Policy sociology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a term coined by Michael Burawoy as a way of providing solutions to social problems. Goals are usually defined by a client, which could be the government. Policy sociology provides instrumental knowledge, that is, knowledge that can be used to solve or help a specific case in the social world. According to Burawoy, the information gathered from policy sociology is open to an extra-academic audience. It is not confined to academic boundaries. The findings of policy sociology research are likely to have an effect on the general public as they could have an impact on government policy.

[edit] References

2004 American Sociological Association Presidential address: For public sociology, The British Journal of Sociology 2005, Volume 56, Issue 2. p260-290