Message posted on 24/05/2023

4S Panel 62: Challenges and benefits of field-comparative science studies

                Dear all,

this is our reminder. There are still two days left for considering a 
submission to our panel *Challenges and benefits of field-comparative 
science studies*

Comparative research deepens our understanding of the specifics of each 
case, facilitates generalisation by helping us understand the scope of 
our findings, and supports theory building through causal explanations 
because such explanations rest on the systematic exploration of variance 
in conditions, causal processes, and outcomes. This is why it is not 
surprising that comparing disciplines or fields has a long tradition. 
However, in spite of seminal contributions, e.g. by Richard Whitley and 
Karin Knorr-Cetina, the comparison of fields of research still confronts 
us with serious challenges. In order to compare fields, we need to go 
beyond just naming them and relying on 'what everybody knows' about 
them. We must find comparative dimensions that capture relevant 
differences and support data collection about them. Studying more than 
one field is also difficult in the small projects that are typical for 
STS. The single-case studies that dominate our field often employ 
implicit comparisons when they link the observed phenomena to 
peculiarities of the field in which they occur. These implicit 
comparisons are equally challenging, not least due to an imbalance 
between purposefully collected empirical evidence on one field and 
information on other fields taken from the literature. In this open 
panel, we would like to discuss outcomes of and methodological 
challenges for implicitly or explicitly field-comparative science 
studies. We invite empirical, theoretical and methodological 
contributions on results of implicit or explicit comparisons, and on the 
challenges of doing comparative work.

The *sessions will by hybrid* in case you don't feel able or willing to 
travel to Honolulu.

The *deadline *for submissions is *May 26th.*

Best wishes

Jochen Gläser

-- 
Prof. Dr. Jochen Gläser

Social Studies of Science and Technology

Institute of Philosophy, History of Literature, Science, and Technology

TU Berlin, HBS 7

Hardenbergstr. 16-18

10623 Berlin

Germany

* I am sending this email at a time that suits my workflow. I do not 
expect a response outside of normal working hours *

> PD Dr Jochen Gläser
-- 
PD Dr Jochen Gläser

Prof. Dr. Jochen Gläser

Social Studies of Science and Technology

Institute of Philosophy, History of Literature, Science, and Technology

TU Berlin, HBS 7

Hardenbergstr. 16-18

10623 Berlin

Germany

* I am sending this email at a time that suits my workflow. I do not 
expect a response outside of normal working hours *
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