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Philosophy of Sciences

2015 year, number 3

Novelties in the standards of experimentation in particle physics of XX century

V.S. Pronskikh1,2
1Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna
2Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, USA
Keywords: философия научного эксперимента, физика элементарных частиц, теоретическая нагруженность, статистические критерии, эпистемические стратегии, роли эксперимента, philosophy of scientific experimentation, particle physics, theory-ladenness, statistical criteria, epistemic strategies, roles of experiment

Abstract

A review of contemporary discussions of shifts in the standards of scientific experimentation in particle physics in XX century is made based on the book “Shifting Standards: Experiments in Particle Physics in the Twentieth Century” by Franklin A. and works of other authors. A leading role of statistical criteria (5 sigma) and the issues related to its applications for substantiation of discovery claims are discussed. Various levels of theory-ladenness of experimentation such as triggers, data exclusion and selectivity, and systematic errors are analyzed. Changes in the ways of presentation of experiment in scientific publications and communication of results, style and authorship of publications by large collaborations are traced. Epistemic strategies of experimentation as proposed by Franklin as well as the roles of experiment in cognition are examined.