This paper deliberates on how the results from assessments of social impacts should be applied for analyzing studies. On the other words, The question is that how a researcher should comprehend different but related impacts in a systematic way. And which methodological paradigm should be chose on this systematic framework in designing social researches? Inspired by Pawson and tilly (1997), the article tries to add critical realism implications to the research design of social impact assessment studies. The critical realism paradigm by emphasizing on the organic links between different levels of reality and the way in which causal consequences appear, could be a useful theoretical and methodological framework for guiding social impact assessment studies.

Long experience in implementation of developmental measures based on an economic approach and without considering the environmental, cultural and social impacts of these practices has not been desirable. However, it has been found that developmental measures do not meet their goals unless specific social conditions have been provided. As the social impact assessment of developmental measures in our country has been brought into focus in different fields, it is important that appropriate models and processes should be designed. The main purpose of this article is to develop a model and guideline for social impact assessment in oil and gas projects in Iran. The method used in this paper is documentary and comparative. We, first, reviewed the general principles of social impact assessment. Then, the social issues resulted from oil industry projects in oil fields have been identified and, considering the country’s condition and the oil facilities host regions, a suitable model has been offered. Considering the range of issues that oil industry can face, there is a good opportunity for the development of social impact assessment in oil industry projects. Expanding a suitable model for this purpose can promote the efficiency of this field of study, leads to industrial development management and support its function in other different developmental actions.

The success of developmental interventions due to its complex and multidimensional nature and reaction of the people against its effects, in most cases require to pay attention about social background of that actions. Social impact assessment (SIA) can be called the management of developmental plans impacts to sustainability especially in the social dimensions and its purpose is a level of development that minimize the cost and maximize the benefits of planned interventions on human societies. Public participation has crucial role in SIA and show under what conditions people are ready to co-operation with developmental plans. So assessment requires to understanding of the views of people that affected by the developmental interventions and socioeconomic and political context of this interventions. This research meanwhile investigating the philosophy and theoretical foundations of SIA, has analyzed its role in development of social partnership and empowerment of people, using knowledge and information of all actors, dialogue, negotiation and transparency in project management and conflict management between stakeholders. The results show that this participatory approach try to create good interaction between the social system actors and increase their power to influence on the local and national relations in developmental programs that result of such area, is human and more sustainable development in society.