This paper must be published before our competitors publish their version so there is no time to repeat the experiment. Indeed there are some famous examples of classical discoveries, Mendel s laws of genetic inheritance and Millikan's measurement of the charge on the electron, where data trimming of this sort, making the results look better than was actually possible at the time, is strongly suspected by modern historians of science. However, these temptations have to be resisted. Experimental data, carefully and properly collected, are the life blood of science and must be respected. If a result whose validity there is no reason to doubt falls outside the currently accepted model then it is time to examine the accuracy of the model, not the data.
Originality is a much prized commodity in science.
Demonstration of originality by a candidate presenting for examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is written into the Regulations of every University. The award of this particular degree is the sign that a new scientist has come through a period of training, in much the same way as the apprentice in times past learned their trade at the master s knee, and is ready to branch out on their own. Citations for scientific prizes invariably stress the originality of the winners, and anyone who has been asked to give a reference for a colleague will know that a critical appraisal of their potential for originality is usually requested. So plagiarism, stealing another persons ideas, is the worst kind of professional theft. The opportunities to steal others ideas are legion.