Focus Group Discussion Research - 1375 Words

Focus Group Discussion Research (Term Paper Sample) Content: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION 1 IntroductionFocus groups were first used at Columbia University in the 1940s. Early groups were used to study things such as U.S. troop morale following World War II. Private businesses were early adopters of focus groups, having used them since the 1950s to better understand consumer behavior and preferences. In the 1980s and 1990s, social scientists recognized the benefits of focus groups as a qualitative method. 2 What is a focus group discussion?A focus group is an interactive discussion between 6 to 8 pre-selected participants, led by a trained moderator/facilitator and focusing on a specific set of issues (Hennink, Hutter Bailey, 2011). According to Rubin and Rubin (2012), in a focus group, a researcher brings together a group of individuals representative of the population whose ideas are of interest. 3 How are focus groups different from regular groups?A focus group is different from other groups in that it is focused, has a specific discussion topic, has a trained facilitator and its composition is carefully planned to create a nonthreatening environment4. Some reasons for a focus group discussion * The group environment acts to temper (modify) extreme views, so that the method also provides an effective means to identify community norms, views and behavior. * The interactive nature of data collection enables this method to generate more insights on the research issues than a series of in-depth interviews with the same number of participants. * Focus groups also are useful when study participants have trouble reading or writing. * They are helpful when perceived power dynamics or the sensitivity of a topic would interfere with responses in a one-on-one interview. 1 When to conduct group discussions.Focus group discussions can be used for exploratory, explanatory or evaluative research as well as policy oriented research and are particularly suitable for the following: * Exploring new topics about which little i s known or where the issues are unclear. * Gaining a range of views about the study issues in a single episode of data collection * Understanding typical behavior or social-cultural norms in the study population and highlighting unusual or extreme behavior. * Understanding group process (decision-making).. * Mixed methods research, where focus group discussions are paired with quantitative research or other qualitative methods. 2 The cyclical nature of data collectionThe process of data collection occurs in a cyclical manner during the ethnographic cycle. The cyclical nature of data collection; which is characteristic of qualitative data research, also allows researchers to identify when to stop data collection. As data are being collected researchers can identify the point at which no more new information is being indentified. This is the point of saturation at which further data collection serves no purpose. 3 Developing the discussion guideA discussion guide is a list of topics o r a series of actual questions used by the moderator to guide the discussion and keep it focused on the research topic. It is a memory aide and ensures that key topics are covered during the discussion. Even though the questions on the guide are structured in a logical sequence, the moderator needs to be flexible to follow topics as they are spontaneously raised by participants.Structure of the discussion guide (Funnel design)Making introductions then opening question "Breaking the iceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . Introductory question follows transition questions. Key questions dominate then closing questionsQuestion designThe focus group questions should be clear, short and simple, avoid jargon and specialist terminology, be one-dimensional and phrased in an informal conversational style. Three unique aspect of a focus group discussion guide are: the questions should promote discussion, direct personal questions are avoided, and fewer questions are included than in an in-depth interview guide. 1 TranslationSome focus groups discussion would be conducted in a different language from that of the researcher. In such situations the discussion guide should be translated into the language in which the discussion will be conducted in appropriate colloquial language not more formal translation. It is extremely important to check the quality of the translated discussion guide. Back-translation is a common strategy used to check the accuracy of the translation. 4 Preparing for data collection 2 Group composition: 1 Homogeneity among participant: Each group should comprise of participants with relatively homogeneous socio-demographic characteristics or some degree of shared experience of the discussion topic. 2 Level of familiarity among participants: The level of acquaintance among participants can also influence participantsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ contribution to the group. 3 Group sizeIdeally 6-8 participants. If fewer than six, it is difficult to sustain a discussion and gain a diversity o f perspectives, and more than eight, there is limited opportunity for each participants to actively participate and it becomes difficult for the moderator to manage the discussions. 4 Group location 1 Anywhere indoors or outdoors, as long as the location is quiet, private, comfortable, free of distractions and easy for participants to locate. 2 However, consider whether the location has any associations that may influence participantsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ contributions to the discussion. 5 Conducting the focus group discussion 5 Roles of the focus group teamComprises of a moderator and a note-taker. The role of the note-taker is to write down the key issues discussed during the group discussion in sufficient detail to reconstruct the main flow of the discussion. The note-takerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s summary should be a detailed record of the discussion issues.The moderatorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s key role is to manage the group discussions so that the information gained can sufficiently meet the research objectives . The moderatorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s tasks include:The first task is welcoming and thanking participants and outlining the process and guidelines for discussions. Ethical tasks such as informed consents, assurance of confidentiality, and storage of data are highlighted. Group cohesion is then emphasized. Facilitating discussion tasks such as managing group dynamics, keep the discussion focused. 6 Managing group dynamicsEveryone must be given an opportunity to contribute. The quiet participant can easily be overlooked; however, their opinions are equally important. The moderator should ensure that they are encouraged to participate. The dominant participant often monopolizes the discussion. The moderator should allow the dominant person to make their point, but not to allow them to dominate the discussion and restrain the contribution of others. The rambling participant monopolizes the discussion time with accounts of their experiences often of marginal relevance. The moderator has to interru pt them and redirect the discussion. 7 Group probing techniques

