A New Account of Replication in the Experimental Life Sciences. Issue 3 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guttinger, Stephan
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 86:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/703555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

Abstract : The life sciences are said to be in the midst of a replication crisis because (1) a majority of published results are irreproducible, and (2) scientists rarely replicate existing data. Here I argue that point 2 of this assessment is flawed because there is a hitherto unidentified form of replication in the experimental life sciences, which I call 'microreplications' (MRs). Using a case study from biochemistry, I illustrate how MRs depend on a key element of experimentation, namely, experimental controls. I end by reflecting on what MRs mean for the broader debate about the replication crisis.