The Null Result Penalty

Felix Chopra, Ingar Haaland, Christopher Roth, Andreas Stegmann

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

examine how the evaluation of research studies in economics depends on whether a study yielded a null result. Studies with null results are perceived to be less publishable, of lower quality, less important and less precisely estimated than studies with large and statistically significant results, even when holding constant all other study features, including the sample size and the precision of the estimates. The null result penalty is of similar magnitude among PhD students and journal editors. The penalty is larger when experts predict a large effect and when statistical uncertainty is communicated with p-values rather than standard errors. Our findings highlight the value of a pre-result review.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftThe Economic Journal
Vol/bind134
Udgave nummer657
Sider (fra-til)193-219
ISSN0013-0133
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

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