Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science

Open Science Collaboration, Stefan Stieger

Research output: Journal article (peer-reviewed)Journal article

5549 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Reproducibility is a defining feature of science, but the extent to which it characterizes current research is unknown. We conducted replications of 100 experimental and correlational studies published in three psychology journals using high-powered designs and original materials when available. Replication effects were half the magnitude of original effects, representing a substantial decline. Ninety-seven percent of original studies had statistically significant results. Thirty-six percent of replications had statistically significant results; 47% of original effect sizes were in the 95% confidence interval of the replication effect size; 39% of effects were subjectively rated to have replicated the original result; and if no bias in original results is assumed, combining original and replication results left 68% with statistically significant effects. Correlational tests suggest that replication success was better predicted by the strength of original evidence than by characteristics of the original and replication teams.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberaac4716
Pages (from-to)aac4716
JournalScience
Volume349
Issue number6251
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Aug 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Behavioral Research
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Periodicals as Topic
  • Psychology
  • Publication Bias
  • Publishing
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research
  • Research Design

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