Psychological data and their reproducibility

Abstract

Herein, I discuss some methodological aspects on the reproducibility of psychological data. Reduced reproducibility of psychological data can occur as a consequence of research misconduct, inadequate statistical methods, effects of uncontrolled latent variables, and low occurrence probability of the studied phenomena itself. As such, the validity of data and their analyses may be subject to these sources of irreproducibility, and the expected reproducibility level depends on theoretical and methodological characteristics of the studied phenomena and related variables. Until recently, psychologists’ historical reluctance for replication studies, derived from demonstrational and anecdotal usage of psychological data, has prevented psychologists from considering the issues related to reproducibility. Some possible alternatives for psychologists addressing reproducibility issues are also discussed.