Research project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 2

Research project - Essay Example The research can be carried out based on a survey on the loyal customers as well as the managers of the restaurant. Hence, the participation of the customers is an important factor for the research that is to be conducted. As the demand for fast food is increasing, the business of Pizza Express restaurant is expanding and therefore the researcher has chosen this as the topic of discussion. The research is to be conducted in a mixed method approach using both qualitative as well as the quantitative methodology by conducting a survey and an interview to the customers and the managers of Pizza Express restaurant. Since the customer satisfaction level can only be measured based on the responses of the customers about the services offered by the employees hence this quantitative approach comprising of questionnaires is the best methodology to be followed. The overall analysis regarding the performance of the company is carried out based on the responses of the customers and the managers that would satisfactorily answer the research question. The restaurant aims at providing quality food to its customers and expanding its business all over the world so as to raise its customer base. The company introduced pizza in the UK for the first time in 1956 as it is considered as one of the best loved brands of UK (Johnson, et al., 2000). The restaurant is suitable for all types of events that are starting from a business lunch to a night out with friends. The company is known to serve the authentic Italian pizzas to the customers of different origin. The restaurant is known to offer a free customer Wi-Fi service in order to facilitate the payment App (Ehsan, 2012). The customers are expected to order pizza online and the restaurant is highly efficient in delivering quality products and quick services. The new app launched by the Pizza Express restaurant enables the customers to pay their bills online and also provide feedback for the pizzas that are

Personal achievement or talent essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal achievement or talent - Essay Example The most important effect of these values is good leadership, the core foundation of scouting, which has given me the knowledge and ability to lead my peers. Leadership is not just about telling people what to do, but about guiding teammates with positive attitudes, regardless of whether the situation is a sporting game or everyday life. I have already applied these leadership skills within my high school baseball teams and when working summer jobs. The importance of leadership and teamwork were impressed on my from the beginning of my scouting days. Through hard work and dedication to my troop, I became one of the youngest Patrol leaders at age thirteen. This position came with many responsibilities. I experienced having to provide meals for an entire patrol and their dads at the monthly campouts. The tricky part about cooking in the wilderness is you do not have the same equipment you may find in a kitchen. Additionally, no processed meals are allowed at the campouts; everything is made from scratch. The entire meal is a process, from finding firewood to preparing the uncooked food. In other words, cooking is a group endeavor. As patrol leader, I assigned younger and older scouts to do the various tasks, and ensured everyone worked together. I had to learn quickly how to lead, or my patrol would have failed and broken down. In 2009, I became an Assistant Scoutmaster, the last position a Scout must hold before he can transition from a Life Scout to an Eagle Scout. In this position, my leadership duties grew. Instead of just one small patrol, I was put in charge of approximately two hundred people at a summer camp. I had to oversee various activities, not just cooking, and make sure everybody got along. One of the other great things Scouts taught me is the necessity and beauty of diversity. In this large number of people, there were boys of many different races and with many different religions. Learning how

Notes on Anil Essay Example for Free

Notes on Anil Essay However, he sees people outside and discovers the Headman’s brother, Marimuthu hanging a woman, at which he is traumatised. The next day, the body has been taken down and we learn that it is Marimuthu’s wife. However, Marimuthu is pretending that his wife has commited suicide. Anil tells the village the Headman that he saw Marimuthu kill the woman and the Headman goes off to talk to Anil’s father about him. In the next section, we learn that Anil is being sent to school (a great opportunity) but it is so that the Headman can cover up his brother’s actions as a murderer. At the end, both father son explore their decisions and whether they made the right/wrong choice given the consequences. The last scene shows the Headman his brother, the Headman smiling at his brother and the brother showing relief that they got away with it. Form †¢ †¢ Omniscient narrator – allows us to learn the feelings of each of the characters – an overview of the story. Short story bildungsroman: shows the character growing up/maturing when he learns the nature of good/evil and something about morality, â€Å"I will never forget this town and the sin that it