Educational research on the social studies since the 1960's, indicating that many changes have occurred yet implying that there is still a further need for research and improvement, is summarized in this booklet. Because the vast amount of research on social studies makes it impractical to report a great deal of it, many of the findings reported here are generalized without citing most of the investigations on which conclusions are based. The booklet is designed to: 1) suggest principles and teaching methods to be applied by the classroom teacher; and, 2) provide a basis for further study and use of research findings. Presented herein is a clear, concise portrayal of social studies in regard to basic purposes, scope and sequence, and content in the latter half of the 1960's and, in many respects, as it is presently. Research findings are discussed as they relate to objectives, curriculum content, methods, materials, and teachers. The section on curriculum content presents elementary and secondary curriculum patterns, status of social science subjects, and multidisciplinary approaches to social studies. Teaching strategies as they relate to skills and inquiry techniques are given in another section. Under the materials and resources section, use of textbooks and other instructional media is reported. Another section deals with teachers and current change in social studies. Included are selected current research and development projects and a list of selected references. (SJM)