Perspectives concerning "research about research" are summarized, based on symposia sponsored by the University of Goteborg in Sweden. It is noted that studies of science, technology, and society (STS) are prevalent in several countries during the 1970s. Based on visits to STS programs in the United States, it is suggested that there are different antecedent contexts and fields of activity for research about research. One end of the spectrum is represented by humanities (e.g., Stanford University's "Man, Technology and Human Values" program). At the opposite end of the spectrum are studies in engineering or at faculties of jurisprudence and medicine. In the middle of the same spectrum are a concentration of studies of the social aspects of science and technology, together with decision-making problems (e.g., arms control questions). In Sweden, the colloquia generated the idea of establishing a center of research about research, based on a number of emergent projects, which are briefly described. It is concluded that the colloquia helped to impart some stability to a new research field, both by facilitating the development of knowledge surveys and by establishing international research contacts. (SW)