Envisioning the Past

Praise forEnvisioning the Survey Interview of the Future «This book is an excellent introduction to some brave new technologies . . . and their possible impacts on the way surveys might be conducted. Anyone interested in the future of survey methodology should read this book.» -Norman M. Bradburn, PhD, National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago «Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future gathers some of the brightest minds in alternative methods of gathering self-report data, with an eye toward the future self-report sample survey. Conrad and Schober, by assembling a group of talented survey researchers and creative inventors of new software-based tools to gather information from human subjects, have created a volume of importance to all interested in imagining future ways of interviewing.» -Robert M. Groves, PhD, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan This collaboration provides extensive insight into the impact of communication technology on survey research As previously unimaginable communication technologies rapidly become commonplace, survey researchers are presented with both opportunities and obstacles when collecting and interpreting data based on human response. Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future explores the increasing influence of emerging technologies on the data collection process and, in particular, self-report data collection in interviews, providing the key principles for using these new modes of communication. With contributions written by leading researchers in the fields of survey methodology and communication technology, this compilation integrates the use of modern technological developments with established social science theory. The book familiarizes readers with these new modes of communication by discussing the challenges to accuracy, legitimacy, and confidentiality that researchers must anticipate while collecting data, and it also provides tools for adopting new technologies in order to obtain high-quality results with minimal error or bias. Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future addresses questions that researchers in survey methodology and communication technology must consider, such as: How and when should new communication technology be adopted in the interview process? What are the principles that extend beyond particular technologies? Why do respondents answer questions from a computer differently than questions from a human interviewer? How can systems adapt to respondents' thinking and feeling? What new ethical concerns about privacy and confidentiality are raised from using new communication technologies? With its multidisciplinary approach, extensive discussion of existing and future technologies, and practical guidelines for adopting new technology, Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future is an essential resource for survey methodologists, questionnaire designers, and communication technologists in any field that conducts survey research. It also serves as an excellent supplement for courses in research methods at the upper-undergraduate or graduate level.

It has been 10 years since publication of the first edition of Soils of the Past. In that time the subject of paleopedology has grown rapidly, and established itself within the mainstream of geological research. Ancient soils contain vital mineralogical, geochemical, textural, and paleontological information about the continental environments in which they formed. Advances in isotope geochemistry and sequence-stratigraphic models allow more detailed reconstructions of environmental change from paleosols and new insights into diverse topics like atmospheric chemistry, global change, palaeoecology, geobiology and mass extinction. This fully updated second edition of soils of the past gives describes the main types of ancient soil, procedures for their recognition and study, their classification and, most significantly, a wide array of examples of how paleosols have been used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Soils of the Past is written for advanced undergraduates studying paleopedology as part of a degree in geology, environmental science, or physical geography, and for interested professional earth scientists. In the last few years however palaeopedology has become an established discipline in its own right, so the time is ripe for a new edition. This new book will be a good reflection of the current state of knowledge and be widely adopted. First edition was very well received and sold over 1500 copies when the subject was relatively new. The field has now grown enormously and the second edition should do considerably better. The new edition covers new developments in the field such as: Soils and Climate, stable isotope analysis of soils, soils and sequence stratigraphy. This edition represents the only available overview of the subject at this level.

A complete examination of the men and forces that created and shaped the modern state of Israel over the last hundred years Walls of Jerusalem is a study of the creation and evolution of the modern state of Israel. This unique work begins with the actions of four extraordinary men – Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, and David Ben-Gurion – and follows with their influence on subsequent leaders and on the political and military decisions that have shaped and changed Jerusalem and the nation. The resulting physical realty has made concrete the shift in vison from the broad utopian ideals of the beginning, to the separation barrier and settlement enclaves that increasingly divide both Jewish and Palestinian cultures. The author traveled across the West Bank, into the Israeli settlements and along the Israeli security barrier dividing Israel from Palestine. He entered the tombs, mosques and synagogues, experienced the distortion of Jerusalem since the building of the separation barrier – the watchtowers, the welded gates, the shuttered shops, divided highways and back-ways, tunnels, bridges, checkpoints, to better understand evolving reality that defines the stage for the future relationship between Israel and Palestine. Walls of Jerusalem is a timely book, its vivid narrative journeys through a century and a half of dreams and conflicts that lead to a divided Jerusalem: It presents each stage of Israel’s evolution, from the 1896 publication of Herzl’s Der Judenstaat and the Balfour Declaration, to the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem in 2018 Relates the visions of Israel’s creators to the destructive and constructive forces utilized to create a new nation Reviews the century long attempts by international organizations to resolve the conflict between Jews and Palestinians Makes every effort to present a balanced exploration of challenges facing the state of Israel and its place on the world stage, but in conclusion gives emphasis to the plight of the Palestinians Integrates illustrations with text to provide a detailed portrait of central figures in modern Israel’s history

