Research Methods Theories and Concepts

Research Methods Theories and Concepts Understanding of the research methodology 4.1 Introduction This chapter presents the reader clearly understanding of the research methodology and relevant research approaches determining the way through this research was conducted. In accordance with the main objective of research, Kothari (2005) states that research should help the reader to discover the truth that is hidden through the application of scientific procedures. Methodology produces the outcomes of any studies and it is important to choose appropriate way to conduct the research methods in effective way in order to meet researchers aims and objectives of the research. Research methodology followed in this dissertation presents topics on different forms of research which are used in order to find an appropriate approach and method in this study. The researcher outlined aims and objectives of thesis in Chapter 1 therefore the purpose of this chapter is to: introduce research philosophy in relation to adopted approach in this study discuss research strategy expounded in current study, including the research methodology conducted present the instruments of research method which were developed and utilized in the achievement of researcher goals explain why the specific methods were adopted and constrains in relation with data collection considering the limitation to the presented research Further, the chapter discusses the issues followed as: research philosophy, research approaches, research design, data collection method, data analysis, reliability and limitation of the research. 4.2 Research philosophy According to Proctor ( 2005 ) , the academic research should be developed in a philosophical way. Differently speaking, the research should be followed with method of study elaborated to better explain and facilitate the analysis of subject. Looking at this context, the philosophical approach gives framework of the research according to its configuration, necessary evidence, gathering the data and the way of its interpretation to provide the right answers to the research questions. The research starts with its first step which is definition of the philosophical method of research that ought to be examine. There are several different approaches of research philosophy, such as the positivism, phenomenology and realism. ( Saunders et. al., 2003 ). Each approach sets hypothesis and various methodological implication according with its position and the brief description of the characteristics of each research philosophy will be interpreted below. Positivism According to Currie ( 2003), the positivist approach means development of general rules and principles using the different systematic techniques of scientific method. The positivist approach begins with dilemma, idea or observation as it is the first step associated with this philosophy. Following this way of approach, the researcher analyzes the fact and objectives of the study in order to create the logic way of thinking to explain subject of the study. In the view of Newman (2005 ) this approach is based on quantitative investigation. Prediction of prospective behavior is used in the positivist approach by generating general laws from the standpoint of objective truth.( Fisher, 2004). Based on researchers belief on accurate and value free data , this approach determines human beings and their action to be studied as objectively as the part of natural world. Phenomenology Phenomenology is also called non-positivist , intrepretivist , naturalistic approach. The followers of this approach contend the observation of phenomenon should be key of obtaining the comprehensive explanation and description of the problem. Through the subjective interpretation reality can be fully analyzed .Approach present that the objective truth is less important because the reality is socially created, hence it holds subjective truth. The key element of the non positivist philosophy is the study of the natural environment followed with affects on those phenomena. Scientists believe the reality is relative part to various variable such as situation, time , location, culture, value of society, etc. Thus researchers of this approach go further to realize how things occur in reality and how people react on its occurrence rather than to generalize things based on standards laws. ( Fisher, 2004) Realism Realism research philosophy lies on philosophical views of positivism and it is based on the statement that the objective reality exists and it is independent part of human beings beliefs and behavior. Realism also states that humans are not considered as objects in the studies of natural science, but social influence is taken into account. Further, realism gives mains importance to those social influences in order to better understand the way of peoples behavior and thinking and their awareness of these social forces. ( Saundres et al., 2003 ) Based on the three different type of research philosophies, this research followed phenomenology approach with the objectives of research project . Developed on this approach, researcher was able to define the nature of the problem being investigated and to get the better understanding of the environment within the problem occurred. Usage of phenomenology approach provided a comprehensive description of the main aim of the research referring to the importance of risk management in todays business world. 