Reinforcing Reproducibility and Replicability: An Introduction

Abstract

The purpose of scientific publishing is the dissemination of robust research findings, exposing them to the scrutiny of peers. The key to this endeavor is documenting the provenance of those findings. Scientific practices during the course of research and subsequent publication, peer review, and dissemination practices and tools, all interact to (hopefully) enable a meaningful discourse about the veracity of scientific claims.However, while all practices and tools contribute to the final output, some are less often discussed than others, and perceptions, usage, and acceptance differ in myriad ways across disciplines. In this special theme, and in a subsequent column called "Reinforcing Reproducibility and Replicability,"we will explore these topics, with expert providers and expert users providing their input. While we will start within the economics discipline in this special theme, the column will not be as narrowly focused, providing context and voice from other disciplines over time.