Forensic Social Science

Abstract

If you like your social science balanced and objective ("on the one hand, on the other hand") you will find this book infuriating. But you may be applying an irrelevant standard. This book does not pretend to be part of the tradition of balanced, objective social science in which the scholar hides (or claims to hide)his personal biases, and attempts to present all the evidence on both sides of a set of questions so that the reader may judge for himself. Rather it is part of what may be emerging as a new tradition of forensic social science in which scholars or teams of scholars take on the task of writing briefs for or against particular policy positions. They state what the position is and bring together all the evidence that supports their side of the argument, leaving to the brief writers of the other side the job of picking apart the case that has been presented and detailing the counter evidence.

Policy analysis as a hermeneutic activity

“…This is what Rivlin (1973) has in mind in proposing "forensic social science" as a model for policy analysis. Under pluralism, it is the relative strengths of the resources brought to bear by competing interests that determine policy outcomes.…”

BUREAUCRACY POLICY: TOWARD PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON ORGANIZING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION1

“…in pubiic poiicy, an academician/public practitioner like Alice Rivlin can recognize the autononx)us origins of political preferences in the adversary dialogue of forensic discourse that is in a realm beyond science (Rivlin, 1973), whiie a philosophically oriented former practitioner turned academician like Frank Fischer can epistemologically explain why this must be so (Fischer, 1980). Similarly, autonomous origins of hands-on knowledge have been demonstrated in the study of professionals, of industriai workers, and of management in general (e.g., Schoen, 1983, on professionals; Hummel, 1979 and 1987, on line workers; Vickers, 1965, on synthetic judgment in general).…”

Training in community psychology: Promises kept and yet to keep

“…By clarifying the purpose and processes of social policy, Murrell highlights its inherent conflict with the clinical focus upon the individual and even with the CMH emphasis upon acceptance of pluralistic values and behavioral patterns. Among the curriculum options presented, Murrell's description of "forensic social science (Rivlin, 1973) is most provocative. Clearly distinct from the traditions of psychological and social experimental methods, this investigative strategy deserves careful thought and, especially adoption.…”