Social Science Experts & Community Participation in Precursors to the U.S. War on Poverty

科学研究的一个中心焦点是专家与社会的关系。本研究将分析社会科学专家在鼓励民主参与公共政策的形成和实施方面的影响。为了探索这一主题，二级、档案和口述历史数据将在一项定性的历史研究中进行检验，该研究由社会科学家负责开发美国的前体“向贫困宣战”社区行动计划。在分析政治和其他社会力量对社会科学专家活动的影响的程度和性质时，将考虑其他理论。这些理论还将用于分析社会科学家在从“科学”到“专业改革者”的专业模式转变过程中工作角色的冲突和假设。这种转变发生在这一时期。其他研究问题集中在社会科学家对社区参与的概念化，他们的行动所服务的人，以及这些行动所产生的影响。本研究的结果将扩大我们对利用社会科学专家促进公民参与社区改革倡议的潜力和局限性的理解。结果将包括一本书手稿和在评审期刊和其他出版物上发表的文章。本研究具有重要而及时的研究重点；其结果将是有用的，并为广大受众所接受。调查员的资格和工作记录是优秀的；制度支持非常好；这个研究计划是明智的。强烈建议提供支持。

A central focus for research in science studies is the relationship between experts and society. This study will analyze the influence of social science experts in encouraging democratic participation in the formation and implementation of public policy. To explore this topic, secondary, archival, and oral history data will be examined in a qualitative historical study of social scientists employed in developing precursors to the U.S. "War on Poverty" Community Action Programs. Alternative theories will be considered in an analysis of the degree and nature of the impact of political and other social forces on the activity of social science experts. These theories will also be used to analyze conflicts in work roles and assumptions of the social scientists in shifting from a "scientific" to a "professional reformer" model of expertise. This shift occurred during this period. Other research questions focus on the social scientists' conceptualization of community participation, the persons served by their actions, and the impact those actions had. The results of this study will expand our understanding of both the potential and limitations of the use of social science experts in the promotion of citizen participation in community reform initiatives. Results will include a book manuscript and articles in refereed journals and other publications. This research has an important and timely focus; its results will be useful and accessible to a wide audience. The qualifications and track record of the investigator are excellent; institutional support is very good; the research plan is sensible. Support is highly recommended.