在美国,社会科学的研究规模和受重视程度虽不能与自然科学相比,但其研究领域广、研究机构多,且研究热点切合社会问题,因此也受到社会各界广泛肯定。社会科学家在美国发挥着怎样的作用,英国牛津大学历史学院学者路易莎·霍特森(Louisa Hotson)通过研究给出了答案。霍特森表示,美国社会科学经历了四个阶段的起伏演变,每个阶段都会对社会产生重要影响。通过总结历史经验教训,我们可以从更加广阔的视角来定义和分析社会科学在美国社 In the United States, although the scale of social science research and the degree of attention it can not be compared with that of natural sciences, its wide range of research fields, research institutes and research hot spots are in keeping with social issues and are therefore widely acknowledged by all walks of life. Social scientists play a role in the United States, Louisa Hotson, a historian at Oxford University in the UK, gives answers through research. Hortense said that the U.S. social sciences have experienced ups and downs in four phases, each of which will have a major impact on society. By summing up historical experiences and lessons, we can define and analyze social sciences from a broader perspective at American Society