Feminist Consciousness-Raising Groups

Feminist consciousness-raising groups, or CR groups, began in the 1960s in New York and Chicago and quickly spread across the United States. Feminist leaders called consciousness-raising the backbone of the movement and a chief organizing tool. The Genesis of Consciousness-Raising in New York The idea to start a consciousness-raising group occurred early in the existence of the feminist organization New York Radical Women. As NYRW members tried to determine what their next action should be, Anne Forer asked the other women to give her examples from their lives of how they had been oppressed, because she needed to raise her consciousness. She recalled that labor movements of the Old Left, which fought for workers rights, had spoken of raising the consciousness of workers who did not know they were oppressed. Fellow NYRW member Kathie Sarachild picked up on Anne Forers phrase. While Sarachild said that she had extensively considered how women were oppressed, she realized that the personal experience of an individual woman could be instructive for many women. What Happened in a CR Group? NYRW began consciousness-raising by selecting a topic related to womens experience, such as husbands, dating, economic dependence, having children, abortion, or a variety of other issues. The members of the CR group went around the room, each speaking about the chosen topic. Ideally, according to feminist leaders, women met in small groups, usually consisting of a dozen women or fewer. They took turns speaking about the topic, and every woman was allowed to speak, so no one dominated the discussion. Then the group discussed what had been learned. Effects of Consciousness-Raising Carol Hanisch said that consciousness-raising worked because it destroyed the isolation that men used to maintain their authority and supremacy. She later explained in her famous essay The Personal is Political that consciousness-raising groups were not a psychological therapy group but rather a valid form of political action. In addition to creating a sense of sisterhood, CR groups allowed women to verbalize feelings they may have dismissed as unimportant. Because discrimination was so pervasive, it was difficult to pinpoint. Women may not have even noticed the ways a patriarchal, male-dominated society oppressed them. What an individual woman previously felt was her own inadequacy could have actually resulted from societys ingrained tradition of male authority oppressing women. Kathie Sarachild remarked on the resistance to consciousness-raising groups as they spread across the Womens Liberation movement. She noted that the pioneering feminists had initially thought to use consciousness-raising as a way to figure out what their next action would be. They had not anticipated that the group discussions themselves would end up being seen as a radical action to be feared and criticized.

