Marginality and Innovation in Science

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Abstract
Sociologists and historians of science have frequently used the concept of the `marginal man' to describe those most likely to contribute major scientific innovations. An examination of X-ray astronomy during its formative years (1960-75) suggests that `marginal' scientists are no more likely than others to contribute innovations, a finding contrary to most other studies. Moreover, the concept of marginality is, in its present use, so ambiguous as to be almost worthless as a conceptual tool for systematic inquiry into the sources of scientific innovation.