The Hand of Science

Cronin's latest book is a densely packed synthesis of scholarly communication-its history, scope, current theories, and anticipated future developments....Ideally, this is a book that academic librarians can recommend to faculty as a starting point for valuable discussion of this important topic within academia. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students (especially but not exclusively in library and information science) will also benefit. Highly recommended for all librarians interested in the electronic paradigm shift, this work will also be of value to anyone with an interest in how research is disseminated. Highly recommended. All levels. * CHOICE *
Cronin (information science, Indiana U.-Bloomington) analyzes the new world of science scholarship, which is largely a collaborative process, not just of a small number of colleagues exchanging hand-written notes but of perhaps hundreds working together on the Web. Cronin describes the new methods of intellectual collaboration, citation, and reward, and finds that traditional means of communication and establishing reputation may only stretch so far. He believes the core of science, experimentation, is quite different than its afterthought, communication, and recommends more study on sorting out the transition from the lone “hand” to the new concept of “hands.” * Scitech Book News *