Science, Agriculture, And The Politics Of Research

Many friends, colleagues, and research staff members have directly and indirectly contributed to this book. It is impossible to acknowledge the contribution of each. Still, we would like to recognize several persons as well as institutions that have been particularly helpful. Research funds were provided by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and by the Ford Foundation. John Myers of the Current Research Information System provided us with a computer tape listing current projects. Carolyn Sachs was extremely helpful in coordinating the mail survey of scientists. Christian Ritter, Lisa Slatin, and Bobbie Sparks assisted in coding the data. Ann Stockham developed the index and also organized the data. Janet Baynham, Sue Lewis, and Greg Taylor aided in the voluminous computer programming and statistical analysis. Rosemary Cheek typed most of the manuscript. Marlene Pettit, Michael Claycomb, Deborah Wheeler, and Penny Hogue also assisted in the typing. Janice Taylor aided in the manuscript typing and ran interference on much of the administrative detail. Although the U.S. agricultural research system is used as a model for national programs in many developing countries, surprisingly little is known about its operation. This book describes the structure of that system and examines the many factors that influence the choices of research problems by agricultural scientists working within it. This book describes the structure of U.S. agricultural research system and examines the many factors that influence the choices of research problems by agricultural scientists. It examines how individuals, organizations, and disciplines influence scientists' decisions about what to study.