1020] EDITORIAL. 309 



velop. But there is sometimes a tendency to clinp: to a project after 

 the main point it set out to settle has been determined, or to digress 

 from it to other points which tend to expand it indefinitely in time 

 and scope. Some workers are prone to outline projects so })road 

 and comprehensive that they will require years and possibly a life- 

 time for accomi)lishment. As an ex})ression of a hifrh ambition such 

 projects ma}^ deserve approval, but as practicable undertakings they 

 are often w' ide of the mark and are apt to represent a tendency toward 

 diffusion rather than concentration. 



One disadvantage of too large and time consuming projects is the 

 uncertainty of the personnel and the chances of change to another 

 location. Projects represent individual effort. Workers ordinarily 

 select and state their own projects. They may be engaged for work 

 in a particular field but they are less successfully assigned to estab- 

 lislied and incompleted investigations. "When a change comes in the 

 leadership of a long-time investigation there is difficulty in providing 

 for its continuance, at least without considerable loss of efficiency and 

 zeal. Such projects are therefore disadvantageous to the station 

 unless they are so organized as to represent distinct phases or steps 

 which may be completed in reasonable time, or which it may be 

 feasible for another to carry forward. 



On the other hand, unfinished studies can not always be transferred 

 to another institution when a change of location is made, and hence 

 the investigator may suffer loss of opportunity and of credit for 

 what he has done. Large, comprehensive projects usually involve 

 more extensive plant and operations, and greater expense in main- 

 tenance, while the progress from year to year is less definite. The 

 station is thus burdened for an indefinite period with a heavy over- 

 head which can not be reduced and which may prevent other work 

 being taken up as it assumes importance; and the investigator him- 

 .self may loose some of the incentive which comes from accomplish- 

 ment, and may advance his reputation less rapidly than if the units 

 of his effort were smaller. 



This view is not opposed to large undertakings when properly 

 organized, and it does not imply that a station should confine itself 

 to simple things which can be quickly accomplished. Rather it 

 suggests the advantage of analysis of large problems and of organi- 

 zation of the work under them so that they may progress step b}^ step 

 instead of attempting to advance simultaneously along a broad front. 



The making of research projects requires study, quite as much as 

 'arrying them on. Much time and economy of effort may be gained 

 by such study and examination at the outset, determining not only the 

 Tiethods of approach but the practicable units of effort. Many of 

 he existing projects were made ten or fifteen years ago or even 



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