Classifying Science Phenomena, Data, Theory, Method, Practice

Classification is the essential first step in science. The study of science, as well as the practice of science, will thus benefit from a detailed classification of different types of science. In this book, science - defined broadly to include the so

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Classifying Science Phenomena, Data, Theory, Method, Practice By

Rick Szostak

CLASSIFYING SCIENCE

Information Science and Knowledge Management Volume 7

Editor-in-Chief: J. Mackenzie Owen, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Editorial Board: M. Bates, University of California, Los Angeles P. Bruza, The University of Queensland, Brisbane R. Capurro, Hochschule der Medien, Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, Stuttgart E. Davenport, Napier University, Edinburgh R. Day, Wayne State University, Detroit M. Hedstrom, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor A.M. Paci, Istituto di Studi Sulla Ricerca e Documentazione Scientifica, Roma C. Tenopir, University of Tennessee, Knoxville M. Thelwall, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton

The titles published in this series are listed at the end of this volume.

CLASSIFYING SCIENCE Phenomena, Data, Theory, Method, Practice

by

RICK SZOSTAK University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A C.I.P. Catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 1-4020-3094-0 (HB) ISBN 1-4020-3095-9 (e-book)

Published by Springer, P.O. Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Sold and distributed in North, Central and South America by Springer, 101 Philip Drive, Norwell, MA 02061, U.S.A. In all other countries, sold and distributed by Springer, P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Printed on acid-free paper

All Rights Reserved © 2004 Springer No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Printed in the Netherlands.

CONTENTS

List of Tables Preface Chapter 1: Classifying Science 1.1. A Simple Classificatory Guideline 1.2. The First “Cut” (and Plan of Work) 1.3. Some Preliminaries

vii ix 1 3 5 9

Chapter 2: Classifying Phenomena and Data 2.1. Classifying Phenomena 2.2. Classifying Data

23 23 45

Chapter 3: Classifying Theory 3.1. Typology of Theory 3.2. What Is a Theory? 3.3. Evaluating Theories 3.4. Types of Theory and the Five Types of Causation 3.5. Classifying Individual Theories 3.6. Advantages of a Typology of Theory

51 55 74 78

Chapter 4: Classifying Method 4.1. Classifying Methods 4.2. Typology of Strengths and Weaknesses of Methods 4.3. Qualitative Versus Quantitative Analysis Revisited 4.4. Evaluating Methods 4.5. Classifying Particular Methods Within The Typology 4.6. Advantages of a Typology of Methods

80 82 95 99 101 103 109 113 116 144

Contents

vi

Chapter 5: Classifying Practice 5.1. Errors and Biases in Science 5.2. Typology of (Critiques of) Scientific Practice 5.3. Utilizing This Classification 5.4. The Five Types of Ethical Analysis Chapter 6: Drawing Connections Across These Classifications 6.1. Theory and Method 6.2. Theory (Method) and Phenomena (Dat