Das Problem der Ursachen und die Ursachen des Problems: Der Einfluss von Sprache auf Studien des anomeren Effekts

Abstract

anomeric effect ·language ·philosophy of science · reverse anomeric effect ·scientific method Inscience,itistemptingtosubordinatelanguagetoempirical data. Yett he words we use to describe our observations and conclusions have the capacity to bias the way we understand the world. This Essay provides two critical analyses of studies concerning the anomeric effect in order to illustrate how precision of language can influence the quality of our science. Thefirst case study argues that the longstanding terminology that poorly differentiates cause and effect contributes to ah igh-profile controversy over the cause of spectroscopic shifts in as ugar-peptide complex (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133,13731 vs. Nature 2011, 469,76). In the second case study, incomplete definitions encourage the rejection of as traight-forward hypothesis for the conformational behavior of certain heterocyclic systems in favor of ad ubious one:t he reverse anomeric effect. It is desired that the insights gained by studying these cases will persuade scientists in all disciplines to take care not only in performing research but in communicating it.