WHSO-Project
World History of Science Online: Databases of Bibliographical and Archival Sources
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WHSO-Project World History of Science Online: Databases of Bibliographical and Archival Sources
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Report on the first results of the Survey on current activities related to the DHS project “World History of Science Online: databases of bibliographical and
archival sources” Preamble Between April and November 2004, the Secretary General of the International Union of Philosophy and History of Science/Division of History of Science (IUHPS/DHS) conducted a survey amongst its 67 member organizations (National Committees, Historical Commissions, Inter-Union Commissions and Scientific Sections) in order to learn about the concerns of the history of science international community in regard to the activities related to the World History of Science Online (WHSO) project. This survey was to function as the basis for a vast debate on the vision, future organization, services and activities of the WHSO project[1]. The following report displays the results obtained so far from the
responses of the member bodies and associates of the DHS to the survey,
consisting of an e-mail interview[2].
The rate of response was 39% [3]
and the respondents were 13 National Committees, 7 Commissions, the Joint
Commission, 4 Inter-Union Commissions and one Scientific Section. Main activities of the member bodies and associates of
the DHS in relation to bibliographic and archival sources Archival sources The results show that the main activities conducted by the surveyed in
regard to archival sources are ten archival guides, three of which have a
general character, five are limited to a particular geographical region, one is
limited to a single mathematician and one is devoted to local scientists from a
particular geographical region. Of all these projects, six of them have been
digitalized and have been published online. Bibliographies What concerns bibliographical projects, there are six
of them of general character and four of them have, besides that, a
national scope. There are also four projects restricted to a certain region and
to particular subjects and two more with restrictions on the time period
studied. Finally, there is one compilation of annotated and commented
bibliographies and one undetermined project. Of these projects, ten of them can
be found digitally and nine of them are online. Plans for the future At least eight member organizations and associates have stated their will
to continue their current activities in bibliographies and archival sources; and
some of them plan to expand these activities in order to include other subjects
or time periods. The process of expansion makes also reference to the inclusion
of some of the existing projects into the WHSO project. Besides these two main plans of action for the
future, the results show that there are some organizations which currently do
not have activities related to bibliographic and archival sources. This fraction
of the surveyed consider nevertheless, desirable to begin activities within the WHSO
project. It is also worth noticing that some member bodies also plan to continue
their work on projects on specific issues, which by the moment do not
form part of the WHSO project, but that eventually could be included, such as
biographies and iconographic data bases. Other surveyed are also working on
subjects outside of the project such as current bibliographies. Policy relevant activities
and tangible results Major policy relevant activities with tangible results of the DHS members
and associates surveyed are: guides of historical research resources,
anthologies or selected historical documents, data bases of commented
bibliographies, information in electronic formats such as CD ROM, web sites, and
publications of journals on historical records. Also, but to a lesser extent there are projects
on specific issues
such as lists of manuscripts, iconographies, etc. Support required from the DHS When asked about the kind of support required from the DHS the surveyed
mentioned that their main concern was to create and have access to an
international scientific online research network; and even if financing was the
most recurrent answer, once traslated to practical requirements, the specific
needs to be met are technical support such as website hosting and methodological
issues. Areas to be encouraged by the DHS The topics mentioned by DHS members, to be encouraged by the DHS, can be
grouped in three main categories:
Partnering The surveyed bodies recommended the DHS to encourage partnering outside
our scientific community. Examples of organizations to be contacted are:
Future activities For future
activities of the WHSO
project, member organizations and associates suggest the engagement of the DHS
mainly in:
Other
suggestions for the DHS are:
Main Findings & Conclusions Main activities The
main activities of member organizations and associates are catalogues of
archival sources and bibliographical compilations; and to a lesser extent, works
on current bibliographies of history of science (outside the scope of the
project). Expected support from the DHS
Research areas to be
encouraged by the DHS
Partners to be encouraged outside the scientific community.
Proposed future activities
for the DHS. The
aims for the future are, on one hand, to continue and to expand current
activities of the member bodies counting already with projects in the scope of
the WHSO; and on the other hand, to start exploring the existing resources of
other member bodies and eventually incorporate them into our project. Additionally, the surveyed mentioned:
Mexico
City, November 2004
[1] Of the 67 DHS Members, 58 of them were contacted (The rest did not couth with electronic addresses, their contact information could not be updated, or had an unclear status within the DHS at the time) of which 36 were National Committtees, 3 were Scientific Sections, 13 were Historical Commissions, 5 were Inter-Union Commissions and one was the Joint Commission between the IUHPS/DHS and its sister Division of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science (IUHPS/DLMPS). [2] With the responses to the survey received we have elaborated a database which, in an ulterior phase of development, shall provide valuable information on the activities of the member of the DHS. [3] Taking into consideration that the WHSO is an innovative international project, and that the knowledge in modern technologies and in the methodologies of digital bibliographies and archival sources is still reduced; and also, being aware of the fact that the DHS had never before conducted a survey amongst its entire membership, it is possible to explain the low rate of replies received. Nevertheless it was deemed appropriate to make a partial review of the information obtained to the date in order use an analysis to better be able to plan the most effective ways to continue the project and to stimulate those member of the DHS family that have not yet answered to the survey.
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