Interface Report: Health Research and Social Science

In January 2020, The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) identified health research as a potential domain for increased engagement regarding social science research methods (Elliot 2020). This document reports on three mini-studies examining aspects of the interface of health research and social science.

The three studies are: a survey of top health-social science journals; a survey of funding agendas; and a focused exploration of biosocial research. Each mini-study was a strategic choice and, taken together, they inform an understanding of the interface of health research and social science for the purposes of planning collaborations and strategic engagements.

The analysis of journals at the interface highlights the diversity of the topics of interest and the main research areas that contribute to the selected journals. The analysis of funding priorities indicates how cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration is widespread at the interface. The exploration of biosocial research highlights existing health research and social science infrastructure, with an analysis of interview data drawing out methodological issues.

The report contains suggestions and implications for methods and engagement at the interface.