The public image of science in the Czech and Slovak Republics

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adolf Filáčcek ◽  
Eva Křižová-Frýdová

This paper summarizes the results of a survey into the prestige of various occupations in contemporary Czechoslovak society, which was carried out in November 1990 on a representative sample of 1400 respondents in the Czech and Slovak Republics. The results show a high level of prestige of scientific (research) professions. All the five representatives of the research community finished among the top 20 professions (a total of 49 different professions were evaluated). Out of these, associate professor was third in the scale of prestige, with scientist fourth and head of a research centre tenth. The prestige of scientists did not depend statistically on the age, sex or education of respondents. From factor analysis it follows that the group of professions connected with science or research forms a relatively independent subgroup of professions assessed by respondents in a similar manner. Finally, the prestige of scientific and research professions in Czechoslovak society is much higher than scientists think it is.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-312
Author(s):  
P. H. Rhodes

The value judgments about medicine are contributed to by the public image. Formerly this has been one of a devoted, caring, self-sacrificing, somewhat unworldly group of people, dedicated to their work for the suffering and diseased. But the doctors are not separate from society and they are affected by its values. These have been adopted by the profession so that it is coming to be seen as no worse and no better than any other group of comparable education and training. Its status has diminished and this has called into question its compensation at a high level. Status cannot be maintained when its base has been eroded.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-98
Author(s):  
Siti Rahmah Ahmad Razuan ◽  
Norakyairee Mohd Raus ◽  
Mahyuddin Hashim ◽  
Mohd Nur Adzam Rasdi ◽  
Adnan Mohamed Yusoff ◽  
...  

Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are among those most commonly associated with issues related to their needs in education, particularly in terms of taklif in accepting and practicing Islamic teachings. Thus, the initiative to re-evaluate the spiritual needs among PwDs was conducted by a group of researchers from Ibnu Ummi Maktum Research Centre (UMMI), as well as to provide understanding to the community. The objective of this study is to share the experience of UMMI to identify issues related to the Quranic education for the PwDs and explain the role of UMMI in the effort to expand the access of the PwDs to the Quranic education, while addressing issues of religious obligations among them. This study used qualitative methods by making protocol analysis of documents and interview protocol to collect data. The findings show that there is a high level of need especially for the Public University (UA) towards the solidarity and accessibility for the PwDs to appreciate the virtues of the Quran and the wonderful concept of religious life. This noble effort is also seen coinciding with the USIM's wishes to be 'a blessed campus' and a global reference center for Integration of Naqli and Aqli by 2025. ABSTRAK Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) adalah antara golongan yang sering dikaitkan dengan isu dan perbahasan berkaitan keperluan mereka dalam pendidikan, terutamanya dalam aspek berkaitan persoalan taklif dalam menerima dan mengamalkan ajaran Islam. Bertitik tolak dari sini, inisiatif untuk menilai semula keperluan spiritual dalam kalangan OKU  telah dijalankan oleh sekumpulan penyelidik dari Pusat Penyelidikan Ibnu Ummi Maktum (UMMI) di bawah Institut Sains Islam (ISI), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), di samping memberi kefahaman kepada masyarakat terhadap konsep taklif dalam kalangan OKU. Objektif kajian ini bertujuan untuk berkongsi pengalaman UMMI mengenalpasti isu-isu berkaitan pendidikan al-Quran bagi OKU dan menjelaskan peranan UMMI dalam usaha memperluaskan akses OKU terhadap pendidikan al-Quran disamping menangani isu tuntutan beragama dikalangan mereka. Kajian ini menggunakan metod kualitatif dengan menjadikan protokol analisis dokuman dan protokol temu bual untuk mengumpulkan data. Hasil dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa wujud keperluan yang tinggi terutamanya bagi Universiti Awam (UA) ke arah solidariti dan aksesibiliti OKU untuk menghayati kemukjizatan al-Quran dan konsep indahnya hidup beragama. Usaha murni ini jugu dilihat bertepatan dengan hasrat USIM sebagai ‘kampus barakah’ dan pusat rujukan global bagi Integrasi llmu Naqli dan ‘Aqli menjelang tahun 2025.


