I think they actually do know what they are doing and therefore there hypothesis is incorrect

They are perfectly following the scientific method:

Set up a hypothesis (I don’t know what I am doing)

Formulate a contrary null hypothesis (I know what I am doing) and try to prove it (if I know what I am doing, I will be able to do science stuff)

Notice that your experiment actually proves your null hypothesis, therefore rejecting your original claim

Panic, as negative results can not be published and a lack of publications threatens both the funding for your scientific career as well as your livelihood

Bend the data a little bit and throw any negative data because everybody is probably doing this

Proclaim you have proven your hypothesis