4.3 Research Approach According to Saunders et al. there are two main research approach conducted by business research known as deductive and inductive scientific methods of reasoning. The deductive approach means testing theories on effective way where researcher is able to develop a theory or hypothesis creating strategy for testing the theory. In the view of Saunders (2005) it is appropriate scientific research method for the organization so called top down method. There are three steps when conducting research based on deductive forms of reasoning: Firstly, researcher states the hypothesis examined with theory or research literature. Secondly, collecting data in order to researcher test the hypothesis. The final step leads to building the right decision when researcher is accepting or rejecting the hypothesis based on conclusion. In contrast, the inductive method , well known as bottom up scientific method suitable when researchers aim is to generate theories and hypothesis in order to understand why something happens in reality. Inductive approach of reasoning is usually basic way for building the theories, when researcher by collecting data scientific way to develop theory as a result of data analysis. The inductive method involves three steps in its process referring to researchers ability to observe the environment , find a pattern for observed element and provide generalization about final result of analysis. In reality the two approaches are not mutually exposed, but have joint participation in business studies (Seddighi, 2000 ). Nevertheless, the important fact about those two scientific methods lies on statement that its presence in research depends on research question and research objectives. The inductive and deductive methods are demonstrated in figure below : Therefore, the deductive approach was adopted to create a path for this particular research. This method of research was used to test theory based on hypothesis moving from specific to general. Usage of this approach enabled researcher to contribute to the successful achievement of the objectives of this project. Implementing this method researcher was able to understand the company and its risk management techniques in the specific environment related to the topic and evaluate the strategies used by the Societe Generale Bank to maintain the same. 4.4 Research Design The research design is used to address the research questions which were taken into consideration in this study. The research design appears from questions directly determining the main objectives being examined in this thesis. These questions are results from the gaps between theory based on literature review presented in Chapter 2 and analyzing and findings of primary data based in the following Chapter 5. Yin (2003) states that research design is dependent element for research project helping the researcher to decide what questions to study, which information are relevant to the current case study, how to collect data and to do analysis of presented findings. In the view of Saunders et al. ( 2003 ), there are three various types of research design followed as : (1) Exploratory, (2) Descriptive and (3) Explanatory. The description of each will be summarized below. Exploratory Exploratory research is constructed to answer what questions, according to Yin (2003), and in many cases includes new studies which can be result of the appearance of new phenomena or insufficient knowledge on the subject of any study. This approach is also recommended to approve researchers objectives by gaining new insights about specific issue which fit well and present a good match to this research. Saunders et. al (2003) states usage of this approach especially for understanding the problem expressing the main steps to conduct an exploratory research : searching and studying the literature and talking to experts in the subject through interviews. This concept is characterized as flexible and adaptable to daily changes as result of new information upcoming or new hypothesis appearing. Descriptive Concept of this research implies design addressed to reveal validate profile of persons, events or situations. Descriptive concept tends to answer on questions such as who, where , how many; how much. However, what question can be included in situation if the research wants to have u clue about the details of some specific topic or issue. Descriptive research is also well known as archival research because of the use of arcival records. ( Yin, 2003 ). The concept is useful and crucial when the researcher achievement focuses on details and descriptrion of ohenomena or when it should show prediction about specific findings. Unlike exploratory approach which is based on qualitative research, descriptive concept implies qualitative way of analysis using archival records, questionnaire, secondary data, etc.(Saunders et. al., 2003 ). Explanatory Explanatory research is known as casual research and is conducted for answering the how and why questions. A casual study is focused on finding casual relationships between variables. This concept of approach use qualitative way of research such as case studies, histories, experiments aiming to describe relationships expressing the cause and effect of particular incident. Explanatory research design allows using qualitative approach to answer on question how and why depends on sources of relationship between cause and effect. In that way, operational links required implication of secondary data, statistics. ( Yin, 2003; Saunders et. al. 2003). According to Saunders et. al. (2003), exploratory research design is the most suitable and useful for new studies giving the significant contribution for understanding of the findings of the main subject. Therefore , this research is of an exploratory nature and the exploratory research was developed in order to define the nature of risk management and explain and clarify the understanding of usage and effectiveness of risk management in Societe Generale Bank. The researcher of the presented issue wanted to compare and contrast the findings with the theory expressed in literature review and was able to give the suggestion and recommendation to the company or other companies in the same work filed and future prospective through exploratory research design which is briefly presented in Chapter 6. 4.5 Data collection Method One of the most important element in research project is data collection method. This method means good preparation and organization of collecting data in order to researcher not have a problem to face too much information collected, which can become a major obstacle rather than help in the project researched. Very often, there is much information available that can be a barrier to sort and evaluate real and important information and to assess their usefulness It is necessary to understand different approaches and methods for collecting data and that have great importance in preparing research and organizing data collection in a systematic way. ( Lancaster, 2005 ) According to Saunders et. al. ( 2003 ), there are various forms of information which can be distinguished in two main group as secondary data and primary data. Secondary data Lancaster states (2005) that the secondary data are second hand data which already are presented and collected by other researchers for the purpose of previous researches and giving hypothesis on other issues. It summarized raw data and published data including internal records and external records within the organization. Those secondary data can provide wide range of sales and marketing data, production data, financial data, personnel, transcripts of speeches, administrative and public record data followed by external record such as newspapers articles, journals, internet, official statistics, etc. Secondary data have qualitative and quantitative nature and its utilization is visible in both descriptive and explanatory research. According to Saunders et. al. ( 2003 ), the advantages of secondary data leads to saving both money and time, having fewer resource requirements for specific issue, creating easier way for longitudinal studies, providing comparative and contextual data and may result in unforeseen discoveries of particular subject. On the other hand , disadvantages can be expressed through some of negative aspects of its collection. Sometimes its purpose does not match the goal of researcher and its access may be costly for commercial reasons. Thus, those data can lead to unsuitable definition for the required subject affecting the quality of data presented. Primary data Primary data refers to collection of data by researchers using the various methods and techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, observations, experiments in order to gather the most valuable data necessary for researchers project . The process of collecting primary data requires more time, effort and resources comparing with secondary data providing more relevant answers on the research questions. Looking at collecting data on primary way , there is distinguish between forms of data collected which can be categorized in two main groups: quantitative and qualitative data. (Saunders et. al. 2003) Quantitative data refers to number -organized data and can be expressed numerically giving the framework with numerical value. This approach is recommended during latter phases of research projects. Approach deals with questions such as how many, how large, what rate something. Using quantitative data tends to be more efficient, to test hypotheses, but may result in fewer contextual detail about particular topic. Quantitative process of collecting data is more objective and scientific process than qualitative process. (Lancaster, 2005) In contrast, the aim of qualitative data is to provide a complete, detailed description and this process is recommended during earlier phases of research work. Qualitative approach is more subjective and gathered information can not be numerically analyzed. Therefore, those data has usage and utilization in investigation about peoples opinion, attitude, fears and hopes which can not be part of quantitative analysis. Qualitative data results in more rich relevance in term of time consuming, and less probability to be generalized. In this project, data were collecting based on qualitative interviews with the managers of Societe Generale Bank in Serbia , because the researcher wanted to deeply explore the effectiveness of risk management in banking sector and its implementation in todays banking environment in branch of Societe Generale Group in Serbia from the point of view of respectable managers in the Bank. Through interview with the managers who work for the company, the researcher achieved goals which has already mentioned in Chapter 1 providing aims and objectives of the current research. Although, observation would be dependent part of this research and would help to discover how risk management department works by its employees, time constraint was the main reason why research couldnt spent more time in Serbia, observing the bank risk activities, because the company of case study is located in Serbia. Therefore, researcher used well organized interviews as the most appropriate way to collect valuable d ata according to the already mentioned limited circumstances. According to Lancaster (2005), interviews are defined as a main category of data collection techniques and appropriate way for collecting data through questioning effectively. This technique is crucial for getting the background of participants experiences. This method is adopted when researcher tends to fully understand the impressions, attitudes, feelings, motivations or experiences of someone to gain more knowledge through their answers on questionnaires. There are several types of interview used in research project to collect data divided in three categories: