Why does NOAA need Social Science?
Society depends upon NOAA for the products, services, and information we deliver. We recognize our responsibility to ensure that society receives and understands the information it needs. People can only use what NOAA provides, however, if they recognize how we connect with them and how they can apply our information to their benefit. Similarly, we must remain aware of society’s needs. We must analyze and understand current and emerging user requirements, priorities, and benefits of our information, services, and products. This requires a strong economic and social science capability working across interdisciplinary lines. By strengthening our program planning and justification, decision-making, and performance measures, we can improve effectiveness and the value of our programs to society.. Our goal is to use sound cost-benefit analyses, risk assessments, and economic and social impact analyses as we invest in new systems and facilities, develop products and services, plan research, a
