Conceptual framework Free Essays

Put together all the materials that deal with similar topics. This way, you can relate the studies with one another. 3. We will write a custom essay sample on Conceptual framework or any similar topic only for you Order Now From the card catalogue in a library, you will be able to identify a book that is closely related to your study. Go to the shelf and pick out the book you have identified. The materials in this book will have supporting materials in other books on the same shelf. Look at other books located above, below, to the right, and to the left of the book you have picked out. They may contain relevant materials. 4. Refer to the list of references at the end of the book or journal you have found. Those references will give you the needed relevant materials. How do you organize your RL? Cute concept(s) and variables can serve as your heading and subheadings Chitin the write up, you can further organize based on: – chronology – themes Writing skills required n building up the RL C Paraphrasing C Summarizing Ã'Å¡ Managing quotations CA Synthesizing C Citing or documenting sources What is a paraphrase? – restating an authors idea in your own words and style (Plat et al. , 2007) – putting a passage from an author into â€Å"your own words (The Writers Handbook, online) ; restating in your own words the statement of others; a Techniques in paraphrasing 1. Imagine as if you were explaining the original text to someone who doesn’t share the same background with that of the author of the original material. 2. Write the paraphrase the way you loud give that explanation. 3. Simplify the material, but keep its original ideas intact. Sample paraphrase . PDF Summary or prà ©cis – a condensed version of a longer text that represents the original ideas of the writer’s but written in the words of the one writing the summary (Plat et al. , 2007) – a condensation of the original usually one fourth to one third of the length (Tellurium, 2003 in Gonzales et al, no date) How to produce a summary: 1. Read the article to be summarized and be sure you understand it. 2. Outline the article. Note the major points. 4. Always use paraphrase when rating a summary. If you do copy a phrase from the original be sure it is a very important phrase that is necessary and cannot be paraphrased. In this case put â€Å"quotation marks† around the phrase. The features of a 1. Start your summary with a clear identification of the type of work, title, author, and main point in the present tense. Example: In the feature article â€Å"Four Kinds of Reading,† the author, Donald Hall, explains his opinion about different types of reading. 2. Check with your outline and your 3. Never put any of your own ideas, opinions, or interpretations into the marry. This means you have to be very careful of your word choice. 4. Write using â€Å"summarizing language. † Periodically remind your reader that this is a summary by using phrases such as the article sample summary. UDF Quotation – a reproduction of the author’s exact words, spelling and grammar Reminder: Make sure you do not overuse quotations in your paper. Otherwise, your paper is simply a representation of other people’s work. (Plat et al. , 2007) Rules for placing quotations 1. Put quotatio n marks around the quotation. 2. Introduce the quotation or place It in proper context. . Copy quotations exactly as they are written. Synthesizing â€Å"to combine the ideas of more than one source with your own† Synthesis ; Report information from the sources using different phrases and sentences. ; Organize so that readers can immediately see where information from the sources overlap. ; Make sense of the sources and help the reader understand them in greater depth. How to cite Conceptual framework, Papers Conceptual Framework Free Essays Conceptual Framework The basis for conceptualizing the technology of food dehydration process’ inclusion in the high school curriculum and in the vocational course offering is to provide an option window for secondary level students to acquire skills and knowledge aside from the basics taught in the other subjects that can lead to a path to entrepreneurship and income generation. Prior to the revision of the basic secondary curriculum, the focus was preparing students for higher education less in knowledge base which required critical thinking skills rather than occupational learning. Paradigm The paradigm illustrates the conceptual framework of the study and how dehydration technology can be incorporated in the school curriculum and proper application. We will write a custom essay sample on Conceptual Framework or any similar topic only for you Order Now The incorporation in the secondary curriculum and its proper application with the end recipient of the study to be the school and its stakeholders as such opening a pathway to career and lifelong education. By: Engr. Mary Rose Florence S. Cobar, Doctor of Philosophy in Education Thesis title: â€Å"Development of a Source Material in Food Dehydration Craft Technology for the Secondary Schools† THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK In the light of the theories cited in the review of related literature and studies, specially the insights from Via (1979), Smith (1984), and Russel(1974), this study aimed to develop and try-out a prototype dramaproduction-based module for improving students’ oral communication skillsin English. Figure 1, shows the conceptual framework of this study. Via’s(1979), and Smith’s (1984) ideas formed the bases for using drama production as tool in improving students’ oral English skills. Russel’s (1974)â€Å"General Characteristics of Modular Instruction† on the other hand became the guideposts of the researcher in the development of the said module. 8 In the framework, and arrow points to the three process enclosed in a rectangle. Fist among the three was the identification of competencies of effective oral communication. This was important since the module to bedeveloped would be used as a strategy to improve oral communication skills. Second was the development of a module and its validation by experts. Inthe development and validation stage, would go through revision and editingconsidering the suggestions of experts. Lastly, the module would be tried-outfor use by student-respondents and would then be finalized. 