LibraryScenariosWhen academic teams use research perfectionism to avoid potential failure
Scenario

When academic teams use research perfectionism to avoid potential failure

My research team procrastinates by endlessly refining our methodology instead of collecting data and we all know we're doing it but no one wants to admit that we're scared our hypothesis might be wrong and we've built our whole lab culture around this fear of failure.

Laozi
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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A group is disguising their fear of being wrong as intellectual rigor, creating endless preparation that prevents actual discovery.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Procrastination — psychological and philosophical dimensions?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.