Process Analyses versus Methodologies - Term Paper Example

Process Analyses vs. Methodologies Name Institutional Affiliation Process Analyses vs. Methodologies Introduction The assignment contains two sections that provides a process analysis example and a methodology analysis example and then compares and contrasts the two elements. The first section of the report will be a written process analysis that will explain how to undertake the task of riding a bicycle. In the same section, the steps of undertaking the activity will be indicated through a combination of simple and complex utterances. The process of riding a bike will then be illustrated further by the use of graphics. The second section of this report will highlight a methodology describing a demonstration conducted by Dr. Beck in class. Similarly, the methodology will be described through several steps and sub steps written in roughly two to three pages. Besides, the methodology will be further demonstrated by the use of graphics to clearly show Dr. Beck’s demonstration. The final sections of the report will be a conclusion. In the concluding section, a comparison and contrast of the process analysis and the methodology will be conducted with specifics of their characteristics. Process Analysis The objective of this segment is to present illustration of a detailed process. The process is on how to ride a bicycle inside and out of the campus. A bicycle, usually referred to as a cycle is driven by a pedal, powered by human having two wheels behind the other or connected to a frame. Bikes have undergone many improvements and adaptation from their inception. The innovations have been characterized by computer aided design and modern materials thereby allowing the proliferations of different special bikes. Bicycles can be classified into many types depending on the function, general construction, the means of propulsion, number of riders, and the gearing. The important element in a bike is that there are of different sizes and types that are selected depending on one’s height, age, or preference. Considerations have also to be on the frame, gear, seating and steering, brakes, suspension, bike standards, and tires. A cyclist is the person rides the bicycle. A bicycle is illustrate in figure 1.0: Sample Bicycle Figure 1.0: Sample Bicycles illustrates in detail the major components of a bicycle which are mostly used to determine the preferences of a cyclist to use a bike. For a person to learn how to ride a bike, the important things for preparation include: First, the rider should have a conditioned bike that is good. As a security measure, the bike has to be in top shape to avoid any accidents or potential injuries. The second step involves finding the safest place for practicing. The easiest place is on concrete as it is stiff. However, if the rider falls the degrees of injuries will be high. For beginner, the best place is a road that is car free and flat. These measures prevent any accidents caused by cars or technical road paths. The issue of injuries brings us to the third step. The rider should ensure that the proper gear for bike riding is worn. Despite many people saying that full gear is not essential during learning, it guarantees the safest riding process. Clothes fit for riding include a helmet for protecting the head and clothes that are fit and make the riding easy. The fourth step is to ensure that the rider knows how to use brakes or brake. It is important to check the functionality of the brake and ensure that they do not malfunction. To know when to use the front or rear brake is an important bide riding element. Some bikes have modification on the brakes depending on the country and handedness and this should be known by the person who intends to ride the bicycle. The fifth step is the normal procedure of sitting on the bike. Balancing is essential here and if the potential rider is not able to do this, a friend can hold the bike and help in balancing.        Figure 2.0: Peddling the Bicycle Figure 2.0: Peddling the Bicycle illustrates the sixth step of riding a bicycle. The bike will not be in motion unless the pedals are moved. In the event that it is hard to balance and move the pedals, an assistant can help in maximizing the balance until the person who is riding gets used to it. The easiest means of getting used to riding a bicycle is to drive it straight for the first few times until one master’s this process. Riding around in cycles will be achieved later on after more practice and experience on the road. Practicing is the best way of mastering how to ride a bike efficiently and effectively. This segment highlighted an example of a process analysis, how to ride a bicycle. The next segment will provide an example of a methodology for conducting a scientific demonstration. Methodology The methodology segments in specialized reports are mostly known as “procedures” which are used for reporting of a lab test, experiments, or manufacturing procedure that was conducted at specific instances or periods. A good example is illustrated in Figure 1.0: A Sample Technical Lab Report Procedure illustrates the procedurals sections extracted from lab report. 1.0 A water Bottle was opened and the contents poured into a glass 1.1 A bottle of water was presented in class 1.2 The bottle was opened and the lid placed on the table slowly adjacent 1.3 Approximately 15ml was poured into a cup that was on the table adjacent to the lid of the water bottle. 1.4 After the cup has been filled to a certain extent, the water bottle was place back on the table. 1.5 The water in the cup was transferred to another bottle and then the bottle was place back on the table 2.0 A bottle containing potassium carbonate was opened 2.1 Another bottle, containing potassium carbonate was picked up nice and slowly and opened similar to the opening of the water bottle. 