Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research: Background, Achievements and Current Trends

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, social indicators and quality of life research are well-established fields of social science in many countries around the world. Numerous book publications, entries in handbooks and encyclopaedias, specialised journals and newsletters, national and international professional organisations, conferences and congresses and not least regular courses taught within university curricula are some indications of the successful career of two rather new branches of social research. This article will summarise the background and objectives, the major approaches and applications and will discuss some of the recent developments as well as further prospects of these multidisciplinary research fields.KeywordsSocial CohesionSocial IndicatorSubjective IndicatorSocial Indicator ResearchSocietal DevelopmentThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.