buries today. As a child, we believe in right wrong and that sins are punished. However, he learns that there is not always justice in the world, and in fact sin is metaphorically buried. †¢ Epiphany: as above: â€Å"I will never forget this town and the sin that it buries today. † (line 216. ) Structure †¢ †¢ Lines 93-95- powerful visual- cinematic description of the body shocks us- climax shocking so early in the story. Lines 41- 60- the boy’s fears are presented: father, fear of the dark, mosquito, ghosts- writer uses one word lines to reflect the tension, ‘They. Peyi. Pesase. Ghosts. ’- also ‘Dare he? ’- the omniscient narrator draws us into Anil’s mind. Lines 159-160- the second section is used to describe the aftermath where Anil finds himself accusing the murderer, ‘You killed her. ’ We are left on a cliff-hanger as we wonder what the consequences will be, ‘ about this son of yours. ’ See epiphany is form. Lines 198-202- we are now given Ragunathan’s perspective and the writer presents his confused shame as Anil is sent away. †¢ †¢ †¢ Language †¢ Lines 1-14 (opening paragraph): heat is emphasised to create a claustrophobic and confined setting, ‘hot, sweltering’- contrasts with the image of the star Anil watches, ‘a small star shone ’ as his dreams set him apart (omniscient narrator allows us to see Anil’s perspective and draws us to him. ) Lines 21-31- physical details of mother reinforce the heat and discomfort/pain of the setting and their lives, ‘wet patch layers of fat’- a child’s view amuses us ‘Wheee the fly slid down’ but is mixed with the accepted pain/violence/abuse ‘the bruisewhere Appa had hit her. ’ Lines 69- 74- symbolism of the tree- from childish view ‘ a tree that ate little children. ’ To shocking reality ‘They were hanging a woman. Lines 222- end- the worm simile used to describe how Marimuthu views the train/the truth within Anil reflects the relief he feels at having escaped justice- the heat of his wife’s injustice distorts the train and makes the image sinister, but even more sinister to the reader is the ‘shadow of a smile’ which hints that all is under control again. †¢ †¢ †¢ How to use PETER for analysis: P- The writer uses a star at the beginning of the story and after the climax of the murder to highlight Anil’s innocence and isolation, E- ‘silencing the sobs that wracked his little body, as a star shimmered above. ’ T- The repeated symbolism of the star as well as the alliteration of ‘silencing the sobs’ and ‘star shimmered’ E- draws our attention to his vulnerability and perhaps loss of innocence as he witnesses such a crime. R- We cannot help but feel pity for Anil’s character as we share his pain and terror. O- create your own other interpretation here.

Huckleberry Finn - Critical Essay :: essays research papers

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the noblest, greatest, and most adventuresome novel in the world. Mark Twain definitely has a style of his own that depicts a realism in the novel about the society back in antebellum America. Mark Twain definitely characterizes the protagonist, the intelligent and sympathetic Huckleberry Finn, by the direct candid manner of writing as though through the actual voice of Huck. Every word, thought, and speech by Huck is so precise it reflects even the racism and black stereotypes typical of the era. And this has lead to many conflicting battles by various readers since the first print of the novel, though inspiring some. Says John H. Wallace, outraged by Twain’s constant use of the degrading and white supremacist word ‘nigger’, "[The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is] the most grotesque example of racist trash ever written" (Mark Twain Journal by Thadious Davis, Fall 1984 and Spring 1985). Yet, again to counter that is a quote by the great American writer Ernest Hemingway, "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn†¦it’s the best book we’ve had†¦There has been nothing as good since" (The Green Hills of Africa [Scribner’s. 1953] 22). The controversy behind the novel has been and will always remain the crux of any readers is still truly racism. Twain surely does use the word ‘nigger’ often, both as a referral to the slave Jim and any African-American that Huck comes across and as the epitome of insult and inferiority. However, the reader must also not fail to recognize that this style of racism, this malicious treatment of African-Americans, this degrading attitude towards them is all stylized of the pre-Civil War tradition. Racism is only mentioned in the novel as an object of natural course and a precision to the actual views of the setting then. Huckleberry Finn still stands as a powerful portray al of experience through the newfound eyes of an innocent boy. Huck only says and treats the African-American culture accordingly with the society that he was raised in. To say anything different would truly be out of place and setting of the era. Twain’s literary style in capturing the novel, Huck’s casual attitude and candid position, and Jim’s undoubted acceptance of the oppression by the names all signifies this. Twain’s literary style is that of a natural southern dialect intermingled with other dialects to represent the various attitudes of the Mississippian region; he does not intend to outrightly suggest Negro inferiority.

