Infographic: The benefits of publishing your null results with Discover

Author: Siobhan Bates

You’ve spent months designing and conducting your research. The results come in, and they don’t support your hypothesis. Now what? In a scholarly landscape that often celebrates only “positive” findings, it’s easy to feel disheartened. But here’s 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 we’re 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 The State of Null Results white paper from Springer Nature, our infographic is designed to help researchers understand the real-world benefits of sharing all outcomes, not just the positive ones.

The problem: Null results still go unpublished

Despite the growing recognition of their importance, null results remain underreported. In Springer Nature’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 Springer Nature

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:

1. Contributing to scientific transparency
2. Stimulating new research questions
3. Supporting open science practices
4. Enhancing personal credibility
5. Receiving constructive peer feedback

Read the infographic to uncover more insights on publishing null results 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 don’t just tolerate the existence of null, inconclusive, and negative results in research, we explicitly fight for their inclusion. 
Explore our infographic to see the top four reasons to publish negative results with Discover.

Let’s normalise null results

The scientific process is iterative. It’s built on trial, error, and refinement. By publishing all outcomes, including those that don’t 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 you’ve ever hesitated to publish a null result, now’s 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, you’re not just advancing your own work. You’re helping to build a better future for research.

We invite you to download the infographic and share with your network, or if you’re ready to start your Discover journey, explore all of our journals.

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