Abstract
An attempt has been made in this paper to evaluate the general field of research relating to accident causation and prevention. A number of deficiencies characterizing much of the work were pointed out. A number of promising developments toward meeting the difficulties relating to improved conceptualisation and theory in this field, toward developing better ways of analysing the multiple influences in accidents, and toward a general sharpening of research in the accident field were briefly reviewed. Attention was also called to the need for research in the design and testing of preventive activities.