State of the Art in Social Impact Assessment

This article reviews the state of the art in social impact assessment (SIA). SIA is distinguished from problem analysis, policy development research, and evaluation research. Five sub-fields in SIA are identified. The general methodology for SIA is outlined, and a sophisticated methodology for assessing the social impacts of constructing major facilities is explained in detail. Several innovative research techniques or methodologies have been adapted to SIA requirements and are reviewed. New directions in SIA are identified including cumulative impact analysis, accounting of positive social impacts, monetizing stress factors, and new public involvement techniques.