Bollen, K. A., Glanville, J. L., & Stecklov, G. (2001). Socioeconomic status and class in studies of fertility and health in developing countries. Annual review of sociology, 27(1), 153-185.
Introduction 16
Few concepts are as central to sociology as those of socioeconomic status (SES) and class. Whether in theories of the class structure conducive to democratic development at the macro level or micro studies of social capital or depression, SES or class is sure to play a key role in the analysis. Given the salience of the concepts and the intensity of their examination over time, we might expect that a consensus has formed around their conceptual meaning and optimal operations. Yet an examination of the sociological and social science literature suggests otherwise and the need to investigate their usage. Essentially, everyone knows that SES matters, but we do not know how it matters.
这是一篇review的介绍,使用核心概念打头的办法,使用“很少概念能有这么重要的”句式,few concepts are as central as …. 无论是在理论上,还是在…的研究上,whether in theories …. Or ….., 这个概念都扮演重要的角色,…is sure to play a key role in the analysis. 考虑到这一点,那我们就期待…,但是我们却发现还没有,还需要去完善,所以这也就是本文存在的必要了,given …是指考虑到, we might expect that consensus has formed around…,yet an examination of …suggests otherwise and the need to investigate…. Essentially 这个单词也可以作为进一步强调之用。
The literature employing class or SES measures is vast, and an attempt at reviewing all such work is futile. However, an examination of SES and class in a specific substantive area is both feasible and desirable, in that it grounds the research in a concrete problem rather than trying to generalize to numerous, quite different areas. At the same time, some of the findings about the typical ways that SES and class are defined, their measures, and their use represent practices that extend far beyond the specific substantive area.
这一段的模式类似于:有一类的研究特别多,想穷其所尽是很难的,但是针对某一领域的探究还是可行的,并且这样的做还有其他的好处。关键用词有the literature employing….is vast, and an attempt at reviewing all such work is futile. However, an examination of …is both feasible and desirable, in that ……at the same time, …..里面的形容,连词以及名词都是可以细细品味的
So in addition to providing information on the use of SES and class in a specific field, the review holds lessons for researchers who apply these concepts in other areas. With this in mind, our review concentrates on the use of SES and class in studies of child health and fertility in developing countries. These topics are key in sociology, public health, demography, economics, and related social science disciplines. Our choice of outcomes has the advantage not only of enabling us to understand how sociologists are using SES and class, but also of revealing the practices in neighboring disciplines that share our interests and both influence and are influenced by the use of these concepts in sociology.
这一段主要在有情有理的讲述为什么要做health 和fertility领域的SES 和class 方面研究的综述,其中有一点很打动我,就是these topics are key in sociology……这一句话足矣。下面我们来看下他是怎么描写的。In addition to….., the review holds lessons for (注意这个用法)….with this in mind, our review concentrate on (可以用focus on)…..these topic are key in ….our choice of outcome (dependent variable 的另外一种说法) has….to understand …., but also of revealing the practice in neighboring discipline (注意这个用法) …..