NCJ Number
16261
Date Published
1971
Length
219 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF THE MANNER IN WHICH SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES MAY BE UTILIZED BY POLICYMAKERS IN FEDERAL SOCIAL AGENCIES TO IMPROVE ANTI-POVERTY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS.
Abstract
INVESTIGATION OF HOW THE MAJOR SOCIAL AGENCIES HAVE DEVELOPED AND USED POLICY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH PROVIDES THE FACTUAL BACKGROUND FOR THIS EXAMINATION, WHICH TREATS, FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF AN AGENCY ANALYTICAL STAFF, ITS INTERACTION WITH SOCIAL SCIENTISTS ENGAGED IN POLICYRELEVANT STUDIES AND WITH THE AGENCY BUREAUCRACY IN EFFORTS TO INCORPORATE ANALYSIS IN THE POLICY PROCESS. ALL DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN THE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY-RELEVANT RESEARCH ARE CONSIDERED - CONCEPTUAL, METHODOLOGICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND INSTITUTIONAL. THE AUTHOR OFFERS DETAILED SUGGESTIONS FOR NEEDED CHANGES IN THE AGENCIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES AIMED AT INCREASING SIGNIFICANTLY THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF POLICY-RELEVANT RESEARCH. PARTICULARLY STRESSED ARE 1) THE TYPES OF RESEARCH WHICH WILL BE OF GREATEST ASSISTANCE TO POLICY PLANNERS, INCLUDING STUDIES LIKELY TO EXPAND THE FRONTIERS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE AND, 2) THE CHANGES REQUIRED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND SCIENCE TO STIMULATE THE NECESSARY RESEARCH AND UTILIZE MOST EFFECTIVELY THE RESEARCH RESULTS. ONE OF THE CHAPTERS ANALYZES THE PPBS (PLANNING, PROGRAMMING AND BUDGETING SYSTEM) IN TERMS OF ITS APPLICATION TO SOCIAL AGENCY ANALYSIS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)