What is Science? Defining Science by Numbers, 1920-2000 (part 2)

Abstract

Part II of the Benoit Godin’s article “What is science? Defining science by numbers, 1920-2000” concludes the paper which appeared in the previous issue of the journal. It explores discussions surrounding the official interpretation of science and possibilities to broaden it. The article analyses efforts to construct a different concept of science and the reasons why they failed. Provided is an overview of early approaches to statistical measurement of various aspects of scientific activities other than strictly scientific research, including those offered by the US National Science Foundation but excluded from the internationally recognized OECD methodology. The paper also covers UNESCO recommendations of 1978 and their impact on statistics. The author finishes the study with some thoughts on broadening the concept of science in relation to operational nature of the notion.