Long-term sociological research faces the dilemma that its topic may outlive its topicality

Evidence

In their general foreword to the series, which was included in all five volumes, Horkheimer and Flowerman tried to come to terms with the dilemma characteristic of all long-term sociological research: the fact that a subject chosen for its topicality no longer seems topical by the time the results are published. A breathing-space in the world-historical persecution of the Jews was to be used to seek, with the support of scientific analysis, ways of preventing or weakening the next outbreak. In view of the ominous characteristics of Western civilization, a further outbreak was to be expected anywhere, even in the USA, where Jews were apparently less threatened than they had ever been. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 1752

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the dilemma of research whose chosen subject becomes dated by publication time.
• XREF: connects to: Traditional social structures and orders can disintegrate over time

Broader Connections

• Traditional social structures and orders can disintegrate over time #corroborates (0.70)