Causal Inference in the Science of Science

This book comprehensively presents the current state of the arts and real-world cases of the usage of causal inference in science of science from a multidisciplinary perspective and discusses how this methodology can further change the research and practice in science of science in the future. Science of science has evolved from disciplines such as information science, statistics, sociology, and psychology, and is an interdisciplinary discipline that studies the scientific ecosystem itself. Science of science not only emphasizes theoretical research but also places special emphasis on the application of technical methods. Science of science is constantly absorbing and applying the methodology of causal inference from other disciplines. Quantitative research in the field of science of science cannot be limited to examining "what"-type research questions through descriptive statistics, linear regression, and correlation coefficient measurements. It is urgent to strengthen the analysis and interpretation capabilities of causal-level issues, namely "why"-type research questions. The application of causal inference in the field of science of science can help validate and enrich existing scientific theories and enhance the level of policy/decision support in this discipline.