Failure evidence
What didn't work, method by method
Papers report the method that worked. Theses also record what didn't. 198 methods, 9,178 failure records from 7,616 dissertations, plus 1,803 problems left open. Every page is built only from records whose thesis link we could open.
Machine learning & AI
31 methods
- Autoencoders & Generative Modeling 97 theses · 26 institutions
- Transformers & Attention Models 92 theses · 28 institutions
- Data Augmentation 87 theses · 26 institutions
- Zero-Shot Learning 86 theses · 19 institutions
- Random Forests & Tree Ensembles 83 theses · 28 institutions
- Neural Network Architectures 72 theses · 25 institutions
- Reinforcement Learning 65 theses · 16 institutions
- Dimensionality Reduction & PCA 65 theses · 24 institutions
- Anomaly Detection 64 theses · 21 institutions
- Support Vector Machines 61 theses · 22 institutions
- Graph Machine Learning 61 theses · 20 institutions
- Feature Extraction & Selection 61 theses · 22 institutions
- Markov Models 59 theses · 23 institutions
- Convolutional Neural Networks 58 theses · 18 institutions
- Gaussian Processes 58 theses · 13 institutions
- Probabilistic Latent Modeling 57 theses · 24 institutions
- Variational Inference 57 theses · 16 institutions
- Contrastive & Representation Learning 56 theses · 17 institutions
- Hierarchical Clustering 56 theses · 20 institutions
- Model Pruning & Compression 52 theses · 19 institutions
- Transfer Learning & Domain Adaptation 48 theses · 18 institutions
- K-Means Clustering 44 theses · 25 institutions
- End-to-End Deep Learning 41 theses · 19 institutions
- Large Language Models & Prompt Engineering 40 theses · 15 institutions
- Recurrent Neural Networks 39 theses · 17 institutions
- Supervised & Unsupervised Learning 39 theses · 21 institutions
- Multi-Task Learning 37 theses · 16 institutions
- Ensemble Learning 37 theses · 21 institutions
- Natural Language Processing 35 theses · 17 institutions
- Rule-Based & Expert Systems 34 theses · 19 institutions
- Deep Learning & Pretraining 16 theses · 12 institutions
Optimization & control
14 methods
- Convex & Mathematical Programming 103 theses · 21 institutions
- Decentralized & Distributed Control 89 theses · 27 institutions
- Finite State Machines & Logic Control 82 theses · 24 institutions
- Feedback & Closed-Loop Control 76 theses · 27 institutions
- Regularization Methods 74 theses · 21 institutions
- Trajectory & Motion Planning 69 theses · 17 institutions
- Constrained Optimization 68 theses · 20 institutions
- Optimal Resource Allocation & Scheduling 61 theses · 18 institutions
- Gradient Descent & Backprop 43 theses · 21 institutions
- Multi-Objective Optimization 43 theses · 20 institutions
- Parameter Optimization & Hyperparameter Tuning 37 theses · 17 institutions
- Adaptive Control 25 theses · 14 institutions
- Combinatorial & Discrete Optimization 25 theses · 14 institutions
- Actuation & Robotic Control 17 theses · 7 institutions
Simulation & modelling
16 methods
- Time Series Forecasting & State-Space 87 theses · 30 institutions
- Monte Carlo Simulation 74 theses · 24 institutions
- Hydrodynamic & Fluid Simulation 74 theses · 22 institutions
- Finite Element Modeling 68 theses · 18 institutions
- Surrogate & Reduced-Order Modeling 65 theses · 15 institutions
- Kinematic & Dynamics Simulation 61 theses · 16 institutions
- Thermal & Heat Transfer Simulation 53 theses · 16 institutions
- Agent-Based & Multi-Agent Simulation 51 theses · 17 institutions
- Stochastic Modeling 50 theses · 23 institutions
- Structural Mechanics & Stress Modeling 45 theses · 17 institutions
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation 43 theses · 15 institutions
- Structural Docking & Molecular Mechanics 34 theses · 17 institutions
- Density Functional Theory & Quantum Chem 31 theses · 12 institutions
- Biomechanical Modeling 31 theses · 14 institutions
- Electromagnetic & Optical Simulation 27 theses · 12 institutions
- Multiscale Modeling 24 theses · 16 institutions
Signals, sensing & imaging
23 methods
- Digital Filtering & Signal Denoising 88 theses · 28 institutions
- Image Segmentation & Computer Vision 86 theses · 31 institutions
- Sensor Fusion & Multimodal Integration 85 theses · 23 institutions
- State Estimation & Kalman Filtering 78 theses · 22 institutions
- Signal Thresholding & Edge Detection 76 theses · 27 institutions
