Causes of Rework and cost overuns in construction of sea water Thesis Proposal

Causes of Rework and cost overuns in construction of sea water desalination projects in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Thesis Proposal Example Desalination is a very important term, especially for the countries where fresh water resources are scarce. It could be any process that removes a vast amount of salt and other minerals from the water. Habitually, it is known as the procedure of drawing the salts and minerals. It is best to purify your water with the process of desalinated and then use it for drinking and as well as for irrigational activities. This is the same process which is being used by many seagoing ships and sub-marines (Love et. al. 2004). In today’s world, desalination is mainly used for developing cost-effective ways of giving fresh water to such regions of the world where fresh water is in meager amount. If you are intending to do a large scale desalination process then you may also need massively powered infrastructures but it is sure to increase the expense you will pay on the overall project, so it is better to make the usage of fresh water from rivers or wells etc. According to the census performed n April 2010, Saudi Arab had a population of 27,136,977 humans out of which 18,707,576 were recognized as nationals and others were living with no nationality. Due to an overwhelming economic and urban growth of this country, more than 95% of the whole population has been settled down now. Some cities even have densities of more than thousand people per square kilometer. About 50% of the total water used in this country is generated by the process of desalination, whereas the other 40% is extracted from the mining of non-renewable groundwater, the remaining 10% is simply taken off from the surface water. This research will highlight the issues related to desali9nation processes in Saudi Arab which cause cost overruns. Problem Statement: The problem which will be studied in this research is: Causes of Rework and cost overruns in construction of sea water desalination projects in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Research Objectives: There are four main objecti ves of this research which are listed below: To study existing sea water desalination projects for cost overruns To explore the reasons of rework and cost overruns in sea water desalination projects To investigate low cost alternatives which can control the cost of sea water desalination projects in Saudi Arabia To find ways of avoiding this cost overruns if construction of sea water desalination projects in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Research Scope and limitation: This research will study 2 cases where cost overrun has been reported in construction of sea water desalination projects in Saudi Arab. Due to the constraint of time and budget, it is not possible to study the whole universe in this research. However, the case study selection will be based on the criteria that the projects which represent and can highlight the problems of all existing desalination projects should be chosen. This research is limited in the sense that not every existing sea water desalination project will be s tudied under it. Also, it is not possible for the researcher to study every aspect of the problem under discussion, so this research is limited to study of aspects of cost overrun. Methodology: For any research, qualitative or quantitative, primary or secondary, the most important part is its methodology. Methodology sets the stage for all further work to be done in any research (Gauch, 2002). Research can be done successfully and the objectives can be achieved if the research methodology laid out to conduct this research is properly planned. As research methodology is what leads any research towards its success, its importance can never be undermined in case of any research (Symon, et. al., 2000). This research is focused basically on primary data collection. A lot of tests and experiments have been conducted to get the required

Miitary information paper and position paper Essay

Miitary information paper and position paper - Essay Example Although the restructuring of various defence departments has elicited criticism, many critics believe that the process has been successful. The structure of the State Department’s Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization’s (S/CRS) and Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) are similar, i.e. in both bodies, the command comes from a single unit. For instance, S/CRS receives its command from the chair in the same manner as the command is delivered from the head of JCS. These defence institutions have a single command base which enables them to effectively execute their missions. Composition structure has stakeholders from various defence departments, which makes the process of security provision effective. The S/CRS and JSC observe the military protocols that begin from the President to respective commandants. Military protocol is critical to the success of these units because it eliminates misconception between various defence departments. The law has provisions that enable the JSC to launch a disagreement to the intended operation the same provision applies to the C/CRS in influencing the decision made by the Defence Secretary or the President (Mullen 12). In the United States history, military advice is critical to military development. For instance, the Congress evaluates military options after seeking advices from respective departments of the defence. This approach does not only make the operation of the defence forces acceptable but it promotes unitary approach in handling insurgency cases. Another feature that is common with the above bodies is that they both exhibit a number of bodies, which report to their chairperson. For instance, JSC has various units, such as Mutual and Balanced Reductions (MBFR), which report to the chair. Notably, the defence units which report to the chair of these organisations usually receive uniform information because of the chain used in executing the command. Purpose: Some believe that more combatant commands

