The ‘proton spin’ effect — theoretical status '97

The theoretical status of the `proton spin' effect is reviewed. The conventional QCD parton model analysis of polarised DIS is compared with a complementary approach, the composite operator propagator-vertex (CPV) method, each of which provides its own insight into the origin of the observed suppression in the first moment of $g_1^p$. The current status of both experiment and non-perturbative calculations is summarised. The future role of semi-inclusive DIS experiments, in both the current and target fragmentation regions, i