This paper aims at discussing the possible interdisciplinary similarities between a linguistic approach focussed on scientific interaction and inspired by conversation analysis and a sociological approach focussed on the academic practices and inspired by ethnomethodology and the actor-network theory. First, we present some common principles characterizing both approaches; then we develop an empirical analysis of scientific discussions recorded within four research groups. This analysis deals with the procedures by which participants provide a response to a proposal, either adopting or rejecting it. It shows how interactional linguistics can contribute to the description of emergent processes of knowledge construction within the situated practices of research teams.