Published in association with the Open University – serie

Primary Teaching Assistants: Learners and Learning draws together ideas that are of central importance to teaching assistants and other support staff working in primary schools. It presents a rich variety of material written by teachers, teaching assistants, researchers and parents, that has been carefully chosen to offer a broad-based understanding of learning and the contexts in which learners can engage meaningfully with learning. This second edition has been thoroughly updated and includes new chapters on effective communication, anti-cyber bullying, bullying amongst girls, higher level teaching assistants, restorative justice, and informal learning. Bringing together different perspectives it examines: • the changing role of teaching assistants • the nature of learning and assessment • approaches to learning support and inclusive practice • the relationships that are central to learning and children’s social development. Written for learning support staff and also their teaching colleagues, the book aims to enrich the contribution that adults can make to children’s learning in schools.

Primary Teaching Assistants: Learners and Learning draws together ideas that are of central importance to teaching assistants and other support staff working in primary schools. It presents a rich variety of material written by teachers, teaching assistants, researchers and parents, that has been carefully chosen to offer a broad-based understanding of learning and the contexts in which learners can engage meaningfully with learning. This second edition has been thoroughly updated and includes new chapters on effective communication, anti-cyber bullying, bullying amongst girls, higher level teaching assistants, restorative justice, and informal learning. Bringing together different perspectives it examines: • the changing role of teaching assistants • the nature of learning and assessment • approaches to learning support and inclusive practice • the relationships that are central to learning and children’s social development. Written for learning support staff and also their teaching colleagues, the book aims to enrich the contribution that adults can make to children’s learning in schools.

Teaching Assistants are uniquely placed to support children’s involvement with learning. The role of those who work alongside teachers in the classroom has changed dramatically in recent years and teaching assistants are increasingly involved in planning, teaching and assessing all aspects of the curriculum.This second edition has been thoroughly updated and includes new chapters on learning in gardens, children’s play in virtual environments, specialist approaches for children with communication difficulties, the nature of learning at home, the place of poetry, child abuse, learning in a breakfast club, children’s spelling, and the importance of playtime. Exploring the issues that are central to fostering children’s learning, the book examines: strategies for supporting learning and assessment in English, maths and science inclusive and imaginative practices in all areas of learning home and community contexts for learning working practices which support professional development. Written for teaching assistants and also teachers, the book aims to enrich the contribution that teaching assistants, as team members, can make to children’s learning.

Teaching Assistants are uniquely placed to support children’s involvement with learning. The role of those who work alongside teachers in the classroom has changed dramatically in recent years and teaching assistants are increasingly involved in planning, teaching and assessing all aspects of the curriculum.This second edition has been thoroughly updated and includes new chapters on learning in gardens, children’s play in virtual environments, specialist approaches for children with communication difficulties, the nature of learning at home, the place of poetry, child abuse, learning in a breakfast club, children’s spelling, and the importance of playtime. Exploring the issues that are central to fostering children’s learning, the book examines: strategies for supporting learning and assessment in English, maths and science inclusive and imaginative practices in all areas of learning home and community contexts for learning working practices which support professional development. Written for teaching assistants and also teachers, the book aims to enrich the contribution that teaching assistants, as team members, can make to children’s learning.

`Keith Grint's persuasive essay on the art of leadership in Effective Educational Leadership is uncannily accurate' - Tim Brighouse, Times Educational Supplement

`its unique contribution is the exploration of links between leadership discourses and the themes that have emerged from the school effectiveness movements since the 1980s. Riley and MacBeath provide one of the most valuable contributions to the volume by arguing that there are no generic recipes for educational leadership but ingredients which need to be carefully selected with a knowledge of specific contexts and needs.

I would use this book with graduate students and practitioners seeking to develop a perspective about contemporary educational leadership. Its greatest contribution is its exploration of the links between effective leadership and effective education. The book also provides optimism in that many of the authors have not capitulated to the reductionist visions of the past two decades. There is still hope that educational theorists and practitioners view the life world as the true source of educational inspiration' - Journal of Educational Administration

`Leadership is the theme of this decade. This series provides an enormously valuable overview of all the critical issues involved in designing leadership as the main strategy for educational reform.... A great and timely collection'- Michael Fullan, Dean, OISE/University of Toronto

`This book makes an excellent contribution to the current debate on Educational Leadership. It blends theory with practice and as such provides an important resource for many aspects of leadership development programmes at a variety of levels. Its ability to draw upon international perspectives along with examples beyond conventional educational parameters enhances its quality. The book contains a well documented account of how leadership has been studied which will appeal both to the academic reader, and to the professional provider of CPD in leadership, offering a wealth of information that can be practically adopted and adapted for a range of courses' - Stephen Merrill, Journal of Inservice Education

Educational management and administration studies focus on leadership as a key determinant of effective educational institutions; and currently, much leadership preparation is characterized by a rational skills-focused approach.

