Abstract
This Note concerns the relevance of conflicts arising within research centres for sociologists conducting what is loosely termed `laboratory studies'. By drawing on a detailed account of difficulties encountered in the course of a sociological study of a biotechnology laboratory, the authors discuss the way in which parties in conflict perceive the sociologists' work as having an evaluative dimension-that is, as being either useful or threatening. It is argued that data generated by such studies must be interpreted in the light of the political context of the institution within which the study is conducted.
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