Publications and Media Books

The chapter "Reception Research Toolbox" is worth its weight in gold. It walks you through the steps of preparing your interview guide, selecting participants, dealing with sensitive issues, and also makes note of little things like the value of bringing name badges for focus groups. If this is your first time to do audience reception studies--interviews or focus groups, you will be so glad you bought the book!

This is an author review.

Researching the Public Opinion Environment: Theories and Methods informs the reader on the rationale, purposes, theories, and methodologies involved in researching publics. The book is divided into four parts. Part one looks at theories and systems relevant to opinion research. Part two addresses the topics of monitoring and analyzing the media. Part three describes the basics of survey research, focus groups, Delphi techniques, stakeholder assemblies, and Q methodology. And finally, part four looks at the impact of the media.

Although a number of books have been written on public opinion, few address both theoretical and methodological issues. Graphs, tables, and sample analysis help the reader to understand applications described in the book.

The material discussed in this book has numerous applications. Communicators can apply information acquired on key publics to plan and evaluate campaigns, track the extent to which messages have appeared in the media, assess organizational image, develop marketing strategies, and manage their issues. Students will learn an important job function that will give added credibility when they apply for jobs. Table Of Contents:

Introduction

I. Theory and Systems

1. Role of Public Opinion in Democratic Societies 2. Establishing Intelligence Systems to Capture Public Opinion

II. Monitoring and Analyzing the Media

3. Monitoring the Media: Asking Questions 4. Content Analysis Techniques

III. Research Methodologies

5. Survey Design and Sampling 6. Survey Development 7. Survey Administration 8. Focus Groups, Delphi Techniques, Stakeholder Assemblies, and Q Methodology

IV. Theories on Impact of the Media

9. Academic Debate over Media Effects: The Effects Continuum

Appendix A and Appendix B, References, Author Index, Subject Index, About the Authors

William McGaughey's Rhythm And Self-consciousness: New Ideals For An Electronic Civilization is a treatise on rhythm as the essence of human personality and talent in any performance, whether in music, athletics, or conversational wit. Divided into three main sections on Form, Rhythm, and Self-Consciousness, this book takes a hard, analytical look at each facet and how all three relate to the human psyche. Highly intriguing, especially for musicians, athletes, and philosophers alike - it would seem these three groups have far more in common than one would guess. Also recommended is the previous book in this series, Five Epochs of Civilization. Rhythm And Self-Consciousness is strongly recommended reading for students of philosophy and the impact that moving from print to an electronic culture has had on contemporary notions of "civilization".

"Katherine's artwork is breathtaking.
> There is so much going on in each picture, that I often catch my daughter
> sitting alone with the book and just staring at the pictures. Art needs to be
> exciting enough to engage. The colors are fabulous, and the detail is
> wonderful!"

Reveiwed by Bill Cooper for Reader Views (7/06)

Kevin Aguanno provides us with yet another good management tool to enhance performance, work ethics, internal relationships, and improved outcomes. Taking a concept every manager has dealt with and learned either through education or experience, he discusses a brief history of rewards, as well as a more in-depth and analytical approach to the benefits and deficiencies of various rewarding systems. He asks and answers really legitimate questions, such as why reward at all, how do we reward properly and consistently, and what kinds of rewards are applicable to what types of circumstances.

Mr. Aguanno also chats about the differences in rewards and recognition, then the various types of rewards, emphasizing the reward needing to be suitable both to the person and to the accomplishment. This 40-minute CD is full of good management principles, good advice, and good rewards ideas. I recommend it to managers, leaders, and students of those sciences and arts.

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (9/06)

There are many things that can stall the completion of a project; stakeholders coming in at the last minute, customers trying to sneak in changes, and escalation, just to name a few. While it is common practice to blame the customer for these "last minute" issues the problem usually lies in a poor process or poorly-executed process. The good news is that these pitfalls can be avoided and successful project completion can be achieved.

In "So, You Think You're Done," Kevin Aguanno breaks project completion into two stages: "How to get final approval sign off" and "Everything that needs to be done post signoff." One of the key points in the presentation is that it is essential to think of, and plan for, the end of the project throughout the entire project lifecycle.

In the first stage the key components are dealing with, understanding, documenting and managing expectations, barriers and process required to get final approval, lifecycle issues such as support/maintenance/training, scope barriers, business drivers and the business metrics the company will use to determine the success of the project. By having a clear understanding of what the project is intended to accomplish, who will be responsible for signing off on the project (and ensuring their involvement throughout the project), and what is not included in the project (i.e. training) there will be less risk of these becoming a barrier to project completion or escalation.

The second stage begins after signoff and involves completion of all documentation, analysis, and reviews. This includes all legal aspects of closing and invoicing the contract, administrative activities, a review of lessons learned, any marketing that can be done from the project, and a review of the product life cycle. These activities are often overlooked or rushed as the team hurries to move on to the next project. It is important to give these processes adequate attention, however, as they have key value in increasing success and performance of future projects.

"So, You Think You're Done" is full of essential tools in ensuring a smooth and effortless project signoff process as well as guidelines for ensuring all legal and administrative issues are covered, all documentation is completed, and all value for future projects is derived. This recording is a great tool for developing key processes and procedures throughout the project management process, and a useful tool to revisit time and again.

Yalkowsky has written a gem here: quite possibly the best book on solubility in aqueous media I have read, and right up with the best on solubilization in the same. One of the interesting conundrums posed is: why do people float on the dead sea? But my favourite was where it was showed that James Bond would be unlikely entirely to dissolve if he were dropped in a vat of acid by Blofeld. Excellent.

Robotnic tries to tear the town known as mobious He Invents a machine that can turn people into Robots. Along with Princess sally they help save Sonics Uncle Chuck and Mutsky

I bought this book because it was required reading for my second year statistics course (Michael Smithson is actually my stats lecturer at the moment!) but I was certainly not disappointed. The title "Statistics with Confidence" is true to its name - I am SO much better and more confidence with statistics now then I was at the beginning of the year and I am actually enjoying it!!!

His explanations are brilliant and easy to follow and understand and his examples and practice questions are never few, so there's always more to keep you busy and entertained!

His book also comes with a CD-Rom which incldues very easy to use programs and examples to help you practice.

Buy this book if you are looking for a great and easy to understand overview of Psychology related Statistics (or even statistics in general) as either a supplement to your current texts or alone - and at such a good price, you'd be mad not to!

This is an excellent book on the subject of Media Management for the students, teachers and professionals alike. The book helps the reader to understand the dynamics of today's media industry and prepares the media managers to work efficiently in an increasingly complicated media market.