what does "science part return" mean?

[fommil]

Hi all,

I've read this (outdated) description of science points

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/62657-Understanding-Science-Points

and the description of the Scientist

http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Scientist

but neither explains what is meant by the description beside Bob Kerbal at the start of the game "Science Part Return: 100%".

Does that mean Bob gives a bonus of doubling (i.e. +100%) of the science return from science experiments? Or is this redundant (100% being no change) or will it increase with experience?

[Caelib]

It is the multiplier. So if science part gives 20 points and his bonus is 100%, you will get 20 points. When Bob (or any scientist) is level 1, this value is 100% ... but each level, this value increases so it does help quite a bit in the long run to use scientists and level them up.

[fommil]

awesome, that's what I'd hoped. It would be good if the wiki had this documented, if somebody knows the rules and career progression there's an ideal opportunity to update the docs here :-)

[Nich]

I have never seen it work like this. The only thing I have seen is science jrs and goo pods return about 20% more science first time and less science the second time.

[problemecium]

^ The Science value will decrease for repeated experiments.

If, however, you were to run a test by recovering a ship with a goo unit and a Level 1 Scientist, and then revert the mission and redo it with a Level 2 Scientist, you'd see an increase in the Science gained relative to the other mission. Presumably, repeated experiments will also include a bonus, although it will naturally shrink as the Science value decays.