Psychology and other fields have faced what has become known as a “reproducibility crisis” (Ioannidis, 2005; Open Science Collaboration, 2015). The reproducibility crisis refers to the idea that other researchers have difficulties reproducing findings independently. The causes are manifold: insufficiently specified theories, undisclosed flexibility in data collection and analyses (such as p-hacking or the not reporting of negative results), and to a lesser degree, fraud. Scientists have to face these problems and work to improve their research methods to increase the reproducibility of their findings and the veracity of their theories. And psychologists have been leading the charge in developing new methods and tools.

Changing research practices can feel like a daunting experience, especially for students. But it also means there are opportunities ahead (Spellman, 2015). What are the best practices and tools? How can one develop a reliable research project? And because of open science practices and tools, will it become easier to compete with other, more highly resourced countries?

This workshop is aimed at researchers with fewer financial resources, teaching how to reduce the cost and effort (open) science may present them with, while at the same time presenting them with the (open source) resources to meet the challenges of a new model for scientific research. The workshop aims to provide hands-on training in open science, by teaching tools to share research materials and data, pre-registration, and separating exploratory from confirmatory data analyses. Moreover, participants will walk away with a (hopefully) more reproducible lab workflow.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the reproducibility crisis and its consequences;
• Set up a lab workflow;
• Conduct proper power analyses for both simple and complex study designs;
• Setting a workflow to separate exploratory and confirmatory analyses;
• Initiating or participating in crowd-sourced research like the CREP and the PSA.

This will be an active workshop; participants should bring computers with their statistical software of preference and a project they are interested in adapting to open research practices.

Short survey

Participants will be asked to take an anonymous short survey prior to the workshop, to access their level of knowledge about the reproducibility crisis and science methods.

Additional instructions and materials will be delivered to the participants prior to and at the workshop. The workshop will be recorded, and the videos will be uploaded at the workshop OSF page (to be informed).

Target audience

Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, lecturers and other researchers, preferably involved in research concerning human and animal behavior. Maximum of 50 attendees.

Attendance Fee

The workshop is free! Just access and fill the form in the registration link.

This workshop is a satellite event to the V Conferência e X Simpósio de Psicobiologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte.

Sponsors: