In this book, the authors present current research in anthropology research. Topics discussed in this compilation include the recent developments in Christian theological anthropology; dental age as a biological indicator to estimate chronological age; the role of design ethnography in the development of corporate anthropology; mind-group identity and social alchemy; the evidence for sociality in fossil primates; and mountain studies in anthropology.
Doing Development Research is a comprehensive introduction to research in development studies, that provides thorough training for anyone carrying out research in developing countries. It brings together experts with extensive experience of overseas research, presenting an interdisciplinary guide to the core methodologies. Informed by years of research experience, Doing Development Research draws together many strands of action research and participatory methods, demonstrating their diverse applications and showing how they interrelate. The text provides: · an account of the theoretical approaches that underlie development work · an explanation of the practical issues involved in planning development research · a systematic overview of information and data collecting methods in three sub-sections: · methods of social research and associated forms of analysis · using existing knowledge and records · disseminating findings/research Using clear and uncomplicated language – illustrated with appropriate learning features throughout - the text guides the researcher through the choice of appropriate methods, the implementation of the research, and the communication of the findings to a range of audiences. This is the essential A-Z of development research.
New Developments in Dementia Prevention Research addresses a dearth of knowledge about dementia prevention and shows the importance of considering the broader social impact of certain risk factors, including the role we each play in our own cognitive health throughout the lifespan. The book draws on primary and secondary research in order to investigate the relationship between modifiable factors, including vascular and psychosocial risks, that may affect the incidence of dementia. Bringing together world-leading expertise from applied science, medicine, psychology, health promotion, epidemiology, health economics, social policy and primary care, the book compares and contrasts scientific and service developments across a range of settings. Each chapter presents these themes in a way that will ensure best practice and further research in the field of dementia prevention is disseminated successfully throughout the world. Perhaps most importantly, chapters also question what type of social responsibility we are prepared to embrace in order to address the challenges inherent in dementia prevalence. New Developments in Dementia Prevention Research includes contributions from leading authorities in brain health and dementia prevention and provides an essential contribution to the discourse on dementia prevention. It will be of great interest to academics, researchers and postgraduate students engaged in the study of the psychological and social aspects of aging and dementia.
Caring is a highly complex and abstract concept, and nurturing a caring attribute among individuals for a nursing career is believed to be best introduced at the start of the student journey in preparatory courses specifically designed for nursing. However, because of the need to professionalize nursing, pre-enrolled nursing programs have been discontinued and replaced by generic healthcare programs in many parts of the world. This book provides a discussion on new developments in nursing education research. Topics include caring attributes and preparedness to care; behavior in interprofessional learning; undergraduate nursing curricula; the AARCA resolution model in addressing bullying of student nurses; and the establishment of a first year experience coordinator role for nursing students.
The human brain deals, at every instant, with a huge amount of visual stimuli. Besides that, the problem of treating all this information becomes even more complex if we consider that each component of a given stimuli needs to be compared to a set of known signals stored in memory. In Chapter One a numerical solution of Hodgkin Huxley equations is presented to describe the behavior of a neuron and the solution is illustrated by a graphical chart interface to finely tune the behavior of the neuron visually programmed in Java. Chapter Two explores the connection between visual attention algorithms and the recognition of objects by computers in digital images. Chapter Three reviews research and provides original data asserting that bias in legal judgment persists despite the inclusion of visual evidence partly because decision-makers' perceptions of visual evidence may be swayed by subjective factors. The preference for a product is usually influenced by the visual appearance of the product image. Chapter Four proposes a new content-based approach, denominated CBAS, that combines textual attributes, visual features and visual attention to compose the products profile. Chapter Five uses electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the brain activations of visual attention in production designers and analyse the differences between higher creativity (HC) and lower creativity (LC) designers.
The productivity slowdown of the 1970s and 1980s and the resumption of productivity growth in the 1990s have provoked controversy among policymakers and researchers. Economists have been forced to reexamine fundamental questions of measurement technique. Some researchers argue that econometric approaches to productivity measurement usefully address shortcomings of the dominant index number techniques while others maintain that current productivity statistics underreport damage to the environment. In this book, the contributors propose innovative approaches to these issues. The result is a state-of-the-art exposition of contemporary productivity analysis. Charles R. Hulten is professor of economics at the University of Maryland. He has been a senior research associate at the Urban Institute and is chair of the Conference on Research in Income and Wealth of the National Bureau of Economic Research. Michael Harper is chief of the Division of Productivity Research at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Edwin R. Dean, formerly associate commissioner for Productivity and Technology at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is adjunct professor of economics at The George Washington University.
