Article ID: CBB001420744

Mediating Objects: Scientific and Public Functions of Models in Nineteenth-Century Biology (2013)

unapi

The aim of this article is to examine the scientific and public functions of two- and three-dimensional models in the context of three episodes from nineteenth-century biology. I argue that these models incorporate both data and theory by presenting theoretical assumptions in the light of concrete data or organizing data through theoretical assumptions. Despite their diverse roles in scientific practice, they all can be characterized as mediators between data and theory. Furthermore, I argue that these different mediating functions often reflect their different audiences that included specialized scientists, students, and the general public. In this sense, models in nineteenth-century biology can be understood as mediators between theory, data, and their diverse audiences.

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https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001420744/

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Authors & Contributors
Jessica Pykett
Gielas, Anna
Rouyan, Anahita
Mark Paterson
Barwich, Ann-Sophie
Wray, K. Brad
Concepts
Biology
Communication of scientific ideas
Models and modeling in science
Communication within scientific contexts
Data analysis
Visual representation; visual communication
Time Periods
19th century
20th century
20th century, late
20th century, early
18th century
21st century
Places
Great Britain
Edinburgh
United States
Netherlands
Germany
France
Institutions
Cambridge. University. Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Madras Observatory
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