This course addresses a quantitative methodology to discover the structure of the scientific ‘landscape’ in order to gain concrete and detailed insight into the development of fields of science, the transfer of knowledge between research fields, the interaction between science and technology. This methodology is appropriate to visualize the position of research activities in the international ‘landscape’ in relation to interdisciplinary developments, and particularly in relation to socio-economic problems. It even provides the possibility of foresight. Furthermore, and very important, it allows the identification of the important actors.
This latter point brings us to a further main thematic part of the course. Science is a human endeavor, and it is crucial to know who the important actors are, what research they conduct, and at what level of performance. Research performance assessment is a matter of evaluation. Most of the evaluation work worldwide relies heavily or almost completely on expert panels and other forms of peer review. Undoubtedly, opinions of experts are of crucial importance in evaluation processes. Nevertheless there are severe, often underestimated and even neglected problems in peer review. In this course new developments in the field of quantitative studies of science and technology are presented. These developments offer methods to support peer review in order to keep it objective and transparent.
The course offers lectures and hands-on training by CWTS senior scientists, all experts of an internationally outstanding level in quantitative studies of science and technology. Furthermore, the course provides possibilities for an international exchange of experiences in practical applications.
Coordinator
Prof. dr. A.F.J. van Raan
Doelgroep
The course is designed as a general, interdisciplinary part of the Leiden University Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs in a very wide range of disciplines, particularly in the natural sciences, the bio-medical fields, economics, social and behavioral sciences. The level is at the last year of the M.Sc., but also Ph.D. students in all fields of science with a strong interest in quantitative aspects of modern science and technology will benefit from the course.
Toegangseisen
MSc students in the last year of their Master Study in Science and PhD students in Science.
Onderwijsvorm
Lectures and practical exercises
Rooster
October 6-19, 2008; please contact the coordinator for up-to-date information.
See also the full programme: http://www.cwts.nl/CWTSGradCPROGR2008.pdf
Inschrijving
Students of Leiden University: please contact the coordinator, prof. dr. Van Raan (e-mail: vanraan@cwts.leidenuniv.nl).
Please note, that attending the course is free for students of Leiden University.
Doelstelling
The aim of the graduate course is to provide:
*Introduction and overview of methods of measuring science; *Presentation and discussion of conceptual, methodological and technical key issues; *Approaches to the design and use of research performance assessment indicators; *Approaches to the design and use of science maps; *Insight into the economical aspects of science and the characteristics of the science-technology interface based on patent data.
Opmerkingen
For further information, please contact Mrs Christine Ibler-Alkemade, CWTS, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands: alkemade@cwts.leidenuniv.nl, tel. +31 71 5273909, fax +31 71 5273911. Information about CWTS and Leiden is available in this web site: www.socialsciences.leidenuniv.nl/cwts/.