Abstract:

This paper covers the role of the survey researcher as a social forecaster. Social indicators have been derived from a qualitative and quantitative survey research system now operating in 14 different countries. These indicators include self fulfilment in work, social pluralism, desire for a better life, alienation from business, alienation from government. There is a movement to a more conservative stable society with a growing resistance to government control in education, housing and health. We argue that the social surveyor should be prepared to make predictions and to give views on public policy making. The social surveyor often has access to broadly based studies and his data can complement that of other social scientists.