Bureau of Applied Social Research records, 1938-1977

Creator:: Columbia University. Bureau of Applied Social Research
Extent:: 168 Linear Feet 168 record cartons
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: Project materials, including reports, monographs, books, articles, Masters essays, Doctoral dissertations, foreign publications, administrative records, correspondence, minutes and audio-visual materials.
Biographical / historical:: The Bureau of Applied Social Research, headed by sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld, was established in 1944 and helped make Columbia a pioneering institution in the social sciences. Through empirical research, ideas regarding the functioning of individuals and groups were developed and tested. Many ground-breaking studies were conducted by Lazarsfeld and his colleagues, among the most important of which was the impact of radio and television on the American public. Through such work, the Bureau become the "birthplace" of mass communication research. Many survey techniques were developed at the Bureau, such as the focused interview and panel interviewing methods. The Bureau was eventually succeeded by the Center for the Social Sciences in 1976.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into 12 series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

RBML also holds the "Bureau of Applied Social Research-War Documentation Project Records, 1950-1956" as part of the Bakhmeteff Archive (BA#0064).

A data set related to the Academic Mind is available via Research Data Services: http://www.columbia.edu/acis/eds/holdings/1079/

The collection includes nearly 200 empty folders with titles like "Found in Vienna." These materials are likely found at the University of Vienna, which holds a Paul Lazarsfeld Archive (https://www.soz.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/lazarsfeld-archive/). Specific report numbers and/or titles can be searched in the University of Vienna's library catalog, https://usearch.univie.ac.at (German only) See for example https://ubdata.univie.ac.at/AC16533952 for the report B-0214, "The ghosts go West."

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron. Copyright is held by INCITE and inquiries can be directed to https://incite.columbia.edu/contact

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Bureau of Applied Social Research records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection