Many Methods, Many Microbes: Methodological Diversity and Standardization in the Deep Subseafloor Biosphere

Standardization is widely assumed to be important to advance science. This assumption is typically embedded in initiatives to devise infrastructure and policies to support scientific work. This paper examines a movement comprising scientists advocating methods standardization in an emerging scientific domain, the deep subseafloor biosphere. This movement is not primarily motivated by the usual rationales for standardization, but instead by the aim of intervening in the politics of an infrastructure upon which the domain depends, scientific ocean drilling cruises. This infrastructure is shared and contested with other domains, and this movement regards standardization as a critical step in reconfiguring the infrastructure to secure a greater share of resources for the deep subseafloor biosphere. This movement encounters two tensions. One tension is between the perceived benefits of standardization vs. methodological diversity. Another tension is between perceived benefits for the domain vs. a lack of incentives for individuals to perform necessary standardization work.