Scientists can publish during several decades. The first own publications may have appeared more than 20 years ago. Do you still agree with the content of first own publications, and if not, why not?
Dear Marcel,
Yes, I still agree with the contents of own older publications as I verified my results rigorously at the time, However, I am more experienced and knowledgeable about the subject now and most probably I could improve the previous version with application of the knowledge I gained from reading of other recently published articles.
Dear Marcel.
Agreement or disagreement with the content of the old publications can be based on the new data, the use of new technologies. And this is largely determined by the direction of research. For example, if it's math, then how can you doubt already proved theorems. Yes they can prove other way. But that does not negate the previous approach. If it's the economy, it can be assumed that the new conditions business entities can obtain new conclusions. But again this new conditions not previously accounted for.
Dear Marcel,
I deal with an extensively investigated area and I think that I agree with practically most of my results. However, to say a sentence about it is not my task.
Thus you think that changing opinions concerning own publication contents might be research domain dependent, and, why not, scale dependent.
For instance, it is unlikely that findings concerning broad scale patterns change in time. It is likely that small scale patterns change in time or that because of knowledge progress new explanations for underlying mechanisms of patterns described in the past are given.
Dear Marcel,
Of course I do not think what you have suggested, I only tried to apply your question for my modest contributions until now and until my perception at the moment.
There is really only one opportunity to get things right!
What I wrote is and was fundamentally sound, but the hot topics (and my interests) in research have moved on. I solved the problems of the time, and so there is no need for anyone to “re-solve” them. Anyway, I do not have access in many cases to the original equipment, data and documents, so it would be expensive (in time and money) and difficult to redo.
Dear Ian,
How can a problem be solved for ever when you work during a limited period on a local scale?
My little problem in my little locale was solved, leaving the new researchers of the world to attack the adjacent problems.
Interesting question ...
I agree. But my line of work allows me to disagree with my opinions, which was not the case.
Its a subjective matter; sometime theme or subject dependent , other times perception oriented. While on a general note, I mostly agree with content, I do feel that message packaging could have differed, if the current context is the point of reference and not the past scenario. However this may not be entirely valid as what was concluded some time back gives one (also, science and society) an opportunity to compare change in thought process, normative values, ....
Dear Nidhi,
yes, systems can change, which explains why there exist long-term studies to track possible changes. But also, some aspects change more than other.
I total agree on your point Marcel.
My added perception is that convergence ( interdisciplinary , trans disciplinary) of science from the passing era of divergence ( discipline oriented outlook) is also major element while one tends to ( or needs to) retrospect on past initiatives ( including publications)
Dear Marcel,
Yes, I still agree with the contents of own older publications as I verified my results rigorously at the time, However, I am more experienced and knowledgeable about the subject now and most probably I could improve the previous version with application of the knowledge I gained from reading of other recently published articles.
Dear Behrouz,
There are two levels: 1) the results are OK, and 2) the conclusions or interpretations of the results are OK
I agree to content of my old publications, and compared to what I published 10-15 years back now I am publishing in a better way and in higher IF journals , also research facilities are better now - so research scale and parameters also are high, added to this due to advancements in Internet, online submissions I am able to publish/submit more papers.
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