Hasil untuk "Sociology (General)"

D. Miller

D. Alwin, R. Hauser

P. Tichenor, G. Donohue, C. Olien

Clyde Mitchell, J. A. Mitchell

Demetra Demetriou

I. Røpke

Dana SOLONEAN

In 1995, the Romanian government launched the first large-scale education reform since the fall of communism. Largely financed through a World Bank loan, the reform targeted the sector’s core dimensions: mission, content, governance, and subjectivities. Textbooks were placed at the center of these transformations, with more than half of the total reform budget allocated to creating a free market for publishing companies responsible for producing textbooks and educational materials. This paper seeks to uncover the explicit and implicit rationalities that underpinned this decision. It argues that, in line with neoliberal ideology, textbooks were regarded as the most cost-effective investment in education. By the same token, the introduction of open competition in the private sector for the publishing, printing, and distribution of textbooks was framed as the most appropriate way to ensure higher textbook quality. However, the decision to prioritize textbooks was not solely driven by economic considerations. Drawing on critical approaches to textbook research, the paper contends that in the post-communist context, textbooks were seen as key instruments for disseminating the “legitimate knowledge” associated with the emerging political-economic order. However, the textbook reform could not have been carried out without the support of Romanian education specialists, who were both ideological and materially co-opted. Finally, the article highlights the inherent contradictions embodied in the ‘textbook’ in postcommunist Romania, particularly in relation to centralization, student–teacher relations, and social justice.

Saleh Rahimi, Faramarz Soheili

IntroductionBibliometric analysis is widely acknowledged as a robust and systematic approach for examining extensive scholarly literature. It serves as a vital tool for mapping the landscape of contemporary research across various academic fields. The increase in bibliometric studies over the past decade highlights their growing importance in evaluating the evolution and impact of scientific inquiry. Among these methods, co-word analysis emerges as a powerful technique for uncovering conceptual connections between ideas and themes within a discipline. By analyzing term co-occurrences, this approach revealed underlying thematic clusters, prevailing trends, and evolving patterns over time, providing a dynamic perspective for interpreting the intellectual structure of a research domain.  Materials & MethodsThis study utilized bibliometric analysis to examine scholarly literature. Data were processed using VOSviewer, UCINet, and BibExcel software. The data were extracted from the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) database using the keywords “globalization” or “globalisation”. Plain text files obtained from the ISC database were imported into BibExcel. Employing natural language processing techniques within this software, key terms (nouns or noun phrases) were extracted. A frequency threshold of 4 was established, meaning a term had to appear at least 4 times in the sample to be included in the bibliometric map. This threshold is recommended to effectively eliminate irrelevant terms. Following several processing steps, a symmetric matrix was created and converted into a correlation matrix. This matrix was then imported into VOSviewer, which assessed the strength of relationships between the remaining terms that met the threshold. The extracted data spanned 25 years (1999–2023) and included 1,281 documents containing 4,502 author keywords. After standardization, 2,169 unique keywords remained. By applying the threshold, a 162×162 matrix was generated with diagonal cell values set to zero. Cluster analysis was conducted using the K-means method in VOSviewer. Discussion of Results & ConclusionThe terms “globalization”, “Iran”, and “cultural globalization” ranked first to third with frequencies of 703, 54, and 45, respectively. The keyword “globalization” with 703 occurrences emerged as the central concept within the research domain.Cluster analysis in VOSviewer identified 11 clusters related to globalization concepts:Globalization and economyGeopolitics of globalizationGlocalizationGlobalization and anti-globalizationGlobalization and transnationalizationCultural globalizationGlobalization of educationGlobalization and national securityGlobalization and identityGlobalization and geocultureGlobalization and urban environmentUsing UCINet, centrality and density scores were calculated for each cluster, resulting in a strategic diagram. The origin of the diagram was set at the mean centrality (7.14) and density (0.541). Notably, Cluster 7 (globalization of education) exhibited the highest centrality (18.857) and density (1.451), indicating strong internal and external conceptual linkages. First Quadrant (High Density/Centrality): Clusters 6 (cultural globalization) and 7 (globalization of education) represented core themes characterized by high cohesion and centrality, demonstrating extensive interconnections with other aspects of globalization. Second Quadrant (High Density, Lower Centrality): Clusters 9 (globalization and identity) and 10 (globalization and geoculture) were specialized subfields that exhibited cohesion but had limited influence on broader research trends. Third Quadrant (Low Density/Centrality): Clusters 2 (geopolitics), 3 (glocalization), 4 (anti-globalization), 5 (transnationalization), 8 (national security), and 11 (urban environment) consisted of emerging or declining topics with underdeveloped connections. Fourth Quadrant (Low Density, High Potential): Cluster 1 (globalization and economy) showed low centrality but high potential for future growth, reflecting globalization impact on national and international economies through concepts like economic growth and the KOF Globalization Index.This study underscored globalization as an interdisciplinary topic that spans foundational concepts and specialized applications. Researchers are encouraged to investigate the emerging areas identified in the third quadrant: geopolitics of globalization, glocalization, anti-globalization, transnationalization, national security, and urban environment. Although currently underdeveloped, these themes hold significant potential for shaping future scholarly discourse.

