Research, policy, and evaluation: systematic interaction informs air quality decisions

There are enormous challenges to understanding cause-and-effect relationships among complex and dynamic systems. This article describes how systematic interactions among research, policy decisions, and evaluation of these decisions help develop and implement a multiyear federal research program for airborne particulate matter. This federal research program investigates relationships among systems that encompass the atmosphere, air quality, and human health; and provides new knowledge to inform decisions about national ambient air quality standards. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.