The Discipline of Science

The discipline of science includes:

1. Gathering data
2. Regathering data to check it was done right the first time
3. Refining and improving the techniques used to gather data
4. Analyzing data for any unexpected results as compared to current mythology
5. Analyzing data to show that current mythology is just OK, thanks very much
6. Cherry-picking data in the interests of point 5
7. Explaining unexpected results in a qualitative way – hypothesizing
8. Testing hypotheses in a quantitative way – development of models
9. Reducing models to limiting cases – the development of theories
10. Finding more general theories compared to the current theories
11. Summarizing periods of recent science in review articles and books – otherwise known as wrapping-up and moving on
12. Using unexpected results to find inventions than can be exploited for gain
13. Messing around systematically in an experimental space hoping to find an unexpected result that can be exploited, sometimes even using models and theories to guide one through
14. Messing around randomly in an experimental space hoping to find an unexpected result that can be exploited
15. Lying to the world and yourself about the potential value of any such results from 14
16. Aiding and assisting the engineers when they exploit any such unexpected results from 12-14
17. Not teaching science to high school students
18. Teaching science to undergraduates and post-graduates
19. Climbing the greasy pole of acceptance in a research peer group
20. Communicating science information to a general audience when one gets tired of all the above
21. Becoming a university administrator when one gets tired of all the above
22. Becoming a business manager when one gets tired of all the above
23. Retiring when one gets tired of all the above
24. Not teaching any undergraduate or postgraduate student any of the details above

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