2015/05/22 by Loet Leydesdorff, Leydesdorff, Loet
Computer Science · Decision Sciences · #Cognitive Science and Mapping #Complex Systems and Decision Making #Digital Libraries (cs.DL) #FOS: Computer and information sciences #cs.DL
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1505.06007
Journal of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics JISSI 2 (1996) 33-39
arxiv created 2015/05/22 · openalex publication_date 2015/05/22 · arxiv updated 2015/05/25 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The tension between qualitative theorizing and quantitative methods is pervasive in the social sciences, and poses a constant challenge to empirical research. But in science studies as an interdisciplinary specialty, there are additional reasons why a more reflexive consciousness of the differences among the relevant disciplines is necessary. How can qualitative insights from the history of ideas and the sociology of science be combined with the quantitative perspective? By using the example of the lexical and semantic value of word occurrences, the issue of qualitatively different meanings of the same phenomena is discussed as a methodological problem. Nine criteria for methods which are needed for the development of science studies as an integrated enterprise can then be specified. Information calculus is suggested as a method which can comply with these criteria.