preregistrierte

Preregistrierte describes research elements that have been preregistered before data collection or analysis. It is a key concept in the open science movement, aimed at increasing transparency, methodological rigor, and credibility by documenting hypotheses, methods, and analysis plans in advance. In German-language writing, preregistrierte Hypothesen, preregistrierte Analysen or preregistrierte Primärergebnisse are common expressions to indicate that these components were registered beforehand.

A preregistration typically records the research question, hypotheses, planned sample size, inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary and secondary outcomes, and the statistical analysis plan. Registries provide a time-stamped record that helps distinguish confirmatory (preplanned) from exploratory (data-driven) analyses. Preregistrations may occur before any data are observed, and any deviations from the preregistered plan should be transparently justified.

There are different forms of preregistration. In some fields, preregistration is mandatory for certain study types, such as clinical trials. Another related model is the registered report, where the study protocol is peer reviewed and accepted for publication based on the quality of the question and methods before results are known, with final publication depending on adherence to the preregistered plan or justified changes.

Limitations and cautions include that preregistration is not a guarantee of truth and does not prevent misconduct. It also requires careful planning and can reduce flexibility. In practice, preregistrierte components are increasingly used across disciplines to improve reproducibility and trust in research findings.