

.A^^^3>^ 



chapti:r I 



AVOID FRUITLESS EXPERIMEN 



Fred M. Uber, U. S. I\avy Electronics Laboratory 



A. Approaches to Important Discoveries 2 



1. Accidental Approach 2 



2. Incidental Approach 3 



3. DeHberate or Direct Approach 4 



4. Organized or Controlled Approach 5 



B. Analyze the Problem 6 



1 . Look for Basic Difficulty 7 



2. Focus Attention on Relevant Facts 8 



3. Discard Meaningless Questions 9 



4. Appraise Relative Importance of Problems 10 



5. Choose Initial Problem Wisely 11 



6. Pursue Type of Research That Comes Naturally 12 



C. Refrain from Undue Repetition of Work of Others 13 



1. Keep Abreast of Current Developments 13 



2. Shun Negative Experiments 15 



D. Recognize Experimental Limitations 15 



1. Theoretical Considerations 15 



2. Instrumentation and Technique 17 



E. Choose Biological Material Critically 19 



1. Select Best Genus and Species of Organism 19 



2. Select a Widely Used Organism 20 



3. Select a Genetically Constant Organism 21 



F. Consider Time a Factor 22 



1. Time and Equipment 23 



2. Time and Personnel 24 



G. Satisfy Important Technical Demands 25 



1. Design Experiments 25 



2. Control Environmental Factors 26 



3. Employ Standard Units of Measurement 27 



4. Use Appropriate Degree of Accuracy 29 



H. Analyze Data Objectively 29 



I. Secure Effective Publication 32 



References 37 



Few scientists, even on a holiday, would undertake deliberately to 

 conduct a meaningless experiment. But most critical scientists will 