Human Morality vs Conformity

Human Morality versus Conformity Through movies, TV shows, and the news, the media portrays the human race as compassionate, altruistic, and always good. Even the heroes who are considered â€Å"bad boys† end up making the right decisions when it comes down to a final decision of selfish needs versus heroism. Disney is especially pivotal in the spreading of the belief that people are inherently good among children, who grow up with this seemingly harmless belief. One such film is Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.In one memorable scene, Captain Jack Sparrow appears to have betrayed his fellow protagonists to the cursed pirates in order to gain wealth and power. However, he uses this as an act to surprise the villains with another double cross to give his friends a chance to gain the advantage. While it would seem that pirates like Jack Sparrow and his crew would be selfish, Disney instead shows them to forego wealth and risk danger for thei r friends, such as when his crew returns to rescue Sparrow from the British at the end of the film.Despite pirates being selfish and criminal by nature, Sparrow and his pirates are actually on a noble quest to stop a great evil in the form of a cursed crew of pirates and rescue the maiden who is their captive. In the sequel, Sparrow has a chance to escape the kraken that is coming after him by sacrificing his friends and crew to secure his getaway. In this instance too, Sparrow chooses the selfless sacrifice of himself to allow the others to escape by remaining to be eaten by the monster. In the final movie of the series, Sparrow is seeking immortality by stabbing the heart of Davy Jones.However, his friend is mortally wounded in the battle to take the heart. Rather than take the immortality he sought, Sparrow helps his friend stab the heart, giving his friend eternal life. The selfishness is all an act, and as in many films, the â€Å"bad boy† Sparrow chooses to be a hero. S o films depict even pirates as good underneath their criminal, selfish exteriors. Media, especially Disney films, show human beings to be good and brave, with the bad and selfish being the minority. In real life, however, truly good and unselfish people are much more uncommon.It is dangerous to believe otherwise, as one must understand that even people who see themselves and their cause as â€Å"good† can cause great harm to others. As many social experiments have proven, human beings would choose their own survival by being self-centered and conforming, easily forgetting morality in the process and following the group decisions rather than their own moral compasses. Following the atrocities committed in Nazi Germany, Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram designed an experiment to test a volunteer subject’s willingness to obey orders regardless of the orders’ morality.In the experiment, a subject met an actor, who would be the â€Å"student† and vi ctim of shocks for each incorrect answer. The subject was informed of the 450-volt maximum for the experiment. The subject was then assigned the role of â€Å"teacher†, to apply a shock that increased with each increment. As the shock strength increased, so would the â€Å"pain† and pre-recorded â€Å"screams† of the actor student. Whenever the subject questioned his orders, an authority figure would prod him with verbal commands demanding obedience of his orders to continue. The experiment was terminated if the subject refused the order four times.None of the forty subjects questioned the experiment before the 300-volt shock and screams. Twenty-six of the forty subjects (65%) continued to shock the â€Å"victim† to the maximum setting of 450-volt. The subjects were aware of the extreme pain caused but proceeded regardless, and the experiment ended on the third consecutive 450-volt shock. Human nature is thus shown as conformist in the presence of authori ty and duty, and morality becomes an afterthought if it is even considered. The majority of people were shocked at this, especially the subjects.The subjects realized the scope of their actions after being explained the experiments purpose in testing authority against morality. As the experiment shows, following orders can overrule morals, such as not hurting others, effectively showing how Nazi Germany gained so much influence over the German people and the failings of human morals. In another social experiment, Professor Solomon Asch tested the nature of human conformity in a group. The subject was told the experiment was a vision test and placed with other â€Å"subjects†, who were, in fact, actors.The actors answered every question correctly as one, until a certain point, where they all began choosing wrongly as one. People do not envision themselves as unquestioning followers, and most do not understand why the Nazis and Communists were able to gain so much power unoppos ed by the people. The subject would follow the group and give at least one wrong answer to conform to the group in 75% of the cases despite the clearly incorrect