Placing current thinking in leadership studies in its organizational and historical context, this book explores its implications for leadership preparation, leadership theory in action and examines some of the dilemmas and tensions facing educational leaders in practice. It draws on literature and research from both the private and public sectors. It is deliberately international in its content and focus, and examines a range of practice both within and outside education. Each chapter has a short introduction by the editors setting it in context.

This book is for providers and students in higher educational institutions; for postgraduate level courses in educational management; and for leadership development provision for Headteachers induction programmes, NPQH and LPSH. It is also suitable for short courses and for practitioners occupying or aspiring to leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organizations.

`Keith Grint's persuasive essay on the art of leadership in Effective Educational Leadership is uncannily accurate' - Tim Brighouse, Times Educational Supplement

`its unique contribution is the exploration of links between leadership discourses and the themes that have emerged from the school effectiveness movements since the 1980s. Riley and MacBeath provide one of the most valuable contributions to the volume by arguing that there are no generic recipes for educational leadership but ingredients which need to be carefully selected with a knowledge of specific contexts and needs.

I would use this book with graduate students and practitioners seeking to develop a perspective about contemporary educational leadership. Its greatest contribution is its exploration of the links between effective leadership and effective education. The book also provides optimism in that many of the authors have not capitulated to the reductionist visions of the past two decades. There is still hope that educational theorists and practitioners view the life world as the true source of educational inspiration' - Journal of Educational Administration

`Leadership is the theme of this decade. This series provides an enormously valuable overview of all the critical issues involved in designing leadership as the main strategy for educational reform.... A great and timely collection'- Michael Fullan, Dean, OISE/University of Toronto

`This book makes an excellent contribution to the current debate on Educational Leadership. It blends theory with practice and as such provides an important resource for many aspects of leadership development programmes at a variety of levels. Its ability to draw upon international perspectives along with examples beyond conventional educational parameters enhances its quality. The book contains a well documented account of how leadership has been studied which will appeal both to the academic reader, and to the professional provider of CPD in leadership, offering a wealth of information that can be practically adopted and adapted for a range of courses' - Stephen Merrill, Journal of Inservice Education

Educational management and administration studies focus on leadership as a key determinant of effective educational institutions; and currently, much leadership preparation is characterized by a rational skills-focused approach.

Placing current thinking in leadership studies in its organizational and historical context, this book explores its implications for leadership preparation, leadership theory in action and examines some of the dilemmas and tensions facing educational leaders in practice. It draws on literature and research from both the private and public sectors. It is deliberately international in its content and focus, and examines a range of practice both within and outside education. Each chapter has a short introduction by the editors setting it in context.

This book is for providers and students in higher educational institutions; for postgraduate level courses in educational management; and for leadership development provision for Headteachers induction programmes, NPQH and LPSH. It is also suitable for short courses and for practitioners occupying or aspiring to leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organizations.

`Strategic Leadership and Educational Improvement contains essays that will be invaluable to those seeking succinct guides to the subtle elements of school improvement' - Tim Brighouse, Times Educational Supplement

`This is a wonderful book. The editors have managed to balance powerful authors in an impressive survey in current thinking about education. It should certainly rate multiple copies in most libraries' - School Leadership & Management

This volume focuses on strategic leadership, the impact of external and internal factors on organizational leadership, and how effective educational leaders manage the competing demands of autonomy and accountability. The book deals with the challenges of managing the boundaries between educational organizations and their external contexts, and reconciling environmental expectations and internal priorities.

The editors believe that strategic understanding and involvement should be a central concern for all organization members and that, in order to be effective, strategic planning needs the commitment and ownership of all staff, not just senior managers. The book covers:

- political, social and ideological contexts

- governance and links with external stakeholders

- marketing

- organizational collaboration, competition, partnership

- external/internal culture,

and internal structures

- strategic leadership and managing change

· organizational effectiveness, accountability and evaluation

This book is suitable for providers and students in higher educational institutions postgraduate level courses in educational management and leadership development provision for Headteachers induction programmes, NPQH and LPSH. It is also suitable for use on short courses and for practitioners occupying or aspiring to leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organizations.

