How can we make sound replication decisions?

Davis-Stober, Clintin P; Sarafoglou, Alexandra; Aczel, Balazs; Chandramouli, Suyog H; Errington, Timothy M; Field, Sarahanne M; Fishbach, Ayelet; Freire, Juliana et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2025

other · Level V

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Abstract

Replication and the reported crises impacting many fields of research have become a focal point for the sciences. This has led to reforms in publishing, methodological design and reporting, and increased numbers of experimental replications coordinated across many laboratories. While replication is rightly considered an indispensable tool of science, financial resources and researchers' time are quite limited. In this perspective, we examine different values and attitudes that scientists can consider when deciding whether to replicate a finding and how. We offer a conceptual framework for assessing the usefulness of various replication tools, such as preregistration.

Medical subject headings