Re-research: "back to basics" Part 2: Re-Iteration

"The (re)search is over..." "...how many times and ways do I have to tell you this...that this question has actually already been asked and answered by another member of your so-called corps here...how many times do I have to stand up here and explain myself and defend my boss...that I'm not going to answer any more such (dumb) questions...?!" Well, you may have not actually heard these exact words uttered in this exact sequence...they may have been a bit...out-of-order, and not such an explicit demonstration of being defensive, but sure were represented as a tacit or otherwise tactical approach to doing what the "Greatest of all time" became known for, as in "rope-a-dope" -- the former Cassius Clay-cum-Muhammad Ali perfected as both a science and an art. Loved to listen to him before as well as after, any match. But, in the foregoing sequence, the White House press secretary's best re-iteration on this theme, all that I could think of, and eventually exclaim, to those willing to listen..."I sure could not have gotten away with this", when I was being questioned, regarding the basis and findings of my or others' re-search I was using, quoting...or whose results I was attempting to refute, with additional re-search of my very own...which culminated in a public defense...(later). But first some back story...of how this all began, which prompted my strong affective response to taking issue with being questioned about findings, methodologies, the whole...

Scientific Speak: How it always begins, by an appreciation and practice of the most basic of basics, whether you are building a stronger core yourself, or a stronger foundation of knowledge. Which actually began way back in HS when the "scientific method" was first introduced, then re-introduced at the collegiate level, which was followed with an in depth appreciation for two major, "basic" types of research -- which conveniently includes one commonly referred to as "basic" aka "pure"😇or fundamental, that seeks to advance knowledge about the world within which we live -- sometimes contrasted, otherwise complemented by "applied" research -- that which uses scientific theories to develop technology and/or techniques to solve problems, thereby also enhancing quality of our lives 😄. 

Methods...madness (?!): When we were, finally, deemed ready (i.e., after taking the "pre-requisites")😖 we eventually learned about the various statistical methodologies associated with both types of research and indications for their respective uses😔😕😉. This was once again after we had demonstrated an appropriate appreciation and practice of the Scientific Method (now capitalized as we were now in so-called schools of "higher" learning, which in the late 60's, early 70's meant...😁) -- a paradigm and time-tested model which was met initially met with a ho-hum attitude let alone a lack of appreciation for "skepticism" (or, sometimes referred to as "skeptical inquiry, questioning the veracity of "evidence" -- sounding familiar, as in "press briefing"?). But flash forward-and-back, to the many classroom discussions, animated debates, in which our professors would inquire "So, what were the primary sources, the rationale for the statistical methods, alternate conclusions other than the obvious...?"😕😟 It was like the "Karate Kid" all over again -- you know, where the aspiring martial arts student finally realized the purpose behind "wax on, wax off..." that the seasoned, learned, wise man had been trying to instill...An appreciation for the rigors of such methods and practice, which I gained a further appreciation for when I, myself, appeared in front of my own "committee" to present my original idea, for my dissertation ("a long essay on a particular subject" which was for us a step up from our master's thesis), after which they encouraged😖 me to "go back" and re-research, re-work...come up with a better methodology...😟😢😝 Which ultimately, after a few such meetings of the minds, culminated in my formal and very/rarely public (meaning public is invited but rarely shows, given the ho-hum nature of most) "doctoral defense" 😒😉😊...Yep, no way would I have not gotten away, in the presence of such company, who held my future in their hands (as in literally "signing off" on my dissertation after successfully mounting a defense) ...if I had responded so...defensively😡! In the end, intellectual honesty, in response to you skeptics out there, compels me to admit, I still occasionally fantasize about the missed opportunities to have finally called out some of the know-it-alls in the room, "how many times and how many ways do I have to tell you...any more dumb questions?!"😂😅😒

Next and Finally, In-Conclusive-ly..."Give it up"