Credit for discoveries: citation data as a basis for history of science analysis.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Credit for discoveries: citation data as a basis for history of science analysis.

Theor Med Bioeth. 1998 Dec;19(6):609-20. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99160945
Lindahl BI; Elzinga A; Welljams-Dorof A; Department of Philosophy, Stockholm University, Sweden.

Abstract: Citation data have become an increasingly significant source of information for historians, sociologists, and other researchers studying the evolution of science. In the past few decades elaborate methodologies have been developed for the use of citation data in the study of the modern history of science. This article focuses on how citation indexes make it possible to trace the background and development of discoveries as well as to assess the credit that publishing scientists assign to particular discoverers. Kuhn's notion of discovery is discussed. The priority dispute over the discovery of the AIDS virus is used as an example.

Keywords: HISTORICAL ARTICLE JOURNAL ARTICLE History of Medicine, 20th Cent. Human HIV-1 Publishing/*HISTORY Research/*HISTORY Science/*HISTORY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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A9960955

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