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Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
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Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
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Transformative Research Is Not Easily Predicted.

Sarah A Gravem1, Silke M Bachhuber1, Heather K Fulton-Bennett1

  • 1Oregon State University, Integrative Biology Department, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|September 20, 2017
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transformative research (TR) is difficult to predict, often emerging from incremental work rather than planned radical shifts. Prioritizing TR may lead scientists to overstate research importance.

Keywords:
grant reviewgranting agencieshigh-risk researchincremental researchresearch proposaltransformative research

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Scientific Funding Policy
  • Research Evaluation

Background:

  • Transformative research (TR) statements are increasingly common in scientific grant proposals.
  • TR is defined by its potential for radical conceptual change, paradigm shifts, or opening new scientific frontiers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictability and prioritization of transformative research (TR).
  • To assess whether current TR directives influence scientists' proposal statements.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted interviews and surveys with 78 ecologists.
  • Analyzed perceptions of TR predictability and its relationship with incremental research.

Main Results:

  • Most surveyed ecologists indicated that TR often originates from incremental goals, with transformative potential recognized retrospectively.
  • A majority believe TR is inherently unpredictable and should not be prioritized over incremental research.
  • Respondents suggested TR directives may prompt scientists to exaggerate research significance.

Conclusions:

  • Granting agencies should allocate a portion of funds to TR, not exclusively.
  • Agencies should encourage more realistic statements in research proposals.
  • The unpredictable nature of TR suggests a balanced funding approach is necessary.