THE ART OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 



In Other words the tactical planning is best done by the bench 

 worker, not the office administrator. Where there is not an 

 acknowledged leader of the team, the problem can often be 

 divided up so that each person capable of independent work 

 has his own aspect of the problem for which he is responsible. 

 The thing to avoid is too detailed and rigid planning by the 

 assembled team. However, when team work is undertaken, the 

 work ought to be sufficiently co-ordinated for each to understand 

 not only his own special aspect but have a good grasp of the 

 problem as a whole. The principles of team work were well 

 expressed by Ehrlich : " Centralisation of investigation with 

 independence of the individual worker." All plans must be 

 regarded as tentative and subject to revision as the work pro- 

 gresses. One must not confuse the planning of research with the 

 planning of individual experiments. No one would dispute the 

 advisability of devoting great care to the planning of experi- 

 ments and carrying them through according to plan. 



Team work is essential in research in the investigation of 

 problems which overlap into several branches of science, for 

 instance, the investigation of a disease by a clinician, bacteriolo- 

 gist and biochemist. Large teams are most frequently used in 

 biochemical investigations where there is need for a large amount 

 of co-ordinated skilled technical work. Also team work is often 

 required to develop discoveries which have originated from 

 individual workers. 



Another important use of the team is to increase the capacity 

 of the brilliant man beyond what he could do with only his 

 hands and technical assistance. The research team, especially 

 of this type, also is valuable in providing an opportunity for 

 the beginner to learn to do research. The young scientist benefits 

 more from working in collaboration with an experienced research 

 worker than by only having supervision from him. Also in this 

 way he is more likely to get a taste of success, which is a 

 tremendous help. Moreover, the association of the freshness 

 and originality of youth with the accumulated knowledge and 

 experience of a mature scientist can be a mutually beneficial 

 arrangement. Where close collaboration is involved, the personali- 

 ties of the individuals are, of course, an important consideration. 

 Most brilliant men are stimulating to others, but some are so 



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