ABSTRACT
Social scientists on many occasions have promised more than they can deliver, or at least that is a perception that is commonly shared among members of Congress. The legislative process necessitates coordination not only between policy-makers and researchers, but also among researchers themselves, with the involvement of many different types of social scientists required by the multifaceted issues that arise. Legislators, moreover, have little time or patience for the qualifications and digressions many times inherent in scientifically sound social research. Good evidence is a valuable commodity in any decision-making process. In a more substantive light, the merits of "mainstreaming" and complete program and facility accessibility are being debated nationwide by legislators, professionals, and clients. The basic role of a social science researcher is, of course, that of a scientist, as it should remain. However, the evidence generated in that pursuit can be useful in guiding policy-makers in their decisions affecting families and children.
