Volume 111, Issue 5, p831-1032

Authors:

Jack Wilkinson, Ph.D., Antonio Pellicer, M.D., Craig Niederberger, M.D.

Abstract:

Scientific studies are typically considered for publication after they are completed and the results are available. Consequently, the decision to publish is based not only on the importance of the research question and the quality of the methods used, but also on the novelty and statistical significance of the authors' findings. This in turn creates perverse incentives for researchers to seek surprising, positive results, and to prioritize creative interpretation of data over accurate discovery.

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