CHAPTER I The Nature and Function of Social Studies

I H E NATURE AND FUNCTION of social studies in education cannot be pre-cisely determined by strictly research procedures. The nature and scope of the social studies and the purposes for which they are taught in the schools are matters of definition and of judgment reflecting adherence to a set of values and the existence of a philosophy of life and education. Many of the references cited in this chapter cannot be described as research studies but may justifiably be included as representing the best critical thinking of individuals and groups which in numerous cases has emerged from many years ' devotion to research and scientific analysis. Discussing the development of research in social studies, Wesley pointed out in the Encyclopedia of Educational Research (24) that the period from 1890 to 1916 was characterized by statements of general and somewhat unrealistic objectives, while from about 1916 to 1933 Herculean efforts were made to achieve objectivity. Since 1933 he found less emphasis on statistical studies and more reliance placed upon judgments of values