INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO FOREST PRODUCTS. 23 



TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 

 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. 



In conducting technical investigations it is necessary : 



(1) That the importance of the results sought be carefully weighed 

 in comparison with other work proposed by the various units of the 

 Forest Service, and that the work be correlated as far as practicable 

 with any other investigations in the same or related fields. 



(2) That the investigator have a clear conception of the purpose 

 and value of the investigation and of the methods to be followed in 

 conducting it. and that the purpose and methods be made matters 

 of record. 



(3) That the plan for conducting the investigation be perfected aS 

 far as possible before work is begun. 



(4) That complete information on materials used be secured and 

 recorded. 



(5) That standard methods and terms be used as far as possible to 

 coordinate the work of the entire Branch. 



(6) That frequent partial summaries and analyses of results be 

 made so that plans or methods may be modified as found necessary 

 before the work has proceeded too far. 



(.7) That complete final summaries and analyses of results be em- 

 bodied in a written report of permanent record. 



The following procedure is established to meet these requirements I 



PROJECTS. 



The project is the unit for conducting technical investigations. It 

 may consist of a series of tests or experiments conducted: 



(1) For experimental research to develop new facts. 



(2) For verification of experimental results on a commercial scale. 



(3) For cooperation with outside parties in the application of 

 scientific principles and processes developed by research in order to 

 demonstrate their commercial value. 



(4) For the collection of statistics and information pertaining 

 to wood-using industries, waste, substitutes, etc., of a specialized and 

 intensive character. 



Projects may be conducted independently or in cooperation with 

 individuals, states, or commercial organizations. 

 Designation of projects. 



Every project will be assigned a number by the director of the 

 Forest Products Laboratory or the chief of Industrial Investiga- 

 tions. As far as practicable, the project title and number will be as- 

 signed when it is decided to undertake the specific investigation* 

 When a preliminary investigation is necessary to determine the 

 advisability of the project, a number will not be assigned until the 

 preliminary report has been made and approved. 

 Steps in projects. 



Projects, as a rule, involve the following steps, certain of which 

 may be eliminated in specific cases : 



(1) Incorporation in annual investigative program. 



(2) Preliminary investigation. 



