Problems of Collaboration between Social Scientists and the Practicing Professions

Abstract

Examination of the experience of Russell Sage Foundation in seeking to develop more effective working rela tions between the social sciences and the practicing professions reveals obstacles to efficient communication and collaboration between these fields. Problems in this area can be classified as (1) those occasioned by subcultural differences in values, goals, ideologies, language, and technologies characterizing the dif ferent professions and disciplines; (2) those deriving from the nature of the setting in which the social scientist is placed and his position and status in that setting; (3) those of role am biguity and incongruence in mutual expectations. Dealing with problems of interprofessional relations in these terms rather than in the usual terms of personality clashes and grievances appears more productive of effective resolution. Kinds of activities effective in surmounting barriers to efficient collaboration are: (1) developing optimal initial orientation and level of expectation; (2) maximizing mutual assimilation of professional subcultural values, ideologies, technologies, and language; (3) securing an appropriate structural position in the institutional setting for the social scientist; (4) clarifica tion of the roles of the parties to the undertakings; (5) increasing the interpersonal skills of the participants.