It was hard to turn back now that they were in too deep.

“But fortunately, someone has finally identified the problem,” Christine sighed.

Miranda couldn’t believe that everyone else remained oblivious to the problem in their research. However, they had no choice but to let things continue and make the best of the situation, since they were already aboard a ship that couldn’t be turned around single-handedly.

After all, the goal of most postgraduate students wasn’t a career in research. Obtaining a master’s degree was simply a way to improve their future job prospects and give them a competitive edge.

To them, completing their thesis was merely a requirement for graduation and not an academic achievement.

If Christine had suddenly stepped forward at that point and overturned the entire project, it wouldn’t matter to the students who had already graduated.

But what about the current cohort? They had already begun drafting their theses based on the foundation of this particular research project.

It wasn’t that Christine didn’t want to turn the ship around. It was that she couldn’t!

She admitted, “This is partly my fault for having poor health. I was stuck in the hospital for so long. When I finally realized the problem, I chose to keep quiet for the sake of that graduating cohort. After that, I just continued keeping silent.”

Now, it was too late to redirect their course. The situation had escalated beyond her control.

Christine added, “Nonetheless, I’m still glad you all discovered the problem so quickly and found the key to this issue.”

Miranda fell silent.

Suddenly, Christine asked, “What do you think of Madison and Sebastian?”

“In what aspect are you referring to?”

“Their critical thinking, talent for research, and their learning attitudes,” Christine explained.

Miranda paused for a moment. “Overall, they’re pretty good.” Both of them were capable of thinking critically. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have spotted the problem with the research project.

After identifying the problem, their first thought wasn’t to avoid it but to verify their findings. In this aspect, both of them were like Miranda.

Each of them showcased their respective strengths during the verification process. Madison had agile thinking and a remarkable memory. Sebastian’s calm and steady demeanor allowed him to see the big picture in problem-solving.

After listening to Miranda, Christine smiled. “It seems I chose the right people. Since you’ve already realized the research approach is flawed, I assume you’ve formulated a new approach in your minds. At this point, the current research project holds no more value for you. My suggestion is…”

She spoke slowly and deliberately, “Start a new research project based on your current ideas.”

“But, the lab…” Miranda hesitated, as she knew they only had one lab. Moreover, this lab was far smaller than Paul’s lab. It couldn’t accommodate two research projects progressing simultaneously.

Christine answered, “Apply for another lab from the faculty.”

It would be a lab exclusive for the three of them and their new research project.

After the conversation, Miranda relayed Christine’s proposal to Madison and Sebastian.

Madison’s eyebrows knitted together. “So, are we just going to let this current project continue on its wrong path? Does research like that still hold any value?”

Miranda answered, “A flawed research approach doesn’t mean that the research in itself is worthless. Any conclusion, whether right or wrong, deserves to be investigated.

“It’s just that since we have a clearer direction, it would be more valuable to spend our time exploring what is the right approach rather than validating the wrong approach. In comparison, the former choice holds more value.”

It did not mean that the latter choice was entirely meaningless, though.

Scientific research was vast and academic pursuit was boundless. In the ever-flowing river of research, there were both correct and incorrect paths. These elements work together to form a healthy ecosystem in academia.

Even the cleanest rivers had mud at the bottom and fish swimming within. If a river held nothing but water, it could no longer be called a river.

So, moving forward…