Exploring a Critical Methodological Gap in Measuring of Field-Differences in Survey Research: Insights into Scientific Data Sharing and Beyond

This study explores a critical methodological gap in accurately measuring differences across scientific fields within survey research. It focuses on analyzing field-differences in scientific data sharing practices. By examining existing methodologies, the study aims to shed light on the limitations of current field-comparative survey research and inspire the development of more robust methodologies. The study conducts a literature review of the state of the art of field-comparative survey designs by systematically analyzing survey studies on data sharing and the instruments used. Preliminary findings underscore a common reliance on formal discipline classifications to delineate variations in data sharing practices among fields, while also highlighting a dearth of studies explaining these differences. This indicates a need for more nuanced methodological approaches in survey literature considering epistemic properties that underpin knowledge production within specific fields.