ISSN:
1662-9779
Source:
Scientific.Net: Materials Science & Technology / Trans Tech Publications Archiv 1984-2008
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
The social dimensions of nanotechnology have aroused widespread interests in recentyears. In US, for example, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) mandates that a largeamount of funding resources to be allocated for studying the societal implications ofnanotechnology. Since NNI took effect in 2001, teaching and research in the social dimensions ofnanotechnology have grown tremendously [1].Advances in social network analysis have opened up new research opportunities tounderstand nanotechnology research and development. In particular, understanding scientificcollaboration can help researchers and entrepreneurs better strategize and exploit researchopportunities in nanotechnology. Moreover, social network analysis relies heavily on quantitativemeasures. This feature may serve as a bridge between natural and social scientists to jointlyinvestigate the future directions of nanotechnology research and development (R&D).Using a social network analysis framework, this paper examines the patterns of intra- andinter-disciplinary collaborations among nanotechnology scientists. As an exploratory study, Idiscuss three methodological issues after reporting some descriptive results. First, the collaborativedensity used in this study is only one structural measure among many others. When investigatingnetwork positions, researchers can utilize other network measures according to specific purposes.Second, generalization may be methodologically problematic for network data. Accordingly,researchers should ascertain the plausibility of probability assumptions. Finally, Bayesian estimatesallow researchers to combine beliefs about prior distribution and sample likelihood. Assuming abeta-binomial model, I present a set of Bayesian estimates
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://www.tib-hannover.de/fulltexts/2011/0528/02/23/transtech_doi~10.4028%252Fwww.scientific.net%252FSSP.121-123.1347.pdf
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