I'm compiling a list of rules for dwarven science (not like scientific laws), since this game seems almost unique in how it actually HAS a process of discovery too it
Anyway, feel free to throw in suggestions and things ^_^
Dwarven Scientific Method
1)Notice something Really Cool
2)Check priority list, is it lower than some other pending experiment? If so go do that one first.
3)Form a Hypothesis
4)Test Hypothesis. If it kills goblins or elves in the process, so much the better
5)Go back to step one and try again.
Priority list
Alpha Priority: New use for Magma and/or Fire that involves Killing Goblins or Elves
Beta Priority: New use for Magma and/or Fire
Gamma Priority: New way of killing Goblins or Elves that involves no traps or weapons
Delta Priority: New way of killing Goblins or Elves
Epsilon Priority: New way of killing anything else, including dwarves
Zeta Priority: New method of improving efficiency of fortress/something hilarious.
Eta Priority: Everything Else
Omega Priority/Forbidden: Anything that saves the lives of elves/protects trees that aren't going to be cut down. All research of this priority must be done with the goal of preventing it from being utilized or happening accidently. Dwarves caught implementing Forbidden level research without such goals in mind will have their beards shaven off.
Conventions of Dwarven Scientific Method
1) Person discovering really cool thing must test it if they are able.
2) Person discovering really cool thing must report it immediately to the community
3) If Person discovering really cool thing is unable to test new really cool thing, then they must explain this and request that others do so for them.