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

610 Pierre de Bie
Moreover the requirements of genuinely interdisciplinary research are many, and
the conditions in which much problem-focused research is carried out are
seldom conducive to successful interdisciplinary research : it is a difficult under-
taking, demanding great patience. It is not so much a matter of contributing to
the progress of knowledge as of making a concerted effort to open up new hori-
zons.
There is therefore no necessary link between the form of disciplinary asso-
ciation and the type of research. The aim of interdisciplinary work is the en-
richment and integration of knowledge: this work normally fits into the frame-
work of free basic research. Multidisciplinary work may tend towards a simple
accretion of knowledge : it meets a frequent demand of problem-focused research.
III. THE DIFFICULTIES OF PROBLEM-FOCUSED RESEARCH
The relations between research and action constitute the crux of problem-focus-
ed research. To realize this we must first consider development studies and all
studies which concern regional or national planning: most of these share the
characteristic of being truly at the crossroads - or rather at the junction - of re-
search and action.
There is much to perplex those who would define and situate this kind of study.
First of all as concerns the subject: it is difficult to distinguish studies which
directly serve action from more theoretical research. What was intended to guide
action is not always followed by an effect, and what was theoretical in character
may subsequently be used for information designed to modify attitudes and
facilitate the introduction of changes.
Then as regards the institutional framework: there is often a close link be-
tween the offices and administrative services entrusted with decision-making
and the research organs whose job it is to prepare the ground for the decisions.
In many countries there are joint bodies responsible both for research and for
informed action, and it is no longer possible to draw a distinction between the
research bodies and the institutions for stimulation and action.
Proximity to action
This leads to a reflection on problem-focused research in relation to how close
it is to action.
A whole series of studies have only a relatively broad connexion with action
based on the following line of reasoning: given that a particular social problem
merits our attention (e.g. the behaviour of young people, the living conditions
of the aged, religious observance), studies on the subject must be undertaken.
Anything which might improve our knowledge in this field may be useful to us
in the sphere of action. These studies represent problem-focused research in
the wide sense; let us call it 'widely-focused research'.
Studies relatively closely connected with action are very different. Their logic
is as follows: given that we are going to act on some data (e.g. the campaign