change and human responses, and set forth an intellectual framework. We also identify particularly important near-term research needs whenever possible.

The report then turns to a number of problems that must be overcome in order to stimulate effective research. Chapter 5 examines a range of theoretical and methodological problems that confront efforts to broaden and deepen our understanding of the human dimensions of global change. Chapter 6 deals with data needs, including the needs to acquire baseline data on human systems, to assess and improve the quality of data, and to make relevant data more accessible to analysts. Chapter 7 takes up issues relating to human resources and organization that must be addressed in order to build a healthy program of research. These chapters include specific recommendations regarding research priorities; development of theory, methodology, and data; and improvement of human resources and the organizational basis for research. The chapters will be of particular interest to researchers and research managers concerned with providing an intellectual base for the long-term. Chapter 5, in particular, will be of interest to social scientists who are looking for ways to relate global change research to progress in their disciplines.

In Chapter 8, we present the structure of a national research program on the human dimensions of global change.