University Affiliation and Recognition: National Academy of Sciences

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 175; no. 4026; pp. 1076 - 1084
• Main Authors: Kash, Don E., White, Irvin L., Reuss, John W., Leo, Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 10.03.1972
• Subjects: Academic degrees; Academic/Academics/Academy/Academia; Ballots; Biochemistry; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; School campuses; Science/Sciences (see also Scientific); State universities; Universities; Voting
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.175.4026.1076

MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (NAS) IS INVESTIGATED AS A FORM OF RECOGNITION IN US SCIENCE. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AFFILIATION WITH LEADING U'S & AFFILIATION WITH DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES & NAS MEMBERSHIP IS EXAMINED, AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF SELECTED DEPT'S IN CONTROLLING EACH OF 14 SECTIONS (DISCIPLINES) WITHIN THE NAS. THE DATA SUGGEST THAT NAS MEMBERSHIP IS IN THE HANDS OF A SET OF DISCIPLINARY IN-GROUPS WHOSE MEMBERS HOLD POSITIONS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF DEPT'S LOCATED IN PRESTIGIOUS U'S. DISCIPLINARY SUBSYSTEMS ARE A MORE REVEALING FOCUS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY THAN IS THE MORE GENERALLY USED SOCIAL SYSTEM OF SCIENCE. THE ABOVE-STATED PATTERN IS REINFORCED BY THE SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COOPTATION & IS SUPPORTED BY THE FORMAL RULES LAID DOWN IN THE ACADEMY'S CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS WHICH GIVE GREAT POWER TO THE DISCIPLINARY GROUPS (NAS SECTIONS). THE STUDY IS BASED ON SURVEY & BIOGRAPHICAL DATA TAKEN PRIMARILY FROM AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE. THE DATA ARE PRESENTED IN TABLES WHICH INCLUDE %'S & FREQUENCIES. 9 TABLES. AA.