There’s nothing new under the sun.
Your science? Your idea? Someone has thought of it. Someone has attempted it. Maybe what’s been done isn’t exactly your idea, but it’s probably close enough that there is a foundation to be built on, a lesson to be learned or a path that can be followed. That’s a good thing! Starting from zero rarely makes you a hero.
For this activity, use the Curated Library (or the Internet more broadly) to find two examples of science-focused ideas that are similar to what you’re trying to accomplish. One example should be a success; the other should be a failure. Investigate the processes behind each example to understand why one succeeded and one failed. After all, there are lessons to be learned from both examples.
Use these questions to help guide you:
Part One
- What’s the history behind the scientific research? If it’s a study, who commissioned or funded it and why?
- How was the science – the research process itself and/or the resulting finding/recommendation – framed? Did the science account for non-scientific realities (community positions, ethics, economics, politics)? Were stakeholders engaged? Should they have been?
- Were advocates involved in pushing for the scientific research? Did they help or hurt the outcome? Was the science biased or accused of having a bias?
- Create a chart listing the pros and cons of the research process and the resulting impact of the scientific finding? Was the scientific question big enough or too big or just right? How was the science viewed by stakholders? Even if the science was accurate, did the finding lead to division or resentment?
- Was the science focused on adding information to an existing debate, sparking a new debate or trying to solve/test a solution to a debate? Did the researchers behind the science advocate for their findings? Did this help or hurt the outcome?
- What role did the media/social media play in shaping the debate surrounding the science? Was there a debate?
- Did decision-makers accept the science? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the science ultimately succeeded or failed?
- Is there a template that can be used, or one that should be avoided?
- What would you have done differently, if anything, to help the failed science succeed?
- Could the successful science have been more successful in hindsight?
- What are the five main takeaway lessons from example you chose?
Get together with someone who is analyzing two different science examples. Compare notes and jot down their lessons learned. Reference these notes as you work to develop your idea.
Resources:
These are science’s Top 10 erroneous results
Highlight negative results to improve science
Characterizing scientific failure
Failure in Science Is Frequent and Inevitable–and We Should Talk More about It
Essentials of Hypothesis Testing and the Mistakes to Avoid
Failure of a Hypothesis: Alternative Explanations for Evidence
Part Two
Select two podcasts from the Podcast Pool and listen.
- Who do you think communicated their ideas or perspectives more effectively? Why?
- Did the podcast you enjoyed better convey a positive or negative message? Was the interviewee thoughtful? Why?
Part Three
As you now know, the scientific process of inquiry is long. And even if you clearly understand what success looks like, it’s hard to measure success along they way. Use this guide to help you find different ways of measuring success before your reach goal.