response to the questions given by the group. In a control group, only 3% of people ever gave a wrong answer to the question when apart from group influences.Therefore, this experiment proves how the individual’s desire to conform to the group outweighs common sense and the desire for independence. While the desire to conform in this case appears harmless, it can lead individuals to make decisions that go against common sense and their moral beliefs. This experiment thus shows how people do not point out things that are obviously wrong if it means going against the status quo, an important factor that allows totalitarian regimes to gain so much power, as nobody would wish to stand up to the society if it threatened their personal well-being.To study the psychological effect of subjects becoming prisoners and guards, Stanford Professor Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment. In this experiment, Professor Zimbardo and his subordinates chose the twenty-four of the most psychologically stable and healthy candidates from over seventy-five undergraduates. The randomly assigned prisoners were then arrested at their homes and processed with the help of local police, getting their mug shots taken, fingerprinted, and issued prison uniforms before being confined to a cell in a Stanford University basement.Those who were assigned prison guard duty were issued guard uniforms and instructed in how to treat the â€Å"prisoners†. The â€Å"guards† were also issued the wooden police batons as authority symbols and visible threats of physical injury to prisoners, and also wore mirrored sunglasses to prevent prisoner eye contact and add to the depersonalization of the mock prison. The second day of the experiment, the â€Å"prisoners† rioted, prompting the prison â€Å"guar ds† to break up the riot by attacking the prisoners with fire extinguishers without the supervision of the research staff.After thirty-six hours, â€Å"Prisoner 8612† went into a hysterical rage, and was only released after his suffering was apparent to the researchers. His release started a false rumor of a â€Å"prison break†, and the guards dismantled the prison to build in a more â€Å"secure† location. People would believe the experiment would be ended at that point, especially since the subjects involved were Stanford undergraduates under the supervision of a respectable university professor.They do not understand that when human beings become too involved in their roles or their society, they become what they and everyone else are acting as, creating a new identity to fit in, rather than fight the system to make it right. From that point forward, things only got more out of hand. When there was no prison break, the guards punished the prisoners for the extra work of rebuilding the prison by engaging them in mandatory physical activity and counting off their prisoner numbers.Guards also denied the prisoners their mattresses, leaving them to lie on the concrete floors, and denied the right to use or empty the sanitation bucket, causing poor sanitary conditions for the â€Å"prisoners†. As some prisoners were forced to go nude, they began planning a prison breakout. Professor Zimbardo, acting as the â€Å"Prison Superintendent† requested prisoner transfer to the local police prison, but the police officials stated they could no longer participate. The experiment was only terminated when Zimbardo’s wife objected to the appalling conditions of the â€Å"prison†.The experiment only ran six out of the planned fourteen days, and in that time the â€Å"prisoners† had gone from rebellious to submissive as the experiment progressed with the â€Å"guards† becoming more cruel and sadistic in their punishments over time. Five of the prisoners became upset enough to quit the experiment early, and many of the participants showed signs of severe emotional disturbances. Even Professor Zimbardo became caught up in the experiment and allowed the situation to worsen.The remaining prisoners internalized their roles as did the guards, resulting in prisoners remaining in the experiment and prison guards abusing their authority. Most people cannot comprehend how this could happen, seeing themselves as rational and fair human beings. This experiment provides a disturbing view of how much people are willing to conform to their situations and the result of such conformity in the treatment of others. Human beings do not always choose rightly, often acting in a conforming and selfish manner, rather than follow the standard conventions of social morals.People believe that most human beings are good people who fight group conformity and self-centered behavior. The media depicts human beings in general as good and selfless, which is comforting but inaccurate. While there are many selfless good people in the world, they are the minority and there are just as many people looking out for themselves. It is important for this misconception of universal human kindness to be questioned in order for individuals to better understand their natures and become better people.