Research paper nuclear testing in North Korea Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nuclear testing in North Korea - Research Paper Example President Obama further went on to denote that the act by North Korea will increase the isolation of North Korea, from the international community. It is important to denote that this nuclear test by North Korea was unexpected, despite the regime issuing a warning on the 24th of January 2013, that it would conduct a nuclear test (Davenport, 11). However, the regime did not identify a specific date that it would undertake the nuclear test. It is important to understand that this announcement was made; just two days after the Security Council of the United Nations passed a decision to strengthen the sanctions that were placed against North Korea (Park, Kyung-Ae, and Mark, 39). These sanctions were in response to the decision by North Korea to launch a satellite on the December 12th 2012. It is important to understand that the security council of the United Nations seeks to prevent Pyongyang from launching satellites, and this is because the technology used in launching a satellite is directly used for purposes of making ballistic missiles (Davenport, 33). North Korea is considered a rogue regime, and on this basis, the United Nations cannot trust the regime with a ballistic or nuclear weapon. It is important to understand that the road for North Korea becoming a nuclear state began on October 2006, when the country conducted its first nuclear. The other nuclear test was conducted by North Korea on May 2009. Prior to conducting a nuclear test in 2006, North Korea announced that it no longer recognized the treaty of nuclear nonproliferation. This was on April 2003. In as much as North Korea withdrew from the treaty, the United Nations, and other countries who signed the treaty have not recognized this withdrawal. On this basis, the Security Council of the United Nations, under resolution 2009, and 2006 makes it mandatory for North Korea to abandon all its nuclear activities, and

Visual Analysis of Painting II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Visual Analysis of Painting II - Essay Example The first impression created by the painting is of an expansive, deep-red sunset above a stormy ocean, which indicates an approaching typhoon. On closer inspection, one can notice a ship sailing off in the far distance. The masts seen on the ship are crimson-red which matches the blood-red color seen in the sky, as well as the sickly copper hue of the ocean that blurs the lines between a number of objects seen in the painting. The sails of the ship have not been unfurled. This indicates that the ship is bracing for an impending typhoon. In the foreground of the painting, there are a number of floating bodies. It is worth noting that their chained feet and hands as well as their dark bodies show that they are slaves who have been tossed overboard from the ship in the far middle-ground. An even more careful look indicates that there are sea monsters and fish circling in the water, probably in the process of attacking the drowning slaves, and there are also sea gulls which are circling above the chaos. The central focus of this painting has been placed on the interactions of a number of colors. Some defined brush strokes are clear in the painting hence the figures, colors and objects are indistinct. To a certain extent, objects have been outlined by their distinctive colors in the artwork. There are some objects such as the incoming storm and the bodies of the slaves which have no genuine border at all. They have been specifically defined by the contrasting pigments around them. The most visible colors are the maroon color.

Muhamad Abdel Wahab Essay Example for Free

Muhamad Abdel Wahab Essay Mohammad Abdel Wahab was born in 1907 and died in May 3, 1991. He was a prominent 20th century Egyptian singer and composer born in Bab El Shriyah area of Cairo Egypt. He composed 10 songs for Omm Katherm, the greatest Arab songstress in history. Mohammad Abdel is a legend to the vast majority of Arabic speaking people. Mohammad was a renown singer, composer and actor and who lasted in musical career for spanning seventy four (74) years. He had a captivating voice and his melodies were of the classical poetry from the Arab’s golden age and that of their modern struggle against Western colonialism. Through this composition he instilled in his listener a feeling of pride in their Arabic’s rich culture and heritage. Though Abdul Wahab is known for his music, he composed more that he sang. Exploring the life of Abdul Wahab as a composer without referring to his songs or music and acting is inadequate for all of were a part of him and his many released songs and movies that later became `hits` were as a result of his creativity and talented mind. His enjoyed musical voice and the melodies were no doubt a product of his great composition. His songs were his own compositions and it is said that from his teens Mohammad had composed for himself and other leading Arab singers over 1800 romantic and patriotic songs (Salloum. Habeeb). His composition had the Western taste due to his innovative nature of always thinking of new and better ways to enrich the traditional songs. This is a factor that has contributed to a great extent to the popularity and influence of his compositions among the youth, a reason that has made his compositions to maintain the lead in music industry up to date. In the 1920s Mohammad is said to have become a close friend of a well known poet, Ahmad Shawky who helped him excel well in compositions and boost his talent as a composer. In the following years the world watched Muhammad Abdul Waham climb the ladder to later