I think the discussions around this issue (in this thread and elsewhere) are missing a key point: The vast majority of academic research is conducted by graduat

I think the discussions around this issue (in this thread and elsewhere) are missing a key point: The vast majority of academic research is conducted by graduate students working toward their PhD. For instance, the word "student" does appear in this page even once. I am not condoning fraud, but put yourself in the students' shoes, and ask which is more likely: "Hmmm, these experiments that I have spent several years working on, and are the basis of my entire thesis, didn't work out. If I report the correct results, my entire project will be worthless and I will not earn my PhD. Too bad I wasted 5 years of the prime of my life pursuing this hypothesis which my supervisor insisted I investigate. I hear Costco has good benefits, I wonder if they're hiring?" or "Hmmm, if I just delete some outliers, cherry pick some experiments, ignore others, nudge a few of these data point in the right direction, and choose this specific statistical analysis, I can show a positive result, which means I can graduate, start my life and family (finally), get a job (maybe in academia, maybe not), and fulfill my dreams." As I said, I am not condoning fraud, but the discussion of solutions need to focus on the right problem. Most discussions seem to imagine a professionally established scientist whose prestige and job promotion depend on good results. In reality the stakes are a lot higher if you realize that these results of literally life-changing for the graduate students doing the work. I guess I'm saying there is a human side to this issue beyond greed and prestige seeking (although there is plenty of that too).