How did scientific research methods affect modern biographies?

Scientific research methods have significantly influenced modern biography by shifting the genre toward greater rigor and analytical depth. The impact of these methods can be categorized into two primary areas:1

• General Scientific Rigor: The prestige of traditional sciences, with their emphasis on exactitude and systematic methodology, has encouraged biographers to adopt more diligent research practices. This has led to an uncompromising scrutiny of evidence and a more vigorous testing of the authenticity of collected materials. However, this focus on empirical data has also contributed to the production of massive, fact-encumbered volumes, sometimes leading to a "worship of fact" that can discourage the creative risks necessary for compelling biographical composition.12
• Psychological Methodology: The application of psychology has provided biographers with sophisticated tools to unlock personality and interpret motives. While some authors use explicit psychological apparatus—such as analyzing behavior symbols or archetypal patterns—others employ these insights more discreetly to suggest interpretations of their subjects' actions. This scientific approach has also prompted biographers to examine their own involvement with their subjects before beginning their work.3

Ultimately, while biography remains a distinct literary art, these scientific influences have helped stabilize the genre as a craft rooted in the careful evaluation of evidence.12