A Space Physics Paradox Why Has Increased Funding Been Accompanied by Decreased Effectiveness in the Conduct of Space Physics Research? (1994) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2 Big Science, Little Science, and Their Relation to Space Physics
2 Big Science, Little Science, and Their Relation to Space Physics
Pages 11-18
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 11... ...
In fact, De Solla Price suggests that the problems facing science at this time are a reflection of its unusually long and rapid growth, a growth that, when compared with the much slower growth in the general population, may finally be straining the present economic fabric of society. In this chapter the committee presents its views on the concepts and characteristics of big and little science as they pertain to the field of space physics.
|
From page 12... ...
Although it is not possible to formulate accurate, universal definitions of big science and little science, it is possible to recognize each at a given point in time, in a particular subfield, and within a specific funding agency. The discussion in this report is based on researchers' perceptions of what constitutes big and little science, even though, as mentioned above, these terms vary by agency, subfield, and time.
|
From page 13... ...
. at mlnlstrators; science support comes at end of long planning, selling, implementation phases Graduate student support data analysis phase Dominant and increasing share of budget Specific goal Discipline-oriented problems Scientific goals defined by individual researcher/small group Researcher sets program goals Short implementation time More frequent opportunities Minimal management structure Relatively low cost Relatively stable resource time line Base funding Supports science community throughout project Graduate student support through during entire project lifetime Minor and decreasing share of budget
|
From page 14... ...
, complexity, and/or the numbers of experimental opportunities provided. Small science programs tend to address limited scientific goals, providing answers to specific science problems of importance in their research field.
|
From page 15... ...
Similar trends appear in other funding agencies. Time Line for Resources Because of the long implementation times and large costs involved, big programs result in a peak/valley resource time line, especially with respect to the science community supported by the mission.
|
From page 16... ...
Educational Support Due to their long planning and implementation times, large space physics programs generally are not appropriate training grounds for students (graduate and undergraduate) until these programs enter their operational and data analysis phases.
|
From page 17... ...
Big science projects attack broad problems with sophisticated technology and bring with them complex management structures, long implementation times, and high price tags. Small science projects involve individuals, or small teams of researchers, pursuing specific research goals via relatively inexpensive experiments that can be rapidly implemented.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.