Simonton DK "Scientific status of disciplines, individuals, and ideas: Empirical analyses of the potential impact of theory " Review of General Psychology 10(2): 98-112 June 2006

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: Dean Keith Simonton : dksimonton at ucdavis.edu 

Title: Scientific status of disciplines, individuals, and ideas: Empirical 
analyses of the potential impact of theory 

Author(s): Simonton DK 

Source: REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 10 (2): 98-112 JUN 2006 

Document Type: Article 
Language: English 
Cited References: 56      Times Cited: 0      
    
Abstract: 
The place of theory in scientific research can be subjected to empirical 
investigation. This possibility is illustrated by examining three issues. 
First, what determines a scientific discipline's placement in a 
hypothesized hierarchy of the sciences? This was addressed in an analysis 
of the characteristics that distinguish various disciplines, including 
attributes bearing an explicit connection to the role of theory. Second, 
what individual research programs are most likely to have a long-term 
impact on a scientific discipline? This was examined by looking at how 
thematic organization and theoretical orientation influence a scientist's 
disciplinary visibility. Third, what are the features of scientific 
publications that render some more successful in terms of long-term 
influence? This question was addressed by examining how theoretical 
content determines the impact of journal articles.
 
Author Keywords: theory; science; disciplines; research; impact 
KeyWords Plus: SOFT PSYCHOLOGY; WORK HABITS; SCIENCES; EMINENCE; 
PRODUCTIVITY; HIERARCHY; KNOWLEDGE; CITATION; GRAPHS; MANUSCRIPTS 

Addresses: Simonton DK (reprint author), Univ Calif Davis, Dept Psychol, 1 
Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 USA
Univ Calif Davis, Dept Psychol, Davis, CA 95616 USA 

E-mail Addresses: dksimonton at ucdavis.edu 

Publisher: EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION, 750 FIRST ST, NE, 
WASHINGTON, DC 20002-4242 USA 

Subject Category: PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY 

IDS Number: 058WH 
ISSN: 1089-2680 


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