This overview of social research illustrates how the federal government increasingly relies on knowledge gained through research reports and studies for its planning and policy formation. The research reviews are grouped into five sections. The first section, the historical perspective, traces the increasing importance of the role of social scientists to provide knowledge to the federal government. The second section, basic studies, describes influential research directed toward equity, equality, and the need for change. Some areas involving such policy include compensatory education, desegregation, and the relationship between school and achievement. Evaluation and assessment studies are contained in the third section which traces the status and progress of American education. This section discusses evaluation studies of compensatory programs, higher education problems, and career education. Section four describes change oriented studies which advocate reform. Among these works advocating reform are those of James Byrant Conant and Jerome S. Bruner and recent studies directed at this issue by institutions which include Massachusetts State College System, California Commission for Reform of Intermediate Education, City University of New York, and USOE. The last section, general studies, investigates more efficient and beneficial ways to meet the great financial demands of government. (KC)