THERE IS NO HOPE OF DOING PERFECT RESEARCH - DO YOU AGREE

To agree with this statement is to recognise the dichotomy between the words ‘research’ and ‘perfect’. When something is ‘perfect’ it is complete in that it is beyond practical or theoretical improvement, entirely without any flaws, defects or shortcomings and exactly correct in every detail. The word research suggests a continuing element, so that information at any given point in time is incomplete and is subject to revision giving rise to what is known as theory.

Einstein’s two theories of relativity are an example of this. Einstein’s first theory of special relativity had its limitations which led him to develop his second theory of general relativity. These two theories encompass the idea that two observers traveling relative to each other may have different perceptions of time and space, yet the laws of nature are still uniform, and certain properties always remain invariant. Einstein was hailed as a genius and his theories were ground-breaking, innovative, and revolutionary. Yet even the work of relativity done by someone of Einstein’s calibre who is said to be the greatest scholar of the twentieth century is becoming outdated. Modern scientists have found that there are inconsistencies between quantum mechanics and relativity which have yet to be resolved and a new theory is needed to reconcile the two. Einstein in fact improved upon the theory of Newton, and so it is that quantum physics are developing Einstein’s work.

Another example is the astonishing discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 in the Qumran caves. The Dead Sea Scrolls are dated from 150BCE and 70CE and were written in all probability by the Essene sect who were ascetics and Jewish schismatics. These documents are the oldest known texts of the Old Testament and have been an invaluable resource into the history of philosophy and religion, particularly Judaism and Christianity. Copies of Old Testament books found at Qumran exposed errors in pre-existing translations printed from 1611 onwards and this resulted in revisions to future editions of the Old Testament. In addition there were a number of unique commentaries on Old Testament books and apocryphal and pseudepigraphic documents which have revolutionized textual criticism. Many of the Scrolls are written in Hebrew and Aramaic and their discovery has facilitated further research of these languages. Furthermore since the Essenes were a non-rabbinic sect of Judaism there is much material which shows that Christianity was rooted in Judaism - they have been called the evolutionary link between the two.

The above demonstrates that knowledge itself is not perfect. Even though we may believe that information on a certain subject has been exhausted at a particular point in time, there is always the likelihood of new and innovative material being discovered. We live in a changing world in which new discoveries, innovation and original ideas from others may put a new perspective on any given subject so that revision and change is inevitable. The world that we live in is imperfect and subject to constant change and so it is with research which can always be added to, improved and revised.

Another consideration is the uniqueness of individual researchers who have their own methods and ideas. Objectivity is always the goal of research, but inevitably where people exist, biases and imperfections also exist. What one person sees as vital, another sees as secondary and individual researchers often have differing perspectives on the same subject.

Resource is an area that also influences the quality of research. There may be a vast amount of material available which it is impossible to gather and study in a given timeframe. Difficulty in sourcing information may inhibit the quality of research or finances may not be available to conduct expensive research. We can see therefore that logistically there may be practical difficulties which prevent thorough research.

Since research is proven to be a process rather than a static phenomenon, and given the imperfections and limitations of the human condition and the world we live in, I would agree with the statement: There is no hope of doing perfect research.