Theoretical methodologies Essay Example for Free

Theoretical methodologies Essay Research Design Population The population to test the hypothesis is a group of 102 students’ data collected from various universities across the United States. The sampling included a systematic random sampling method to ensure that students from all kinds of universities and economic and academic backgrounds – the focus was to ensure that the sample was free from biases and reflected as closely as possible the true student population of the United States university students. The age range for the collected sample ranged from 18 to 24. As many as 10 different universities were represented in the sample of 102 students and the economic status of the students was kept anonymous assuming that it was normally distributed. The next step was to gather the number of hours they spent studying. This was done by providing to them an hourly description document of their activities attached in the appendix. From that the number of hours studied was keyed off and stored for corresponding GPA entry. The GPAs were obtained from the career counselors of the universities – to ensure the accuracy and the authenticity of the data. The methodology used by Stinebrickner and Stinebrickner (2007) is complex; it involves establishing the exogeneity of the factors that might affect the causal relationship of studying to academic average and was unique to the study since the research setting had a more controlled and rigid atmosphere than most colleges that made the experiment possible. Prior to the study, the researchers had gathered longitudinal data about student’s academic and personal life in the campus and used the said data to build a model of the typical college student’s habits and behavior. Methodology Used Since the relationship between increase in hours of study and GPA increase is proportional (could be either linear or exponential), we will use regression testing to establish the conclusion as to whether the relationship is significantly strong enough (causative) or not. Research Question: â€Å"Is there a positive relationship between the number of hours spent by a student studying and the GPA obtained by the student? † Data Analysis The ordered pairs for the correlation coefficient will be as follows: [Hours spent on Studying, GPA]. The dataset is as follows: Hours Spent GPA Hours Spent GPA Hours Spent GPA 0 3. 00 2 1. 71 2 3. 83 1 1. 67 2 2. 59 0 2. 01 1 1. 30 3 3. 36 1 1. 09 6 1. 34 1 1. 28 5 2. 59 2 1. 25 0 3. 17 0 2. 74 5 3. 85 4 1. 11 1 1. 47 2 2. 36 3 3. 95 1 1. 08 3 2. 93 0 3. 44 5 2. 26 3 1. 74 0 2. 88 4 3. 04 3 3. 55 1 2. 87 4 1. 95 1 1. 22 3 2. 26 0 3. 42 2 3.49 3 3. 09 1 3. 19 3 3. 76 0 1. 03 3 2. 27 5 2. 56 5 3. 76 2 3. 71 6 2. 50 1 1. 87 4 2. 40 6 2. 59 6 3. 68 1 1. 26 2 1. 29 0 1. 00 4 3. 27 2 3. 42 2 2. 45 2 1. 74 5 2. 37 0 2. 66 1 2. 25 4 1. 31 5 1. 13 2 2. 56 3 3. 00 5 3. 05 5 2. 67 0 3. 22 2 2. 73 0 1. 72 5 3. 34 4 3. 71 5 2. 80 4 3. 65 5 1. 52 2 1. 25.5 2. 14 4 1. 98 1 3. 30 0 3. 75 2 3. 09 6 2. 17 0 2. 75 3 2. 62 6 2. 69 0 2. 29 1 3. 42 6 2. 06 5 2. 70 4 1. 51 6 1. 93 0 2. 85 1 3. 36 6 2. 18 0 1. 87 0 2. 90 1 3. 79 4 3. 61 4 3. 13 3 3. 13 0 2. 38 1 3. 14 2 2. 37 5 3. 38 3 2. 38 0 1. 01. This is based on the assumption that the number of hours spent on studying is the determinant of the GPA obtained by a student. This leads to the proposition that age is the independent variable and money spent on an automobile is the dependent variable. A total of 80 ordered pairs of age and money spent on an automobile are available in the dataset. The following is the scatter plot obtained for the data: Even a rough glance at the scatter plot will tell a non-statistician that there is a no linear relationship or causative association between the two variables. However, for the purpose of our study, we will complete the steps necessary to form a conclusion. Using the CORREL function in Excel, the value for the correlation co-efficient was: Analysis of the dataset using linear regression model led to following regression equation: Based on the values of the gradient and slope in the equation above and the correlation coefficient, one can easily conclude that the dataset seems