Ironically, while this is a very data-driven piece of research, the fact that it chimes with how most people (especially within the HN crowd) 'feel' will make it more persuasive!

I hope that some of this trend is due to the acceptance thresholds lowering slightly, allowing for publication of incomplete research, on which others can build, rather than requiring a complete conclusion. Of course, one may draw conclusions about funding causing people to wrap up research prematurely.