According to Griffiths (1998, p97), “There is no hope of doing perfect research”. Before discussion, it would be important to know, what does research mean? The word research defined by Merriam Webster dictionary, as, “studious inquiry or examination; especially: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new fact, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws.” (Merriam-webster.com) this shows that research involved in discovering the facts and figured knowledge and inventing new devices, or, improving their present status.
Therefore no one can say that one has discovered or invent a thing, which no need to improve, or, which is perfect, because, there always a room is spare. In this sense the research can’t be perfect, because it always leads to more researches. For example, there were lot of theories about our solar system that have been changing time to time; one of those was the discovery of Pluto.
When Pluto was found, it was considered third planet to be discovered, after Uranus and Neptune, as opposed to the sixth planets that have been visible in the sky to the naked eyes since ancient times. The existence of ninth planet had been postulated beginning in the late 19th century on the basis of apparent perturbation of the orbital motion of Uranus, which suggested that a more-distant body was gravitationally disturbing it.(Tobias Chant Owen, Discoveries of Pluto and its moons, history.com)
But according to later researches, now it is not considered a planet. According to Tobias, “If Pluto had been discovered in the context of the Kuiper belt rather than as an isolated entity, it might never have been ranked with eight planets.” (Pluto’s status as a solar system member, history.com) He further said, “Moreover, about the turn of 21st century, astronomers observed several KBOs that are each roughly the size of Charon and one, named Eris, that is slightly larger than Pluto itself. Because Pluto was no longer unique in the outer reaches of solar system, it became incumbent on astronomers either to admit additional member into the planetary ranks or to exclude Pluto.” (Tobias, Pluto’s status as a solar system member, history.com) and it does not mean that it stops here; there would be more researches for Pluto’s status and solar system.
In the same way Graham Bell invented the telephone, but the telephone itself was an improvement in telegraph, “The telegraph and telephone are both wire-based electrical systems, and Alexander Graham Bell’s success with the telephone came as direct result of his attempt to improve telegraph.” (Mary Bellis, inventors.about.com) and now the telephones are quite different than those of Bell’s. These are more advanced and more useful. And there would be more improvements in future.
But it does not mean that a researcher should start his research with a thought in mind that he is not able do it perfect, a researcher should do his research as perfect, because, if a researcher achieves his goal, in that sense, it would be a perfect research. For example Graham Bell wanted to improve telegraph and he had done it, it means he was successful in his achievement.
In short words there is a hope of achievement in research, but, no hope of perfect research, because we are human being who are not perfect. There can be flaws in man’s work. In this way, we can say, “There is no hope of doing perfect research.”
Work Cited
Bellis, Mary,”The History of the Telephone” inventors.about.com. web. 8Jan. 2012
Owen, Tobias Chant, “Discoveries of Pluto and its Moons.” web. 7Jan. 2012
---. “Pluto’s Status as a Solar System Member.” Web. 8Jan.2012
“Merriam Webster dictionary.” Web. 7Jan. 2012
