The Art of Inquiry: Scientists' Quest for New Questions Over Answers

Scientists often prioritize the formulation of new questions over finding new answers. This paradoxical approach highlights the fundamental role of questioning in scientific advancement. As Einstein famously noted, 'We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.' This statement encapsulates the essence of why new questions, rather than preconceived answers, are paramount.

Understanding the Interplay Between Questions and Answers

In the realm of science and life in general, questions and answers are inseparably linked. However, it is crucial to appreciate that having an answer without a question is unproductive. Without a question, an answer often remains abstract and lacks meaning. For instance, when a scientist is presented with the term 'dogs' or 'planetessimal accretion' or 'hematoma', the underlying curiosity that prompts the question is the driving force behind meaningful research.

The process of scientific inquiry begins with formulating a question. This can be as complex as a hypothesis about the behavior of particles in the universe (e.g., Dogs) or as straightforward as an observation that leads to a testable statement (e.g., Planetessimal accretion). By posing a question, scientists engage in a dialogue with the universe, seeking to uncover hidden truths and expand our understanding of the world around us.

Designing Experiments: An Experiment in Itself

At the heart of scientific research is the experimental process. To design an experiment, scientists must have a hypothesis or a theory about what they expect to discover. However, this initial expectation is not set in stone. Instead, it serves as a guiding light for the experimental design. For example, in my research involving human multipotent adult stem cells, the hypothesis was: Human multipotent adult stem cells injected into a normal rat will not be rejected by the immune system.

This hypothesis stems from an initial question: I wonder what will happen if I inject human multipotent adult stem cells into the skin of a normal rat, similar to a human PPD test, will they be rejected?. From this question, an experiment was carefully planned with appropriate controls. The unexpected result provided new insights, propelling the research forward.

The Role of Unexpected Results in Scientific Discovery

Scientific research is not merely about confirming existing hypotheses. Indeed, many experiments fail, and these failures are as significant as successful outcomes. When an experiment fails, scientists are trained to ask new questions. These questions are not just about identifying errors but about exploring the underlying reasons for the failure and understanding whether the unexpected results reveal something new and important.

For example, if an expected outcome is not achieved, scientists will delve deeper, asking questions like: What could have caused this unexpected result?, Could there be an unconsidered factor at play?, or How can we modify our experiment to gain further insight?. By asking such questions, scientists can uncover new avenues of research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Formulating New Hypotheses: The Engine of Innovation

The process of scientific research has two primary components: hypothesis formulation and hypothesis evaluation. Data is only useful in relation to a hypothesis. Therefore, gathering data without a specific hypothesis in mind is often futile. Scientists must first develop a hypothesis, which is essentially a statement about the physical universe. The hypothesis guides the collection of data and the design of experiments.

The hypothesis mentioned earlier—Human multipotent adult stem cells injected into a normal rat will not be rejected by the immune system—was not a random guess but a well-formulated hypothesis based on previous knowledge and observations. This hypothesis led to the design of a specific experiment with controls to test its validity.

However, hypotheses often start as questions. For instance, the initial question in my research was What will happen if human multipotent adult stem cells are injected into the skin of a normal rat?. This question was the catalyst for the design of a rigorous experiment. Once the experiment was conducted, the answer provided new insights, leading to new questions and further research.

Ultimately, the ability to formulate new questions and evaluate new hypotheses is what drives scientific progress. By encouraging curiosity and critical thinking, scientists can explore uncharted territories and push the boundaries of our understanding. As Einstein wisely observed, problems can only be solved through innovative thinking that challenges conventional approaches. Thus, the quest for new questions is not just a byproduct of scientific research; it is the very essence of what makes scientific inquiry so dynamic and exciting.