A Social Psychological Model of Scientific Practices: Explaining Research Practices and Outlining the Potential for Successful Reforms

Psychol Belg. 2019 Sep 12;59(1):353-372. doi: 10.5334/pb.496.

Abstract

A crescendo of incidents have raised concerns about whether scientific practices in psychology may be suboptimal, sometimes leading to the publication, dissemination, and application of unreliable or misinterpreted findings. Psychology has been a leader in identifying possibly suboptimal practices and proposing reforms that might enhance the efficiency of the scientific process and the publication of robust evidence and interpretations. To help shape future efforts, this paper offers a model of the psychological and socio-structural forces and processes that may influence scientists' practices. The model identifies practices targeted by interventions and reforms, and which practices remain unaddressed. The model also suggests directions for empirical research to assess how best to enhance the effectiveness of psychological inquiry.

Keywords: Science reform; meta-science; questionable research practices; replication crisis.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This paper was based on work supported by grants from The Hewlett and Fetzer Foundations. It has greatly benefitted from discussions with Simine Vazire.