to reflect upon the fact that there is a vague causative relationship between the number of hours spent studying by a student and their GPA. However, it is important to test this hypothesis and make a conclusion on the basis of statistical techniques. Hypothesis Testing On the basis of the above obtained difference in the calculated and tabulated statistics, we can conclude that there is a positive relationship between the number of hours spent studying by a student and their GPA. Though weak it can be predicted by the following equation: Findings It was found from statistical testing that the calculated statistics (from the dataset) lay outside the region of acceptance. This forced us to reject the hypothesis that there is absolutely no relationship between the two variables. Though weak (in terms of the gradients), the relationship exists, is incremental (positive) and suggests that the student not putting any hours of study will end up having a GPA of 2. 448 (put x=0). The graphical conclusions cannot be accepted as they, when accompanied by the trend line, seem themselves not enough to undermine a conclusion. The t-statistic testing was the best method to test the data and the conclusion is subtle, assuming that the data collected was free from errors and biases. Conclusion. The statistical regression testing applied on the dataset suggests that there is a weak positive causative relationship associated with the students’ study hours and GPA. It forces the conclusion drawn from this study to be: the higher the number of hours spent by students studying, the higher will their GPA be. Even though the incremental GPA due to an additional hour of study is not significantly high, we cannot conclude that there is no relationship between the two (although the graph seems to suggest this on visual perception). Taking the theory into account that slow and steady wins the race, we can assume the fact that students who spent in time studying generally have better GPAs than other students who either rely on their intelligence to get them across or other weaker students who are careless about studying. The scope of this research was limited and the results therefore are limited for interpretation. A better research carried out across more schools and more students definitely would promise better results in future undertaken by any other researcher. But for the moment, we can conclude that there is a positive causative relationship between the number of hours studied and GPA for university students in the US. Works Cited Anand, V. (2007). A study of time management: The correlation between video game usage and academic performance markers . CyberPsychology Behavior, 10(4): 552-559. Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research, 10th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, Thomson Learning Inc. Hill, L. (1991). Effort and Reward in College: A Replication of Some Puzzling Findings. † In James W. Neuliep (ed), Replication Research in the Social Science. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, pp. 139-56. Rau, W. Durand, A. (2000). The academic ethic and college grades: Does hard work help students to ‘make the grade’? Sociology of Education, 73:19-38. Rivkin, S. , Hanushek, E. Kain, J. (2005). Teachers, school, and academic achievement. Econometrica, 73(2), 417-458. Schuman, H. , Walsh, E. , Olson, C. Etheridge, B. (1985). Effort and reward: The assumption that college grades are affected by the quantity of study. Social Forces, 63:945-66. Stinebrickner, T. Stinebrickner, R. (2004). Time-use and college outcomes. Journal of Econometrics, 121(1-2), 243-269. Stinebrickner, T. Stinebrickner, R. (2007). The causal effect of studying on academic performance. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper, No. 13341. Walpole, R. E. (2002). Introductory Statistics. Los Angeles: Kraft Publishers. Weiss, N. A. (1984). Introductory Statistics, 5th Edition. New York: CRC Press. Appendix Time Period What were you doing? 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 Noon 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM 12:00 MN 1:00 AM 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 4:00 AM 5:00 AM.

