Social work and the other applied social science professions aim to marshal evidence to inform beneficial social change. Notwithstanding positive intentions, effective application of research to policy and practice is not always robust in achieving impacts. To do better, we should purposefully connect research to action, including engagement with practitioners and the policy process. We extend the definition of “public impact scholarship” to include this vital connection. Drawing on research from the Brown School’s Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, and from the center’s partners, we share examples of applied efforts, note successes, and acknowledge instructive losses. We also suggest guidelines for effective applied social research, including strategies to ensure objectivity when research and action are conjoined.

中文翻译：

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应用社会研究：力求影响

社会工作和其他应用的社会科学专业旨在整理证据，为有益的社会变革提供信息。尽管有积极的意图，但将研究有效地应用于政策和实践并不总是能够有效地实现影响。为了做得更好，我们应该有目的地将研究与行动联系起来，包括与从业人员互动和政策制定过程。我们扩展了“公共影响奖学金”的定义，以包括这种至关重要的联系。我们借鉴圣路易斯华盛顿大学布朗学院的社会发展中心的研究结果，并借鉴该中心的合作伙伴，分享了一些努力的实例，记录了成功并承认了指导性的损失。我们还提出了有效的应用社会研究的指南，包括在研究和行动结合时确保客观性的策略。