International comparisons in science studies: what and why do we compare?

Abstract

This article is based on experiences with EU-funded research projects over the last 10 years. They have posed many methodological difficulties: many classifications do not fit the objects and actual issues are not measured or observed. They question the effectiveness of comparative research in the social sciences as it is being conducted now. We need new methodologies to make comparisons without overlooking specific contexts and effective tools to analyze large amounts of data, taking into account translation problems and mixing various types of data: qualitative, quantitative, more or less certain, first-hand and second-hand, statistical, from case studies. Furthermore, international comparisons assume that we can identify good practice and common indicators. Scientific governance is based on such assumptions, but what happens to that model if the comparative methodology is not so relevant? Rethinking methodology for social sciences and humanities in science studies could lead to rethinking the governance of science itself.

Keywords:

• comparative research
• international comparisons
• methodology
• research policy
• European research
• social sciences and humanities

Notes

1. Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis.

2. ICT.

3. Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community. See http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/nomenclatures/index.cfm?TargetUrl=LST_NOM_DTL&StrNom=NACE_REV2&StrLanguageCode=EN&IntPcKey=&StrLayoutCode=HIERARCHIC&CFID=2253871&CFTOKEN=13f9f99cb06dcc56-DA005703-B164-3CEA-024126280EA286D3&jsessionid=f90044688be36d6c4a62.

4. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/about_eurostat/corporate/introduction.

5. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/about_eurostat/corporate/introduction/harmonization.

6. A commission coordinated by J.P. Fitoussi, A. Sen and J. Stiglitz has been commissioned by the French state to propose a better alternate indicator: International Commission on Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. See http://www.stiglitz-sen-fitoussi.fr/.

7. Opposition to the Bologna process and governance through quantitative evaluation is growing. The black book of the Bologna process (National Unions of Students in Europe 2005), published by students unions, was a starting point of the movement, which is spreading across Europe. Similar concerns have been expressed in other social settings.