Conversion Barriers in Using the Social Sciences

Abstract

What is involved in converting basic social science knowledge into a form suitable for application in practical affairs? The author believes the conversion process to be threefold: reidentifying the theoretical variables and working out practical ways of measuring them in concrete situations; composing relevant models from among alternative extant theories; and making estimates of the important constants for each new use. The implications of these barriers for utilization are elaborated as they affect contemporary efforts to use social science.1 Harold Guetzkow is professor of political science, psychology, and sociology and codirector of the program of graduate training and research in international relations, Northwestern University.