Wonderful question Rob!
“One of the greatest parts of research is the ability to make a hypothesis and find out that your predictions were wrong. When we make mistakes we learn more than if our predictions were right. Do you as a reader judge a researcher negativity if their results are unexpected? Does fell like it provides more or less validity to their conclusion?”
I would like to think that those accessing research have a broader mindset and equally understand the importance of learning when the predictions are wrong. Logically speaking and applying to daily life, I think we naturally do this with raising children. Parents continually adapt and try something new when a parenting technique is not working. If it fails we adjust. I do think when there is a group of researchers it is likely that they all won’t agree at the beginning but must find a way to reach consensus on their hypothesis. I suspect that initial thoughts will find their way into the research. For the educated reader I like to think those understanding what research is about, will not find it all that surprizing to learn not all predictions will come true. I think the opposite might occur where it will garner respect as the researcher was truthful and trustworthy. The information presented could therefor be viewed as even more credible.