CHOOSING A RESEARCH PROBLEM 79 



which control some phase of organic activity. Whether the con- 

 trolling factors dealt with are immediately effective or far removed 

 from the controlled processes will naturally depend upon the prog- 

 ress which has previously been made in the physical analysis of 

 the phenomena involved. It is with the less thoroughly analyzed 

 phenomena of living beings that experimental science grades 

 imperceptibly into observational. But, even where conditions 

 cannot be artificially controlled, as in the modern experimental 

 study of organic evolution, the conditions furnished by nature, 

 both within and without the organism, may be measured and 

 compared as great complexes. Thus quantitative studies of 

 causality may be carried out without experiments, though not 

 without physical measurements. Here, however, we pass out of 

 the science of physiology as usually defined. 



2. The problem chosen should be circumscribed, definite and 

 specific. At the same time, it must be appreciated how this 

 particular problem is related to other similar specific questions, 

 the whole series covering some broad and, general field. It fre- 

 quently happens that a problem which attracts and fascinates a 

 graduate student is far too broad to be rationally attacked, some- 

 times the mere breadth constitutes an attractive feature and 

 throws a false glamor over the entire proposition. Such a ques- 

 tion should be separated into partial questions and these attacked 

 singly. The attempting of too broad, and hence, too indefinite 

 a problem in his earlier years of research has worked lasting injury 

 upon many a man of science. 



The ideal problem for a beginner should be capable of state- 

 ment, on a priori grounds, in the form of several alternatives; 

 all the logically possible answers to the questions may be advan- 

 tageously erected into hypotheses, and these may be tested in 

 order. This sort of a problem conduces to logical thinking and 

 must leave its sterling mark upon the mind in later years. Fur- 

 thermore, it is economical of energy and time, and the end of the 

 chosen piece of work is more or less clearly in view at the begin- 

 ning. To bring a problem into this condition requires, of course, 

 a large amount of thought at the outset ; this might well tend to 

 retard the progress of the generally prevalent idea among uni- 



