There is no hope of doing perfect research

The question of whether doing a perfect research is possible or not is based on the degree of perfection expected out of the results of a particular research.  Researches in any field are undertaken with an intention to improve upon the prevailing conditions. Doing a perfect research in my understanding is obtaining a set of perfect results at the completion of the research which are absolute that should not lead us to further investigation.  A perfect research demands desirable conditions, maximum number of specimens with all possible qualitative aspects, absolute precision and accuracy in measurements throughout the process.  Errors due to the biased approach of the observers, time constraint, and limited access to gathering information may prevent us from conducting a perfect research.

 The meaning of the word research is a methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts, to establish or revise a theory or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered (Microsoft Encarta Dictionary, encarta.msn.com).  Obviously the results of a research can always be improved upon further by doing researches again and the theories established by one research can be revised or even negated by the next one.  Hence it is impossible to do a perfect research. I intend to support my argument by discussing with detailed reference to two examples of research done.

I happened to come across a research article in the NCCAM (National Centre for Complementary and Alternative medicine) website, originally published in Clinical infectious Diseases. The researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a study to see whether drinking cranberry juice is better than placebo, a simulated medical intervention, in preventing urinary tract infections (UTI). The study was conducted among 319 college aged women with symptoms of an acute UTI. For six months they were randomly assigned to drink either 27% cranberry juice or non-cranberry juice (placebo). Periodically the participants provided urine specimens and completed questionnaires. The results of the study showed drinking cranberry juice offered no better protection compared with placebo (“Cranberry juice no better than placebo” nccam.nih.gov )

 However findings from a previous study in similar populations in which cranberry juice proved to reduce the recurrences of UTIs. The researchers cited that the previous studies were unable to detect a significant effect because they were inadequately powered (“Cranberry juice no better than placebo” nccam.nih.gov ). Hence it is proved that the previous studies were not perfect. Also the present research is aimed at establishing the effect of cranberry juice against that of a medical component, while cranberry juice has been used primarily as a home remedy for UTIs. There could many factors such as the size and average age of the population, the duration of the study, the condition of the urinary samples, the details given in the questionnaires which may hinder the accuracy of the study thereby preventing a perfect research to be conducted.

 Another article published in the US National Institutes of Health website, I read that scientists discovered that calorie restriction, along with various other factors, can prevent people from aging. They have conducted a research in some animals and found up to 40 per cent of fewer calories than normal showed significant effects on disease and markers of aging (“Can we prevent aging?” nia.nih.gov). It has been found to extend the life of many species. The article also said, “Early findings of the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) study show that slightly overweight adults who cut their calorie consumption by 20 to 30 percent lowered their fasting insulin levels and core body temperature. Both of these changes correlate with increased longevity in animal models” (“Can we prevent aging?” nia.nih.gov). Hence it can be concluded that calorie restriction will prevent us from aging.

But there are some contradictory factors found along with the positive results. The effects of calorie restriction are not universal. Several species did not show any lifespan extension by calorie restriction. In some species, calorie restriction appears to shorten lifespan. Hence these factors prevent us to conclude that calorie restriction can definitely extend lifespan in humans. Therefore further research needs to be conducted to establish the truth of the fact. This proves that the research on calorie restriction is not a perfect one. Hereditary factors, climatic conditions in which the humans live in and the type of food they take strongly influence human lifespan. During research these same reasons could have hindered the prospect of producing a perfect research.

On the basis of these arguments, I completely agree with the statement that there is no hope of doing perfect research. Though doing a perfect research is impossible it must be accepted that researches are being carried out in various fields for the betterment of mankind and we must encourage researches as the studies continue to evolve towards the peak of perfection.

Works cited

n.p “Research.” Microsoft Encarta Dictionary. n.pag. n.d. encarta.msn.com  Web. 03 May 2011

 n.p  “Cranberry juice no better than placebo at preventing recurrent UTIs.” n.pag. 24 March 2011 nccam.nih.gov. web 03 May 2011

Barbosa-Cesnik C, Brown MB, Buxton M, et al. “Cranberry juice fails to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection: results from a randomized placebo-controlled trial.” Clinical Infectious Diseases. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.2011 Jan;52(1):23-3. Web 4 May 2011

n.p.  “Can we prevent aging?” 27 Aug 2010. n.pag. nia.nih.gov. web 04 May 2011