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General characteristics of relationships underlying the assumptions of sociological inquiry are addressed. Various theoretical & methodological questions posed at the onset of a research project are delineated; the choice of methodological design tends to arise from the interaction of empirical considerations with specific axiological premises. The concept of "visions" is used to get at the source of philosophical assumptions, which, in turn, determine the validity of research methodologies. Most assumptions entail contradictory elements; the use of "middle-range" ontologies is offered to incorporate such postulates into a complementary theoretical model. 1 Illustration. R. McCarthy.

Intro -- Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Part I: Theoretical Debates and Key Concepts Using Southern Criminology -- 1: Criminology, Southern Theory and Cognitive Justice -- Introduction -- Southern Theory and Criminology -- (Re)conceptualizing the South in Criminology -- North/South and Global Convergence in the Digital Era: The New Crime and Security Landscape -- Rethinking Criminology from the Global South: Theoretical, Policy and Political Reconstruction and Innovation -- References -- 2: Indigenous Challenges for Southern Criminology -- Introduction -- Colonialism, Criminology and the Coloniality of Power -- Epistemological, Methodological and Ethical Challenges -- The Political Challenge of Indigenous Peoples -- Conclusion -- References -- Human Rights Instruments -- 3: Confronting the North's South: On Race and Violence in the United States -- Introduction -- Violent Death in Black and White -- A Neglected Emergency -- Confronting the 'Southern' Legacy -- References -- 4: The Asian Criminological Paradigm and How It Links Global North and South: Combining an Extended Conceptual Tool box from the North with Innovative Asian Contexts -- Introduction -- The Development of Asian Criminology and the Asian Criminological Paradigm -- Development of a Conceptual and Theoretical Tool box Under the Asian Criminological Paradigm -- The First Stage: Transportation, Evaluative Testing -- Differential Association/Social Learning Theory -- General Strain Theory -- Self-Control Theory -- Social Control Theory -- Social Capital Theories -- Second Stage: Transforming Western Theories Under Asian Contexts -- Reworking Routine Activity Theory (by Messner 2014) -- Reworking of Self-Control Theory (General Theory of Crime) (by Messner 2015)

Books reviewed in this article:Peter W. House, The Art of Public Policy Analysis.Robert F. Rich, Social Science Information and Public Policy Making.Robert A. Scott and Arnold R. Shore, Why Sociology Does Not Apply; A Study of the Use of Sociology in Public Policy.

There is a growing interest in 'evidence-based policy making' in the UK. However, there remains some confusion about what evidence-based policy making actually means. This paper outlines some of the models used to understand how evidence is thought to shape or inform policy in order to explore the assumptions underlying 'evidence-based policy making.' By way of example, it considers the process of evidence seeking and in particular the systematic review as a presumed 'gold standard' of the EBP movement. It highlights some of the opportunities and challenges represented in this approach for policy research. The final part of the paper outlines some questions of capacity that need to be addressed if the social sciences are to make a more effective contribution to policy debate in Britain.