Andy Alaszewski – författare

In this accessible and lucid introductory text, Andy Alaszewski considers the analysis of diaries as a distinctive research technique in its own right. Nothing has previously covered this area in single-volume format, but the timely emergence of Using Diaries for Social Research recognizes the increased interest in and relevance of diary methodology within social research teaching.

Effectively combining theory, history and methodology, Alaszewski begins by discussing how diary keeping has developed; outlining the key features of the medium and examining the ways in which diaries have been and can be used for social research. He describes how suitable diaries and diarists can be identified by the researcher and, once found, how these diaries can be structured to generate research material. Finally, the researcher is taken through the analysis stage; examining statistical techniques, content-analysis and structure-analysis as effective methods of investigating diary texts.

This introductory student guide is an essential text for anyone involved in the area of social or historical research and for those working in the narrative tradition.

In this accessible and lucid introductory text, Andy Alaszewski considers the analysis of diaries as a distinctive research technique in its own right. Nothing has previously covered this area in single-volume format, but the timely emergence of Using Diaries for Social Research recognizes the increased interest in and relevance of diary methodology within social research teaching.

Effectively combining theory, history and methodology, Alaszewski begins by discussing how diary keeping has developed; outlining the key features of the medium and examining the ways in which diaries have been and can be used for social research. He describes how suitable diaries and diarists can be identified by the researcher and, once found, how these diaries can be structured to generate research material. Finally, the researcher is taken through the analysis stage; examining statistical techniques, content-analysis and structure-analysis as effective methods of investigating diary texts.

This introductory student guide is an essential text for anyone involved in the area of social or historical research and for those working in the narrative tradition.

First published in 1980, Crisis in the Health Service explores the problems of the National Health Service and discusses approaches to promote change. It examines strategies adopted since the service’s creation in 1948, finding them inadequate, particularly management structures organized as if the institution operates like a private firm. By analyzing management processes within health authorities, the book demonstrates the limited impact of central preferences on local behaviour and the variance from rationalist/managerial models underlying official blueprints. Concluding that internal politics of health agencies remain the most important behavioural factor, it illustrates how insensitive, slow, and inadequate responses to changes in demand, social pressures, and economic prospects constitute the NHS’s major problem area, arguing for a strategic change appropriate to this definition.

First published in 1980, Crisis in the Health Service explores the problems of the National Health Service and discusses approaches to promote change. It examines strategies adopted since the service’s creation in 1948, finding them inadequate, particularly management structures organized as if the institution operates like a private firm. By analyzing management processes within health authorities, the book demonstrates the limited impact of central preferences on local behaviour and the variance from rationalist/managerial models underlying official blueprints. Concluding that internal politics of health agencies remain the most important behavioural factor, it illustrates how insensitive, slow, and inadequate responses to changes in demand, social pressures, and economic prospects constitute the NHS’s major problem area, arguing for a strategic change appropriate to this definition.

Based on mothers’ experiences and accounts, Community Care and the Mentally Handicapped (originally published in 1984) explores the daily challenges of caring for a severely disabled child at home.

Having recognised the limitations of institutional care, the authors examine the needs and experiences of families from the initial discovery of intellectual disability in their child through practical care within the family, informal community support, and the role of formal services.

By looking at the policies and services of the time and their shortcomings, the authors conclude that there was a great need for developing support networks for disabled children and their mothers. To improve the quality of care, greater assistance from both informal self-help groups and formal agencies was essential.

This book, based on the shared problems, experiences, and resources of mothers from the North Humberside area, documents the realities of daily family care of intellectually disabled children. For those concerned with meeting the needs of these children, the accounts of their mothers provide invaluable perspectives.

Based on mothers’ experiences and accounts, Community Care and the Mentally Handicapped (originally published in 1984) explores the daily challenges of caring for a severely disabled child at home.

Having recognised the limitations of institutional care, the authors examine the needs and experiences of families from the initial discovery of intellectual disability in their child through practical care within the family, informal community support, and the role of formal services.

By looking at the policies and services of the time and their shortcomings, the authors conclude that there was a great need for developing support networks for disabled children and their mothers. To improve the quality of care, greater assistance from both informal self-help groups and formal agencies was essential.

This book, based on the shared problems, experiences, and resources of mothers from the North Humberside area, documents the realities of daily family care of intellectually disabled children. For those concerned with meeting the needs of these children, the accounts of their mothers provide invaluable perspectives.

First published in 1990, this book was the first informed study to focus on care within the voluntary sector. Written with the child in mind, it is a sensitive work which explores the administration, strategy, and problems facing carers in children’s homes, at that time.

Centring on small, community-based facilities, the authors discuss the processes involved in setting up and running such facilities. They examine the difficulties of evaluating progressive services that are influenced by the philosophy of normalisation, and highlight the lessons from which other providers of services are able to learn.

Written by experienced researchers with contributions from service managers, Normalisation in Practice offers pragmatic advice on managing innovation efficiently without neglecting the needs of the child. Detailed interviews are combined with theoretical insight to provide an important guide for students and practitioners and a model for academics undertaking evaluative research. Although written at the start of the 1990s, this book contains discussions and material that are still very relevant to the subject today.

