39 Social indicators must be, derived from some kind of model, either explanatory or predictive. · This requirement is closely related to the comprehensiveness of social indicators discussed above. 19. In short, social indicators are, ideally speaking, frequently, but not necessarily, normative in the context of their use; comprehensive and aggregate output measures representative of human well-being; and genuinely indicative on the basis of social models. If there exists a set of established social values and goals, social indicators would certainly enable one to assess social trends. Then social indicators would also serve the purpose of curiosity, understanding, or action in some area of social concern. · C. PURPOSES OF INDICATORS 20. The purposes of social indicators are implied in the preceding examination of their definition. If summarized, the purpose of social indicators is to aid the user "by summarizing the state and changing conditions of society, pinpointing the outstanding existing and emerging social problems and monitoring the effects of social policies and pro­ grammes" .13 Here again, comprehensiveness or the situation as a whole is an essential consideration. Because of this functional purpose of social indicators, the term is often used interchangeably with "social informa­ tion", "social intelligence", "social reporting", "social accounts", or "societal monitoring". 21. Since social indicators take the form of statistics, statistical series and other forms of evidence, they measure social conditions, societal performance, and level of welfare. Social conditions compre­ hensively include living conditions of mankind pertaining to social structure, functions, behaviour, and process. The measurement of societal performance deals with both quantitative and qualitative service outputs, and their distribution. The measurement of welfare should indicate its level and distribuH.on to individuals and the society as a whole. 22. A normative use of social indicators would add another dimension 
**Analysis**
The text discusses social indicators, their definition, purposes, and characteristics, without explicitly mentioning a specific field or sector. The indicators are meant to measure social conditions, societal performance, and level of welfare, which suggests a focus on the broader aspects of human well-being. The text also mentions social values, goals, and policies, which implies a connection to social and public policy.

**Category**
Education, Employment, Health