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ABSTRACTProblem definitions are often used as part of the problem structuring process in decision sciences. We report an attempt to validate a multi‐attribute model of problem definition quality in the context of an experiment based upon the definition of the 'alcohol problem' on a campus. Three independent raters assessed values for the attributes of the model for 57 written problem definitions, and their rating was compared to three subjective 'expert' ratings made by individuals with some responsibility for alcohol policy. Our study shows that the experts exhibited considerable stakeholder bias in their assessments of the definitions, suggesting that a definition that is evaluated as good may not be subjectively acceptable to others. We present some evidence that the best definitions are those that provide direction with regard to solution, neither suggesting firm solutions to the problem nor being too open‐ended. It is shown that the multi‐attribute model is a reasonable tool for eliminating poorer definitions. Further, we relate our work to recent conceptual developments in understanding problem definition.

Recent research demonstrates the influence of trust on the perceived legitimacy of governmental actions and policy‐relevant attitudes. I argue that trust influences the translation of personal experiences with social services into public problems and thus plays a critical role in problem definition. I examine the relationship empirically, relying on data from a social service user survey. The results demonstrate that these users assess their individual experiences with providers more positively than how they assess such services collectively. When recipients rate their individual experiences with social services negatively, they are less likely to translate these negative assessments into public problems if they trust government and associate greater legitimacy with governmental actions. In this case, individuals bear increasingly significant personal costs, or self‐sacrifice—as they maintain distinct evaluations of both individual and collective conditions. Trust does not appear to influence the translation of personal experiences into public assessments when personal experiences are positive.

Obgleich die Abtreibungsdiskussion in Israel von der Kontroverse in den USA stark inspiriert und beeinflußt ist, trägt sie wesentlich andere Züge. Nach einem kurzen historischen Abriß der israelischen Abtreibungsregelungen vergleicht die Autorin den Stellenwert alternativer Problemdefinitionen in verschiedenen Phasen dieser Entwicklung: Abtreibung als religiöses, als demographisches, als moralisches und als soziales Problem sowie als feministisches Thema. Besonders berücksichtigt werden Elemente der jüdisch-israelischen politischen und Rechtskultur, die den Import der amerikanischen Problemdefinitionen gefördert bzw. behindert haben. (DÜI-Hns)

Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Part I. "Seek and Ye Shall Find" -- Chapter 1. Search, Information, and Policy Agendas -- Chapter 2. Organizing for Expertise or Organizing for Complexity? -- Chapter 3. Information, Search, and Government -- Part II. Information and the Growth of Government -- Chapter 4. The Rise and Decline of Institutional Information Processing in the Executive and Legislative Branches -- Chapter 5. From Clarity to Complexity in Congress -- Chapter 6. The Search for Information and the Great New-Issue Expansion -- Chapter 7. The Thickening and Broadening of Government -- Chapter 8. Rounding Up the Usual Political Suspects -- Part III. The Implications of Information in Government -- Chapter 9. Organizing Information and the Transformation of U.S. Policy Making -- Chapter 10. Organizing Complexity -- Appendices -- References -- Index.

This study examines the extent and consequences of press independence in the realm of problem definition. Beginning with an experiment, the analysis shows that many of the words and phrases used in the 1998 to 1999 Social Security reform debate were misleading in the sense that they caused citizens to draw incorrect inferences about the financial problems facing Social Security. Next, the study compares the prevalence of these same expressions in the mass media and in transcripts of political speeches and press releases. Contrary to theories of indexing, reporters and journalists exhibited considerable independence in how they described Social Security's financial problems. Ironically, however, this meant that media accounts had more misleading rhetoric than the actual statements of government officials.