MATTHEW DAVID is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Plymouth, UK. He has researched constructions of environmentalism, new electronic data service in education, and the effectiveness of internet challenges to rural social exclusion, and is the author of many articles, publishing in Sociological Research Online, the International Journal of Social Research Methodology, New Genetics and Society, Telematics and Informatics, Radical Philosophy, Current Sociology, and elsewhere.

'One of the best introductions I have seen to science studies. Giving more than just a pedantic survey, Matthew David provides a rich and detailed understanding of how social science can address natural science, and offers his own perspective on salient controversies in science.' - Professor Stanley Aronowitz, Graduate Centre, City University of New York 'Matthew David's book is a good place to learn about the many approaches to the sociology of science without being trapped by any one academic fashion.' - Professor Harry Collins, Cardiff University 'The outstanding merits of the text are its extraordinary breadth of coverage of literature and its citation of case studies. An impressive text with an original perspective.' - Professor Barry Barnes, University of Exeter 'Bravo! At last a text in the social studies of science which refuses to fall into the micro/macro divide in the field, but instead seeks to bring perspectives together.' - Professor Hilary Rose, City University, London

• PART ONE: EMERGENCE AND INNOVATIONAn Introduction to Issues and ForebearsThe Perspective of this Book: Reflexive Epistemological DiversityRisk and Technoscience: The Fusion of Society, Science and Technology TodayPART TWO: THEORETICAL APPROACHESScience and Institutional Interests: The Strong Programme and BeyondScience and Language/Interaction: Ethnography and DiscourseScience and Capitalism: Critical Theory and Critical RealismScience and Patriarchy: Women as Subjects/Objects of SciencePART THREE: CASE STUDIESSecond Nature: Genetic Modification and Commodification of the Non-HumanHuman Nature? Human Behaviour and Genetic DeterminismMedical Genetics and Human HealthPART FOUR: Conclusions: Reflexive Epistemological Diversity (RED)Tables.