nulltulemus

Nulltulemus, in Estonian, literally means "zero result" and is used in scientific reporting to describe findings in which the data do not provide evidence for an effect or difference under the analyzed conditions. In statistical terms, a nulltulemus often corresponds to a non-significant result, such as a p-value above the chosen alpha level, or a confidence interval that includes the null value. It does not prove the absence of an effect; rather, it indicates insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis given the study design and statistical power.

The term is primarily used in Estonian-language scholarship and may accompany the English term "null result." It appears across disciplines such as psychology, medicine, and the social sciences. Researchers use nulltulemused to report data-driven outcomes that do not support hypothesized effects; proper interpretation requires consideration of study power, measurement precision, and potential biases.

Discussion surrounding nulltulemused touches on broader methodological issues. Publication bias has historically favored positive findings, which can distort the evidence base and hinder replication. Contemporary reporting practices emphasize preregistration, registered reports, and the open reporting of null results to improve transparency and the accuracy of meta-analyses.

See also: null hypothesis, p-value, confidence interval, publication bias, preregistration, replication.