The role of theory in advancing 21st-century biology
Subtitle: catalyzing transformative research
By: Report of the Committee on Defining and Advancing the Conceptual Basis of Biological Sciences in the 21st Century, Board on Life Sciences, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.
Contributors: National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Defining and Advancing the Conceptual Basis of Biological Sciences in the 21st Century.; National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Life Sciences.; National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
Publisher: National Academies Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Washington, D. C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 196
ISBN-13: 9780309112499
Subjects: Biology -- Research
Description: Theory is an integral part of all biological research. Biologists' theoretical and conceptual frameworks inform every step of their research, affecting what experiments they do, what techniques and technologies they develop and use, and how they interpret their data. At the request of the National Science Foundation, this National Research Council report examines whether a greater emphasis on theory would be useful in advancing biology. The report concludes that theory is already an inextricable thread running throughout the practice of biology; but that explicitly giving theory equal status with other components of biological research could help catalyze transformative research that will lead to creative, dynamic, and innovative advances in our understanding of life.--Publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-186).

Also available online.