The tasks, working situation, and professional role assigned to applied social scientists are analysed. The processes of basic and applied social research are systematically compared, and it is demonstrated how applied social research has to meet all the cnteria of traditional basic research as well as the specific criterion of social relevance. The problem of how to develop adequate critena for evaluating applied social research is addressed. The widespread downgrading of applied social research is analysed in the context of the lack of adequate criteria for evaluating applied social research on its own premises.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Brayfield, A.H.How to. Create a New Profession?'American Psychologist . Vol. 31 (1976). pp. 200-205
2.
Freedman, M.B.The Promise and Problems of an Independent Graduate School'. American Psychologist, Vol 31 ( 1976), pp 182-188.
3.
Helmreich. R. 'Applied Social Psychology The Unfulfilled Promise', Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 1 (1975), pp 548-560
4.
Kuhn, T.S.The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Univ. of Chicago Press. Chicago1970.
5.
Kuhn, T.S.The Essential Tension Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change . University of Chicago Press, Chicago1977.
6.
Nafstad, H.E.Barnehagen som oppvekstimiljo og arbeidsplass, Tiden Norsh Forlag, Oslo1976.
7.
Nafstad, H.E.Barnehagens innhold og funksjoner. Universitetsforlaget , Oslo1978
8.
Nafstad, H.E.'The Emerging Identity of Applied Social Research: Problems and Challenges .' Mimeo, Institute of Applied Social Research. Oslo1981a
9.
Nafstad, H.E.'Barnehagen som oppvekstmiljo og arbeidsplass. Kort presentasjon av barnehageforskningen ved INAS', INAS-notat, 81-8, 1981b (Also In Tidskritf for Norsk Psykologforening in press.)
10.
Nafstad, H.E. & Gaarder, S.Barn - utvikling og muljo, Tiden Norsk Forlag, Oslo1979
11.
Rappoport, L. & Kren. G.What is a Social Issue?'American Psychologist, Vol. 30 (1975), pp 835-841.
12.
Tornatzky. L.G.How a PhD Program Aimed at Survival Issues Survived. American Psychologist, Vol 31 ( 1976), pp 189-192.
13.
Valiance, T.R. 'The Professional Nonpsychology Graduate Program for Psychologists ' American Psychologist, Vol 31 (1976), pp 193-199
