nonreplicable

Nonreplicable is an adjective used in scientific discourse to describe research findings that cannot be reproduced or validated by independent investigators through subsequent studies. The term is often associated with the broader concept of replication or reproducibility, but usage varies by field; some scholars use nonreplicable to mean results that do not hold under closer scrutiny, while others reserve it for findings that fail when re-run with the same data and methods. In practice, nonreplicability can reflect limits of a theory, contextual boundaries, or methodological weaknesses.

Causes of nonreplicability include small sample sizes, selective reporting, researchers’ degrees of freedom, p-hacking, publication bias, errors in data collection or analysis, and insufficient methodological detail. Complex systems, context dependence, or boundary conditions can also produce effects that do not generalize beyond the original setting. Differing populations, settings, or measurement approaches can contribute as well, making exact replication challenging even when a genuine effect exists.

Implications of nonreplicable results are substantial. They can undermine confidence in a finding or field, misallocate resources, and complicate policy or clinical decisions based on fragile evidence. However, nonreplicability does not automatically imply fraud; it can indicate true limits of a theory, the need for more robust testing, or the importance of identifying applicable conditions under which an effect occurs.

Responses targeting nonreplicability include emphasizing reproducibility and replication studies, preregistration of study protocols, improved reporting standards, data and code sharing, and the use of registered reports. Collaborative, multi-lab investigations and meta-analytic techniques also help distinguish robust effects from context-specific or spurious results.