An inquiry into the generic social processes of science

Abstract

This project has three specific objectives: (1) to establish a rationale for a symbolic interactionist approach to the study of science, as opposed to other approaches within social studies of science, (2) to demonstrate the viability of this approach through an initial and partial application in a fieldwork setting, and (3) to draw attention to some particular aspects of the everyday practical accomplishment of the scientific enterprise that have been unduly neglected. The first objective is accomplished initially through a systematic critical examination of previous efforts to understand science from a philosophical, historical, and sociological perspective, and finally through a description of what a symbolic interactionist approach to the study of science would look like. The second objective is accomplished through the carrying out of empirical research (open-ended interviews) among practicing academic research scientists (biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists), and organizing, analyzing, and presenting the data gathered in terms of a "generic social process" scheme, that is consistent with symbolic interactionism. The third objective is accomplished through the presentation of data on various aspects of the scientific enterprise, with a particular emphasis on activities related to pursuing funding and managing equipment. The data provide an interesting glimpse into the mundane aspects of the daily lives of scientists that has generally not been forthcoming in other social studies of science, and the study ends with the statement of six positions that reflect both the impliciations and benefits of adopting a symbolic interactionist approach to science. They are as follows: (1) there is no one science, (2) there is no one way to study science, (3) science is demarcated from non-science on the basis of a boundary negotiated among scientists, members of other pursuits, and the public, (4) the most promising unit of analysis for the study of science is the community, (5) symbolic interactionism allows for a science of science, and (6) science is what scientists do.