1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony J. Svejcar

The conflicts over management of natural resources, especially on public lands, have resulted in a high level of frustration among many of the interested parties. There are many underlying causes of the conflicts, but I think several major societal trends must be considered. During the past several decades, there has been increased emphasis on participatory democracy, with the public seeking more involvement in decision making and policy formulation. A related trend is the decline in the public image of science and lack of trust in state and federal agencies. Individual members of society desire to be included in decision making, and may not necessarily view scientists as capable of providing the answers to natural resource issues. One response to natural resource conflicts is to form a group of interested individuals from diverse backgrounds to develop solutions. These groups may also work toward policy development. Coalitions or working groups may take many forms. There are two basic types of groups I will mention: 1) those formed to address a specific issue over a set time period, and 2) those formed to foster communication, interaction, and education. Many working groups have been formed over controversies, but effective use of the groups might also keep controversies from arising. In my opinion, scientists should be active participants in natural resource working groups. Participation provides the opportunity to incorporate science in decision-making and may also guide research efforts insuring that the results are of value to a wider cross-section of society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94
Author(s):  
Paolo Silvani ◽  
◽  
Sergio Colombo ◽  
Anna Mara Scandroglio ◽  
Antonio Dell’Acqua ◽  
...  

At the end of 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak spread from China all around the world, causing thousands of deaths. In Italy, the hardest hit region was Lombardy, with the first reported case on 20 February 2020. San Raffaele Scientific Institute — a large tertiary hospital and research centre in Milan, Italy — was immediately involved in the management of the public health emergency. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the elective surgical activity of the hospital was rapidly reduced and large areas of the hospital were simultaneously reorganised to admit and assist patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, the hospital became the regional referral hub for cardiovascular emergencies in order to keep ensuring a high level of health care to non-COVID-19 patients in northern Italy. In a few days, a COVID-19 emergency department was created, improving the general ward capacity to a total number of 279 beds dedicated to patients with COVID-19. Moreover, the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds was increased from 28 to 72 (54 of them dedicated to patients with COVID-19, and 18 to cardiology and cardiac surgery hub emergencies), both converting pre-existing areas and creating new high technology spaces. All the involved health care personnel were rapidly trained to use personal protection equipment and to manage this particular category of patients both in general wards and ICUs. Furthermore, besides clinical activities, continuously important research projects were carried out in order to find new strategies and more effective therapies to better face an unprecedented health emergency in Italy.


Author(s):  
NADA SERAJNIK SRAKA

Vojska spada med ustanove državnega pomena, ki morajo komunicirati s svojimi številnimi javnostmi. Vojaški odnosi z javnostmi so del neoperativne aktivnosti oboroženih sil, njihov namen je vzpostavljanje ali ohranjanje dobrih odnosov in ustvarjanje sprejemljive podobe v javnosti, kar je življenjskega pomena za vsako vojsko. Vojaški odnosi z javnostmi se ne razlikujejo veliko od odnosov z javnostmi v zasebnem sektorju; uporabljajo enake strateške pristope in enaka orodja, le izdelek je drugačen. Ker delujejo v okolju javnega sektorja, so pogosto predmet kritične presoje medijev ter strokovne in tudi laične javnosti. Zato se, tako kot drugod, tudi na področju vojaških odnosov z javnostmi pričakuje visoka stopnja etičnosti in profesionalnosti. Komunikacijski primeri iz prakse državnih ustanov, pa tudi s področja obrambno- -vojaške prakse odnosov z javnostmi so v strokovni literaturi redko predstavljeni, v Sloveniji jih skoraj ni najti. V prispevku je prvič predstavljen študijski primer komu- nikacijskega programa in referendumske kampanje v podporo včlanitvi Slovenije v Nato. Primer je zanimiv za bralce, ne le zaradi celovite predstavitve kampanje, kritik in vprašanj, ki jih je kampanja sprožila, temveč tudi zaradi izjemnih izkušenj, ki so jih komunikatorji pridobili. Pokaže pa tudi na zapletenost in zahtevnost sodobnih političnih in vojaških odnosov z javnostmi, kar utrjuje potrebo po dosledni uporabi strateških pristopov h komuniciranju. Armed forces rank among the institutions of national interest and as such have to communicate with its numerous publics. Military public relations form a part of the armed forces’ non-operational activities, aimed at establishing or maintaining good relations with different stakeholders and creating an acceptable public image, which is vital to any army. Military public relations do not differ much from the public relations in the private sector. They both use the same strategic approaches and the same tools, but differ in the product. Since they operate in the public sector enviro- nment, they are often subject to critical judgement by the media, as well as of the professional and lay publics. It is thus expected that in military public affairs, the same as elsewhere, they demonstrate a high level of ethics and professionalism. Examples of communication practice of national institutions as well as of the defence and military sector are rarely presented in the literature and can hardly be found in Slovenia. This paper presents a case study of communication programme and the re- ferendum campaign led in support of Slovenia’s accession to NATO. The case study is also interesting for the readers not only because of the comprehensive presenta- tion of the campaign, criticism and questions raised by the campaign, but also due to the useful lessons learned by the communicators. Moreover, the case also points to the complexity and demanding nature of modern political and military public relations and thus reinforces the need for a consistent use of strategic approaches to communication.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Cui ◽  
Xiujie Teng ◽  
Xupei Li ◽  
Tian P.S. Oei

