Page 128 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Unit 14: Research Activities

Self Assessment Notes

Fill in the blanks :
1. .…………….. helps every nation in the formulation of legislations and policies, schemes
and programmes on socio-economic issues and has been an extremely essential tool for the
government and the people.
2. There are currently 72 ………….. with over 500 social science departments.
3. A distinctive feature of ……………….. is that their faculty is drawn from different social
science disciplines though with a distinct plurality of economists.

14.2 Activities of Key Research Institution for Development of Social
Science Disciplines

In the following sub-sections we will study the research activities of key research institutions and
professional organisation to develop the social science disciplines in India, UK and USA.

14.2.1 Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

In order to promote the social science research in the country the Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Government of India, Indian established the Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
in 1969.
The following are the key activities performed by ICSSR:
y Review the progress of social science research and give advice to its users
y Sponsor social science research programmes and projects and administer grants to institutions
and individuals for research in social sciences
y Institute and administer scholarships and fellowships for research in social sciences
y Indicate areas in which social science research is to be promoted and adopt special measures
for development of research in neglected or new areas
y Give financial support to institutions, associations, and journals engaged in social science
research
y Arrange for technical training in research methodology and to provide guidance for
research
y Co-ordinate research activities and encourage progrmmes for interdisciplinary research
y Develop and support centers for documentation services and supply of data
y Organize, sponsor, and finance seminars, workshops and study groups
y Undertake publication and assist publication of journals and books in social sciences.
The council reviews the progress of research and advice Government of India on all matters pertaining
to social science research in the country. The Council has its Head Quarters in New Delhi and 27
Research Centres and 6 Regional Centres spread all over the country. The Council has published
over 350 books, pamphlets and monographs covering various aspects of social science. It publishes
bi-annually ‘Journal of Abstracts and Reviews’ in five disciplines viz. Economics, Geography, Political
Science, Psychology and Sociology and Social Anthropology. It collaborates with Indian Institute of
Public Administration, New Delhi and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in the publication
of two quarterly journals, ‘Documentation in Public Administration’ and ‘Vikalpa’ respectively.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 123