The main goal of our research was to understand how influential scientific research is produced.  To do this, we analyzed essays written by authors of influential scientific papers using a technique (analytic induction) developed by the co-investigator on this project.  The essays, as a data source, gave us access to scientists’ own accounts of their success, and the technique allowed us to identify key correlates of scientific influence and demonstrate how they work in conjunction.  Our results show that four ingredients – relationships, the novelty of the work, its usefulness to others, and overcoming challenges – characterize a large majority of scientific success stories.  We published these results in the leading sociology of science journal: Social Studies of Science. 

The data also served as the basis for two additional, related studies.  One paper, in press at Gender, Work, & Organization, finds that in scientific disciplines where informal relationships with friends, colleagues, and spouses are openly discussed, women are likely to be integrated beyond a token level.  A second paper (in press at Science, Technology, & Human Values) uses Correspondence Analysis to show that not just the amount, but the type of emotional expression varies considerably by discipline.

Our research has several broad impacts.  Most tangibly, we developed a freely available analytic tool and computer software program, so that other scientists can use the technique we did here.  We also shed light on the conditions that foster scholarly influence, which will ideally help the scientific community and its supporters produce research with greater impact.  Our finding that even the most influential science faces challenges may inspire other scientists facing setbacks to persevere.  Our finding of diverse routes to success should encourage the development of multiple strategies for career success, perhaps allowing a more diverse set of scientists to succeed.  Our finding that all kinds of relationships – not just professional ones – are often critical to scientific success may encourage scientists and research managers to encourage work/life balance.  Our finding that even in male-dominated fields, the culture of a discipline and its openness to women might affect the recruitment and retention of women should be useful to administrators (at university, college, and department levels) and science policy experts and managers of scientific organizations as they aim to develop ideal working conditions.  Our finding that some form of emotional expression permeates all disciplines allows us to view the traditional ‘hierarchy of the sciences’ (ranging from the ‘pure’ natural science to the ‘softer’ social sciences) in a more multi-dimensional way.

Last Modified: 06/30/2014
Modified by: Erin E Leahey