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Why social scientists should engage with natural scientists
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Lowe, Philip, Phillipson, Jeremy and Wilkinson, Katy (2013) Why social scientists should engage with natural scientists. Contemporary Social Science , Volume 8 (Number 3). pp. 207-222. doi:10.1080/21582041.2013.769617 ISSN 2158-2041.
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WRAP_Wilkinson_21582041%2E2013%2E769617.pdf - Published Version Download (499Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2013.769617
Abstract
It has become part of the mantra of contemporary science policy that the resolution of besetting problems calls for the active engagement of a wide range of sciences. The paper reviews some of the key challenges for those striving for a more impactful social science by engaging strategically with natural scientists. It argues that effective engagement depends upon overcoming basic assumptions that have structured past interactions: particularly, the casting of social science in an end-of-pipe role in relation to scientific and technological developments. These structurings arise from epistemological assumptions about the underlying permanence of the natural world and the role of science in uncovering its fundamental order and properties. While the impermanence of the social world has always put the social sciences on shakier foundations, twenty-first century concerns about the instability of the natural world pose different epistemological assumptions that summon a more equal, immediate and intense interaction between field and intervention oriented social and natural scientists. The paper examines a major research programme that has exemplified these alternative epistemological assumptions. Drawing on a survey of researchers and other sources it seeks to draw out the lessons for social/natural science cross-disciplinary engagement.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) Q Science > QH Natural history |
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Divisions: | Administration > Research Support Services | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Social sciences -- Research , Natural history | ||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Contemporary Social Science | ||||
Publisher: | Routledge | ||||
ISSN: | 2158-2041 | ||||
Official Date: | 18 February 2013 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | Volume 8 | ||||
Number: | Number 3 | ||||
Page Range: | pp. 207-222 | ||||
DOI: | 10.1080/21582041.2013.769617 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 26 December 2015 | ||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 26 December 2015 | ||||
Funder: | Research Councils UK (RCUK) | ||||
Grant number: | RES–224–34-2003–01 (RCUK) |
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