Are there any unwritten rules in scientific research?

Author: Alfredo de la Lama García
Abstract: This paper presents an exploration of
the rules of engagement for scientific
research, which usually remain
hidden to the uninitiated. To reveal their
existence, an exploratory field work was
undertaken using a technique called spontaneous
recollection. The results exceeded
our expectations, because although most
scientists interviewed (basic and engineering
sciences, life and health sciences, and
social sciences) recognized the existence
of such rules (88%), only a minority
(9%) was able to recall any spontaneously.
While, when four of these agreed upon
rules -associated to specific types of attitudes-
were mentioned, between 91 and
up to 97% of scientists recognized them
as ground rules for scientific activity. This
discovery represents a step towards understanding
the systems of inquiry.
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