The classical example of a successful research programme is Newton's gravitational theory: possibly the most successful research programme ever.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Research is of considerable importance in certain fields, such as science and history.
My first undertaking in the way of scientific experiment was in the field of economics and psychology.
I had a project for my life which involved 10 years of wandering, then some years of medical studies and, if any time was left, the great adventure of physics.
This time at Birmingham turned me into a general biologist, and ever since then I have always tried to take a biological approach to any research project that I have undertaken.
Experimental high energy physics research is a group effort. I have been very fortunate to have had outstanding students and colleagues who have made invaluable contributions to the research with which I have been associated.
Throughout history, people have studied pure science from a desire to understand the universe rather than practical applications for commercial gain. But their discoveries later turned out to have great practical benefits.
I felt strongly that since the pursuit of good science was so difficult it was essential that the problem being studied was an important one to justify the effort expanded.
I don't recall any interest in science in particular. It came later in college.
Experiments were not attempted at that time, we did not believe in the usefulness of the concept anyway, and I finished my thesis in 1962 with a feeling like an artist balancing on a high rope without any interested spectators.
I always found it satisfying that gravity was described by Einstein's geometric theory of general relativity.