Social, Behavioral, and Economic Science Research: Oversight of the Need for Federal Investments and Priorities for Funding

Policy researchers and economists tend to agree that public investment in science can yield high rates of return to society. "Without the data, research, and analyses that [social, behavioral, and economic] scientists can provide, there is a greater likelihood of engaging in ineffective or counterproductive policies." Examples of scientific progress and policy applications stemming from social, behavioral, and economic sciences are abundant. Collecting data after natural or man-made disasters is essential for preparing for potential catastrophes, training emergency response teams, and planning emergency procedures. Research on the spread of infectious disease utilizes statistical models accounting for numerous variables allowing for a better understanding of how and why disease spreads as well as the identification of methods to mitigate the spread of disease. Complex national security missions, which range from counterinsurgency to security and stability operations, are better served by a security force that understands and appreciates the individual, tribal, cultural, ethnic, religious, social, economic, and other aspects of the local human terrain.