Current scientific and technical research is based on a body of common knowledge which comes from the results of past research.
All important results and theories are carefully examined by the research community.
New knowledge may show that old results and theories are incomplete, or even wrong. Therefore, researches must be willing to accept criticism from their fellow workers in the common search for truth.
The results of current research which have been accepted by the research community then contribute new information to the body of common knowledge.