THE ART OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 



In most walks of life it is possible to get into a groove, or to go 

 "stale", but it is a more serious problem in research than in most 

 other occupations, because practically all the research worker's 

 activities must be initiated from within his own brain. He gets 

 stimulus from his work only when he is making progress, whereas 

 the business man, the lawyer and the physician are constantly 

 receiving stimulus both from their clients and from the fact that 

 they are able to effect something. 



Frequent discussion of one's work with associates who show 

 an interest in it is helpful in avoiding "lab. neurosis". The great 

 value of "mental catharsis" in neurosis is well known, and 

 similarly telling others of one's problems and sharing one's dis- 

 appointments can help the baffled research worker from suffering 

 unduly from worry. 



"Lab. neurosis" is most likely to arise in scientists devoting all 

 their time to one research problem. Some individuals find 

 sufficient relief if they have two problems under investigation at 

 the same time. For others it is better to spend a portion of their 

 time in teaching, routine diagnostic work, administration or 

 similar occupation which enables them to feel they are doing 

 something effectively and contributing something to the com- 

 munity even if getting nowhere with the research. Each case needs 

 to be considered individually, but if effective research is to be 

 accomplished the scientist nevertheless has to devote the major 

 portion of his time to it. 



With regard to this latter point W. B. Cannon waxes eloquent : 



" This time element is essential. The investigator may be made 

 to dwell in a garret, he may be forced to live on crusts and wear 

 dilapidated clothes, he may be deprived of social recognition, 

 but if he has time, he can steadfastly devote himself to research. 

 Take away his free time and he is utterly destroyed as a contri- 

 butor to knowledge." ^^ 



It is little use to squeeze research into an hour or two of spare 

 time during a day occupied in other duties, especially if the other 

 duties are of a nature that require a lot of thought, for, apart 

 from time at the bench, research requires peace of mind for 

 reflection. Furthermore, to achieve results in research it is some- 

 times necessary to drive oneself in the face of frustrations and 

 it may be a disadvantage to have a too ready alternative "escape" 



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