structured interviews, semi-structured interviews and unstructured interviews. Structured interviews means using specific questionnaires and this research method is usually used for quantitative surveys. The structured interviews involve the interviewer inability to change the structure of question by adding or removing some of its sequence. Conducted in formal way, respondents responses are recorded on a questionnaire standardized form during the interview process. As a result, the analysis of the structured interviews have quantitative nature. Semi-structured interviews is research instrument used to provide greater volume for discussion and knowledge about the problem, opinion and respondets view of particular subject. This approach is flexible in terms of changing some questions during the interviews process giving the researcher freedom to ask slightly similar question in order to cover list of already prepared themes. The questions can vary from one interview to another following the path of discussion with respondent. Thus the collected data can summarize both qualitative and quantitative information and have impact in exploratory study. Unstructured interviews are also called in-depth interviews. The unstructured interviews are conducted in informal manner as preliminary step in research in order to interviewer generates hypothesis about the nature of subject being investigated. Adopting this research instrument interviewer is aware of ability to gather the data necessary for research topic, matters and responses in some depth. Those interviews are guided by predefined list of thesis and they are not controlled by specific questions. The main purpose of choosing in-depth interviews lies in interviewers need to find out what people think and way how they react to issues. The respondent is encouraged to reveal and to talk about everything that he/she thinks on issues of interest to the researcher. The interviewer is taking note (or tape-recording) for all highlights that would greatly contribute to the research Following the phenomenology approach and exploratory research design, the researcher decided to use semi-structured interviews with managers of Societe Generale Bank in Serbia as a method to collect qualitative data about risk management in Societe Generale Bank and its implication in bank activities as well as the result it is achieved. This method is used by research in order to reader meet expansive response from the interviewees, but at the same time to provide comparation between theory and practice considering risk management in banking sector as issues. Also this method is less formal choice and better way to catch the point of view of the managers by getting inside information in relation to the research topic. In addition, secondary data such as company records about financial report of previous year, press release with relevance to the topic was collected for consideration as well. Policies of the company for the internal and external control of risk were analyzed keeping the management of Societe Generale as the focus of research. 4.6 Interview guide As it was mentioned in the previous paragraph, the research was conducted by interviewing managers of Societe Generale Bank in Serbia in order to analyze the way they implemented risk management techniques within bank activities in credit department as well as to explore the achievement gained from applying this. Therefore, this section will provide the framework used by researcher to design the interview. According to Fisher (2004), the first step in designing the interview is to identify the main point of question and priorities them. This way of conducting the interview helps researcher to organize the question regarding to its importance to the research topic. It is important to make hierarchy from more important to less important questions which can be dismissed in terms of having insufficient time. Therefore, the researcher presented question summarized them in several topics as follows: Brief background of Bank Risk management concept The main purpose of undertaking an analysis of risk Techniques and methods of Societe Generale Bank in Serbia adopted in risk credit mitigation Effectiveness of credit risk management in Societe Generale Bank in todays economic climate Measurement credit risk Implementation and importance of Basel II accord in banking sector To accomplish the objectives, researcher realized the interviews with the managers on the topic given above. The researcher collected information regarding to risk management in credit department and the effectiveness of undertaking risk management analysis in the Bank. The analysis of the questions was realized from a set of interviews with the managers of the Societe Generale Bank and was conducted through the series of meeting. In each meeting a different subject concerning the credit risk management was verified. In total , five different meetings were completed discussing the risk management issue on the highlighted topic given in previous sequence. Having collected data from primary and secondary sources, the next stage was analysis of the records and the description of findings which will be presented in the following Chapter 5. 