Social Science

All professionals conduct interviews, often to determine what another person understands, feels, believes, or is willing to discuss about topics of interest. The method of mental models interviewing can be a distinct advantage to such interviewers, as it provides a structure grounded in behavioral and communication research. Just as a model airplane is a representation of a real airplane, so are mental models representations in our minds of something real. The question we're trying to answer in mental models interviewing is, how does this other person put together this reality?

This publication is for the professional who works in a university, government agency, or nongovernmental organization and communicates with the public, mainly about scientific or technical information. Such professionals may be Extension agents, science writers, public educators, public information officers, organizational spokespersons, or even agency managers or research scientists "just doing some outreach." Regardless, a common goal of all such professionals is to cause at least some change in understanding through communication.

Oregon is nationally known for its bountiful natural resources and conservation-minded approach to land use development. However, recent rapid population growth has challenged the ability of many communities to keep up with development pressures without jeopardizing the long-term health of their local environment.

A rain garden is a "garden with a purpose"; it helps reduce the amount of excess water and associated pollutants entering local lakes, streams, and bays. The result is healthier waterways, fish, other wildlife, and people. This how-to guide provides information specific to Oregon's conditions, including the rainfall and appropriate plants for your site. It will help you design and build a rain garden to treat the stormwater runoff from your own home or business. You don't have to be a landscape professional to use this guide.