Governments see that social science methods are highly useful in drafting social policy and to improve workplace practices. Social scientists contribute to decisionmaking by using a range of case studies and statistical analyses.

A survey by Jane Tinkler from the London School of Economics finds that 19% of USA policy makers use social science arguments daily in their work; a further 53% use social science a few times daily or at least monthly; and 21% said they use it at least once a year.

In a government or business context, social scientists use ethnography to study individuals and groups interacting in their everyday lives, with the purpose of improving policies and procedures. We do this through specialised case studies.

How Social Science Helps

Ethnography describes a range of research methods to study people in their “natural” setting, be it at work, during their leisure or family time, or in community settings.

This involves attending public events, observing community behaviour and gathering other information to assess how people react to social situations. Researchers will also interview and survey people during social and work functions in order to get a critical insight into group dynamics.

Ethnography has been used in many contexts: to evaluate social services; to plan public infrastructure; to address the needs of employees; to assess public health issues; to improve environmental policies; to better integrate culturally diverse groups; and much more. See a case study of the study of crowds and urban planning.