A Companion to South Asia in the Past provides the definitive overview of research and knowledge about South Asia’s past, from the Pleistocene to the historic era in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, provided by a truly global team of experts. The most comprehensive and detailed scholarly treatment of South Asian archaeology and biological anthropology, providing ground-breaking new ideas and future challenges Provides an in-depth and broad view of the current state of knowledge about South Asia’s past, from the Pleistocene to the historic era in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal A comprehensive treatment of research in a crucial region for human evolution and biocultural adaptation A global team of scholars together present a varied set of perspectives on South Asian pre- and proto-history

The first volume devoted solely to autobiographical memory retrieval, The Act of Remembering serves as a primer of ideas, methodology, and central topics, and lays the groundwork for future research in the field. Contains new, forward-looking theories from leading international scholars Answers questions such as: Do we retrieve memories according to when and where we need them? How much conscious control do we have over what we remember? Why are some people more likely than others to have intrusive ‘flashbacks’ following a stressful event? Pays particular attention to voluntary and involuntary recall

The book focuses on geological history as the critical factor in determining the present biodiversity and landscapes of Amazonia. The different driving mechanisms for landscape evolution are explored by reviewing the history of the Amazonian Craton, the associated sedimentary basins, and the role of mountain uplift and climate change. This book provdes an insight into the Meso- and Cenozoic record of Amazonia that was characterized by fluvial and long-lived lake systems and a highly diverse flora and fauna. This fauna includes giants such as the ca. 12 m long caiman Purussaurus, but also a varied fish fauna and fragile molluscs, whilst fossil pollen and spores form relics of ancestral swamps and rainforests. Finally, a review the molecular datasets of the modern Amazonian rainforest and aquatic ecosystem, discussing the possible relations between the origin of Amazonian species diversity and the palaeogeographic, palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental evolution of northern South America. The multidisciplinary approach in evaluating the history of Amazonia has resulted in a comprehensive volume that provides novel insights into the evolution of this region.

This book explores the many provocative questions concerning the fundamentals of data analysis. It is based on the time-tested experience of one of the gurus of the subject matter. Why should one study data analysis? How should it be taught? What techniques work best, and for whom? How valid are the results? How much data should be tested? Which machine languages should be used, if used at all? Emphasis on apprenticeship (through hands-on case studies) and anecdotes (through real-life applications) are the tools that Peter J. Huber uses in this volume. Concern with specific statistical techniques is not of immediate value; rather, questions of strategy – when to use which technique – are employed. Central to the discussion is an understanding of the significance of massive (or robust) data sets, the implementation of languages, and the use of models. Each is sprinkled with an ample number of examples and case studies. Personal practices, various pitfalls, and existing controversies are presented when applicable. The book serves as an excellent philosophical and historical companion to any present-day text in data analysis, robust statistics, data mining, statistical learning, or computational statistics.

Growth is a dominant economic driver accounting for the wealth of nations and organizations alike. However, in the face of environmental pressures, widespread social and economic imbalance, and the reigning climate of uncertainty we are experiencing today, there is now a need for a viable interpretation of what growth really means. In this book, the author redefines the limits to economic growth and tackles the issues involved in three parts, in order to study a variety of international issues, including the world economic system, climate change and environmental degradation.