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Books in Social sciences

The Social Sciences collection forms a definitive resource for those entering, researching, or teaching in any of the many disciplines making up this interdisciplinary area of study. Written by experts and researchers from both Academic and Commercial domains, titles offer global scope and perspectives.

Key subject areas include: Library and Information Science; Transportation; Urban Studies; Geography, Planning, and Development; Security; Emergency Management.

  • Home Security

    Alarms, Sensors and Systems
    • 2nd Edition
    • Vivian Capel
    • English
    As crime rates soar every householder looks at ways to protect their home and its contents. This practical guide, in straightforward language, spells out the simple steps you can take to guard your home. It shows how burglars work, and how to thwart them. The selection and installation of alarm systems are described simply. This handy volume may provide the information you need to avoid costly and upsetting break-ins. As well as describing the bewildering range of security devices on offer, more technical readers may consider their own solutions using descriptions and circuits for two simple tested designs are given, one for the home and one for a foolproof public hall system. There is a plethora of security devices now on offer. Large sums can be spent on elaborate systems, yet weak links can be left unrecognised - except by the housebreaker! Good independent advice is scarce, as most security firms favour their own products. This book explains the pros and cons of alarm systems, including how to avoid faults, and find them if they occur. `Friendly security' is particularly featured, and other security devices are given a critical scrutiny.
  • Techniques of Scientific Computing (Part 2)

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • P.G. Ciarlet
    • English
    This series of volumes aims to cover the major aspects of Numerical Analysis, serving as the basic reference work on the subject. Each volume concentrates on one, two, or three, particular topics. Each article, is an in-depth survey, reflecting the most recent trends in the field, and is essentially self-contained. The handbook covers the basic methods of numerical analysis, under the following general headings: solution of equations in R n; finite difference methods; finite element methods; techniques of scientific computing; and optimization theory and systems science. It also covers the numerical solution of actual problems of contemporary interest in Applied Mathematics.
  • Handbook of Population and Family Economics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 1A
    • M.R. Rosenzweig
    • English
    The collection of chapters in the Handbook of Population and Family Economics and their organization reflect the most recent developments in economics pertaining to population issues and the family. The rationale, contents, and organization of the Handbook evolve from three premises. First, the family is the main arena in which population outcomes are forged. Second, there are important interactions and significant causal links across all demographic phenomena. Third, the study of the size, composition, and growth of a population can benefit from the application of economic methodology and tools. The diversity and depth of the work reviewed and presented in the Handbook conveys both the progress that has been made by economists in understanding the forces shaping population processes, including the behavior of families, and the many questions, empirical and theoretical, that still remain.For more information on the Handbooks in Economics series, please see our home page on http://www.elsevier....
  • Security, ID Systems and Locks

    The Book on Electronic Access Control
    • 1st Edition
    • Joel Konicek + 1 more
    • English
    Written in clear and simple terms, Security, ID Systems and Locks provides the security professional with a complete understanding of all aspects of electronic access control. Each chapter includes important definitions, helpful study hints, highlighted review, and application questions. Security, ID Systems and Locks will teach you how to: Work with consultants Negotiate with dealers Select communications options Understand what computer professionals are saying Provide better security Throughout the book, the reader will find advice from security professionals, computer wizards, and seasoned trainers. Topics include a history of access control, modern ID technology, locks, barriers, sensors, computers, wiring, communications, and system design and integration. Joel Konicek has worked in almost every phase of the security industry. He is president and co-founder of Northern Computers, Inc., sits on the board of the Security Industry Association (SIA) and serves as SIA's Education Committee chairperson. He has lectured widely and conducted training seminars on sales and technical support issues. Karen Little, a technical writer and trainer, has been president of Clear Concepts since 1992. She provides research, writing, and illustrations for technical documentation, training manuals, Web sites, and interactive multimedia.
  • Disaster Recovery for Archives, Libraries and Records Management Systems in Australia and New Zealand

    • 1st Edition
    • Judith Doig
    • English
    Floods, fires or earthquakes can cause critical damage to books and to records. A recovery effort which is well-intentioned but ill-informed or hasty may make the damage far worse. What should be done? What should not be done? This is the first book on disaster recovery specifically tailored for the Australasian market. The book discusses factors which should be considered by managers before setting up a disaster recovery plan, including prevention and insurance. It covers, in detail, the content and development of a disaster plan and considers training programs for those staff who are involved. There is an account of the history of disaster recovery with special attention given to disasters occurring in Australia and New Zealand and to the recovery efforts which have been mounted.
  • Handbook of Academic Learning

    Construction of Knowledge
    • 1st Edition
    • Gary D. Phye
    • English
    The Handbook of Academic Learning provides a comprehensive resource for educational and cognitive psychologists, as well as educators themselves, on the mechanisms and processes of academic learning. Beginning with general themes that cross subject and age levels, the book discusses what motivates students to learn and how knowledge can be made personal for better learning and remembering. Individual chapters identify proven effective teaching methods for the specific domains of math, reading, writing, science, and critical problem solving; how students learn within those domains; and how learning can be accurately assessed for given domains and age levels.The Handbook takes a constructivist perspective to academic learning, emphasizing the construction of personal knowledge of an academic nature. Constructivism within the context of learning theory is viewed as involving an active learner that constructs an academic knowledge base through the development of cognitive strategies and metacognition. The book discusses the development of basic literacy skills that provide the foundation for higher order thinking and problem solving. Constructivism recognizes the social dimension of classroom learning and emphasizes the motivational elements of self-regulation and volition as essential learner characteristics.Writ... by authors who have experience with both theory development and the development of classroom instructional techniques, the Handbook empowers educators to develop, implement, and field-test instructional practices at their school site. The book provides a review of the literature, theory, research, and skill techniques for effective teaching and learning.
  • Concise Encyclopedia of Syntactic Theories

