Keep it "Under Wraps". Or Not.

Reply to "How can we avoid traps?"

I think that it would definitely be possible for research communities to work with and learn from mistakes. This can happen in a variety of ways. One way is for everyone in the research community to interact with one another. This can happen mainly through the technological advancements in video conferences, where people doing the same type of research from all over the world can talk, discuss and relate to one another and learn about differing concerns. One of the most important things to keep in mind while trying to learn from each other and cooperate with each other in fixing mistakes is being open. I think it is a primary goal nowadays, especially in science and medicine, to keep everything "under wraps." This is mainly due to the number of incentives (such as money) that are used to excuse keeping procedures/ideas/mistakes a secret. But there is no way that true, accurate science can happen if mistakes or problems are hidden from other researchers.

Not only this, but an ethics and values course on the impact of scientific research within communities should also be mandatory for researchers. One of the values that should be taught is that mistakes (in science, especially new and progressing science) will happen, and that instead of being afraid of losing prestige, funding, research opportunities, etc, that these mistake should instead be learning opportunities for the researchers individually involved, as well as the rest of the research community. We discussed in class how people even involved in the research may become complacent themselves about their own mistakes or concerns because if they do not feel that they have an important connection to the ending product/result, then there is no incentive to do well in, let's say, data entry. This system of capitalism has promoted a system of "everyone is on their own. You do your job, and do it right. There is no room for mistakes, and there is no room for cooperation between people in different jobs. There is a hierarchy. So follow it."  This mentality creates callousness that leads to further mistakes and problems. To promote success, the scientific research community (any research community for that matter), needs everyone involved in the research and analysis to notice each of their impacts in the research. They need to realize what part they play, and how it affects everyone else. This can happen through meetings, conferences, or just lunch-discussions about what is happening, and what needs work. Mistakes will happen, but they will never be recognized if profit and prestige is always the only motif.