An examination of the contributions of young scientists in new fields

K. Brad Wray ()
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K. Brad Wray: State University of New York

Scientometrics, 2004, vol. 61, issue 1, No 9, 117-128

Abstract: Abstract I examine whether or not new scientific specialties present young scientists with better opportunities to make significant discoveries than established specialties by examining a series of significant discoveries in the first 22 years of the field of bacteriology. I found that it was middle aged scientists, not young scientists, who were responsible for a disproportionate number of significant discoveries. I argue that in order to make significant discoveries scientists need to work their way into the center of the social network of a scientific research community. Only then will they have access to the material and social resources necessary to make such discoveries.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1023/B:SCIE.0000037367.99073.bb

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