Is American Science in Decline?

Yu Xie; Alexandra A Killewald

Published by Harvard University Press 2012

Is American Science in Decline?

Yu Xie and Alexandra A Killewald

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674065048

Overview
Contents

About this book

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.

Author / Editor information

Xie Yu :

Yu Xie is Otis Dudley Duncan Distinguished University Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan.Killewald Alexandra A. :

Alexandra A. Killewald is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Harvard University.

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	i
Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1. The Evolution of American Science Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
2. American Science and Globalization Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	27
3. Why Do People Become Scientists? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	38
4. American Scientists: Who Are They? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
5. Public Attitudes toward Science Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	64
6. Does Science Appeal to Students? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	76
7. Attainment of Science Degrees Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	90
8. Finding Work in Science Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
APPENDIX A: Census and American Community Survey Data Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
APPENDIX B: NCES Survey Data Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	144
APPENDIX C: NES, NSRCG, and IPEDS Data Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	149
APPENDIX D: Detailed Statistical Tables Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	152
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	209
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	227

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 248
Illustrations
- Other: 1 line illustration, 21 graphs, 30 tables

eBook

Published: June 11, 2012
ISBN: 9780674065048