Hard facts and erratic people

Article Abstract:

It is helpful to distinguish between different types of risk since the failure of the Royal Society's last attempt to write a report about risk management stemmed from the authors' inability to agree on whether risk was capable of objective measurement or whether it was culturally constructed. Directly perceived risks such as driving a car present problems for risk regulators since people insist on judging what is safe for themselves. Many risks, such as infectious diseases, can only be perceived through science. 'Virtual risks' are products of the imagination, examples being BSE and global warming.

Analysis, Risk assessment, Risk perception

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Another big slug of the hard stuff

Article Abstract:

It has been noted that crime fiction publishing has increased since the end of communism. This has been attibuted to the end of spy thrillers, leaving a gap in the market. The new American fiction has been characterised by its use of different locations and varied characterisation of the detectives. All of these novels are pervaded by seedy images of city life, with the detectives only able to keep some kind of control.

United States, Detective and mystery stories, Detective fiction, Mystery fiction

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Feedback that is hard to swallow

Article Abstract:

Universities are now obliged to seek student opinion on the quality of teaching on offer to them. There are different models which could be used by UK institutions. The US model involves the production of league tables based on the students' replies. Another model suggests using student feedback, review by academic colleagues and those from other colleges to form a picture.

United Kingdom, Student evaluation of teachers

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