insurance law Essay -- essays research papers

The Nature of Insurance came about to offset any loss that an individual or those engaged in business may suffer through the occurrence of some unforeseen event. To offset this loss the commercial world developed the contract of insurance. In return for a fee the individual, or the business enterprise, would be indemnified for the loss suffered on the occurrence of the event insured against. Contracts of insurance cover a wide field such as life assurance, personal accident public liability, damage to property and general liability insurance. A contract of insurance is a contract whereby one party, called the insurer, agrees in return for a payment called the premium to pay a sum of money to another, called the insured, on the occurrence of a certain event, or to indemnify the insured against the loss caused by the risk which is insured against. Policies of insurance are of two broad types: life assurance, which insures against an event that must happen, namely, death; and liability insurance, which insures against events that may happen. A contract of insurance may be in any form, such as by deed, in writing, or verbal. In practice such a contract is embodied in a written document called a policy, which expressly states all the terms of the contract. Three elements are essential to an insurance contract: (a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  consideration must pass to the Insurer. This usually takes the form of periodic payments, called premiums; (b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  there must be some degree of uncertainty as to whether the event insured against will happen, or if it is bound to happen, as to when it will happen (c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  the event, if or when it happens, must be adverse to the interest of the insured. Insurance business in Ireland is carried on principally by registered friendly societies, which deal in life assurance and are governed by the Friendly Societies Acts 1909-1989. Both statutes attempt to provide some supervision by the state so as to safeguard the interest of policy holders. Insurance companies must hold a licence, maintain a bond with the High court and make annual returns. The usual procedure for a party seeking insurance is to first complete a proposal form and submit it to the insurers. Where the proposal form is rejected that is the end of the matter and there is no contract. The insurer is not ... ...Dodgem Insurance are therefore only required to pay Chandler at most  £150,000 even though the cost might be more. The policy taken out by Joey will in no way effect the policy Chandler has taking out with Dodgem Insurance Ltd. The two Insurance companies will be required to each pay an appropriate percentage of the claim. Chandler is not entitled to any contribution from Central Perk Insurance as this policy was taking out by Dodgem Ltd and is a general contents policy. Dodgem Insurance will receive a relevant payout for any damage done to the general contents on their section of Castle View i.e. the ground floor. Even though Chandler neglected to mention that Castle View has a thatched roof, he is covered by Section 18 (3) of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 (b) i.e. Any circumstance that is known or presumed known to the insurer. The insurer is presumed to know matters or common notoriety or knowledge, and matters, which an insurer in the ordinary course of his business as such ought to know. Chandler may have presumed that because Dodgem Insurance Ltd are located in the same building that he is insuring that they will have taking the fact that it has a thatched roof into account.

Grade Comment Essay

Please comment below on your previous college grades as an index of your abilities. My weighted average grade for each semester has an overall uptrend during last three years. Moreover, I am academic competent in my studied field, with a weighted average score of 89 for the specialized courses related to economics and finance. Additionally, the scores for all three econometrics courses are higher than 93, which shows evidence for my good quantitative skills and software operation skills. However, I performed relatively bad in several mathematics courses, partly because I were not accustomed to the new teaching and test methods when I just entered college. The weighted average scores for last six semesters are 85.5, 82.5, 88.7, 89.3, 90.0, 86.4 (integrated the third term to the first term of the following academic year). My first year scores are relatively low because I had to adapt to the totally different environment in that time, the first time to move away from my parents and to be accustomed to distinct teaching and test systems. Therefore, three mathematic courses, including Advanced Mathematics 1&2 and Linear Algebra, only earned scores about 70 to 84 in the first two semesters. However, I don’t think the low score represents my poor proficiency in mathematics. In the econometric classes, a course requires integrated understanding in advanced mathematics, linear algebra and statistics knowledge, I earned scores higher than 93. For all 20 specialized courses related to economics and finance, the weighted average score is 89, and only two of them are lower than 87. In conclusion, after one year of adaption, my grades of each semester have an upward trend, and I have showed good academic, quantitative skills in my learning experience.

Nursing-Sensitive Indicators Essay

According to the American Nurses Association, nursing-sensitive indicators â€Å"reflect the structure, process and outcomes of nursing care.† (â€Å"Nursing Sensitive Indicators,† 2015) Understanding the indicators is an important piece of nursing, not only to assist the patient, but the patients loved ones as well, to ensure quality patient care. In this particular case, had the nurse understood the reasoning and data behind the Pressure Ulcer Rate and Restraint indicators, and communicated the necessity to report any pertinent findings the CNA may discover in the nurse’s absence, the CNA would not have dismissed the reddened area over the patient’s lower spine and would have immediately informed the nurse of the finding. Upon returning the patient to bed, the CNA would have also known not to place the patient back in bed on his back and re-apply the restraints. Instead, would have had the patient lay to one side and stressed the importance, to the patie nt and family member, of frequent turning, to reduce the chance of pressure ulcers. Quality patient care can only be achieved with teamwork and open communication. The discussion of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients has become an increasing issue with more attention to the prevention of such since the early to mid-1990’s. