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

800 Eric Trist
roles, rather than one organ, seems to be what is emerging in countries attempt-
ing science planning in any field.
6. There is danger that too great a proportion of available resources will be
invested in projects limited to present concerns (both theoretical and practical)
rather than be anticipative of future needs. If the social sciences are to take an
active role in permitting better choices to be made among alternative futures,
how to discern future needs becomes a central issue. Though this is beginning
to receive attention, a number of difficult conceptual and methodological prob-
lems will require solution before much progress can be made.*
Institution building
7. The three output mixes which have been distinguished merit study by policy/
planning bodies for the purpose of building the most adaptive types of social
science institution:
a. the research/application mix in which research - usually but not necessarily
of an interdisciplinary kind - on generic field-determined problems is under-
taken with students taking junior roles in on-going programmes involving
clientele systems;
b. the researchlteaching mix in which basic research - usually but not necessari-
ly within one discipline - can proceed in areas not involving engagement
with clientele systems and where students can make original contributions at
an earlier stage;
c. the research/service mix, where the focus is on more concrete problems but
where there is scope for students to gain experience as 'internes'.
Basic university departments are appropriately centred on b with some a and a
little c; professional schools on c with some a and a little b; special institutes
(whether within or outside universities) on a with some b and a little c. All
three patterns are necessary; but unless their objectives are kept distinct, dys-
functional interference occurs, and findings, students and clients all suffer. A
good deal of such interference goes on at the present time. One objective of
social science policy would be to develop a balanced system of complementary
institutions which would remove this.
8. Decision-making structures are likely to be, and should be, different for the
research/application, the researchlteaching and the research/service mixes. In
the research/application mix the most effective choices are likely to be the
outcome of complex 'appreciations' which grow up between groups of social
scientists, client organizations and representatives of broader sections of the
society. Such processes could lead to the establishment of a number of applied
research councils (titles will vary) concerned with developing strategic relations
between the social sciences and major sections of a society. The research/
teaching mix would be handled by bodies responsible for continuously reviewing
the most promising avenues of fundamental research. Paradoxically, unfashion-
involved in planning processes even when these are highly centralized, vide B. M. GROSS
(ed.), Action Under Pl~nning,'4~ and The State of the Nation, by the same author.I4'
* Cf. F. E. EMERY, The Next Thirty Years: Concepts, Methods and Anti~ipations.~4~