become a star and earned himself the title ‘singer of princes’ When the Egyptian monarchy was overthrown in 1952 by young nationalist army officers his perception of life changed drastically and radically. His songs which were purely his own compositions became more inspiring and more patriotic. He produced some of his finest works which included ‘The Eternal Nile’, ‘Damascus’, Palestine the musical scores for Egypt’s national anthem and the national anthems of Oman and the United Arab Republic. He composed political, national and Arab national songs; Muhammad also composed more songs after 1933. His compositions underwent different stages of development due to the environment in which he lived. Muhammad as a person accepted the changes and that is why his music in great deals synthesized the two worlds (both Western world and Arab world). (Levinson. M. L, 1995) His music was at first traditional a thing that later changed to westernization after he underwent formal training in both Arabic and Western music. Among his early composition of song was the Goose Consul Operetta, based on a theme of Naguib El Rehani which became a great success. Later his movie composition introduced female artist such as Leila Murad a thing that may have been found awkward during the time. Muhamad Abdul Wahab in his own way was a revolutionary leader in some sort of special way. His compositions featured large orchestras with a Western blend of instruments such as the guitar bass, accordion and later the organ and synthesizer. He also added new rhythmic formulas, including the tango, the mambo, samba and rumba, as well as the Arabic oriental rhythms, maqsoum and baladi in his compositions. (The story behind the stomp) In the 1960s Abdul Wahab composed songs for other singers such Om Koulthom. He released Omri a recording that later became Egypt’s all time best seller. In the 1970s he started fading from the public though his music from his own compositions continued with the same energy and vigor but in 1988 when he was (81), he emerged again to the surprise of many with new composition of his own. Age to him was nothing, infact it gave him more reason to write and consequently more reason to live. In his life time Abdul Wahab was recognized for his work in his great compositions, music and movie industries and hence received a lot of awards. Suprisingly enough his work is still rated as one of the best to have ever come from an Arab world. (Levinson. M. L) He died at the age of ninety and Egypt country honored him with a huge military funeral at the Rabia-al-Aldawiya Mosque in Cairo. After his death, his work was covered in newspapers, radio and television ranging from his compositions of songs and movies. He was accorded the title `The father of modern Arabic songs`. He died in 1991 of heart failure; he left a legacy nobody can afford to forget especially in the world of modern Arabic music and melody. Up to until his death Mohammad sorts peace in his writings, writings that appealed to both the old and the young. He stole many hearts with his music and compositions and became a beloved figure. Although he is gone he speaks to us through his work Works Ci

Quantitative And Qualitative Methodologies

Quantitative And Qualitative Methodologies This essay analyses the key viewpoints underpinning the theory and critically evaluate the suitability of quantitative and qualitative methodologies to undertake an empirical research into procurement practice through a literature review. However the way in which research is conducted may be conceived of in terms of the research philosophy subscribed to, the research strategy employed and so the research instruments utilised in the pursuit of a goal the research objectives and the quest for the solution of a problem the research question. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the research philosophy in relation to other philosophies; expound the research strategy, including the research methodologies and techniques that suits the proposed research aim (Jankowicz 2003a; Stevenson and Cooper 1997) The essay discusses the research philosophies; set out the approaches to research positivist and interpretivist; quantitative and qualitative studies, and how they are mixed. Denzin and Lincoln (1998) state that a research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon should be gathered, analysed and used. The term epistemology (what is known to be true) as opposed to doxology (what is believed to be true) encompasses the various philosophies of research approach. Holden and Lynch (2004) argue that depending where the researcher sits on the continuum of these two extremes, their ontological stance will influence their core assumptions concerning the epistemology and human nature (Holden and Lynch 2004). However, Guyer and Wood (1998) argue that the purpose of science, then, is the process of transforming things believed into known: doxa to episteme. Creswell (2007) argue that before any type of research methodology or strategy is chosen, there should be a definition of what information is needed to respond to the research question. It is important to make explicit why one choose to collect information on a certain subject and not on another, and why choose to treat this case in the study and not the other (Creswell 2007). The research paradigm provides accepted methods of collecting data. The term paradigm refers to the progress of scientific practice based on peoples philosophies and assumptions about the world and the nature of knowledge (Collis and Hussey 2003, p:46) However, Jankowicz (2005) pointed out that the researcher must understand their own ontological position because it will determine what evidence is collected and what evidence is set aside in building the research argument, which is to do with ones epistemology. In the field of social science where the proposed research aim Supplier Relationship Management fits into, there has been increasing