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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Agroecosystems Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322954
Title: Publish unexpected results that conflict with assumptions

Author
item Logsdon, Sally

Submitted to: Agricultural and Environmental Letters
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2015
Publication Date: 2/9/2016
Citation: Logsdon, S.D. 2016. Publish unexpected results that conflict with assumptions. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 1:150007.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Some widely held scientific assumptions have been discredited, whereas others are just inappropriate for many applications. Sometimes, a widely-held analysis procedure takes on a life of its own, forgetting the original purpose of the analysis. The peer-reviewed system makes it difficult to get a paper published that questions established assumptions or shows data contrary to established ideas. Refusing to publish these studies is hampering the advancement of science. Novel observations should be published so other scientists can pursue new theory.