This book presents the most recent updates in the field of photon and optical materials research. It is devoted to various interdisciplinary subjects such as fundamental photon physics, bio and medical photon physics, ultrafast non-linear optics, quasiparticle excitation and spectroscopy, coherent mid-infrared (IR) light sources, functional optoelectronic materials and optical fibres, and quantum nano-structured devices for various important technological applications. It contains 19 authoritative peer-reviewed chapters regarding experimental and theoretical research in these fields, contributed by young scientists and engineers (assistant or associate professor level) along with well-established experts. The response of materials to electromagnetic fields, namely light-matter interaction, has been of special concern in fundamental optical sciences. The ability to fabricate and/or engineer new materials and structures is giving rise to revolutionary changes in the field, which also includes soft condensed matter and nanoscale systems. On the other hand, significant demand for new coherent light sources at mid-IR ranges has caused new laser technologies to flourish, which utilise innovative optical materials and quantum structures. Important mid-IR applications include IR countermeasures, optical telecommunications, broadband Internet, environmental monitoring, remote sensing of chemical and biological species, minimally invasive medical surgery and medical diagnosis, and direct imaging of biological structures and relevant processes. Most of the chapters presented in this book address key issues on light-matter interaction in various systems and the next generation of light sources aiming at practical applications. Included with these applications are some fundamental topics such as photon Bose-Einstein condensation, vacuum polarisation field, and polarisational bremsstrahlung. This collection of fresh updates on such stimulating areas makes this book quite unique, as it provides an in-depth review on the most recent progress as well as suggesting future research directions.
`[Research for Development] is well-written and, at every stage, is well-documented with practical examples. The simplicity with which it is written adds to its value in that non-professional persons get well-aquainted with the research process. Every chapter in the book ends with highlighting of the main points made in that chapter... A further strength of the book is the inclusion of an appendix with a list of websites that deal with issues in the area of development research... the simplicity of its organization and message should appeal to people/researchers across disciplines' - Pakistan Development Review `Research for Development achieves the near impossible: it provides vast quantities of useful guidance for almost anyone involved in research for development regardless of the size of your research project or your role within that project' - Arvac Bulletin `Written by professional researchers, this immensely practical book provides development workers with a more research-oriented point of view, so that they can avoid mistakes in the design of programmes. It will also help them to understand people's needs and respond accordingly' - The Asian Age `It is a beautiful and comprehensive compilation giving scores of instances that prove the essentiality if carrying out a survey of a particular locality for bringing about a change there' - Rafique Jalal, DAWN This book provides a comprehensive introduction and handbook for undertaking and managing research in development. It is designed to provide both a quick reference manual and an indispensable learning tool for all students, researchers and practitioners engaged in development work. The text is divided into two parts: Managing research for development, and Doing research for development. Together the two parts review the complete research process from outlining the essential role and purpose of research, highlighting specific issues to development research, to demonstrating how to evaluate and secure the best results from subsequent research projects. The book includes: an overview of different types of research in development work; practical steps to writing a brief and managing research; practical steps to evaluating and promoting research findings; step by step guides to getting started and choosing a research method; detailed guidelines to seven key research techniques; examples, exercises, summaries and checklists; and glossary and guides to additional resources and packages Drawing on considerable hands-on experience, Research for Development will be an essential companion and invaluable tool for anyone engaged in contemporary development research, development work and development studies.
Expert systems represent intelligent systems based on knowledge modeling, symbolic representation and its storage which allows for an unconventional method approach of complex applied analysis, sorting planning, design and diagnosis of problems in different areas of activity where an algorithmic description cannot be fully accomplished. Presently, the most intelligent systems from organizations are expert systems developed in accordance with fast prototyping methodology. Expert systems are used in a variety of areas, including, technical, banking, industrial and other professional areas. This book includes recent advances in expert systems research.
