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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the power dynamics and vested interest groups that shape the lack of evidence discourse, which is critical of the way evidence is produced within and for the sport for development (SFD) field. This examination recognises that an understanding of the dominant neoliberal context within which SFD is located is critical. Design/methodology/approach – Using a Foucauldian conceptual framework, power, knowledge and discourse relating to political actors in SFD – funders, policy makers, academics and sport development practitioners (SDPs) – are assessed. This paper addresses two key questions: How is the lack of evidence discourse constructed, and what is its impact? And whose interests are served in the interpretation, generation and reporting of evidence? Findings – This paper concludes that although in a Foucauldian sense power surrounding evidence is everywhere, the neo liberal context, which situates SFD, favours the privileging of evidence discourses associated with and derived from funding organisations, political and academic interest groups to the detriment of evidence discourses associated with SDPs. Clearly then there is a major tension concerning knowledge transfer, power and process, and the way that evidence can be used to inform practice.

AbstractThere is a growing public and academic debate on the societal impacts of the internet and, in particular, social media. For its proponents, social media is a force for change, which can challenge entrenched hierarchies, redistribute power, democratize information, support mass mobilization and contribute to the building of global movements. Increasingly such positivist arguments are being questioned. Critics argue that it has become a sinister force, facilitating the spread of 'fake news', providing an instrument for citizen surveillance and re-enforcing neoliberal hegemony. The community development literature has barely engaged in those debates around social media that appear urgent in other disciplines. Social media has been seen as a value-free tool for broadcasting and dissemination, and neither evaluated as a force for change nor examined as an instrument of neoliberal intents. Although there is a community development literature on neoliberalism and globalization, it often accepts these, rather than critiques them, as the contexts within which community development operates. Challenging established power imbalances and enhancing citizen participation in democratic processes are purposes central to community development values. Analysis of wider literature raises questions with regard to the values embedded in the technologies from which enhanced levels of participation and engagement are expected to flow. It also raises questions about who benefits most from the affordances of these technologies. This article, drawing on an extensive literature review, presents the case for community development values to be asserted in these debates.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the power dynamics and vested interest groups that shape the lack of evidence discourse, which is critical of the way evidence is produced within and for the sport for development (SFD) field. This examination recognises that an understanding of the dominant neoliberal context within which SFD is located is critical.Design/methodology/approach– Using a Foucauldian conceptual framework, power, knowledge and discourse relating to political actors in SFD – funders, policy makers, academics and sport development practitioners (SDPs) – are assessed. This paper addresses two key questions: How is the lack of evidence discourse constructed, and what is its impact? And whose interests are served in the interpretation, generation and reporting of evidence?Findings– This paper concludes that although in a Foucauldian sense power surrounding evidence is everywhere, the neo liberal context, which situates SFD, favours the privileging of evidence discourses associated with and derived from funding organisations, political and academic interest groups to the detriment of evidence discourses associated with SDPs. Clearly then there is a major tension concerning knowledge transfer, power and process, and the way that evidence can be used to inform practice.Originality/value– The paper attempts to highlight the power dynamics influencing the way evidence is produced within SFD and that much is needed to move the field forward in a more united approach for what counts as evidence for all political actors.

A report for the UK Ministry of Justice. Social Tapestries: Conversations and Connections was a project led by Proboscis and Local Level with residents of the Havelock Estate in Southall, West London (2005-07).

Realist evaluation and Q methodology are established approaches in social science. However, integration of Q methodology within a realist evaluation is scarce. This article attempts to illustrate (through a recent evaluation) how Q methodology can support a realist evaluation. The article attempts to capture the philosophical compatibility of the two approaches creating an argument for Q's integration within realist evaluation. Through the case study selected (a realist evaluation of an evaluation capacity building framework), the iterative methodological process is presented, capturing a snapshot of the findings from the evaluation. This illuminates how Q met the philosophical aims of a realist evaluation to make sense of how, why and under what circumstances a programme or intervention works. It is argued that Q methodology is entirely suitable for capturing the three key stages in a realist evaluation of developing, testing and refining programme theory. It is intended that this article can contribute to inspire other realist evaluators and methodologists to make use of Q as a tool in their evaluation.

This study evaluated whether a direct skills training (DST) approach for persons with disabilities can better prepare participants for job interviews. Twenty graduate students in a master's program in rehabilitation counseling at various agency internship sites were trained in a 4‐session Presenting Qualifications curriculum based on DST administered to 126 participants in 20 group settings. Participants reported greater confidence and preparedness in the interview process, in answering difficult questions, and in highlighting past accomplishments after the group. Results support the feasibility of training entry‐level rehabilitation counselors in the DST approach to teach job interview skills to individuals with disabilities.

Chapter 1. Mainstreaming the Assessment of Diverse Religions and Spirituality in Psychology (Scott Richards) -- Chapter 2. The Connection of Soul Scale and Prediction for Psychological Wellbeing (Amy L. Ai) -- Chapter 3. Spiritual Struggle (SS): A Bifactor Model, Plus Measurement Invariance Tests for Nonbelievers (Nick Stauner) -- Chapter 4. The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) (Thomas G. Plante) -- Chapter 5. Assessing the Sense of Reverence (SOR) in Contexts: A Positive Emotion Related to Psychological Functioning (Amy L. Ai) -- Chapter 6. The Spiritual Modeling Self-Efficacy, Stand-Alone (SMSE-SA) scale (Doug Oman) -- Chapter 7. The Spiritual and Religious Antagonism Scale (SARAS): Examining Biases to Religious and Spiritual Beliefs in Comparing Clinicians and College Students (Dominick A. Scalise) -- Chapter 8. The Measurement of Diverse Adolescent Spirituality (MDAS) Among Mexican Youth (Pamela E. King) -- Chapter 9. Multidimensional Self-Report Measures of Spirituality: Compare and Contrast of the Spiritual Orientation Inventory (SOI) and the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI) (Aryeh Lazar) -- Chapter 10. Assessing Religions and Spirituality in a Diversified World: Towards an Integrative Paradigm (Christine Agaibi, M.A.).

There have been reports that pediatric cardiology is an increasingly competitive field and that it has become difficult for recent graduates to find employment. In Canada, empirical observations are consistent with these findings, but this has not been formally evaluated. The aim of this study was to survey pediatric cardiologists (PCs) on their perception of the current workforce in Canada. A survey was sent to PCs and trainee members of the Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association in November 2017. Eligible nonmembers of the Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association were also contacted with the help of Canadian program directors and division chiefs. A total of 68 of 83 PCs completed the survey (82%). The proportion of respondents reporting difficulties in finding a stable position in pediatric cardiology was 83% for those finishing training after 2014 compared with 33% between 2010 and 2014. There was a concomitant increase in the duration of additional subspecialization, which more than doubled after 2014. This contrasted with most PCs (57%) and division chiefs (86%) reporting being understaffed, and with a higher number of anticipated openings compared with available trainees. Division chiefs reporting being understaffed mostly attributed this to government regulations or institutional budgetary constraints. We observed a discrepancy between a perceived need for additional PCs and a reported increasing difficulty in finding employment by recent graduates. This coincided with an increasing number of additional subspecialization years by recent graduates. Institutional and government restrictions may contribute to this situation.