Subjects for broadened treatment may be proposed by editorial and advisory boards or by members at large. There follows some suggested ground rules to guide possible proponents and to assist the editors in screening proposals. The justification for a topical section resides in its theme. The theme should be consistent with the purpose of the journal and the proponent must make a case for its appeal to a significant segment of the membership. We should recognize the formative nature of applied social science.
Similar problems recur across the spectrum of world communities.
Shortages of food and water, health services andemployment, housing and sanitation are found in abundance in Asia, Africa and Latin America and less frequently at home. The introductory essay must provide a convincing rationale. It must contain a synopsis of the problem with references to the critical literature. It should explain important gaps and indicate possible insights and solutions to be presented in the work of the contributors. It should underscore themes and processes that provide linkage across the set of contributed essays.