%0 Journal Article
%T The problem of choice
%A Hassan R Naqvi
%A Shawn Mathur
%A David Covarrubias
%A Josephine A Curcio
%A Christian Schmidt
%J Molecular Cancer
%D 2008
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1476-4598-7-86
%X Scientific publications are well known for using hedging [1], a writing resource whereby conclusions are written with precision, caution and due deference to the prevailing opinion in anticipation of possible opposition to claims made. As it is commonly accepted practice in science, every claim must be based on experimental evidence, shared via peer-reviewed articles, thus, enabling readers to 'trace' arguments/theses to an experimental source. One can see that emotional outbreaks are not helpful in advancing science and refining our understanding of a given problem. However, research priorities, their presentation and even their criticism is informed by convictions which melds the conclusions from data sets in a particular manner and also directs the criticism generated against these conclusions. They provide a framework, a set of principles in the absence of absolutes in scientific research. These convictions when based on years of experience, survey of literature and counseling of peers with in the field are useful in furthering research. Even in the face of contrary, and seemingly divergent data, convictions informed by knowledge and wisdom enables the investigator to sense and grab on to that fine thread of logic that affirms seemingly opposing pieces of evidence and leads the way to the discovery of new and wondrous phenomena.At the same time, convictions also drive a sense of productive doubt with results or claims that seem far removed from expectation. While questioning the results and the methodology is an effective way to think about alternative ways to deal with problems, they however do not constitute a valid basis to lend credibility to alternate convictions. This is especially true in cases where the skeptic lacks a record of demonstrable scientific data that would support their point of view. Exceptions to principles and/or logical gaps in a particular model do not form the basis for absolute rejection and scrapping of a theory or the confirmation of
%U http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/7/1/86