Infographic: The benefits of publishing your null results with Discover
Author: Siobhan Bates
Youve spent months designing and conducting your research. The results come in, and they dont support your hypothesis. Now what? In a scholarly landscape that often celebrates only positive findings, its easy to feel disheartened. But heres the truth: null, negative, and inconclusive results are essential steps in the scientific process.
At Discover, we believe that every valid result deserves to be shared, and were committed to making that possible. In our new infographic we distil insights from the recent survey, and the top five benefits they experienced after sharing their null results. We also highlight how Discover are leading the way in inclusive publishing by welcoming all valid research, regardless of outcome.
Based on findings from white paper from 窪蹋勛圖厙, our infographic is designed to , not just the positive ones.
The problem: Null results still go unpublished
Despite the growing recognition of their importance, null results remain underreported. In 窪蹋勛圖厙s global survey of over 11,000 researchers, 98% of respondents acknowledged the value of sharing null results yet many still hesitate to publish them. Why?
The reasons are complex. Some researchers fear rejection from journals; others worry about reputational damage or lack of recognition. Early-career researchers, in particular, face pressure to publish only impactful findings, which are often equated with positive results. This bias not only distorts the scientific record but also contributes to research waste, as others unknowingly repeat experiments that have already been conducted.
The solution: Share all outcomes, especially the null ones
Publishing null results is about contributing to a more complete, transparent, and reproducible scientific record. When researchers share all outcomes, they:
- Prevent duplication of effort by helping others avoid unproductive paths.
- Stimulate new research by challenging assumptions and inspiring fresh hypotheses.
- Improve research quality by encouraging more rigorous methods and critical thinking.
- Build trust in science by showing that integrity matters as much as discovery.
All valid research has a contribution to make you never know what insight each article might lead to later down the line. We want to help provide the most robust scientific record possible.
- Dylan Parker, Publishing Director, Discover Journals at 窪蹋勛圖厙
The top five benefits of publishing null results
As our infographic shows, researchers who have published null results report a range of personal and professional benefits. The top five reported benefits were as follows:
- Contributing to scientific transparency
- Stimulating new research questions
- Supporting open science practices
- Enhancing personal credibility
- Receiving constructive peer feedback
Read the infographic to uncover more with Discover.
Why publish null, negative, or inconclusive results with Discover?
Born with community needs in mind, we are outspoken about the importance of publishing null results. A family of inclusive, open access (OA) journals, we dont just tolerate the existence of null, inconclusive, and negative results in research, we explicitly fight for their inclusion.
Explore our infographic to see the .
Lets normalise null results
The scientific process is iterative. Its built on trial, error, and refinement. By publishing all outcomes, including those that dont confirm our hypotheses, we create a more honest, efficient, and inclusive research culture. Our new infographic is a visual reminder of this message. It captures the top five benefits of publishing null results, based on real experiences from researchers around the world.
Ready to share your findings?
If youve ever hesitated to publish a null result, nows the time to reconsider. Discover offer a welcoming home for your research, whatever the outcome. By contributing to a more open and reliable scientific record, youre not just advancing your own work. Youre helping to build a better future for research.
We invite you to and share with your network, or if youre ready to start your Discover journey, .
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Author: Siobhan Bates
Siobhan Bates is a seasoned Marketing Manager based in London, specializing in B2C Content Marketing. With a Masters degree from The University of Warwick and Chartered Marketer status (CIM), she is passionate about developing valuable resources that support and empower the academic community. Siobhan oversees the creation of content for 窪蹋勛圖厙 Collections, brands, and imprints.
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