`Strategic Leadership and Educational Improvement contains essays that will be invaluable to those seeking succinct guides to the subtle elements of school improvement' - Tim Brighouse, Times Educational Supplement

`This is a wonderful book. The editors have managed to balance powerful authors in an impressive survey in current thinking about education. It should certainly rate multiple copies in most libraries' - School Leadership & Management

This volume focuses on strategic leadership, the impact of external and internal factors on organizational leadership, and how effective educational leaders manage the competing demands of autonomy and accountability. The book deals with the challenges of managing the boundaries between educational organizations and their external contexts, and reconciling environmental expectations and internal priorities.

The editors believe that strategic understanding and involvement should be a central concern for all organization members and that, in order to be effective, strategic planning needs the commitment and ownership of all staff, not just senior managers. The book covers:

- political, social and ideological contexts

- governance and links with external stakeholders

- marketing

- organizational collaboration, competition, partnership

- external/internal culture,

and internal structures

- strategic leadership and managing change

· organizational effectiveness, accountability and evaluation

This book is suitable for providers and students in higher educational institutions postgraduate level courses in educational management and leadership development provision for Headteachers induction programmes, NPQH and LPSH. It is also suitable for use on short courses and for practitioners occupying or aspiring to leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organizations.

`Leadership is the theme of this decade. This series provides an enormously valuable overview of all the critical issues involved in designing leadership as the main strategy for educational reform.... A great and timely collection'- Michael Fullan, Dean, OISE/University of Toronto

`This book... will quickly go onto the essential reading list of the MA(Ed) programme I work on and become an essential resource for practitioners in educational leadership roles who wish to inform and refresh their understanding of those roles.... "A great and timely collection" writes Michael Fullan in the back cover blurb - and that is no exaggeration' - Eric Hadley, Journal of Inservice Education

Managing people is a key aspect of leading and the exercise of leadership skills. Institutions are complex organizations of structures and cultures reflecting the values of those who lead and work in them. This book is about those people. It deals with: the `art' of leadership and leading; teams and collaborative ways of working; and the operational systems which form part of the daily practice of management in organizations.

Managing people is not the same as managing any other resource. Managing people involves recognizing and dealing with the range of human nature, life choices, feelings and emotions. This book also considers the affective dimension of leadership and the exercise of

management skills.

It provides an opportunity for critical reflection on a range of literature which forms a framework for self-examination and institutional critique. The editors believe that the practice of leadership is fragmented and that leadership is not just for leaders but also for anyone working in an organization. The main themes covered are:

- learning to be leaders

- dispersed leadership

- managing people and teams in organization structures

-tThe experience of leading in practice

This book is suitable for providers and students in higher educational institutions postgraduate level courses in educational management and leadership development provision for Headteachers induction programmes, NPQH and LPSH. It is also suitable for use on short courses and for practitioners occupying or aspiring to leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organizations.

This book is one of three course readers for The Open University course E849 Leading and Managing for Effective Education. The other volumes are:

Effective Educational Leadership

Nigel Bennett, Megan Crawford and Marion Cartwright (editors)

Strategic Leadership and Educational Improvement

Margaret Preedy, Ron Glatter, Christine Wise (editors)

'The book embodies a timely collection of restorative justice topics and is well structured with some of the most learned authorities in the field' - Magistrate

'The team which teaches the Open University's Crime Order and Social Control course has long been publishing teaching materials which are gratefully purloined by colleagues elsewhere for use in their own courses. In producing this book they have gone much further than this: not only have they selected an indispensable range of mainly previously published readings, they have also placed them in a theoretical context and succinctly summarised the debates which are taking place and some which need to take place but as yet are in their infancy' - Vista

Restorative Justice brings together key international writings that trace the development of restorative justice from its diverse beginnings to current global policies and practices. The collection is constructed around the following themes:the theoretical origins of restorative justice; the key principles and substantive practices associated with restorative justice; controversial issues and debates; and future directions and possibilities. A substantial editorial introduction will provide readers with an authorative guide to the critical issues facing restorative justice at the beginning of the 21st century.