- Remote Sensing & Satellite Imagery 76 theses · 23 institutions
- Fourier & Spectral Transformation 68 theses · 24 institutions
- Acoustic & Audio Signal Processing 67 theses · 22 institutions
- Image Reconstruction & Tomography 65 theses · 18 institutions
- Spatial Mapping & GIS 64 theses · 20 institutions
- Ultrasonic Imaging & Characterization 51 theses · 17 institutions
- Wearable & Mobile Sensing 41 theses · 18 institutions
- Electrochemical Biosensors 32 theses · 13 institutions
- Electron Microscopy (TEM/SEM) 30 theses · 13 institutions
- Optical Waveguides & Fiber Sensing 29 theses · 15 institutions
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques 27 theses · 15 institutions
- Semantic & Object Recognition 23 theses · 15 institutions
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) 18 theses · 12 institutions
- Super-Resolution Microscopy 17 theses · 9 institutions
- Surface Acoustic Wave Sensing 15 theses · 9 institutions
- Mass Spectrometry Imaging 15 theses · 8 institutions
- Surface Plasmon Resonance 14 theses · 8 institutions
- Optoelectronic & Photovoltaic Probing 13 theses · 9 institutions
Materials, chemistry & fabrication
34 methods
- Transition Metal Catalysis 102 theses · 30 institutions
- Electrode & Electrolyte Design 86 theses · 27 institutions
- Thin-Film Coating & Vapor Deposition 83 theses · 24 institutions
- Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing 77 theses · 25 institutions
- Polymerization Techniques 74 theses · 18 institutions
- Hydrogel Biomaterial Synthesis 72 theses · 25 institutions
- Thermal Annealing & Calcination 64 theses · 21 institutions
- Asymmetric & Chiral Synthesis 61 theses · 21 institutions
- Surface Modification & Plasma Treatment 58 theses · 22 institutions
- Cross-Coupling & C-H Functionalization 56 theses · 19 institutions
- Raman & Infrared Spectroscopy 55 theses · 24 institutions
- Photolithography & Microfabrication 55 theses · 21 institutions
- Laser Sintering & Ablation 53 theses · 19 institutions
- X-Ray Diffraction & Crystallography 52 theses · 18 institutions
- Nanoparticle Synthesis & Doping 51 theses · 18 institutions
- Chemical Functionalization & Crosslinking 50 theses · 15 institutions
- Peptide Synthesis & Modification 47 theses · 18 institutions
- Chemical Etching & Surface Micromachining 45 theses · 13 institutions
- Metal Oxide Material Engineering 43 theses · 15 institutions
- Semiconductor Doping & Implantation 42 theses · 15 institutions
- Fuel Cell & Battery Cycling Protocols 40 theses · 15 institutions
- Lewis Acid Catalysis 39 theses · 15 institutions
- Solvent Extraction & Crystallization 39 theses · 19 institutions
- Porous Materials & MOFs 35 theses · 17 institutions
- Electrochemical Deposition & Synthesis 32 theses · 15 institutions
- Solid-State Synthesis 29 theses · 14 institutions
- Dielectric Spectroscopy & Impedance 26 theses · 11 institutions
- Catalytic Degradation & Redox Cleavage 24 theses · 18 institutions
- Microencapsulation Technologies 23 theses · 11 institutions
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) 21 theses · 11 institutions
- Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) 21 theses · 12 institutions
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DSC) 15 theses · 13 institutions
- Photochemical Synthesis 13 theses · 8 institutions
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) 11 theses · 8 institutions
Biology & lab methods
62 methods
- CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing 70 theses · 20 institutions
- RT-qPCR & Nucleic Acid Amplification 67 theses · 22 institutions
- Chromatography & Protein Purification 67 theses · 18 institutions
- Lipid & Membrane Engineering 67 theses · 21 institutions
- High-Throughput Assays & Screening 65 theses · 20 institutions
- Cell Culture & Co-Culture Engineering 64 theses · 24 institutions
- Genetic Circuit & Plasmid Construction 64 theses · 19 institutions
- Microfluidics & Lab-on-a-Chip 63 theses · 18 institutions
- Bioinformatics Homology & Sequence Alignment 61 theses · 23 institutions
- Transient Transfection 55 theses · 19 institutions
- Single-Cell Sequencing 55 theses · 15 institutions
- Stem Cell & Lineage Differentiation 55 theses · 18 institutions
- Reporter Gene Assays 50 theses · 19 institutions
- In Vitro Binding Assays 48 theses · 18 institutions
- Cytokine Profiling & Immunomonitoring 48 theses · 16 institutions
