Public Administration ETDs
Publication Date
5-30-1973
Abstract
A social indicator is a statistic of normative interest which facilitates concise, comprehensive and balanced judgments about the major aspects of a society. The objective of the social indicator is to provide a qualitative measurement of the state of society, in much the same way that the economic indicators, such as the Gross National Product, provide a qualitative measurement of the state of the economy.
Development of a system of social indicators is in the early formative stage and is struggling with a variety of developmental problems. The purpose of this study is to identify some of the problems, particularly in the area of science and technology, so that the basic problems can be isolated and attention focused on them for their resolution.
The historical evolution of the idea of social indicators is reviewed. An analysis is made of some of the relevant features of the National Income and Product Accounts. The general characteristics, functions and problems associated with social indicators are discussed. A review is made of the science and technological indicators currently in use in these areas.
The primary problem in the development of social indicators in general, and for their application to science and technology in particular, is the lack of agreement as to the concept, scope or components of a social model to be used in a social reporting system. Other problems, such as the relationship of science and technology to society or the lack of an ordering system fo1r the collection of useful social data, stem from the lack of an accepted social model.
It is the opinion of the author that an agreement on an acceptable social model is a development of the future and that the social problems dictating the need for social indicators are much more. immediate. In order to achieve an earlier development of social indicators, the following recommendations are made:
Social Indicators
1. Social problem areas be identified as the objective of measurement by social indicators.
2. The responsibility of establishing appropriate social indicators be institutionalized.
3. The primary objective of a social indicator be recognized as that of measuring the qualitative status of a major aspect of society.
Science
1. Further efforts be conducted in the area of counting scientific papers and reports, as a method of determining the quantitative output of science.
2. Consideration be given to the establishment of expert scientific panels for the evaluation of scientific reports, as a method of determining the qualitative output of science.
Technology
1. Technology be evaluated on a microsocial basis rather than on a macrosocial basis.
2. Specific technological proposals be evaluated using social indicators developed for social problem areas.
Degree Name
Public Administration
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
School of Public Administration
First Committee Member (Chair)
Albert H. Rosenthal
Second Committee Member
Gerald Joseph Boyle
Third Committee Member
Donald Winston Smithburg
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Recommended Citation
Ferguson, Charles Eugene. "Development of Social Indicators for Science and Technology." (1973). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/padm_etds/145
Comments
The UNMUL recognizes that due to its historical nature, this item may include racially and/or ethnically based language and content that may be biased, harmful, and oppressive.