Work

The logic of domains

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: The logic of domains has become a key organizing principle for contemporary computing projects and in broader science policy. The logic parses collectives of expertise into ‘domains’ that are to be studied or engaged in order to inform computational advancements and/or interventions on the domains themselves. The concept of a domain is set against a proposition that there is a more general, domain independent or agnostic technique that can serve to intermediate the domains. This article contrasts instances of this discourse, organizing and techne, drawing from cases in artificial intelligence, software engineering, and science policy to illustrate three ongoing figurations of the logic as i) experimental research, ii) formalization in method and software tools, and iii) a de facto organizing principle for science policy and technology development.

Source: Social Studies of Science

DOI: 10.1177/0306312719849709

Authors: David Ribes, Andrew S Hoffman, Steven C Slota, Geoffrey C Bowker

Institutions: University of Washington, University of California, Irvine

Language: English

Topic: Research, Science, and Academia

Subfield: Information Systems and Management

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650

Funder: Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering