Dissertation Information for Claudia Perry NAME: - Claudia Perry
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Rutgers University (USA) (1996)
ADVISORS: - Ronald Rice
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Hendrik Edelman - Brent D. Ruben - Harold Solan
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Scholarly communication in developmental dyslexia: Network influences on change in a hybrid problem area
Abstract: This study investigated a number of individual and network structural factors which might encourage the reception of new ideas, and their possible relationship to the process of change in an emerging hybrid problem area. These questions were explored within the context of selected groups with an interest in basic developmental dyslexia research. The hybrid problem area selected is of particular interest during the so-called "Decade of Brain Research".
The study used methodological triangulation, involving quantitative approaches (co-citation analysis, analysis of a funding database, social network analysis, analysis of survey responses) and qualitative approaches (summaries of personal interviews and archival documents) to assess the process of change from 1976 through 1993. The analysis identified two primary (or four less distinctive) groups corresponding to alternative perspectives in the dyslexia research network. These groups differed with respect to backgrounds, attitudes and knowledge. Patterns of attendance at subject-related conferences and in receipt of federal grant funding also differed significantly for alternative groups. However, the groups did not appear to differ in their openness to change, suggesting that innovativeness may be a widely shared value among researchers.
Discrepancies between co-citation patterns and reports in the literature suggest that the problem network may be at an earlier stage of development than anticipated. Alternatively, discrepancies may be due to temporal lags in the co-citation data. In contrast to assumptions by Garfield, Malin and Small (1978), the data showed that social and intellectual structures are not the same. This finding may be due to temporal lags or other problems with co-citation data, or may reflect several strands of research being carried on within the same social network.
Findings provide support for a model of scientific branching (Mulkay, Gilbert & Woolgar, 1975) as compared with Kuhn's (1970) theory of scientific revolution, in this specific case. Preliminary indications suggest a possibly strong relationship between federal grant funding and policy and the growth and direction of research in this problem area, as well as the potentially key role of elites in the network communication structure. Results also support the value of using a triangulation, longitudinal approach, but strongly indicate the need to conduct prospective longitudinal studies on the process of scientific change.
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MPACT Scores for Claudia Perry A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:10:30
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