Absence, Conflict, and Negative Evidence

Research often fails when it records only confirming material.

QLens requires space for:

• observations that do not fit the current model;
• failed attempts to reproduce a result;
• expected evidence that was not found;
• sources that directly conflict;
• boundary cases that weaken a generalization.

Absence must be handled carefully. “Not observed” does not automatically mean “does not exist.” Its evidential force depends on whether the research method should have detected the thing if it were present.

Conflict should not be prematurely resolved by deleting one side. Competing evidence remains visible until the research can explain the disagreement or honestly preserve it as unresolved.