Edgar Allan Poe; Fame Inspired by a Tragic Life - 865 Words

The 19th century American poet, Edgar Allan Poe, had been plagued by grief from an early age. He was an amazing poet and author who just happened to have a darker story. Many who have studied this prestigious man feel that his works, though magnificent, were extremely dark. Some believe it was nothing more then a fancy for him to spin such gruesome tales. Others feel his work was manipulated by the misfortune of his past. These people have actually found evidence that agrees with this statement. The works of Edgar Allan Poe were inspired by the history and life style of the author. The evidence is evident, when people look back and examine the author, his life, and his writings closely. WHO IS EDGAR ALLAN POE? Edgar Allan Poe was a†¦show more content†¦He was then pawned off on a family friend and wealthy exporter from Richmond. John Allan took in young Poe, and he and his wife raised him into his teens (Edgar Allan Poe.† LitFinder. 2007). This is where Edgar Allan Poe picked up the last name â€Å"Allan.† Poe was never formally adopted, though he was treated as John Allans adopted son and was even announced as his heir for a period of time. The Allans had Poe formally educated to the best of their ability, and even took him to stay in England for five years. Frances Allan, Poes adoptive mother, treated him as her own and loved him unconditionally (â€Å"Edgar Allan Poe† Biography in Context. 1998). Relations with Poes adoptive father John Allan, however, were unsteady. Allan thought Poe to be â€Å"surly and ungrateful, and gradually seemed to have decided Poe was not to be his heir after all† (â€Å"Edgar Allan Poe† Biogr aphy in Context. 1998). This troubled Poe deeply. Poe depended on the hopes he would have Allans legacy. This was the start of Edgar Allan Poes long history with financial insecurity. BIO PT 2, EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS In 1826, Poe attended the University of Virginia for less then a year. He dropped out due to lack of funding from his foster father as well as his every growing debt. (Edgar Allan Poe.† LitFinder. 2007). Poe turned to gambling in order to stretch his allowance, but in eight months he has lost over $2,000. Allan refused to help Poe, which lead to a totalShow MoreRelatedEdgar Allan Poe721 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allan Poe Edgar Allen Poe, born is 1809, was an American short story writer, poet, and critic. He is commonly know as the father of detective stories. His most well know work of art is his poem The Raven (Werlock). Although Poe had a short lived career, his literature continues to influence many writers in the United States and Europe. He worked with many genres such as: gothic tale, science fiction, occult fantasies, and satire. While many critics consider his works of literature as grotesqueRead MoreLiterary Critics Of Edgar Allan Poe1693 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allan Poe is credited to be one of the best writers, editors, and literary critics of all time. His poetry and short stories are what majority of people recognize him for. His long and intriguing stories about mystery and the macabre are just some examples of his classic writings. At first, Edgar Allan Poe was referred to as the inventor of the modern detective story and a specialist in the science fiction genre. It was not unt il later in his life that people began to acknowledge him as oneRead MoreCommon Themes of Edgar Allan Poe3152 Words   |  13 PagesAn Analysis of the Common Themes Found in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe A Research Presented to The faculty of the English Department In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in English IV By March 2010 Acknowledgement The researcher would like to thank the following people who help and give guidance to make this project To the Project adviser and the home room adviser of the researchers, who gave his outmost patience and time to check the drafts and format of eachRead MoreCommon Themes of Edgar Allan Poe3166 Words   |  13 PagesAn Analysis of the Common Themes Found in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe A Research Presented to The faculty of the English Department In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in English IV By March 2010 Acknowledgement The researcher would like to thank the following people who help and give guidance to make this project To the Project adviser and the home room adviser of the researchers, who gave his outmost patience and time to check the drafts and format of each part of this very

David Hockney free essay sample

Analyzes two crayon drawings from artists Realism period, Celia in a Black Dress with White Flowers (1972) Celia Wearing Checked Sleeves (1973). Style, content usefulness in art instruction. David Hockney has had one of the most unusual careers of any artist of this century. Born in England in 1937, by the time he left Londons Royal College of Art Hockney already had a national reputation as a painter. Since that time he has consistently been one of the most financially and critically successful artists in the world as well as one of the most popular (Livingstone 9). Hockneys works are known and recognized by a far broader audience than most artists enjoy. His is the kind of success that perfectly blends popular and critical acclaim. Thus, the prestigious Tate Gallery of London consistently reports that Hockneys well-known double portrait Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy (1970-71) is the museums most popular picture with visitors (Geldzahler 14). We will write a custom essay sample on David Hockney or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This popularity has grown even as Hockney has changed mediums and styles. From the early