The current study examined the factor structure and the psychometric properties of Sandra Prince-Embury’s Resiliency Scale for Adolescents (RESA) in Chinese undergraduates. A total of 726 undergraduate students were randomly divided into two subsamples: Sample A was used for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Sample B was used for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA revealed that 56 items and a model of 10 factors with 3 higher order factors (as described by Sandra) were to be retained; CFA with Sample B confirmed this result. The overall scale and the subscales of the Chinese-RESA demonstrated a high level of internal consistency. Furthermore, concurrent validity was demonstrated by the correlation of the scale with other instruments such as the PANAS and the CSS, and the predictive validity was confirmed via three multiple regression analyses using the PANAS as a criterion variable: one for the 10 subscales of the C-RESA, one for the 3 higher order scales, and one for the total C-RESA. We concluded that the C-RESA may be used for research into Chinese undergraduates’ adaptive behaviors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Economides ◽  
C.J. Hourdakis ◽  
C. Pafilis ◽  
G. Simantirakis ◽  
P. Tritakis ◽  
...  

This paper concerns an analysis regarding the performance of X-ray equipment as well as the radiological safety in veterinary facilities. Data were collected from 380 X-ray veterinary facilities countrywide during the on-site regulatory inspections carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. The analysis of the results shows that the majority of the veterinary radiographic systems perform within the acceptable limits; moreover, the design and shielding of X-ray rooms as well as the applied procedures ensure a high level of radiological safety for the practitioners, operators and the members of the public. An issue that requires specific attention in the optimization process for the proper implementation of veterinary radiology practices in terms of radiological safety is the continuous training of the personnel. The above findings and the regulatory experience gained were valuable decision-making elements regarding the type of the regulatory control of veterinary radiology practices in the new radiation protection framework.


Author(s):  
Sarah Palmeter

In the completion of my practicum at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) this summer, I worked to develop a surveillance knowledge product to support the national surveillance of developmental disorders. This project used Statistics Canada’s 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability to investigate the burden of developmental disorders in Canada. Developmental disorders are conditions with onset in the developmental period. They are associated with developmental deficits and impairments of personal, social, academic, and occupational function. The project objectives are to estimate the prevalence of developmental disorders in Canadians 15 years of age or older, overall and by age and sex, as well as report on the age of diagnosis, disability severity, and disability co-occurrence in those with developmental disorders. The majority of the analysis has been completed and preliminary results completed, which cannot be released prior to PHAC publication. Although not highly prevalent, developmental disorders are associated with a high level of disability in young Canadians. Early detection and interventions have been shown to improve health and social outcomes among affected individuals. Understanding the burden of developmental disorders in Canada is essential to the development of public health policies and services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 860-884
Author(s):  
V.G. Kogdenko ◽  
A.A. Sanzharov

Subject. The article deals with the analysis of suppliers in the public procurement system based on reasonable prequalification parameters. Objectives. The aim is to test the hypothesis about strong reputation characteristics of the winners in the public procurement system and develop a methodology for assessing the reputation of suppliers for prequalification purposes. Methods. We employ general scientific principles and methods of research, like abstraction, generalization of approaches used by domestic and foreign authors for prequalification and assessment of reputation of public procurement participants. Results. To test the hypothesis, we calculated four groups of indicators on corporate, financial, market, and social components of reputation. The methodology was tested on the data obtained from SPARK-Interfax and SPARK-Marketing information resources. Conclusions. The study revealed that not all reputational characteristics of public procurement winners can be regarded as high level. In terms of the corporate component, it is the low level of share capital, indicating the mistrust on the part of owners and their reluctance to invest in the business, and the low percentage of non-current assets. In terms of the market component, it is a low sales growth rate, as well as low return on sales. As to the financial component, it is a low capitalization of winners, low share of long-term debt capital and low credit limit. With respect to the social component, it is a below-average tax burden.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document