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Describes how super-optimum solutions might be applied to abortion policy and deals with auxiliary policies concerning birth control and adoptions. Also addresses related policies that focus on the Chinese population problem. (Original abstract-amended)

Policy studies or policy analysis can be broadly defined as the study of the nature, causes, & effects of alternative public policies. All fields of scientific knowledge, but especially the social sciences, are relevant to such a study. Sociology, for example, has developed a substantial amount of factual knowledge & theory in broad fields, eg, social control, socialization, & social change, that can be helpful in understanding the effects of alternative policies & the behavior of policymakers & appliers. Economics has developed sophisticated mathematical models for synthesizing normative & empirical premises in order to deduce means-ends policy recommendations. Psychology has developed techniques of statistical inference, cross-tabulation, survey research, & multivariate analysis. Anthropology, geography, & history provide a broader perspective over space & time than the other social sciences do. Philosophy provides direction to policy studies. Mathematics offer quantitative & computer science tools, while the physical & biological sciences provide models to emulate in the development of mathematically scientific laws. Political science is turning more toward the analysis of specific policy problem areas. More interdisciplinary research teams & more interaction among policy-oriented people from different disciplines may be needed. Modified AA

Discusses one of the key issues in designing any evaluation system, the choice of the performance criteria. Centers on the criterion of efficiency as it could be applied in the criminal justice system. Looks at relations between equity and either effectiveness or efficiency; at detriment rather than benefits and multiobjective allocation problems. (PAS)