'The book embodies a timely collection of restorative justice topics and is well structured with some of the most learned authorities in the field' - Magistrate

'The team which teaches the Open University's Crime Order and Social Control course has long been publishing teaching materials which are gratefully purloined by colleagues elsewhere for use in their own courses. In producing this book they have gone much further than this: not only have they selected an indispensable range of mainly previously published readings, they have also placed them in a theoretical context and succinctly summarised the debates which are taking place and some which need to take place but as yet are in their infancy' - Vista

Restorative Justice brings together key international writings that trace the development of restorative justice from its diverse beginnings to current global policies and practices. The collection is constructed around the following themes:the theoretical origins of restorative justice; the key principles and substantive practices associated with restorative justice; controversial issues and debates; and future directions and possibilities. A substantial editorial introduction will provide readers with an authorative guide to the critical issues facing restorative justice at the beginning of the 21st century.

In simple and non-technical terms, the Second Edition of Data Collection and Analysis illustrates a wide range of techniques and approaches used in social research projects. Always accessible and engaging, this comprehensive text covers both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis in social research, considering both the structure and logic of research projects and the ethics and politics of research.

A wide range of examples illustrate the text and a set of exercises runs throughout the book to aid the reader in understanding and planning research projects.

Building on the strengths of the First Edition, this new and expanded version includes:

-The addition of chapter introductions, summaries and key terms to guide the reader through the text

-Three brand new chapters focusing on: research and information on the Net; discourse research; ethnographic and discursive qualitative analysis

-Up-to-date examples of research in action

-New material on questionnaire design, composite measurement and techniques of quantitative and qualitative interviewing

An invaluable guide for students from across the social sciences, this wide-ranging volume is also a key resource for practitioners in a variety of applied areas including nursing, social work, the criminal justice system, teaching and education.

In simple and non-technical terms, the Second Edition of Data Collection and Analysis illustrates a wide range of techniques and approaches used in social research projects. Always accessible and engaging, this comprehensive text covers both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis in social research, considering both the structure and logic of research projects and the ethics and politics of research.

A wide range of examples illustrate the text and a set of exercises runs throughout the book to aid the reader in understanding and planning research projects.

Building on the strengths of the First Edition, this new and expanded version includes:

-The addition of chapter introductions, summaries and key terms to guide the reader through the text

-Three brand new chapters focusing on: research and information on the Net; discourse research; ethnographic and discursive qualitative analysis

-Up-to-date examples of research in action

-New material on questionnaire design, composite measurement and techniques of quantitative and qualitative interviewing

An invaluable guide for students from across the social sciences, this wide-ranging volume is also a key resource for practitioners in a variety of applied areas including nursing, social work, the criminal justice system, teaching and education.

The Reality of Research with Children and Young People illustrates the process of carrying out research through thirteen `research stories'. Each story includes a piece of published research, accompanied by a commentary from the author of the research explaining:

· the origins of the research

· how research questions were formed

· factors influencing the choice of methodology and data collection techniques

· problems that arose and how these were dealt with

· personal reflections on the project.

The research examples included in this volume have been carefully selected to demonstrate the reality of researching with children from pre-school age to late adolescence. They reflect the different traditions and variety of methods of collecting data, including interview, evaluation, ethnography, experiment, survey, case study, questionnaire, longitudinal, and standardised assessment.

The Reality of Research with Children Young People provides valuable insights into the process of research for students and professionals in a range of fields including education, health, welfare, childhood and youth Studies, psychology and sociology. The book was developed to accompany The Open University Course, Research with Children and Young People (EK310).

The Reality of Research with Children and Young People illustrates the process of carrying out research through thirteen `research stories'. Each story includes a piece of published research, accompanied by a commentary from the author of the research explaining:

· the origins of the research

· how research questions were formed

· factors influencing the choice of methodology and data collection techniques

· problems that arose and how these were dealt with

· personal reflections on the project.

The research examples included in this volume have been carefully selected to demonstrate the reality of researching with children from pre-school age to late adolescence. They reflect the different traditions and variety of methods of collecting data, including interview, evaluation, ethnography, experiment, survey, case study, questionnaire, longitudinal, and standardised assessment.

The Reality of Research with Children Young People provides valuable insights into the process of research for students and professionals in a range of fields including education, health, welfare, childhood and youth Studies, psychology and sociology. The book was developed to accompany The Open University Course, Research with Children and Young People (EK310).