9 The output ofthese processes would be the drama production-based module aimed atimproving students’ communication skills in English. How to cite Conceptual Framework, Papers Conceptual Framework Free Essays RELEVANT TO ACCA QUALIFICATION PAPER F7 AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 10 AND 11 The need for and an understanding of a conceptual framework This topic forms most of Section A (and has an influence on Section B) of the syllabus for Paper F7, Financial Reporting. A conceptual framework is important to the understanding of the many principles and concepts that underpin International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and is an often-neglected part of candidates’ studies. Questions from these areas regularly appear in Paper F7 exams – usually as Question 4 – and I often comment in my examiner’s report that they are the least well-answered question in the exam paper; the questions also have a high incidence of candidates not attempting them at all. We will write a custom essay sample on Conceptual Framework or any similar topic only for you Order Now This article is intended to illustrate the relevance and importance of this topic. What is a conceptual framework? In a broad sense a conceptual framework can be seen as an attempt to define the nature and purpose of accounting. A conceptual framework must consider the theoretical and conceptual issues surrounding financial reporting and form a coherent and consistent foundation that will underpin the development of accounting standards. It is not surprising that early writings on this subject were mainly from academics. Conceptual frameworks can apply to many disciplines, but when specifically related to financial reporting, a conceptual framework can be seen as a statement of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that form a frame of reference for the evaluation of existing practices and the development of new ones. As the purpose of financial reporting is to provide useful information as a basis for economic decision making, a conceptual framework will form a theoretical basis for determining how transactions should be measured (historical value or current value) and reported – ie how they are presented or communicated to users. Some accountants have questioned whether a conceptual framework is necessary in order to produce reliable financial statements. Past history of standard setting bodies throughout the world tells us it is. In the absence of a conceptual framework, accounting standards were often produced that had serious defects – that is: †¢ they were not consistent with each other particularly in the role of prudence versus accruals/matching †¢ they were also internally inconsistent and often the effect of the transaction on the statement of financial position was considered more important than its effect on income the statement  © 2011 ACCA 2 THE NEED FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OCTOBER 2011 †¢ †¢ †¢ tandards were produced on a ‘fire fighting’ approach, often reacting to a corporate scandal or failure, rather than being proactive in determining best policy. Some standard setting bodies were biased in their composition (ie not fairly representative of all user groups) and this influenced the quality and direction of standards the same theoretical issues were revisited many times in successive standards – for example, does a transaction give rise to an asset (research and development expenditure) or liability (environmental provisions)? It could be argued that the lack of a conceptual framework led to a proliferation of ‘rules-based’ accounting systems whose main objective is that the treatment of all accounting transactions should be dealt with by detailed specific rules or requirements. Such a system is very prescriptive and inflexible, but has the attraction of financial statements being more comparable and consistent. By contrast, the availability of a conceptual framework could lead to ‘principles-based’ system whereby accounting standards are developed from an agreed conceptual basis with specific objectives. This brings us to the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB) The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Framework), which is in essence the IASB’s interpretation of a conceptual framework and in the process of being updated. The main purpose of the Framework is to: †¢ ssist in the development of future IFRS and the review of existing standards by setting out the underlying concepts †¢ promote harmonisation of accounting regulation and standards by reducing the number of permitted alternative accounting treatments †¢ assist the preparers of financial statements in the application of IFRS, which would include dealing with accounting transactions for which there is not (yet) an accounting standard. The Framework is also of value t o auditors, and the users of financial statements, and more generally help interested parties to understand the IASB’s approach to the formulation of an accounting standard. The content of the Framework can be summarised as follows: †¢ Identifying the objective of financial statements †¢ The reporting entity (to be issued) †¢ Identifying the parties that use financial statements †¢ The qualitative characteristics that make financial statements useful †¢ The remaining text of the old Framework dealing with elements of financial statements: assets, liabilities equity income and expenses and  © 2011 ACCA 3 THE NEED FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OCTOBER 2011 hen they should be recognised and a discussion of measurement issues (for example, historic cost, current cost) and the related concept of capital maintenance. The development of the Framework over the years has led to the IASB producing a body of world-class standards that have the following advantages for those companies that adopt them: †¢ IFRS are widely accepted as a set of high-quality and transparent global standards that are intended to achieve consistency and comparability across the world. They have been produced in cooperation with other internationally renowned standard setters, with the aspiration of achieving consensus and global convergence. †¢ Companies that use IFRS and have their financial statements audited in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) will have an enhanced status and reputation. †¢ The International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) recognise