Chapter IV of Kuhn, Structure of scientific revolutions
Kuhn-1962-structure-of-scientific-revolutions describes much of the work done in normal-science as “puzzle-solving”, using the tools and concepts provided by the paradigm to describe, model, or create new phenomena.
“Puzzle” is a specific word choice, demonstrating that
- the problems chosen by the paradigm can be assumed to have a solution
- it may seem insignificant work from the outside. To scientists though, the results gained are significant because they add to the scope and precision to the paradigm
- there must be rules that limit the nature of acceptable solutions and the steps by which they are obtained (p. 38)