On Handling the Data

"On Handling the Data" by M. I. Mayfield is a science fiction story written in the late 1950s. The book takes the form of a series of letters, focusing on the complexities and confusions faced by a graduate student—Jonathan Wells—pursuing research in cellular physiology. The narrative delves into themes of scientific inquiry, the nature of knowledge, and the unexpected results that often occur in scientific experiments, hinting at the deeper philosophical implications of data handling in scientific research. The storyline follows Jonathan as he communicates with Dr. Robert Von Engen, an editor and respected figure in the field of science. Through his letters, Jonathan describes his experiences in the laboratory, where he grapples with contradictory experimental results that defy expected outcomes. His burgeoning realization suggests that these inconsistencies may reveal more than mere errors; they challenge the established scientific narratives and question the very nature of reality that science attempts to study. As he gathers conflicting data about nucleic acid synthesis in frog liver cells, Jonathan's journey reflects the broader struggle between empirical science and the philosophical questions it raises, culminating in his evolving understanding of what it means to conduct research in a complex and often uncertain field.