THE ART OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 



even here the hazards in its use are probably greater than gener- 

 ally realised. But in research we are continually groping beyond 

 known territory and here it is not so much a question of abandon- 

 ing reason as finding that we are unable to employ it because 

 there is not sufficient information available on which to use it 

 properly. Rather than delude ourselves that we are able effec- 

 tively to use reason in complex natural phenomena when we have 

 only inadequate information and vague ideas, it seems to me 

 better openly to recognise that we have often to resort to taste 

 and to recognise the important roles of chance and intuition in 

 discovery. 



In research, as indeed in everyday life, very often we have of 

 necessity to decide our course of action on personal judgment 

 based on taste. Only the technicalities of research are " scientific " 

 in the sense of being purely objective and rational. Paradoxical 

 as it may at first appear, the truth is that, as W. H. George has 

 said, scientific research is an art, not a science."*^ 



SUMMARY 



Tactics are best worked out by the worker engaged on the 

 problem. He should also have a say in planning strategy, but here 

 he can often be assisted by a research director or by a technical 

 committee which includes scientists familiar with the particular 

 field of work. The main function of committees is planning 

 matters of poUcy. Research can be planned but discovery 

 cannot. 



When discoveries are transferred to another field of science 

 they are often instrumental in uncovering still further knowledge. 

 I have given some hints on how best to go about the various 

 activities that constitute research, but explicit rules cannot be 

 laid down because research is an art. 



The general strategy of research is to work with some clear 

 object in view but nevertheless to keep alert for and seize any 

 unexpected opportunities. 



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