Integrative mechanism
Knowledge production is influenced by both fragmenting and integrative mechanisms. The printing of "least publishable units" in the journal literature may be seen as a fragmenting tendency (and the journals themselves in opposition to monographs as fragmenting mechanisms). Literature reviews and tertiary literatures in general may be seen as integrative mechanisms.
What really integrates knowledge is a good theory. Different epistemologies have more or less fragmenting or integrative functions. Empiricism tends to provide a fragmented knowledge base, while rationalism tends to provide a well-structured and integrated knowledge base.
See also: Cumulative literature; Encyclopedia (Epistemological lifeboat); Interdisciplinarity (Epistemological lifeboat); Metaanalysis (Epistemological lifeboat).
See theory of Integrative levels in Lifeboat for Knowledge Organization.
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 08-02-2006