Communality

Last updated on Feb 26, 2026

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Definition: The common ownership of scientific results and methods and the consequent imperative to share both freely. Communality is based on the fact that every scientific finding is seen as a product of the effort of a number of agents. This norm is followed when scientists openly share their new findings with colleagues.

Related terms: Mertonian norms, Objectivity **Alternative definition:** Communism (in Merton, 1942\) **Related terms to alternative definition** (if applicable)

References:

Anderson, M. S., Ronning, E. A., Devries, R., & Martinson, B. C. (2010). Extending the Mertonian norms: Scientists’ subscription to norms of research. Journal of Higher Education, 81(3), 366–393. https://doi.org/10.1353/jhe.0.0095
Hardwicke, T. E., Jameel, L., Jones, M., Walczak, E. J., & Weinberg, L. M. (2014). Only human: Scientists, systems, and suspect statistics. Opticon1826, 16, 25. https://doi.org/10.5334/OPT.CH
Merton, R. K. (1938). Science and the social order. Philosophy of Science, 5(3), 321–337. https://doi.org/10.1086/286513
Merton, R. K. (1942). A note on science and democracy. Journal of Legal and Political Sociology, 1, 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110375008-013

Originally drafted by: David Moreau

Reviewed by: Ashley Blake, Mahmoud Elsherif, Charlotte R. Pennington, Beatrice Valentini