Abstract
This paper reports on a study of the relationship between conceptual development and consensus on research issues in three scientific subfields- solid state physics, genetics, and developmental psychology. Conceptual development is determined by the revelations of scientists within the particular subfield on the dimensions of: (1) the definition of the subfield; (2) its relationship to the field; (3) the basic principles; and (4) the relationship to research problem specialties within it. The study was designed to measure directly consensus on the significance of past findings, and on the scientific merit of specific research problems. Phase models of scientific development are shown to be useful in studying the relationships. The subfields studied demonstrate a curvilinear relationship between consensus on scientific issues and conceptual development, over time.
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