Should Marijuana Be Legal - 1393 Words

To understand the controversy about marijuana, it is helpful to first look at its history. Marijuana (or Cannabis as it was originally known) has been found as far back as the 3rd millennium BC in burial sites in Romania. Over the centuries it has been found to have been used for medicinal purposes in China and other countries, as well as for religious and spiritual ceremonies in many different countries. Cannabis was brought to America in the early years, grown as a crop, and used medicinally. In the early 1900s, along with prohibition of alcohol, the attitude about the use of cannabis started to change for many people. On the other hand, the U.S. pharmaceutical farms were expanding production and by 1918 were growing 60,000 pounds†¦show more content†¦Four states have legalized recreational marijuana in certain quantities. Twenty states have decriminalized marijuana, generally making it a minor traffic violation for first time offenders. The federal government has st ated that it will not override what the states have passed, but it is still considered illegal. I believe that marijuana should be legalized by the federal government so the medical benefits can be expanded and regulated, to reduce and redirect prison and law enforcement resources, and for the economic benefits it will create. We know there are numerous medical benefits of marijuana, but others are uncharted territory since only limited research can be done on an illegal drug. We also know the therapeutic effects of marijuana are based on science. Marijuana contains 60 active ingredients known as cannabinoids (Zimmermann). The primary one is THC which targets the CB1 receptor in the brain, liver, kidneys, lung, and nervous system. The CB1 receptor helps the person handle pain. In fact, the FDA has approved two chemically altered forms of THC that are used for nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. Another cannabinoid is CBD which reduces pain and inflammation, has been shown to control epileptic seizures, and may even be a treatment for mental illness and addition. Recent animal studies of THC and CBD show that it may help kill

Impact Of Competence On Trading In India - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 11 Words: 3187 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? This research project analyzes the impact of competence of individual investors on their trading behaviour in the stock market. Individual investors are seen trading too frequently. This impacts their returns from their investments, their belief in the stock markets, and also the functioning of financial markets to some extent. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Impact Of Competence On Trading In India" essay for you Create order Investors with high level of competence tend to trade more frequently. While some factors affect individualà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perception towards external issues, some affect their belief in themselves, which in turn, influences their confidence and belief in their own judgement and decision making. This holds true in the context of investors in general and individual investors in particular. Individual investors take trading decisions based on their self-perceived competence that is influenced by several factors. The present study identifies the factors that determine individual investorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s competence. The study examines the trading behaviour of individual investors by using a modified questionnaire. RESEARCH AIM: The study aims to examine the factors that determine the competence level of individual investors. The study also explores whether the competence level of individual investors affects their trading behaviour. LITERATURE REVIEW: A number of psychological biases, that affect investors behaviour and subsequently their decisions, have been dealt with in several previous studies across the world. Such biases include: overconfidence, home bias, sensation seeking attitude, competence effect, herding, anchoring, heuristics, etc. This study attempts to address the issue of competence effect. Odean (1998) attributes the high volume of trading to investors overconfidence. Overconfidence can be termed as the tendency of investors to perceive themselves as skillful. In the process, they may forget the concept of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“a rising tide lifts all the boatsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? at the time when their investment decisions prove to be sound. Glaser and Weber (2003) argued that there are three aspects of overconfidence, viz., miscalibration, the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"better-than-averageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ effect (i.e., people tend to think that they have higher than average skills), and illusion-of-control (i.e., the tendency to believe that oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s personal probability of success is higher than what objective probability would warrant). They establish that all but miscalibration lead to higher trading activities. Barber and Odean (2001) argued that the relationship between gender and trading activity is due to the greater overconfidence of men. The evidence from their study suggests that single, young male investors tend to trade most frequently. They also found that the turnover of males exceeded that of females, which they attributed to the greater overconfidence of males. Malmendier and Shantikumar (2003), in their study of small investors, found that, while large investors adjust their reaction to hold and buy recommendations downward, small investors take recommendations literally. Small investors also fail to account for the additional distortion due to underwriter affiliation. Potential reasons for their trading behaviour are: (1) higher costs of information; and (2) naivete about analysts distortions. Small investors may be naive about the distortions and trust analysts too much. Graham et al. (2004) found that home