Very often events misfire because people are too involved with a set of premises, on which they have built correct logical systems. They look to their methodology or to their data for the difficulty, when they should examine the premises. Examples are discussed. (RM)

Examination of the state's role in the creation of scientific information in African countries discusses economic and political arguments for state intervention and two methods of intervention--regulation and resource allocation. It is concluded that African states suffer from deficits in resources, expertise, and authority. Efforts to implement a…

African university research is rarely used by policy-makers in the development planning process because there is mutual suspicion between the university and government, there is a dichotomy between university-based researchers and the rural populations intended as the beneficiaries of development, and research is seriously underfunded. (Author/MSE)