Which of the following is a potential ethical issue in research publication?

Failure to report negative results is a significant ethical issue in research publication because it can lead to a phenomenon known as publication bias. When only positive or significant findings are published, it skews the scientific literature and can mislead other researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who rely on existing studies to inform their own work. This bias inhibits a comprehensive understanding of a research topic, as it ignores potentially important information about what does not work or what may not have yielded significant results.

Transparent timing of research processes, involvement of multiple authors, and thorough peer review processes are generally viewed as best practices in research publication rather than ethical issues. Transparency in research processes helps ensure that all aspects of the study are adequately communicated, the involvement of multiple authors can reflect collaboration and a range of expertise, and rigorous peer review is crucial for maintaining the integrity and quality of published research. Each of these factors contributes positively to the research ecosystem, whereas failing to report negative results actively undermines it.