Null Results
Reporting Null Results
The Reporting Null Results project Williamson et al. (2023) promotes the publication and visibility of studies showing no effects of tested policy interventions. In social science research, there is often a bias toward publishing statistically significant findings, leading to an incomplete understanding of the evidence on a topic. By showcasing null results, this project addresses the critical gap, providing full visibility into the breadth of studies conducted.
When studies produce null results, they tend to go unpublished. But other researchers can still learn from them and build on them—that is, if they are shared rather than filed away. That’s why we scholars created a convenient template to help researchers tell others what they tried and why they think they reached a null finding.
Why Null Results Matter
- Transparency: Ensures a more complete and unbiased representation of evidence in social science.
- Avoiding Misinterpretation: Highlights that the absence of statistically significant results does not mean a lack of scientific or policy relevance.
- Encouraging Rigor: Promotes the design and reporting of high-quality studies, regardless of the findings.
This initiative contributes to a more balanced and transparent research ecosystem, encouraging the inclusion of all findings—positive, negative, or null—into the broader scientific discourse.
Learn more about our work:
Visit the Reporting Null Results Guide