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) state that stage III and stage IV pressure ulcers occurring during admission are considered preventable (Zaratkiewicz et al., 2010). While the gentleman in our case scenario represented what would be considered a stage 1 pressure ulcer, with proper quality care and training, even this stage 1 ulcer could have been prevented or at the very least, the progression halted. If the nurse had a better understanding of nursing-sensitive indicators, or the theory behind them, then maybe he or she would take more ownership in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, conducted their own study regarding pressure ulcers and ways to prevent them. Their study was  intended to track, prevent and improve skin-related outcomes (Zaratkiewicz et al., 2010). While the results of the study showed a large increase in minor pressure ulcers, it showed a huge decrease in stage III and IV ulcers, the most costly and reportable types. Education and staff reinforcement lead to early detection and improvement in practice, ultimately faring better for the patient. Maybe if the hospital in the scenario had communicated such important figures or conducted their own study, the nursing staff and even the CNA’s would have a better understanding and ultimately provide better care. As far as ethical issues such as the request for a kosher meal that ended up not being kosher, we as nurses accept and agree to abide by a code of ethics. If I were the nursing shift supervisor and this case scenario occurred, there are a few different things I would use to discuss with my staff. First of all, I would remind all nursing staff of the code of ethics we all accepted the day we graduated nursing school and offer copies to each of them to serve as a reminder. Specifically, for this scenario, I would point out; â€Å"Human Dignity is respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations. In professional practice, concern for human dignity is reflected when the nurse values and respects all patients and colleagues† (â€Å"The Essentials,† 2008). While I am not Jewish and not receiving a kosher meal does not seem to be a big deal to me, I know that it is important to my patient and an acceptable request, so it should be a priority for me. Secondly, I would start a monthly ethical education series, choosing a different topic to better educate my staff. In the world we live in today, there are so many cultures and a necessity to be more aware of ethical treatment, that the staff should not be expected to â€Å"just know it.† This knowledge comes from on-going education and it is up to the hospital and staff to make sure they are kept as up to date as possible regarding ethical treatment of patients. I would also involve my Board of Ethics or ethical expert from the hospital to intervene and sincerely apologize to the family. While we won’t be able to fix the meal that was already eaten, we can ensure the patient and family that steps have been taken to support special requests of patients from now on. References Nursing-Sensitive Indicators. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursi

Free Essays on Hawthornes Women

Hawthorne’s Women What does Nathaniel Hawthorne think of women’s rights? Many critics believe he is attacking feminism. Others think he is defending women. Hawthorne was happily married to Sophia Peabody. â€Å"His love for his young wife might prove the stronger of the two† (Hawthorne, 45). He did not spend much of his time with his mother because after his father died, she locked herself in her room and very seldom came out. These two experiences could have had an affect on his view of women. So is Hawthorne attacking or defending mid-nineteenth century feminism? In Hawthorne’s short stories he seems to be obsessed with women’s beauty. In Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† he states, â€Å"Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens, and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on weekdays† (10). Some critics think he is lifting up women and there beauty. However, some believe he is attacking women perfectionism. â€Å"In Hawthorne’s analysis the idealization of women stems from a vision as them as hideous and unnatural; it is a form of compensation, and an attempt to bring them up to the level of nature† (Fetterley, 167). Hawthorne was married to a very beautiful woman and may be referring to her beauty. Some critics think he is trying to secretly eliminate all females. Fetterley states, â€Å"There are compensations, however, for as an adult he has access to a complex set of mechanisms for accomplishing the Great American dream of eliminating women† (164). However, it could be looked at as if he is trying to perfect all females. â€Å"What repels Aylmer is Georgiana's sexuality; what is imperfect in her is the fact that she is female; and what perfection means is elimination† (Fetterley, 166). Aylmer seems to be trying to kill his wife but do it in a way so it makes it look like he is trying to help her. â€Å"It is a testimony at once to Hawthorne’s ambivalence,... Free Essays on Hawthorne's Women Free Essays on Hawthorne's Women Hawthorne’s Women What does Nathaniel Hawthorne think of women’s rights? Many critics believe he is attacking feminism. Others think he is defending women. Hawthorne was happily married to Sophia Peabody. â€Å"His love for his young wife might prove the stronger of the two† (Hawthorne, 45). He did not spend much of his time with his mother because after his father died, she locked herself in her room and very seldom came out. These two experiences could have had an affect on his view of women. So is Hawthorne attacking or defending mid-nineteenth century feminism? In Hawthorne’s short stories he seems to be obsessed with women’s beauty. In Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† he states, â€Å"Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens, and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on weekdays† (10). Some critics think he is lifting up women and there beauty. However, some believe he is attacking women perfectionism. â€Å"In Hawthorne’s analysis the idealization of women stems from a vision as them as hideous and unnatural; it is a form of compensation, and an attempt to bring them up to the level of nature† (Fetterley, 167). Hawthorne was married to a very beautiful woman and may be referring to her beauty. Some critics think he is trying to secretly eliminate all females. Fetterley states, â€Å"There are compensations, however, for as an adult he has access to a complex set of mechanisms for accomplishing the Great American dream of eliminating women† (164). However, it could be looked at as if he is trying to perfect all females. â€Å"What repels Aylmer is Georgiana's sexuality; what is imperfect in her is the fact that she is female; and what perfection means is elimination† (Fetterley, 166). Aylmer seems to be trying to kill his wife but do it in a way so it makes it look like he is trying to help her. â€Å"It is a testimony at once to Hawthorne’s ambivalence,...

