Democratizing Knowledge

Christine Borgman examines scholarly communications and research data through the lens of data scholarship in the digital age. Her work draws on decades of research about scholarly communication and information studies. The book analyzes how scholars create and share knowledge through data practices across multiple academic disciplines. It explores key questions about data ownership, credit attribution, and the infrastructure needed to support modern research workflows. Case studies from astronomy, biology, social sciences and other fields demonstrate the varying approaches to data collection, analysis, and sharing. The discussion encompasses both technical aspects of data management and social factors that influence how researchers work with data. The analysis reveals fundamental tensions between open science initiatives and traditional academic reward systems, while highlighting the ongoing transformation of scholarship in a data-intensive world. This work contributes to critical conversations about the future of academic research and knowledge creation.

Readers commend Borgman's detailed research and academic rigor but note the book is dense and theoretical. Many found value in her analysis of the challenges around data sharing and preservation in scientific research. Likes: - Clear framework for understanding modern research data issues - Real examples from multiple scientific disciplines - Strong citations and evidence-based arguments Dislikes: - Academic writing style makes it inaccessible for general readers - Too much focus on theory vs practical solutions - Some sections repeat key points excessively Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (6 ratings) One reviewer wrote "Required reading for anyone working in research data management" while another noted "The theoretical heavy lifting in early chapters makes it tough to get through." A librarian reviewer highlighted its usefulness for "understanding the cultural and technical barriers to open data."

Big Data, Little Data, No Data by Christine L. Borgman This work examines data practices across multiple scientific disciplines and the challenges of data sharing in research environments.

Too Much to Know by Ann M. Blair The book traces the history of information management from the Renaissance to modern times, focusing on methods scholars have used to collect and organize knowledge.

The Fourth Paradigm by Tony Hey This collection explores data-intensive scientific discovery and the transformation of research practices in the digital age.

Raw Data is an Oxymoron by Lisa Gitelman The text examines how data becomes data and the social implications of data collection and interpretation across different fields.

Knowledge Unbound by Peter Suber This work presents the fundamental concepts of open access and its impact on scholarly communication and knowledge dissemination.

🔷 The book discusses how data-intensive scholarship is transforming research practices across disciplines, from astronomy to humanities, fundamentally changing how knowledge is created and shared. 🔷 Christine Borgman has been a Professor at UCLA's Department of Information Studies for over three decades and was awarded the prestigious Paul Evan Peters Award for her contributions to scholarly communication. 🔷 The concept of "little science" vs. "big science" discussed in the book reflects how research has evolved from individual scientists working alone to massive collaborative projects involving thousands of researchers. 🔷 The author draws from over 200 interviews with scientists and researchers across six countries to provide real-world examples of how data practices vary across different fields. 🔷 The book examines how the rise of open science movements has created tension between traditional academic publishing models and new forms of knowledge dissemination.