that their descriptions point toward a much broader definition than
that posited in the literature.^15 We constructed a typology to clas-
sify the panelists’ definitions. These categories of originality, shown
in Table 5.2, include using a new approach, theory, method, or data
(for example, original research is seen as “bringing a fresh perspec-
tive” or “drawing on new sources of information”); and studying a
new topic, doing research in an understudied area, or producing new
findings (such as when the researcher ventures “outside canonized
authors”). We found differences by disciplinary cluster. Humanists
and historians tend to define originality differently than do social
scientists: they clearly privilege originality in approach, with human-
ists also emphasizing originality in the data used—with the uncover-
ing of new texts and authors given special prominence (see Table
5.3). Social scientists most often mention originality in method, but
they also seem to appreciate a more diverse range of types of origi-
nality, stressing the use of an original approach or theory, or the
study of an original topic. Overall, this diversity strongly confirms
the need for a more multidimensional definition of originality, at
least as far as the humanities and social sciences are concerned.
Scholarly and political or social significance. Four of the five fund-
ing agencies I studied specified significance as a formal criterion of
selection. Yet most funding institutions allow some ambiguity in
how the term is defined. Here, following the lead of the panel mem-
bers, I distinguish between scholarly (intellectual or theoretical) sig-
nificance and social or political significance. Scholarly significance is
determined on the basis of whether a project is likely to produce
generalizable results and/or speak to broad theoretical questions or
processes, as opposed to addressing narrowly defined or highly ab-
stract topics. A project with social or political significance is believed
to give voice to subordinate groups or produce socially useful knowl-
edge. Further distinctions include those between the significance of a
172 / Recognizing Various Kinds of Excellence