Title
Is American Science in Decline? / Yu Xie, Alexandra A Killewald.
ISBN
9780674065048
Published
Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, [2012]
Copyright
©2012
Language
English
Language Note
In English.
Description
1 online resource (248 p.) : 1 line illustration, 21 graphs, 30 tables
Other Standard Identifiers
10.4159/harvard.9780674065048 doi
Dewey Decimal Classification
509.73
Summary
Alarmists argue that the United States urgently needs more and better trained scientists to compete with the rest of the world. Their critics counter that, far from facing a shortage, we are producing a glut of young scientists with poor employment prospects. Both camps have issued reports in recent years that predict the looming decline of American science. Drawing on their extensive analysis of national datasets, Yu Xie and Alexandra Killewald have welcome news to share: American science is in good health. Is American Science in Decline? does reveal areas of concern, namely scientists' low earnings, the increasing competition they face from Asia, and the declining number of doctorates who secure academic positions. But the authors argue that the values inherent in American culture make the country highly conducive to science for the foreseeable future. They do not see globalization as a threat but rather a potential benefit, since it promotes efficiency in science through knowledge-sharing. In an age when other countries are catching up, American science will inevitably become less dominant, even though it is not in decline relative to its own past. As technology continues to change the American economy, better-educated workers with a range of skills will be in demand. So as a matter of policy, the authors urge that science education not be detached from general education.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
System Details Note
Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
Digital File Characteristics
text file PDF
Source of Description
Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 30. Aug 2021)
Frontmatter
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Evolution of American Science
2. American Science and Globalization
3. Why Do People Become Scientists?
4. American Scientists: Who Are They?
5. Public Attitudes toward Science
6. Does Science Appeal to Students?
7. Attainment of Science Degrees
8. Finding Work in Science
Conclusion
APPENDIX A: Census and American Community Survey Data
APPENDIX B: NCES Survey Data
APPENDIX C: NES, NSRCG, and IPEDS Data
APPENDIX D: Detailed Statistical Tables
Notes
References
Index
