The document briefly discusses approaches to research of benefit to policy makers and reviews current policy-related research on and by women in the southwestern United States. The authors suggest that research would better benefit policy makers if it included alternative policy solutions to problems rather than suggesting further research needs and if data summaries of research were prepared for quick reference. Moreover, the authors believe that the social attributes of the Southwest, e.g., the region's rapid growth and change, multicultural population, diverse environment, and the high concentration of older women in retirement communities, renders research results applicable to the entire nation and therefore should be of concern to policy makers. Current research on women in the Southwest focuses on growth and change issues, the multicultural population, and older women. Numerous studies are listed under the topics of the effects on women of migration to the Sun Belt, energy boom town, education, employment, and the political process. Types of health care among women of varied ethnic backgrounds have also been researched. Current research by women in the Southwest concerns women and the criminal justice system, legal and constitutional issues, employment, health, and education. (KC)