'The author gives an excellent overview and explores how children have been seen as objects and subjects in research as well as increasingly as participants and more recently still as researchers.'

- International Journal of Research and Method in Education

'This book is especially beneficial in terms of its breadth of discussion on the legal, ethical and moral issues of conducting research with children and young people alongside the key methodological challenges that students and practitioners are faced when conducting this type of research' - Research Policy and Planning

Doing Research with Children and Young People introduces researchers to the key considerations involved in working with children and young people.

The book highlights issues which arise at different stages in the process and which all researchers need to take account of as they plan and carry out a study. These include:

· ethical and legal issues

· philosophical underpinnings of research

· age and diversity of the children involved

· evaluation and dissemination of findings.

Doing Research with Children and Young People has been developed to accompany The Open University course Research with Children and Young People (EK310). It is an ideal introduction for all students and practitioners preparing to research in fields such as education, health, welfare, childhood and youth studies, psychology and sociology.

'The author gives an excellent overview and explores how children have been seen as objects and subjects in research as well as increasingly as participants and more recently still as researchers.'

- International Journal of Research and Method in Education

'This book is especially beneficial in terms of its breadth of discussion on the legal, ethical and moral issues of conducting research with children and young people alongside the key methodological challenges that students and practitioners are faced when conducting this type of research' - Research Policy and Planning

Doing Research with Children and Young People introduces researchers to the key considerations involved in working with children and young people.

The book highlights issues which arise at different stages in the process and which all researchers need to take account of as they plan and carry out a study. These include:

· ethical and legal issues

· philosophical underpinnings of research

· age and diversity of the children involved

· evaluation and dissemination of findings.

Doing Research with Children and Young People has been developed to accompany The Open University course Research with Children and Young People (EK310). It is an ideal introduction for all students and practitioners preparing to research in fields such as education, health, welfare, childhood and youth studies, psychology and sociology.

`An excellent reader. It contains all the basic ingredients of a superb teaching book with the qualities of a thought-provoking text.... Should be required reading for all students of criminal justice policy and it will be a valuable teaching resource for all those involved in the delivery of courses on young people, justice and punishment' - Punishment and Society

`This is a valuable student text; carefully collated and with an abuntant array of material... and will surely become a widely used course reader. For the practitioner and general reader it is a book to dip into, a means to access debates and remind oneself of the ebb and flow of policy' - Youth Justice

Youth Justice brings together for the first time the most influential international contributors to the emergent field of youth justice studies.

Youth Justice provides:

·a critical introduction to the intellectual reframing of the history, theory, policy and practice of youth justice.

·an essential resource of key debates and controversies from across the range of disciplines engaged in the study of youth in the social sciences

·editorial essays at the beginning of each substantive section of the

volume

·specially commissioned chapters at the end of each section, which place the readings in their theoretical and historical context.

The Reader is the set text for The Open University course, Youth Justice, Penality and Social Control (D864).

`The team has achieved an admirable overall coherence in representing the range of ideas, methodologies and modes of analysis that will be found in this area of social life.... it is likely to find a place on the reading lists of many future social psychology courses' - Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

Relationships play a central part in people's lives, and a number of exciting interdisciplinary perspectives have recently emerged to shed new light on what it means to be in a relationship with another human being. This volume offers an authoritative yet accessible examination of a wide variety of these perspectives, drawing from a broader than usual range of material and including considerable reference to clinical contexts and case-studies.

Overall, this book provides an introduction to the cutting edge of research about human relationships and interactions, engaging readers in a debate central not only to academic researchers and clinicans but to their own lives.

This is the course text for The Open University course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds (D317).

`The team has achieved an admirable overall coherence in representing the range of ideas, methodologies and modes of analysis that will be found in this area of social life.... it is likely to find a place on the reading lists of many future social psychology courses' - Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

Relationships play a central part in people's lives, and a number of exciting interdisciplinary perspectives have recently emerged to shed new light on what it means to be in a relationship with another human being. This volume offers an authoritative yet accessible examination of a wide variety of these perspectives, drawing from a broader than usual range of material and including considerable reference to clinical contexts and case-studies.

Overall, this book provides an introduction to the cutting edge of research about human relationships and interactions, engaging readers in a debate central not only to academic researchers and clinicans but to their own lives.

This is the course text for The Open University course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds (D317).

