness of this technology is a variable that depends on who evaluates this phenomenon.
However, it is possible to compare regenerative braking with conventional braking systems to determine which one is more effective. Thus, traditional braking is better because it can bring a car to a standstill, and this system is irreplaceable for emergency stops. When it comes to other parameters, regenerative braking systems apply essential advantages. Firstly, they do not waste kinetic energy because it is transformed into additional power for electric cars.
It is of significance in the modern world, where recycling trends are popular. Secondly, the absence of friction leads to longer working cycles of tires and braking systems, which leads to both economic and performance benefits. Finally, regenerative braking does not have any negative influence on the environment and saves the existing resources. Thus, one can say that regenerative braking systems are useful devices, but their positive impact can become better with the help of further innovation.
Reference List
CarBike Tech (2019) What is regenerative braking in cars and how does it work? Web.
Gupta, R., Khan, N. and Khan, S. (2019) Comparative study on regenerative braking system, International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 06(07), pp. 1599-1606.
Partridge, J. and Abouelamaimen, D. I. (2019) The role of supercapacitors in regenerative braking systems, Energies, 12(14), pp. 1-15.
Zhang, H. (2018) Research on regenerative braking combined control method for ESP of pure electric cars, Chemical Engineering Transaction, 66, pp. 1315-1320.
The following is an analysis of the research carried out in Nigeria about the impacts of the exterior atmosphere on the performance of an institute in the food and beverage industry (Olarewaju, 2012).
During the research, there was reviewing of literature regarding both the types of exterior factors influencing a business and the aspects determining the performance of an organization. Furthermore, there were random sampling and selection of three firms out of Nigerias all companies in the sector of food and beverages to participate in the research occurred. There was stratification of the sampled organizations into external factors such as political, social, cultural, economic, and cultural variables. To collect data, the distribution of the questionnaires related to the external factors to the workers of the selected firms happened and eighty-four percent of the respondents filled in and returned their questionnaires.
Besides, the data recorded was analyzed through a multiple regression analysis whereby the organizations performance was the dependent variable and the external factors were the independent variables. From the analysis of the results, there was conclusion that the external factors influenced the performance of any organization in the food and beverage industry. Hence, the researchers recommended the organizations in the food and beverage sector to be attentive to their exterior environment as a way of maintaining their efficiency, competence, boost sales, and accomplish the corporate goals (Olarewaju, 2012).
Analysis of the Research from Ethical Standpoint
From an ethical standpoint, there are various questions raised about the above research process (Joungtrakul & Bobbie, 2012). That is, where do the responsibilities begin and end for the researcher? What are the research standards that guide the researchers work? What is the researchers relationship with the sample subjects? What environment is the researcher interacting with during the research? What are the ethics governing the researcher outside the professional rules and regulations of researching? These questions analyze how the research incorporates the effects the research has on society, ecology, environment, culture, and the overall globe (Lisa, 2008).
From the questions, the participants in the research process voluntarily consent to involve themselves in the research. Besides, the question clarifies the process of researching and the benefits the research contributes to the society-the research must have sound theory and have no negative impacts on the community. Lastly, the question outlines that the researcher needs to protect the environment during the research (Center of Bioethics University of Minnesota, 2003).
Assessment of the Ethical Research
The researchers aim of beginning to research on the topic rests on the researchers personal involvement in the topic and this could impact the expected results and the participation of the researcher. However, in this research, personal involvement does not influence the results, as there is greater cooperation and coordination among different people, from different institutions and careers (Resnik, 2011).
As a result, before commencing the research, the researcher determined how to undertake the research without conflicting the rules and regulations by causing negative effects of the research on the sample subject and the public (Lisa, 2008).
Furthermore, during the research, the researcher chooses the research methodology carefully. For instance, the researcher employed questionnaire, which is an indication that the researcher informed the sample subjects about the research and its importance to the society (Lisa, 2008). By employing questionnaires, which fail to demand for respondents personal details or appearance when giving responses, the researcher observed the rules of confidentiality (Joungtrakul & Bobbie, 2012). Finally, when respondents filled-in the research questionnaire, the researcher allowed the respondents to exercise their freedom, they were free to submit the questionnaire or not.
Quantitative research is the type of study which uses an analysis based on mathematics and statistics. Various tests and models exist that helps to draw accurate conclusions about processes or events. The field of facilities maintenance is very technology-oriented, and many aspects require a mathematical approach. Although qualitative research proves to be useful when collecting opinions, this field needs the application of quantitative methods to measure the effectiveness of technology maintenance on each of the studied spots.
Methods and Tools
A typical quantitative research starts with the review of data that was either obtained through interviews or collected from measurements of technical performance. Both methods of collecting information are useful when addressing either human or technical performance. However, while qualitative research uses this data to compare and contrast different values, quantitative methods integrate it in various tests to prove a hypothesis. A hypothesis section is usually mentioned at the beginning of the study and includes two or more statements that are usually contradictory. The null hypothesis, as a general rule, implies that given variables do not have a significant impact on a studied value, while the alternative one insists on the opposite.