- Immunofluorescence & Confocal Microscopy 47 theses · 15 institutions
- Western Blotting & Immunoblotting 46 theses · 19 institutions
- Targeted Drug Delivery Systems 46 theses · 18 institutions
- Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting 45 theses · 23 institutions
- Epigenetic & Chromatin Profiling 44 theses · 15 institutions
- Biomarker Discovery & Profiling 43 theses · 14 institutions
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) 43 theses · 22 institutions
- RNA Sequencing & Transcriptomics 39 theses · 11 institutions
- Microbial Inoculation & Fermentation 39 theses · 19 institutions
- Gene Trap & Reporter Transgenesis 39 theses · 16 institutions
- Site-Directed Mutagenesis 37 theses · 12 institutions
- Vaccine Delivery & Formulation 37 theses · 16 institutions
- Transgenic & Recombinant Expression 36 theses · 17 institutions
- Immunohistochemical Staining 36 theses · 17 institutions
- Live-Cell Imaging & Calcium Probing 36 theses · 17 institutions
- Gel Electrophoresis & Blot Transfer 33 theses · 16 institutions
- Metabolic Profiling & Metabolomics 32 theses · 12 institutions
- Phylogenetic Tree Reconstruction 32 theses · 15 institutions
- Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics 30 theses · 11 institutions
- Gene Deletion Engineering 29 theses · 14 institutions
- Microbial Colony Screening & Selection 29 theses · 15 institutions
- siRNA & RNA Interference Knockdown 28 theses · 17 institutions
- Constitutive Expression Systems 28 theses · 17 institutions
- Microscopy Sample Cryo-Preparation 28 theses · 13 institutions
- Targeted Gene Knockout 27 theses · 9 institutions
- Receptor Binding Kinetics & SPR 27 theses · 15 institutions
- Amplicon Sequencing & Metagenomics 26 theses · 14 institutions
- Targeted Gene Overexpression 25 theses · 9 institutions
- Cellular Apoptosis & Necrosis Assays 25 theses · 14 institutions
- Heterologous Expression 24 theses · 12 institutions
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics 23 theses · 10 institutions
- Co-Immunoprecipitation Assays 22 theses · 13 institutions
- Gas & Liquid Chromatography (GC-MS/HPLC) 22 theses · 12 institutions
- Bacterial Resistance & Antibiotic Assays 21 theses · 11 institutions
- Nanocarrier Drug Loading & Release 19 theses · 12 institutions
- Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology 19 theses · 15 institutions
- Enzyme Activity & Kinetic Assays 17 theses · 13 institutions
- Kinase Inhibition Assays 17 theses · 9 institutions
- Small-Molecule Drug Screening 15 theses · 7 institutions
- Optogenetics & Neural Stimulation 15 theses · 11 institutions
- Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) 15 theses · 10 institutions
- In Vivo Microdialysis & Ex Vivo Probing 13 theses · 8 institutions
- Protein-Protein Interaction Screening 11 theses · 7 institutions
- Solid-Phase Peptide Extraction 11 theses · 7 institutions
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) 11 theses · 6 institutions
- Pharmacological Receptor Modulation 10 theses · 7 institutions
- Cellular Membrane Transport Probing 9 theses · 6 institutions
Causal inference & statistics
13 methods
- Fixed Effects Panel Methods 73 theses · 26 institutions
- Bootstrap Resampling & Permutation 72 theses · 25 institutions
- Propensity Score Matching 66 theses · 26 institutions
- Sensitivity & Uncertainty Analysis 59 theses · 24 institutions
- Difference-in-Differences Design 55 theses · 18 institutions
- Multilevel & Hierarchical Linear Modeling 48 theses · 18 institutions
- Longitudinal Growth & Latent Curve Modeling 44 theses · 18 institutions
- Survival & Proportional Hazards Modeling 40 theses · 16 institutions
- Instrumental Variable Estimation 37 theses · 14 institutions
- Causal Mediation Analysis 28 theses · 18 institutions
- Structural Equation Modeling 23 theses · 14 institutions
- Event Study Designs 19 theses · 11 institutions
- Moderation & Interaction Modeling 19 theses · 11 institutions
Engineering & mechanics
5 methods
- Vibration & Damping Analysis 99 theses · 25 institutions
- Thermal Dissipation & Heat Exchangers 63 theses · 18 institutions
- Friction & Wear Tribology 43 theses · 18 institutions
- Colloidal & Suspension Rheology 37 theses · 16 institutions
- Composite Material Layup & Testing 36 theses · 17 institutions
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