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This monograph provides a concise introduction to the tangled issues of communication between Russian and Western scientists during the Cold War. It details the extent to which mid-twentieth-century researchers and practitioners were able to communicate with their counterparts on the opposite side of the Iron Curtain. Drawing upon evidence from a range of disciplines, a decade-by-decade account is first given of the varying levels of contact that existed via private correspondence and conference attendance. Next, the book examines the exchange of publications and the availability of one side's work in the libraries of the other. It then goes on to compare general language abilities on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, with comments on efforts in the West to learn Russian and the systematic translation of Russian work. In the end, author Christopher Hollings argues that physical accessibility was generally good in both directions, but that Western scientists were afflicted by greater linguistic difficulties than their Soviet counterparts whose major problems were bureaucratic in nature. This volume will be of interest to historians of Cold War science, particularly those who study communications and language issues. In addition, it will be an ideal starting pointing for anyone looking to know more about this fascinating area.

The rise of scientific specializations and disciplines depends on the formation of specialized scientific communities. The establishment of specialized scholarly journals facilitates the formation of such communities or networks. Publications, especially articles in specialized journals, have become institutionalized as the 'ultimate' form of scientific communication. Specialized journals fulfil a key role in the scientific disciplines. They both secure the shared values of a scientific community and endorse what that community takes to be certified knowledge. This article first elaborates on the evolution of communication within scientific disciplines. Afterwards, it presents an analysis of publication practices in the main generalist sociology journals in the Low Countries. Because of the close relationship between journals and discipline, this sociological analysis addresses the evolution of sociology itself.

The paper argues that ethical discourse is intimately involved in the research literature of social science, and especially of political science, but is relegated to a subsidiary position. It therefore shares some of the vagueness, flexibility, and potential self-contradiction of the discourse of everyday life, rather than being sharpened by rational criticism. The norms governing scientific discourse provide not only for empirical testing, but also for rational criticism in the formulation of theories; an analogous type of criticism is shared by legal discourse. Some of the norms of scientific communication may be transferred to ethics by the specification of rules for ethical argument, requiring that arguments derive from previously specified, clear and consistent "ethical hypotheses." Within such rules, ethical systems formulated by social scientists and philosophers may be compared critically. Systems amenable to such comparison include those of welfare economics, cost-benefit analysis, and formal democratic theory. The discourse embodying this argument and criticism is particularly appropriate within the normative tradition of political science. Its possible benefits include clarity about our valuations; communication among disciplines that enlarges the perspectives of each discipline; and a more independent, self-conscious examination within the university of the criteria for policy formation.

In order to understand the functions of formal & informal sci'fic COMM, 3 types of COMM studies are reviewed: (a) studies of the sci'fic literature; (b) studies of how sci'ts obtain information which they need for their res; (c) studies of the relationships between sci'ts who conduct res in the same areas. Findings from all 3 types of studies suggest that sci'fic activity is org'ed around res areas, each of which is loosely linked to other areas. These res areas consist of frequently cited publications & of individuals who play important roles in influencing the sci'fic behavior of others working on the same problems. Soc & citation links between res areas prevent over-specialization & permit the diffusion of ideas. AA.

Communication by scientists with policy makers and attentive publics raises ethical issues. Scientists need to decide how to communicate knowledge effectively in a way that nonscientists can understand and use, while remaining honest scientists and presenting estimates of the uncertainty of their inferences. They need to understand their own ethical choices in using scientific information to communicate to audiences. These issues were salient in the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with respect to possible sea level rise from disintegration of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. Due to uncertainty, the reported values of projected sea level rise were incomplete, potentially leading some relevant audiences to underestimate future risk. Such judgments should be made in a principled rather than an ad hoc manner. Five principles for scientific communication under such conditions are important: honesty, precision, audience relevance, process transparency, and specification of uncertainty about conclusions. Some of these principles are of intrinsic importance while others are merely instrumental and subject to trade-offs among them. Scientists engaged in assessments under uncertainty should understand these principles and which trade-offs are acceptable.

By its constitution, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) is concerned with information matters. Under its programs known as UNISIST and the General Information Program, it assists the flow of scientific and technical information across national boundaries, facilitates access to published information and data, and enhances member states' capacity to store, exchange, and use information needed for their development. The main thrust of Unesco's action is along five lines: development of internationally agreed-upon methods, standards, and tools to facilitate systems interconnection and exchange of information; the application of new technologies and the creation of data bases; the establishment of regional cooperative schemes, information programs, and networks; support for the creation of national information policies and infrastructures; and the development of specialized labor.

By its constitution, UNESCO is concerned with information matters. Under UNISIST & the General Information Program, it assists the flow of scientific & technical information across national boundaries, facilitates access to published information & data, & enhances member states' capacity to store, exchange, & use information needed for their development. The main thrust of UNESCO's action is along five lines: development of internationally agreed upon methods, standards, & tools to facilitate systems interconnection & exchange of information; application of new technologies & creation of databases; establishment of regional cooperative schemes, information programs, & networks; support for the creation of national information policies & infrastructures; & development of specialized labor. HA