    • 1st Edition
    • K. Brown + 1 more
    • English
    Syntactic description and theoretical syntax are central concerns in linguistics. For thirty years, the search for a single formal model of syntax has been the central task in the field; many theories have been proposed, some discarded, none universally adopted, and the problem continues to challenge linguists.The award-winning Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics included many excellent articles on all major syntactic theories, current or past, written either by their originators or by eminent practitioners. These articles are now collected here in a single volume. All have been thoroughly updated; several entirely new articles have been added, while others have been significantly revised or extended.This collection gives a full and fascinating picture of the evolution of linguists' attempts to wrestle with syntax. The comprehensive inclusion of less popular theories alongside more current ones provides the researcher with the context and perspectives necessary to appreciate why some avenues have been pursued, while others have not. This is valuable for the development both of the more generally accepted approaches, and of others now being revived or introduced.The editors' extensive introduction gives an excellent overview of the theories covered and of the issues involved, and places each article in its historical and theoretical context. The reader is supported by the inclusion of a substantial Glossary and name and subject indexes. The Concise Encyclopedia of Syntactic Theories will be an invaluable reference work, not only for those studying specific theories, but also for those with a wider interest in matters of linguistic theory.
  • Handbook of Classroom Assessment

    Learning, Achievement, and Adjustment
    • 1st Edition
    • Gary D. Phye
    • English
    The Handbook of Classroom Assessment takes a multi-dimensional approach to classroom assessment. A successful combination of theory and practice, the book emphasizes the assessment of classroom learning within content areas and the development of standards for evaluation. Most chapters are devoted to the assessment of learning and achievement and discuss current theories. The book also features assessment of academic self-concept and subjective well-being in children and adolescents. The Handbook provides successfully field-tested examples of assessment techniques and strategies within the content areas of mathematics, social studies, foreign languages, and the visual arts. Contributing chapter authors share the unique distinction of having backgrounds that include both the development of assessment theory and first hand experience translating theory into practice at the classroom, school site, state, or national level. The book is divided into four sections. Section I discusses the top five theories with respect to what learning is, how it's related to achievement, and how we assess both in the classroom setting. Section II on standardized assessment briefly covers all major standardized achievement tests used in preschool, K-6, and 7-12. Assessment of classroom learning, Section III, presents test instruments and techniques specific to the measurement of math skills, social science skills, and artistic talent across ages and grades. Section IV on classroom practices includes an assessment of general reasoning skills and performance and how to develop a grading philosophy.
  • Physical Security and the Inspection Process

    • 1st Edition
    • Carl Roper
    • English
    Physical Security and The Inspection Process illustrates the basic concepts and procedures for development, implementation, and management of a physical security inspection program. It provides personnel with a model inspection procedure that can be specifically tailored to meet any company's reasonable minimum standards. With detailed checklists broken down by security subject area, the reader will be able to develop site-specific checklists to meet organizational needs. Physical Security and the Inspection Process is an important reference for security managers, physical security inspection team chiefs, team members, and others responsible for physical security. C. A. Roper is a security specialist and lead instructor with the Department of Defense Security Institute, where he provides general and specialized security training throughout the US, in Germany, and in Panama. Previously, Mr. Roper worked for the assistant chief of staff for intelligence, Department of the Army, and the Defense Communications Agency. He is a counter-intelligence technician with the US Army Reserve, was activated for Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and has provided training and other support to various operations with the Army, Navy, and foreign national forces.
  • Handbook of Emotion, Adult Development, and Aging

    • 1st Edition
    • Carol Magai + 1 more
    • English
    The field of emotions research has recently seen an unexpected period of growth and expansion, both in traditional psychological literature and in gerontology. The Handbook of Emotion, Adult Development, and Aging provides a broad overview and summary of where this field stands today, specifically with reference to life course issues and aging. Written by a distinguished group of contributing authors, the text is grounded in a life span developmental framework, while advancing a multidimensional view of emotion and its development and incorporating quantitative and qualitative research findings.The book is divided into five parts. Part One discusses five major theoretical perspectives including biological, discrete emotions, ethological, humanistic, and psychosocial. Part Two on affect and cognition discusses the role of emotion in memory, problem solving, and internal perceptions of self and gender. Part Three on emotion and relationships expands on the role of emotion in sibling and parent/child relationships, as well as relationships between friends and romantic partners, and the emotional reaction to interpersonal loss across the life span. Part Four on stress, health, and psychological well-being treats issues of stress and coping, religion, personality, and quality of life. The final part on continuity and change in emotion patterns and personality discusses emotion and emotionality throughout the life span.An ideal reference source for professionals across a wide range of disciplines, the text summarizes recent important developments in this fast growing area of psychology and proposes many new directions for future research.