Magic Squares free essay sample

Magic squares have intrigued people for thousands of years and in ancient times they were thought to be connected with the supernatural and hence, magical. Today, magic squares are considered magical because there are so many relationships between the sums of the numbers in the squares. So, what is a magic square? A magic square is an arrangement of the numbers from 1 to n2 in an n x n matrix, with each number occurring exactly once, and such that the sum of the entries of any row, any column, or any main diagonal is the same (Alejandre), called the magic constant or sum. The magic sum can be found using the formula (n(n2 + 1))/2 for any n x n matrix. There are many different variations of magic squares, of which, some have more ways of finding the magic sum in the square and others use geometric shapes or number words. The earliest known magic square was found in a Chinese book, Yih King, in which the legend of â€Å"Lo Shu† is told. We will write a custom essay sample on Magic Squares or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This magic square is a 3 x 3 matrix, with numbers 1-9, and the magic sum is 15. â€Å"The legend of â€Å"Lo Shu† or â€Å"scroll of the river Lo† tells the story of a huge flood that destroyed crops and land. The people offered a sacrifice to the river god to calm his anger. Every time the river flooded, there emerged a turtle that would walk around the sacrifice. It wasn’t until a child noticed a unique pattern on the turtle’s shell that told the people how many sacrifices (15) to make for the river god to accept their sacrifice.† (http://plaza.ufl.edu/ufkelley/magic/index.htm) This kind of magic square is known as the â€Å"traditional† magic square since it has no other special properties besides the ones noted above. The magic square is still common in China today. It is found on buildings and in artistic designs, and fortune tellers uses them in their trade. The magic squares then found their way to India. Here, the magic squares were not only used to spread mathematical knowledge but also had spiritual purposes. For example, a magic square was found in a medical book as a way to ease childbirth. The oldest magic square of order four (4 x 4) was found inscribed in Khajuraho, India dating back to the 11th or 12th century. http://www.markfarrar.co.uk/graphics/msq004.gif This kind of magic square has many more properties than a traditional magic square. In addition to the rows, columns, and diagonals, but also the broken diagonals (4+6+13+11=34), of any 2 x 2 block of number (9+6+4+15=34), the four corners (9+16+7+2), the corners of any 3 x 3 block (9+3+14+8=34) , and the sum of the middle two entries of the two outer columns and rows (6+3+ 12+13 = 34) all have the same sum. The first recorded magic square in Europe and most famous 4 x 4 magic square is found in the famous painting, Melancholia, by German artist Albrecht Duerer (1471 – 1528). The painting is said to â€Å"depict the indecision of the intellectual† (Britton). A unique â€Å"magic† property of this magic square is that the center entries of the bottom row are 15 and 14, which is the year the painting was made (1514). This magic square shares the same properties as the other mentioned 4 x 4 magic square only the rows and columns are interchanged in such a way to remain the constant sum of 34. We can use some properties of magic squares to construct more squares from other manufactured squares; 1. Magic square will remain magic if any number is added to every number of a magic square. 2. A magic square will remain magic if any number multiplies every number of a magic square. 3. A magic square will remain magic if two rows, or columns, equidistant from the center are interchanged. 4. An even order magic square ( n x n where n is even) will remain magic if the quadrants are interchanged. 5. An odd order magic square will remain magic if the partial quadrants and the row is interchanged.† (Hawley) In the seventeenth century, a Frenchman named Antoine de la Loubere created a method for constructing any odd n x n magic squares using consecutive numbers starting with 1. The general rule is that you move diagonal upwards and to the right. However, there are two exceptions. If your move is outside of the magic square, you put your entry on the opposite side of the row or column and if when you move, you land on an occupied space, you put the entry under your last entry. Many ingenious methods for constructing magic squares have been devised but all methods are only for specific cases or different types of magic squares. There are many famous names associated with magic squares including Martin Gardner, Leonard Euler, and Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is known for his invention of large ordered magic squares. In his youth, he created an 8 x 8 magic square with magic sum of 260 and a 16 x 16 magic square with sum 2,056. These magic squares have the same properties as the traditional magic square except the diagonals do not add up to the magic sum but, other special properties exist. For example in the 8 x 8 magic square, the sum of half of a row or column is equal to half of 206 and each of the â€Å"bent† rows (as Franklin called them) of 8 numbers total to 206. Many more variations of magic squares and their constructions exist as well as different properties. Attractive patterns are seen by connecting consecutive numbers in a magic square. Alphamagic squares are constructed by using the number of letters in the word for each number, which generates another magic square.

The purpose of this document is to provide the extensive literature review as for as the risk management of an organization is concerned. The WritePass Journal

