Editorial

Cognitive Devrlopnmt was launched five years ago under the editorship of Wendell Jeffrey, who foresaw the need for a journal that would provide a home for the best and most interesting work in the field of cognitive development, broadly conceived. Prior to its appearance, researchers in cognitive development had not had a journal specifically addressed to their concerns, despite the cen- trality of their work to the larger field of developmental psychology and its relevance to the related fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and psycholinguistics, among others. Publications in the area were (and are) scat- tered among a dozen or so journals, each serving a broader or more specific audience.

From its beginning, the original mission of Cognitive Developmerzt has been fulfilled to a remarkable degree: Articles and reviews reporting and commenting on important work in the field have been published. It is my goal in taking on the editorship that it will continue to make a significant contribution to the field, and will increase in interest and value, so that readers will greet each issue with anticipation.

As it has in the past, Cognitive Development will continue to aim for the “very best empirical research and critical reviews on the development of percep- tion, memory, language, concepts, thought, problem solving, intelligence, and acquisition of knowledge.” In the present mix of theoretical discourse in this field, it is my hope that this journal can serve as a place where a variety of voices may be heard. and where critical theoretical issues may be argued. The journal will be open to the full range of theoretical positions currently represented in the field, and any that may appear in the future.

I will aim for a mix of empirical research reports, with a substantial addition of critical reviews of research, commentaries, book reviews, and theoretical papers and notes. The primary criteria for inclusion will be the quality, impor- tance, and broad interest of the research. the theoretical argument, and its ex- pression. Ultimately, the contribution that the journal makes to its readers, and to the field, is the responsibility of authors and reviewers, more than the editor. Thus, I solicit your help in achieving these aims.

Katherine Nelson

Note: The articles in this issue of Cogdtive Del~eloptnent were accepted by Wendell Jeffrey, the retiring editor.

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