The open access journal, BMC Psychology, has announced it will launch the first ever randomised controlled trial to find out if a 'results free' peer-review process can help reduce publication bias.
'Results free' means that reviewers of research manuscripts submitted for publication will not be able to see the results or discussion sections until the end of the review process. It is thought that this could ensure the research is judged on the strength of a study's methods, and the question it is addressing, rather than the results or outcome of the study.
It is well established that results deemed statistically significant are more likely to be published than null results – or those that fail to reach significance in a statistical test. However, these null results form an important part of the scientific record and are crucial to develop an accurate evidence base.
The trial will start with an initial pilot phase where the first 10 authors to opt in will go through the 'results free' process to show that the procedure is feasible and efficient. Following the pilot, a randomised controlled trial will start where authors who opt in are randomly assigned to the 'results free' or normal peer-review process.
Evidence shows that unreliable research findings can be found across the biomedical and social sciences. Innovative reforms of the peer-review system, such as the 'results free' trial, could help address these issues.
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