Scientific Article and Scientific Objectivity

Bibliographic Data

ID22420328
AuthorsBenedicto Acosta (0000-0003-0878-0657, Universidad de Salamanca, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume34
Issue3
Pages356-378
Publication date2026-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePerspectives on Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1063-6145 • E-ISSN: 1530-9274
PublisherMIT Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1162/posc.a.583
OpenAlexW7151588021
LanguageEN
References cited33

This paper examines how scientific articles aim to secure scientific objectivity. It begins by reconstructing the historical and rhetorical context of the research paper as the dominant medium of scientific communication. The central claim is that the paper’s rhetorical-editorial features—IMRaD structure, clarity, suppression of subjectivity, and stylistic flattening—seek to reinforce the credibility and legitimacy of science while also functioning as evaluative criteria within the publish-or-perish regime. The thesis defended is that the conception of the article as an objective vehicle for producing and communicating knowledge has persisted over time and, rather than weakening, has been reinforced by editorial transformations, impact metrics, and movements such as open science, which together consolidate its centrality. The argument is supported by historical cases and theoretical contributions from historians and philosophers of science.

Credibility · Legitimacy · Rhetoric · Rhetorical question · Sociology of scientific knowledge · History of Science and Medicine · Information Systems Theories and Implementation · Philosophy and History of Science

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