3.0 The whole potassium carbonate (15 ml) was added to the second bottle that contained a measured amount of water. 4.0 The empty bottle was put away and a white substance picked from the table and broken/. 4.1 The broken piece was added to the bottle continuing water and potassium carbonate 5.0 The bottles containing the three elements was gently placed on the table then shake a little bit in an effort to try and mix the substances and then left for a few minutes to react. 6.0 The result was that the water moved up the bicarbonate and did not mix with the oil. 6.1 After the bicarbonate gases escape from the bottle, the water then settles back to the bottom Figure 1.0 Contents in bottle As illustrate in the figure below, the liquids used for the procedure include water on the right and potassium carbonate on the left. Figure 2.0: Sample Procedures An illustration in the preceding figure includes the important characteristics of any procedure section including the numbered steps and the use of explanations to ascertain an idea or an occurring process. These two elements results in a comprehensive lab report. Procedures are described in detail in Bale (2007) 1.0 Numbered Steps Procedures indicate the steps undertaken in a task in the order that they occurred. The steps are usually classified into different phases. This is mostly seen in research or lab projects that take more than a day and has more than one major task. If a procedure has two or more phases, the identification of each phase is by the title describing the undertaken task, for example Phase 1: Instrument collection, Phase 2: Mixing of liquids. The steps are clearly arranged and numbers in a list. If there are steps in the phases of a procedure, they are numbered separately, i.e. the first step in a phase is numbered Step 1. The decimal enumeration system is used to number the sub steps. As illustrated in the example, the sub steps of step 1.0 were number as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5, to highlight the five sub steps contained in the main step. 2.0 Explanations Some of the occurrences experience or seen in these processes have to be explained. In most instances, the instructor or the leader conducting this task or experiment will explain to the group of the class the meaning or the reason behind an occurrence. For example, in the illustration, steps 6.0 and 6.1 were explained by the instructor who was the lead performer in the experiment. The major step and the sub step were a result of the combination of water and carbonate oil; this result was seen by all the students but explained in detail by the instructor. Explanations are important elements in experiments as it creates a deeper understanding of the procedures, occurrences, and observations experienced during the performance of the experiment. 3.0 Pinpointing Tone and Past Tense The steps highlighted in the procedure section are engraved in the pinpointing tone, factual statements that are used to indicate an occurrence (Freeman & Scotti, 2003) 1.0 A water Bottle was opened and the contents poured into a glass The procedures are written using the past tense; the past tense highlights use of the procedures for the completion of the lab experiment which has ended. 4.0 Passive Voice The action performed in the procedures section is the main focus and not the doer of the action. Therefore, after establishing the doer, procedures are mainly written down in passive voice (Freeman & Scotti, 2003). 4.1 The broken piece was added to the bottle continuing water and potassium carbonate From this context, the doer who added the broken piece to the bottle continuing water and potassium carbonate was the instructor. Passive voice is used to remove recurring references to the instructor to facilitate a flow and understanding of the procedures. Repeating the occurrence of the instructor will water down the meaning and explanation of the procedures as it will mainly involve focusing on the doer and not the procedural aspect of the experiment. 5.0 Graphics Graphics are included in procedures. They are numbered and properly introduced to explain the steps undertaken in the completion of the lab experiment as highlighted in Figure 3.0: Embedded Graphics Sample Figure 3.0: Embedded Graphics Sample The gas was produced during the missing of the potassium carbonate and water as shown in Figure 3.0 As it is illustrate in the example, the gas was indeed released during the performance of the experiment and was not a fabrication of information or occurrence. The gas is seen moving away from the container up unto the air. This illustrates the reaction that occurs during the mixing of potassium carbonated and water. Comparing the characteristics of a process analysis and a methodology Use of graphics Both methodology and process analysis makes use of graphics to illustrate the occurrences. The inclusion of graphics is a means of comprehensively illustrating an occurrence. In both scenarios, the graphics are numbered and properly introduced to explain the steps undertaken. Use of Explanations Both methodology and process analysis makes use of explanation. These explanations are a means of facilitating comprehensive explanation. For example in the process analysis, “The easiest means of getting used to riding a bicycle is to drive it straight for the first few times until one master’s this process.” An example highlighted in the methodology is “6.1 after the bicarbonate gases escape from the bottle, the water then settles back to the bottom.” References Bales, R. F. (2007). Interaction process analysis; a method for the study of small groups. Freeman, K. A., & Scotti, J. R. (2003). A structured descriptive methodology: Increasing agreement between descriptive and experimental analyses.55-66. IMG 4226. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Un6HNSWldY&feature=youtu.be Read More