Exploitation practice in social science research

This paper identifies and categorises the attitudes of UK social science researchers to the exploitation of their results, and examines how these attitudes influence research dissemination practices to non-academic audiences within the current climate of academic review. The main benefits from, and constraints on, exploitation activities are found to be dependent on the researchers' status in the academic hierarchy and on the policies of institutions and funding organisations. The paper considers the scope for enhancing the awareness and use of social science research, and provides options for improving practice at the institution and funder levels. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.