Learning from Our Mistakes: We Have a Scientific and Fiscal Obligation to Publish Failed Results

By only publishing the positive and successful results of our research, we as a field are limiting scientific advances and exercising poor stewardship of financial resources. By moving toward norms that include disseminating failed, unexpected, and tangential results, we have the opportunity to not only increase the efficiency of science, but also advance new discoveries. Of the broad scientific disciplines, chemistry in particular is poised to take advantage of already-existing, relatively low-barrier approaches to change the scientific publishing culture.