Articles | Volume 9, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-9-371-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Editorial: Introducing a new article type: Limitations, Errors, Surprises, Shortcomings and Opportunities for New Science (LESSONS)
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- Final revised paper (published on 21 Aug 2026)
- Preprint (discussion started on 15 Apr 2026)
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor
| : Report abuse
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-987', Daniela Brito Melo, 13 May 2026
- AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Jonas Pyschik, 23 Jun 2026
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RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-987', Melissa Reidy, 19 May 2026
- AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Jonas Pyschik, 23 Jun 2026
Peer review completion
AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Submit a revised manuscript (25 Jun 2026) by Sebastian G. Mutz
AR by Jonas Pyschik on behalf of the Authors (16 Jul 2026)
Author's response
Author's tracked changes
Manuscript
ED: Publish as is (24 Jul 2026) by Sebastian G. Mutz
ED: Publish as is (03 Aug 2026) by Solmaz Mohadjer (Executive editor)
AR by Jonas Pyschik on behalf of the Authors (13 Aug 2026)
The manuscript presents a new article type (LESSONS), dedicated to scientific errors, limitations and null results - topics frequently absent in classic scientific literature. It refers to several peer-reviewed articles addressing these topics, which showcase the impact of a positively biased publication culture, as well as the scientific value of reporting errors, limitations and null results. The article properly states the need and advantages of this type of article. I warmly congratulate the authors on this initiative.
Before publication, I would recommend considering the following suggestions:
L.117-124: In this part of the text, the authors give examples of discontinued journals dedicated to the same topic. In my view, it would be helpful to reflect on the potential causes and to state what will be done to avoid a similar ending for the LESSONS article type.
L.222-223: the authors highlight that limitations, errors, etc. (i.e. LESSONS) have been published before in "regular research articles", together with "substantial new results, advances". In my view, the advantage of publishing this type of results in a LESSONS article type in comparison to a "regular" article type is not clearly stated. Are LESSONS articles a temporary need while the publishing culture does not change? If not, this should be clearly stated.
Chapter 3: I think it would be worth adding to this section the answer to "When to write a LESSONS article". In my perspective, a researcher will continue investigating a problem until the "substantial new result" is found. At that time, they might prioritize writing a "regular research article" in comparison to a LESSONS article. There are sufficient arguments in the manuscript supporting the writing of a LESSONS article. However, current career incentives might pressure researchers to move on to the next finding instead of documenting the LESSONS from their just published work. I think it would be useful if the authors could acknowledge and elaborate on these challenges and motivate the need to timely document the discovered errors and shortcomings.
L.240, 258, 358, 360, 362: capitalize "report(s)" for consistency.
L.240-241: introduce ACP after "article processing charges" just for clarity.
L. 250, 359, 361: capitalize "post(s)" for consistency.