Samiya Bedoui, Asma Adouane

This study aims to assess satisfaction with the quality of education in educational institutions in Algeria and to determine the factors that significantly influence it. The study was based on a survey of inspectors representing the primary control body for educational institutions in Algeria. The questionnaire contained questions based on which the inspectors assessed the quality of education in 1,101 schools (representative sample). A three-point Likert scale was used to evaluate inspectors' agreement with the statements included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of 7 factors that characterize the quality of the professional development of pedagogical workers, the educational program, textbooks, the educational process, the conditions of school education, the evaluation process, and the effectiveness of the teacher's work. Correspondence of the data to the normal law of distribution was confirmed with the help of SENWEKS (asymmetry coefficient/skewness coefficient) and KIRTOSIS (variation coefficient or excess) indicators. The reliability of the research tools and the possibility of relying on the questionnaire data were confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and validity - using the overall internal consistency coefficient. The internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Pearson's linear correlation coefficients between the factors and the total score of the questionnaire. The study proved that the factors of the quality of education, with the highest level of satisfaction expressed by the respondents, were the quality of educational programs (inspectors have a favourable opinion about the educational content, considering it relevant and well structured) and textbooks (inspectors appreciate the clarity and richness of the content of the textbook, emphasizing its essential role in student learning), while they were the least satisfied with the quality of learning conditions (inspectors point to a lack of educational resources, inadequate infrastructure and a large number of students in the classroom). One-sample Student's t-test (one-sample T-Student Test) was used to identify the factors that have the most significant impact on measuring the quality of education in educational institutions in Algeria. The most important factors were the effectiveness of the teachers, the quality of the curriculum and the quality of the textbooks. The research emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adequate support for teachers.

R. Jean Cadigan, Margaret Waltz, John M. Conley et al.

Heritable human genome editing has garnered significant attention in scholarly and lay media, yet questions remain about whether, when, and how heritable genome editing ought to proceed. Drawing on interviews with scientists who use genome editing in their research and professionals engaged in human genome editing governance efforts, we examine their views on the permissibility of heritable genome editing and the governance strategies they see as necessary and realistic. For both issues, we found divergent views from respondents. We place the views of these scientists and governance professionals within the context of the larger bioethical discussion of heritable genome editing governance, along a continuum of hard to soft approaches. These respondents’ views highlight the challenges of various hard forms of governance and the potential virtues of soft governance approaches.

S. Frickel, Neil Gross

R. Aseltine, S. Gore, J. Gordon

Ji Liu, Faying Qiang, Ying Zhou

The Covid‐19 pandemic has catalyzed irreversible structural changes in education systems worldwide. One key development is the broad utility of remote digital e‐learning modalities for learning and instruction that could jeopardize social inclusion if digital in(ex)clusion is left unaddressed. This study assembles a two‐step mixed method research design and conducts a case inquiry of Shaanxi Province in China by leveraging policy document analysis and rapid survey methodology in examining how transitions to remote digital e‐learning may introduce learning barriers to children from vulnerable backgrounds. Findings reveal that children’s access to remote digital e‐learning devices during the rapid transition to e‐learning has a close association with their backgrounds. Key policy implications include utilizing multimodal hybrid technology in diversifying content delivery and maximizing e‐learning coverage, developing open learning platforms, expanding access to e‐learning resources, and collaborating with industry partners to bring tangible support to families and realize meaningful e‐learning at home.

