True scientific research and honest and ethical collection of data is a must for the forward progression of both science and mankind. Recently such a topic came up in an online think tank in discussing a particular research project and one of the leading researchers said; While I am definitely open to new concepts as a result of an experiment, I do prefer to conclude one experiment to satisfy the need. I think we always face the risks of loosing focus over the appeal of new discoveries, and so this is one of those things, which calls on interpersonal and professional discipline to remain successful. Another think tanker in abstract thought made another flipside of the coin comment and stated: I have often heard of this comment by humans, I wonder why they use this so often, I have always found that encircling a problem is the best way to conquer it. Sure with a steady hand and a good eye, some practice and shear will you can hit the bulls eye. But I always like to walk up to the target and look at it up close and personal, see what is behind it. Because killing two birds with one stone is preferable. But lining up 50 in a row and shooting down the line means you solve fifty problems with only one shot fired. Still there are issues with peer review and even if the experimental data is scientifically gathered and documented and the subject matter has been completely encircled that does not mean it will be accepted. And to this point another think tanker mentioned: The case and point where a result is blindly rejected. I would like to add that scientific data rejections are a common place in the community and that this probably poses a greater challenge for researchers than the discord met throughout the research phases. Indeed and even worse the funding of projects too often dictate what the outcome better be if they want continued funding. Lots of examples of this in Big Pharma, Corporate Sponsored Research and ones which touch on religious ideology. But as long as the researcher knows this going in, they can remain un-compromised if they choose which projects they wish to do, resolve to do them ethically and simply skip the ones that cross the lines of their level of comfort. I assume as per these comments that they are inline with the ethics needed to carry out this experiment or any for that matter on topics of importance to humanity. Good stuff so far. I hope you will consider all this in 2006. |