First published in 1990, this book was the first informed study to focus on care within the voluntary sector. Written with the child in mind, it is a sensitive work which explores the administration, strategy, and problems facing carers in children’s homes, at that time.

Centring on small, community-based facilities, the authors discuss the processes involved in setting up and running such facilities. They examine the difficulties of evaluating progressive services that are influenced by the philosophy of normalisation, and highlight the lessons from which other providers of services are able to learn.

Written by experienced researchers with contributions from service managers, Normalisation in Practice offers pragmatic advice on managing innovation efficiently without neglecting the needs of the child. Detailed interviews are combined with theoretical insight to provide an important guide for students and practitioners and a model for academics undertaking evaluative research. Although written at the start of the 1990s, this book contains discussions and material that are still very relevant to the subject today.

Over the last hundred years, pregnancy and childbirth has become increasingly safe – yet it is still a site of risk, and a contested ground on which health professionals and pregnant women both face high costs of error. In this context, all those involved in managing pregnancy and birth are expected to identify and mitigate risk: pregnant women are subject to increasing surveillance to ensure the safety of the unborn foetus, and every aspect of childbearing is increasingly medicalised. This publication brings together fascinating social science research to explore the ways in which risk is both created and managed in pregnancy and childbirth. The introductory chapters reflect on the changing social context of childbirth, in particular the medicalisation of both pregnancy and childbirth with development of specialist practitioners, such as obstetricians and midwives who claim to have the knowledge, technology and skills to identify and manage the risks involved. The next three chapters that examine the ways in which women’s behaviour during pregnancy is constructed as potentially risky -- for example smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, and how these risks are monitored and mitigated. The final two parts of the book address the construction of and responses to both medicalisation and risk in childbirth. Altogether, it represents a valuable insight into the complex world of pregnancy, childbirth and risk. This book brings together editorials and articles originally published in special and open issues of Health, Risk and Society.

Over the last hundred years, pregnancy and childbirth has become increasingly safe – yet it is still a site of risk, and a contested ground on which health professionals and pregnant women both face high costs of error. In this context, all those involved in managing pregnancy and birth are expected to identify and mitigate risk: pregnant women are subject to increasing surveillance to ensure the safety of the unborn foetus, and every aspect of childbearing is increasingly medicalised. This publication brings together fascinating social science research to explore the ways in which risk is both created and managed in pregnancy and childbirth. The introductory chapters reflect on the changing social context of childbirth, in particular the medicalisation of both pregnancy and childbirth with development of specialist practitioners, such as obstetricians and midwives who claim to have the knowledge, technology and skills to identify and manage the risks involved. The next three chapters that examine the ways in which women’s behaviour during pregnancy is constructed as potentially risky -- for example smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, and how these risks are monitored and mitigated. The final two parts of the book address the construction of and responses to both medicalisation and risk in childbirth. Altogether, it represents a valuable insight into the complex world of pregnancy, childbirth and risk. This book brings together editorials and articles originally published in special and open issues of Health, Risk and Society.

In this accessible and lucid introductory text, Andy Alaszewski considers the analysis of diaries as a distinctive research technique in its own right. Nothing has previously covered this area in single-volume format, but the timely emergence of Using Diaries for Social Research recognizes the increased interest in and relevance of diary methodology within social research teaching.

Effectively combining theory, history and methodology, Alaszewski begins by discussing how diary keeping has developed; outlining the key features of the medium and examining the ways in which diaries have been and can be used for social research. He describes how suitable diaries and diarists can be identified by the researcher and, once found, how these diaries can be structured to generate research material. Finally, the researcher is taken through the analysis stage; examining statistical techniques, content-analysis and structure-analysis as effective methods of investigating diary texts.

This introductory student guide is an essential text for anyone involved in the area of social or historical research and for those working in the narrative tradition.

Risk has emerged as a key mechanism for controlling the future and learning from past misfortunes.

How did risk influence policy makers’ responses to COVID-19? How will they be judged for their decisions?

Drawing on case studies from the UK, China, Japan, New Zealand and the US, this original text explores policy responses to COVID-19 through the lens of risk. The book considers how different countries framed the pandemic, categorised their populations and communicated risk. It also evaluates the role of the media, conspiracy theories and hindsight in shaping responses to COVID-19.

As we reflect on the ‘first wave’, this book offers a vital resource for anticipating future responses to crises.

Risk has emerged as a key mechanism for controlling the future and learning from past misfortunes.

How did risk influence policy makers’ responses to COVID-19? How will they be judged for their decisions?

Drawing on case studies from the UK, China, Japan, New Zealand and the US, this original text explores policy responses to COVID-19 through the lens of risk. The book considers how different countries framed the pandemic, categorised their populations and communicated risk. It also evaluates the role of the media, conspiracy theories and hindsight in shaping responses to COVID-19.

As we reflect on the ‘first wave’, this book offers a vital resource for anticipating future responses to crises.