Collaboration between science and social science: Issues, challenges, and opportunities

Abstract

Purpose – This chapter analyzes the issues, challenges, and opportunities of research and programmatic collaborations between science and social science.

Approach – Analyzed are the features of fields and the consequences of these features for partnership among scientists and social scientists.

Findings – The issues and challenges of collaboration between science and social science are rooted in – and reflect – variable levels of “consensus” and paradigm development, positions in the hierarchy of fields, and research practices. The opportunities lie in the collaboration as a strategic alliance.

Implications – The gains realized in successful collaborations between science and social science point to the importance of not simply bridging knowledge across fields, but also of bringing together people and ideas through mechanisms of leadership, management, and successful association.

Value – The chapter contributes to understanding about the growing, but still infrequent, collaborations between science and social science, and provides analyses that help support potential collaborations between these fields.

Citation

Fox, M.F. (2008), "Collaboration between science and social science: Issues, challenges, and opportunities", Hartman, H. (Ed.) Integrating the Sciences and Society: Challenges, Practices, and Potentials (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 17-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-1152(08)16001-X