Lack of Transparency in Publishing Negative Clinical Trial Results

Abstract

Researchers often do not publish negative results; positive outcome reported bias remains rampant. This problem is pervasive throughout the medical continuum. Failure to release less than favorable results could be construed as ethically and morally inappropriate. Failure to make public less than favorable outcomes stifles the scientific process and is contrary to the precepts of the Declaration of Helsinki and the World Health Organization. Sponsors and researchers must embrace the ideal of publishing well-designed studies with negative results.

Keywords: Clinical research; Negative results; Randomized control trials.