Evaluating the Pedagogical Effectiveness of Study Preregistration in the Undergraduate Dissertation

Abstract

Research shows that questionable research practices (QRPs) are present in undergraduate final-year dissertation projects. One entry-level Open Science practice proposed to mitigate QRPs is “study preregistration,” through which researchers outline their research questions, design, method, and analysis plans before data collection and/or analysis. In this study, we aimed to empirically test the effectiveness of preregistration as a pedagogic tool in undergraduate dissertations using a quasi-experimental design. A total of 89 UK psychology students were recruited, including students who preregistered their empirical quantitative dissertation ( n = 52; experimental group) and students who did not ( n = 37; control group). Attitudes toward statistics, acceptance of QRPs, and perceived understanding of Open Science were measured both before and after dissertation completion. Exploratory measures included capability, opportunity, and motivation to engage with preregistration, measured at Time 1 only. This study was conducted as a Registered Report; Stage 1 protocol: https://osf.io/9hjbw (date of in-principle acceptance: September 21, 2021). Study preregistration did not significantly affect attitudes toward statistics or acceptance of QRPs. However, students who preregistered reported greater perceived understanding of Open Science concepts from Time 1 to Time 2 compared with students who did not preregister. Exploratory analyses indicated that students who preregistered reported significantly greater capability, opportunity, and motivation to preregister. Qualitative responses revealed that preregistration was perceived to improve clarity and organization of the dissertation, prevent QRPs, and promote rigor. Disadvantages and barriers included time, perceived rigidity, and need for training. These results contribute to discussions surrounding embedding Open Science principles into research training.

Accuracy in Parameter Estimation and Simulation Approaches for Sample Size Planning with Multiple Stimuli

“…The replication "crisis" and credibility revolution have shown that published studies in psychology are underpowered (Korbmacher et al, 2023;Open Science Collaboration, 2015;Vazire, 2018). Pre-registration of a study involves outlining the study and hypotheses before data collection begins (Chambers et al, 2014;Nosek & Lakens, 2014;Stewart et al, 2020), and details of a power analyses or limitations on resources are often used to provide justification for the pre-registered sample quota (Pownall et al, 2023;van den Akker, Assen, et al, 2023;van den Akker, Bakker, et al, 2023). Given the combined issues of publish-or-perish and that most non-significant results do not result in published manuscripts, power analysis may be especially critical for early career researchers to increase the likelihood that they will identify significant effects if they exist (Rosenthal, 1979;Simmons et al, 2011).…”