Abstract
This paper describes the way in which a certain representation of basic scientific knowledge can be coupled with traditional microeconomic analysis to provide an analysis of “rational” research planning or “agenda setting” in basic science. Research planning is conceived as a resource allocation decision in which resources are being allocated to activities directed towards the solution of “basic scientific problems”. A “structuralist” representation of scientific knowledge is employed to provide a relatively precise characterization of a basic scientific problem.
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The research reported here was partially supported by a grant from the EXXON Foundation.
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Sneed, J.D. Micro-economic models of problem choice in basic science. Erkenntnis 30, 207–224 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00184823
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00184823