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Communicating with scientific graphics: A descriptive inquiry into non-ideal normativity
1Department of Philosophy, Center for Circadian Biology, UC San Diego, United States.
Summary
This study explores scientific graphical practices in circadian biology, revealing understudied social negotiation in creating figures for publication. It challenges cognitive design principles as the sole drivers of effective scientific graphics.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Cognitive Sciences
- Circadian Biology
Background:
- Scientific graphical practices are increasingly studied in philosophy and cognitive sciences.
- Previous research has focused less on the social aspects of graphical production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To supplement understanding of graphical practices through a case study in circadian biology.
- To highlight understudied social aspects of scientific graphic production and negotiation for publication.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative case study analyzing the creation of graphics for scientific publication.
- Focus on the field of circadian biology to examine researcher practices.
Main Results:
- The case study revealed significant social negotiation in crafting scientific graphics.
- Understudied social factors influence the production and acceptance of scientific figures.
Conclusions:
- Social aspects of graphical production are crucial and often overlooked.
- Empirically-informed "cognitive design principles" may not fully capture the norms of successful scientific graphic design.
- Descriptive studies of scientific practice can inform normative philosophy of science discussions.