Research in human genetics from a social network angle

a methodological approach on scientific field and knowledge domain

Abstract

The article is a methodological cut of a doctoral thesis whose object is the study of the networks of researchers of the area of human genetics. It is based on a theoretical foundation that approximates the conceptual and methodological principles of the sociology of knowledge (Pierre Bourdieu) and the organization of knowledge (Birger Hjørland and others). In order to operationalize these theoretical frameworks in the study of research networks, the method of social networks analysis (SNA) is used, focusing on the following concepts: domain of knowledge; discursive community; scientific field; social capital; scientific capital. The methodological procedures were carried out by extracting data from co-authors between researchers linked to genome research, opting for the ego-network approach. The objective is to analyze the processes of communication, authority and scientific authorship, in order to study this scientific field and knowledge domain through the morphology of the research network. The results show the following evidence: the nature of information shared in co-authoritative expressions expresses the scientific capital of the ego and the network. Scientific capital obtained high convertibility in social capital; research objects, languages, and classifications were formed as the launch of new genome project notices, usually with specific calls from development agencies. It is concluded that in research networks in this field - human genetics - the conversion of scientific capital into social capital functions as a kind of mobilizer of symbolic exchanges and is a means of providing the relational energy needed to enter into agreements, establish links and partnerships and maintain disciplinary and interdisciplinary interest groups.