Clarifying the role of belief-motive explanations in multi-stakeholder realist evaluation

In realist evaluation, where researchers aim to make program theories explicit, they can encounter competing explanations as to how programs work. Managing explanatory tensions from different sources of evidence in multi-stakeholder projects can challenge external evaluators, especially when access to pertinent data, like client records, is mediated by program stakeholders. In this article, we consider two central questions: how can program stakeholder motives shape a realist evaluation project; and how might realist evaluators respond to stakeholders’ belief-motive explanations, including those about program effectiveness, based on factors such as supererogatory commitment or trying together in good faith? Drawing on our realist evaluation of a service reform initiative involving multiple agencies, we describe stakeholder motives at key phases, highlighting a need for tactics and skills that help to manage explanatory tensions. In conclusion, the relevance of stakeholders’ belief-motive explanations (‘we believe the program works’) in realist evaluation is clarified and discussed.     

Feminism and science in Masters of Sex

This article examines the fictional characterization of the real-life sex researchers and scientists William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson in the Showtime television program Masters of Sex (2013–2016). The historical Johnson had a complicated relationship with second-wave feminism: she disdained the movement and was interested primarily in improving heterosexual marriages and the sex lives of married couples. The Johnson character speaks in a language of postfeminism with minimal interest in collective action and broader social change. However, second-wave feminists later used her and Masters’ research in order to support their own beliefs about sexual autonomy and freedom, within and beyond marriage and heterosexuality. The television program demonstrates Johnson’s importance to both phases of her and Masters’ research—in the first phase, when they are based in a hospital and university environment, and in the second, when they establish their own research institute and raise funds directly from the clients that they serve. Johnson exemplifies postfeminist depictions of ambitious women in prestige television, her aim to have a successful career and marriage conflict, and while she is willing to compromise scientific values to serve her own goals, her male colleagues temper that ambition in service of “objective” science.     

Deaf access to justice in Northern Ireland: rethinking ‘Reasonable Adjustment’ in the Disability Discrimination Act

Abstract

This article provides findings of a qualitative study exploring the interactions of eight Deaf participants and one hearing ally with the justice system in Northern Ireland, where the Disability Discrimination Act requires solicitors to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to provide effective access to Deaf clients. Three thematic categories emerged: (a) barriers to accessing justice, (b) work Deaf people do for access, and (c) the need to educate solicitors about access. A central strain ran through these themes: the idea that ‘reasonable adjustment’ must reflect the value of sign language interpreters in facilitating effective communication access for all the parties.     

劳动力缺失背景下新型农村养老保险需求及其影响因素研究

新型农村养老保险试点工作的全面开展、制度优化完善必须充分考虑农村现实状况和农民实际需求,本文以劳动力缺失、老龄化加剧、家庭养老功能弱化为背景,对陕西省西安市10个涉农区县开展实地调查,通过问卷设计与数据收集,获取1156个有效样本,综合运用描述性统计、相关分析和二分类、多分类逻辑回归分析方法,从参保意愿和支付能力的二维视角实证研究新型农村养老保险需求及其影响因素,结果表明：养老风险意识、新农保政策了解程度、新农保政策效果和缴费原则认可程度、耕地面积、期望养老金额是新农保参保意愿的显著影响因素,而表征经济状况的农民家庭年总收入、年基本支出与新农保支付能力之间具有显著的因果关系。     

企业短视行为对知识失业的影响——基于北京市用人市场的调查分析

本文从市场经济的角度探求知识失业的深层次原因,通过对北京市用人市场进行问卷调查分析,发现市场经济条件下企业的短视行为是导致知识失业的重要原因之一,并提出意见和建议。     

《孙子兵法》在英语世界的传播

论文主要回顾了国内外《孙子兵法》英译研究概况,试图描绘主要译本在不同时期的传播规律,从历时与共时的维度比较、描摹《孙子兵法》在异质文化的运行轨迹与反拨情况,认为迄今为止因少有学者追踪该典籍英译本在英语世界的传播、接受与影响,所以造成了中国传统文化影响研究的不平衡与中外文化交流“逆差”的局面;论文还就英译本的整合、典籍英译与文化输出等问题对其未来传播研究作一些展望.     

浅析班固赋学观的矛盾

汉赋作为有汉一代之文学,从产生之初就伴随和背负上了重重矛盾和尴尬,赋家本身更是充满了矛盾和煎熬。斑回作为“汉赋四大家”之一．其围绕赋表现出的矛盾有其深刻的内涵和原因．他的赋学观鲜明而独特。他基于儒家诗学观的矛盾赋学观、自相矛盾的赋体艺术批评以及理论与创作的自我割裂与背叛是他对赋这种特殊文体的认识矛盾重重的具体表现。班固的矛盾主要缘于其身份的复杂性和当时士人特殊的生存状态与心态。     

物流专业英语的学习需求分析及启示

需求分析是一种评估研究范畴,可以为改进物流专业英语教学提供依据。本研究中需求分析的抽样调查结果显示,物流专业英语教学中学习者非常关注和强调专业英语的实用性和应用性,而这恰恰是当前物流专业英语教学的"短板"。由此得出改进"语言输入"、重视"语言输出"、优化"评估手段"等改进物流专业英语教学的思路和启示。     

通过深化体制改革建立扩大内需的长效机制

我国内需不足的根本原因是深层次的体制问题,具体表现在不合理的收入分配体制,政府公共服务支出占政府总支出的比重较低,国有企业借助行政垄断地位挤压中小企业的生存空间．也增加了居民的生活成本,城乡一体化改革进展缓慢。必须通过深化经济体制改革,加快推进收入分配体制改革,加快公共财政体制建设,逐步完善基本公共服务体系,鼓励扩大民间投资,深化国有企业体制改革,加快推进城乡一体化改革。     

试析我国高等教育管理体制改革

随着我国市场经济的不断发展和深入,全球化进程的不断加快,我国高等教育的发展也在不断地变革着。在任何一个时代,变革的进行都是紧跟时代的发展,我国高等教育管理体制的建立是市场经济的产物,随着经济改革的不断开放、科学技术的不断创新、人民生活水平的不断提高,我国的高等教育管理体制的改革应跟上时代的脚步,加强素质教育的贯彻实施,以科学发展观为导向,实现人文教育的教育理念。在我国政府的宏观调控下,各级政府的统筹管理下进行全面、先进的改革,来促进我国高等教育的革新步伐,与世界高等教育接轨。