Nonreproducible

Nonreproducible describes results or findings that cannot be reproduced when other researchers attempt to perform the same experiment or analysis, or when independent teams cannot obtain the same conclusions using the original methods. In science, reproducibility and replication are central tests of reliability, and nonreproducible results challenge confidence in conclusions drawn from the work. The term is used across disciplines, with particular attention in fields such as psychology, biomedicine, and the social sciences.

Causes include small sample sizes and random variation, publication bias toward positive results, flexible or undisclosed data analysis, and questionable research practices such as p-hacking and HARKing (hypothesizing after results are known). Insufficient methodological detail can impede exact replication, and differences in context, materials, or participant populations can produce divergent outcomes even for sound studies.

Implications include misallocation of resources, erosion of trust, and a push for more rigorous practices. Remedies emphasize transparency and verification: preregistration of study protocols and analysis plans, sharing of data and code, encouraging independent replication studies, and adopting stricter statistical standards. Collaborative approaches such as multi-lab studies and preregistered replications are also promoted to establish generalizability and reliability.

Terminology usage varies; some nonreproducible results may be genuine findings that are context-dependent or false positives, while others reflect incomplete reporting or methodological flaws. Addressing nonreproducibility is part of broader efforts to improve scientific rigor and integrity.