ABSTRACT
The attitude applies alike to the methodologist-as-reader and to the methodologist-as-investigator. Dogmatic adherence to a set of preferred methods is just as bad as dogmatic rejection of a set of disliked methods. The vigilant methodologist looks at the likely consequences of error. Vigilance thus means the constant scrutiny of all parts of a research study and the weighing of the consequences of errors against the cost of getting rid of them. There is no other formula for getting significant results and no other method of being scientific. The wise methodologist knows enough social psychology to recognize that no author can fail to be hurt by criticism and that no reader, however kind of heart, can fail to take some pleasure at seeing the sins of the mighty exposed to public view. Methodologist should be sympathetic enough to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and objective enough to understand that the most visible target is provided by the best research.