Andrew Carnegie and the Rise of Big Business essays

Andrew Carnegie and the Rise of Big Business essays This biography of Andrew Carnegie starts off focusing on his family's immigration to the United States of America and their reason for doing so. He was born in Scotland in 1835 and came to the United States in 1848. It then talks about his apprenticeships as both a manager and as a financier before going on to become one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in history. In 1865, established his own business enterprises and eventually organized the Carnegie Steel Company in Pittsburgh. The social and economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution allowed Carnegie to amass his fortune in the United States. He was ruthless in his cost-cutting endeavors, and he was willing to experiment with his new business methods that would increase production and profits. At age 65, he sold his company to J.P. Morgan for $480 million. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this Scotland native was one of the richest men in the world. He then devoted his life to philant hropic activities and writing. He gave away his fortune through numerous personal gifts and the establishment of various trusts. By the time he passed away in 1919, he had given away more than 350 million. Some of the book's primary sources include the Carnegie papers in the Library of Congress, Joseph Frazier Wall's book Andrew Carnegie, Burton J. Hendrick's The Life of Andrew Carnegie, and James Howard Bridge's book The Inside History of the Carnegie Steel Company. These three books gave the author good material to work with because they each have some insight either first hand or through Carnegie's friends. The book's secondary sources include F.C. Mather's book Public Order in the Age of the Chartists, George Rogers Taylor's book The Transportation Revolution 1815-1860, and Edward C. Kirkland's Industry Comes of Age. These books give the author some insight of the economy during Carnegie's era and the history of m ...

Biography of Czar Nicholas II, Last Czar of Russia

Biography of Czar Nicholas II, Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II (May 18, 1868–July 17, 1918) was the last czar of Russia. He ascended to the throne following the death of his father in 1894. Woefully unprepared for such a role, Nicholas II has been characterized as a naà ¯ve and incompetent leader. At a time of enormous social and political change in his country, Nicholas held fast to outdated, autocratic policies and opposed reform of any kind. His inept handling of military matters and insensitivity to the needs of his people helped to fuel the 1917 Russian Revolution. Forced to abdicate in 1917, Nicholas went into exile with his wife and five children. After living more than a year under house arrest, the entire family was brutally executed in July 1918 by Bolshevik soldiers. Nicholas II was the last of the Romanov Dynasty, which had ruled Russia for 300 years. Fast Facts: Czar Nicholas II Known For: Last Czar of Russia; executed during the Russian revolutionBorn: May 18, 1868 in Tsarskoye Selo, RussiaParents: Alexander III and Marie FeodorovnaDied: July 17, 1918 in Ekaterinburg, RussiaEducation: TutoredSpouse: Princess Alix of Hesse (Empress Alexandra Feodorovna)Children: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and AlexeiNotable Quote: â€Å"I am not yet ready to be Tsar. I know nothing of the business of ruling.† Early Life Nicholas II, born in Tsarskoye Selo near St. Petersburg, Russia, was the first child of Alexander III and Marie Feodorovna (formerly Princess Dagmar of Denmark). Between 1869 and 1882, the royal couple had three more sons and two daughters. The second child, a boy, died in infancy. Nicholas and his siblings were closely related to other European royalty, including first cousins George V (future king of England) and Wilhelm II, the last Kaiser (Emperor) of Germany. In 1881, Nicholas’ father, Alexander III, became czar (emperor) of Russia after his father, Alexander II, was killed by an assassins bomb. Nicholas, at age 12, witnessed his grandfathers death when the czar, horribly maimed, was carried back to the palace. Upon his fathers ascension to the throne, Nicholas became the Tsarevich (heir-apparent to the throne). Despite being raised in a palace, Nicholas and his siblings grew up in a strict, austere environment and enjoyed few luxuries. Alexander III lived simply, dressing as a peasant while at home and making his own coffee each morning. The children slept on cots and washed in cold water. Overall, however, Nicholas experienced a happy upbringing in the Romanov household. The Young Tsarevich Educated by several tutors, Nicholas studied languages, history, and the sciences, as well as horsemanship, shooting, and even dancing. What he was not schooled in, unfortunately for Russia, was how to function as a monarch. Czar Alexander III, healthy and robust at 6-foot-4, planned to rule for decades. He assumed there would be plenty of time to instruct Nicholas in how to run the empire. At the age of 