Elliott, Steve (2019) Research Problems. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. ISSN 0007-0882

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Abstract

To identify and conceptualize research problems in science, philosophers and often scientists rely on classical accounts of problems that focus on intellectual problems often defined in relation to theories. Recently, philosophers have begun to study the structures and functions of research problems not defined in relation to theories. Furthermore, scientists have long pursued research problems often labeled as practical or applied. As yet, no account of problems specifies the description of both so-called intellectual problems and so-called applied problems. This paper proposes a new conceptual framework of problems that accounts both for intellectual aspects of problems and for their practical or applied aspects. I illustrate the account with an example of a recent research project from evolutionary biology, and I indicate further routes by which to develop the account, especially in connection to empirical studies of science.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Elliott, Steve stephen.elliott@asu.edu 0000-0002-7736-1002
Keywords:	problems, problem concepts, research problems, questions, general philosophy of science, applied problems
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Ecology/Conservation General Issues > Rhetoric of Science General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User:	Steve Elliott
Date Deposited:	02 Dec 2019 00:43
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2019 00:43
Item ID:	16673
Journal or Publication Title:	The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
DOI or Unique Handle:	https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axz052
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Ecology/Conservation General Issues > Rhetoric of Science General Issues > Science and Society General Issues > Science and Policy General Issues > Values In Science
Date:	November 2019
ISSN:	0007-0882
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16673

Available Versions of this Item

• Problems and Questions in Scientific Practice. (deposited 30 Oct 2016 02:28)
  • Research Problems. (deposited 02 Dec 2019 00:43) [Currently Displayed]

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