This book is an in-depth guide to effective scientific research. Ranging from the philosophical to the practical, it explains at the outset what science can – and can’t – achieve, and discusses its relationship to mathematics and laws. The author then pays extensive attention to the scientific method, including experimental design, verification, uncertainty and statistics. A major aim of the book is to help young scientists reflect upon the deeper aims of their work and make the best use of their talents in contributing to progress. To this end, it also includes sections on planning research, on presenting one’s findings in writing, as well as on ethics and the responsibilities of scientists.

这本书是有效的科学研究的深入指南。从哲学到实践，它首先解释了什么是科学能够实现的，什么是科学不能实现的，并讨论了它与数学和法律的关系。然后作者对科学方法给予了广泛的关注，包括实验设计、验证、不确定度和统计学。这本书的一个主要目的是帮助年轻的科学家反思他们工作的更深层次的目标，并最大限度地利用他们的才能来促进进步。为此，它还包括关于规划研究、以书面形式陈述自己的发现以及关于伦理学和科学家的责任的章节。