Tropical marine sciences: Knowledge production in a web of path dependencies

Abstract

Scientific agenda setting is critical at all levels of research, but can be strongly influenced by structural path dependencies of the science system itself. In this article we examine how knowledge production is shaped by interconnected path dependencies using the field of tropical marine sciences as a global case study. We use scientometric analysis methods on an original data set of 1328 peer-reviewed journal publications to examine publication trends including a co-authorship network analysis, links between author origin and research locations as well as a quantitative analysis of terminology use over space (i.e., region) and time. Scientometric findings are analytically discussed through a conceptual framework premised on theories of path dependency. Findings and critical analysis highlight how tropical marine science provides a prominent global example of how North American, European and Australian science programs predominantly shape knowledge production of the global science system, generating critical reflection on the path dependencies these create on current and likely future knowledge production and science agendas. Similar dependencies face other fields of science, and thus this study provides broadly relevant quantitative observational empirical findings supplemented with a critical social science analysis of how a transcultural Science and Technology Studies lens is useful for unpacking the webs of path dependencies driving, inhibiting and/ or shaping global knowledge production, placing meaning and context over observed empirical trends.

Opportunities to improve ecosystem‐based fisheries management by recognizing and overcoming path dependency and cognitive bias

“…While many authors work in locations remote to their institutions, there is still a strong bias in the science, which acts to reinforce the Northern Hemisphere bias of the seminal fisheries papers—especially the earliest ones; many of which dealt with northern temperate ecosystems and fisheries focused on a small number of species, which is in sharp contrast to the multispecies and tropical fisheries that face some of the greatest management challenges globally. This kind of bias in who is doing the science is also seen in other marine sciences (Partelow et al., 2020), meaning it will likely persist for a while to come.…”

Environmental non-governmental organizations and global environmental discourse

“…We believe this data-PLOS ONE driven, inductive strategy for studying the ENGO sector can fruitfully be expanded to complement and improve on our initial analysis. Quantitative content and discourse analysis is an area of active experimentation in environmental and sustainability research fields [39,[66][67][68]75], and careful consideration of the underlying data and mechanics of the quantitative methodology are necessary for accurate interpretation of results. Further methodological refinements will enhance our ability to interpret and communicate results of these methodologies.…”

Marine environment and sustainable development governance

“…Global businesses as well as global governance, even many nature conservation initiatives are dominated by the Global North (Havice and Zalik, 2019;Campbell et al, 2016). There are also imbalances in scientific practices and funding that disfavour researchers from the Global South (Partelow et al, 2020). e '[T]he dispossession or appropriation of use, control or access to ocean space or resources from prior resource users, rights holders or inhabitants' (Bennett et al, 2015: 62).…”