Book reviews

The Political Sociology of Florian Znaniecki and Contemporary Politics (in Polish), Olgierd Sochacki (Ed.) Wydawnictwo Gdanskie, The Scientific Society of Gdansk, 1996

Why Read. Internal Space and the Social Function of Literature: An Investigation with. Psychoanalysts and Psychology Students, Graziella Pagliano (Ed.) Bonanno Editore, 1994

Voix Littéraires de Femmes

Cuadernos sobre Vico, Nos 5–6, José M. Sevilla et al. 1995–96

Studi in memoria di Ernesto Grassi Proceedings of the International Conference in Memory of Ernesto Grassi (Ischia, 4–6 October 1993), Emilio Hidalgo‐Serna and Massimo Marassi (Eds), Napoli, La Città del Sole, 1996

Naples Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Fiosofici, La Gittà del Sole, Napoli, 1996

Family, Women and Employment in Central‐Eastern Europe, Barbara Lobodzinska (Ed.) Greenwood Press, 1995     

Validating Work Discrimination and Coping Strategy Models for Sexual Minorities

The purpose of this study was to validate and expand on Y. B. Chung's (2001) models of work discrimination and coping strategies among lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. In semistructured individual interviews, 17 lesbians and gay men reported 35 discrimination incidents and their related coping strategies. Responses were coded based on Chung's models. Results supported the validity of the Work Discrimination model and two coping strategy models (Vocational Choice and Identity Management). The Discrimination Management coping strategy model was expanded. Implications for practice and research are discussed.     

Comparison of hazard rates for dependent random variables

In this paper, we define and study a new notion for the comparison of the hazard rates of two random variables taking into account their mutual dependence. Properties, applications and the comparison for a data set are given.     

Confidence intervals based on the deviance statistic for the hyperparameters in state space models

The main objective of this work is to evaluate the performance of confidence intervals, built using the deviance statistic, for the hyperparameters of state space models. The first procedure is a marginal approximation to confidence regions, based on the likelihood test, and the second one is based on the signed root deviance profile. Those methods are computationally efficient and are not affected by problems such as intervals with limits outside the parameter space, which can be the case when the focus is on the variances of the errors. The procedures are compared to the usual approaches existing in the literature, which includes the method based on the asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator, as well as bootstrap confidence intervals. The comparison is performed via a Monte Carlo study, in order to establish empirically the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The results show that the methods based on the deviance statistic possess a better coverage rate than the asymptotic and bootstrap procedures.     

Robust m-estimators

This paper provides a summary of the influence function approach to robust estimation of parametric models. Hampel's optimality results for M-estimators with a bounded influence function is generalized to allow for arbitrary choices of the asymptotic efficiency criterion and the norm of the influence function. Further extensions to other cases of practical interest are also considered.     

Technology for social housing in Latin America : An evaluation of the CYTED research and development programme

Since the mid 1980s an international programme of scientific and technological co-operation between Spain, Portugal and Latin America has been underway (CYTED). One of the 16 sub-programmes is focussing on Technology for Social Housing, and has brought together hundreds of researchers and housing activists from every corner of the continent, to seek pragmatic approaches to improve the housing conditions of the poor majority in Latin America. In addition to cataloguing and exchanging existing experiences, a wide-ranging and detailed programme of research and development of innovative housing technologies has been set in motion. These include materials, techniques and processes.The paper briefly outlines the characteristics of the existing housing situation in Latin America in order to identify the main elements upon which these new approaches are built. The key components of the CYTED housing programme are then described and illustrated using examples of different projects. A common theme is the relationship between the building process and social patterns, particularly the potential for cooperation and community self-help construction. The paper then identifies some limitations of the programme and concludes that despite the commitment and creativity of those involved, the effectiveness of many projects and the general validity of the approaches adopted, severe structural constraints are likely to limit the impact of the programme. However the increased contacts, communication and opportunities for collaboration within the continent provide grounds for limited optimism about future developments.