Main trends of research in the social and human ... - unesdoc - Unesco

Problem-focused research 583
ception nor in its elaboration, it does not become so on account of its results.
This is the case with a good deal of so-called theoretical or basic research;
although it is not undertaken for any utilitarian end, it nevertheless proves
extremely useful in practice and is employed for purposes for which it had not
been intended. There are unforeseen utilizations and studies may have a far
removed impact, irrespective of their authors’ intentions. There is thus a rela-
tion of intention between needs and research: the latter should be undertaken
to provide a more or less appropriate answer to a given problem. Its focus is
the outcome of a choice. It aspires to being useful on the practical level.
A multitude of studies might be mentioned to illustrate this point. We shall
confine ourselves here to considering one or two.
In connexion with society and the family, a number of studies concerning in-
come and consumption have been carried out since the 19th century with the
object of drawing the attention of public opinion to the lot of the least privileged
classes and thereby promoting some action on their behalf. In a sense, these
surveys fitted into a much larger category of studies designed to draw attention
to the situation and living conditions of the working classes in societies in process
of industrialization, where the presence of a growing proletariat was in itself
giving rise to a social problem. At the present time, this research is conducted
far more systematically, so as to provide a vast amount of concrete data, estab-
lished with precision on the basis of very strict working hypotheses, which may
be used to support social and economic policies: e.g. determination of family al-
lowances in accordance with the number and age of children; establishment of
cost-living indexes; assessment of standards of living to provide information
for a housing policy; forecasting of economic growth, etc. There can beno doubt
that such studies constitute appropriate answers to social problems. What is
remarkable is that in course of time the questions have become increasingly
numerous and specific, and that certain types of research have become essential
instruments of social and economic policy.
The concept of concerted action which is to be found in the projects pro-
moted in France by the DClCgation gCnCrale a la recherche scientifique et
technique, and in the work of the Research Commission of the Fifth Plan, tallies
exactly with that of problem-focused research. The point is to ‘focus research
in the human sciences on those disciplines that are capable of covering all aspects
of the problems raised by the present-day evolution of life in society’,4or again to
collect and make available to the country’s leaders the elements required for the formu-
lation of decisions which, irrespective of the political and economic structures of each
nation, are always aimed at promoting activity and employment, harmonizing the devel-
opment of the different regions and distributing income fairly according to social and
professional categories ... During the Fifth Plan, emphasis will be placed on study of the
social and economic aspects of development, that is to say, study of the ways in which
standards of living and ways of life are affected by changes in structures and economic
ups and downs. In connexion with this central theme, a study will be made of prob-
lems that present a definite practical interest and are becoming more and more urgent
on account of the growing complexity of social life: education, training andinformation
for individuals, mutual understanding between societies and nations. 5