How does he know there are an odd number of people in the room?

My experience in engineering fields is quite a bit different. Strange results happened frequently and data was ignored when the circumstances warranted it. Occasionally strange data lead the reseracher to an "A-Ha!" moment but most often the cause was likely due to "operator error" or poor experimental design

The engineers I've worked with were quite savvy about the limitations of their experimental methods and these issues were debated vigorously and openly.

Apparently, things are a bit different in pure science. Or maybe I was just oblivious to 'character assasination' that was happening.