Problems of research in the field of social policy and social work

Abstract

Research in the field of social policy and social work, under which this text implies social research, are unjustifiably neglected in our society, although there is a notable demand for studying of new social phenomena, processes and problems on which we know nothing or just a bit. The causes of such situation should be searched for in institutional system of social policy, i.e. the deficit of research institutions in this field, insufficient motivation of young and talented experts for dealing with scientific research and analytical research work in this field, particularly those acting in the social security system, insufficient financial support to research, insufficient training of human resources for research, insufficient technical equipment of institutions that should carry out research, etc. The importance of social research for overall societal-economic and social development is undeniable, particularly in societies in transition which face challenges of creation, conceptualization and establishment of national strategies of long-term development.

Istraživanja u oblasti socijalne politike i socijalnog rada, pod kojima u ovom tekstu podrazumevamo socijalna istraživanja, neopravdano su zapostavljena u našem društvu, iako postoji izrazita potreba za proučavanjem novih socijalnih pojava, procesa i problema o kojima malo znamo ili ništa ne znamo. Uzroke za ovakvu situaciju treba tražiti u institucionalnom sistemu socijalne politike, odn. deficitu istraživačkih institucija u ovoj oblasti, nedovoljnom podsticaju mladih i talentovanih stručnjaka da se bave naučno-istraživačkim i analitičko-istraživačkim radom u ovoj oblasti, posebno onih koji deluju u sistemu socijalne zaštite, nedovoljnoj materijalnoj podršci istraživačkoj delatnosti, nedovoljna obučenost kadrova za istraživački rad, neadekvatna tehnička oprema institucija koje treba da se bave istraživačkim radom, itd. Značaj socijalnih istraživanja za sveukupni društveno-ekonomski i socijalni razvoj je nesporan, posebno u društvima u tranziciji pred kojima se nalaze izazovi osmišljavanja, koncipiranja i utvrđivanja nacionalnih strategija, dugoročnog razvoja.