Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science



Representation using sentential logics

Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science

Project Description

Introduction

The Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science is an ambitious and exciting new reference work that covers in depth the entire spectrum of subjects falling within the cognitive sciences. Taking advantage of a unique conceptual approach and structure, it will utilise a range of different article lengths and levels to construct a fully integrated encyclopedic reference and electronic tool. With the core content being articles of 4000 and 6000 words the Encyclopedia will offer an unparalleled synopsis of both current consent and dissent within the cognitive sciences. In print form, the work will comprise four large format volumes, and in electronic form it will be a fully searchable, continuously updated online data source.

Macmilllan

Macmillan has a unique tradition in both Science and multi-volume reference publishing. It is part of the group of companies that publish both Nature magazine and Scientific American, and includes W.H.Freeman, Worth and Stockton Press. Macmillan Reference, based in London (and entirely distinct from Macmillan Inc., the US Publishing Company) is a specialist reference publishing company, many of whose scientific publications fall under the banner of the newly formed Nature Publishing Group. Macmillan Reference’s major reference publishing expertise is demonstrated by the award winning Dictionary of Art, published in 34 volumes in 1996 to international acclaim and The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians in 20 volumes. The Science Reference team is currently undertaking multi-volume works in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics, Cancer and the ground breaking Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, which whilst designed primarily as an electronic product will in print constitute 20 volumes.

Key features

A comprehensive, authoritative and yet accessible reference work that highlights both the relationships and differences between constituent subjects.

One thousand of the world’s leading experts will contribute to an extensively cross-referenced and indexed work of about 2.5 million words, comprising of 1000 articles plus extensive tables and many illustrations.

As an electronic product the Encyclopedia will offer rapid searching and retrieval facilities, multimedia features, and electronic links to other data sources (such as Nature and other primary literature).

The print version of the Encyclopedia will form a 4 volume, large format work, extensively illustrated, with colour plate sections in each volume.

An annual updating service will be a key and unique feature of the electronic product.

As far as possible it will be jargon free and written with a rigorous clarity of style. There will be the combination of relatively long, considered, in-depth expositions of topics that fit within a rigorously constructed intellectual framework, reflecting a totally contemporary evaluation of the cognitive sciences.

It is envisaged that the Encyclopedia will be purchased by university, college, government, corporate and public libraries throughout the world, as well as by selected secondary schools and high school libraries.

The work will be aimed at a wide audience. Whilst the core of the material will be written at a depth equating to that studied at upper undergraduate level, supporting material, study guides and introductory material will allow its use by committed high school students and members of the public.

Content

The Encyclopedia will cover the cognitive sciences in their broadest sense. It will review the common themes of information and information processing, representation and computation, and then will cover in depth the core areas of psychology, philosophy, linguistics, computer science and neuroscience, and as such will encompass a totally contemporary understanding of cognitive science. It will also explore ancillary areas, which will include anthropology, biology/evolution, education and economics. Additionally, there will be a series of articles on the most important methodologies used within the cognitive sciences, including neurophyschological studies, neuroimaging, computational approaches, psychophysics and behavioral methods. Finally, in order to help put the study of cognitive science in a broader historical and cultural context there will be articles on historical landmarks and biographies of key contributors.

Editorial Structure

The editorial team is headed by Professor Lynn Nadel, Professor of Psychology and Head of the Department of Psychology, at the University of Arizona. There are five core editorial team members: who will be aided by up to 15 Editorial advisory board members, and in addition the ancillary areas will be headed by separate individuals. The table below outlines the structure, and in addition the percentages in brackets indicate the relative sizes of the different subject areas.

|Computer Science |Philosophy |

|Bob French |Dave Chalmers |

|Director | |

|Quantitative Psychology and Cognitive Science |Director of Center for Consiuosness Studies |

|Department of Psychology |The University of Arizona |

|Université de Liège (Bât B32) | |

|Linguistics |Psychology |

|Peter Culicover |Manny Donchin |

|Professor and Chair |Professor of Psychology |

|Linguistics Director, Center for Cognitive Science |University of Illinois |

|The Ohio State University | |

|Neuroscience (and Editor-in-chief) | |

|Lynn Nadel | |

|Head of Department of Psychology | |

|The University of Arizona | |

| | |

Structure

The average article lengths will be around 4000 words, although it is anticipated that there will be three length categories (2000, 4000 and 6000 words). Articles will be arranged alphabetically in the print edition. It is anticipated that there will be up to 750 articles, although the exact number depends upon the final construction of subject hierarchies.

Key features of entries

Different article categories and lengths allow a range of levels of information to be provided

All articles will be peer reviewed

Extensively cross-referenced - to mirror the essential interdependence of and inter-connectivity of cognitive science

Entries will contain references and bibliographies and will be signed by the authors

Extensive and fully comprehensive indexing

Extensively illustrated where appropriate

Arranged alphabetically in print

Users

Graduate and undergraduate students of cognitive science and its related sub-disciplines, seeking information on basic principles and concepts, theories and ideas, references to primary literature and further reading. They will use the Encyclopedia to write term papers, supplement course and project work, and as a fact finding tool.

School, college and university lecturers using the Encyclopedia as a reference source for compilation of teaching notes and coursework materials.

Librarians, enthusiasts and lay people needing to answer reference queries.

High school students preparing course work

-----------------------

Advisory editors for Anthropology, Economics, Evolutionary Biology, Education: ‘report’ directly to E-in-C

Section Editors

10%

18%

14%

14%

18%

26%

Advisory editors: exact numbers will differ

Neuroscience

E-in-C

Philosophy

Linguistics

C. Science

Psychology

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download