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How Do Scientists Respond to Anomalies? Different Strategies Used in Basic and Applied Science
Author(s) -
Trickett Susan Bell,
Trafton J. Gregory,
Schunn Christian D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
topics in cognitive science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.191
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1756-8765
pISSN - 1756-8757
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2009.01036.x
Subject(s) - task (project management) , creativity , mental image , psychology , anomaly (physics) , computer science , data science , cognitive psychology , social psychology , cognition , engineering , physics , systems engineering , neuroscience , condensed matter physics
We conducted two in vivo studies to explore how scientists respond to anomalies. Based on prior research, we identify three candidate strategies: mental simulation, mental manipulation of an image, and comparison between images. In Study 1, we compared experts in basic and applied domains (physics and meteorology). We found that the basic scientists used mental simulation to resolve an anomaly, whereas applied science practitioners mentally manipulated the image. In Study 2, we compared novice and expert meteorologists. We found that unlike experts, novices used comparison to address anomalies. We discuss the nature of expertise in the two kinds of science, the relationship between the type of science and the task performed, and the relationship of the strategies investigated to scientific creativity.