Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
14:14
The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
Published on: May 13, 2022
6.3K
The complex and intricate relationship between incremental science, innovation and recognition
Charlotte A Birkmanis1, David W Grainger2, Dietmar W Hutmacher3
1Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Blue Biome Foundation, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|October 21, 2025
Summary
Fundamental research and incremental science are vital for innovation, despite pressures favoring novelty. Valuing foundational work ensures robust scientific progress and diverse societal benefits.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Studies
- Research Policy
Background:
- Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are distinct fields with differing research incentives.
- Current pressures for rapid innovation often devalue fundamental and incremental research, viewing them as obstacles rather than investments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between fundamental science, incremental improvements, and innovation.
- To advocate for a more balanced valuation of research contributions beyond novelty.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of research incentives.
- Examination of the role of basic and incremental science in technological advancement.
Main Results:
- Many crucial advances stem from incremental refinements, not just radical breakthroughs.
- Overemphasis on novelty marginalizes essential foundational research, hindering reliable scientific progress.
Conclusions:
- Science and technology should prioritize and value basic, incremental, and knowledge-based contributions.
- Sustaining innovation and its positive impacts requires recognizing the importance of foundational research.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cognitive Learning
1.0K
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
1.0K
01:25Impact of Individuals on a Group
292
In social psychology, the interplay between individuals and groups is a central concern, particularly regarding how individual actions and characteristics influence group processes and outcomes. While much research emphasizes the group's power in shaping individual behavior, it is equally significant to understand how individuals contribute to the functioning, development, and success of groups.Individual Roles in Group Productivity and Decision-MakingIndividuals are not passive participants in...
292
01:50Statistical Significance
21.0K
Once data is collected from both the experimental and the control groups, a statistical analysis is conducted to find out if there are meaningful differences between the two groups. A statistical analysis determines how likely any difference found is due to chance (and thus not meaningful). In psychology, group differences are considered meaningful, or significant, if the odds that these differences occurred by chance alone are 5 percent or less. Stated another way, if we repeated this...
21.0K
02:40The Scientific Method
64.7K
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
64.7K
01:32The Scientific Method
256.7K
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
256.7K
03:50The Scientific Method
64.7K
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
64.7K