The UK pattern of information and documentation in the social sciences

Abstract

It is very difficult for the UK to respond to any international enquiry, in formal terms of structure and framework. History has allowed and encouraged diverse developments whose “co-ordination” is only possible by informal contact and whose centralisation would not be easy. But it can be suggested that as the level of enquiry becomes more general, then there may be a national response-whether in inter-library loan, exchange agreements or international acceptance of standards (including such diverse questions as authorship, classification or data elements). It is hoped that, despite the added problems of social science terminology, social science information and documentation (hereafter SSID) may develop a generality which will be recognised internationally in the same sense as for instance Physics Information is recognised world-wide.