4.7 Data analysis The data collected in this research implied using the qualitative data and the researcher adopted three steps to analyze it. In the view of Saunders et. al. 2003, it is crucial to conduct data analysis in effective way in order to get response on the research question and achieve research objectives and aims. First step included analyzing the data , which was recorder by tape or taking a note during the interview process, by prioritizing the most valuable data for the discussed issues. After that, the researcher was able to unitize the data by implementing the quotation from the respondent which supported the key elements of the research topic. Final step the researcher used to analyze data though tables for the each categorized data giving the better understanding and impressionistic view of meaning the answers. Effective data analysis will enable reader to understand the way of using risk management techniques and tools in credit department of Societe Generale Bank in the main representative office in Serbia providing the logical conclusion on the research topic. Therefore, data analysis presented in the following Chapter will approach reader to critical, reflective and meaningful analysis between data and comprehensive research in order to be achieved the aims and objectives of this research. 4.8 Reliability and validity Reliability and validity are very important elements when researcher analyzes the data conducted through qualitative research. Consistency of the result is essential component when conducting the research topic. Marshall and Rossman (1999) quoted that qualitative data collected to accomplish aims and objectives of study are not open for any replication ( Saunders et al. 2003 ). Hence, qualitative researcher based on unstructured forms should reveal reality of the issue being investigated. Realibility and validity as part of data collecting are essential for analysis and creating key findings of study and reader will be able to meet trustworthy results of presented subject In this study, the researcher used the method of qualitative research in order to examine credit risk management and its applicability in todays economic climate. Leading its research to qualitative way, researcher was able to make comparison and contrast between literature and practice and give recommendation and suggestion for the subject examined. Thus , this study based on reliability and validity of qualitative data create a clear path for achieving researchers aims and objectives in very dynamic and complex way

Sy’s Fish Company Risk Analysis Essay

As Sy’s business grows there are certain risks and that must be acknowledged and addressed in order to make operations run smoothly and efficiently. Below are the risks that have been identified and recommendations to mitigate them. Risk: Sending documents to Sy via mail. There is a high probability that the documents could be lost and therefore the transactions never recorded. Mail can take up to a week to receive so the timing would be affected. Transactions would be recorded in the wrong period and adjustments would have to be made to correct this. Recommendation: Sy should implement an information technology system so documents can be recorded in a timely manner and not lost in the mail. Risk: Return policy There is not a limit of days a customer has to return the fish. A customer can order fish, and if they are unhappy three months later, they can return the fish for a full refund no questions asked. This is a risk because customers can take advantage of this policy therefore affecting sales revenue. Recommendation: Sy sells only fresh fish to customers. Because of this, he needs to change his return policy to 15 days. This will ensure that customers do not wait to return fish months later after the fish has gone bad. Risk: Bookkeeping and Job Responsibility All of Sy’s bookkeeping is done by various employees from various stores. Having employees from various locations doing different parts of bookkeeping is risky because not one person is held responsible. Transactions cannot be collaborated from beginning to end until all the paperwork is received from each individual. Recommendation: If Sy plans on growing his business he is going to have to hire more employees to help with the bookkeeping. He should have separation of duties to avoid falsifying of information. All the bookkeeping should be done in one location. Internal controls should be set up for the process of recording transactions. Risk: Accounts payable procedure Natalie holds all the miscellaneous payable documents for payment at the end of the month. She records the document being received on the same day she issues payment. This is a risk because it effects what period the documents are recorded. Natalie pays all fishers in one lump sum instead of separating each payment. This is risky because it could be recorded incorrectly and there is no way to know which order was input wrong. Recommendation: She should record each miscellaneous payable document on the date received and the date paid should be when the check was written. She should record each fisher payable document individually. Risk: Bad Debt Sy does not know how much each customer owes or when they will receive payment. This is a risk because he will not be able to account for bad debt. Recommendation: He should make an accounts receivable ledger to study which customers have not paid and how long they are past due. By keeping records it will be easier to account for bad debt. Risk: Payables checking account Money in the payables checking accounts that has not been claimed cannot be traced back to the vendor. This affects revenue recognition and is a risk because Sy does not know where this money is going. Recommendation: There should be a record of what vendors have cashed their checks. Implement a direct deposit system to pay vendors and fishers. Risk: AFS securities There is no documentation on Sy’s AFS securities. There are no footnotes or explanations on the beginning balance sheet (Appendix 1). This is a risk because external users do not know where Sy’s investments are going. If there are no footnotes or explanations for the security investors they might not want to invest. Reccomendations Sy needs to add additional disclosures to explain his security and what he plans on doing with it.