Stanojević Petar D.

The paper describes and illustrates a simple, robust, yet sufficiently detailed model that ensures quick and accurate enough forecast of trends and their possible effect on the processes related to energy security and, accordingly, global security. The heuristic model also takes into account diversity in the understanding of the energy paradigm. It is based on the 4As definition of energy security (Acceptability, Availability, Affordability, Accessibility) and uses the regional security complex theory. It considers four factors of the first and twenty-three factors of the second level. The created model enables considering the factors that are difficult to measure, which makes the forecast comprehensive. The model is applied in the cases of the EU, Serbia and China. The conclusion is that a set of factors acting towards the reduction of energy security of the countries whose strategic aspiration is the "green paradigm" exceeds by far the number of those with positive effects. The results point to the conclusion that China should continue the current energy strategy. The actual application of the model, through the analysis of influential factors, indicates the problems that will have their security-related repercussions. The factors that need to be treated as priorities have been singled out if the actual situation needs improvement for the purpose of increasing and maintaining energy security of a country or a regional complex.

R. Collins

Magnus Boström

Macro-institutional structures and consumerist culture force and urge people to reproduce unsustainable levels of consumption. A crucial role for sociology, the article argues, is to address theoretically and empirically the intersection between social relations and (over)consumption. The purpose with this article is to address how social relations are involved in both reproducing and challenging consumer culture. This is done by emphasizing the intersection of consumer culture and socially integrating everyday rituals and drawing on literature on both voluntary and involuntary (the pandemic) disruption of consumer practices. The Covid-19 pandemic brings unexpected opportunities to highlight this intersection, as the pandemic offers a window of opportunity for lifestyle change. The review shows there are important lessons about both challenges and opportunities, gained from both voluntary and involuntary disruption of consumer practices.

Rayi Oktafiani Utomo, Muakibatul Hasanah, Maryaeni Maryaeni

Abstract: This study aims to examine and describe the values of social tolerance contained in the novels by Ahmad Tohari. Social tolerance is an attitude of mutual respect and respect for racial, religious, cultural differences and is polite and friendly to others. The values of social tolerance examined in this study include (1) courtesy and (2) understanding social identity. The approach and method in this research is a qualitative approach to the sociology of literature and text studies. The results of this study include (1) the attitude of courtesy found is illustrated by the attitude of greeting and saying goodbye when meeting, not saying rude or dirty, not refuting the commands of an older person, listening well when others speak, and not violating the norm or rules that apply in society, and (2) the attitude of understanding the social identity found is described by respecting and appreciating differences, understanding the rights and obligations of others, and not imposing the will on others. Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menelaah dan mendeskripsikan nilai toleransi sosial yang terdapat dalam novel-novel karya Ahmad Tohari. Toleransi sosial adalah sikap saling menghormati dan menghargai perbedaan ras, agama, budaya serta sopan dan ramah kepada orang lain. Nilai toleransi sosial yang ditelaah dalam penelitian ini, meliputi (1) sopan santun dan (2) memahami identitas sosial. Pendekatan dan metode pada penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan sosiologi sastra dan studi teks. Hasil dari penelitian ini, meliputi (1) sikap sopan santun yang ditemukan digambarkan dengan sikap memberi salam dan pamit saat bertemu, tidak berkata yang kasar atau kotor, tidak membantah perintah orang yang lebih tua, mendengarkan dengan baik ketika orang lain berbicara, dan tidak melanggar norma atau aturan yang berlaku di masyarakat, dan (2) sikap memahami identitas sosial yang ditemukan digambarkan dengan menghargai dan mengapresiasi perbedaan, memahami hak dan kewajiban orang lain, dan tidak memaksakan kehendak kepada orang lain.

P. Zubakha

This article is devoted to the analysis of legislation in the field of public-private partnership (PPP). The article substantiates the importance of an effective regulatory and legal framework for the development of PPP in Russia. A negative evaluation of this normative and legal framework from point of view of market participants was revealed. The analysis of the main regulatory and legal framework in the sphere of implementation of public-private partnership projects is carried out. Deficiencies were found in the current drafts of the law on concession and the law on PPP. Recommendations are proposed to eliminate these shortcomings and increase the effectiveness of legislation in the field of public-private partnership.

M. Jackson, D. Cox

Sebastian Weier