`When considering a volume that has essentially the form of a textbook, particular criteria apply. It is important that it is accurate, up-to-date and covers an appropriate range of material in an accessible and stimulating manner. It is important that it is a flexible vehicle for use with diverse courses, and does not overly impose a particular or narrow intellectual structure. In all these respects, this text is to be recommended.... Finally, it is important that all students of social psychology should try to see the historical and cultural linkages that extend across and through its subject area, and this is the other message that comes across from this exceptionally well thought-through book' - Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

This accessible and authoritative textbook presents an engaging overview of social psychological research on groups, the development of social identity, intergroup relations and the process of making sense of social life.

Unlike other textbooks in this area, this book has a broad focus. It covers a representative mix of European and North American research, but also draws on psychoanalysis, social theory, discourse analysis and feminist writing to develop accounts of topics such as racism, social influence, group dynamics, the workplace and masculine identities. Classic studies are set alongside the most recent research in social psychology. The result is a book which is rich in ideas, interdisciplinary in nature, combative and critical.

This book has been developed as a Course Text for The Open University course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds (D317).

`I judge this book to be something of a triumph. It provides many valuable insights into how social psychologists work within different paradigms and with quite different assumptions.... Throughout, the writing is clear, central issues are constantly re-examined, and sight is never lost of the whole "task" of the book... it addresses central issues both adventurously and provocatively. Students who use it are lucky to have such a feast provided, and they are bound to find the material both challenging and stimulating... there is much more about self issues in this text than in any comparable social psychology text. And that, in itself, is a major achievement' - Self & Society

`An absolutely terrific book - very innovative and in some ways really revolutionary: a wonderfully thoughtful volume... designed to teach people not just about social psychology, but how to think social psychology' - Jerome Bruner, New York University

`This is the most forward looking text I have ever encountered. Where most textbooks are composed of dry summaries of past accomplishments, the present volume draws students into dialogue on cutting-edge issues. Both teachers and students will be enriched' - Kenneth Gergen, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania

This accessible, broad-based and authoritative textbook explores theories and research relating to the self for students of personality and social psychology. A feature of the book is that it is designed to provoke reflection in readers, both on their own experience and on the nature of social psychological understanding.

It engages with contemporary debates about the nature of self by contrasting original and leading-edge treatments from five perspectives: biological; cognitive-experimental; experiential; social constructionist; and psychodynamic. The concluding chapter explores how these perspectives interrelate, through a discussion of the dilemmas of self and identity in modern society.

Understanding the Self is one of three books which form the core of the Open University's course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds.

`I judge this book to be something of a triumph. It provides many valuable insights into how social psychologists work within different paradigms and with quite different assumptions.... Throughout, the writing is clear, central issues are constantly re-examined, and sight is never lost of the whole "task" of the book... it addresses central issues both adventurously and provocatively. Students who use it are lucky to have such a feast provided, and they are bound to find the material both challenging and stimulating... there is much more about self issues in this text than in any comparable social psychology text. And that, in itself, is a major achievement' - Self & Society

`An absolutely terrific book - very innovative and in some ways really revolutionary: a wonderfully thoughtful volume... designed to teach people not just about social psychology, but how to think social psychology' - Jerome Bruner, New York University

`This is the most forward looking text I have ever encountered. Where most textbooks are composed of dry summaries of past accomplishments, the present volume draws students into dialogue on cutting-edge issues. Both teachers and students will be enriched' - Kenneth Gergen, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania

This accessible, broad-based and authoritative textbook explores theories and research relating to the self for students of personality and social psychology. A feature of the book is that it is designed to provoke reflection in readers, both on their own experience and on the nature of social psychological understanding.

It engages with contemporary debates about the nature of self by contrasting original and leading-edge treatments from five perspectives: biological; cognitive-experimental; experiential; social constructionist; and psychodynamic. The concluding chapter explores how these perspectives interrelate, through a discussion of the dilemmas of self and identity in modern society.

Understanding the Self is one of three books which form the core of the Open University's course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds.

`The book will appeal to and be most appropriate for students new to the study of management, who wish to be introduced to what it is that the management theorist can offer the practitioner. In this respect this book works very well and I have no hesitation in recommending it for inclusion on the reading list of first-, or second-level management development programmes' - International Journal of Training and Development

An ideal introduction to management and organizational behaviour, this Reader brings together a range of contributions on the art and science of management.

