Operational research at the National Defence Research Institute of Sweden (FOA)

This paper gives an account of an institute for applied research so as to enable comparisons to be made with other institutes: such comparisons need not be limited to defence establishments. In elaborating the methodology of the institute its local concepts are applied, a conceptualisation which has proven useful outside defence [I]. Defence methodology still creates civilian spin-off.     

Using social norms theory to explain perceptions and sexual health behaviors of undergraduate college students: an exploratory study

The authors and associates conducted a social norms-based intervention targeting high-risk sexual behaviors among undergraduate students at 4 college campuses. Social norms theory predicts that widely held misperceptions may encourage risky behavior in a misguided attempt to conform to perceived norms and that information correcting these misperceptions will lead to a decrease in such behaviors. Students overestimated their peers' levels of sexual activity, numbers of partners, incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and rates of unintended pregnancies, but underestimated rates of condom use. Rates of HIV test taking, however, were accurately estimated. Although some components of sexual risk behaviors lend themselves well to social norms-based interventions, others, specifically inconsistent condom use and avoiding HIV tests, do not. Although no changes in reported beliefs or practices were apparent at the end of a 9-month intervention period, longer or modified interventions may be needed to make a fair assessment of the efficacy of this approach.     

The changing role of the European company

The European Company was originally perceived as a means of encouraging the concentration of companies within the EEC to form enterprises of ‘European’ dimensions. However, with recent changes in Community attitudes towards the desirability of concentration, the reluctance of national governments to allow freedom of movement in some important areas of industrial activity and a feeling of frustration in the Commission that progress in related areas of industrial policy is slow or non-existent, a significant change in emphasis in the role of the European Company can be detected.