bias, coupled with the competence effect plays a major role in high trading frequency. They came up with the idea that investors who feel more competent tend to trade more frequently than those who feel less competent. The competent effect also contributes to home bias. When an investor feels more competent about investing in foreign assets, he is more willing to shift a portion of his assets overseas. Their study indicated that investors with higher competence are more likely to invest in international assets. The role of two psychological attributes in the trading tendency of investors has been studied by Grinblatt and Keloharju (2006). They analyzed the role played by sensation seeking and overconfidence in the tendency of investors to trade stocks. They found that overconfident investors and those investors more prone to sensation seeking, trade more frequently. Thus, for most investors, trading is driven by behavioural attributes. Cohn-Urbach and Westerholm (2006) attempted to determine whether the frequency of trading on the part of household and institutional investors had an effect on the returns they achieved. They found strong evidence that investors with high trading frequency earned substantially lower returns than those investors in the same demographic group who traded less frequently. It was shown that investors with larger portfolios tended to trade more frequently than those with smaller portfolios. Further, it was demonstrated that those investors with larger portfolios tended to trade actively for a longer period of time than those who held smaller portfolios. They also found that a similar relation exists for institutional investors. This indicates that institutional investors are prone to some biases which are also apparent in household investors. Trading is, however, not as hazardous for institutional investors as it is for household investors; institutional investors earn superior returns eve n if they trade more frequently than household investors Danial (1961). METHODOLOGY: The traditional finance theory assumes investors as rational beings and predicts that each and every activity of an investor is aimed at maximizing his/her expected utility. The literature available in economics also predicts that human activities are aimed at utility maximization. So far as stock trading frequency is concerned, it is obvious from the assumptions of traditional finance theory, as well as the concept of rational human being, that investors would trade only when they think the trade will result in an increase in expected utility, i.e., trade will add some expected utility to their portfolio. More frequent trading would lead to higher return from the investments. But, the actual scenario is quite different. Investors are usually influenced by psychological biases, such as overconfidence and the competence effect, and this frequent trading result in reduced returns because of more transaction costs, etc. Therefore, this study explores the following questions: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ How comfortable do investors feel in handling financial products, investment alternatives and subsequent investment decisions. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ What factors influence the trading behaviour of investors and do they trade frequently on the basis of their competence. Harris (2003) an attempt is made here to find whether the feeling of competence in individual investors influences their trading decisions. It implies that individual investors make their trading decisions based on the classical finance theory of risk-return fundamentals, rather than being influenced by behavioural biases. Based on the above research questions and the already stated purpose of the study, the following hypotheses are formulated: Overconfidence caused by a number of factors, affects the feeling of competence of investors and thereby their willingness to act on their judgments. Overconfidence in an individual investor may be concerned with his/her own perception of his/her ability and knowledge. If he/she feels more confident in any context, he/she is likely to act more frequently on his/her decisions. The next step would be to study the effects of overconfidence on investorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ willingness to act on his/her own judgments on investment-related issues. Individual investors, who perceive themselves as more competent, tend to trade more frequently. Finally, an attempt is now made to identify the competence effect in trading frequency. The high trading activity is usually attributed to the investorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s overconfidence. Overconfidence is distinct from the competence effect to a great extent. It is proposed here that high competence among investors motivates them to trade frequently. They are prompted to act on their judgments once they feel more skilful and knowledgeable. Therefore, how much individual investorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s trading frequency is influenced by the competence effect is now examined. In order to examine the behaviour of individual investors, this study used a modified questionnaire. To achieve the objective of the study, the investor competence and trading frequency needed to be measured. The questionnaire used in the study included questions related to competence and trading frequency. The respondents were asked to give their choices for each question in the questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. Respondents were either asked survey questions in person or they were mailed the questionnaire with a request to send the same back after completion. To measure investor competence, a hypothetical model is proposed. This model assumes that an investorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s competence is a combined function of his/her sex, education, age, and income. The determinants of investor competence have been investigated using the empirical model proposed by Graham et al (2004). This study models competence as a combined function of investor