Suchergebnisse

Die Bewältigung des Klimawandels, die Sicherstellung einer nachhaltigen Energieversorgung oder die Gestaltung von Innovationen z.B. in der Gen-, Nano- oder Medizintechnik überfordern tendenziell die Problemlösungsfähigkeit des Nationalstaats. Solche Problemfelder stellen heute weltgesellschaftliche Herausforderungen dar, die nach neuen, global ansetzenden Handlungsstrategien verlangen. Ein wichtiges Instrument stellt dabei die Technikfolgenabschätzung und -bewertung (Technology Assessment; TA) dar. Ihr Ziel ist es, Chancen und Risiken neuer Technologien abzuwägen und Handlungskorridore für gelingende Innovation zu identifizieren. Dabei erweist sich die Beurteilung »globaler Techniken« als eine besondere Herausforderung auch für die Weiterentwicklung der TA. Wichtige Ansatzpunkte für eine solche Perspektiverweiterung sind die Einbeziehung eines erweiterten Kreises von Akteuren in Technikentwicklung und -produktion, neue Formen der Steuerung und Koordination im Zusammenwirken von Staat und Gesellschaft (Governance), die stärkere Berücksichtigung unterschiedlicher kulturelle Kontexte sowie die Berücksichtigung »globaler Adressaten«. Im diesem Band reflektieren namhafte Wissenschaftler/innen die neuen Herausforderungen

'Strategic Assessment in War' by Scott Sigmund Gartner is reviewed.

Information-based decision-making during drought, often brings out some of the excellent practices that are prevalent in society / individuals. This book is designed to provide information on the drought process, meteorological, hydrological, agriculture, socio-economic aspects and available technologies such as satellite remote sensing data analysis and Geographical Information system for assessment. Assessment procedures utilising the various parameters of importance from various sources for micro level management that would enhance the effectiveness of management practice are dealt in detail. Resource availability and affected group determine the relief assistance for the present event and information that would help them in their realisation and preparedness for the forthcoming years by select countries is highlighted. This would help in the formulation of schemes for event mitigation and area development plans. The readers would gain complete knowledge on drought. This book is expected to act as a guide in preparing people as effective natural resource utilizationist under drought situations.

Outcomes assessment is an intense topic that has been debated and discussed on universitycampuses around the world. Educational accountability is a very important topic. There is tremendouspressure from accreditation agencies to comply with outcomes assessment requirements to maintainaccreditation. In addition, to be competitive in a market of many choices, students, employers, andlegislators are seeking trustworthy programs. This has raised many questions for Provosts, Deans, andDepartment Chairs. What are the purposes of outcomes assessment? What should we assess? Whatmethods should we use? How do we overcome faculty objections? Do we need to hire additionaladministrators to conduct or assist with outcomes assessment? What type of training do we need toprovide to our faculty? What do we do with the data that we collect?

The selection and use of chemicals and materials with less hazardous profiles reflects a paradigm shift from reliance on risk minimization through exposure controls to hazard avoidance. This article introduces risk assessment and alternatives assessment frameworks in order to clarify a misconception that alternatives assessment is a less effective tool to guide decision making, discusses factors promoting the use of each framework, and also identifies how and when application of each framework is most effective. As part of an assessor's decision process to select one framework over the other, it is critical to recognize that each framework is intended to perform different functions. Although the two frameworks share a number of similarities (such as identifying hazards and assessing exposure), an alternatives assessment provides a more realistic framework with which to select environmentally preferable chemicals because of its primary reliance on assessing hazards and secondary reliance on exposure assessment. Relevant to other life cycle impacts, the hazard of a chemical is inherent, and although it may be possible to minimize exposure (and subsequently reduce risk), it is challenging to assess such exposures through a chemical's life cycle. Through increased use of alternatives assessments at the initial stage of material or product design, there will be less reliance on post facto risk‐based assessment techniques because the potential for harm is significantly reduced, if not avoided, negating the need for assessing risk in the first place.

Front Matter -- Note from the Chairman -- Acknowledgment -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Knowledge Assessment Methodology -- 3 The Knowledge System -- 4 The Virtual Case Studies -- 5 Discussion -- 6 Recommendations -- APPENDIX 1 List of Participants -- APPENDIX 2 Chitin Production from Lobster and Crab Shells on PEI -- APPENDIX 3 Swine Genetics on PEI -- APPENDIX 4 Electronic Commerce on PEI -- APPENDIX 5 Wind Turbine Manufacture on PEI -- APPENDIX 6 Telemedicine Services on PEI.

Both "A Technology Assessment Methodology," (Mitre Corp, 1971) & the Japanese Science & Technology Agency's "Comprehensive Technology Assessment Study Group," undertook studies in the development of methodologies for technology assessment which now include a checklist of human values with criteria divided into the 6 broad categories of self-oriented values, group-oriented values, society-oriented values, nation-oriented values, mankind-oriented values, & environment-oriented values. In the development of technology assessment methodologies, the work of the Comprehensive Technology Assessment group in a number of studies is cited: the 1971 studies on the use of agricultural chemicals, high-rise residential buildings, computer assisted instruction; & the 1972 studies on vertical take-off-&-landing aircraft, & on new towns; the Nomura Research Institute's study on electric automobiles; the Japan Research Institute's preliminary technology assessment studies on plastic wastes on behalf of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry. In addition to these new methodologies, efforts are continuing to incorporate existing techniques into an overall network. Inasmuch as various forecasts with regard to the future of the technology being assessed must be made, as well as forecasts about related technologies & those that might compete with those under study, all forecasting methods developed so far have been used; these include intuitive forecasting, the exploratory method, & extrapolation. Methods estimating the impact of technologies on society include the matrix method & the K. J. method (Method for Synthesizing a Consolidated Picture from Many Independent Data, Jiro Kawakita). Parallel with the development of methodologies it is considered important to train a corps of assessment specialists capable of coping with problems in a comprehensive manner, & who have a sense of independence or neutrality unhampered by precedents or by specific area interests. The 4 areas to be considered are: research & development on a multidimensional basis; counter measures for the control of possible negative impact of technology must be developed; a system of constant surveillance & reappraisal to be devised including the participation of all citizens; full evaluation of the role of consumerism & citizens' movements in technological program participation. E. Loomis.

James BEEBE präsentiert mit dem "Rapid Assessment Process" (RAP) Modell einen systematischen Ansatz für den Aufbau eines Forschungsteams. RAP basiert auf der kollaborativen Einbeziehung sowohl von Insider- als auch von Outsider-Perspektiven und bezieht sich auf den gesamten Forschungsprozess von den ersten Schritten bis zum Endbericht. In diesem Rezensionsaufsatz werden die Angemessenheit von RAP für qualitative Forschungsarbeiten und die Frage der Umsetzung von BEEBEs Vorschlägen in angewandten Evaluationsprojekten diskutiert. Das Buch von BEEBE liefert einen reichhaltigen Überblick über mögliche Anwendungsperspektiven des RAP-Modells mit illustrierenden Beispielen von Forschungsprojekten, die in verschiedenen kulturellen Kontexten durchgeführt wurden.