Arguably there are pressures on scientists to be selective about presenting information in scientific papers. This could include omitting lucky accidents or not mentioning ‘softer’ factors such as team dynamics and life experiences.
Reportedly the discovery of penicillin was accidental; Fleming left prepared petri dishes on his lab bench while on vacation, creating conditions for mold growth. One mold, Penicillium, killed nearby staphylococci bacteria. However, Fleming's 1929 paper on the discovery does not mention these events.
In your opinion, what influences the selectivity of the information included in scientific papers? Can you provide examples from your own knowledge or experience?
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