Public engagement with research reproducibility | PLOS Biology

"Trust in science is vital for society, as public understanding plays a crucial role in the acceptance and implementation of scientific knowledge. Research reproducibility is a fundamental component of maintaining this trust; it helps to identify mistakes and is crucial for transparency. However, there are growing concerns that numerous studies across many fields prove difficult or impossible to replicate [1]. Various factors, including reporting bias, small sample sizes, and questionable research practices like p-hacking—where researchers repeatedly test data in different ways to find significant results [2]—contribute to this troubling reality. Irreproducible research not only impedes academic progress, but it may also exacerbate misplaced skepticism when communicated to the public. This situation creates a paradox: increasing public literacy on the complexities of reproducibility could foster a more nuanced understanding of research results, but also risks further eroding confidence in science. It is therefore crucial that this topic can be communicated to the broader public in an accessible, positive, and constructive manner."