SOCI 325: Sociology of Science

Agenda

Institutional analysis

  1. Administrative
  2. Institutional analysis and science
  3. Reading discussion

Administrative

Group discussion 2 due tomorrow

  • Today is last day of this batch of group discussions
  • Discussion worksheets due tomorrow night, Sep 29 at 11:59pm (23h59)

Next class

  • No group discussion next Tuesday — intro to social construction and realism

What is institutional analysis?

What is an “institution”?

  • "Institution" is a very broad term in sociology.
  • An institution is a set of persistent regularities in behavior viewed as durable.
    E.g. Religions, legal systems, companies, industries family, …
  • In this sense, science (roles, methods, norms) is an institution.

Institutional analysis (IA)

  • IA is a perspective in sociology that aims to explain the forms and structures of institutions in society.
  • Institutional analysts examine the ways that institutions shape the behavior of their individual participants.
  • IA focuses on the aggregate outcomes of institutional rules, structures, and norms.
A wide, high-angle shot of an ornate courtroom. A judge and stenographer sit in the middle, with a witness in military garb in the witness box. In front of them there are two tables with prosecutors, defence attourneys, and others in military garb.

3 institutional analyses of science

Merton

  • Explaining the function of the institution of science (certified knowledge).
  • Sets of institutional norms induce individual behavior.
  • Aggregating this behavior ensures rational and beneficial outcomes.

Kuhn

  • Explaining change in the institution of science.
  • How are implicit assumptions about the world (institutional paradigms) maintained, and how do they change?

van den Brink & Benschop

  • Explaining the unexamined consequences of institutional practices.
  • How do institutionalized norms (merit / excellence) work against their stated ideals?
  • How do institutional structures interact with culture at large?
Photo of two scientists arguing, with three other scientists watching.

Next class

Lecture:
Social construction
and the real

Required reading

  • Sismondo(2009)
    Chapter 6: The social construction of scientific
    and technical realities

Image credit

A wide, high-angle shot of an ornate courtroom. A judge and stenographer sit in the middle, with a witness in military garb in the witness box. In front of them there are two tables with prosecutors, defence attourneys, and others in military garb.

Mock trial photo via PopularResistance.org

Photo of two scientists arguing, with three other scientists watching.

Credit: Michael Blann Getty Images, via Scientific American