Introduction: Sociological orientations to representational practice in science

Abstract

Contributors to this Special Issue were asked to investigate the topic of "representational practice in science." We did not require that the studies adopt a particular theory of representation, or follow a specific methodological approach. Nor did we specify a preference for the fields of scientific practice to be investigated. Contributors were asked to consider any of the varieties of representational devices used in science: graphs, diagrams, equations, models, photographs, instrumental inscriptions, written reports, computer programs, laboratory conversations, and hybrid forms of these. Studies on the organization, interconnectedness, and use of such devices were to be related to general issues in the sociology and philosophy of science. Given this open-ended agenda, it is not surprising that this Special Issue contains a diverse collection of papers. With the exception of Paul Tibbetts' essay - a critical discussion on the sociology of scientific representation which helps to specify the context of inquiry for the other studies - the papers examine particular texts and activities. They investigate a number of different kinds of representation: visual and graphic documents of laboratory data, textual figures, biographical accounts of scientific "problems," instructions for novices, and "artificially intelligent" programs. While there are some "family resemblan