Finding the Best Gmo Foods Essay Topics

Finding the Best Gmo Foods Essay Topics New Step by Step Roadmap for Gmo Foods Essay Topics Topics aren't ready to have. If you get to select your own topic, that's excellent. Therefore, the topic ought to be debatable! Picking an emotional topic is also an excellent idea. Argumentative essay is about arguing and debating on a subject, which is debatable. An argumentative essay requires you to choose a topic and have a position on it. Life, Death, and Gmo Foods Essay Topics Your readers want to observe the entire picture, and that's what you should concentrate on. It is crucial to get started with demonstrating the major idea of the entire piece so you and your readers are going to be on the identical page. In scenarios when you get to pick the topic for an argumentative essay, you need to be wise and locate a title that will intrigue a reader. Lies You've Been Told About Gmo Foods Essay Topics Argumentative essays are a few of the best that you can write as a student. Textbooks ought to be free. Psychology can give a wealth of interesting matters to discuss. Choosing Good Gmo Foods Essay Topics There are invariably a broad range of opinions on the topic of technology, and here are our favourite things to consider on this issue. You ought t o make people change their mind, and that's a very challenging endeavor! One of the greatest approaches to change anybody's mind is with an emotional investment. Besides general knowledge you have regarding this issue, you won't mind dedicating some opportunity to research, writing procedure, and other facets essential for the high-quality essay. Ok, I Think I Understand Gmo Foods Essay Topics, Now Tell Me About Gmo Foods Essay Topics! A great topic will ensure it is simpler to pursue the purpose of an argumentative essay, which is, clearly, the whole investigation of the problem you speak about. At the exact same time, it also needs to be simple to research, that way you'll discover evidence to support claims you make. You'll end up lost without having the ability to make an argument and develop it correctly. Finding the most suitable arguments will allow you to prove your point and win. An argumentative essay is a certain kind of academic writing. The target of such essa ys isn't to demonstrate your knowledge, yet to exhibit the crucial thinking and analytical skills. You must keep in mind your argumentative essay ought to be compelling. Argumentative writings is a particular kind of a paper. Instead of just immediately writing about your argumentative essay topic, you first have to think about what it is you are likely to put back on your paper through a procedure of brainstorming and pre-writing. With our company, your assignment will acquire high marks not based on the argumentative essay topics you opt for. If you believe that you require assistance with your written assignments it is preferable to request expert help from online writing service. If you're struggling, you always have the option to acquire help by employing an essay writing service such as ours. When you've got a completed outline, you'll have a step-by-step guide that it is possible to follow until you're done writing. When writing a crucial composition, it's sensible to pick contradictive topics. Thus, it's important to read corresponding formatting guide. With the aid of our tips for writing and our interesting collection of topics, you're guaranteed to have a high grade! Understanding how to compose a strong argumentative paper will help you advance your very own argumentative thinking. Children should be asked to read more. Recent argumentative essay topics that are related to society is going to do. At times you might require some expert help with argumentative essay topics. If you need to compose your whole essay in 1 day, do your very best to give yourself breaks so you don't burn out. Locating good essay topics which you could discuss effectively and create powerful argumentative essays is a tricky work. You've got an option to select one of the greatest topics for argumentative essay from our list! Simply, you should aim to make them interested in furthering their discussion by themselves even as soon as they are finished with the reading the writing. It's possible to pick topics from assorted lists of ready themes. The list is really endless.