Models and tests are the essential part of any quantitative research. Some of the most popular are the ANOVA, the t-test, the Chi-square, and others. For instance, the study by Zhou, Kou, and Ergu (2014) features a proportional intensity model that was applied to measure the failure and repair rates as the part of a maintenance process in a particular site. Two composite models were also used, as well as geometrical calculations of graphic functions. The harmonic analysis method was used to measure the weekly failure level.
Effectiveness
Quantitative research proves to be very effective regarding prediction and evaluation of results. Statistical methods help to calculate the possibility of results that were acquired by an occurrence. Besides, errors can be tested by manipulating the size of the studied pool of data or the other variables that are independent. For instance, if the population is small and some people have provided answers that do not fit in the general picture, the number of questioned individuals should be increased to see if the initial deviation is a trend or an occurrence. Moreover, the way of representing data via linear graphs helps researchers to make predictions for the future if there is a clear trend seen on the model. This is probably the most valuable feature of quantitative research that differentiates it from qualitative studies.
Company Example
One of the companies that used quantitative research in the facilities maintenance field was PetroSA GTL refinery. The case study by Mahlangu and Kruger (2015) identified several objectives that had to be addressed, which included the connection between production output, profitability, and maintenance management. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to calculate the link between these objectives.
Some qualitative methods were also addressed to help build the overall picture of performance based on the interview answers of employees. The statistical approach helped to define a positive trend of a well-performed maintenance management style affecting the profitability rate of the company. This research was focused on the management impact, yet quantitative methods could also be used to measure any risks or casualties related to the usage of facilitys technology.
Future of Quantitative Research
Despite the fact that quantitative research calls for collecting a lot of data, it can currently be obtained in an easy way even without visiting a facility. For instance, interviews could be conducted via phones or the Internet, the latter of which is currently the second most popular way after the face-to-face method. Although there are some risks associated with a certain level of bias, these results can be very useful in evaluating things like performance based on self-assessment, along with the level of work satisfaction.
Globalization is becoming more powerful nowadays, and quantitative research could help to maintain facilities overseas. For instance, a group of researchers has studied the performance of an offshore wind farm by applying statistical models to the data obtained from the facility (Pliego Marugan, Garcia Marquez, & Pinar Perez, 2016). The main result received at the end states that there is a high probability of technology failure in this type of facility, yet the smart management style could help to control the situation and keep the number of such events to a minimum.
Once again, this example demonstrates that quantitative research can be used to make predictions and propositions about management tools in the field of facilities maintenance, which is valuable taking into consideration the fact that many head employees in this sector are more specialized in technology rather than leadership.
Conclusion
Quantitative research offers tools and methods that help to make accurate results and draw conclusions based on mathematical modeling. The future of this type of research seems bright as it is the most applicable when studying technological processes, and this fields is rapidly growing. Moreover, the trend of globalizing business that opts for maintaining facilities overseas also needs quantitative tools to measure the effectiveness of distant operations.
References
Mahlangu, B., & Kruger, L. (2015). The impact of the maintenance management system: A case study of the PetroSA GTL refinery. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 26(3), 167-182. Web.
Pliego Marugan, A., Garcia Marquez, F. P., & Pinar Perez, J. M. (2016). Optimal maintenance management of offshore wind farms. Energies, 9(1), 1-20. Web.
Zhou, Y., Kou, G., & Ergu, D. (2014). Analyzing operating data to measure the maintenance performance. Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 31(2), 251-263. Web.
Probability acts as essential tool in determining the performance of individuals. In this case, the performance of judges in three categories of courts can be determined by applying probability analysis, which considers the total cases conducted by each judge, the number of appeals, and reversed cases.
Probability of Cases being appealed and reversed
Common plea courts
Total number of appeals =1762
Total numbers of reversal is 199
Probability= (199/1762)100=11.29% or 0.1129
Domestic relations court
Total numbers of appeals=106
Total number of reversals=17
Probability= (17/106)100=16.04% or 0.1604
Municipal court
Total numbers of appeal=500
Total numbers of reversals=104
Probability= (104/500)100=20.80% or 0.2080
Probability of a case being appealed for each judge
The Formulae is a total number of appeals divided by the total number of cases (Anderson, Sweeney &Williams, 2012).
Common plea courts
Domestic relation courts
Municipal courts
Probability of a case being reversed for each judge
The general formulae is total reversed cases divided by total cases (Anderson, Sweeney &Williams,2012).
Common plea courts
Domestic relation courts
Municipal courts
Reversal on appeal given to each judge
General formulae is a total number of reversals divided by the total number of appeals for each judge (Anderson, Sweeney &Williams,2012).
