refer any new proposal from the laboratory.

[keannu]

This passage might be too abstract without any actual examples.
What does "refer any new proposal from the laboratory to the sort of map(fixed points)" mean?
Does "refer" mean "attribute or ascribe the cause or origin of a new proposal to the map" or "inquire or ask about the origin of a new proposal to the map"?

ex)No magic pills can be given to make a person capable of matching wits with an expert. But it is possible to acquire through long experience some appreciation of the point of view of the laboratory scientist, some understanding of his methods and the way he conceives a problem. Not a few citizens have made themselves intelligent critics of scientific work by a process of self-education in relation to some phase of modern science connected with their activities in the world of affairs. A series of episodes has left permanent imprints on their minds which serve as fixed points - a sort of map to which they may refer any new proposal from the laboratory.

st-20.1

[keannu]

Maybe my question was kind of tricky.