The Shadowy Elements There are so many variables in our experiments that we cannot control for all of them. Scientists generally triumph over these uncontrollable, unidentifiable, and unknown variables in experiments by working methodically and by repeating experiments over and over again. We insist on mixing reagents in a particular order or using a particular brand of test tube even though theoretically these factors should play no role in the outcome of our experiment. The unidentifiable variables of our experiments drive our superstition. Our superstition is based on the scientific method.
Luck also plays a considerable role in our overall scientific success.
One year ago I was working on a gene that had no known function. All I knew was that it was remotely related to other genes studied in my lab. My job was to figure out what YGL241W was doing in the cell. I performed a wide range of tests with the hope that at least one would yield findings that would direct me to hypothesis-driven experiments. I spent months getting inconclusive results.