Research Quotes
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"— Albert Einstein
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Meaning of this quote
Research involves uncertainty about what will be found. The joke treats incomplete knowledge as part of inquiry rather than a reason to abandon it.
Key takeaway:
Define an investigation carefully while allowing for an uncertain outcome.
Origin of the quote
A modern research joke with earlier related versions credited to several engineers.
Who actually said this?
Likely misattributedQuote Investigator finds the Einstein attribution unsupported and traces the saying’s evolution through other speakers. A sole original author is not established.
