The authors develop a theory of social science utilization that focuses on cognitive processes and their relation to the social context of interaction between social scientists and policy-makers. Their comprehensive approach to the theory of utilization is based on the full range of available case material.

The eighteen essays in On Social Research and Its Language illustrate the diversity of Lazarsfeld's substantive, methodological, and organizational interests. Spanning the years 1933 to 1972, they encompass his own works of social research, as well as writings on methodology and the history and sociology of social research. Articles on methodology--observing, classifying and building typologies, analyzing the relations between variables, qualitative analysis, and macrosociology--form the bulk of the book. In addition, Raymond Boudon provides a revealing biography of Lazarsfeld and his influence on sociology.--Publisher description.

An exploration of the practical role of sociologists and sociology in everyday life.