Towards a Model of Interdisciplinary Teamwork for Web Science: What can Social Theory Contribute?

In this position paper, we argue that the different disciplines in Web Science do not work together in an interdisciplinary way. We attribute this to a fundamental difference in approaching research between social scientists and computer scientists, which we call the patterns vs. model problem. We reason that interdisciplinary teamwork is needed to overcome the patterns vs. model problem. We then discuss two theoretical strains in social science which we see as relevant in the context of interdisciplinary teamwork. Finally, we sketch a model of interdisciplinary teamwork in Web Science based on the interplay of collaboration and cooperation.