Common plea courts
Domestic relation courts
Municipal courts
Ranking judges on the basis of the quality of their services
Ranking of judges started from the best performing to those who make many mistakes. The probability of reversal given an appeal for each judge was considered. Those with the lowest probability value were considered as high performing judges(Anderson, Sweeney &Williams,2012).
Common plea courts
Domestic relation courts
Municipal courts
From the probability results based on different categories, it is easier to determine performance of judges based on the appealed cases and the reversed cases. Through probability analysis, the performance of judges can be ranked from highly performing ones to those who make mistakes when giving their verdict (Anderson, Sweeney &Williams,2012).
Reference
Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D.J., & Williams, T.A. (2012). Essentials of statistics for business and economics. South-Western Cengage Learning.
The analysis of the efficient scores data in the excel sheet is as shown in the descriptive Table 1 below.
Descriptive Statistics
Efficiency Scores
N
Mean
Std. Deviation
Std. Error
95% Confidence Interval for Mean
Minimum
Maximum
Lower Bound
Upper Bound
small
74
.69987975
.124491628
.014471858
.67103738
.72872212
.360904
1.000000
medium
208
.74428702
.113083606
.007840937
.72882869
.75974535
.408013
1.000000
large
79
.79339540
.109032200
.012267081
.76897352
.81781729
.460748
1.000000
Significantly Large
36
.78594411
.089160985
.014860164
.75577637
.81611184
.604460
.964718
Total
397
.74955926
.116470069
.005845465
.73806724
.76105128
.360904
1.000000
Table 1: Descriptive statistics.
The table shows the count, mean, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation values similar to those presented in the research. The results are presented in eight decimal places as compared to the published researchs four decimal places. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the significance of firms size on their efficiency scores in the dataset is shown in the Table 2 below.
ANOVA
Efficiency Scores
Sum of Squares
df
Mean Square
F
Sig.
Between Groups
.388
3
.129
10.195
.000
Within Groups
4.984
393
.013
Total
5.372
396
Table 2: ANOVA.
The ANOVA results show a statistically significant effect of a firms size on its efficiency. The F value and p-value obtained F(3, 393) = 10.195, p = 0.000 were significant since the p-value was less than the significance level of 0.05. Since the ANOVA test shows a statistically significant difference between the groups, post-hoc analysis was conducted to investigate multiple comparisons between the groups. The post-hoc analysis based on the least-significant difference was conducted, and the results are as shown in Table 3 below.
Multiple Comparisons
Dependent Variable: Efficiency Scores
LSD
(I) Size
(J) Size
Mean Difference (I-J)
Std. Error
Sig.
95% Confidence Interval
Lower Bound
Upper Bound
small
medium
-.044407265*
.015242924
.004
-.07437514
-.01443939
large
-.093515650*
.018218289
.000
-.12933315
-.05769816
Significantly Large
-.086064354*
.022883397
.000
-.13105354
-.04107517
medium
small
.044407265*
.015242924
.004
.01443939
.07437514
large
-.049108385*
.014882881
.001
-.07836841
-.01984836
Significantly Large
-.041657089*
.020328403
.041
-.08162311
-.00169107
large
small
.093515650*
.018218289
.000
.05769816
.12933315
medium
.049108385*
.014882881
.001
.01984836
.07836841
Significantly Large
.007451296
.022645160
.742
-.03706951
.05197210
Significantly Large
small
.086064354*
.022883397
.000
.04107517
.13105354
medium
.041657089*
.020328403
.041
.00169107
.08162311
large
-.007451296
.022645160
.742
-.05197210
.03706951
*. The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.
Table 3: Multiple Comparisons.
The post-hoc analysis results from the analysis of the data are similar to the published researchs results. The results show significant means difference between small, medium, and large shipping firms. The p-values for comparing small, medium, and large shipping firms are all less than 0.05; implying statistically significant mean differences. The P-value of the efficiency mean differences between large firms and significantly large firms is 0.742 which is greater than 0.05. Therefore, the difference between large and significantly large shipping firms are not statistically significant.
The results in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 in published research used the Durbin Watson test of autocorrelation between market orientation and firm performance. The analysis in Table 1 showed a single market orientation factor with small statistical significance on firm performance from the test. The test researcher partially accepted the hypothesis which would have rather been rejected. The analysis in Table 2 showed; the firm size was statistically significant to its performance, confirmed by the ANOVA test showing the researchers results were correct. The analysis in Table 3 shows hierarchical regression analysis in testing firm sizes effect on market orientation.
The results showed significant p-values that led to the acceptance of the hypothesis. The researchers use of Durbin Watsons tests for testing the hypothesis was effective for testing correlations since similar results were shown in the ANOVA test presented in Table 5 of the published research.
