Round-up of Recent Social Science Research

The following articles are drawn from SAGE Insight, which spotlights research published in SAGE’s 700+ journals. All the articles linked to below are free to read for a limited period.

The economics of Scottish independence

National Institute Economic Review

This special issue considers the economics of Scottish independence, examining fiscal implications, currency options, public debt, funding pensions, fiscal challenges and opportunities, and lessons from other small European states.

Time to stub out misguided e-cigarette regulation

Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease

This article, “Achieving appropriate regulations for electronic cigarettes,” offers details and critique of current legislation, by communication, legal and public health experts.

Legal highs, PMMA and zombie panic

Drug Science Policy and Law

This timely paper looks at trends in ecstasy adulteration, the facts around PMA/PMMA-linked deaths and explores alternatives to the endless banning of new drugs.

Negotiating the International Intervention in Libya

 European Journal of International Relations

This article develops a theoretical framework addressing how power works through local practices and rou­tines in world politics. Drawing on the recent surge of practice-oriented scholarship in International Relations theory.

Child rights and school psychology

School Psychology International

This collection of articles is drawn from a themed issue on child rights and school psychology: Toward a new social contract. The primary purpose of the profession of school psychology is to improve the development and quality of life of children. This purpose is given more specific direction by concepts of what is right for children and by the rights of children. It is important to recognize that each article of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has relevance for school life and thus falls under the very broad umbrella of school psychological services. This year, 2014, is the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child—the world’s ‘positive ideology’ and its clearest statement of commitments to and respect and aspirations for the dignity of the child. To commemorate this landmark, a program of articles by respected experts has been organized to advance understanding, appreciation and policy and practice investment in child rights approaches for psychology in schools.

Women with Autism

Autism

In this podcast, Judith Gould and Robyn Steward discuss issues surrounding women with autism spectrum disorder. Gould is a leading researcher in the field of autism and Steward is an author and advocate who has a diagnosis of autism.

Strategies to support equality bargaining inside unions

The Journal of Industrial Relations

This article considers two internal union strategies and structures which facilitate and support equality bargaining.

Determinants of parental acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine

Health, Education and Behavior

This  study conducted a nationwide survey of 684 parents at the height of the H1N1 flu pandemic. It reports factors that influenced parental acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine and discusses implications for improving vaccine.

Special Issue: Public Engagement in Science

Public Understanding of Science

This special issue looks at 20 years of public engagement activities and research.

Educated black men remembered as “whiter” perpetuating stereotypes about race and intelligence

SAGE Open

This paper uncovers a skin tone memory bias. “Uncovering a skin tone memory bias, such that an educated black man becomes lighter in the mind’s eye, has grave implications” one researcher observed “A skin tone memory bias highlights how memory protects the ‘darker is more negative’ belief by distorting counter-stereotypic black individuals’ skin tone to appear lighter and perhaps to be perceived as less threatening.”

‘The Wire’ constitutes an important cultural paradigm of drug policy debates

Theoretical Criminology

This article presents a cultural analysis of HBO’s dramatic series, The Wire. The article provides a brief synopsis of two of the show’s main themes: (1) the unintended consequences of contemporary drug policy; and (2) the role of experimental alternative systems in drug policy’s future evolution. The study aims to strengthen the position of cultural analyses within criminology, particularly with recourse to television programs. Whatever the subject of criminological debates, the capacity of televisual representations to challenge and reconfigure them should never be underes­timated.