The purpose of this document is to provide the extensive literature review as for as the risk management of an organization is concerned. Introduction The purpose of this document is to provide the extensive literature review as for as the risk management of an organization is concerned. IntroductionREVIEW OF LITERATURE Financial ReportsTypes of Financial Reports. Conclusion:Related Introduction REVIEW OF LITERATURE The banking is the old concept as old as the man existence in the world in the earliest. From the day one of the baking sector development the credit risk management it is obvious that the credit risk is very much possible an the existence of the credit risk is as old as the banking concept is.   The development of the banking sector has taken the new and developed shapes by having the technology from the advent of the science and technology of the present age. The credit risk exist from the first day of the banking sector but the management of the credit risk is came in to existence after the realization of the credit risk in the banking sector. The credit risk management is one of the key factor for any banking organization for the management of the risks to the banks from the credit losses or and of the bank defaults. To minimize the credit risk of the banking organization it is obvious that the management of the organization has to make the follow up policies to make the risk to be get less and to achieve this goal the brief study of the following factors is necessary Analyzing the documentation for the products launching of the banking sectors from the point of view of profit loss of the product The exact picture of the products are in the real investment and income ratio of the banking statements which should be studied and analyzed for the future planning of the new product launching for the banking organization The study of the financial documents of the banking organization is very important for minimizing the credit risk of the various products of the bank. The analyzing of the banking organization’s investments from the profit/loss ratio should be studied The risk management is done by the evaluation of the previous financial documents like the financial reports, trail balance accounts, balance sheets and other such documents are very important in this regard. The proper working of the organization is controlled by the management of the organization and the management of the organization is responsible for all the ups and downs of the organization. The management manages the cycle of the workforce inside the organization and its management is usually the main concern with the workforce and the proper functioning of the banking organization. The credit risks are also   the part which come under the concern of the management of the banking organization as it can cause the proper functioning of the banks be astray from the actual path of working or th malfunctioning of the organization. The management of the organization has to develop the proper credit risk management cycle or system to manage any credit risk that can cause the damages to the organization in the short term and long term. It is not the every time that the management of the organization becomes able to identify and wipe out the credit risks that are causing the financial threats to the organization completely. Here we can discuss some points that are the subject to the project management which are useful for overcoming into the context of the business organization in short and long run having all the possibilities taken under the considerations If we go along planning something we must look in doing something, searching something and creating steps to sort out our planning by having proper planning which we called the proper management if done for credit risk management the banking organizations must be evaluated properly. The credit risk management is analyzed by the authentic documents/legal documentation of the banks or any organization as it deals with the sensitive issues of any bank or organization The legal documentation of the bank includes the term papers for different purpose utilized by the bank for the instance, the bank provide different products or we can say financial products.   These legal documents include Financial statements Profit loss statements Quarterly Reports Equability share Reports Investment Reports. Dividends Reports The data analysis factors are very much important in understanding the credit risk and credit management of any organization in short/long term planning. The credit risk management is done by the different things. Is is done by the customer satisfaction which   is don by the review of different factors created by the credit risk. The utility of the credit risk management is usually the settlement of the causes of failures that can be caused by the credit risks. The credit risk management has a very vast area under its cover. It involve the factors which are created by the customer’s needs and can be overcome by doing the customer satisfaction management. The credit receiving is often taken to grant which help to put in plain words the needs of diplomacy. The first point of the credit control which should be kept in mind is to recognize the cost of credit and its various effects on the profit loss of the organization. By analyzing the credit risk we can conclude the banking risk that can be faced by the organization at various level of credit control process. Credit risk management is also very useful analyzing lacks that can occur during the credit control policy of any origination The data is utilized that is provided by the concern banks in this regard. The time series analysis of the five year financial plan is very effective to figure out the exact picture of the present state of the risks that are faced and that can be faced by the organization or a bank The structurally identification of the banking risk management is done by the review of the various legal documentation of the banks or any financial organizations in the marketplace. The credit rsik investigation is done by analyzing the different documentation such as the profit and losses ratio of the bank for the individual products launched by the organization or a bank The individual investigation is very much necessary as the ignorance in this matter will cause the credit losses on one of the products individually which might not be come under the eye of the banks or the financial organization as the organization as a whole going in profit or achieving its goal at steady speed. The exploration of the internal structure of the organization is done by the management of the organization at various levels of working in the banking and in the management cycle. The exploration may reduce the banking credit risk as it allows the complete picture of the organization and needs of the organization can be fulfilled according to the necessities opf the financial organization or the bank. What is the most important is to make the environment of the banking organization so good for the working conditions and for the customers as the believe of the customer on the different products of the organization become firm. The identification of the sectors from the bank or the financial organization can face the credit risks are very import to spotlight. The different sectors which can cause the credit risks are following Different products launched by the organization and its development by not taking the proper handling The loans given by the banks as the return of the loan must be ensured by the legal documentation to avoid the loan losses The investments done by the bank in different sectors The overview of these factors and sectors might be the way to avoid the credit risk to the organization. The management role in this regard is very much important as the management deal with the major decisions of the organization so to avoid the credit risk management the management has to play his role as a good management. The management of the organization is responsible for taking the necessary steps to initiate the process which might less the risks of credit that can cause damage to the organization or a bank. The management of the organization is responsible to answer the following What we are planning to do in managing the risk management? What is our approach in doing it? When is the right time to do the start?   What are the prerequisites of doing? What time period will it require?   What will be the cost require to complete it? The above question will give the brief view of the present credit risks towards the organization and the management of these risks can be done by adopting the proper techniques and methods for it. The credit risk is taken under the consideration for each and every documentation of the banks/organization. Financial Reports There are many ways to understand the banking ability and position. The financial reports are of main concern which are made after analysis of the financial reports by the banks. Types of Financial Reports. There are many types of financial reports two of which are of mains converse 1. Yearly Financial Reports. The yearly financial reports include. The complete profit/loss of the organization financial statements are also included in the report The complete profit/Loss report is created at the end of the fiscal year which covers in the yearly financial report. 2.   Quarterly Financial Reports The quarterly financial reports are done to have a quick view on the performance of the organizations or the bank. 3.   Half Quarterly Reports The half quarterly report is created to have a quick and focused view on some certain products and products appreciation of the bank or any organizations. The Bank offers loans and launches different products which involves in the credit risk. The loans are the major concern which are very much involved in the credit risk. The recovery of the loans must be ensured by getting the proper security to avoid any risks caused by the loss due to loan non-recovery. The credit risk in the market is very much open. Launching more and more new products the possibility of the more and more credit risk can be faced by the organization or the bank. To avoid such risk the proper risk management should done to avoid the risks in these circumstances. The review of the whole circumstances gives us the picture of the organization in the short and long term planning of the management. If we go along planning something we must look in doing something, searching something and creating steps to sort out our planning by having proper planning which we called the proper management if done for credit risk management the banking organizations must be evaluated properly. By looking at the credit risk we probe into the banking risks, assessments, management and control over the management. The attempt to understand the credit risk unfolds some of the risks in management evaluation and assessment equipments, models and methods. Credit risk management also analyzes to overcome the lacks in credit lacks during the different credit management implementation techniques. Conclusion: In the end we can say that the credit risks exist right from the beginning of the banking concept and the banking concept is as old as the man from the very early age. The different levels of risks are threatening for the banking organization should be taken in to the account by the management of the organization for the betterment of the financial organization.   The identification of the risk is very important as the identification of the sectors is done from where the bank can face the credit risks. The credit risks can be made less by following the proper method and techniques followed by the complete study of the financial documents of the organization. The brief history of the organization in terms of credit losses and the profit should be analyzed to get the clear picture of the present situation. And the proper evaluation will enable the management of the organization to avoid the credit risks.

