This work was developed for graduate students, professors, and others involved in research in the social sciences. This practical work emphasizes that science is more than an organized body of knowledge. It is a method of reasoned thinking that manages the research process and the reporting of reliable knowledge. The work goes through the steps of identifying and stating a problem, formulating and stating an hypothesis, developing and conducting analysis, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.

First published in 1998, this book provides a broad but in-depth description of the issues, concepts, methods of analysis, and empirical results related to the sustainable development of agriculture and rural communities. Specifically, it examines the relationships between sustainability and individual topics such as technology, information, population, gender, land use, community, and public policy. A unique aspect of this book is that the topics addressed have not previously been explored together in one publication. With sustainability as the common link, data and evidence are presented and then interpreted in light of individual perspective and experience, in the process advancing our knowledge of this important field. The book comprises of 12 chapters written by prominent authors who come from government and non-government organizations as well as from various academic institutions and disciplines. This book is ideal for a seminar course. It is particularly intended for students in production agriculture, rural sociology, economics and public policy, environmental sciences, geography and land use planning, and other social sciences. Its rich insights make it a useful source of information for policy makers. It can also be used as a reference by professional economists and other researchers interested in issues relating to sustainable agricultural and rural development. While the coverage of some topics is, by necessity, more technical, the book is compiled with a general audience in mind. Thus, it should be of interest to anyone concerned with agriculture, natural resources and rural issues, particularly as they relate to the future of agriculture and of rural communities.

With population growth and expansion of economic activities, and the change in location preference towards suburban and rural locations, urban areas have sprawled. In many places, such expansions resulted in irreversible loss of agricultural lands. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the links between regional growth and land use change in the Northeastern United States. The analysis integrates regional growth theory and spatial econometric modeling to develop recommendations for effective land use policies. A unique aspect of this book is that it identifies the spatial effects of urbanized locations and other local characteristics on agricultural land development that enable policy makers and leaders to design and implement economic development programs that balance land use impacts. The book recommends regional land policy coordination and land impact assessment in state economic development programs. Its rich insights make the book a useful resource and standard reference for economists, development scholars, policy analysts, and consultants. This book can also serve as an important educational resource for schools and libraries.