Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty.

ABSTRACT: This study explores how researchers' analytical choices affect the reliability of scientific findings. Most discussions of reliability problems in science focus on systematic biases. We broaden the lens to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of conscious and unconscious decisions that researchers make during data analysis. We coordinated 161 researchers in 73 research teams and observed their research decisions as they used the same data to independently test the same prominent social science hypothesis: that greater immigration reduces support for social policies among the public. In this typical case of social science research, research teams reported both widely diverging numerical findings and substantive conclusions despite identical start conditions. Researchers' expertise, prior beliefs, and

SUBMITTER: Breznau N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9636921 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature