Research thinking innovation
Research in social sciences and humanities largely produces theories, ideas, and value systems to help administrators develop guidelines, policies, and laws. Quantifying this knowledge is not easy, and the path to real-life application from research results is often indirect. However, the impact of social science and humanities knowledge is profound and fundamental.
Dr. Nguyen Thi To Ninh from the Central Council for Literary and Artistic Criticism argued that social science and humanities knowledge enters practice by permeating through the cultural and spiritual life of society or through technical and technological elements to crystallise in products and services.
On another aspect, social science knowledge helps to build and shape the future society through policy advice results. This means that social science and humanities must ensure high theoretical generality while also having the ability to integrate other scientific disciplines for application in life. For a long time, we have underestimated the practical relevance of social science and humanities research.
Research results have been scarce and slow to be transferred to become knowledge that supports the community. Overcoming these weaknesses is essential for social sciences to keep pace with the dynamic realities of life and truly become an intrinsic force driving national development.
The report summarising the work of the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences in 2025 and outlining the direction and tasks for 2026 frankly points out that the products of scientific research lack a clear strategy, the main beneficiaries are unstable, research products have not truly entered into social life, some social research is not directly linked to policy planning requirements, and some tasks are not closely connected to practical needs.
Professor, Dr. Le Van Loi, President of the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, believes that scientists in the social sciences and humanities need to actively innovate their thinking by focusing on connecting research into fundamental theoretical and practical issues of the country in the current period. Policy advisory reports must be carried out quickly, promptly, and with high quality, contributing to advising on solutions to newly arising problems.
Elevating research thinking means innovating the understanding of scientists themselves and society as a whole regarding the role of social sciences in building a foundation for sustainable national development. In the digital age, not only natural sciences and engineering sciences are applied, but social sciences and humanities also have high applicability, crystallising knowledge content to increase the value of products and services. Innovation in research thinking also means that social and humanities scientists cannot stand alone in research as before, but must constantly observe the development of other scientific disciplines.
From this practical experience, it is necessary to innovate research methods such as strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, cooperating with scientists in the field of technology, and learning to proficiently use artificial intelligence tools; At the same time, it is necessary to access international knowledge on the issues of concern to obtain comprehensive, holistic, and in-depth assessments, and propose optimal policies that are appropriate to the practical development of the country in the new period.
Staying close to reality
At a recently held meeting of the Central Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, General Secretary To Lam assessed that many scientific research results are still not closely linked to production and the market, despite the removal of institutional obstacles and the allocation of resources.
The General Secretary requested that the implementation of Resolution No. 57 in the coming period must be carried out “more decisively, more systematically, and more effectively”. Each task must be linked to specific results, and each programme must solve major problems of national development.
Science in general and social sciences in particular are only truly meaningful when they serve life by focusing on solving urgent problems with high applicability. To achieve this, scientists must truly commit themselves, discovering new problems arising in practice, and conducting research to serve the needs of a rapidly and constantly evolving life.
Dr. Nguyen Tai Dong, from the Institute of Philosophy under the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, emphasised that science is not about research for knowledge, but research for action. Scientists must accompany the country and its people on the path of reform and integration. The policy recommendations and advice from scientists in the social sciences and humanities are crucial, contributing to the creation of “soft power” and increasing the nation's competitiveness in the international arena.
To enhance the applicability of scientific research topics, the topics themselves must first possess high applicability. This reflects the role of scientists in selecting research topics. Accordingly, if it is an applied topic, the scientist must propose feasible solutions that can be applied in practice.
According to Dr. Ro-Dam Thi Bich Ngoc, Institute of Sociology and Psychology (Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences), listening to and closely following practical needs helps scientists better identify research problems. Recently, several research topics in the social sciences and humanities have been commissioned by technology companies. For example, topics related to public opinion analysis, consumer trends, business culture, tourism models, etc., are being implemented to integrate research results into products and services.
Such topics clearly demonstrate high applicability. However, even with theoretical research topics, scientists need to carefully and thoroughly consider the research results, whether they have high applicability or are merely accepted and stored as reference materials without helping to solve the problems of real life.