19, Nicholas joined an exclusive regiment of the Russian Army and also served in the horse artillery. The Tsarevich didnt participate in any serious military activities; these commissions were more akin to a finishing school for the upper class. Nicholas enjoyed his carefree lifestyle, taking advantage of the freedom to attend parties and balls with few responsibilities to weigh him down. Prompted by his parents, Nicholas embarked upon a royal grand tour, accompanied by his brother George. Departing Russia in 1890 and traveling by steamship and train, they visited the Middle East, India, China, and Japan. While visiting Japan, Nicholas survived an assassination attempt in 1891 when a Japanese man lunged at him, swinging a sword at his head. The attackers motive was never determined. Although Nicholas suffered only a minor head wound, his concerned father ordered Nicholas home immediately. Betrothal to Alix and the Death of the Czar Nicholas first met Princess Alix of Hesse (daughter of a German Duke and Queen Victorias second daughter Alice) in 1884 at the wedding of his uncle to Alixs sister Elizabeth. Nicholas was 16 and Alix 12. They met again on several occasions over the years, and Nicholas was adequately impressed to write in his diary that he dreamed of one day marrying Alix. When Nicholas was in his mid-20s and expected to seek a suitable wife from the nobility, he ended his relationship with a Russian ballerina and began to pursue Alix. Nicholas proposed to Alix in April 1894, but she didnt immediately accept. A devout Lutheran, Alix was hesitant at first because marriage to a future czar meant that she must convert to the Russian Orthodox religion. After a day of contemplation and discussion with family members, she agreed to marry Nicholas. The couple soon became quite smitten with one another and looked forward to getting married the following year. Theirs would be a marriage of genuine love. Unfortunately, things changed drastically for the happy couple within months of their engagement. In September 1894, Czar Alexander became gravely ill with nephritis (an inflammation of the kidney). Despite a steady stream of doctors and priests who visited him, the czar died on November 1, 1894, at the age of 49. Twenty-six-year-old Nicholas reeled from both the grief of losing his father and the tremendous responsibility now placed upon his shoulders. Czar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Nicholas, as the new czar, struggled to keep up with his duties, which began with planning his fathers funeral. Inexperienced in planning such a grand-scale event, Nicholas received criticism on many fronts for the numerous details that were left undone. On November 26, 1894, just 25 days after Czar Alexander’s death, the period of mourning was interrupted for a day so that Nicholas and Alix could marry. Princess Alix of Hesse, newly converted to Russian Orthodoxy, became Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The couple returned immediately to the palace after the ceremony as a wedding reception was deemed inappropriate during the mourning period. The royal couple moved into the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo just outside of St. Petersburg and within a few months learned they were expecting their first child. (Daughter Olga was born in November 1895. She was followed by three more daughters: Tatiana, Marie, and Anastasia. The long-anticipated male heir, Alexei, was finally born in 1904.) In May 1896, a year and a half after Czar Alexander died, Czar Nicholas’ long-awaited, lavish coronation ceremony finally took place. Unfortunately, a horrific incident occurred during one of the many public celebrations held in Nicholas’ honor. A stampede on the Khodynka Field in Moscow resulted in more than 1,400 deaths. Incredibly, Nicholas did not cancel the ensuing coronation balls and parties. The Russian people were appalled at Nicholas handling of the incident, which made it appear that he cared little about his people. By any account, Nicholas II had not begun his reign on a favorable note. The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) Nicholas, like many past and future Russian leaders, wanted to expand his country’s territory. Looking to the Far East, Nicholas saw potential in Port Arthur, a strategic warm-water port on the Pacific Ocean in southern Manchuria (northeastern China). By 1903, Russia’s occupation of Port Arthur angered the Japanese, who had themselves recently been pressured to relinquish the area. When Russia built its Trans-Siberian Railroad through part of Manchuria, the Japanese were further provoked. Twice, Japan sent diplomats to Russia to negotiate the dispute; however, each time, they were sent home without being granted an audience with the czar, who viewed them with contempt. By February 1904, the Japanese had run out of patience. A Japanese fleet launched a surprise attack on Russian warships at Port Arthur, sinking two of the ships and blockading the harbor. Well-prepared Japanese troops also swarmed the Russian infantry at various points on land. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, the Russians suffered one humiliating defeat after another, both on land and sea. Nicholas, who had never thought the Japanese would start a war, was forced to surrender to Japan in September 1905. Nicholas II became the first czar to lose a war to an Asian nation. An estimated 80,000 Russian soldiers lost their lives in a war that had revealed the czars utter ineptitude at diplomacy and military affairs. Bloody Sunday and the Revolution of 1905 By the winter of 1904, dissatisfaction among the working class in Russia had escalated to the point that numerous strikes were staged in St. Petersburg. Workers, who had hoped for a better future living in cities, instead faced long hours, poor wages, and inadequate housing. Many families went hungry on a regular basis, and housing shortages were so severe that some laborers slept in shifts, sharing a bed with several others. On January 22, 1905, tens of thousands of workers came together for a peaceful march to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Organized by radical priest Georgy Gapon, protesters were forbidden to bring weapons; instead, they carried religious icons and pictures of the royal family. Participants also brought with them a petition to present to the czar, stating their list of grievances and seeking his help. Although the czar was not at the palace to receive the petition (he had been advised to stay away), thousands of soldiers awaited the crowd. Having been informed incorrectly that the protesters were there to harm the czar and destroy the palace, the soldiers fired into the mob, killing and wounding hundreds. The czar himself did not order the shootings, but he was held responsible. The unprovoked massacre, called Bloody Sunday, became the catalyst for further strikes and uprisings against the government, called the 1905 Russian Revolution. After a massive general strike had brought much of Russia to a halt in October 1905, Nicholas was finally forced to respond to the protests. On October 30, 1905, the czar reluctantly issued the October Manifesto, which created a constitutional monarchy and an elected legislature, known as the Duma. Ever the autocrat, Nicholas made sure the powers of the Duma remained limited- nearly half of the budget was exempted from their approval, and they were not allowed to participate in foreign policy decisions. The czar also retained full veto power. The creation of the Duma appeased the Russian people in the short run, but Nicholas’ further blunders hardened his people’s hearts against him. Alexandra and Rasputin The royal family rejoiced at the birth of a male heir in 1904. Young Alexei seemed healthy at birth, but within a week, as the infant bled uncontrollably from his navel, it was clear that something was seriously wrong. Doctors diagnosed him with hemophilia, an incurable, inherited disease in which the blood will not clot properly. Even a seemingly minor injury could cause the young Tsesarevich  to bleed to death. His horrified parents kept the diagnosis a secret from all but the most immediate family. Empress Alexandra, fiercely protective of her son- and his secret- isolated herself from the outside world. Desperate to find help for her son, she sought the help of various medical quacks and holy men. One such holy man, self-proclaimed faith healer Grigori Rasputin, first met the royal couple in 1905 and became a close, trusted advisor to the empress. Although rough in manner and unkempt in appearance, Rasputin gained the Empress trust with his uncanny ability to stop Alexeis bleeding during even the severest of episodes, merely by sitting and praying with him. Gradually, Rasputin became the empress closest confidante, able to exert influence upon her regarding affairs of state. Alexandra, in turn, influenced her husband on matters of great importance based upon Rasputins advice. The Empress relationship with Rasputin was baffling to outsiders, who had no idea that the Tsarevich  was ill. World War I and the Murder of Rasputin The June 1914  assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand  in Sarajevo set off a chain of events that culminated in  World War I. The fact that the assassin was a Serbian national led Austria to declare war on Serbia. Nicholas, with the backing of France, felt compelled to protect Serbia, a fellow Slavic nation. His mobilization of the Russian army in August 1914 helped to propel the conflict into a full-scale war, drawing Germany into the fray as an ally of Austria-Hungary. In 1915, Nicholas made the calamitous decision to take personal command of the Russian army. Under the czars poor military leadership, the ill-prepared Russian army was no match for the German infantry. While Nicholas was away at war, he deputized his wife to oversee affairs of the empire. To the Russian people, however, this was a terrible decision. They viewed the empress as untrustworthy since she had come from Germany, Russia’s enemy in  World War I.  