Social Science Controversies and Public Policy Decisions
After World War II, the social sciences operated in a changed field, particularly in terms of their relations to the polity and the economy. This study examined whether the social sciences can credibly claim to perform an impartial role and how to maintain ethical integrity in social science scholarship.
After World War II, the social sciences operated in a changed field, particularly in terms of their relations to the polity and the economy. Government, business, the courts, and nonprofit organizations began to lean heavily on the results of scholarly research, and the mass media and public attitudes were influenced by the same. Despite the new role of social sciences in the public arena, an increasing lack of confidence was expressed by the press, the public, and academics in research results on topics dealing with controversial issues. This study examined whether the social sciences can credibly claim to perform an impartial role and how to maintain ethical integrity in social science scholarship.
Resulting Publication
- Controversies and Decisions: The Social Sciences and Public Policy, ed. Charles Frankel. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1976. Available from publisher.