The Changing Structure of the Social Science Research Industry and some Implications for Practice

Abstract

From the perspective of an economist in a private basic and applied research firm, this article examines the evolving structure of social science research firms that contribute to the social science theoretical and empirical literature on measuring the nation's well-being. A distinction is made between the terms consultant and research firm in the context of historical and contemporary research practices. Visible examples and possible implications of new structural arrangements within the research industry are provided, including ethical standards. It is argued that social science research—no longer conducted in the monastic tradition—is dynamic and competitive, yielding significant contributions to our knowledge about basic and applied research techniques.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Catholic Charities USA . (1998, December). Catholic Charities USA 1997 annual survey findings. Harpers Ferry, WV: Flynn Research.

Flynn, P. , & Hodgkinson, V. A. (Eds.). (in press). Measuring the impact of the nonprofit sector on society. New York: Plenum.

Hecker, D. (1999, Spring). Work more, earn more? How hours of work affect occupational earnings. Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Bureau of Labor Statistics), pp. 11-23.

Henderson, H. (1996). Building a win-win world: Life beyond global economic warfare. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.

Henderson, H. , Lickerman, J. , & Flynn, P. (Eds.). (2000). The Calvert-Henderson Quality of Life Indicators: A new tool for assessing national trends. Bethesda, MD: Calvert Group Ltd.

Kevles, D. (1998). The Baltimore case: A trial of politics, science, and character. New York: Norton.

Lukas, C. A. (1998). Consulting with nonprofits: A practitioner's guide. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

Mishel, L. , Bernstein, J. , & Schmitt, J. (1999). The state of working America 1998-1999 (Economic Policy Institute). Ithaca, NY: ILR and Cornell University Press.

Price, J. (1999, January/February). Job Corps lottery. Mother Jones, pp. 21-22.

10.

Reich, R. B. (1991). The work of nations. New York: Vintage.

11.

Research Committee on Social Trends . (1933). Recent social trends in the United States. New York: McGraw-Hill.

12.

Sawicki, D. S. , & Flynn, P. (1996, Spring). Neighborhood indicators: A review of the literature and an assessment of conceptual and methodological issues. Journal of the American Planning Association, 62(2), 165-183.

13.

Schatz, Ronald W. (1983). The electrical workers: A history of labor at General Electric and Westinghouse 1923-60. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.

14.

Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York: Doubleday.

15.

Smith, J. A. (1994). The idea brokers: Think tanks and the rise of the new policy elite. New York: Free Press.

16.

Soley, L. C. (1995). Leasing the ivory tower: The corporate takeover of academia. Boston: South End Press.

17.

Weiss, R. (1999, June 12). N.Y. research centers faulted in child study: Patient protection is found lacking. Washington Post, p. A2.

18.

Wheatley, M. (1992). Leadership and the new science: Learning about organization from an orderly universe. New York: Berrett-Koehler.