Business Environment Analysis and Research - Political Trade Arguments Essay

Business Environment Analysis and Research - Political Trade Arguments - Essay Example In the following parts of the essay, first an example of stable trade and political relations has been included in which Canada and the United States’ growing trade relations have been highlighted. It is followed by the trade relations between Iran and the United States have been mentioned, highlighting the type of political relation and its fallout on the past and existing trade relations. Before the conclusion part, Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status and current standoff between India and Pakistan have been discussed besides their arguments and justifications have also been evaluated. International trade is dominated and influenced by strong international countries, such as the United States of America. It is a clear and established fact that the international trade, which is mainly run and administered by the operational framework of the World Trade Organization, between countries, regions and international independent trading partners is considerably affected by the bi-lateral relationship between the trading partners. For example, it has been observed that stable and strong bi-lateral, cultural and political relations play a very important role between the countries. Consequently, stable political relations enable them to develop and retain trade relationships as well. For example, the trade between Canada and the United States of America is considerably higher and growing as well because both countries have stable political relations whereas unfriendly political relations between the United States and Iran clearly demonstrates limited trade between these coun tries. In addition, due to the current animosity between the United States and Iran, bilateral trade between these two countries is not growing instead the United States has imposed bilateral trade restrictions and the same attitude is also reflected when Iran enters into bilateral trade agreements with other international countries