debate regarding the research methods and theory construction. Bryman et al (2008). Fish (1990) focused on the distinctions between and relative merits of the traditional objective or positivist approach and the alleged subjective approaches variously described as naturalistic, qualitative, phenomenological, and most recently interpretive. (Fish and Dorris 1990). Giorgi (1971) characterised traditional scientific approach as reductionistic, in reducing phenomena to operational definitions; deterministic, in that all phenomena are believed to have causes which can be duplicated; predictive, in that the goal is to predict behaviour; observer independent, in that the researcher tries not to influence the data; empirical, in that only observable data are to be examined; repeatable, so that the research can be replicated by other investigators; quantitative, in that the phenomena should be described in a measurable terms. So, traditional research examines variables in order to predict behaviour. (Giorgi, 1971) Giorgi (1971:21) posits that the essential question for the human science is not how do we measure phonomena? but rather, what do the phenomena mean? Hirschheim et al. (1985) state that both research traditions start in Classical Greek times with Plato and Aristotle (positivists) on the one hand, and the sophists (anti-positivists) on the other. After long, dark periods in European scientific thought, the renaissance of the discipline came in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. (Hirschheim and Klein 1985). Sandberg (2004) as referred to in Weber (2004), state that the alleged differences between positivist and interpretive research approaches can be characterised in a number of ways. One could argue whether Sandberg characterisation would be accepted widely. However, before the two different approaches are analysed their differences needs to be explored (Weber 2004). Weber (2004) describes how positivism and interpretivism supposedly differ in terms of their various metatheoretical assumptions. Morgan and Smircich (1980) argues that the subjectivist ontological position maintains that reality does not exist outside oneself, that ones mind is ones world, hence reality is all imagination. The polemic position to that of the subjectivist is the objectivist ontological position, which is one of realism (Morgan and Smircich 1980) Weber (2004) asserts this argument and stated that positivist supposedly believe that reality is separate from the individual who observes it. They apparently consider subject (the researcher) and object (the phenomena in the world that are their focus) to be two separate, independent things. In short, positivistic ontology is alleged to be dualistic in nature. In contrast, interpretivists believe that reality and the individual who observes it cannot be separate (Weber 2004). In a nutshell, that the perceptions about the world are inextricably bound to a stream of experiences that one has had throughout our lives. The life-world has both subjective an objective characteristics. According to Holden and Lynch (2004) objectivists contend the world will still exist as an empirical entity, made up of hard tangible and relatively immutable structures, independent of the cognitive efforts of individuals. The objective characteristics reflect what one constantly negotiates this meaning with others with whom people interact. In other words, it is objective in the sense that it reflects an intersubjective reality (Holden and Lynch 2004). Kuhn (1970) added, for positivists the objects they research have qualities that exists independent of the researcher. However, interpretivists believe that the qualities they ascribe to the objects they research are socially constructed they are product of their life-worlds. (Kuhn, T. S. (1970) Lee (1989) and Dubà © et al (2003) assert this argument and state that positivists tend to use laboratory experiments, field experiments, and surveys as their preferred research methods. They seek large amount of empirical data that they can analyze statistically to detect underlying regularities. In the other hand, interpretivists tend to use case studies, ethnographic studies, phenomenographic studies, and ethnomethodological studies as their preferred research methods (Weber 2004). Easterby-Smith et al (1991) argue that objectivist content that the relationship between man and society is deterministic, we are born into a world in which there are causal laws that explain patterns of our social behaviour. Alternatively, Dubà © (2003) argues that a statement made by a researcher is true when it has a one-to-one mapping to the reality that exists beyond the human mind (a correspondence theory of truth). On the other hand, interpretivists subscribe to a notion of truth whereby a researchers initial interpretation of some phenomenon conforms to the meaning given to the phenomenon through the researchers lived experience of it (Weber 2004). Searle (1999) find the alleged differences between positivist and interpretivist in relation to ontology to be vacuous. He admits that some kind of reality exists beyond our perception of it! Kuhn (1970) recognises the inherent limitations of the knowledge they seek to build. Positivists understand fully that their culture, experience, history, and so on impact the research work they undertake and thus the results of their work. In Kuhns (19970) view, irrespective of whether researchers believe in an objective reality that exists beyond the human mind or a socially constructed reality, all accept that the artefacts they build to understand the world (theories, frameworks, constructs, etc) are socially constructed. Kuhn (1970) goes on to argue that research is a continuous journey to find improved ways to understand this reality. It is apparent from Lee (1989) and Dubà © (2003) argument that positivists researchers fully understand that we have no way of knowing the world as it really is, at least for the