Analysing unstructured interviews with physicists : unpicking the role of tacit knowledge /

'Physical intuition' -- the ability to immediately apprehend and understand physics -- is one of the most elusive concepts in theoretical physics. Some physicists remark that solid intuition is the hallmark of a proficient physicist, but others, like well-known philosopher of science Mario...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Reyes-Galindo, Luis (Author)
Corporate Author: Sage Publications
Other Authors: Lewis, Jamie (Editor)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: London : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2018.
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of the electronic book
Description
Summary:'Physical intuition' -- the ability to immediately apprehend and understand physics -- is one of the most elusive concepts in theoretical physics. Some physicists remark that solid intuition is the hallmark of a proficient physicist, but others, like well-known philosopher of science Mario Bunge (1962), dismissed the very idea of 'scientific intuition' as nonsensical. The data presented here are provided by Dr Luis Reyes-Galindo from Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University and are sourced from more than twenty unstructured interviews carried out during doctoral and postdoctoral research that focused on a wide range of aspects regarding (mostly) theoretical physicist's accounts of their work, what they do and what makes a good physicist. None of the interviews were specifically intended to touch upon the idea of physical intuition, yet 'intuition' constantly re-appeared as an actor's (or interviewee's) category of the utmost importance for a deep understanding of theoretical physics' self-image. The dataset will be of most use to those doing interview research into the sociology of science and technology studies, especially those with an interest in tacit knowledge.
Physical Description:1 online resource.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9781526439314
152643931X