Information Requirements in the Social Sciences: Some Preliminary Considerations

Abstract

Information requirements in the social sciences are almost entirely unexplored. I shall argue that exploration is desirable; discuss some of the reasons why this is so; attempt an analysis of the factors to be investigated; and consider some possible methods of investigation. This article is an early by-product of the Investigation into Information Requirements of the Social Sciences, being carried out by two researcbers under my direction, and supported by the Office for Scientific and Technical Information. It is based on the Report on the Pre liminary Stage, presented to OSTI in April, 1968.