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Serendipity: towards a taxonomy and a theory
Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:44
Version 1 2023-06-09, 08:19
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:44 authored by Ohid YaqubOhid YaqubSerendipity, the notion of researchers making unexpected and beneficial discoveries, has played an important role in debates about the feasibility and desirability of targeting public R&D investments. The purpose of this paper is to show that serendipity can come in different forms and come about in a variety of ways. The archives of Robert K Merton, who introduced the term to the social sciences, were used as a starting point for gathering literature and examples. I identify four types of serendipity (Walpolian, Mertonian, Bushian, Stephanian) together with four mechanisms of serendipity (Theory-led, Observer-led, Error-borne, Network-emergent). I also discuss implications of the different types and mechanisms for theory and policy.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Research PolicyISSN
0048-7333Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
47Page range
169-179Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-10-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-01-23First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-10-17Usage metrics
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