moment. In this light, pragmatically they can place little value on a theory of truth that relies on the level of correspondence between research statements they make and an unknowable thing (Weber 2004). Dubà © (2003) added, there are no differences between positivist notions of validity and interpretivist notions of validity. The position of the Author in this debate leans toward notion that tries to measure reality in a research. There is no way of knowing reality, so how can one know whether his measure of reality, whatever reality might be, is valid? What is believed to be a reality at one particular point in time, may change, for example, with new knowledge, at a later point in time, therefore it was never a true reality originally then! Fundamentally, the Author sees little difference in positivist and interpretivist notions of reliability. Both groups of researches are concerned ultimately with the idea of replicability. In the case of positivists, the strategies and methods for achieving replicability are more straightforward because the research methods they tend to use are well-defined and routinized. Weber (2004) argue that in the case of interpretivists, replicability is a more-difficult goal to achieve because the research methods they tend to use are less well-defined and the subjective nature of interpretation is acknowledged explicitly. For these reasons, interpretivists try to lay out clearly their research methods and ways in which they have achieved certain kinds of interpretations. (Weber, 2004). Klein and Myers (1999) questioned whether there is any difference between positivism and interpretivism. The Author believes that the differences lie more in the choice of the research methods rather than any substantive differences at a methatheoretical level. In this regard, researchers who labelled themselves as positivists tend to use certain kinds of research methods in their work experiments, surveys, and field studies. Interpretivists, on the other hand, tend to use other kinds of research methods in their work case studies, ethnographic studies, phenomenographic studies, and ethnomethodological studies (Klein and Myers 1999). The researcher believes that there are large-scale social forces affecting and influencing individuals interpretations and behaviour (Collis and Hussey 2003). Although there are a number of variations in terminology, the majority of literature appear to use the terminology positivist to describe the quantitative approach, which is objective in nature as mentioned in this essay, and employs inductive research methods; and interpretivist to describe the quantitative approach which is subjective in nature and employs deductive research methods. (Davies, 1968). The issue of quality and quality criteria in social science research is a topic that has become increasingly prominent in methodological discussions in recent years. Gurtler and Huber (2006) argue that qualitative and quantitative methodology textbooks as well as research reports often use ambiguous language in the sense that many formulations cannot be assigned unequivocally to one of the main methodological orientations (Gurtler and Huber 2006). However, Gilmore and Carson (1996) argue that the adaptability and flexibility of qualitative research methods and techniques throughout the entire research process have many advantages. For example, at an early exploratory stage of research, qualitative methods allow the researcher to become familiar with the area(s) of interest, explore the fields and consider the dimensions involved because of their open-ended, non-pre-ordained nature (Gilmore and Carson 1996). Cohen and Manion (1994) as referred in Milliken (2001), who identified two competing views of the social sciences, modify this perspective. One view posits that social sciences are essentially the same as natural sciences and are therefore concerned with discovering natural and universal laws regulating and determining individual and social behaviour (Milliken 2001). The other view emphasises how people differ from inanimate natural phenomena and from each other, while sharing the rigour of the natural sciences and the same concern of traditional social science to describe and explain human behaviour. Hunt (1994) supported by Van Eijkelenburg (1995) argued that it is time for the advocates of both qualitative and qualitative methods to declare a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦rhetorical cease-fire (Van Eijkelenburg 1995). Kirk and Miller (1986) advocated that qualitative research is implicitly orientated to the question of validity. The polemic approach to quantitative research is qualitative research. Medawar (1969) argues It is no use looking to scientific papers for they not only merely conceal but actively misrepresent the reasoning that goes into the work they describe (Medawar 1969). However, Crescentini and Mainnardi (2009) state that what makes a research question a qualitative one is precisely the nature of this combination: qualitative goals are different from quantitative ones, and qualitative questions are asked in a particular way and refer to qualitative contents. The peculiarities of qualitative goals reside in the way the question is framed a need to describe, verify or understand. A qualitative research question must explore a qualitative argument in a qualitative way. The question has to be grounded in a qualitative argument. (Crescentini and Mainnardi 2009) Some literatures suggest that there is quite often a mismatch between the rationale for combining quantitative and qualitative research and how it is used in practice. (Bryman 2009). Fisher (2004) makes an interesting observation on the subject of mixing methods. If you take a realist stance, then aspects of an interpretivist approach could be brought in as useful adjunct to the research. But they also claim that the reverse is not true. If you are doing interpretivist research, then there is no