characteristics such as gender, age, education, and income. The study also uses the estimated coefficients from regressing competence on the characteristics to construct predicted competence for each investor included in the survey. The term à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"competenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ used here includes skill as well as knowledge or understanding Heath and Tversky (1991). The feeling of competence in individual investors is determined by what they know, relative to what can be known. Thus, it can be enhanced by obtaining knowledge of stock market functioning, familiarity with investment-related issues and experience, and diminished, for example, by calling attention to relevant information that is not available to the individual investor as decision maker, especially when it is available to others. Competence can be defined as the subjective skill or knowledge level in a particular area, and as far as this study is concerned, competency means an investorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perceived skill and knowledge in the area of finance and allied issues. It is widely seen that higher level of education and income make an individual feel more competent in almost all the areas including finance. It remains to be established whether any relationship exists between the feeling of competency of the investors and their trading frequency. TARGET POPULATION: The target population on which this research is conducted on are the individual investors who frequently visit the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange). Investors selected for this study have their investments in shares and other investment vehicles available for trading on the Indian stock markets, both on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Investors whose investment in stock market is between Rs. 3,00000 and Rs. 10,000,00 were included in the study. This helps Individual Investors Trading Behaviour and the Competence Effect make the study more reliable because the sample selected for the study is taken from different strata/class of individual investors. The data collected, hence, has the advantages of covering a wide range of investor classes and account types. Proper care was taken to ensure that respondents, i.e., investors, understand all the questions asked during the survey, and answer them truthfully. As we do not have the detailed investments of the individuals, we do not know how their portfolios of investment actually perform. We are, however, not concerned with the portfolio performance in this study. RESEARCH APPROACH: Saunders (2003) opined about two types of research approach. Deductive approach and inductive approach: DEDUCTIVE APPROACH: A theory or hypothesis is being developed and a research strategy is designed to test the hypothesis. It begins with theoretical conceptualization and then moves on to testing through the application theory so as to create new experiences or observations . In this research a research question is being developed and the dissertation aims to answer the question by means of the general principle and established facts. According to Saunders (2003) a deductive approach owes more to positivism. As the researcherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s study deals with more positivism a deductive approach can be adopted in this research. A deductive study should have, A hypothesis that overconfidence caused by a number of factors, affects the feeling of competence of investors and thereby their willingness to act on their judgments. To decide the research population in which the researcher could find the customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perception on the competence of investors. To administer the questionnaire to a sample of regular investors. To be particularly careful about defining service quality and customer satisfaction To standardise the response of the sample selected. RESEARCH STRATEGY: The research strategy undertaken depends on how the problem looks, what questions the problem leads to and what end result is desirable (Merriam, 1994). The research strategy is a common plan for how the researcher is getting the answers for the research questions. Here the topic gives the researcher a chance to employ both qualitative and quantitative methods for research. Krueger (1998) opined Combining both qualitative and quantitative methods gives a greater methodological mix that would strengthen the research. This approach will allow the author to facilitate ability and dependability in what is found. QUANTITATIVE DATA: Quantitative data could be measurable and identified on a numerical scale. Moreover these quantitative data will be used to pass on information to management team in the simple ways like graphs and charts following analysis using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). These data can be used for the assessment and tracking of the performance of the organisation in the service sector and their competitive positioning in the market. Standardised questionnaires will give to the customers after they were carefully planned, piloted and collected in order to give the researcher important statistical and factual data straight from the customers. QUESTIONNAIRE: Chisnall (1997) explained a questionnaire is a method of attaining specific information about a defined problem so that the data, after analysis and interpretation, result in a better appreciation of the problem. It is an important element of the total research design, and a considerable professional expertise is essential for its preparation and administration. Smith (1986) suggest that, in some respects à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"questionnairesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ are a whole methodology on their own: that is a class of methods rather than any single method. And therefore it is not surprising to find them covering a wide range on the dimension between full evaluator control and full informant control. LIMITATIONS: Smith (1986) claim that there are