The focus of the book is on the ideas and theories which a manager can use to become more effective. Six sections explore important aspects of the manager's job: management, leadership and conflict; motivation and stress at work; organizational culture; decision-making and teams; staff development; and diversity in organizations. In each section, the reader will find articles which reflect major ideas or debates within the area, including those that challenge traditional views and ways of doing things. Does money motivate? Are teams useful? Does organizational culture exist? What role does sexuality play in the workplace? These are some of the questions asked. Throughout, the book underlines the need for managers to take into account the different contexts of time and culture in which they act.

The book is a course Reader for The Open University course The Effective Manager (B654) .

`The book will appeal to and be most appropriate for students new to the study of management, who wish to be introduced to what it is that the management theorist can offer the practitioner. In this respect this book works very well and I have no hesitation in recommending it for inclusion on the reading list of first-, or second-level management development programmes' - International Journal of Training and Development

An ideal introduction to management and organizational behaviour, this Reader brings together a range of contributions on the art and science of management.

The focus of the book is on the ideas and theories which a manager can use to become more effective. Six sections explore important aspects of the manager's job: management, leadership and conflict; motivation and stress at work; organizational culture; decision-making and teams; staff development; and diversity in organizations. In each section, the reader will find articles which reflect major ideas or debates within the area, including those that challenge traditional views and ways of doing things. Does money motivate? Are teams useful? Does organizational culture exist? What role does sexuality play in the workplace? These are some of the questions asked. Throughout, the book underlines the need for managers to take into account the different contexts of time and culture in which they act.

The book is a course Reader for The Open University course The Effective Manager (B654) .

`Provide[s] a good overview of current family theory and research.... well written and worth having' - British Journal of Medical Psychology

`Altogether an excellent collection for students of social policy, social care or social work, covering as it does both subjective and objective features of family life and the logics of inequality within which they are embedded' - Child and Family Social Work

This revised and updated introductory text presents an accessible, interdisciplinary account of how 'the family' is constituted in the 'public' and 'private' spheres.

Drawing in a wide range of theoretical perspectives from sociology, social policy, psychology and psychoanalysis, this book critically examines assumptions about 'the family' that are embedded in social policy, law and political discourse. The text outlines the tensions that exist between such assumptions and the lived realities and everyday experiences of family life. Understanding the Family shows how dominant understanding of the family have failed to recognize a marked diversity of family forms in contemporary society, and also ignore the complex and myriad ways in which family life comes to be experienced.

`Could certainly be used as a stand-alone text. Aimed primarily at advanced undergraduates, it could also be read by others who may be prompted to identify yet further dimensions with which to map contemporary social psychology and define their position in relation to others' - The Psychologist

This clearly structured textbook presents a broad overview of the key issues that underpin social psychology. These include: the nature of science and `psychology as science'; descriptive, emancipatory and critical theories; and the different ways in which social psychology is applied in the social and political world.

Drawing upon a number of different perspectives, this volume will introduce students to the important debates around what constitutes valid argument and research in social psychology, its aims, scope and subject matter, and the degree to which social psychology can be said to be itself a social institution and a part of the network of social regulation and definition.

Theory and Social Psychology is one of four books which form the core of The Open University's course Social Psychology: Personal Lives, Social Worlds.

How do social scientists study the social world? Is social scientific practice in transformation? Can social science learn from its own past?

This major text takes the reader on an intellectual journey starting with the story of modern science and the impact that this has had on social scientific practice, and going on to outline and critically review the major approaches to social scientific

inquiry, ranging from positivism to postmodernism. Throughout, readers are encouraged to think carefully about what it means to: study the social world in a scientific way; make connections between what they do and the everyday lives of the people they study; and look beyond their discipline and think in a postdisciplinary way.

Social Science in Question is the Course Text for The Open University's Postgraduate Foundation Module (D820 The Challenge of the Social Sciences).

How do social scientists study the social world? Is social scientific practice in transformation? Can social science learn from its own past?

This major text takes the reader on an intellectual journey starting with the story of modern science and the impact that this has had on social scientific practice, and going on to outline and critically review the major approaches to social scientific

inquiry, ranging from positivism to postmodernism. Throughout, readers are encouraged to think carefully about what it means to: study the social world in a scientific way; make connections between what they do and the everyday lives of the people they study; and look beyond their discipline and think in a postdisciplinary way.

Social Science in Question is the Course Text for The Open University's Postgraduate Foundation Module (D820 The Challenge of the Social Sciences).