Preregistrasi

Preregistrasi refers to the act of registering information about a project, study, or activity before it begins. In research contexts, preregistration involves detailing the research question, hypotheses, study design, sampling plan, outcome measures, and the statistical analysis plan prior to data collection. The aim is to increase transparency, reduce biases such as HARKing (hypothesizing after results are known) and p-hacking, and enhance the credibility and reproducibility of findings.

Preregistration is most common in clinical trials and in behavioral or social science research, but it is applied across disciplines. Researchers typically submit a protocol to a public registry or platform, which provides a time-stamped record. Examples of registries include clinical trial registries and open science platforms that host preregistration records. Some journals and funding bodies require preregistration or strongly encourage it as a condition for publication or support.

Process and practices vary by registry, but common elements include declaring the primary and secondary outcomes, planned analyses, and criteria for stopping the study. After registration, deviations or modifications should be documented with justification, and researchers may update the registry accordingly. This documentation supports transparency and allows reviewers and readers to distinguish planned analyses from exploratory work.

Beyond formal research, preregistrasi can also relate to pre-announcing plans for projects, datasets, or events to improve coordination and accountability. Related concepts include registered reports and open science practices that promote preregistration and preregistered analysis plans.