Involving Users in Social Science Research — A New European Paradigm?

Recent EU social science research programmes have stressed the importance of the 'user'. Using a study of EU funded social science projects, the article develops a typology of the different forms of user involvement. A case study of a 'cluster' of research projects shows that user involvement within projects has significant national variations. This new user involvement could be taken as exemplifying a shift from 'Mode 1' to 'Mode 2' knowledge production, but this would be exaggerated. Users remain distinct from researchers, the pressure for involvement came from the European Commission and not the users. User involvement can best be understood as an attempt to strengthen the relationship between academic research and civil society through networks rather than through market relations — a move that is now being rolled back by new developments in EU research policy.     

Animations and Problem Solving in a Windows Environment

In this article we describe the way we teach our students a systematic problem solving method in a computer assisted learning project on ‘Dynamics for mechanical engineering’, Animations are used to enhance insight and motivation. We briefly discuss the theoretical foundations of systematic problem solving, and the role of animations. One of the dynamics problems will be described in more detail. Finally, we remark on the development tools used in the Windows environment.     

Improved Career Decision Making: Integration Into Counselor Education

The Improved Career Decision Making program, developed by the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee, is a comprehensive program to introduce counselors to the use of career information in the counseling process.