The Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR) aims to strengthen empirical social science research, especially with regards to survey research and data analysis in South Africa, and more generally across the continent. CSSR supports and facilitates inter-disciplinary empirical social science research. The centre trains social scientific researchers, and draws graduate students and academic staff into empirical research projects.
The centre is currently organised into five key research units:
- Aids and Society Research Unit (ASRU): includes the impact of HIV/AIDS on households, businesses and individuals, research on prevention programs, strategies for behavioural change and the relationship between economic conditions and risk behaviour
- Democracy In Africa Research Unit (DARU) conducts research on a variety of topics related to the consolidation of democracy in South Africa and across the continent
- Social Surveys Unit contributes to innovation and improved quality in the design, conduct and analysis of social science surveys
- Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) stimulates and communicates research to policy makers in particular, acts as a consultancy in its specialised fields, operates a resource centre, and plays a role in training students and researchers in the basic skills of social science research
- Data First Resource Unit (DFRU), provides a digital library and data resources for students and researchers
Research projects include a regular Cape Area Study (CAS), with surveys conducted every one or two years run by a multi-disciplinary team of scholars from departments such as political studies, sociology, economics, social work, religious studies, psychology, criminology, and environmental and geographical sciences.
The website contains information on research units, projects, staff and events. Working papers are published by the centre and can be downloaded online.