Beowulf Close Reading Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 909 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/05/08 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Beowulf Essay Did you like this example? Many authors tend to put symbolism in stories to portray something that plays an important role later in events, such as in the epic Beowulf. In this epic, the author uses symbolism to portray the stages of Beowulfs life through a battle involving himself and the antagonists, Grendel and Grendels mother. Reading this text through a mythological lens reveals a deeper symbolic meaning of the fight between Beowulf, Grendel, and Grendels mother, that may change ones perspective of Beowulf and the battle, in which portrayed the stages of Beowulfs life, specifically his youth and adulthood. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Beowulf Close Reading Essay" essay for you Create order Leading up to the battle, Beowulf is viewed as this monumental hero, with outstanding physical strength. It is said that this fighting man in his hands grasp had the strength of thirty other men (Beowulf 45). Beowulf portrays such strength during his battle with Grendel, in which he gives Grendel a death grasp after he attacked and ate some of the soldiers in the mead hall and an attempt to attack Beowulf, not knowing what to expect. While being held down by Beowulf, Grendel uttered, he had not met, on middle earths extremest acres, with any man of harder hand-grip (Beowulf 53-54). A person at youth is usually viewed as stronger and braver than a person who is elder than them. In relation to Beowulf, the strength he used in the mist of him fighting Grendel, can be symbolized as Beowulf in his youth, where he is brave and is at his greatest strength. During the battle, the word Bewail is used to express the struggling of Grendel trying to escape Beowulfs grasp. According to the English Oxford Dictionary, the word bewail can be defined as to express great sorrow for; to lament loudly, mourn (bewail, v2). After a while of bewailing, Grendel finally escaped Beowulfs death grasp. When Beowulf won the fight, he was granted glory and attention from everyone in the mead-hall. Younger people tend to have a trait where they loan for attention and make it a point to prove themselves to people. In relation to Beowulf, he fought Grendel for Hrothgar, to prove to his people that he is brave and that and can take on Grendel without weapons, which plays back to the traits of a younger person who is destined to prove a point that they are brave and have the strength to accomplish whatever they put their mind to. Later in the epic, Beowulf then comes across the Mother of Grendel, which represents his adulthood. When one reaches adulthood, they get more watchful and doesnt take as many risks as they once did when they were younger. Grendels Mother is described as stronger and much more powerful than her son Grendel. When she and Beowulf were fighting Beowulf had a hard time beating her. So, he fought with a mail armor and sword. In connection to adulthood, Beowulf having a hard time beating her could symbolize problems grownups face and have no choice, but to stand up to and fight no matter how challenging it may be. In his previous battle, Beowulf went in without any weapons, to try and prove a point to his people that he can take on Grendel without weapons, as so Grendel said he could do the same. This connects to his transition into adulthood because adults get more defensive and uptight about certain things more than what they used to when they were younger. In Beowulfs case, he became more defensive and waited until problems approached him before acting, instead of being risky and jumping into battle, as he did with Grendel. After the countless struggles Beowulf faced in the fight, he still managed to conquer them and win the fight. In result of Beowulf winning this battle, Hrothgar stated that he shall reward the deed, as [he] did before, with wealthy gifts of wreathed ore, treasures from the hoard (Beowulf 67-68). This represents his adulthood because, in response to Hrothgars offer, Beowulf responds with, Bear your grief, wise one! It is better for a man to avenge his friend than to refresh his sorrow (Beowulf 68). Beowulfs response shows that when one reaches adulthood, the bribing of gifts and rewards doesnt have much influence on them as it once did when they were younger. Adults arent really impacted or motivated by rewards, but mostly by the resulting effects after whatever battle their fighting. Beowulf uses the word renown to portray his words of wisdom to Hrothgar. Beowulf told Hrothgar, As we all may expect to leave our life on this earth, we must earn some renown, if we can, before death (Beowulf 68). According to the English Oxford Dictionary, the word renown can be defined as, the fact or condition of being widely known or talked about, or held in high esteem or repute; celebrity, fame; honour, distinction (renown, n1). This connects to Beowulfs adulthood because adults tend to think deeper into things and grasp a deeper meaning to certain things a younger person would usually look over and think nothing of. Beowulf uses these words of wisdom to show how he had matured since the fight with Grendel because he is now wiser and takes fewer risks. Overall, the symbolism portrayed through the battles Beowulf fought, shows that by reading things in a different perspective could open a persons eyes to many adventures that one would look over if they simply read without a closer reading and opened mindset to the passage.