Network evolution in basic science

Abstract

Issue Title: The two sides of innovation

Under true uncertainty, as is the case in basic science, researchers need apply generic rules to overcome the imponderability of inventive activities. How such rule-behavior may influence the evolution of networks is modeled in this paper. An empirical survey on medical researchers describes their research context and serves as a motivation to construct a percolation model that illustrates the expected structural evolution of networks. Leaders and followers in a new research field induce a stylized structural evolution of networks.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]