Changing the system: Innovations in the interactive social system of scientific communication

It is suggested that innovation itself be seen as a process, the dual role of the active research scientist be considered and innovators take cognizance of the fact that alterations of the system may not always affect the desired changes in scientists' behavior.

Abstract

Science is described as a social system of which interactive communication is the salient feature. Implications of this view of scientific communication are considered for the planning of innovations in the system, It is suggested that (a) innovation itself be seen as a process, (b) the dual role of the active research scientist (who is at once producer/disseminator and consumer/user of scientific information) be considered and (c) innovators take cognizance of the fact that alterations of the system may not always affect the desired changes in scientists' behavior unless the goals of the innovation are compatible with the individual and aggregate goals of the scientific community. Finally, a demonstration of the approach suggested is simulated, and its effect on the system of scientific communication is examined. Based on this simulation, a supplemental innovation is designed which overcomes faults in the major innovation while retaining the original goal.