Reproducibility: A Primer on Semantics and Implications for Research (RTI Press Books)

Science is allegedly in the midst of a reproducibility crisis, but questions of reproducibility and related principles date back nearly 80 years. Numerous controversies have arisen, especially since 2010, in a wide array of disciplines that stem from the failure to reproduce studies or their findings: biology, biomedical and preclinical research, business and organizational studies, computational sciences, drug discovery, economics, education epidemiology and statistics, genetics, immunology, policy research, political science, psychology, and sociology.

This book defines terms and constructs related to reproducible research and examines considers key considerations and challenges in reaching key goals of credible scientific investigations. It clarifies reproducible research, with its attendant (and confusing or even conflicting) lexicon, and provides useful background, definitions, and practical guidance for all readers.

The authors conclude that researchers must become better educated about these issues, so as to communicate more clearly within their own fields and, more importantly, across multiple disciplines. Scientists should embrace these concepts as part of their responsibilities as good stewards of research funding and as providers of credible information for public policy decision-making in many areas of public policy. The goal is achieving the most rigorous, high-quality science possible given limitations on time, funding, or other resources.