Social Science Research and the Courts

Abstract

During its 2013-2014 term, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of Proposal 2, a ballot measure that amended Michigan’s state constitution to ban the consideration of race in admissions at public postsecondary institutions. This article outlines the legal questions that have emerged in the case—Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action et al.—and identifies areas where social science research can inform answers to these questions. This analysis should help enhance the relevance of research to legal determinations in cases that have broad implications for educators.