What should I do if research results do not support the outcome I hoped for?
If the results do not support the conclusion you hoped for, do not immediately regard the research as a failure. Examine carefully what the results do and do not show, including the hypothesis, methods, data quality, and limitations. Distinguish between a result that does not support the hypothesis and one for which the data are insufficient to draw a conclusion. Discuss it with a supervisor or research peers, revise the hypothesis or methods if appropriate, and report the negative or unexpected findings accurately rather than selecting data to fit expectations.
Key points
- Do not interpret results selectively or choose data simply to match expectations.
- Review the hypothesis, research methods, and data limitations, and consider whether replication or further investigation is needed.
- Unexpected findings can lead to new questions or research directions.