Book Review

Theorists have argued that discussion and disagreement are essential components of sound public opinion, and indeed that both are necessary for effective democracy. But their putative benefits have not been well tested. Consequently, this article examines whether disagreement in political conversation contributes to opinion quality--specifically, whether it expands one's understanding of others' perspectives. Data are drawn from a survey of the American public ( N = 1,684) conducted in February and March 2000. Open-ended survey measures of "argument repertoire"--reasons people can give in support of their own opinions, as well as reasons they can offer to support opposing points of view--are examined in light of numerous explanatory variables, including the frequency of political conversation and exposure to disagreement. Results confirm the hypothesis that exposure to disagreement does indeed contribute to people's ability to generate reasons, and in particular reasons why others might disagree with their own views.     

Identifying neighborhood thresholds: An empirical exploration

Abstract

In this article, we investigate the threshold‐like effects of four aspects of neighborhood environment: poverty rate, adult nonemployment rate, female headship rate for families with children, and secondary school dropout rate. We used a sample consisting of virtually all census tracts from U.S. metropolitan areas. The relationship between the value of numerous neighborhood indicators in 1980 and subsequent changes in each of the four dimensions of neighborhood quality of family life from 1980 to 1990 was evaluated statistically using a regression model with a spline specification to test for nonlinear, threshold‐like processes.

Stressing the exploratory nature of the study, we find evidence of threshold‐like effects in an endodynamic relationship (poverty rate and subsequent changes in that rate), and in exodynamic relationships (occupational status and rental rates and subsequent changes in several neighborhood quality indicators). Implications for research and a spatially targeted neighborhood reinvestment policy are derived from the analysis.     

提高民事判决书质量的几点思考

民事判决书是民事审判活动的最终体现。目前 ,大多数民事判决书都能做到合乎规范 ,但是叙事缺乏证据印证、论证说理不到位、制作不规范等问题也还普遍存在。本文拟就如何提高民事判决书的质量谈几点意见。     

硕士研究生培养质量评价方法探析

近年来,随着社会进步,我国经济不断飞速发展,不仅带动了硕士研究生教育的发展,也对硕士研究生培养质量提出更高的要求.自恢复硕士研究生教育以来,我国就非常重视硕士研究生培养质量,强调“质量是学位与研究生教育的生命线”,“高水平、高质量的硕士研究生是国家和社会急需的较高层次的人才”.伴随着硕士研究生招生数量的增加,社会进步与经济发展对研究生的期许也越来越高.纵观硕士研究生培养的发展方向,以及社会发展、经济建设需求,提高研究生的培养质量已经成为研究生教育与人才培养的重要内容.建立科学、合理的评价方法是一个值得高校、社会及政府认真思考的重要任务.应当从评价指标和评价原则的确立入手,具体分析如何确定评价标准、如何量化评价标准并确定不同评价标准的权重比例.最终构建一套量化的硕士研究生培养质量评价方法.     

Some common questions about participatory research: a review of the literature

This article reviews, through reference to the published literature, some key questions about participatory research. When should participatory research be used? How should participatory research be applied? What about quality of science in participatory research? Are there any institutional issues associated with the use of participatory research? And what are the benefits and costs of participatory research? The article is not a comprehensive literature review on participatory research, it is not meant to set standards for participatory research, nor to define what constitutes ‘good’ participatory research, but rather it seeks to summarise the realities of implementing participatory research, as discussed and debated by several published authors, and to provide some useful background for this special issue.     

系统论视角下的教学质量保障体系

如何提高高等教育教学质量,已成为高等学校深化教育教学改革的焦点和社会关注的热点。为此,运用系统论研究成果深化对教学质量保障体系的认识,保证和提高教学质量,为建立起一个科学、规范、可操作、形之有效的教学质量保障体系,是大有裨益的。     

论我国产品召回制度的完善

欧、美等发达国家早在上个世纪六十年代就已经建立产品召回制度。不论是强制召回,还是自主召回,政府主管部门都发挥重要作用,因此产品召回制度是一种具有公法性质的行政管理制度。产品召回制度需要有相关的配套法律制度加以配合,才能充分发挥作用,如惩罚性制度、产品质量认证制度、产品信息体系、产品召回责任保险等。     

中国专利质量报告——实用新型与外观设计专利制度实施情况研究

专利质量问题是关涉到专利制度能否实现其初始目标价值的核心关键问题。专利制度建立以来,关于专利质量的问题,有过两次大规模的争论。第一次是发生在上世纪末的美国,第二次是处于高速发展中的中国。中国专利制度建立30年来,获得了巨大的发展。近年来,我国专利申请数量快速增长,但专利的质量却受到广泛诟病,尤其是实用新型和外观设计专利的质量问题。这可以从专利质量的界定、产生专利质量问题的根源、专利质量问题的国情背景、实用新型与外观设计专利制度的国际视野等角度来考察,并进一步探索我国应当采取的应对之道。     

当前影响刑事办案质量的倾向性问题、形成原因及对策思考

当前,影响刑事办案质量的倾向性问题有重侦查轻审讯,重实体轻程序,重口供轻取证,重过程轻要件,重实战轻积累.造成这一问题的原因有主观方面的,也有客观方面的.故此,我们必须讲求实效性,有针对性地开展教育培训和案情分析;讲求典范性,营造良好的竞争激励氛围;讲求科学性,以高技术水平为支撑,带动办案质量的提高;讲求规范性,提高侦查员的责任感.     

加强师德建设形成良好师风

教育发展教师为本,教师素质师德为本。教师的师德决定教师的素质,而教师的素质又决定教育的质量。新时期加强和改进师德建设具有重大意义。应采取有效措施,大力加强师德师风建设。