way that an element of realism (or more seriously an element of positivism) can add to it. This is because of the positivists view of the world i.e. things are real and can be measured, which would totally contradict the interpretivist perspective of the world. Robson (1993) argues that triangulation in its various forms, or multiple methods, of obtaining information can be valuable if two sources give the same message, then to some extent they cross-validate each other and provide a means of testing one source of information against other sources which results in more credible results. According to Denzin (1978:291) triangulation as a form of combination of methodologies in the study of the same phenomenon has become more widely accepted now as a means of ensuring validity. There is a distinct tradition in the literature on social science research methods that advocates the use of multiple methods. This form of research strategy is usually described as one of convergent methodology, multimethod/multitrait (Campbell and Fiske, 1959). Jick (1979) argue that these various notions share the conception that qualitative and quantitative methods should be viewed as complementary rather than as rival camps. In fact, most textbooks underscore the desirability of mixing methods given the strengths and weaknesses found in single method designs. Yet those who most strongly advocate triangulation (e.g., Webb et al., 1966; Smith, 1975; Denzin 1978) fail to indicate how this prescribed triangulation is actually performed and accomplished. However, Gill and Johnson (2002) claim that multi methods are infrequently applied mainly due to the fact that multi methods are extremely time consuming and can be costly. Indeed, they argue that where methods are well separated from one another, this approach would be impracticable (op cit). Despite this view, Easterby-Smith et at (1991) argue that in recent decades there has been a move towards researchers developing methods and approaches (triangulation) that provide a middle ground and some bridging between the two extreme viewpoints. Triangulation of methods certainly appears to be gaining support and as Hussey and Hussey (1997) point out, triangulation can overcome the potential bias and sterility of single method approaches. Rohner (1977) argue that in all various triangulations designs one basic assumption is buried. The effectiveness of triangulation rests on the premise that the weaknesses in each single method will be compensated by the counter-balancing strengths of another. The proposed research aim, as mentioned early in this essay, is the Supplier Relationship Management. As the research will require use of e-survey, semi-structured and structured interview the mixed method approach revealed to be the most suitable. There are both quantitative and qualitative research elements in the research. There are quantitative data deriving from the e-survey and there are qualitative data deriving from answers to open questions in the e-survey and the semi-structured interviews. The chief rational for using this combination of sources of data is that it was felt from the literature review for this essay, that a complete picture could not be generated by any one method alone. Each source of data represents an important piece in a jigsaw. (Bryman, et al 2008).

Holistic Treatment of ADD/ADHD :: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Holistic Treatment of ADD/ADHD Dear Mrs. Smith: I’m writing this letter to you because I am concerned about your daughter. Jane is often staring out the window and runs to it to get a closer look at the â€Å"cool† animal or insect. She often yells out the answer or â€Å"butts† in front of the other students because she can’t wait her turn like the other students. The hardest thing I’m dealing with is that Jane is constantly talking out-loud, fidgeting with her toys, and also she never sits still. I am concerned about her and I would like to have a conference with you to discuss having Jane tested for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This may not be the case, but I would just like to figure out why she is falling behind the other students. Please feel free to call me anytime to set up this appointment my number is 555-1234. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson October 20, 2000 This letter represents the type sent by teachers to many parents about children who are thought to have ADD/ADHD. Attention-deficit disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, most commonly known as ADD and ADHD, are neurobiological disorders that are most common among children; however, they are not unheard of in adults. An internet article entitled â€Å"Understanding and Identifying Children with ADHD: First Steps to Effective Intervention† put out by the US Department of Education cites several different causes of ADHD â€Å"such as pregnancy and birth, illness, lead poisoning, injury and prenatal drug exposure.† Children who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD have trouble paying attention, are often hyperactive, and act on impulse. Although drug treatment is the most common antidote to ADD/ADHD, a combination of diet, behavior intervention and medication is the best antidote for ADD/ADHD. Diet, although often overlooked, is extremely effective in combating or lessening the effects of ADD/ADHD. James B. Lavalle discussed the problem of a person having poor nutrition as a possible cause of ADD/ADHD in his article â€Å"Emotional, Nutritional Issues Offer Treatment Insight† that was published in Drug Store News. He writes, â€Å"It seems plausible that several nutrient depletions and food intake issues can be linked to possible causes of ADD and ADHD.† Because of a link between poor nutrition and ADD, there can be a reversal by integrating proper nutrition to a person with ADD/ADHD. This addition can, with a combination of behavior interventions and medication, help stop the signs of ADD/ADHD.