Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ClarissaMach]

What is the meaning of the expression "little science"?

Here is the context:

"What are the implications for academia and industry of professors, each with their own research group and matching company, forming joint academic and business ventures to conduct and commercialize their research? Despite the commitment of most academic chemists to "little science"; tre practices of supporting bodies, needs for equipment and intellectual consideration suggest the likelihood that additional sectors of chemistry will follow the lead the molecular modelers and laser specialists?"
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Stormy Weather.

[Jintii]

Given your context, my guess would be that "little science" refers to scientific research carried out individually or on a small scale, like much of the research that has traditionally been done and reported out in scientific journals.

This is being contrasted with the new tendency towards larger joint ventures, which enjoy more access to expensive equipment and more brain power (that is, the brains of more scientists working on the same problem together).