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The Journal of Serendipitous and Unexpected Results

Posted by samzenpus on from the well-that-didn't-work dept.

SilverTooth writes "Often, when watching a science documentary or reading an article, it seems that the scientists were executing a well-laid out plan that led to their discovery. Anyone familiar with the process of scientific discovery realizes that is a far cry from reality. Scientific discovery is fraught with false starts and blind alleys. As a result, labs accumulate vast amounts of valuable knowledge on what not to do, and what does not work. Trouble is, this knowledge is not shared using the usual method of scientific communication: the peer-reviewed article. It remains within the lab, or at the most shared informally among close colleagues. As it stands, the scientific culture discourages sharing negative results. Byte Size Biology reports on a forthcoming journal whose aim is to change this: the Journal of Serendipitous and Unexpected Results. Hopefully, scientists will be able to better share and learn more from each other's experience and mistakes."

4 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. So... by Biff+Stu · · Score: 4, Funny

    If the LHC generates an Earth-eating black hole, will it be published here?

    1. Re:So... by Asadullah+Ahmad · · Score: 5, Funny

      I don't think so. This Journal will not publish any results that were expected

  2. failed experiment by InlawBiker · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't date Wendy from the admissions office. Spectacular failure.

    1. Re:failed experiment by jamesh · · Score: 3, Funny

      And you are basing this on one datum? Have you learned NOTHING??? Go back and try again and see if you get the same outcome.