SOCIAL-POLICY AND SOCIAL INQUIRY - REOPENING DEBATE

The purpose of this article is to examine issues related to the use of social research in the planning and formulation of social policy. It reviews a series of models of research use, and examines researchers' motives for producing policy-relevant research as well as the institut ional obstacles they face. It focuses on those practical characteristi cs of a research study that increases the likelihood of its considerat ion and application by policy-makers. The article ends with a series o f recommendations intended to further discussion and research work in this area.