This economical introduction to social problems text with a built-in study guide emphasizes an applied approach that looks at the interplay between research and policy in finding solutions.

This book explores the nature and extent of social problems, documents the advances and setbacks that we as a society have made, and analyzes what works and what doesn't work regarding solutions to today's problems. This straightforward text helps students study this constantly changing field by applying social science research to the solutions of some of the most difficult and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.