title: Applying social science research to solving problems of modern nations: problems and pitfalls.
abstract: The reasons the social sciences do not have an effect on public policies are discussed, including that there are conflicting results, the effect of scholars' biases on their research, and a desire to keep the social sciences value-free.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Program, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Jimmie Leeds Road, P.O. Box 195, Pomona, NJ 08240-0195, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lester
mesh_terms: D002203:Capital Punishment; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D011340:Problem Solving; D011634:Public Health; D012107:Research Design; D012942:Social Sciences / Q000379:methods*