Review by Choice Review
The 110 articles in this encyclopedia cover broad areas that deal with the relationship between society and science/technology/medicine. Each article is signed and thoroughly referenced with a variety of sources, including books, government documents, Web sites, and articles from both scholarly and popular sources. A general index is a welcome and more specific addition to the alphabetical arrangement of the articles, which cover such broad topics as "Bioengineering," "Drugs and Society," "Government and Science," "Media and Technology," and "Transportation Technologies." Entries range in length from 1.5 to over 50 pages (for the entry on "Science in History"), with the average length about 4 pages. Issues are covered in a much broader manner than in many existing works on the subject, such as Social Issues in Science and Technology: An Encyclopedia by David E. Newton (CH, Jul'00, 37-6006). Overall, this is an excellent source for readers needing an overview of societal issues raised by science, technology, and medicine. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and general readers. S. Jent University of Louisville
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Emphasizing an interdisciplinary and international coverage of the functions and effects of science and technology in society and culture, this volume contains more than 130 A-Z0 signed articles written by major scholars and experts from academic and scientific institutions and institutes worldwide. Its goals are "summarizing basic tenets in the field" of ST&S (Science, Technology, and Society) and "providing a concise and coherent overview of the achievements in this field." The entries fit broadly into three major areas: medicine and society, science and society, and technology and society. Entries cover such topics as Brain and mind scienc0 e , 0 Gender and globalization, Rain forests, and 0 Robots and society. Each article is accompanied by a bibliography. Other features include extensive cross--referencing throughout, a directory of contributors, and a topical index. Articles generally range in length from\b \b0 1 to 2 pages up to 6 or 8 pages. The longest, Science in history,0 is almost 60 pages and has nine subentries offering a global view. The introduction suggests that readers would include high-school students as well as professional researchers; the readership level of the entries appears to vary widely from very elementary to expert. Except for one or two tables of data, the volume contains no illustrations. There are several other reference works treating this fairly new field of study. Many of the 900 entries in The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Society 0 (1999) are focused less on theory than on practicalities, covering specific topics such as airbags and eyeglasses. UXL's Science, Technology, and Society0 (2002) is designed for a younger audience. The Oxford title is recommended for those libraries with a specific need in this area and for general undergraduate reference collections. --Diana Shonrock Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This one-volume encyclopedia surveys the cultural and societal impact of science, technology, and medicine. Written predominantly by U.S. academic researchers and some scholars from the world's leading universities, working under the supervision of academic Restivo (Comparative Studies in Science and Society: The Social Relations of Physics, Mysticism, and Mathematics), the 136 articles provide an overview of contemporary issues such as cloning, abortion, energy systems, computers, and healthcare, placing the emphasis not on the science but on the social aspects of science in areas such as law, political science, religion, and sociology. Some articles do not attempt to provide a broad overview of the subject but instead highlight a particular aspect. For example, the article on the Internet focuses on its impact on government and politics. Each article is accessible to the general reader and is accompanied by a bibliography of books, articles, and reports. The topical outline of articles will be useful to students looking for a research topic, and the index is well done. Bottom Line While this encyclopedia is similar in scope to The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Society, the latter emphasizes the science more than the social aspects and is written on a more basic level. Users wanting background information on current issues will find this resource a good place to start. Recommended for public libraries as well as undergraduate collections.-Teresa U. Berry, Univ. of Tennessee Libs., Knoxville (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up-This volume examines the interrelationships among science, technology, cultural institutions, and more. Students will find accessible information on subjects of current interest as well as âÇ£updates on the achievements and current stateâÇ of various fields. Three overview essays on âÇ£Science and Society,âÇ âÇ£Technology and Society,âÇ and âÇ£Medicine and SocietyâÇ offer context for the entries. Most of the clearly written articles will be accessible to general readers, although a few of the topics are somewhat esoteric. The encyclopedia is particularly useful for its essays on contemporary issues such as AIDS, cloning, access to health care, and abortion, and the focus on their cultural and societal impact. Broader topics such as âÇ£Politics, Social Justice, and the EnvironmentâÇ and âÇ£Religion and ScienceâÇ are likely to provide a useful grounding for students in these areas. There is a concerted effort at neutrality in the essays, particularly when addressing the more controversial topics, and for the most part it is successful. However, very occasionally the author's perspective becomes discernable. Each essay concludes with a bibliography, sometimes annotated. Except for one or two charts and tables, there are no illustrations. This is not an essential purchase, but larger libraries may want to consider it.-Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
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Review by Library Journal Review
Review by School Library Journal Review
