The role of outstanding scientists in influencing younger associates is repeatedly emphasized in the interviews with laureates. Almost invariably they lay great emphasis on the importance of problem-finding, not only problem-solving.

— Robert K. Merton Merton (1968)

Source and credibility

Wikiquote does not flag this quote as disputed or misattributed.

Source: Merton (1968) "The Matthew Effect In Science", In: Science Vol. 159, no. 3810 (5 January 1968), p. 56-63: On scientists, the Nobel Prizes, and the Matthew effect in scientific research.
Work: Merton, 1968
Source quality: Precise citation Points to a specific work with a page, chapter, date or similar locator, so you can look it up.

Social Theory and Social Structure (1949)

Social Theory and Social Structure (1949)

Social Theory and Social Structure (1949)

Social Theory and Social Structure (1949)

Social structure and anomie (1938)

Merton (1938)

Social structure and anomie (1938)

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Robert K. Merton (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.