The Use of Social Science in a Norwegian Ministry: As a Tool of Policy or Mode of Thinking?

Abstract

Both producers and users of social science tend to think of it as an instrument ; perspectives and results from science forming direct premises for policy decisions The article summarizes a study of how research contributions in specific fields of transport research are used in the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communication. Despite institutional closeness and cultural similarities between research community and user community, we found that much direct use is unusual. The subject matters of social science, although frequently posed as social problems, may in effect constitute social conflicts, and as such cannot be solved by knowledge and information alone. The use of social science in the conceptualization process and as political ammunition is, however, important enough. The article points out obstacles to such use, primarily in the organizational structure of the Ministry.