The scientific research service is involved is research projects based on the sources included in the Institute archival collection. It allows retracing the complicated history of the Polish nation from 1939 until 1989. It should be remembered that the history of Poland in the post-war period was treated very selctively, being tailored mainly to cater for the propaganda needs of the Communist regime. Propaganda of success as a manifestation of political and economic achievements was an important feature in shaping the image of the People's republic. Yet at the same time, the propaganda apparatus was carefully hiding from its own nation and from the international media the truth about the certain events of the wartime, the anti-Communist underground after the war and the years 1956, '68, '70, '76 and '81.

The scientific research is conducted by the Institute's Public Education Office through a number of national and regional research projects. Some of them are already completed, such as the list of the people sentenced to death for political reasons between 1944-1956.

Research into the period of World War II  includes both the issues related to the operation of the Polish Undeground State structures, the Holocaust in the Polish territory, the assistance provided to Jews by Poles, repressions against the Polish population by both occupying forces, etc.

The largest research area encompasses issues related to the implementation and functioning of the Communist system in Poland. Research in this field is focused both on the functioning of the ruling apparatus and on the resistance of the Polish people.