of course, many limitations to questionnaires: they are more helpful for gathering superficial data than in depth data. It is not easy by questionnaires to adapt changing circumstances and needs; and the response rate to questionnaires can be extremely low, particularly when they are mailed through the post Smith (1986). TIME HORIZONS: A mix of both cross sectional and exploratory study will be doing by the researcher. Cross sectional study helps to make comparative study with analysis of the data in relation with theoretical concepts, which helps for further research. Exploratory study has been chosen in order to explore the operation of the sector in detail and understand the operation of the sector which would help to proceed further with collections of dataà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s qualitatively (Saunders et al 2003). DATA COLLECTION METHODS: SAMPLING: The study employed the random sampling technique for conducting the survey, since in this technique, every member of the pool of individual investors has an equal chance of being selected in the sample. Random sampling is the best technique for providing an unbiased representative sample of investors. The mass of the individual investors interviewed/contacted were selected randomly from across the BSE or NSE zone. The criterion used for selecting those individuals in the survey for the purpose of data collection is that they hold investment in shares and other exchange-traded market instruments of Rs. 300,000 or more. Researcher prefers to go for a Non probability Convenience sampling where the sampling will be randomly until it satisfies the requirements of the research (Saunders et al, 2003). SECONDARY DATA: The researcher has access to a wide range of facilities of the Learning Resource centres of the universities in Liverpool and also to the Central Library of the Liverpool city. So the researcher will be able to use various forms of secondary dataà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, journals, books, websites which will enhance the critical review of the literature and a cross sectional and exploratory study in detail. LIMITATIONS: Secondary data may not be up to date, as they have been shaped in an earlier period. Saunders et al (2003) identifies the limitations of secondary data as It may be collected for a purpose that does not match the researcher need. Sometimes it may be collected for a purpose that does not match the researcher need. Sometimes the access for the data may be costly. PRIMARY DATA: The major source of primary data is through questionnaire survey. A structured questionnaire will be given to target people. Questionnaires will form the main basis of the research, this is due to the fact that this research study will require Opinions, attitudes, views, beliefs, preferences to be recorded and these can be investigated using questionnaires PERSONAL SUITABILITY: Currently I am persuing my Masters in Business Administration at Liverpool John Moores University with one my optional module as Corporate Finance Envronment which helped me a lot to understand the basics of Trading and Inestment Banking. I have successfully finished all modules in my 1st semester. Presently I am waiting for the result of my second semester. My extra-curricular activities have improved my organisational and time management potential. Throughout my education and my career I had to do a lot of research and this has improved my analytical capabilities, which would help in deriving a valid conclusion. RESEARCH ETHICS: Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a variety of topics involving scientific research. These include the design and implementation of research involving human experimentation, animal experimentation, various aspects of academic scandal, including scientific misconduct etc Shaw et al (2009). There are many ethical issues to be taken into serious consideration for research. Sociologists need to be aware of having the responsibility to secure the actual permission and interests of all those involved in the study Hubert (2007). They should not misuse any of the information discovered, and there should be a certain moral responsibility maintained towards the participants. There is a duty to protect the rights of people in the study as well as their privacy and sensitivity. The confidentiality of those involved in the observation must be carried out, keeping their anonymity and privacy secure. As pointed out in the BSA for Sociology, all of these ethics must be honoured unless there are other overriding reasons to do so for example, any illegal or terrorist activity. PROTOCOLS: DATA INTEGRITY: According to Davies (2004) Data integrity is data that has a complete or whole structure. All characteristics of the data including business rules, rules for how pieces of data relate, dates, definitions and lineage must be correct for data to be complete. Per the discipline of data architecture, when functions are performed on the data the functions must ensure integrity. Examples of functions are transforming the data, storing the history, storing the definitions (Metadata) and storing the lineage of the data as it moves from one place to another. The most important aspect of data integrity per the data architecture discipline is to expose the data, the functions and the datas characteristics. Data that has integrity is identically maintained during any operation. Put simply in business terms, data integrity is the assurance that data is consistent, certified and can be reconciled. INTERVIEWER QUESTIONNAIRE CHECKLIST: The checklist will be designed making sure the questionnaires are fully and accurately completed. The following will be assured: The researcher will always ensure that the interviewer has investments in BSE or NSE and has the time available to complete the questionnaire. The respondent will be free to work through the questionnaire The researcher will make sure all responses are unambiguous. A brief idea of the research will be included in the questionnaire. On receipt of completed questionnaires they will be loaded to SPSS.