Even though agent-based modelling is seen as committing to a mechanistic, generative type of causation, the methodology allows for representing many other types of causal explanations. Agent-based models are capable of "integrating" diverse causal relationships into coherent causal mechanisms. They mirror the crucial, multi-level…

One of the core dimensions of historical and social science inquiry is "[d]eveloping questions and planning inquiries" according to the National Council for the Social Studies' College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework. Yet existing education research, instructional resources, and assessment have ignored how students frame problems…

Developing problem solving skills is often accepted as a desirable goal in many educational settings. However, there is little evidence to support that students are better problem solvers after graduating. The students can solve routine problems but they confronted difficulties when adapting their prior knowledge for the solution of new problems.…

Designing solutions to social problems requires some degree of interpretive accountability to the sociocultural systems in which design solutions must live. Our case studies show how ethnography of communication research generates distinctive resources for design. (Contains 5 notes.)

There are circumstances and threats that make it difficult to use the social sciences to help solve practical problems. For example, information that arrives too late will not be used. Yet, too late is not often defined. However, social and organizational psychology can be used to develop strategies to overcome these threats. (RM)

Discusses strategies to improve policy makers' utilization of research based on the "two-communities" theory that social scientists and policy makers live in two different worlds. Notes that for high level decision making, collaboration must involve more general problems and a decision to use either data-based or nonresearch knowledge for solving…

An experimenting society is one that vigorously tries out proposed solutions to recurrent problems and then tries other alternatives if evaluation shows that previous efforts are ineffective or harmful. Methods that social scientists could use if the experimenting society becomes a reality are explored. (SLD)

Describes the work of young people in four pilot projects in which they developed strategies to address issues considered by them to be problematic within their communities. The implications of this kind of work for public health are discussed. (GR)

Reviews developmental psychology literature for its relevance for designing organizations for children and youth followed by a review of theories on the development of children's identity, social understanding, and capacity to participate. The reviews summarize what is being said about the values of youth participation in community organizations…

Social science researchers and policy makers are not oriented toward supporting one another or sharing information that might be useful in solving social problems. Only recently have public funding agencies supported social science communication research; previously such funding came through private agencies. It seems likely that funds will…

Proceedings are summarized of a national conference which explored the nature and consequences of prejudice in adolescents and developed strategies for its reduction in the schools. Held in 1976, the conference was sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith and the University of California's School of Education. Participants included…

The document contains papers presented at a meeting to consider global population growth. The purpose of the conference was to promote the exchange of ideas relating to population growth between educators, government officials, and development agency personnel from developing and developed nations. Ten papers are presented. Topics discussed…