ICT and science 2.0: technology-mediated trends and characteristics of new scientific practices

Abstract

ICT is currently changing scientific processes from data collection, data interpretation, formation of hypotheses and theories, testing and validation to the dissemination of research results. The relation of ICT and new scientific practices is not just accidental; Science 2.0 -- defined as 'open and digital science' inherits features and characteristics from today's ICT. In this paper, we discuss these features from the point of view of epistemology: which basic components of the scientific process are likely to undergo changes and where will the current trends lead Science 2.0?