MODERN RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 16

MODERN RESEARCH

INDUSTRY'S ATTITUDE

PR. MARSDEN'S INTERVIEW

tho newer attitude of industry in progressive countries towards scientifically-trained men, the permanent secretary of the Department 'of Scientific and Industrial Koseareh [(Dr. E. Marsden), in his Commemoration Day address at Canterbury ColJegc, qfibted from an ; interview-which he had l-eeently'wilii the president of the Atlantic Coast "Fisheries, a largo and progressive business in Now York, and jone whieli. had consistently encouraged research. /.There are troubles confronting tho proprietor who wishes to institute a policy of research in his business, and there are troubles for a research man 'who is working for a good business man who docs not understand the ways of research, said tho president to Dr. Marsden. In large companies these troubles do not arise, for the research department is highly organised under a 'research director, who generally is made a director of tho company. In smaller industries elaborate organisations are. impossible. The general manager of the company'hires a man, provides him with as much money as he can afford for the" purpose, and undertakes to manago him and guide him in his work in what he thinks is tho proper direction. , ■ . • So long as the proprietor attempts i-e'seareh along these lines, directing it himself, ho invariably runs smack into empiricism, which is tho lowest, most expensive, and least productive form of research activity. Eiupmeismis the trial and error method of obtaining knowledge. You try all sorts of combinations of what you arc studying, and select one that appears to work best. It is the way one learns by experience, somewhat systematised and accelerated. It achieves progress, but usually by small steps, and with the simpler problems Ecw outstanding, accomplish-, moiit's result from this procedure. . " Problems arc solved by a scientific etudy and diagnosis-a correct diagnosis will bring out thV byiT H^fto* obvious to the man who made the study and understood tho problem m detail. The diagnosis may involve a knowledge W the laws of vapours and many othei laws of chemistry and physics. It is Sub that tho layman proprietor cannot direct' the solution of-many problems—not because he laclvs t.ie iv temgence to do so, but because he Tacks the background o± specuahsod "knowledge that is necessary to solve it Possessed of a. broad knowledge of the laws and the great array of facts of natural science, the chemist, if he be a good one, can see many possibi ities of immense value that are ] utterly invisible to tho business man, who lacks this' special- knowledge. - He. can Revise new' processes .and new products, improve the technique, and save money, ?& there is no possibility that prietor, without the appreciative basis iof scientific knowledge, can direct the • this we cati reach certain important conclusions about, the "March Mah in the industrial scheme of things. Pure scientificresearch is. being, or should be, conducted _in univemties, Government laboratories, and endowed institutions,"all over the world by thousands of scientists who arc not primarily toheemo-a with proprietors, or even with the usefulness of their work. They-are discovering of what the world is made, the inter-relationships., of ;matter ana tawgy, the principles of: life. Their xceults are published and accumulated, in libraries as the growing scientific heritage of man. This is pure research. APPLIED "RESEARCH. Applied research is the use of this body of pure scientific knowledge for practical purposes-new products, better products, better processes, lower ' costs, and the like. It is the business of the industrial researcher to prepare himself in 'college with the fundamentals of pure, scientific knowledge and to apply it to the special problems of the industry he has' chosen for his liies' work. Control of operations by laboratory methods often is mistaken for research. Tf an industrial operation, to produce the best results, must be frequently sampled and tho product analysed, it may bo necessary to use. apparatus that is often seen m research, laboratories; but this docs not routine control work into research. ' If a proprietor wishes seriously to take up research ho must proceed im accordance with these principles: First must be found a good man thoroughly prepared in the fundamentals of seieneo Generally, and the special laws of his own field. Ho must be an' omnivorous reader of scientific books and journals, and, in addition to these fundamental qualifications, he should-bea man. of. good human attributes. The personal recommendation of tho professors in the University who have had the applicant under their tutelage is the most dependable indication, but even this is not sure. , Tho research man, when chosen, must be taken into, the fullest confidence of the business; his usefulness will be limited if he does not. learn the business as fully as is possible, as, if not, he is apt to work at trifles—tho little things he sees round him in the plant. The proprietor'should discuss with the research man, in friendly terms the ; problems and possibilities of the busi- '■ iicss. He will not only gain new scientific ideas of his own business, but will put into the research man's mind the pieces of which great thoughts are made. If tho research man cannot receive this confidence without inflation of his ego, and without becoming obnoxious to his associates, he is not big enough for his job. CONFIDENCE NEEDED. The 'first thing tho research man needs is the confidence of his employer and hia associates—the plant manager, tho foreman, salesmen, and operator. He is more likely to be looked upon by tho general run of employees as tho college man with a lot of theories, but no practical knowledge, who has a soft nob at good pay because .lie knows a lot of big words. It is the natural reaction of men everywhere who have .worked long and hard to secure the jobs they have, and who do know their :jobs by practical experience. Confidence is won by three important elements: ability to understand others, and to mako onself understood, and the production of Useful results. The art of telling about scientific subjects in clear, simple language is a great asset to the researcher, ud is indispensable in dealing with the chief and co-workers in an industry. The production of useful results means more even than all this; it means the careful, patient, accurate, ':ancl persistent:carrying through of projects to completion. It is a mere platitude to say that one idea completed land put'to work is better than any -number, however, brilliant, not worked ;ou't. If ,'th'o research man lives up to ■ Is'll of these requirements he is a good '■poo; for even-marked individuality does 'inpt- enable a. man to escape tho penalties of sloppy and inaccurate thinking, iiriental laziness," and inability to tell viii's' chief, in understandable language, '.[What ho knows.