“Convergences and Divergences:  Perspectives on Social Problems” is a feature of Social Problems Forum:  The SSSP Newsletter. The feature contains 3 or 4 essays summarizing facts, issues, opinions or policies regarding a current social problem. 

Procedures:

1. A "coordinator" for a theme to be addressed in a particular issue of the Newsletter is appointed by the Editor of Social Problems Forum.

2. The coordinator selects 3 or 4 persons with expertise in a particular theme to write a summary statement.  The coordinator may or may not be included among the authors.

3. Each author would be expected to write a summarizing statement of 1,000 to 1,500 words in length, or 3 or 4 typewritten pages, double spaced.                         

4. Since most social problems are multi-faceted, there almost certainly will be differences of emphases and of viewpoints among the authors.  The suggested editorial policy is that there is no need to promote consensus.  Rather, the purpose of these short position pieces is to summarize the basic facts and thinking on a particular problem.

5. In order to possibly bring more coherence between the statements of the authors, upon receipt of all manuscripts by the coordinator, the entire set would be copied and sent to all members of group.  All authors would then have the opportunity to revise their own manuscript in light of the responses of the others.  The revisions could include amplification of issues treated, including emphasis of common themes, or can stress points of disagreement, including facts or logic to support any one position. 

6. When sending the manuscripts back to the authors, the coordinator may exercise the privilege of suggesting changes in the manuscript of any one author.