small science

English

Etymology

By contrast to Big Science.

Noun

small science (uncountable)

1. Traditional scientific research that is conducted by individual researchers or small teams and funded by academic or scientific institutions.

   Synonym: little science

   Antonyms: Big Science, big science, megascience

   • 1991, Robert M. Gavin, “Testimony”, in Fiscal Year 1992 and 1993 National Science Foundation Authorization, page 108:

     But, particularly in this Oversight Hearing on NSF, it is important to take note of essential characteristics of small science and of the benefit of such projects to the entire scientific enterprise. Small science projects are more apt to be scrutinized at every stage by peers, as they are conceived, designed, described, reviewed, conducted, assessed, and published. Small science helps more in producing the next generation of scientists; this becomes particularly critical as we seek to attract more women and minorities into science.

   • 1996, Laura Nader, Naked Science: Anthropological Inquiry Into Boundaries, Power, and Knowledge, →ISBN:

     However, when juxtaposed to other traditions, big science is unlike small science, which by definition is less ensnared in bureaucratic turf protecting, institution building, and financial and intellectual reward incentives.

   • 2013, J. Agassi, Science and Culture, →ISBN, page 359:

     There is a story, possibly true, that illustrates forcefully the difference between contemporary big science and traditional, small science – science as it used to be before World War II.