Scholarly Reputation and Obsolescence in the Social Sciences: Innovation as a Team Sport

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 42, S. 417-427

Abstract

An analogy is made likening innovation or advances in the social sciences to a team sport in that there are stars, an offensive line, & an assist, all contributing vital empirical research for scientific advancement. Patrimony -- the set of tools that a social scientist inherits, eg, previous concepts, theories, large & small innovations -- enables a scholar to start his/her research at a higher level than his predecessors, & may establish his stardom. Limitations of this system are discussed, & the longevity & revival of certain works are considered. V. Wagener