Registered Reports Publication Model

Concerns Regarding the Credibility of Scientific Results

Concerns are growing regarding the credibility of scientific results in both the natural and social sciences. Researchers are under increasing pressure to publish novel, positive results in order to compete for job opportunities, funding, and other resources. Academic journals are also increasingly dedicated to pursuing higher impact factors. Much of these activities occur at the expense of the pursuit of scientific truth. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that researchers are using questionable research practices (QRPs), ranging from selectively reporting results to outright data fabrication, to increase their chances of publishing their research. Consequently, there is an emerging movement that is raising concerns about credibility and calling for changes to the way in which we communicate scientific results.

Why do researchers ...