FEATURING
Dr. Samantha F. Anderson, Associate Professor, Arizona State University.
TITLE
Replication, Research Practices, and the Quest for Cumulative Knowledge
ABSTRACT
Though replication dates back to the 17th century, an interest in studying, improving, and celebrating replication as a research area has recently emerged in psychology. As replication studies become more common, there is a need to improve the rigor and methodology of such studies, as well as the original studies that precede replication studies. Moreover, the focus on replication has naturally led researchers to seek cumulative knowledge, but this can be challenging when typical research literatures contain results that appear to contradict one another. Thus, it is also important to investigate factors that hinder the ability to draw accurate conclusions from heterogenous findings. In this talk, I will focus on my quest to better understand and improve replication, including considerations for both original and replication studies. The presentation will take us through work on replication study design, the impact of questionable research practices on quantities relevant to the cumulative research literature, and developing more reasonable expectations for replication.
BIO
Dr. Samantha F. Anderson (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is an associate professor in the Quantitative Methodology program at Arizona State University. Her research interests broadly center on developing, understanding, and enhancing cumulative knowledge through study design and analysis. More specifically, her research lines focus on (1) replication study design and methodology, (2) evaluating the consequences of (questionable) research practices, (3) sample size planning for original and replication studies, and (4) causal inference and missing data in multi-wave evaluation studies. Through this research, she aims to bridge the gap between rigorous statistical approaches and accessibility in applied settings, and she has developed the freely available sample size planning software BUCSS. Additionally, she enjoys collaborations in substantive areas including developmental, clinical, and health psychology. Dr. Anderson is an Associate Editor at Psychological Methods.
Annually the Department of Psychology hosts a Colloquia Series throughout the academic year. This exciting program brings us together outside of the classroom to have conversations with the speakers we’ve invited to our campus to share their ideas. You’ll have the chance to hear from international speakers on a wide range of psychology research.
