The Research Relationship: Practice and Politics in Social Policy Research

The shift towards contracted and commissioned research in social research highlighted the importance of understanding the relationship between researchers and funding agencies. This book aimed to provide an impetus for greater understanding and collaboration between the two sides, leading to improvements in the research relationship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1987, it was anticipated that by the end of that decade, if current trends persisted, the majority of social researchers would be engaged in contract work for government and other agencies, conducting policy-relevant investigations. This shift towards commissioned and contracted research brought to the forefront the critical need for a deeper understanding of the often complex relationship between researchers, funding agencies, and policy-making bodies. This book aimed to address both social scientists who were or would be involved in social policy research and administrators, planners, and policy makers who often had the responsibility of funding such research and who were also potential users of its findings. The authors presented accounts of research conducted in diverse settings, on behalf of a wide range of sponsors, with the purpose of confronting, describing, and attempting to comprehend the tensions that arise between the two sides of the policy research relationship. While it is acknowledged that there may not be universally applicable solutions to eliminate challenges, the sentiment expressed is that improvements in the research relationship are achievable and highly desirable. The primary objective of the book was to ignite a greater understanding and collaboration that could pave the way for such enhancements.

Originally published in 1987, it was anticipated that by the end of that decade, if current trends persisted, the majority of social researchers would be engaged in contract work for government and other agencies, conducting policy-relevant investigations. This shift towards commissioned and contracted research brought to the forefront the critical need for a deeper understanding of the often complex relationship between researchers, funding agencies, and policy-making bodies. This book aimed to address both social scientists who were or would be involved in social policy research and administrators, planners, and policy makers who often had the responsibility of funding such research and who were also potential users of its findings. The authors presented accounts of research conducted in diverse settings, on behalf findings of a wide range of sponsors, with the purpose of confronting, describing, and attempting to comprehend the tensions that arise between the two sides of the policy research relationship. While it is acknowledged that there may not be universally applicable solutions to eliminate challenges, the sentiment expressed is that improvements in the research relationship are achievable and highly desirable. The primary objective of the book was to ignite a greater understanding and collaboration that could pave the way for such enhancements.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032232317