The network structure of scientific revolutions
Philosophers of science have long postulated how collective scientific knowledge grows. Empirical validation has been challenging due to limitations in collecting and systematizing large historical records. Here, we capitalize on the largest online encyclopedia to formulate knowledge as growing netw...
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
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Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
16.10.2020
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Philosophers of science have long postulated how collective scientific
knowledge grows. Empirical validation has been challenging due to limitations
in collecting and systematizing large historical records. Here, we capitalize
on the largest online encyclopedia to formulate knowledge as growing networks
of articles and their hyperlinked inter-relations. We demonstrate that concept
networks grow not by expanding from their core but rather by creating and
filling knowledge gaps, a process which produces discoveries that are more
frequently awarded Nobel prizes than others. Moreover, we operationalize
paradigms as network modules to reveal a temporal signature in structural
stability across scientific subjects. In a network formulation of scientific
discovery, data-driven conditions underlying breakthroughs depend just as much
on identifying uncharted gaps as on advancing solutions within scientific
communities. |
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DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.2010.08381 |