The close connection between Theory and Empirical Research is a characteristic feature of Social sciences, better to say,
there is no theory, unless corroborated by empirical data. Therefore, in order to research these or those aspects of a
social life, scientists (should) carry out various empirical investigations, on a regular basis: this is the way to check and
double-check this or that scientific opinion / hypothesis / assumption. Quite frequently, the results of such researches
lead to the revision and/or modification of some old theories, sometimes, the existing theories become denied, and
sometimes, new theories may emerge. In this way, the scientific progress is greatly related to the development of
research instruments and methods.
It is also well-known that the success of social studies depends on and should be due to the benevolence of the
researchers towards the public, the trust of respondents to both interviewers and researchers / research organizations,
the society’s faith that the research is conducted in an honest and objective manner, the interest of the society, and – last
but not least – the confidence of both parties that the principles of objective truth of the research will be safeguarded.
Protection of the above goals and standards pose a challenge to researchers; one should remember that this challenge is
particularly acute in politics!
Over the recent 12–15 years, the political processes in Georgia conditioned the engagement of scientific research. Then,
such researches were used as a part of the working process and also, that of the information campaign. On the one hand,
surveys were to measure the attitudes of the population, on the other hand, it was used by political parties to prove their
advantage over their competitors: surveys functioned as a weapon in the information warfare. Various political parties
used results of research in their election strategies, to establish the respective messages and to create the materials for
their campaigns. High participation in the researches set up the high demands for the quality and methodology in the
3
political processes. Therefore, there were preconditions established between different research areas to particularly
develop and perfect the methodological aspects. As a result, a significant volume of researching and statistical materials
have been accumulated in the format of database, over the last decades.
Partly, these data are available through the websites of research companies. Also, an important part of these data is
stored in their archives. Co-operation between the University and private companies, with regard to this issue is a very
fertile soil for the creation and compilation as well as analysis of databases.
It is important to share this knowledge, experience and information with young professionals and students. This is the
very aim and purpose of our Summer School. What is also of great importance is that, in addition to Georgian scientists,
their colleagues from Germany and USA will also participate in the work of the Summer School. These scientists have a
rich experience of working in a variety of countries, including Georgia, so, the school students will definitely receive the
important information from them – and for sure, the value of this information for many professions can scarcely be
exaggerated.
This School will be an important step to achieve a long-term goal – to create the Platform for the sustainable
relationship of professionals in empirical studies, in the issues of methodologies and innovations. This Platform will be
established on the basis of Laboratory of Sociological Studies of the Ilia State University.