Adding to their mistrust, the Empress relied heavily on the despised Rasputin to help her make policy decisions. Many government officials and family members saw the disastrous effect Rasputin was having on Alexandra and the country and believed he must be removed. Unfortunately, both Alexandra and Nicholas ignored their pleas to dismiss Rasputin. With their grievances unheard, a group of angry conservatives soon took matters into their hands. In a murder scenario that has become legendary, several members of the aristocracy- including a prince, an army officer, and a cousin of Nicholas- succeeded, with some difficulty, in  killing Rasputin  in December 1916. Rasputin survived poisoning and multiple gunshot wounds, then finally succumbed after being bound and thrown into a river. The killers were quickly  identified but were not punished. Many looked upon them as heroes. Unfortunately, the murder of Rasputin was not enough to stem the tide of discontent. The End of a Dynasty The people of Russia had become increasingly angry with the governments indifference to their suffering. Wages had plummeted, inflation had risen, public services had all but ceased, and millions were being killed in a war they didn’t want. In March 1917, 200,000 protesters converged in the capital city of Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) to protest the czars policies. Nicholas ordered the army to subdue the crowd. By this point, however, most of the soldiers were sympathetic to the protesters demands and thus just fired shots into the air or joined the ranks of the protesters. There were still a few commanders loyal to the czar who forced their soldiers to shoot into the crowd, killing several people. Not to be deterred, the protesters gained control of the city within days, during what came to be known as the February/March  1917 Russian Revolution. With Petrograd in the hands of revolutionaries, Nicholas had no choice but to abdicate the throne. Believing that he could somehow still save the dynasty, Nicholas II signed the abdication statement on March 15, 1917, making his brother, Grand Duke Mikhail, the new czar. The grand duke wisely declined the title, bringing the 304-year-old Romanov dynasty to an end. The provisional government allowed the royal family to stay in the palace at Tsarskoye Selo under guard while officials debated their fate. Exile of the Romanovs When the provisional government became increasingly threatened by the Bolsheviks in the summer of 1917, worried government officials decided to secretly move Nicholas and his family to safety in western Siberia. However, when the provisional government was overthrown by the Bolsheviks (led by  Vladimir Lenin) during the October/November 1917 Russian Revolution, Nicholas and his family came under the control  of the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks relocated the Romanovs to  Ekaterinburg  in the Ural Mountains in April 1918, ostensibly to await a public trial. Many opposed the Bolsheviks being in power; thus, a civil war erupted between the Communist Reds and their opponents, the anti-Communist Whites. These two groups fought for control of the country, as well as for custody of the Romanovs. When the White Army began to gain ground in its battle with the Bolsheviks and headed toward  Ekaterinburg  to rescue the imperial family, the Bolsheviks made sure that rescue would never take place. Death Nicholas, his wife, and his five children were all awakened at 2 a.m. on July 17,  1918, and told to prepare for departure. They were gathered into a small room, where  Bolshevik soldiers fired upon them. Nicholas and his wife were killed outright, but the others were not so fortunate. Soldiers used bayonets to carry out the remainder of the executions. The corpses were buried at two separate sites and were burned and covered with acid to prevent them from being identified. In 1991, the remains of nine bodies were excavated at  Ekaterinburg. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed them to be those of Nicholas, Alexandra, three of their daughters, and four of their servants. The second grave, containing the remains of Alexei and his sister Marie, was not discovered until 2007. The Romanov familys remains were reburied at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the traditional burial place of the Romanovs. Legacy It might be said that the Russian Revolution and the events that followed were, in a sense, the legacy of Nicholas II- a leader who was unable to respond to changing times by considering the needs of his people. Over the years, research into the final fate of the Romanov family has revealed a mystery: while the bodies of the Czar, Czarina, and several children were found, two bodies- those of the Alexei, heir to the throne, and Grand Duchess Anastasia- were missing. This suggests that perhaps, somehow, two of the Romanov children actually survived. Sources Figes, Orlando. From Tsar to U.S.S.R.: Russias Chaotic Year of Revolution. October 25, 2017. â€Å"Historic Figures: Nicholas II (1868-1918).† BBC News.ï » ¿Keep, John L.H. â€Å"Nicholas II.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 28 Jan. 2019.