Amending the ‘data’, or rejecting some as erroneous, is a…
““Amending the ‘data’, or rejecting some as erroneous, is a frequent concomitant of scientific discovery, and the crucial ‘data’ cannot even be obtained until theory tells us what to look for and how and why.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Scientific progress relies on editing data and theory together; data is only meaningful when guided by theoretical expectations.
In simple terms: Science edits data and theory together; theory directs data collection.
Align data collection with theoretical goals.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research design
- experiment planning
- data analysis
- theory development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does theory shape what data you seek?
- Can data ever be truly theory‑independent?
Theory may bias data interpretation, limiting objectivity.