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Abstract

The paths of progress in scientific research are often beset with missteps and setbacks. Rarely is progress made without some faltering. In this respect, scientific research is not particularly different from most new undertakings in life. To overcome the missteps and setbacks, persistence is a most important characteristic. Persistence is generated by strong motivations to pursue a particular research problem. It is also maintained by the recognition that apparent missteps and setbacks are often sources of useful information that can help direct a research programme to a desired result. As a consequence, the pursuit of a research goal is generally not a random process. These matters are illustrated by several examples from the literature. Some comments are also included concerning the support of research and the role of society.

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The Role of Motivation in Scientific Research III: The Paths of Progress

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