Criticism
Criticism, judgment and
evaluation are important processes
in the development of scientific fields. Criticism is made in
many different ways in order to establish scientific quality and
the integrity of the scientific literature. Science has been
characterized as "organized skepticism" (Merton, 1968, pp. 614-615).
In scientific, scholarly and professional
literature may criticism be put forward in explicit form in, for
example,
book reviews,
review articles, discussion articles, or even
"Streitschriften" (which are monographs, cf., Hirsch, 1989). Implicit
forms of criticism exist in the ordinary
primary literature, e.g. in
the form of controversies or debates.
Hartmann & Dübbers (1984) is one of a few empirical studies of the role of
criticism in knowledge production.
"A critic
(from Greek κριτικός, kritikós - one who discerns, from
Ancient Greek κριτής, krités, a judge) is a person who
offers reasoned judgment or analysis, value judgment,
interpretation, or observation. The term can also be used to
describe an adherent of a position disagreeing with or opposing
the object of criticism. Critics include professionals or
amateurs who regularly judge or interpret performances or other
works (such as that of artists, scientists, musicians or actors)
and, typically, publish their observations, often in
periodicals. Critics are numerous in certain fields, including
art critics, music critics, film critics, theatre or drama,
restaurant and scientific publication critics." (Wikipedia,
2006).
Example:
"PsycCRITIQUES™ is a new searchable
database of book reviews in psychology launched in September 2004. The database
will replace the print journal Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books,
providing major enhancements, very current reviews, and much more content"
http://www.apa.org/psyccritiques/homepage.html
Criticism may have a negative meaning, while the term
"constructive criticism" is explicitly positive: It is the process of offering
valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others with the intention of
helping the recipient rather than an oppositional attitude.
Some epistemologies (such as inductionism and empiricism) downplay the role of
criticism and tend to regard research as a purely compilatory process, while
other epistemologies, e.g. critical rationalism (Karl Popper) see criticism as a
fundamental part of knowledge production (cf., Lakatos & Musgrave,
1970). The forms and extent of criticism may thus vary according to
different epistemological traditions in different disciplines.
"Fagkritik" (subject criticism) was a movement during the
European student revolution after 1968 which emphasized the development of
alternative approaches in academic subjects (see also
alternative literature). "Deconstruction" (e.g., Parker & Shotter,
1990) is a later movement which has certain similarities with "fagkritik".
Literature:
Andersen, J.
(2005). Information Criticism: where is it? Progressive Librarian, no.
25, pp. 12-22.
Andersen, J.
(2005).
Where is the information critic:
The modern librarian? In:
Librarianship in the Information
Age. Proceedings - The 13th BOBCATSSS Symposium. January 31 - 2
February 2005. Budapest, Hungary,
pp. 7-15. Edited by Marte Langeland, Clara Agathe Hagtvedt Nilsen, Sissel
Camilla Sandvik, Hĺkon Bjřrge Vestli (Oslo University College) & Máté Tóth,
Gábor Peer (Eötvös Loránd University).
Ekegren, P.
(1999). The Reading of Theoretical Texts. London: Routledge. (Routledge
Studies in Social and Political Thought, 19). Based on a dissertation: The
Reading of Theoretical Texts. A Critique of Criticism in
the Social Sciences. Uppsala University: Department of Sociology, 1995.
Hartmann, H. & Dübbers,
E. (1984). Kritik in der Wissenschaftspraxis.
Buchbesprechungen und ihr Echo. Frankfurt: Campus.
Hirsch, A. (Ed.).
(1989). Rechte Psychologie. Hans Jürgen Eysenck und seine
Wissenschaft. Heidelberg: Asanger. (Streitschriften; 1).
Lakatos, I. & Musgrave,
A. (eds.). (1970). Criticism and the growth of knowledge.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Merton, R. K.
(1968). Social Theory and Social Structure. New York: The Free Press.
Parker, I. & Shotter,
J. (eds). (1990). Deconstructing Social Psychology. London:
Routledge.
Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia. (2006). Criticism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical
See also:
Book reviews;
Documents, quality;
Birger Hjřrland
Last edited:
02-04-2007
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