Changing Order: Replication and Induction in Scientific Practice

by Harry Collins

H M Collins is co-author of the widely acclaimed Frames of Meaning and Director of the Science Studies Centre at Bath University. He continues his work in the sociology of science with this book, a fascinating study of both the maintenance and alteration of order within science. Three original studies of scientific work -- the building of TEA-lasers, the detection of gravitational radiation, and experiments in the paranormal -- form the core of the book. They brilliantly demonstrate the interlinked problems of replication and induction in the actual day-to-day practice of science. As one of the foremost proponents of the 'relativist' view of science, Collins convincingly illustrates how the individual scientist is tied to a whole variety of institutions and networks in the wider society and how these constrain research choices and influence laboratory outcome. Changing Order is a masterful, often witty, account of how one set of facts rather than another emerges from sometimes bitter controversy; and it shows how replicable results are induced in the untidy but normally private world of scientific practice.

Genres: Science, Sociology, History, Philosophy

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1985

Reviews

[Stephen Antczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes some interesting points, but sometimes also just seems silly in its constructivist approach.

[Julio César · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Collins explica minuciosamente cómo el conocimiento científico es aceptado una vez que es legitimado y puesto en lo que Latour llamó "una caja negra", aunque para el inglés tiene más que ver con la distancia que otorga el tiempo. La replicación como paso básico en la construcción del conocimiento científico es más teórica que otra cosa, pues un hecho se acepta más fácilmente si no amenaza con romper ni tensar ninguna parte de las redes en las que están inmersos los científicos.
La edición es excelente, incluye un posfacio y un post-scriptum que insertan al libro en los debates de la sociología de la ciencia de los últimos treinta años.

[Julaine]

Int D 498