社会科学研究中的多元化和理性

两种传统研究方法在英美的科学研究中,对科学的理性的研究有两种传统方式,一种称为哲学方法研究,另一种称为社会因果方法研究,前者推崇理性,而后者则认为理性无关重要。哲学方法论认为,明确的科学理性是存在的,哲学家们的任务是阐释和发展这种理性,传统实证主义和波佩尔的科学哲学就是运用这种方法的典型。社会因果方法论则试图对科学进行纯因果关系的社会研究,认为对科学的解释可以抛开理性或非理性,即可以不从理性入手进行研究。即便是社会因果研究方法能够使人们懂     

振兴辽宁交通先行

交通运输是重要的基础产业,是辽宁振兴的先导和保障。“十五”期间,辽宁省委、省政府对高速公路建设给予了高度重视,省委书记李克强指出:交通运输是重要的基础性和先导性产业。实现辽宁全面振兴,必须发挥交通事业的关键作用。城市交通体系四通八达“十五”期间,辽宁省新增城市道路面积2263万平方米;新增公交车辆7317标台;在城市人口增长的情况下,万人拥有公交车辆9标台,比“九五”期末增加0.55标台。而对于越来越多的人来说,拥有一辆自己的汽车成了越来越迫切的愿望。随着经济的发展,5年间辽宁省全年城镇居民人均可支配收入已由5357.8元提高…     

General characteristics of the electronic data processing system for the national census of 1988

The author describes in detail the procedures used in transferring population census data from the individual questionnaires to machine-readable form and the interim controls employed in the Central Statistical Agency of Poland and its regional offices.     

The influence of income on family fertility in the light of the results of empirical studies

Based on data from the 1973-83 Polish Family Budget Survey, this study examines the influence of income as a source of maintenance and income as a determinant of childbearing on family parity. It is assumed that income influences parity as a source of maintenance and as an influence on lifestyle or reproductive behavior. As a source of maintenance, the influence will be positive. As a life-style factor, it could be positive or negative. The hypotheses are 1) that positive influences are characteristics of older couples with a lower educational level and living in villages and small towns and income is a source of maintenance, and 2) a negative influence on parity reflects younger couples with higher educational levels from larger cities and income is a life-style factor. Some examples of how the theory of income influences total fertility are given in addition to a further elaboration of the theory. Other concepts introduced, as related to childbearing, are the value of goods and services with unchanged preferences and an increase in income, with preferences changing with income increases, with income preferences for nonprocreational and for procreational needs, and income as a factor influencing procreational needs and behavior. Correlation analysis is conducted for 33 subpopulations based on duration of marriage, educational level of the household, and size of residence. The results indicate that, in years 1973, 1975, and 1978 when income and parity are significant, the sign is positive. In 1980, there was a decrease in the number of subpopulations with a significant relationship, and in 3 subpopulations the results were negative. The 13 positive subpopulations were similar to those in the 1970s. In 1983, income explained an even smaller amount of parity. The subpopulations with a postive relationship usually have longer marriage durations, which suggest income as a source of maintenance. Negative results were among subpopulations with shorter marriage durations, which suggests life-style factor effects of income.     

Mortality among three Puerto Rican populations: residents of Puerto Rico and migrants in New York City and in the balance of the United States, 1979-81

"This study attempts to explain similarities and differences in the mortality experience of three population groups: Puerto Ricans on the island commonwealth, Puerto Rican born persons in New York City and Puerto Rican born persons in the rest of mainland United States. Mortality is much higher among Puerto Ricans in New York City than among those residing elsewhere. Much of the difference is due to excess mortality caused by cirrhosis of the liver and homicide. Puerto Rican born persons living on the mainland but outside New York City generally have low mortality, even when compared with U.S. whites."     

Recent migrations from Morocco to Spain

"This study addressed the problem of the Moroccan immigration into Spain within the context of South-North movements, focusing on analyzing provisional data from the last immigrant regularization in the country completed during the end months of 1991."     

South-East Asia

This article reviews the literature on migration and HIV infections in the Mekong Region countries of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The HIV/AIDS situation is profiled in each country. The populations at risk include legal and undocumented cross-border migrants, internal migrants, sex workers, and mobile occupational persons, such as truck drivers, fishermen, seafarers, and cross-border traders. Currently, there is little regional cooperation on the issue of HIV among migrants. Prevalence is high in most of the region. Programs range from being very developed in Thailand to minimal in China. Recently, nongovernmental organizations have created innovative models. AIDSCAP studies have focused on river trade routes along the Thai-Lao border and fishing ports in Thailand and Cambodia. The Asian Research Center for Migration has researched fishermen in 6 countries; Burmese women in Thailand; migrants along the Thai-Myanmar borders; and the impact of transportation routes on the spread of HIV/AIDS along six main inter-country routes. Coordination of Action Research has engaged in research and action projects in 8 southeast Asian countries. The region would benefit from information exchanges about lessons learned and best practices. Field researchers could use better technical support. Regional strategies are useful for providing support from origin to destination.     

Learning how to learn: the key to CQI

All CQI/TQM efforts share a common purpose: to learn something that can correct past mistakes and/or to create better futures. Because learning is a dynamic circular process, the information about a problem or an opportunity will be limited unless four perceptions of the truth--each valid, and each incomplete--are accepted. These four types of learning styles or ways of perceiving are: abstract conceptualizers, active experimenters, concrete experiencers, and reflective observers. Unless all the stages of the learning process have been fully completed, unless all the strokes work in harmony, we cannot be confident that a CQI effort has added its full value. A CQI team's interpersonal process, the tools by which individually limited truths are forged into a consensual holistic truth, must ensure that the group's effort goes "around in circles."     

Making the journey into the networked enterprise, Part 2

In the May issue of Physician Executive, the authors described the difficulties other industries have had with vertical integration and why so many corporations have abandoned it for other organizational structures. In this second part of the series, they explore the ways health care organizations can make the shift into integrated delivery systems, avoiding the trap of the hierarchical, vertically integrated monolithic structures that will become the dinosaurs of the future.     

A method of computing the marital composition of the population between population censuses

A method for calculating the marital status distribution of the population of the USSR between censuses is outlined. The method is based on the use of population census and vital statistics data.