Interaktion i forskningspraktiken : vårdvetenskapliga forskares sociala nätverk

Sammanfattning: This licentiate thesis builds on an interest in scholarly communication and social networks within in library and information science, in particular in the area of information seeking and use. The specific purpose is to create a scientifically founded understanding of how the interaction of caring scientists in social networks contributes to the scientists sense-making in their research practice. Six researchers and doctoral students in a research group at a Swedish institute for higher education where interviewed twice. Observations were done at public defences of two doctoral theses and one doctoral seminar, and web-material about e.g. the group’s department was used. A life-world perspective was used with focus on individuals’ experiences of their taken-for granted life-worlds in a social world. The life-world is intersubjective, i.e. shared with others where interaction creates shared meanings in a community. As a metatheoretical framework a communicative approach was used where information seeking and use are considered as tools used in social practices to shape common norms. The choice of frameworks is an alternative to the often used structural approach in studies of scholarly communication with a focus on communication products such as journal articles and how to build efficient information systems.
Main findings are that the research practice is shaped by two systems of norms that are integrated in the small world, that of the research society of caring science, and that of the world of clinical care. Information in the form of documents are used as tools to shape meanings of the content and form of research in the small world, thus contributing to sense-making. Further, four functions of interaction are made visible: socialising, modifying, verifying, and social – the social function is fundamental for sense-making in the small world, the socialising function is important for new members in a small world, the other two are important for those already a part of a small world. In addition, three aspects of sense-making in connection with interaction are identified: the role and life as a researcher and doctoral student, an understanding of research practice, and a subject understanding. Also, interactions in social networks are integrated in the research practice. Researchers’ and doctoral students’ interaction with a small group of people accounts for a large part of their everyday sense-making. The doctoral students’ networks consist mainly of people in the small world. Researchers’ networks also include people from other social worlds as collaborators helping to form meaning in their research projects. However, former doctoral colleagues continue to be important for the everyday sense-making.