Open AccessSocial Science Research Findings and Educational Policy Dilemmas
Author(s) -
Steven I. Miller,
Marcel Fredericks
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
education policy analysis archives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1068-2341
DOI - 10.14507/epaa.v8n3.2000
Subject(s) - ideology , argument (complex analysis) , mediation , sociology , positive economics , epistemology , political science , social science , law , politics , economics , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy
The article attempts to raise several distinctions regarding the presumed relationship of social science research findings to social policy making. The distinctions are made using Glymour's critique of the Bell Curve. An argument is made that (1) social science models and research findings are largely irrelevant to the actual concerns of policy makers and (2) what is relevant, but overlooked by Glymour, is how ideological factors mediate the process. The forms that ideological mediation may take are indicated.