IFRS for listing purposes – thus companies that use IFRS need produce only one set of financial statements for any securities listing for countries that are members of IOSCO. This makes it easier and cheaper to raise finance in international markets. †¢ Companies that own foreign subsidiaries will find the process of consolidation simplified if all their subsidiaries use IFRS. †¢ Companies that use IFRS will find their results are more easily compared with those of other companies that use IFRS. This should obviate the need for any reconciliation from local GAAP to IFRS when analysts assess comparative performance. It is not the purpose of this article to go through the detailed content of the Framework; this is well documented in many textbooks. At this point I would stress that it is important to think about what the content of the Framework really means; it is not enough merely to rote learn the principles/definitions. This is because an understanding and application of these topics will be tested in exam questions and it is on these aspects that candidates perform rather poorly. As previously mentioned, this topic is generally examined as Question 4 (worth 15 marks). Typically, the question will identify two or three areas of the Framework and ask for a definition or explanation of them – for example, the definition of assets and liabilities, an explanation of accounting concepts such as substance over form or materiality, or qualitative characteristics such as relevance and reliability. This section will usually be followed by short scenarios intended to test candidates’ understanding and their ability to apply the above knowledge.  © 2011 ACCA 4 THE NEED FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OCTOBER 2011 Here are a few examples of past questions. June 2008 exam (a) The IASB’s Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements requires financial statements to be prepared on the basis that they comply with certain accounting concepts, underlying assumptions and (qualitative) characteristics. Five of these are: †¢ Matching/accruals †¢ Substance over form †¢ Prudence †¢ Comparability †¢ Materiality Required Briefly explain the meaning of each of the above concepts/assumptions. (5 marks) (b) For most entities, applying the appropriate concepts/assumptions in for inventories is an important element in preparing their financial statements. Required Illustrate with an example how each of the concepts/assumptions in (a) may be applied to accounting for inventory. (10 marks) (15 marks) Observations This question illustrates the progression of the topic from Paper F3 to F7. Part (a) is not much more than expected knowledge from F3, however Part (b) progresses this knowledge. It requires the application of each of the concepts, not to just any situation, but specifically to inventory thus illustrating how a single transaction (inventory in this case) can be subject to many different accounting concepts. June 2010 exam (a) An important aspect of the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB) Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements is that transactions should be recorded on the basis of their substance over their form. Required Explain why it is important that financial statements should reflect the substance of the underlying transactions and describe the features that may  © 2011 ACCA 5 THE NEED FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OCTOBER 2011 indicate that the substance of a transaction may be different from its legal form. Observations Part (a) is based on the important topic of substance over form. Note the question does not ask for a definition of the concept (this would be more for Paper F3); instead it asks why the concept is important and what features may indicate that the substance of a transaction may be different to its legal form. In other words, how do we identify such transactions? Most answers to this question merely gave a definition of substance and an example (inevitably leasing) of its use in financial statements. Part (b) consisted of a numerical example related to a sale and re-purchase agreement to illustrate the difference that the application of substance has on financial statements (compared to the legal form). June 2011 exam (a) Your assistant has been reading the IASB’s Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (the Framework) and, as part of the qualitative characteristics of financial statements under the heading of ‘relevance’, he notes that the predictive value of information is considered important. He is aware that financial statements are prepared historically (ie after transactions have occurred) and offers the view that the predictive value of financial statements would be enhanced if forward-looking information (for example, forecasts) were published rather than backward-looking historical statements. Required By the use of specific examples, provide an explanation to your assistant of how IFRS presentation and disclosure requirements can assist the predictive role of historically prepared financial statements. (6 marks) Observations Again Part (a) is themed on the Framework: the important characteristic of relevance. This is such an import characteristic that the Framework says (implicitly) that if information is not relevant, it is of no use. This question focuses on a particular aspect of relevance; that of predictability. Predictability recognises that users of financial statements are very interested the future performance of an entity. The core of this question was about how historical information can be presented, such that it enhances the predictive value of financial statements.  © 2011 ACCA 6 THE NEED FOR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OCTOBER 2011 From memory I would say that this (section) question had the highest number of candidates that did not give any answer; and of those that did, very few scored more than half of the available marks. Part (a) was followed by a section on continuing and discontinued operations, and a calculation of diluted earnings per share. If these topics had been mentioned in Part (a) alone, it would have gained two of the six marks available. Conclusion Simply look out for more of this type of question – it is an important area and should not be neglected. Steve Scott is examiner for Paper F7  © 2011 ACCA How to cite Conceptual Framework, Essay examples