Gatekeepers and the Social Control of Social Research

Increasing concern has been expressed over the way sponsorship of research by various governmental agencies and private foundations has influenced the "objectivity " of scientific investigations. Actual manifestations of the social control of research can be studied through an analysis of the role of the "gatekeeper. " Gatekeeping influences the research endeavor in a number of ways: by limiting conditions of entry, by defining the problem area of study, by limiting access to data and respondents, by restricting the scope of analysis, and by re-taining prerogatives with respect to publication. Strategies are not well developed for managing pressures of gatekeeping. Furthermore, the location of researchers within university settings mitigates against confrontation with gatekeepers, particularly if the research effort is directed toward elites or powerful institutions. Where institutions such as universities agree with gatekeepers that proposed sensitive and critical research would be "inappropriate, " researchers must create autonomous positions from which to conduct their research. Many in the research community have expressed concern over the way spon-sorship by various governmental agencies and commissions, as well as private foundations, has influenced the "objectivity " of scientific investigations. Specifi-cally, researchers fear that sponsorship not only influences the formulation and execution of a variety of researchable issues, but directs the analysis and present-