Dissimulate or disseminate? A survey on the fate of negative results

Abstract

AbstractA 34‐question survey was sent to researchers in chemistry, physics, engineering and environmental sciences, with the aim of identifying their relationship with unsuccessful research results as well as the obstacles to and incentives for their dissemination. Most of the 310 participants were affiliated with French research and teaching institutions. Conducted within the framework of the Datacc project (datacc.org) on research and data management, supported by Lyon and Grenoble Alpes University Libraries, our study fills the gap in literature on the disciplines concerned with reporting negative results in scholarly research. It shows that 81% of the researchers surveyed have already produced relevant negative results and 75% say they are willing to publish this type of data. However, only 12.5% of respondents have had the opportunity to do so in a scientific journal. This gaping contrast between intention and practice raises questions about the barriers and potential solutions.