12 INAUGURAL PLENARY SESSION
The OEEPE has up to now published a first report on the results of Commission
C, large-scale plotting. Though the aims of the first cycle of enquiries were simple — in
effect it was a question of establishing the plotting precision of isolated points — the
collaboration both of the Vienna Centre and of the International Training Centre of
Delft has been necessary, though not indeed limited to these only.
The report about the first cycle of experiments of Commission A, medium and
small-scale triangulation, was made up only by the Commission President and it had
to be limited to a qualitative study. However, for a more thorough analysis of the large
amount of material gathered, it was found necessary to entrust the different studies to
various centres taking part in the experiments.
This brings us to some consideration of the general wide-range experimental
researches which must be carried out in collaboration with and having a special regard
to what is being done at the OEEPE.
Research must go through several stages: first, defining the object of research and
limiting its aims; secondly, preparing rules regulating the experiments; thirdly, carrying
out measurements; fourthly, gathering and presenting experimental data; and, finally,
their analysis and consequent interpretation. It is necessary to limit the aims of research
because, though an extensive scientific collaboration has many advantages, it has also
the great inconvenience of considerable slowness and must, therefore, have very definite
objectives so as not to run the risk of turning collaboration into many disconnected
research efforts.
This limitation must, however, be effected whilst still leaving open the possibility
of further developments, as very frequently the first results show the necessity of study
ing other sides of the problem. We shall have, therefore, to start within precise limits,
but retain freedom of access to new research work without, however, having to modify
the character and line of the original aims.
Another rather delicate and important point, already discussed at length by the
OEEPE, is that of the rules under which experiments shall be carried out. These rules
must have two definite objects: the first, to ensure that experimental tests have sufficient
uniformity to render the results comparable and to make the conclusions statistically
valid; the second, to ensure objectivity and avoid results being interfered with and
thwarted.
Rules meant to ensure uniformity in the execution of tests are essential in a
programme of collaboration, and must be clearly detailed and precise as well as
acceptable everywhere. On the other hand, due care must be taken not to hurt the spirit
of initiative of the various centres which contribute their ideas and proposals.
The system followed at present by the scientific commissions of the OEEPE
consists of establishing rules to be strictly complied with when carrying out a series of
experiments, leaving the research centres quite free to try other procedures. Experi
ments carried out in this manner will thus be officially accepted as the study material
of the Commission, provided the method is previously submitted to the Commission
President. He may even suggest the new method to other centres or propose it to the
Commission for its adoption.
I believe such a proceeding would permit the maintenance of the necessary uni
formity, whilst urging on experts in their research for more perfected techniques.
It has sometimes been found difficult to establish in advance the rules to be
followed, especially when new problems are to be studied. Two ways are then open
to us: either to leave the centres complete freedom, and then judge the various tech
niques by the results reached, or to establish a pilot centre for preliminary tests intended
to supply the necessary elements to form the working rules.
Both these methods were followed at the OEEPE. The second method was
generally preferred, because the necessity of thoroughly studying the proceedings im-
