In The Economist’s article, “Let’s Just Try That Again” (2016), the anonymous author claims that meticulous retesting of previous experiments is a vital part of the scientific process, and though it has been neglected over the years, it could be experiencing a renascence. He or she supports their assertions by introducing an upcoming scientific journal dedicated to rechecking old studies, explaining the reasons the act of verification fell into obscurity, and showing the failings of previously unchecked experiments. Their purpose is to bring the matter to their readers attention in order to stimulate further interest and discussion on the topic. The author displays an excitement and hopefulness towards the future of scientific research as well
In his nonfiction text, The Great Influenza, John M. Barry explains that scientific research is an uncertain process. Barry supports this explanation by using rhetorical strategies such as repetition and a metaphor. Barry’s purpose is to prove scientific research is a confident process that allows one to be courageous on the side of uncertainty. Barry uses formal tone with his audience that goes beyond researchers.
In characterizing scientific research, Barry chooses specific diction that has strong connotations so as to create the greatest effect by contrasting them. His juxtaposition of the words “certainty” and “uncertainty” serve a twofold purpose in the context of this piece. The first is to emphasize the fearfulness and timidity associated with uncertainty. Secondly, it serves to exhibit
Brilliant author, John M. Barry, once proclaimed, “Uncertainty makes one tentative if not fearful, and tentative steps, even when in the right direction, may not overcome significant obstacles… It is the courage to accept—indeed, embrace—uncertainty” (Barry 3-5 & 9-10). These quotes can be traced back to John M. Barry’s passage of “The Great Influenza,” where he writes an account about the 1918 flu epidemic that struck the world. In his account, he goes into further explanation about the rigors and fulfillment of being a scientist, and simultaneously, discusses the tedious process of their research. Ultimately, society is educated that the life of a scientist should not be absolute, but it should consist of persistence and courage. In John M. Barry’s “The Great Influenza,” the author employs innovative metaphors and unique rhetorical questions to portray scientific research.
The scientific method continues to be misrepresented in public schools all over the world. Students are being taught that there is a beginning and an end to the scientific method, and that everything in between is protocol and must be followed chronologically. “Ask a question, do some research, come up with a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, understand your data, make your conclusion!” a grade six science teacher will tell their students. “It’ll be on your quiz!”. However, what those students are not being taught is that the scientific method has never been, and will never be a linear process. Scientists constantly revisit different steps of the process in order to better understand the subject matter; sometimes it can take many years to
In his book “The Great Influenza”, author John M. Barry writes about how scientific research is difficult and full of uncertainty. Barry uses concise syntax, repetition and negative describing words, in order to give the audience an idea about the struggles and uncertainty of scientific research.
Determined journalists, travelers, and people of other professions believe in exploring the natural world, conducting research, and performing experimental errors. Scientists, especially, will often embrace their passions with certainty that they will discover something worthwhile, ignoring the challenges they may come across. In “The Great Influenza” by John M. Barry, he describes these scientists with the utmost respect. Barry characterizes scientific research as a devoted activity where it is crucial to embrace uncertainty in order to yield solutions; this outlook is seen through his subtle figurative language, specifically, allusions along with the direct characterization of the qualities that successful scientists must hold, and comparisons.
Science plays an integral role in the development and findings of many great things that we can benefit from. Integrity along with a specific set of moral standards must always be followed in order to ensure the end result enables a healthy environment for all whom wish to benefit from such studies. Integrity must always play and be the most essential key role in scientific research. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1831) and Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) one is able to conclude that integrity must be maintained while conducting scientific research as a lack of can result in the creation of monsters.
The development of the scientific method in the late 1500’s to the early 1600’s was a crucial stepping-stone in the science community. The scientific method is based upon observations, hypotheses and experimentation. The concept is rather simple, and can be applied to many areas of study. Once an observation is made, the observer can make a hypothesis as to why that phenomenon occurs and can then design an experiment to prove whether or not that hypotheses is valid. Although the scientific method has been extremely useful in the discovery of various things from usages of medications to studying animal behavior, there are still those who question the usage of this tool. These critics claim that since
Scientific Advancement has been on the rise to date. Things that were considered impossible in the past are now being accomplished on a day to day basis. Some of these scientific advancements like Smartphones, Quantum computing and recently cloning are now being socially accepted. But these scientific wonders that seem magical have overstepped their boundaries.
“Science, on the other hand, has to assert its soberness and seriousness afresh and declare
Mond’s defence of the limitations for science is the ability of science to “undo it’s own good work.” (208) This argument is completely unfounded. In the history of the human race there has not been one moment where scientific progress has undone it’s own work. This is due to science and scientists having the ability to communicate with each other and peer review research and discoveries. These peer reviews not only give feedback to researchers they also help to create healthy debate, and opposing points of view for the ethics of science before anything good is “undone” by
Researchers recognize reproducibility as the core of science and the path to cumulative knowledge (Freedman et al., 2015,2,3. Reproducibility reflects the fundamental
Throughout this course I have learned many things about research at an introductory level. Research is a critical part of all of our lives in many ways. God blesses each of us with a degree of common sense and we all learn from observing others even as babies, we learned behaviors and skills by observing our parents. Walking through experiences throughout life teach us a lot we need to know as well but sometimes we have to take a better approach when we need to learn about certain things. Many of us know that what works in some situations or with certain individuals doesn’t always work or is the safest option for another situation. Controlled and precisely organized study allows scientists to compare and examine contrasting methods and concepts, also helps them to discover various approaches and be able to learn from individual’s behaviors and experiences. I will act as the case study throughout this paper in order to observe what I have learned about.
In The Dark Side of science by Heather E. Douglas that published in the November (2011) issue of The Scientist, promotes the use of forethought on studies done by scientists. Dr. Douglas focuses on the great need for the studies done to include the negative outcome on life vs just the positive. In a closer reading Dr. Douglas is humanizing the situation to connect with scientists explaining why we need to take responsibility for our actions.
After the great disappointment, the journal Nature investigated in depth its system of review and publication of articles. They found some inconsistencies in their system, which the worst consequence could be the loss of confidence in science by the citizens. Furthermore, the RIKEN centre also became the target of criticism, which focused on the lack of ethics and the decline of the institution in recent years.