Relevance of Experimental Design

Research methods in the Social Sciences are vital for the sake of knowledge (adding to or improving upon knowledge). The dynamic nature of people, organisations, nations as well as our external environment brings to fore the importance a scientific approach to analysis. There exist various methods of research designs that can be employed by a researcher. For the purpose of this paper, we shall look extensively at the experimental research design, types, pros and cons of each type. Also explained are methods of its application and its uniqueness. Keywords: research design, experimental design, scientific approach, control group, experimental grou

An Application of Linear Programming for Efficient Resource Allocation

Every business organisation exits primarily to make profit while ensuring its continued existence. In a bid to maximise profit with the limited available resources, it becomes imperative therefore that efficient allocation be made of these resources. This paper ex-rays the concept of linear programming as an optimisation technique for maximising profit with the available resources. It goes further to address a problem encountered by a business (Eat Plaza)who due to an increment in price of raw material wants to strim- line its production. The linear programming model is used to analyse this problem and an optimum solution is reached as well as relevant recommendations to the management. Keywords: linear programming model, limited resources, optimum, profi

Indigenous Tea Production From Calyces Of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.

Studies were carried out on the possibility of producing an acceptable indigenous tea from a commonly available indigenous raw material, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. The said tea was blended with ground dried leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and ground dried peels of Citrus limon. The commonly consumed commercial green tea, Camellia sinensis was employed as control and also for the purposes of comparison. Both the experimental H. sabdariffa tea and the control were served to a panel of tasters. The tasters rated the H. sabdariffa experimental tea higher than the commercially sold control tea, C. sinensis. The microbial loads of the experimental tea and control were also assessed. No harmful or toxic species of microorganisms were isolated from both teas. The pH of the experimental tea was found to be 4.8 while that of the control was 5.8. The experimental tea components and the final blended tea were found to contain glucose, protein, oil and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate. The implications of the various results obtained have been discussed.Key Words: Tea production, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus limo