THE LITERATURE OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PROVISION FOR RESEARCH IN THEM

Abstract

Much research in the social sciences uses literature as its raw material. Older, non‐periodical material and long runs of periodicals are important; this is confirmed by citation analysis, which also indicates considerable use of a limited number of references, few of them in languages other than English. Problems and topics in the social sciences are less clearly defined than in the natural sciences; this and the fact that much ‘fringe’ material is necessary for social science research makes comprehensive literature provision almost impossible, and cuts down the efficacy of bibliographies and abstracts. The suggestion for a national library for the social sciences is discussed; the differences in use of and demand for the literature between the natural and social sciences are pointed out and the case put forward for basing expansion on existing institutions, with improved provision in the libraries of individual universities, where much of the research is based.