Social Science and Policymaking : a Search for Relevance in the Twentieth Century.

This collection of essays examines how the social sciences in America were developed as a means of social reform and later, especially after World War II, as a tool in federal policymaking and policy analysis. It also uses arenas of policymaking, such as early childhood education and welfare and its reform, as case studies in which social research was used, in policy decisions or in setting and evaluating policy goals. The book is written to aid students of public policy to appreciate the complex relationship of information--principally, of social science research--to policymaking at the federal level. David L. Featherman is Professor of Sociology and Psychology, Director and Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Maris A. Vinovskis is Bentley Professor of History, Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Social Research, Faculty member, School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. Read more... How the social sciences in America were developed as a means of social reform | This collection of essays examines how the social sciences in America were developed as a means of social reform and later, especially after World War II, as a tool in federal policymaking and policy analysis. It also uses arenas of policymaking, such as early childhood education and welfare and its reform, as case studies in which social research was used, in policy decisions or in setting and evaluating policy goals. The book is written to aid students of public policy to appreciate the complex relationship of information—principally, of social science research—to policymaking at the federal level. David L. Featherman is Professor of Sociology and Psychology, Director and Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Maris A. Vinovskis is Bentley Professor of History, Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Social Research, Faculty member, School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. In Search Of Relevance To Social Reform And Policy-making / David L. Featherman, Maris A. Vinovskis -- Knowledge For The Public Good: The Emergence Of Social Sciences And Social Reform In Late-nineteenth- And Early-twentieth-century America, 1880-1940 / Martin Bulmer -- Growth And Use Of Social And Behavioral Science In The Federal Government Since World War Ii / David L. Featherman, Maris A. Vinovskis -- Designing Head Start: Roles Played By Developmental Psychologists / Sheldon H. White, Deborah A. Phillips -- Policy, Aging, And The Graying Of Society / W. Andrew Achenbaum -- Welfare Reform Policy From Nixon To Clinton: What Role For Social Science? / Sheldon Danziger -- Welfare Reform At The State Level: The Role Of Social Experiments And Demonstrations / Judith M. Gueron -- The Making And Analysis Of Public Policy: A Perspective On The Role Of Social Science / Laurence E. Lynn Jr. Edited By David L. Featherman And Maris A. Vinovskis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Preface 1. In Search of Relevance to Social Reform and Policy-Making / David L. Featherman and Maris A. Vinovskis 2. Knowledge for the Public Good: The Emergence of Social Sciences and Social Reform in Late-Nineteenth- and Early-Twentieth-Century America, 1880-1940 / Martin Bulmer 3. Growth and Use of Social and Behavioral Science in the Federal Government since World War II / David L. Featherman and Maris A. Vinovskis 4. Designing Head Start: Roles Played by Developmental Psychologists / Sheldon H. White and Deborah A. Phillips. 5. Policy, Aging, and the Graying of Society / W. Andrew Achenbaum6. Welfare Reform Policy from Nixon to Clinton: What Role for Social Science? / Sheldon Danziger 7. Welfare Reform at the State Level: The Role of Social Experiments and Demonstrations / Judith M. Gueron 8. The Making and Analysis of Public Policy: A Perspective on the Role of Social Science / Laurence E. Lynn Jr. Contributors Index.