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

798 Eric Trist
there the immediately available work force is regarded as insufficient. Methods
by which the ‘reserves’ with first degrees can be most effectively and most
rapidly brought forward merit inquiry, as do new interdisciplinary profiles
which are emerging and new sources from which potential social scientists are
being gathered.
I 8. The employment distribution of social scientists needs an initial mapping
in three broad categories: those belonging to the faculties of higher educational
establishments; those in research institutes, whether university-linked or inde-
pendent; and those in user-organizations. Thereafter, a great deal of detail
would need filling in concerning discipline and role. Overlap through cross-
appointments should also be noted. In a number of countries there are many
more social scientists in user-organizations than is commonly supposed but
very few in positions of influence. What evidence is there that the latter are
increasing ?
19. Professional associations belonging to the basic disciplines tend to be of
the learned society type. An exception is psychology, particularly in the United
States and Britain. This is because in such branches as clinical psychology pro-
fessional as well as academic credentials are required. The more social scientists
from all disciplines come to regard the practical activities in which they engage
as ‘professions’ the greater is the likelihood that their learned societies will
become professional associations. Fully developed, such associations would
exercise considerable power on behalf of their members concerning salary
levels and conditions of employment. They would also begin to lay down codes of
ethics the social implications of which could be more far-reaching than is
easily realized at present. If their status became high they would exert great
influence on policy and on the direction of research through their corporate
values. Their evolution in these directions requires tracking as would any tend-
ency towards the adoption of a wider common identity with federated arrange-
ments in relation to inter-disciplinary endeavour.
20. Research careers in the social sciences are a recent phenomenon, even in
the United States. In the past jobs in social research were seen as transitional to
senior appointments in teaching or administration. The many avenues now open-
ing up require documentation. What are the preferred routes? What are the
persisting barriers? Many branches of social research require maturity of ex-
perience as well as brilliance of intellect. The critical roles which relate the social
sciences across the boundaries of universities and special institutes to the key
institutions of the wider society can be filled only by those whose credentials
are high in both worlds. How many such individuals have so far appeared?
Are the career patterns which are evolving of a kind likely to produce more?
M. THE SEARCH FOR A POLICY FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
The need for planning
I. The right of the social, along with the biological and physical, sciences to a
place among ‘the sciences’ is no longer disputed. Neither is their utility. These