ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the machinery of science and the ways in which the scientific community shares its findings and speculations toward its goal of new and expanded understanding through consensus. It describes the methods of communication, formal and informal, through conferences, journals, and personal contacts. The chapter also discusses the roles professional societies play, and include in a survey the education of scientists because of the influence it has in shaping our conception of our trade. Professional journals constitute our most important avenue of communication. An important feature of such journals of current science is that the critical review takes place before publication. Professional societies do more to promote their sciences than publish their journals. Science education is designed to produce graduates who either continue with a research education or enter the work force. Science has a working system in which new ideas are considered and tested.
