Why Replication Has More Scientific Value Than Original Discovery

Overview

Journal Behav Brain Sci

Specialties Neurology
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2019 May 9

PMID 31064545

Citations 14

Authors

John P A Ioannidis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The presumed dominance of "original discovery" over replication is an anomaly. Original discovery has more value than replication primarily when scientific investigation can immediately generate numerous discoveries most of which are true and accurate. This scenario is uncommon. A model shows how original discovery claims typically have small or even negative value. Science becomes worthy mostly because of replication.

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