REASON 



extensions of our theories beyond the field in which they have 

 been tested often lead us astray. The process of extrapolation is 

 rather similar to implication and is useful in providing suggestions. 



A useful aid in getting a clear understanding of a problem is 

 to write a report on all the information available. This is helpful 

 when one is starting on an investigation, when up against a 

 difficulty, or when the investigation is nearing completion. Also 

 at the beginning of an investigation it is useful to set out clearly 

 the questions for which an answer is being sought. Stating the 

 problem precisely sometimes takes one a long way toward the 

 solution. The systematic arrangement of the data often discloses 

 flaws in the reasoning, or alternative lines of thought which had 

 been missed. Assumptions and conclusions at first accepted as 

 " obvious " may even prove indefensible when set down clearly 

 and examined critically. Some institutions make it a rule for all 

 research workers to furnish a report quarterly on the work done, 

 and work planned. This is useful not only for the director to keep 

 in touch with developments but also to the workers themselves. 

 Certain directors prefer verbal reports which they consider more 

 useful in helping the research worker " get his ideas straight ". 



Careful and correct use of language is a powerful aid to 

 straight thinking, for putting into words precisely what we 

 mean necessitates getting our own minds quite clear on what 

 we mean. It is with words that we do our reasoning, and 

 writing is the expression of our thinking. Discipline and training 

 in writing is probably the best training there is in reasoning. 

 Allbutt has said that slovenly writing reflects slovenly thinking, 

 and obscure writing usually confused thinking. The main aim in 

 scientific reports is to be as clear and precise as possible and make 

 each sentence mean exactly what it is intended to and be incap- 

 able of other interpretation. Words or phrases that do not have 

 an exact meaning are to be avoided because once one has given 

 a name to something, one immediately has a feeling that the 

 position has been clarified, whereas often the contrary is true. 

 "A verbal cloak of ignorance is a garment that often hinders 

 progress." ^^ 



The role of reason in research 



Although discoveries originate more often from unexpected 

 experimental results or observations, or from intuitions, than 



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