title: Positive reasons for publishing negative findings.
abstract: Scientific and medical authors tend to be biased toward submitting "statistically significant" findings for publication. Journals show a similar bias in publishing such "positive" studies. The large number of publications in medical research means that, in a field obsessed with controlling Type I error rates, we have journals with an abundance of Type I errors. Failing to publish studies that do not show a treatment or exposure effect creates a literature conspicuously absent of trials necessary for unbiased meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Furthermore, by shelving or rejecting studies with nonstatistically significant outcomes, authors and editors censor the most important contributors to medical research: our consenting volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Berry Consultants, Orlando, Florida 32835, USA.
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D000068338:Everolimus; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017594:Publication Bias; D011643:Publishing / Q000941:ethics; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000068338:Everolimus; D020123:Sirolimus