Behavioral and Social Science Research: A National Resource, Part I

The value, significance, and social utility of basic research in the behavioral and social sciences are examined. Following an introduction in chapter 1, there are 4 major chapters. Chapter 2 discusses how the research terrain has been divided among the disciplines of psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, geography, history, and statistics. Also examined are specialization within disciplines, the improvement of data, shifts in conceptual and theoretical foci, and interdisciplinary ferment. Chapter 3 illustrates the progress of the behavioral and social sciences as sciences. One striking feature of advances made is that frequently they have been borrowed from or have contributed to other disciplines. For example, the study of human perception has involved a long-term interaction between psychophysicists describing behavior and sensory physiologists describing the physiological substrate of that behavior. Chapter 4 examines the applications of research findings to public policy formation, social problem solving, and other areas. The concluding chapter sets forth in more general terms the relationship between basic research and its influence and practical application. (RM)