Search results

On-line Reference Tools for the Hard Sciences

Business Reference Guide: The Intricacies of Actuarial Science -- Contents -- Introduction -- The Theory of Life Insurance -- Actuarial Risks: Operations & -- Markets -- Financial Strategies & -- Analysis: Insurance -- Risk Theory & -- Credibility -- Statistical Methods for Actuaries -- Actuarial Models -- Actuarial Statistics -- Loss Distributions -- Survival Models -- Stochastic Processes.

This article reports on the evaluation of political science research internships and considers their costs and benefits for a political science education. Students indicated high levels of appreciation of the inaugural Political Science Research Internship Unit at the University of Western Australia in terms of its contribution to their personal development and work experience. A substantial number of interns gained insights into the policy process through this form of experiential learning. Many came to appreciate the contingency and the normative dimensions of knowledge in the policy process. Whereas about half of the students found the transition from the seminar room to the policy world difficult, the other half were more successful in applying their theoretical knowledge to practical experiences. The article also indicates how this evaluation informs future course design.

Reports on an evaluation of Political Science 545, a master's degree-level seminar offered at California State U at Fullerton that focuses on methods used by political scientists to conduct research & report findings. The course is intended to go beyond the usual objectives of learning, creativity, & motivation by requiring students to attend the Western Political Science Assoc (WPSA) conference & interview one of the paper presenters. Students are also encouraged to develop their own research project. Information was obtained from a survey of 31 students who were enrolled in Political Science 545 & attended the 2000 WPSA conference. The questionnaire was designed to measure the motivational level of the conference in relation to stimulating research ideas & seeking a career in political science. The results showed that exposure to the work of practicing political scientists had a positive impact on the students' graduate education by both enkindling creative research ides & providing career motivation. A summary of major student criticisms of the conference is included. 3 References. J. Lindroth

AT THE 1980 AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION MEETING IN WASHINGTON, A NEW ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF AN INTEGRATED BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE IN THE POLITICAL SCIENCES WAS FORMED, THE ASSOCIATION FOR POLITICS AND THE LIFE SCIENCES. THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS THE HISTORY AND RATIONALE BEHIND THIS INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY AND SOME OF OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION.

What is objectionable in the `new look' in pol'al sci is not quantification as such, but false quantification. From the objective voting behavior of Supreme Court justices,. Schubert & Kort (See SA 4978) have drawn certain uniformities & posited mathematic principles enabling prediction of future action of the Court. This is to confuse the sci'st with the bookmaker, trying to predict behavior of individual units. Moreover, using content analysis to set up a scale of mathematical determinants is here a petitio principii as in the first place it should be proved that judges think in that way. Until behaviorists concern themselves with this level of analysis, their labors remain marginal to the essence of the discipline. IPSA.