Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)

The article analyzes the perception of the difference between fundamental and applied scientific knowledge using the case of a particular group of Russian scientists. The sample consisted mainly of researchers who work in university laboratories, research centers and research groups specializing in...

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Main Authors: O. V. Bychkova, I. N. Pupysheva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Moscow Polytechnic University 2024-03-01
Series:Высшее образование в России
Subjects:
Online Access:https://vovr.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4808
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author O. V. Bychkova
I. N. Pupysheva
author_facet O. V. Bychkova
I. N. Pupysheva
author_sort O. V. Bychkova
collection DOAJ
description The article analyzes the perception of the difference between fundamental and applied scientific knowledge using the case of a particular group of Russian scientists. The sample consisted mainly of researchers who work in university laboratories, research centers and research groups specializing in biology and biosafety. Using a qualitative analysis of interviews with representatives of this group, the authors examine the ways of constructing a border between theoretical and applied research. The interpretation of the results is carried out using the scales of Boltanski and Thйvenot’s concept of “worlds of justification”. The conceptual model for separating fundamental and applied knowledge was Donald Stokes’ model of the relationship between science and technology, the socalled “Pasteur’s Quadrant.” The research demonstrates that Russian scientists prefer to engage in fundamental science, less often choosing applied projects. They use strategies to “fence off” from applied tasks or simulate the applied nature of their research. The boundaries between the categories of fundamental and applied are flexible and reassembled in each research project depending on the context, financial conditions, and applied competencies of the participants involved. When solving applied problems becomes inevitable, scientists prefer to refer to this as engaging in “non-genuine” science. The authors conclude that the traditional division into fundamental and applied research does not correspond to the daily practices of research activities.
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series Высшее образование в России
spelling doaj-art-62caeb7714fb4b629eaa143ce87b8a7f2025-02-01T13:14:32ZengMoscow Polytechnic UniversityВысшее образование в России0869-36172072-04592024-03-0133210913110.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-2-109-1312451Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)O. V. Bychkova0I. N. Pupysheva1European University at St. PetersburgTyumen State UniversityThe article analyzes the perception of the difference between fundamental and applied scientific knowledge using the case of a particular group of Russian scientists. The sample consisted mainly of researchers who work in university laboratories, research centers and research groups specializing in biology and biosafety. Using a qualitative analysis of interviews with representatives of this group, the authors examine the ways of constructing a border between theoretical and applied research. The interpretation of the results is carried out using the scales of Boltanski and Thйvenot’s concept of “worlds of justification”. The conceptual model for separating fundamental and applied knowledge was Donald Stokes’ model of the relationship between science and technology, the socalled “Pasteur’s Quadrant.” The research demonstrates that Russian scientists prefer to engage in fundamental science, less often choosing applied projects. They use strategies to “fence off” from applied tasks or simulate the applied nature of their research. The boundaries between the categories of fundamental and applied are flexible and reassembled in each research project depending on the context, financial conditions, and applied competencies of the participants involved. When solving applied problems becomes inevitable, scientists prefer to refer to this as engaging in “non-genuine” science. The authors conclude that the traditional division into fundamental and applied research does not correspond to the daily practices of research activities.https://vovr.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4808basic scienceapplied researchproduction of scientific knowledgepositioning strategies
spellingShingle O. V. Bychkova
I. N. Pupysheva
Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
Высшее образование в России
basic science
applied research
production of scientific knowledge
positioning strategies
title Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
title_full Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
title_fullStr Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
title_full_unstemmed Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
title_short Beyond the Linear Model: Constructing Basic and Applied Knowledge by Russian Scientists (the Case of Biologists)
title_sort beyond the linear model constructing basic and applied knowledge by russian scientists the case of biologists
topic basic science
applied research
production of scientific knowledge
positioning strategies
url https://vovr.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4808
work_keys_str_mv AT ovbychkova beyondthelinearmodelconstructingbasicandappliedknowledgebyrussianscientiststhecaseofbiologists
AT inpupysheva beyondthelinearmodelconstructingbasicandappliedknowledgebyrussianscientiststhecaseofbiologists