This overview of the central issues of data quality in longitudinal research focuses on data relevant for studying individual development. The topics covered include reliability, validity, sampling, aggregation, and the correspondence between theory and method. More specific, practical issues in longitudinal research, such as the drop-out problem and issues of confidentiality are also addressed. The volume is the result of an interdisciplinary endeavor by leading European scientists to discuss appropriate ways of handling various types of longitudinal data, including psychiatric data, alcohol data, and criminal data.

This is the tenth volume in the Research Advances series and the seventh published by Plenum Press. Volume 10 is another omnibus volume, providing specialized and advanced reviews in a number of areas related to the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco. We include also a brief history of the Center for Alcohol Studies that gives Mark Keller's unique perspective on this noted institution. Two of the chapters are decidedly longer than the others-very long chapters have appeared occasionally in the past, and we think that it is one of the strengths of the series that we are able to accommodate such reviews. Again the editorial board has changed. After several years of service, Reginald G. Smart has stepped down. New to the board are Helen M. Annis, Michael S. Goodstadt, Lynn T. Kozlowski, and Evelyn R. Vingilis. This is likely to be the sole volume for which Goodstadt is on the board, since before completion of this volume he moved from the Addiction Research Foundation to the Center for Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University.

This provocative and controversial book challenges a number of widely held ideas in the alcohol/drug field by critically evaluating the bases of these ideas. The field of alcohol/drug studies is fraught with conflict and controversy, and each generation of researchers and practitioners seems to have its own special areas of conflict. In this new volume, experts focus on a number of important issues of current interest and controversy. Is alcoholism a “disease” or is it not? Should federal bans on drugs like heroin and cocaine be removed and will that solve, modify, or exacerbate the problem? Can the risk for alcoholism really be predicted?Professionals from a very wide variety of disciplines--medicine and biochemistry, psychiatry and psychology, philosophy, anthropology, law, social work, and journalism--present their very differing points of view on the perception of alcoholism as a disease and on public policy issues like proposed legislative controls over alcoholic beverages. Current Issues in Alcohol/Drug Studies touches upon a number of questions that will be of interest both to people in alcohol/drug research and in alcohol/drug treatment and prevention. Because it will undoubtedly stimulate further investigation and debate, researchers and policymakers will also find it useful.

In this new volume, experts focus on a number of important issues of current interest and controversy. Is alcoholism a disease or is it not? Should federal bans on drugs like heroin and cocaine be removed and will that solve, modify, or exacerbate the problem? Can the risk for alcoholism really be predicted? Professionals from a very wide variety of disciplinesmedicine and biochemistry, psychiatry and psychology, philosophy, anthropology, law, social work, and journalismpresent their very differing points of view on the perception of alcoholism as a disease and on public policy issues like proposed legislative controls over alcoholic beverages.