Understanding the development and use of tools in neuroscience: the case of the tungsten micro-electrode

The philosophical interest in experimental practice neuroscience has brought renewed attention to the study of development and use techniques tools for data production. John Bickle argued that construction progression theories are entirely dependent on ingenious research tools. In Bickle's account, theory plays a tertiary role, as it depends what allow researchers manipulate, tools, turn, developed not order test but solutions engineering problems. However, account is precise explaining informs researchers' decision-making their atheoretical laboratory tinkering. Identifying sources guide tool crucial if one wishes contribute or meta-scientific understanding neuroscience. following paper, I claim tools' doubly guided. Pre-existing concepts determine information's relevance, whereas functioning controlled situations determines reliability. Accordingly, experimenters' situated both context analysing, modelling interpreting information producing information. case tungsten microelectrode by David Hubel during 1950s. First, show pre-existing (in particular, "neuron doctrine" "receptive field" "cortical column") advance would be relevant obtain from microelectrode. Second, Hubel's tinkering follows guidelines derived very structure we recognise reliable experimentally produced Finally, suggest data-production processes experimenters assess expect an system terms concept- theory-generation confirmation, thereby endorsing tenet role