Research Policy. The case of the Social sciences and the Humanities (In French)

Research policy in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is difficult to implement because of the very characteristics of these disciplines (no image, no technology, no patent) and because of requisite public intervention. It is demonstrated that, in each discipline, a market for academic research exists. The necessity to set up “hybrid forums” including both scientists and profanes is underlined. This kind of research policy generates information asymmetries which call for a relevant evaluation. The case of scientific journals as viewed by French scientists is analysed. Solid grounds to carry out research evaluation on a national level are obtained, a required step before reaching a European level.