Field Science--the Nature and Utility of Scientific Fields

MBio
Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang

Abstract

Fields are the fundamental sociological units of science. Despite their importance, relatively little has been written about their emergence, composition, structure, and function in the scientific enterprise. This essay considers the nature of fields and their important role in maintaining information and providing normative standards for scientific work. We suggest that fields arise naturally as a consequence of increasing information and scientific specialization. New fields tend to emerge as research communities grow, which may reflect biologically determined optima for the size of human groups. The benefits of fields include the organization of scientists with similar interests into communities that collectively define the next important problems to pursue. In the discipline of microbiology, fields are often organized on the basis of phylogenetic differences between microorganisms being studied. Although fields are essential to the proper functioning of science, their emergence can restrict access by outsiders and sustain dogmas that hinder progress. We suggest mechanisms to improve the functioning of scientific fields and to promote interdisciplinary interaction between fields.

References

Jan 1, 1972·Advances in Virus Research·H M Temin, D Baltimore
Jul 16, 2008·Infection and Immunity·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Jul 15, 2009·Infection and Immunity·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Jul 29, 2009·Infection and Immunity·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Sep 29, 2011·Mycopathologia·Maurizio Del Poeta, Arturo Casadevall
Aug 24, 2012·Biology Direct·Eugene V Koonin
Dec 12, 2012·Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action·Rosalina JamesWylie Burke
Mar 19, 2013·Cell Host & Microbe·Jacqueline M Achkar, Arturo Casadevall
Jan 15, 2014·Infection and Immunity·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Jan 22, 2015·Infection and Immunity·Ferric C Fang, Arturo Casadevall

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Citations

Oct 16, 2015·MBio·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Mar 5, 2016·MBio·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Sep 16, 2015·Infection and Immunity·Arturo Casadevall, Ferric C Fang
Nov 22, 2019·Journal of Medical Internet Research·Rita Kukafka
Oct 16, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Attila Varga
Jun 23, 2019·Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation·Emily A KeshnerDaphne Raban

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