How to Increase Reproducibility and Credibility of Sociological Research

Book

Authors

Katrin Auspurg

Josef Bruderl

Published

June 1, 2022

Abstract

Since several years, psychology has its so-called replication/credibility crisis. In other disciplines, this discussion has gained considerable momentum as well (e.g., economics and political science). In this chapter we will first argue that there are good reasons to believe that sociology too has a credibility problem. There is meanwhile evidence for low reproducibility of quite some sociological research and questionable research practices seemingly have also been used in sociology. We argue that a credible sociology needs to be transparent, open, and replicating. We will suggest several measures by which such open science practices could be furthered in sociology. A common theme will be that open science practices show features of a social dilemma. Therefore, moral appeals alone will not be sufficient. We additionally need institutional changes that increase the opportunities and incentives for open science practices.

How to cite this work

Katrin Auspurg, Josef Bruderl (2022). How to Increase Reproducibility and Credibility of Sociological Research. Handbook of Sociological Science 512–527 : Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-78990-943-2